Major League Baseball tidbits

CC Sabathia, who joins Justin Verlander on the list of pitchers ruled out of the All-Star game because they are set to work next Sunday, says he would rather go to the Bahamas on vacation than Phoenix. The bet is he’ll be there anyway. … And for what it’s worth, Sabathia wouldn’t even talk about the possibility of being used in a six-man rotation. He will use his opt-out clause to get a new deal in the off-season, and it’s not a slam dunk he stays with the New York Yankees. … That was some at-bat Dustin Ackley had against Jonny Venters on Wednesday. The Seattle Mariners’ rookie second baseman homered, the first extra-base hit the Braves lefty had given up this season. Ackley is off to a great start, going six for eight against left-handers, including a triple off Cole Hamels. … The Cleveland Indians are looking for an outfielder after losing Shin-Soo Choo for eight to 10 weeks with a broken thumb. The Chicago Cubs’ Kosuke Fukudome reportedly is on their radar, along with Ryan Ludwick and Corey Patterson. … The Philadelphia Phillies are saying Roy Oswalt will be out until at least August, but some wonder whether he’ll need season-ending surgery to repair the bulging disc in his back. … Vance Worley, who has taken Oswalt’s place in the Phillies’ rotation, doesn’t lack for confidence. He nicknamed himself “The Vanimal.” … There were knowing glances around the Yankees’ front office when Zack Greinke melted down at Yankee Stadium last week. Brian Cashman passed on pursuing Greinke because of concerns about how he’d handle the big stage. … The Rangers are likewise looking smart for letting Vladimir Guerrero walk. He helped Texas move past the Angels but has been a low-impact guy in Baltimore. … Don’t get worked up about Joe Mauer working out at first base. The Minnesota Twins are only considering using him at first when he doesn’t catch, not shifting him permanently.

— Phil Rogers