Red Sox Add Alou to List of Candidates

Batting third in the lineup of Boston Red Sox managerial candidates was former Montreal manager Felipe Alou, who interviewed for the job Saturday.

Red Sox officials whisked Alou to an undisclosed location shortly after he arrived at the team’s Fort Myers, Fla., spring training camp. No decision was expected until Monday.

The Red Sox also have interviewed Cleveland coach Grady Little and Boston coach Mike Cubbage.

“Whoever comes over is fine, but there’s no doubt that I have the experience of playing for Felipe,” said Boston pitcher Pedro Martinez, who played for Alou at Montreal. “At that time, he proved to me that he could be the best manager in baseball.”

Alou turned down the Boston manager’s job when Jimy Williams was fired last year. Alou managed the Expos from 1992 until he was fired last May.

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Needing to fill the void left by Tom Gordon’s shoulder injury, the Chicago Cubs hope to close a deal with free agent Jeff Shaw, the former Dodger closer.

“I’ve already talked to Jeff. He has said he would like to consider it,” agent Joe Bick said. “I think we’ll know if it’s going to fly within a day or two.”

Andy MacPhail, the Cubs’ general manager, said he probably would know by Monday or Tuesday whether there’s a deal.

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Cub third baseman Bill Mueller, still slowed by a broken kneecap from last May, will undergo surgery Monday and sit out opening day....Colorado right-hander Scott Elarton probably will sit out the season following arthroscopic surgery Friday on his throwing shoulder....New York Yankee left-hander Andy Pettitte has a mild muscle strain in his throwing elbow and will not throw for a few days.