The Associated Press

CHICAGO - The protective netting in place to protect fans from falling concrete at Wrigley Field must be replaced with a permanent solution if the Chicago Cubs want to play at the stadium next spring.

Building commissioner Stan Kaderbek said at a news conference Saturday that the most recent inspections at the 90-year-old ballpark had not uncovered any surprises, although the city will not decide until noon today whether the Cubs can play their home game tonight against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Regardless of that decision, Kaderbek said the nylon netting draped underneath the upper deck is not a permanent solution to the ballpark's crumbling concrete. Chunks of concrete have fallen from Wrigley's upper deck on at least three occasions since June.

"Clearly, we're not going to tolerate having nets up next spring," Kaderbek said. "We need to figure out what's causing the problem. It's just not acceptable to have nets up there for the rest of 2005."

ROYALS: Kansas City designated outfielder Ruben Mateo for assignment Sunday and purchased the contract of first baseman Calvin Pickering from Triple-A Omaha. Also, the Royals recalled outfielder Matt Stairs from the 15-day disabled list and put first baseman Ken Harvey on the 15-day DL.

Pickering hit 35 home runs for Omaha in just 299 at-bats, or one about every 8 1/2 at-bats. Sunday with the Royals, he hit two home runs and had six RBI.

With the addition of Pickering, the Royals set a team record with 54 players used in a season. The major-league record is 59, set by Cleveland and San Diego in 2002.

BLUE JAYS: Frank Catalanotto will be lost to Toronto for the rest of the year after deciding to have season-ending surgery on his strained groin. The Blue Jays recalled left-hander Dave Maurer from Triple-A Syracuse to take his roster spot.

SHORT HOPS: Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau was taken to a hospital for X-rays on his left hand after being hit by a pitch from Cleveland starter C.C. Sabathia in the sixth inning Sunday.

• The New York Mets recalled right-hander Matt Ginter from Triple-A Norfolk in time for him to start Sunday's game against the San Francisco Giants. The Mets optioned first baseman Craig Brazell to Norfolk.

•  San Diego purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Marty McLeary from Triple-A Portland on Sunday and sent down utility player Brian Buchanan. McLeary, obtained from the Florida Marlins in April, was 4-4 with a 3.18 ERA and 13 saves for Portland in 40 games, including seven starts.

• San Francisco Giants All-Star pitcher Jason Schmidt, bothered by a sore groin, had his next start pushed back four days as a precautionary move.

• The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will call up LHP Scott Kazmir from Double-A Montgomery to make his major-league debut tonight Monday in Seattle. He was acquired in a four-player deal last month that sent RHP Victor Zambrano to the Mets.

Kazmir has a 2.50 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 101 innings this season in the minors. Since the trade, he has a 1.44 ERA in four games at Montgomery.