Baseball Capsules: Street experiences discomfort in right shoulder
TUCSON, Ariz. — Rockies closer Huston Street will likely miss the season opener after experiencing tightness in his right shoulder.
Street has been hampered by inflammation in his pitching shoulder and has yet to throw in an exhibition game, putting him behind schedule. He threw about 25 pitches Monday and said afterward that his arm "felt great" but had discomfort during his throwing session the next day.
The 26-year-old Street was scheduled for an MRI on Wednesday and Rockies manager Jim Tracy said more information would be known once the results come back.
However, Tracy indicated that having Street ready in time for the opener April 5 in Milwaukee might be a stretch.
"Is it fairly safe to say there's probably a great chance he's not going to be available to begin the season in Milwaukee? Yeah, it's more than likely the case," Tracy said. "We're going to have to adjust accordingly."
Street signed a $22.5 million, three-year deal in January after saving 35 of 37 games for the Rockies last season. He had a forgettable NL division series against Philadelphia, though, losing two straight games.
Over the offseason, Street began his throwing program a little early so he would come into camp in top form.
Instead, his arm has been tight. He shut down his pitching session early Tuesday due to tightness.
"We don't want to push him through it," Rockies head athletic trainer Keith Dugger said. "We're just being safe, being smart right now."
The Rockies' bullpen has been besieged by injuries this spring. Lefty Jimmy Gobble recently hurt his groin, while set-up man Rafael Betancourt has been bothered by an inflamed shoulder. Betancourt threw 25 pitches in batting practice Wednesday and said he liked the way everything went.
"That's what I was looking for," Betancourt said. "Today was the best. I was able to throw all my pitches."
Even if Betancourt is healthy in time for the opener, Tracy wouldn't anticipate using him in the closer's role should Street still be sidelined.
Tracy would rather keep Betancourt as an eighth-inning specialist, a role he filled superbly last season. He was 3-1 with a 1.78 ERA after being acquired from Cleveland in late July.
"This man has been signed up here to be a set-up man," Tracy said. "He is unbelievable with that."
Franklin Morales and Manny Corpas would be the likely candidates to step in for Street, should his arm not be ready. Morales filled in last season when Street missed the final month with soreness in his biceps tendon. The 24-year-old Morales earned a save in six straight outings.
"I try to do my job in any situation," Morales said. "For me to close or whatever, if you give me one inning as a reliever, that's OK for me."
Corpas was the Rockies' closer in 2007, helping the Rockies to the World Series that season. He was beaten out by Street last spring, only to win it back in April. Soon after, Street took it back.
"I'm glad today is only St. Patrick's Day. We've got some time," Tracy said. "There's a lot of different options as to how this all plays out."
OF Elijah Dukes released by Washington Nationals
VIERA, Fla. — Outfielder Elijah Dukes was released by the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, a sudden move with 2½ weeks left in spring training.
"I don't know what to say. It felt a little funny," Dukes said told The Associated Press as he packed his car at the team hotel Wednesday afternoon. "I guess I wasn't expecting it. ... That's part of baseball. No big deal, no hard feelings. Just part of the game."
The 25-year-old Dukes was expected to be Washington's starting right fielder this season, but the Nationals announced the decision before their exhibition game at the Houston Astros.
Wednesday was the last day the Nationals could put him on waivers and pay him 30 days' termination pay at the minor league rate of his split contract instead of 45 days at the major league rate. So he is owed a little under $41,000, instead of about $109,000, which he would have been due had he been released later in spring training.
Manager Jim Riggleman, general manager Mike Rizzo and team president Stan Kasten all emphasized that the move was based on Dukes' performance and was not connected to any off-the-field issues. Rizzo, though, did say he thinks Dukes' departure improves the team's makeup.
"Elijah was great," Riggleman said. "He's done his work. He's got no issues. It's just a baseball decision."
Asked if any off-the-field incident could have precipitated his release, Dukes said: "Nothing happened. If something had happened, I'd know about it."
Indeed, while with Washington, Dukes appeared to have put his troubled past behind him. He had suspensions in the majors and the minors for various confrontations with umpires, coaches and teammates while in Tampa Bay's organization; arrests for assault and for marijuana possession; and paternity suits.
"He never got any of the bad headlines everybody feared when he came here, and I think he deserves credit for that," Kasten said in a telephone interview. "If anyone says there was an incident, that person has no idea what he's talking about."
Dukes' Florida-based lawyer, Grady Irvin Jr., wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press: "Mr. Dukes has had absolutely no new off-the-field legal issues whatsoever. Despite the recent loss of his father, the past year has demonstrated that Mr. Dukes has continued his growth as a professional athlete, as a parent, and as a person."
Added Dukes: "All I've been doing is my job."
Dukes hit .242 with 31 homers and 123 RBIs in three seasons with Tampa Bay and Washington. He was limited to 188 games with the Nationals the past two seasons because of injuries.
"There was no singular incident that caused us to release Elijah Dukes," Rizzo said. "It was a performance-based decision. With the ballclub we have now, I think the clubhouse will be more cohesive group. I think that the chemistry will continue to be great. We think were going to be a better ballclub moving forward."
Dukes was signed to a one-year contract paying him $444,000 in the majors and $249,300 in the minors.
Rizzo said the Nationals looked into trying to trade Dukes but couldn't find any interest. The GM also said the team did not want to put Dukes in the minors, although the player could have been sent there without passing through waivers.
"We thought he's a major league player," Rizzo said. "We didn't think it would help his development by sending him down to the minor leagues. We felt that it was best for him to get a fresh start with a different organization, and for us to move on."
Rizzo wouldn't rule out trying to acquire another outfielder, but he did say Washington will first try to replace Dukes in the lineup with someone already on the team, and Riggleman mentioned Justin Maxwell, Mike Morse and Willie Harris as the best options. Riggleman said prospect Ian Desmond will not be considered for the position.
Among those caught off-guard by Dukes' release was Maxwell, who wasn't aware of the move until reporters told him Wednesday morning.
"I was pretty surprised," Maxwell said. "I had no idea. I saw him this morning eating breakfast. I never had any problems with Elijah. But in terms of the team standpoint, I guess there were other things being said and done and some of it was a distraction to us. I think we'll be better for it, and I just wish him luck in the future."
Dukes said his agent was already working on finding a good fit for him on a new team.
"Most definitely, I'll be back," he said.
Niese or Nieve? Mets not sure for No. 5 spot
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — At the beginning of spring training, New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel sounded as if he was ready to pencil Jonathon Niese into the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation.
Now, midway through the Grapefruit League schedule, his tone is not so enthusiastic.
Neither Niese nor right-hander Fernando Nieve — the two leading candidates — has set himself apart from a pack that also includes left-hander Hisanori Takahashi and righty Nelson Figueroa, and Manuel expects the competition to last until just before the team breaks camp.
"I'd like to see them continue to compete for that," Manuel said. "I'd really like us to go down to the wire."
Niese has a 7.04 ERA in 7 2-3 innings of work, while Nieve has a 6.00 ERA over 9 innings. The two have taken turns starting and relieving one another since pitching in separate split-squad games in their spring debut, but as the starters begin to stretch out deeper into games, Manuel is going to have to be creative to get Niese and Nieve their innings.
Both will be able to start Sunday when the team plays split-squad games at home against the University of Michigan and on the road against the Houston Astros, but Manuel also would like to give Takahashi a start as spring training winds down.
The manager said Takahashi isn't just a fallback option if Nieve and Niese don't pan out, but he does have a smaller window of time to show he can be the fifth starter.
"When he starts, it depends on the time in spring training and the lineup he matches up against and how well that particular team is swinging," Manuel said. "We have to try to get him as close to what we might see in the regular season."
Based on results so far, Takahashi, a left-hander who has shown command with all of his pitches, is the top candidate for the job.
"What we have seen so far is he really has the ability to pitch and pitch with all his pitches," Manuel said. "He probably is our sharpest pitcher right now, as far as everything hitting where he wants it to hit."
Niese hasn't been overly disappointed in his results so far because the biggest thing for him is showing he is healthy.
Manuel liked what he saw from the 23-year-old in his second of two call-ups to the majors last season before a torn hamstring ended his season Aug. 5. The southpaw was 1-1 with a 4.21 ERA in five starts but showed his best stuff in a July 25 win over Houston in which he allowed just four hits and one run in seven innings. He had made two starts in May when Oliver Perez went on the disabled list with knee problems.
"I guess they say spring training numbers don't mean anything," Niese said. "I want to get outs, put up all zeros, but that doesn't happen all the time. As long as I'm healthy, I'm happy."
All things being equal, the organization seems to prefer the idea of Niese making the rotation as a promising young prospect. Nieve could pitch in any role in the bullpen and Takahashi could serve as a long reliever.
If Niese doesn't earn the No. 5 spot he will start in Triple-A Buffalo, and in that case both Nieve and Takahashi, who signed a minor-league deal, likely would make the Opening Day roster. Nieve — the only one of the trio who is out of options — would have to clear waivers before being sent to the minors.
"I am ready for whatever they want me to do," said Nieve, who went 3-3 with a 2.95 ERA in eight games, seven starts, last year. "If they want me for the bullpen or the rotation, I am ready. I hope to be on the team is the only part that I want. If they keep me in the rotation I am excited about that because I want to be a starter, but in the bullpen I will keep doing my job like before."
Manuel said he will decide who the starter is before figuring out the bullpen, but the bullpen's needs may play a factor.
"I'd say it's very close," Manuel said. "Just like I mentioned early in spring, I think a lot might depend on how our bullpen shapes up as well. If we feel Fernando Nieve can fit there and make us better there, and if it's a flip of the coin, we are going to try to take the best 11 or 12 pitchers we have."
AP source: Mets-Marlins moved to San Juan
NEW YORK — A three-game series between the New York Mets and Florida Marlins in June has been moved from Miami to Puerto Rico, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The shift to San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium had been discussed for months pending an agreement between Major League Baseball and the players' association. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement was scheduled for Thursday.
Florida will remain the home team, and the games will be played from June 28-30.
Hiram Bithorn hosted 22 Montreal Expos home games in each of the 2003 and 2004 seasons before the franchise relocated to Washington and was renamed the Nationals. Average attendance dropped from 14,000 in 2003 to 10,000 in 2004.
In addition, the ballpark hosted the 2001 season opener between Texas and Toronto, and it was the site of games during the World Baseball Classic in 2006 and 2009.
-- Ronald Blum
Reds' Nix cited for driving on suspended license
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cincinnati Reds outfielder Laynce Nix has been cited for driving on a suspended license during spring training in Arizona.
Police say Nix was pulled over March 10 because he was stopped at a green light at a Scottsdale intersection for at least 15 seconds. Nix reportedly told the officer that he didn't realize the light had turned green because he was looking down at his phone.
Scottsdale police say a check of Nix's Texas driver's license revealed it had been suspended after he failed to appear on a traffic offense from Dec. 23, 2003. Nix told the officer that he didn't remember getting the ticket.
Police say Nix was cited for driving on a suspended driver's license and failure to obey a traffic control device. His rental car was impounded for 30 days.
The 29-year-old Nix hit .239 with 15 homers and 46 RBIs last season, his first with Cincinnati. He was offered a minor-league contract in December and invited to spring training, the Reds' inaugural spring in Arizona.
Benson agrees to minor league deal with D'backs
TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to terms with pitcher Kris Benson on a minor league contract Wednesday.
The right-hander has compiled a 69-74 record with a 4.41 ERA over eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers. The Pirates selected him No. 1 overall in the 1996 first-year player draft.
Benson missed the entire 2007 season after having rotator cuff surgery on his right shoulder.
He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in February 2008 and went 1-4 with a 5.52 ERA in 11 starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Benson was on the Rangers' 2009 opening day roster as a starter. After a short stint on the disabled list, he went to the bullpen and was 1-1 with an 8.46 ERA in eight games.
American League
Indians manager Manny Acta getting second chance
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Under a baby blue Arizona sky on a back field at Cleveland's heavenly training complex, the team's top offseason acquisition is taking practice swings — outside the batting cage.
Grabbing a fungo bat, the Indians' new No. 11 shouts instructions across the diamond to infielders busy smoothing divots in the dirt with their cleats.
"Let's go to work!" shouts manager Manny Acta. "A lot of life."
With that, Acta, fired last July after 2 1/2 years with the lowly Washington Nationals, tosses a ball in the air and rips a hard grounder through the grass at second baseman Luis Valbuena, who scoops it cleanly and tosses a one-hopper back to Acta, the modest man the Indians believe can maneuver them through yet another rebuilding project and hopefully back to legitimacy.
Acta is up for the challenge.
"This is what I love," he said a few hours later, sitting behind an office desk where an open laptop is surrounded by charts, analytical printouts and detailed calendars. "This is my passion. I don't have a fall back. I quit school to sign a professional contract, and I'm not going back to school.
"This is all I know to do."
The fact that Acta, who went 158-252 in Washington, is again managing in the majors is a testament to his abilities and reputation, and to the baseball community's understanding of what he faced with the talent-starved Nationals.
Despite the losses, he emerged a winner.
After leading Washington to a 73-39 record in 2007, a respectable mark considering the club had 14 rookies and used 13 starting pitchers, Acta's second season in the nation's capital was a disaster. D.C.'s ballclub was ravaged by injuries and finished a major-league worst 59-102. In the aftermath, Acta was retained but his entire coaching staff was fired.
Acta didn't make it through four months last season, dismissed following a 26-61 start that only seemed destined to get worse.
In some circles, Acta was branded a loser, ill equipped to handle baseball's highest level. But to those inside the foul lines, Acta never lost his young-manager-on-the-rise status. And when the Indians fired Eric Wedge last October, they interviewed several candidates, including former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine, before naming Acta as their 40th manager.
But only after they won a fight for him.
Acta was also offered a job by the Houston Astros, the team that signed him as a 17-year-old in the Dominican Republic and the club that gave him his start as a minor league manager. He wound up choosing the Indians, who offered him a three-year deal with a club option for 2013.
Acta was humbled by the experience of being coveted by two teams.
"I never imagined it was going to come down to what it came down to," he said. "But what it gave me was faith in the game and in the system and in the industry that people don't just see wins and losses, but they are aware of what you are going through. Rebuilding is not an easy thing to do.
"The time in Washington gave me an opportunity to showcase myself to the world. I was getting into a tough situation, but I needed to get my foot in the door, that's the way that I looked at it. My character was tested for a couple years, but we survived and showcased ourselves and obviously the industry saw us in a different way."
The Indians viewed Acta as ideal for their future. He fit their profile: young, energetic and it helped he was bilingual, a huge plus on a team loaded with Latin players. Acta impressed Indians general manager Mark Shapiro with his thorough knowledge of the team, which has undergone a monumental makeover in the past two seasons with the trades of Cy Young winners CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee, along with All-Star catcher Victor Martinez.
Spotting Cleveland as a possible destination last summer, Acta immersed himself in Cleveland's roster so he would be prepared for interviews. He learned all he could about the Indians. In turn, they're learning about him.
Acta has opened eyes with his enthusiasm, upbeat attitude and work ethic. A six-year minor league who never got past Class A — "I wasn't very good," he said — Acta works with infielders, throws batting practice and rides the team bus, something rarely seen during spring training.
"I'm not doing anything here that I didn't do in D.C.," he said. "I don't want to be looked at as an anti-Eric type of guy. That's my personality. I like to be involved in that kind of stuff."
Shapiro, beginning his final season as GM before becoming a team president, has been impressed by Acta.
"Manny has brought a consistent, positive energy to our spring and team," Shapiro said. "His belief in our team, talent, and city have been felt on and off the field throughout our camp."
Acta sold himself on the Indians. Next, he has to win over Cleveland fans.
They feel betrayed by owner Larry Dolan and his family, whose inability to spend has dropped a team that was three outs from making the World Series in 2007 to the bottom of the AL Central. The club's payroll has plummeted. So has interest. The Indians averaged just 21,805 fans per game last season — only four teams drew fewer — and the club has not yet sold out opening day.
During a winter press tour, Acta interacted with Indians fans. He felt their frustration and understands their skepticism he can make a difference.
"I knew I wasn't going to be received with open arms or get a bouquet of flowers," he said. "But I trust what is being done here. Yeah, I know we haven't won it since 1948, but there are franchises that haven't even had a .500 record for 17 or 18 years. Hey, everyone loves a winner and it's not like the Dolans and our front office and myself want to lose. Everyone wants to win."
Acta has a second chance to prove he can.
-- Tom Withers
Familiarity helped Figgins decide on Mariners
PEORIA, Ariz. — Chone Figgins is a fan of the familiar. It's one reason he decided on Seattle as a free agent destination after leaving the Angels — same division, time zone, pitchers and cities on the road.
Even the coaching staff had several familiar faces from his days in Anaheim.
But that doesn't mean this isn't a season of big changes for the 32-year-old. Figgins is now playing second base instead of third for the first time in years. A career leadoff hitter who led the American League with 101 walks last year and has stolen at least 20 bases for six straight seasons, he's now hitting No. 2 in the order behind Seattle icon Ichiro Suzuki.
"It's different. There is definitely an adjustment period to all the changes," said Figgins. "None of this is a surprise. I signed while they were still trying to figure out what to do with (Adrian) Beltre and I told them I was open to the idea of playing second. I've been there and done it."
Beltre wound up going to Boston, but the Mariners decided to move second baseman Jose Lopez to third for his stronger arm and install Figgins, with more range and quickness, at second. So far, both players seem OK with the move, although it's open-ended.
"Once we got here it was good because they talked to me and Lopez at the same time about it," Figgins said "(General manager Jack Zduriencik) said, 'You know what? If you go at it 100 percent and it doesn't work out, at least we tried.' But it's been going pretty good, so we just have to stay with it and trust it. If it's not good for us, it's not good for the team. But right now it's going good."
There have been hiccups. Figgins had two errors over a three-batter stretch in Saturday's loss to San Francisco, when the ultra-hard and fast infield at the Peoria Sports Complex caught up to him. But Lopez seems to be settling in at third and manager Don Wakamatsu, who is stressing defense, likes the dynamics of the new infield.
Coach Mike Brumley worked with Figgins in Anaheim and said second base is a natural fit.
"I think it's a normal position for him," Brumley said. "The Angels had a need at third and it worked out, but second really fits his body type and his athleticism as a player. He can make plays that can change innings because of his speed, leaping ability and awareness of the hitters and where the ball is probably going.
"He played so many positions early in his career, he's knows them all. And he's such a calm hitter offensively, he can pour more energy into his defense."
At the plate, Figgins is enjoying the No. 2 spot and hitting behind Ichiro although he can't take his time getting ready in the dugout.
"I try to beat him to the on-deck circle because I know he's swinging," Figgins said with a laugh. "When I got here (Ken) Griffey told me he won't be up there long.
"We have totally different approaches. For me, it's about seeing pitches. When I get pitches in the zone, I put good swings on them. I need to keep focus on staying in the zone. If I do things like that I'll get more consistent at-bats. My pitches per at-bat are going up and that's a good sign for me."
His selectivity is improving with age. Figgins never had more than 65 walks in a season before drawing 101 last year, and even though he didn't have a hit for the first 11 days of spring training his on-base percentage was over .400. He like seeing more pitches from the stretch from pitchers keeping tabs on Ichiro on first base.
"It gives me so many different options — bunt, hit and run, steal, hit behind him and there are more pitches to drive in the gap," said Figgins, who hit .291 last year. "We're going to get on base, and when we do we're going to create some havoc."
Cliff Lee suspended for 1st 5 games of season
NEW YORK — Seattle pitcher Cliff Lee was suspended Wednesday for the first five games of the regular season for throwing over the head of a hitter, possibly delaying his highly anticipated debut with the Mariners.
Lee also was fined by Major League Baseball vice president of discipline Bob Watson.
The former AL Cy Young winner was ejected from Monday's exhibition game against Arizona after throwing inside to Chris Snyder, then zipping a fastball over his helmet.
Lee declined comment Wednesday through a team spokesman.
"I'm sure Cliff's going to appeal it, so we'll see where it takes us," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik.
If the players' union appeals on Lee's behalf, the penalty would be delayed until after a hearing and a decision.
"I don't know if I was really surprised," said Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu. "Major League Baseball, over the last couple of years, has really been bearing down on issues like this. I knew we'd hear something. I'm not the one who decides who gets suspended and the duration, but I figured something was coming."
The Mariners acquired Lee from Philadelphia last December in a four-team, nine-player trade that also sent Toronto ace Roy Halladay to the Phillies. Lee was dealt to the Phillies last July from Cleveland, and became a postseason star.
Seattle was eager to pair Lee with ace Felix Hernandez at the top of the rotation. The Mariners open the season April 5 at Oakland.
"We'd like to get a definitive on this sooner than later so that we can get set," Zduriencik said. "It's certainly in everyone's best interest — the ballclub, the other pitchers and Cliff, for that matter."
Suspensions that result from incidents in spring training have occurred in the past, although they are rare. In 2008, three players were suspended after the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay brawled.
"Yeah, a little bit surprised," Zduriencik said. "In the end I don't think we have a whole lot of comment about it. ... There is an appeal process and an opportunity for Cliff to state his case. He will do that and we'll see what happens."
The trouble between Lee and Snyder may've started in the first inning when they collided as the pitcher was backing up a play at home plate. In the third inning, Lee was tossed after his two pitches to Snyder.
Snyder walked toward the mound and the dugouts and bullpens emptied, but no punches were thrown. Lee denied he was trying to retaliate.
"I was trying to go inside and a couple got away from me and the guy hitting got mad and came close to the mound and I got thrown out of the game in the process," Lee said then. "That's it in a nutshell."
Snyder missed much of last season with injuries. Arizona teammate called Lee's actions "bush league."
On Wednesday, the Diamondbacks offered little reaction to the suspension.
"It's not my call," Snyder said.
Said Arizona manager A.J. Hinch: "That's major league baseball's decision."
The Mariners and Diamondbacks don't meet in interleague play this season.
Boston's Lowrie diagnosed with mononucleosis
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Boston Red Sox infielder Jed Lowrie has mononucleosis.
Lowrie has not played since March 11 and had been feeling fatigued. He went for tests this week.
"He can play as tolerated," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Wednesday. "There's a reason he was feeling run down last week. He was on the bike yesterday. I don't think he's going to feel like he has a ton of energy for the next whatever, week or two. But he can do physical things as tolerated. So we'll monitor him. I don't think we want him kissing anybody, but we'll keep an eye on him."
Lowrie was Boston's opening-day shortstop last season but got off to a 1-for-18 start at the plate after playing with an injured left wrist for much of the second half of the 2008 season, He had surgery April 21, nine days after going on the disabled list, and didn't return to the Red Sox until July 18.
He went back on the DL Aug. 18 because of an irritated left forearm and wasn't activated until Sept. 8. He wound up hitting .147 with two homers and 11 RBIs in 32 games for Boston.
Indians claim infielder Anderson Hernandez
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cleveland Indians have claimed infielder Anderson Hernandez off waivers from the New York Mets.
To make room for Hernandez on their 40-man roster, the Indians designated infielder Brian Bixler for assignment.
Hernandez spent last season with the Mets and Washington Nationals. The 27-year-old hit a combined .251 with three homers and 37 RBIs in 123 games. He started 57 games at second base for the Nationals before he was traded to the Mets on Aug. 6.
Hernandez is a .245 hitter in 186 career games. He was originally signed by Detroit in 2001.
Bixler was acquired from Pittsburgh in January. He's hitting .250 in 11 games this spring.
