Baseball

Short Hops...

The Rangers are expected to call up third baseman Dean Palmer and catcher Ivan (Pudge) Rodriguez shortly after the All-Star break. Palmer, who as of Sunday led pro baseball with 22 home runs at Triple A Oklahoma City, could be used at third, leftfield and DH. Though Rodriguez is only 19, he might be the best-throwing catcher in the American League when he gets called up....

What does it take to be a hitting coach? Mario Mendoza, the former big league shortstop who hit so poorly that a .200 BA is called the Mendoza Line, is the batting coach for the Angels' Class A affiliate in Palm Springs, Calif....

First baseman-outfielder Jeff Conine, one of Kansas City's brightest minor league prospects, is still having trouble with a sprained left wrist. As insurance, the Royals signed outfielder Jeffrey Leonard, released by Seattle in October 1990, to a Triple A contract....

Jerry Manuel of Montreal is the only black third base coach in the big leagues. The Expos, who also have Tommy Harper at first, are the only team with two blacks in the coaching boxes. There are only six blacks in coaching boxes in the majors.