PEORIA, Ariz. ? Outfielder Rondell White has a place to play after he was traded Wednesday from the New York Yankees to the San Diego Padres for outfielder Bubba Trammell and minor-league left-hander Mark Phillips.

More importantly, the Padres cleared approximately $5 million from the books for 2004, which will help them pursue free agents prior to moving into their new downtown ballpark next season.

The trade came less than two weeks after Padres left fielder Phil Nevin had surgery on his dislocated left shoulder, which likely will cause him to miss the season.

White will play left field and bat fifth, providing protection for Ryan Klesko. Trammell had been scheduled to play right field, but rookie Xavier Nady is now the front-runner to start there instead of in left.

White, 31, was a disappointment in his first season with the Yankees, getting hurt during spring training and failing to regain his swing until late in the season, when he was injured again. He batted .240 with 14 homers and 62 RBIs.

“It’s good and bad. I’m going to miss the guys,” White said in Tampa, Fla. “I had a chance to play with a group of Hall of Famers. I didn’t want to leave New York. I wanted to come back and prove what I can do.”

Cardinals

Jupiter, Fla. — St. Louis outfielder Eli Marrero is in St. Louis to undergo tests for stomach irritation that has bothered him during spring training. Marrero left spring training Monday night, trainer Barry Weinberg said. He’s expected to rejoin the team Friday.

Mariners

Peoria, Ariz. — Catcher Dan Wilson was placed on the disabled list Wednesday by the Seattle Mariners because of a strained internal oblique muscle on his left side. Wilson was injured in batting practice Feb. 28 and has had only one at-bat this spring. He is eligible to be activated April 5 against Texas. Wilson, who will be 34 Tuesday, has been the Mariners’ opening-day catcher for the past eight seasons.

Indians

Winter Haven, Fla. — Rookie manager Eric Wedge made his first pitching move with Cleveland. Wedge changed pitching coaches Wednesday just 12 days before the club’s season opener, firing Mike Brown and replacing him with Carl Willis. Willis had been the pitching coach at Triple-A Buffalo the past two seasons under Wedge. Wedge said he decided to make the move in the past couple of days and did it with general manager Mark Shapiro’s approval.

Marlins

Miami — Florida Marlins right-hander A.J. Burnett might miss his opening day start because of an inflamed elbow. An examination by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday didn’t reveal any ligament damage in the elbow. Burnett was given a cortisone shot to reduce the swelling.

Rangers

Arlington, Texas — Former Dallas Cowboys great Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s rushing leader, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Texas’ home opener against Seattle.

Red Sox

Fort Myers, Fla. — Boston manager Grady Little didn’t want a repeat of last year, so he decided not to have starter John Burkett pitch in a Triple-A game Wednesday, Boston’s only off day this spring. Burkett was injured in a similar game last spring and missed the first three weeks of the regular season.