Mirabelli Rejoins Red Sox

Doug Mirabelli got a police escort from the airport, changed into his uniform in a car and made it to Fenway Park just in time to fill his role as personal catcher to knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

The Boston Red Sox reacquired Mirabelli from the San Diego Padres on Monday and he arrived at Fenway 13 minutes before the night game against the New York Yankees.

After going from the airport to his crouch behind the plate in 25 minutes, Mirabelli got a standing ovation from Red Sox fans who hoped he could do better than Josh Bard, who had 10 passed balls in Wakefield’s four previous starts this season. There were no passed balls Monday.

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Striking minor league umpires rejected a tentative strike settlement by a 2-1 margin. The rejected contract called for a salary increase of $100 per month across the salary scale, starting in 2006. The umpires say their salaries average $15,000 at triple A, $12,000 at double A, $10,000 in full-season Class A and $5,500 in rookie leagues.

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Colorado first baseman Todd Helton, who had been hospitalized with an intestinal problem, will begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment today at triple-A Colorado Springs.

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Russ Swan, 42, a left-handed pitcher who spent parts of six seasons in the major leagues, died at a hospital in Las Vegas, where he was taken after falling down a stairwell and hitting his head, his sister said.