Baseball Capsules: A-Rod meets with MLB investigators on Canadian doc
NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez met with three officials from Major League Baseball and told them he didn’t receive performance-enhancing drugs from a Canadian doctor under investigation by federal and Canadian authorities.
Rodriguez met Thursday in the Tampa area with Dan Mullin, baseball’s vice president of investigations; Victor Burgos, who works in Mullin’s department; and Dan Halem, a senior vice president in baseball’s labor relations department.
The New York Yankees third baseman was accompanied by lawyers James E. Sharp and Jay Reisinger. Details, including Rodriguez’s denial, were disclosed by a person familiar with the meeting who spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcements were authorized.
The Canadian doctor, Anthony Galea, told The Associated Press last month that he only prescribed anti-inflammatories to Rodriguez. Galea said he treated the slugger after he had hip surgery in March 2009.
"It went well. I cooperated," Rodriguez said Friday at the Yankees’ spring training complex in Tampa, Fla. "They were very happy."
Rodriguez was expected to first meet with federal agents about Galea, who faces four charges in Canada related to human growth hormone and Actovegin, before speaking with baseball officials.
The FBI in Buffalo, where the U.S. investigation into Galea is being spearheaded, had no comment.
Rodriguez and federal agents were supposed to meet March 26 in western New York, but the interview was called off by mutual consent. A-Rod refused Friday to discuss the federal probe.
"I’m not really allowed to get into any of that," Rodriguez said.
The Yankees are holding off on a meeting with Rodriguez about the matter until he has spoken with federal agents, said another person familiar with the situation, who also spoke on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized.
Other major leaguers, including the Mets’ Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran, have been contacted by federal investigators about Galea, and Colorado closer Huston Street has said investigators might want to talk to him about the case. Reyes and Beltran have said they did not receive HGH from Galea.
Galea’s case developed from the arrest of his assistant last fall, who was stopped at the U.S.-Canadian border and accused of trying to smuggle HGH into the U.S. Soon after, authorities raided Galea’s clinic in Toronto.
American League
Royals' Gordon, Fields likely on DL
SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Kansas City Royals are running out of third basemen.
Alex Gordon and Josh Fields will likely open the season on the disabled list, and switch-hitting Alberto Callaspo has not played since March 25 with irritation in his right side that bothers him when he swings left-handed.
That means the Royals could be down to their fourth option when they open the season Monday against Detroit. The remaining candidates are Willie Bloomquist, Wilson Betemit and Mike Aviles, who has hit .469 in spring training but is coming off "Tommy John" surgery last July.
"I don’t really have any doubt," Royals manager Trey Hillman said, when asked about Aviles’ health. "Mentally and physically, he said he feels really good. Honestly, that’s good enough for me. But we still need to evaluate some things before we make our final decisions on the roster."
Gordon, the second overall pick in the 2005 draft, will be on the 15-day disabled list with a broken right thumb he sustained March 6 during a headfirst slide into second base.
Fields, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Chicago White Sox, has not played since March 27 because of a hip injury. He was hitless in 18 at-bats over his final five games, dropping his spring average to .157.
"Josh is not able to go on the field right now," Hillman said.
Callaspo has not played since March 25 with what Hillman called an "irritation in his right side," which occurred during batting practice.
He played five innings in a minor league Thursday, but the switch-hitting Callaspo swung only right-handed and has yet to take batting practice swing left-handed. Callaspo said he could not remember the last time he batted righty against a right-handed pitcher.
The Tigers start hard-throwing right-hander Justin Verlander on Monday at Kauffman Stadium.
"We’ll base the next move on how his body feels," Hillman said of Callaspo. "He’s doing everything except left-handed swinging."
In other news, it appears likely that right-hander Gil Meche will also open the season on the disabled list because of shoulder tightness.
Meche threw 69 pitches in 3 2-3 innings in a minor league game Thursday, and is scheduled to throw about 85 pitches Tuesday in another minor league game in Arizona. If he has no setbacks, the Royals could start him April 11 against Boston.
By backdating Meche on the disabled list to the final 10 days of spring training, when he did not appear in a big league game, that would buy the Royals five games into the season for an extra roster spot before activating him.
"At this time anything is possible," Hillman said. "This spring has been more hectic. We’ve got more difficult decisions to make later. Obviously, we’ve had some interesting things happen we didn’t want to have happen with the injuries."
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the spring had nothing to do with injuries.
When outfielder Brian Anderson was told he was going to the minors, the 28-year-old told the Royals that he wanted to try pitching. The 28-year-old former first-round draft pick hit .227 with 22 homers in 355 big league games.
He last pitched as a junior at Arizona in 2003, where he has a 5.40 ERA in 17 games.
"Brian has elected to become a pitcher," Hillman said. "I’m not sure how that process is going to go, but it’s got to start at the very bottom. We’re milling through that right now. He’s committed to making a go of it, so that’s what we’re going to do."
-- Ben Walker
Johnny Damon is fired up about playing for Tigers
LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers added Johnny Damon for his left-handed bat and veteran presence in the outfield.
They’ve already gotten more than that and the season hasn’t even started yet.
"I never knew that he had such an engaging personality in the clubhouse," Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said this week before the team traveled to Milwaukee for two exhibition games. "He’s a very upbeat person with a vibrant personality that is good for our club.
"We’re a relatively quiet group, so he brings some life along with being a good player that we needed."
Damon was fired up when he signed an $8 million, one-year contract after the start of spring training, saying Detroit was his No. 1 choice after the New York Yankees didn’t want him back.
Now, he’s even more enthusiastic about being a Tiger.
"I didn’t know how awesome (manager) Jim Leyland is and how close knit this group is," Damon said. "And I think the kids are going to have a great year."
The 36-year-old Damon liked what he saw during spring training from center fielder Austin Jackson and second baseman Scott Sizemore, both of whom are expected to make their major league debut Monday at Kansas City.
"It’s going to be up to veterans to keep them upbeat when they hit a rough stretch," Damon said.
Even though Damon is a newcomer, he has quickly become a leader on and off the field for the Tigers.
"He had all of us over to his house down here for a barbecue one night," catcher Gerald Laird. "He definitely likes to keep things loose off the field, but on it he’s a gamer who has won championships."
Damon, who has played at least 140 games in each of his last 14 seasons, won a championship with the Yankees last year and helped the Boston Red Sox win the World Series six years ago. The two-time All-Star matched a career high with 24 homers last season and had 82 RBIs — his highest total since 2004 — and hit at least .270 for the eighth year in a row.
But the Yankees weren’t very interested in re-signing him after his $52 million, four-year contract expired and not many other teams were in line to add him.
Atlanta appeared to be interested as did the Chicago White Sox, but neither club was willing to pay him as much as Detroit.
Leyland is thrilled it worked out for the Tigers, whose lineup is filled with right-handed hitters.
"We definitely needed another guy in there," Leyland said. "I think he’s a perfect fit for us. We were lopsided right handed.
"It’s nice to be able to write that name in the lineup. If that was another kid, all the sudden you have three kids in the lineup. I like to play kids, but that’s a lot when you’re expected to win."
Damon expects the Tigers to win and promises to have fun.
"I enjoy this game because I know it’s not going to last forever, so I take advantage of that," he said. "Life is about enjoying it."
-- Larry Lage
With Nathan out, Twins name Jon Rauch their closer
MINNEAPOLIS — With four-time All-Star Joe Nathan’s season over before it started, the Minnesota Twins have turned to the tallest pitcher in major league history to take care of the ninth inning — right-hander Jon Rauch.
Manager Ron Gardenhire announced the news before Friday’s exhibition against the St. Louis Cardinals, which started on time after rain through the morning and early afternoon put the first Twins game at Target Field in doubt.
There are questions about Rauch’s ability to succeed in the closer’s role like Nathan has, but with his thick, 6-foot-11 frame and a body covered tattoos, Rauch at least has the intimidation part down — even if he doesn’t have overpowering stuff.
"I just hope he goes and uses all of his pitches," Gardenhire said. "I think he will. He’s been pitching long enough. I know this about him: Last year, good outing or bad outing, he was the same person. He didn’t change, and you need that mentality. You’re going to have a few downers. Hopefully not very many."
Nathan had Tommy John elbow surgery last month, but he’ll be around the team all year while he rehabilitates the injury. Rauch plans to seek advice from him often.
"He’s got a lot to offer, and I’ve got a lot to learn about it," said Rauch, whose only prior experience in this role came in 2008 when he had 17 saves in a half-season with the Washington Nationals.
Gardenhire told Rauch of his assignment on the team plane on Thursday, and the 31-year-old said he thought it was an April Fool’s Day joke.
"I don’t really make anything official until he comes out and says it’s true," Rauch said. "It’s an honor to be thought of in that job and that they have the confidence in me to do that. Hopefully I can just try to do somewhat of the same job that Joe did for the past few years."
Gardenhire said last week he would start with a committee approach, but in explaining his decision on Friday he said he wanted the bullpen roles defined before the regular season so his relievers could focus. Matt Guerrier, Jesse Crain, Jose Mijares and Pat Neshek will be the main men in the middle.
The Twins considered Francisco Liriano, who will be in the rotation, but he’s more comfortable starting. They could also still trade for an established closer, but for now the job is Rauch’s.
"This is our ballclub. The organization is doing what they can, and other people are all interested in our players," Gardenhire said. "So we’ll see. We’re going to go here in a couple days and start a season. We’re excited about this."
As is Rauch, though he acknowledged some nervousness about the responsibility.
"You don’t want to be the guy who screws up in the end," he said. "I’m just going to try to do my best."
Rauch was struggling with the Arizona Diamondbacks when acquired by the Twins last August, and he went 5-1 with a 1.72 ERA in 17 appearances after the trade.
"Hopefully I can just continue that through this season," he said, adding: "I just want to pitch and help the team win games regardless, whether it’s in the fourth inning, fifth inning, whatever. I want to be out on the field. I want to be given the ball and given an opportunity to help the team win games."
-- Dave Cambell
Wet start for Target Field, as Twins open new home
MINNEAPOLIS — Target Field’s gates are open for major league baseball for the first time, and the Minnesota Twins have — so far — avoided their first weather problem.
The new ballpark was christened on Friday for an exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals, which started on time under a dry sky after steady rain fell through the morning and early afternoon.
Players were prevented from taking batting practice, but the rain stopped about two hours before the scheduled first pitch as fans streamed in. The first few people in through the right field entrance yelled in celebration and sprinted to the seats. When the grounds crew took the tarp off the infield, there were plenty of claps and cheers.
Minnesota’s Denard Span hit the first home run, estimated at 360 feet into the right-field seats.
The regular-season home opener is set for April 12. The Twins moved outdoors this year after playing inside the Metrodome since 1982.
Rays’ Blalock free to seek deal with another team
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Hank Blalock did not make Tampa Bay’s opening day roster and will try to sign with another major league team.
If Blalock doesn’t land a deal, he’ll report to the Rays’ Triple-A affiliate in Durham.
The two-time All-Star agreed to a minor league contract last month. The deal includes an option allowing him to opt out and seek a job elsewhere if he’s not on the 25-man roster coming out of spring training.
Manager Joe Maddon said Friday that Blalock has shown enough this spring that the Rays think he can be helpful if he remains with the organization. Blalock said he plans to do that if another opportunity doesn’t materialize.
Blalock hit .234 with 25 homers and 66 RBIs in 123 games for the Texas Rangers last year.
Royals starter Hochevar hit by comebacker
ARLINGTON, Texas — Kansas City Royals starter Luke Hochevar pitched only four innings in his final spring training start after taking a comebacker off his left ankle.
The Royals say Hochevar has a bruised left ankle.
Hochevar didn’t return for the start of the fifth inning Friday night at Texas after a ball hit by David Murphy ricocheted off his ankle. The ball rolled toward first baseman Billy Butler, who picked it up and tagged out the runner for the third out.
The only hit Hochevar allowed as an infield single to Rangers leadoff hitter Julio Borbon in the first. The right-hander struck out one and walked one. In his previous start, he gave up six runs and nine hits in five innings.
Posada out with neck stiffness
TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees catcher Jorge Posada was out of the starting lineup for the second straight game because of a stiff neck.
Posada said the neck was feeling better when he arrived at Steinbrenner Field on Friday. He underwent treatment for the injury.
Mike Rivera replaced Posada in the starting lineup for Friday’s game with Baltimore. The non-roster catcher has been sidelined almost two weeks by a strained right hamstring.
New York backup catcher Francisco Cervelli will not play again during spring training because of a strained left hamstring.
Yankees DH Nick Johnson leaves game
TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees designated hitter Nick Johnson left Friday’s game against Baltimore after fouling a ball off his right leg in the first inning.
After a short delay, manager Joe Girardi decided to take Johnson out, replacing him with Randy Winn.
Johnson has been on the disabled list nine times in his career. There were no other details about his injury.
Johnson was signed during the offseason to take the spot of Hideki Matsui, who joined the Los Angeles Angels as a free agent.
National League
Hart’s struggles open opportunity for Edmonds
MILWAUKEE — Corey Hart’s sluggish spring with the Milwaukee Brewers could open the door for Jim Edmonds to start on opening day.
The Brewers host the Colorado Rockies on Monday and manager Ken Macha must decide between Hart or Edmonds for right field. He said he hasn’t made up his mind yet.
"I expect to (start), but I’m not writing the lineup," Hart said. "We’ll see what happens."
The numbers this spring are compelling.
Hart was hitting .123 in the spring with two homers and five RBIs, while the 39-year-old Edmonds had a .273 average, two homers and 12 RBIs. Edmonds appeared to be gaining traction for the starting role before developing a sore hamstring.
"I wasn’t really worried about a bad spring until you guys started talking about it," said Hart, a six-year veteran who was drafted by Milwaukee in 2000. "I’ve had bad springs before and I’ve had good springs. It’s one of those things, to me, it’s not that big of a deal."
Hart got a raucous cheer from the crowd after an RBI single in his first at-bat in the Brewers’ exhibition game against the Tigers on Friday night.
Meanwhile, Edmonds earned a spot on the team this spring after taking last season off. The eight-time Gold Glove winner spoke often in Arizona about how he felt good and wanted a lot of playing time, so the team is being cautious now.
"We’re still iffy with Edmonds as far as his legs are concerned. He says he feels a lot better, but I think he’s a key part to what we’ve got out there," Macha said. "I don’t want to jeopardize (that)."
Hart, who won an arbitration case with the Brewers for $4.8 million in the offseason, sat down with Macha and general manager Doug Melvin a few days ago in Phoenix to talk about his spring.
"I had a meeting with him and Macha and they wanted to see where I was confidence-wise," said Hart, who has maintained he’s not affected by his struggles or trade rumors involving him.
Melvin said he didn’t know where the rumors originated from, and Macha said it was important to sit down with the 28-year-old to discuss what he’d been reading on the Internet.
"I mentioned to Corey, ‘You’ve got to quit doing that, you’ll drive yourself crazy,"’ Macha said.
Melvin said it was unfortunate, but has not commented specifically about any potential personnel moves. He also thinks Hart can return to the form that made him an All-Star in 2008.
Hart hit 24 homers in 2007 and 20 in 2008, but his batting average has dropped from .295 in 2007 to .268 in ‘08 to .260 last season before missing most of the stretch run after needing an appendectomy.
Hart also has tried using glasses and contacts this spring to correct his vision because he’s slightly nearsighted.
"He’s slumping, he’s working at it," the general manager said. "I think that we all know in his career he’s been somewhat of a streaky hitter and once he finds it, he’ll feel better about himself."
As for a move just before opening day, Melvin said the team is pretty set.
"We’ll just wait and make sure there’s not an injury," he said.
-- Colin Fly
Braves set 25-man roster, keep Conrad and Reyes
ATLANTA — The Braves set their 25-man roster for the regular season, keeping left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes for the final spot in the bullpen and Brooks Conrad as a backup infielder.
Manager Bobby Cox announced Friday that Reyes had beaten out left-hander Jonny Venters, while Conrad was kept over fellow infielder Joe Thurston. The Braves’ 12-man pitching staff will also include right-hander Jesse Chavez, who had a terrible spring but a bit of a track record: 73 relief appearances for Pittsburgh last season.
Reyes appeared in six games for Atlanta last season — five of them starts — and went 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA. He spent most of the season starting at Triple-A Gwinnett, but will have to adjust to a new role in long relief if he wants to stay in the big leagues.
"I had no clue what was going to happen," he said before Friday night’s exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox. "I’m just preparing to go out there and build on what I did all of spring training."
Reyes had worked 12 innings over eight relief appearances this spring, going 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA. He allowed 10 hits, walked four and struck out eight. Venters had pitched 10 innings and was 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA. He surrendered 12 hits with five walks and seven strikeouts.
Reyes worked on improving his velocity in spring training and looks forward to the challenge of being a reliever after starting most of his career. He made 22 starts for the Braves in 2008, going 3-11 with a 5.81 ERA.
"This is something new," Reyes said. "I have to learn it. I’m having a lot of fun with it.
Conrad hit .204 with two homers and eight RBIs in 54 at-bats with the Braves last season, but this is the first time the 30-year-old has broken camp with a big league team.
"It’s a great feeling," he said. "This is something I’ll never forget. Now, it’s up to me. I’ve got to go out there and do a great job every day."
Conrad was hitting .229 with two homers and nine RBIs this spring. Thurston, a non-roster invitee who has made brief big-league appearances with three other teams, made a strong bid to get on the team by hitting .319 with two homers and 10 RBIs.
"I feel bad for the other guy," Conrad said. "But I’ve been on the other side of this. That’s just part of it."
Chavez had given up 14 runs in nine innings during the spring, allowing 21 hits and a .457 average by opposing hitters. But he also had a rough camp a year ago for the Pirates before bouncing back to go 1-4 with 4.01 ERA during the regular season.
Chavez was traded twice during the winter, first to Tampa Bay, then on to Atlanta for former Braves closer Rafael Soriano.
"Bobby told me to forget what happened and just build on what we worked on this spring," Chavez said. "I was in the same position last year. I want them to feel good about this decision."
The Braves also have right-hander Scott Proctor, who missed all of last season recovering from elbow surgery. He pitched five games in Florida but the team wants to make sure he’s fully recovered by putting him on the big-league roster.
Another right-hander, Craig Kimbrell, was one of the most impressive pitchers in camp and has the look of a future closer. But the 21-year-old has only 14 appearances above Class A and will start the season at Gwinnett.
Atlanta plays the White Sox twice this weekend before opening the regular season Monday against the Chicago Cubs.
-- Paul Newberry
Reds’ first-round pick gets No. 5 starter job
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cincinnati Reds made Mike Leake their fifth starter on Friday, clearing the way for the right-hander to make his major league debut less than a year after he was drafted.
The 22-year-old Leake beat out Travis Wood, a second-round pick in 2005, and Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman, who was hampered by lower back spasms late in spring training.
"There’s no words to describe it, right now," said Leake, the former Arizona State star who was selected eighth overall in last June’s draft. "Maybe in a couple days."
Chapman, who agreed to a $30.25 million, six-year deal in January, was optioned to Triple-A Louisville.
"We just felt that competition-wise that’s where he should be," general manager Walt Jocketty said.
The Reds also told infielder Aaron Miles and outfielder Wladimir Balentien that they did not make the team. Both players are still on the roster while the club tries to trade them.
"There were some tough decisions to make," Jocketty said. "The two players know what their situation is but they are still on the roster, which is at 28. We will break camp with 11 pitchers and finalize everything on Monday."
Leake also will be reassigned to the minors but will be called up when Cincinnati needs a fifth starter.
Infielders Miguel Cairo and Juan Francisco, outfielder Laynce Nix and reliever Logan Ondrusek grabbed the last couple of spots on the team. Cairo and Nix were non-roster players.
"Ondrusek rose through the organization last year and dominated at every level," Jocketty said. "He was that way this spring. He handled himself like a pro without having a lot of experience. He was very impressive."
Ondrusek did not allow a run in 9 1-3 innings this spring.
Right-handers Wood, Jared Burton and Justin Lehr, and lefty Matt Maloney also were sent to Louisville, along with infielders Chris Burke and Drew Sutton, and utilityman Wilkin Castillo. Right-hander Kip Wells was released.
Giants send C Buster Posey to Triple-A
SAN FRANCISCO — Catcher Buster Posey, one of the San Francisco Giants’ top prospects, has been optioned to Triple-A Fresno.
The Giants also optioned right-handers Kevin Pucetas and Henry Sosa, lefty Alex Hinshaw and infielders Ryan Rohlinger and Matt Downs to Fresno on Friday night. Right-hander Felix Romero, infielder Brandon Crawford and catcher Steve Holm were reassigned to San Francisco’s minor league camp.
Posey, the fifth overall pick in the 2008 draft, batted .321 with one homer and nine RBIs during spring training.
Elsewhere
Former Orioles star pitcher Cuellar dies at 72
Mike Cuellar, a crafty left-hander from Cuba whose darting screwball made him a World Series champion and Cy Young winner with the Baltimore Orioles, died Friday. He was 72.
The Orioles confirmed Cuellar’s death, but did not release other details.
Cuellar made his major league debut in 1959 and bounced around Cincinnati, St. Louis and Houston for almost a decade before a trade brought him to Baltimore. Wearing the black-and-orange bird logo, he blossomed on one of the most imposing pitching staffs in baseball history — in 1971, he was among the Orioles’ four 20-game winners.
A four-time All-Star, Cuellar was 185-130 overall with a 3.14 ERA. He was voted into the Orioles’ Hall of Fame.
"He sure was an ace," Hall of Fame teammate Brooks Robinson told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Friday night. "He had a way of making good hitters look bad, making them take funny swings."
Cuellar joined the Orioles for the 1969 season and that year became the first Baltimore pitcher to win the AL Cy Young Award, sharing the honor with Detroit’s Denny McLain. Cuellar went 23-11 with five shutouts, including a game in which he held Minnesota hitless until Cesar Tovar’s soft, leadoff single in the ninth inning.
Cuellar helped pitch Baltimore to three straight World Series from 1969-71. He finished off that run by teaming with Jim Palmer, Dave McNally and Pat Dobson to become the only staff other than the 1920 Chicago White Sox with a quartet of 20-game winners.
Though often overshadowed in the rotation by Palmer, a future Hall of Famer, and McNally, another great lefty, Cuellar pitched more than his share of big games.
"I think when he got to Baltimore, he wanted to be like those other guys," Robinson said. "He wanted to win as many games as Palmer and McNally. He wanted the ball."
Cuellar started the first AL championship series game ever, in 1969 against Minnesota. He then outdueled Tom Seaver in Game 1 of the World Series — it was the Orioles’ only win while getting upset by the New York Mets.
Cuellar won a career-high 24 games in 1970 and again excelled in the postseason, this time with his arm and bat. A career .115 hitter, Cuellar highlighted Game 1 of the ALCS with a grand slam.
He then closed out the World Series by beating Cincinnati in Game 5 at old Memorial Stadium. After giving up three runs in the first inning, he shut out the Reds on two hits the rest of the way. Cuellar raised both arms after the final out and skipped toward third base for an embrace with Robinson — the picture is among the most popular in Orioles lore.
"I can still see it, his arms up in the air," Robinson said.
Cuellar pitched a gem in his final World Series appearance, but lost Game 7 in 1971 to Pittsburgh 2-1.
Cuellar finished up 143-88 with the Orioles and ended his career in 1977 with the Angels.
Robinson said he first saw Cuellar while playing against him in Cuba in the winter leagues.
"He and I were the same age. I used to kid him all the time that he’d already been pitching in Cuba for five years. That used to get him going," Robinson said.
Cuellar had been living in Orlando, Fla., in recent times and last year was a volunteer pitching instructor for the Orioles at spring training.
Last May, he returned to Baltimore for an Orioles reunion weekend and threw out the first ball at Camden Yards before a game against the New York Yankees. His ceremonial duties done, he then sat in the stands with family members and friends in the back row of the lower deck, enjoying the evening and hardly recognized by nearby fans.
"He was a humble man," Robinson said. "He didn’t brag about himself."
-- Ben Walker
