Finley files for divorce

Anaheim, Calif. Former Anaheim Angels pitcher pitcher Chuck Finley filed for divorce from his actress wife Tawny Kitaen on April 4, just three days after she was arrested for allegedly hitting, scratching and kicking her husband following a loud argument at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Irvine. Finley, who now makes nearly $8 million a year pitching for the Cleveland Indians, also obtained a temporary restraining order preventing Kitaen, 40, from getting near him. And he obtained temporary custody of the couple’s two children, ages 9 and 3.

Athletics shelve Mulder

Oakland, Calif. The Oakland Athletics placed left-handed starter Mark Mulder on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, retroactive to April 12, because of a strain in his left forearm. Mulder (2-1), who led the AL with 21 wins last season, left his start last Thursday at Texas after four innings due to tightness in the arm. Mulder, 24, is on the disabled list for the first time, though he missed the final two weeks of the 2000 season because of a herniated disc in his back.

Cressend suspended

New York Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Jack Cressend has been suspended for three games and fined an undisclosed amount for intentionally throwing at Cleveland’s Ricky Gutierrez in a game last Thursday. Unless Cressend appeals the decision, announced Tuesday by Bob Watson, baseball’s vice president for on-field operations, the suspension will begin on Wednesday.

Yankees’ Williams out

New York Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams will be out of the lineup for at least three games because of soreness in both shoulders. New York also got bad news regarding left-hander Andy Pettitte, who will miss his next start because of a tender pitching elbow. Williams, hitting just .180 with no home runs and one RBI in 50 at-bats this season, went to see Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.