Girardi Hospitalized Because of Migraine

Yankee catcher Joe Girardi was hospitalized for several hours because of a severe migraine, and Manager Joe Torre said Girardi was also dehydrated and nauseated.

“They’re not sure what’s causing it,” Torre said. “We’ll hopefully know something in the morning.”

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Albert Belle, saying he wants to play as soon as possible, plans to make his debut for the Chicago White Sox Friday in the team’s exhibition opener against Minnesota at Fort Myers, Fla.

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Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox said Denny Neagle, the junior member of the best pitching rotation in baseball, will be the starter in the Braves’ home opener April 4 at Turner Field, the team’s new 49,000-seat stadium in Atlanta.

Cy Young Award winner John Smoltz will start the season opener April 1 at Houston, with Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine pitching the next two games of the three-game series there.

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Barry Larkin was appointed captain of the Cincinnati Reds, the first player to hold the post since Dave Concepcion retired in 1988. . . . San Diego and St. Louis expect to get approval today to play the first major league regular-season games in Hawaii--a doubleheader April 19 at 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium in Honolulu and an afternoon game there April 20.