The Associated Press

NEW YORK - The Kansas City Royals got some bullpen help Monday by acquiring left-hander Graeme Lloyd from the New York Mets for minor league right-hander Jeremy Hill.

Lloyd, 35, is 1-2 with a 3.31 ERA in 36 appearances for New York this season.

Jeremy Affeldt had been the only left-hander in the Royals' bullpen. He was moved to a relief role last week after repeated struggles with blisters on his pitching hand.

Hill spent most of the season at Triple-A Omaha, going 1-3 with one save and a 7.81 ERA. Hill made one appearance with the Royals this year, pitching a scoreless inning April 29 at Boston. He also pitched for Double-A Wichita, giving up an unearned run in two innings.

GEORGE HOT: The Boss has a message for Boston: Don't celebrate just yet.

New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was bothered enough after his team lost two straight games against the Red Sox to issue a statement Monday about the series.

"We didn't play well in Boston, but I'm not getting down on anyone," Steinbrenner said. "It's a long season and a long way to go. They haven't won anything yet."

The Yankees won the opener of the three-game series, but the Red Sox came back with wins Saturday and Sunday to cut New York's lead in the AL East to 1 1/2 games.

PIRATES: Pitcher Kris Benson went on the 15-day disabled list Monday, a week after he took himself out of the rotation because his right shoulder was bothering him.

The right-hander was to have started tonight against San Diego in Pittsburgh. The Pirates wrapped up a four-game weekend series in St. Louis on Monday.

CARDINALS: Left-handed reliever Lance Painter was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left calf injury and reliever Mike Crudale was optioned to Triple-A Memphis.

The team also recalled left-hander Pedro Borbon Jr. and right-hander Josh Pearce from Memphis.

"With the makeup of our bullpen, we need innings," manager Tony La Russa said. "Pearce is here for protection in case we need some innings over the next few days. So he's taking Mike's spot. We're trying to survive series to series, week to week. This makes the best sense right now."

Catcher Eli Marrero has begun running as he rehabilitates the ruptured ligament in his lower right leg that he hurt May 12 in Chicago.

BRAVES: Atlanta placed pitcher Trey Hodges on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right elbow and recalled pitcher Jason Marquis from Triple-A Richmond. Marquis has had two stints with Atlanta and was 0-0 with a 5.71 ERA average in six appearances.

TWINS: The team recalled outfielder Michael Restovich from Triple-A Rochester on Monday and optioned first baseman Justin Morneau to the International League club. Restovich was hitting .267 with 16 homers and 65 RBIs in 409 at-bats for the Red Wings.