Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay was knocked out of yesterday's game against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning when Garret Anderson lined a single off his pitching elbow.

The 2003 Cy Young winner departed after 16 pitches with two out and runners at first and third. He was taken to Anaheim Memorial Hospital for X-rays, which were negative. There was no structural damage, just a bruise and some residual swelling, and he is optimistic about taking his next turn in the rotation next weekend against Tampa Bay.

"The hurdle in the next couple of days will be to get the swelling out of there and hopefully get right back out there," Halladay said.

Halladay missed the second half of last season after a line drive off the bat of Texas' Kevin Mench broke a bone in his left leg and prevented him from starting in the All-Star game.

DEVIL RAYS

TEAM RELEASES LEE

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays released first baseman Travis Lee yesterday.

Lee is the major leagues' career fielding percentage leader (.997) among first basemen with 750 or more games played. He struggled offensively this season, hitting .224 with 11 homers and 31 RBIs in 114 games.

Ty Wigginton and Kevin Witt are expected to get most of the playing time at first base.

ELSEWHERE

Red Sox: Outfielders Manny Ramirez (sore right knee) and Coco Crisp (injured left index finger) missed yesterday's game against the Kansas City Royals.

Mariners: Third baseman Adrian Beltre missed his third straight game because of the birth of his son. He was expected to be available today for the three-game series with Toronto.

Reds: Outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. had a cortisone shot in his right big toe Saturday. The toe had been bothering him since Monday, when he dislocated the second toe on his right foot.