Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker was suspended for two games and New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi and San Diego hitting coach Wally Joyner were penalized one game yesterday after recent arguments with umpires.

Major League Baseball also fined all three undisclosed amounts. There is no formal appeal process for suspended managers and coaches — they can ask baseball to take a second look if they believe special conditions exist.

Girardi was suspended for kicking dirt on plate umpire Chris Guccione in the ninth inning of Thursday's 2-1 win over Baltimore. Girardi disputed a foul tip that became strike three on Jason Giambi and drew his first ejection as Yankees manager, twice throwing his hat and kicking it.

After the game, Girardi said he did not think he did anything that warranted a suspension. He said he was "shocked" to learn baseball disciplinarian Bob Watson suspended him for last night's home game against Seattle. His fine was believed to be $2,000.

"I think if you feel there's an extenuating circumstance you can appeal it, but because of cameras and photos, the dirt clearly goes on his shoe. But that was not my intent," Girardi said.

Baker made contact with umpire Eric Cooper during a dispute in the seventh inning of Thursday night's 8-2 loss at San Diego. The suspension was set to start last night as the Reds continued their series against the Padres.

Baker had gone onto the field after Cincinnati's Edwin Encarnacion was ejected by Cooper for arguing a called third strike. Baker wound up getting ejected by Cooper, too.

"I didn't see that I made contact with him, but he told me (Thursday) night that I did," Baker said.

Joyner was penalized for coming on the field to argue Wednesday against St. Louis. The former All-Star was scheduled to serve his suspension last night.

ASTROS

TEAM WILL RETIRE NO. 7 IN HONOR OF BIGGIO

Houston will retire Craig Biggio's No. 7 at Minute Maid Park on Aug. 17, before the Astros play Arizona.

Biggio, 42, retired last season after playing his entire 20-year career with Houston. The seven-time All-Star is the franchise's career leader in hits, games, runs scored and at-bats.

Biggio will become the ninth Astro to have his number retired by the team.

RED SOX

SCHILLING PLEASED WITH PROGRESS IN REHAB

Curt Schilling took a key step yesterday in his rehabilitation from the shoulder injury that has sidelined him all year: He played long toss from 140 feet.

While it doesn't sound like much even to Schilling, he knows that each step in the process is important. The 41-year-old right-hander is on the 60-day disabled list recovering from weakness in his shoulder and biceps and is eager to finally get his 21st major league season under way.

"Significant is a strong word," Schilling said after his session in the Oakland Coliseum. "It's a step. It's coming. I'm closer to getting on a mound and that's where I want to get."

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said that if all goes well Schilling could be throwing off the mound in a couple of weeks.

TRADE

MINOR LEAGUER DEALT FOR 10 MAPLE BATS

During three years in the low minors, John Odom never really made a name for himself.

That sure changed this week — he's the guy who was traded for a bunch of bats.

"I don't really care," he said yesterday. "It'll make a better story if I make it to the big leagues."

For now, Odom is headed to the Laredo Broncos of the United League. They got him Tuesday from the Calgary Vipers of the Golden Baseball League for a most unlikely price: 10 Prairie Sticks Maple Bats, double-dipped black, 34-inch, C243 style.

According to the Prairie Sticks Web site, their maple bats retail for $69 each, discounted to $65.50 for purchases of six to 11 bats.

ELSEWHERE

Brewers: Milwaukee placed closer Eric Gagne on the 15-day disabled list with right rotator cuff tendinitis before last night's game against Washington. The move is retroactive to May 21. Gagne, who signed with Milwaukee as a free agent in December, is 1-2 with a 6.98 ERA. The right-hander has blown five of his 15 save opportunities.

White Sox: Chicago placed second baseman Juan Uribe on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring and purchased outfielder DeWayne Wise's contract from Triple-A Charlotte yesterday. Uribe, batting .198 with three homers and 15 RBIs in 38 games, was injured in the sixth inning against the Angels in Los Angeles on May 15. The move to the DL is retroactive to May 16.

Yankees: Catcher Jorge Posada will head to the team's minor league complex in Tampa, Fla., for rehabilitation of his throwing shoulder next week and could rejoin New York in early June. The five-time All-Star hasn't played since April 26 because of the shoulder, an injury that Posada tried to play through during the first month of the season.

Braves: Manager Bobby Cox has agreed to a one-year contract extension to manage the Atlanta Braves through 2009.