DOWN THE LINE

This is a rebuilding year in Baltimore. The Orioles traded Erik Bedard to the Mariners for a handful of players, Miguel Tejada to the Astros for another handful.

This is a rebuilding year in Minnesota. The Twins traded Johan Santana to the Mets for a handful of their own.

This is a rebuilding year in Oakland. The A’s traded Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks for half a dozen youngsters.

No pressure, no problem

So far, the kids are all right, and so are all the rebuilding teams. Check back in September, or even June, but for now, the present doesn’t look too bad.

The Mariners lost All-Star closer J.J. Putz to the disabled list, and one of his old setup men, George Sherrill, saved three games for the Orioles as Baltimore swept a four-game series from Seattle.

Orioles outfielder Luke Scott, who hit 18 home runs as a part-time player in Houston last season, led the American League with a .517 on-base percentage entering the weekend.

Outfielder Carlos Gomez, the Twins’ prize in the Santana trade, jumped to the majors at 22 and is hitting .298 with five stolen bases.

And Dana Eveland and Greg Smith, neither of whom was the A’s prize in the Haren trade, combined for three starts, all quality ones, with a 1.40 earned-run average.

Eyes on the prize, or at least a win

The Marlins aren’t getting much return from their big trade with the Tigers. Andrew Miller has a 11.37 ERA in three starts, and outfielder Cameron Maybin is in double A.

But the Tigers aren’t getting much return from the trade, either. Dontrelle Willis has walked nine, struck out none, and he’s on the disabled list, and third baseman Miguel Cabrera is at .167.

He springs onto the disabled list

The swallows don’t return to San Juan Capistrano as precisely as they used to, but we have a new herald of spring in California: Rich Harden makes his first trip to the disabled list.

The first date on the disabled list for the amazing -- and amazingly fragile -- A’s pitcher each spring:

2005: May 14

2006: April 27

2007: April 23

2008: April 10

Pricey downtown dining: Try Chavez Ravine

The Dodgers lead the major leagues in the annual cost-of-eating index.

According to Team Marketing Report, the cost of four hot dogs, two small sodas and two small beers runs $46 at Dodger Stadium, the highest such tab in the majors. The major league average is $34; the Angels are at $27.

The Dodgers, at least, are contenders. The Giants charge $45 for those items, making the cost and the team hard to stomach.

He could catch Cal in the year 2022

When the Dodgers put Juan Pierre -- and his streak of 434 consecutive games played -- on the bench on opening day, Grady Sizemore took the major league lead in that category. The Indians’ outfielder has played in 369 consecutive games.

When the Indians visited Anaheim last week, Sizemore said he had no idea Pierre had lost his streak not because of injury but because the Dodgers simply decided they had three better outfielders.

“That’s got to be hard,” Sizemore said. “He’s a guy that’s been around, that’s been producing and having good years. No one wants to lose it that way -- or take the lead that way.”

In perspective: Pierre’s streak covered almost three full seasons, with Sizemore at two full seasons plus six weeks. Cal Ripken’s record of 2,632 consecutive games covers the equivalent of 16 seasons plus six weeks.

-- Bill Shaikin