21.   Irabu was told Thursday that he has made the team and will be on the Opening Day roster, most likely as a middle or long reliever.

22.   Just call Astros long reliever Ron Villone or Cubs counterpart Todd Van Poppel.

23.   Left-hander Omar Daal also fits into this category, but he likely will be used more as a long reliever.

24.   Long reliever, indeed.

25.   Long reliever.

26.   Long relievers Chris Michalak or Steve Woodard are also possibilities.

27.   Mark Eichhorn, a right-handed long reliever, also was activated from the disabled list.

28.   Meanwhile, on the mound, the Angels turned to long reliever Al Levine, who made the second start of his five-year major league career.

29.   Maddux has done a nice job as the long reliever.

30.   Mariano Rivera proved again he might be the most valuable long reliever in baseball with two more hitless innings.