Jon Lester just wants to be treated as a normal pitcher.

That was tough when he had cancer. It became harder when he won the deciding game of the World Series. Then, Monday night, the Red Sox left-hander pitched the only no-hitter in the majors so far this season.

But he could have been known as the pitcher who was traded for Johan Santana. Lester, 24, was the centerpiece of offseason talks between Boston and Minnesota. Santana eventually went to the New York Mets and Lester ended up starting the second game of the season in Tokyo against the Oakland A's.

That's the next team he'll pitch against Sunday in Oakland, and that's the game he's focusing on.

"In six days, I want to be treated like anybody else," Lester said. "I just want to go out there and pitch and, hopefully, pitch well against the A's and move on and pitch against the next opponent."

For now, the repercussions of his gem in a 7-0 win against the Kansas City Royals continue. The Hall of Fame was given a game-used baseball, Lester's cleats, and the catching equipment of Jason Varitek, who caught his major league-record fourth no-hitter.

Mets

Mike Piazza is retiring from baseball after a 16-season career in which he became one of the top-hitting catchers in history. "After discussing my options with my wife, family and agent, I felt it was time to start a new chapter in my life," he said. "It has been an amazing journey. ... So today, I walk away with no regrets.

Padres

Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained and swollen right elbow. The move was retroactive to Thursday, a day after he lasted just four innings against the Cubs.

Rockies

Troy Tulowitzki took on-field batting practice for the first time since tearing a quadriceps muscle April 29. He said he hasn't experienced any more pain from the injury but doesn't know when he'll be back.

Diamondbacks

Arizona left-hander Doug Davis, who has been recovering from thyroid cancer surgery, will return to the rotation Friday at Atlanta, manager Bob Melvin said.

Marlins

Florida left fielder Josh Willingham could miss another month or more because of a herniated disc that has kept him out since April 27.

Twins

Minnesota second baseman Matt Tolbert learned a hard lesson about not sliding into first base. Tolbert will have surgery tomorrow to repair an injured ligament on his left thumb, and it will take at least 4¹/₂ weeks before he even starts rehabilitation. He was injured last week in Colorado when he slid head-first into first base while trying to beat a throw.