The Detroit Tigers placed left-handed pitcher Dontrelle Willis on the 15-day disabled list with an anxiety disorder yesterday and put oft-injured reliever Joel Zumaya on the list with a sore right shoulder.

But Willis said he has been feeling well on and off the mound.

"I have no idea, but (the doctors) didn't like what they saw in the blood," Willis said. "This is not something where I'm too amped up and I don't know where I'm at, and I'm running sprints up and down the parking lot."

General manager Dave Dombrowski said he could not provide details about Willis' medical condition or treatment because of privacy regulations.

The team said Zumaya's placement on the 15-day disabled list was retroactive to March 27.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland had earlier said Zumaya was unlikely to start the season in Detroit. The right-handed pitcher was considered for the closers job but felt soreness after an appearance on March 2 against Florida Southern College.

CUBS

GREGG NAMED CLOSER

Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella has picked Kevin Gregg to be the team's closer heading into the season.

Gregg beat out Carlos Marmol, the Cubs' setup man last year. Going into yesterday, Gregg hadn't given up a run all spring.

The Cubs obtained the 30-year-old Gregg during the offseason in a trade with Florida. Last season, he saved 29 games for the Marlins.

YANKEES

GARDNER IN CENTER

Brett Gardner has won the Yankees' starting center field job.

New York manager Joe Girardi announced yesterday that Gardner beat out Melky Cabrera this spring for the starting spot on opening day.

The speedy Gardner had a .228 batting average over 42 games in 2008, but was successful on 13 of 14 stolen-base attempts. He is hitting .385 with five stolen bases in 22 spring training games.

ELSEWHERE

METS:

Citi Field opened its shiny steel gates for a big test run, hosting a wide-eyed crowd that got its first glimpse of the New York Mets' new home.

While the Mets finish up spring training in Florida, 22,397 fans — many with cameras in hand — ignored the wet and chilly weather yesterday to explore the new stadium and watch Georgetown use a four-run seventh inning to beat St. John's, 6-4, in a college baseball game.

MARINERS:

Right-hander Brandon Morrow confirmed yesterday morning what manager Don Wakamatsu announced earlier — that Morrow will head back to the bullpen for the start of the season.

This won't be a temporary move to build arm strength after Morrow missed much of spring training with forearm stiffness. He said the move was determined a week ago, adding that he "feels at home" in the bullpen and doesn't envision returning to a starting role.

Also yesterday, the Mariners optioned catcher Jeff Clement to Triple-A Tacoma, released reliever Tyler Walker and acquired utility player Chris Burke from the San Diego Padres for cash.

GIANTS:

Randy Johnson, preparing for his first season with San Francisco, threw 80 pitches in a minor league camp game yesterday.

He gave up seven hits and two runs in his final Arizona appearance.

The Big Unit, five wins shy of 300, was 1-2 with a 2.38 ERA in four spring training starts.

PADRES:

San Diego right-hander Cha Seung Baek strained a flexor muscle in his forearm in the fourth inning of his start against the Los Angeles Dodgers yesterday and came out a couple of hitters later.