01:00 AM EDT on Saturday, April 15, 2006

The Florida Marlins have no immediate plans to trade either Dontrelle Willis or Miguel Cabrera, team owner Jeffrey Loria said yesterday.

"They are so unfounded as to be ridiculous," Loria said of recent trade rumors involving the Marlins' two star players. "We are not shopping players. We're rebuilding a team here."

Loria made his comments in the wake of recent speculation, both on television and in print, that the Marlins might be looking to unload Willis before the July 31 trading deadline.

Cabrera's name has also come up in media trade speculation.

Loria, angered by the reports, said he does not normally comment on trade rumors. But Loria, speaking just hours before Willis was scheduled to start against the Washington Nationals, said he felt it was necessary to do so this time because he called the rumors "unfounded" and "irresponsible."

Willis, who won 22 games for the Marlins in 2005 and finished second in National League Cy Young Award voting, is earning $4.35 this season, or more than a fourth of the team's entire on-field payroll of about $15 million.

Cabrera, who is making $472,000, should see a large pay increase next season when he becomes eligible for arbitration for the first time. The third baseman hit .323 with 33 home runs and 116 RBI last season and finished fifth in voting for the N.L. Most Valuable Player.

ROUNDUP

SMITH JOINS YANKS: The Yankees recalled left-handed reliever Matt Smith from Triple-A Columbus yesterday and designated catcher Koyie Hill for assignment. Smith, 26, who was one of New York's final spring training cuts, made three relief appearances without allowing a hit for the Clippers this season. In 2005, he split time between Double-A Trenton and Columbus, going 5-4 with a 2.74 E.R.A. in 47 games -- including four starts.

INJURY SIDELINES WITASICK: Right-hander Jay Witasick was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Oakland Athletics yesterday because of a sprained left ankle. Outfielder Bobby Kielty was recalled from Sacramento of the Pacific Coast League to take his place on the roster and was in uniform against the Texas Rangers. Witasick was hurt while covering first base on a play in the eighth inning of an 8-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. Witasick has appeared in three games for the A's.

McCRACKEN RECALLED: Outfielder Quinton McCracken, 35, was called up from the minors yesterday in time to join the Cincinnati Reds for a weekend series in St. Louis. He signed a minor league contract on Feb. 14 and hit .356 during spring training, but was slowed by a foot injury. To open a roster spot, the Reds designated infielder Andy Abad for assignment. Abad went 0-for-3 as a pinch hitter for the Reds.

BACKE ON DL: Houston Astros pitcher Brandon Backe was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with a sprained ligament in his right elbow. Backe left in the second inning of the Astros' 5-3 loss to San Francisco on Thursday. He flew to Houston and had the elbow examined yesterday.

WILSON ACTIVATED: Left-hander C.J. Wilson was activated from the 15-day disabled list yesterday by the Texas Rangers, who optioned right-hander Scott Feldman to Triple-A Oklahoma. Wilson pitched four games with Double-A Frisco, going 0-0 with a 2.70 E.R.A. in 3 1/3 innings with six strikeouts and two walks.