BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Higuera Rejoins Brewers for Observation

Left-hander Teddy Higuera will rejoin the Milwaukee Brewers this week but only so team officials can observe his progress as he tries to recover from rotator cuff surgery. Higuera pitched in only seven games last season after he signed a four-year, $13-million deal.

Sal Bando, who directs the Brewers’ baseball operations, said he doesn’t know if Higuera will be able to pitch for the Brewers this season. “He’s making progress but it’s been slower than he made at first,” Bando said.

Montreal Expo outfielder Ivan Calderon failed to return to the team after he was given permission to return to Puerto Rico for a day.

Montreal Manager Felipe Alou said he didn’t know why Calderon has failed to return. “We’ll just wait,” Alou said. “He’s a hell of a hitter and we need him.”