It’s Easier This Time for Alexander

Manny Alexander took over at shortstop for the New York Mets on Monday, replacing injured Rey Ordonez and proclaiming that the switch was a lot easier than his last.

That when in Baltimore last season, when Alexander replaced Cal Ripken, who moved to third base.

“There was a great deal of tension between Ripken and myself when I was inserted into the lineup,” Alexander said. “He thought I was out to take his job. All I was doing was what the manager told me to do, play shortstop.

“The fans made it very difficult for me and so did Ripken. He and I never talked baseball. I never asked him anything and he never told me anything. I would’ve felt better if he talked to me. Playing shortstop is the same any place but in Baltimore.”

Ordonez broke his left hand diving for a ground ball Sunday and is expected to miss four to six weeks.

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The Philadelphia Phillies recalled outfielder Ricky Otero from the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Red Barons and sent right-handed pitcher Calvin Maduro to the triple-A team.