Sandberg adds to management credentials in minors

Ryne Sandberg has added to his managerial portfolio by guiding double-A Tennessee into the Southern League playoffs. He’s making a case for himself as the eventual replacement for Lou Piniella. . . .The Detroit Tigers don’t plan to add Dontrelle Willis this month, making you wonder if they will decide to eat the remaining $12 million on his deal this winter. His diagnosis remains anxiety disorder. . . . Jose Reyes is upset at the New York Mets for not disclosing the severity of the hamstring injury that has kept him out for four months. Some believe he should have surgery, but he wants to get back on the field, even if it’s only for the last week. . . . Make it 12 straight losing seasons for the Baltimore Orioles, five fewer than the Pittsburgh Pirates’ record run. It’s time for owner Peter Angelos to bridge the differences with Cal Ripken Jr. and bring the Hall of Fame shortstop into some role. The problem is Ripken wants to own the Orioles, not work for Angelos. . . . The Minnesota Twins are considering resigning Carl Pavano, who beat the Toronto Blue Jays’ Roy Halladay on Wednesday. . . . The Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians played three games in a 24-hour span last week, with the Rangers scoring 31 runs. . . . Clay Buchholz is doing well since moving into the No. 3 starter’s spot for the Red Sox. He has won three starts in a row, offsetting the uncertain status of Tim Wakefield, whose back is allowing him to start only once every 10 days. . . . Lefty Madison Bumgarner, 20, was impressive in his debut for the San Francisco Giants but didn’t have the low- to mid-90s velocity that has allowed him to dominate in the minors. The Giants’ rotation should be good with Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Barry Zito and Bumgarner next season. . . . Brad Lidge can’t say Charlie Manuel wasn’t patient before pulling him as the closer. Don’t be surprised if Manuel goes back to him before the playoffs. The Philadelphia Phillies also are worried about J.A. Happ, who is out because of a strained rib cage. . . . Hanley Ramirez’s stroll to a batting title is overshadowing his improved fielding. The Marlins’ shortstop entered the weekend with eight errors after committing 26 in 2006. NL managers ranked the Phillies’ Jimmy Rollins, the Rockies’ Troy Tulowitzki and Ramirez as the best defensive shortstops in a survey by Baseball America.