Baseball Capsules: Report: Segui appears before Clemens grand jury
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former major leaguer David Segui appeared Thursday before the federal grand jury investigating Roger Clemens for perjury.
The New York Daily News reported that Segui testified for about 90 minutes. Segui declined comment to the paper as he left the grand jury room.
Segui told the Daily News earlier this month that he didn't know if Clemens used performance-enhancing drugs, but he expected to be questioned about the vials, needles and bloodstained gauze that Clemens' former trainer gave to investigators in 2008, claiming it was evidence Clemens used steroids.
Brian McNamee told investigators he had told Segui about the medical waste about 10 years ago. If Segui confirmed McNamee's account during his appearance before the grand jury, he would undermine one possible Clemens defense if the pitcher is ultimately charged with perjury.
Clemens attorney Rusty Hardin has claimed that McNamee manufactured the evidence to bolster his claims about Clemens' drug use in the Mitchell Report, which was released in December 2007.
Segui played in the majors from 1990-2004 with the Orioles, Mets, Expos, Blue Jays, Mariners Rangers and Indians.
McNamee told former Sen. George Mitchell that he injected the seven-time Cy Young Award winner with steroids and HGH at least 16 times. Clemens vehemently denied the allegations during a February 2008 congressional hearing on the Mitchell Report on steroid use in baseball. Congressional leaders said it appeared that Clemens had lied during the hearing and asked the Justice Department to investigate if Clemens committed perjury.
Ramirez back at Fenway for 1st time since trade
BOSTON (AP) — Homers or hijinks, Red Sox fans never knew what they would get from Manny Ramirez. Now it's their turn to surprise the enigmatic slugger.
Will they think of his leisurely trots down the first base line and boo? Or will they recall his drives over the Green Monster and cheer?
Ramirez's former Boston teammates aren't predicting how the crowd will react when he brings his act back to Fenway Park on Friday night for the first time since being traded in 2008. He's expected to be the designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of a three-game series.
"People around here watched him play for a long time and have mixed emotions," J.D. Drew said Thursday. "It'll be interesting, that's for sure."
Mike Lowell, one of baseball's most down-to-earth players, plans to listen closely to the reception for the flaky Ramirez.
"I'm kind of curious to see how they react," he said. "His offensive numbers were great, but I'm sure some people (thought) other things maybe were less than desired. So I guess it's a big wait and see."
In 7½ seasons with the Red Sox, Ramirez batted .312 with 274 homers and 868 RBIs. He was the MVP of the 2004 World Series when Boston won the title for the first time since 1918. And he worked very hard in the batting cage.
He also high-fived a fan in Baltimore after making a leaping catch before throwing the ball in to finish a double play. Against the Angels, he dove for a fly then rolled onto the ball that had fallen in front of him. By the time he retrieved it, Maicer Izturis had a triple.
And he angered team management. One of the last clashes came when he said he couldn't play because of a knee problem but couldn't say which knee hurt. MRIs showed no damage. A few days later, on July 31, 2008, he was traded to the Dodgers.
"I think people have to keep in mind that you're talking about a guy that had a lot to do with two World Series that we won here," David Ortiz said. "He's more than earned respect from fans. That will be the thing that me, as a fan, will focus on."
Fans may not get to see a lot of Ramirez. Dodgers manager Joe Torre plans to use him at designated hitter in all three games.
"I think it's probably the best thing just to keep him in the lineup for three games," Torre said. "Manny was a fan favorite there for a lot longer than he wasn't a fan favorite. But as far as (how) they're going to receive him, I'd like to think they'd thank him for all he did there."
"There is nothing negative about managing Manny," he said. "He's been a good teammate and that's my main concern."
Ramirez has hit well in his last four games, going 7 for 13 with two doubles, two homers, six runs and five RBIs. In a 7-1 loss at Cincinnati on Thursday, he pinch hit with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth inning and grounded out to shortstop.
One of Lowell's most vivid memories of Ramirez is a long three-run homer he hit off Francisco Rodriguez of the Angels to give Boston a 6-3 win and a 2-0 lead in the 2007 AL division series. Boston went on to sweep the Colorado Rockies for its second World Series championship in four years.
"I basically could have bet the house he was going to throw a slider there and he threw a fastball in and Manny was on it and basically hit it over the lights" in left field, Lowell said. "That showed me when he's locked in I don't think anyone can dominate him at the plate."
And what might Ramirez recall about his time at Fenway Park?
"I don't know if he'll remember that I'm the manager," Terry Francona said.
Francona remembers when left fielder Ramirez cut off a throw from center fielder Johnny Damon intended for an infielder, allowing Baltimore's David Newhan to get an inside-the-park homer on July 21, 2004.
"That's one of the few times I was able to laugh after a tough loss," Francona said. "He was so proud of himself. He left his feet and made a great play."
Ramirez won't do that if he Torre sticks to his designated-hitter plan.
"I kind of found it entertaining the way he played defense every once in a while," Lowell said, "but I think that added to his aura that we all thought was so creative."
Drew put it more bluntly.
"He's a little bit of a different breed," Drew said. "He's got his own little characteristics. He can be one of the greatest players at times and other times you kind of scratch your head, but he's a unique character."
-- Howard Ulman
Griffey Sr. urges prostate testing to save lives
CINCINNATI (AP) — Ken Griffey Sr. wasn't entirely surprised when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006. He knew that it ran in the family, with four uncles succumbing to the disease.
Early detection and surgery saved Griffey's life. Now, he's urging men to get past their unease and get tested for it.
The former Big Red Machine outfielder has joined a campaign against prostate cancer sponsored by Kimberly-Clark's Depend brand. Now 60 years old, he has been cancer-free for several years. He's also back in uniform, working as the Reds' batting coach at Class A Dayton for the first time.
His son, Ken Griffey Jr., recently retired from the Seattle Mariners.
Griffey acknowledged during a phone interview Thursday that it's taken awhile to get over the operation that saved his life.
"The first year was a really tough situation for me because I couldn't do anything," he said. "Nothing was going right. I was having problems all around. The doctor explained to me that over time it would get better. I'm in my fourth year now. Everything has gotten real good since then. My family has been behind me the whole time."
Griffey played right field on the Reds teams that won back-to-back World Series titles in 1975-76. He was a three-time All-Star, winning the game's MVP honors. He ended his career in Seattle in 1991 playing with his son.
He had only two major health issues during his 19-year career. He broke a kneecap in 1979 and had two vertebra in his neck fused in 1991, ending his playing career.
Because of the history of prostate cancer in his family, Griffey went for regular checkups. A test in August 2006 indicated he might have the disease. The same week, his ex-wife, Birdie, was diagnosed with colon cancer. A biopsy later confirmed his cancer.
"It was a depressing situation, but at the same time I was up because we had discovered it," Griffey said. "The doctor told me it wasn't life-threatening. That was the big thing."
Griffey had been a special assistant to the Reds since 2002. He had to take it easy after the operation and deal with the side-effects, letting his body heal.
"The first year is a monster," he said. "You don't know what to expect, all the changes you go through. And to be honest, you don't think things are going to get better. But over the last year, everything has gotten three times better."
Griffey and his ex-wife are both cancer-free four years after they were diagnosed. Griffey's experience prompted him to get involved in the Depend campaign, encouraging others to get tested. He knows it's not a comfortable subject.
"Men are totally shy," he said. "They won't talk about it at all. They don't want to admit they have that kind of a problem."
Griffey is looking forward to another Father's Day, a chance to continue a family tradition. Since Junior was a youth, he has given his father a bottle of Old Spice and underwear every year.
"Now he has the grandkids doing it," Griffey said.
-- Joe Kay
Independent-league ball still possible downtown
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The president and CEO of the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority says he expects to announce this summer that an independent-league baseball team will take up residence in TD Ameritrade Park in downtown Omaha next year.
Roger Dixon said Wednesday that the American Association and Northern League are interested in placing a team in the downtown Omaha stadium that opens next year.
The American Association has been looking at Omaha for more than a year, but no ownership group has come forward. The Northern League's interest in Omaha is more recent.
Dixon said an agreement with one of the leagues should be reached in the next month or two.
Unlike true minor-league baseball, neither the Association nor Northern League is affiliated with the major leagues.
Umpire Crawford hit twice in 1st inning at Twins
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Home plate umpire Jerry Crawford had a rough start to the game Thursday between the Colorado Rockies and Minnesota Twins.
Crawford was hit twice in the top of the first inning on deflections, needing attention from Twins trainers after each one. The first came when Francisco Liriano hit Ryan Spilborghs with a pitch. The ball deflected and caught Crawford in the right foot.
Three batters later, Liriano hit Brad Hawpe, and the ball again ricocheted and hit Crawford hard in the left shoulder. He took a few minutes to walk that one off. Twins catcher Drew Butera said a few words to him, perhaps apologizing for not keeping him out of harm's way.
Crawford patted Butera on the back and remained in the game.
American League
Twins' Mauer gets day off against Rockies
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins are giving Joe Mauer the day off against the Colorado Rockies after the star catcher had a tough few days behind the plate.
Manager Ron Gardenhire says Thursday that Mauer "took about 18 foul tips" over the previous two games. One went off his face mask that stung him pretty good, Gardenhire says.
Mauer is usually given the day off or is in the lineup as the designated hitter in day games after night games.
Gardenhire also says the team will wait until seeing second baseman Orlando Hudson work out on Friday in Philadelphia before making a decision on activating him from the disabled list. Hudson has been out with a sore left wrist.
Peavy feeling better, expected to start Saturday
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jake Peavy's previously sore shoulder is responding well to a change in medication, and the former Cy Young Award winner is expected to start Saturday for the Chicago White Sox in Washington.
The right-hander was scratched from his scheduled start Thursday night in Pittsburgh because of shoulder soreness that led him to undergo an MRI exam. No damage was found in the shoulder, and Peavy felt much better on Thursday.
Right-hander Gavin Floyd will start Friday's interleague game against the Nationals, opposing rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg.
White Sox call up infield prospect Viciedo
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have recalled 21-year-old infielder Dayan Viciedo from Triple-A Charlotte and designated infielder Jason Nix for assignment.
Viciedo, one of the White Sox's top prospects, hit .288 with 13 homers and 31 RBIs in 61 games for Charlotte.
Nix was hitting .163 with one homer and five RBIs in 24 games, with all but one RBI coming on a grand slam May 30 against Tampa Bay.
National League
Ludwick, Rasmus picking up Cards' offensive slack
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals are running out of places to park Matt Holliday, who's been unproductive batting fourth, third and now second in the order.
Ryan Ludwick and Colby Rasmus have helped keep the offense afloat, wherever they've hit.
"Eh, it's no difference from 2,3,4,5," said Ludwick, whose .451 average with runners in scoring position through Wednesday is second-best in the majors. "I think the main thing is wherever you're at just finding a good pitch to hit.
Ludwick has mostly hit second, although he moved to cleanup this week in a swap designed to spark Holliday. He's also batted fifth and sixth.
Rasmus, a second-year man, has appeared everywhere except third and eighth on manager Tony La Russa's lineup card.
Those two, along of course with three-time NL MVP Albert Pujols, are allowing Holliday to emerge from a funk at the plate that's lasted most of the season without too much scrutiny. Despite the inconsistencies, the Cardinals were still battling with Cincinnati for the NL Central lead.
La Russa isn't averse to leaving Holliday in the second slot. At the very least, the manager considers it a better shot than Holliday's brief time at No. 3 ahead of Pujols.
"That one was not going to last just by definition," La Russa said. "This one's better, this one's got more potential value."
La Russa also knows the Cardinals didn't sign Holliday to be a seven-year, $120 million table setter, even though he likes a No. 2 hitter with pop.
"The team was made up with Holliday hitting fourth, not third, not second," the manager said. "But this one has a chance to be productive, whereas the other one had very little chance."
That's largely because of Ludwick, the late-blooming power source who has emerged at 29 and is now in his third year as a regular. Ludwick has been the team's toughest out all season and has 11 homers and 40 RBIs, trailing Pujols by nine for the team lead. He's been so good in right field that La Russa doesn't hesitate to tout him for a Gold Glove.
At the plate, Ludwick has been patient and uses the whole field. With success, his confidence has grown.
"When I feel good I feel like it doesn't matter who's out there," Ludwick said. "If they throw something in an area where I can hit it, I'm going to put a good swing on it."
A similar emergence by Rasmus, the team's No. 1 draft pick out of high school in 2005, has been almost as impressive. The left-handed hitter has six homers this month and 13 overall, among the NL leaders, while displaying a more selective approach even as he has pounced on the first pitch for seven of his long balls.
"I'm trying to put some good wood on it as early as I can," Rasmus said. "That way, if they mess up I'll be on it."
Even after getting shut down in three at-bats by the Mariners' Jason Vargas on Wednesday, Rasmus was on a tear (11 for 29) since April 28 against left-handers with three homers.
Rasmus started 104 games in center field last year but was more liable to sit against tougher lefties. Becoming a regular has helped him find a groove.
"I guess being in there every day does make a big difference," Rasmus said. "It's kind of like if I struggle a little bit, I don't have to worry about being on the bench the next day. I've got a pretty good chance of being in there again, and just by the constant grind, getting beat up so much, I've finally learned how to get them."
If the Cardinals can get Holliday revved up, they can be tough on a lot of pitchers.
After striking out on a pitch in the dirt with the tying run on third of a 2-1 loss to Seattle on Wednesday, the team's big free agent pickup was batting .194 with runners in scoring position and sixth on the team with 25 RBIs. After a brief surge early this month, he's back to making lots of easy outs.
"Whoever's hitting in front of Albert tends to get some good pitches to hit," Ludwick said. "Get him hot. It's just a matter of time."
-- R.B. Fallstrom
Surprise: Chipper Jones puts off retirement talk
ATLANTA (AP) — After seeming on the verge of announcing his retirement, Chipper Jones changed course Thursday and said he won't make a decision until after the season.
The Braves third baseman called the media to his locker before the final game of an interleague series against Tampa Bay, looking to put a halt to the speculation about his future.
"Any more talk of the r-word will be reserved until the end of the season," Jones said. "Somehow the cork got taken out. Well, I'm putting it back in right now.'
For two days, Jones had appeared ready to call it a career. He told The Associated Press he merely needed to work out some "red-tape issues" — including the $28 million he is owed for the final two years of his contract — and indicated he would make an announcement before the end of the homestand on Sunday.
Now, the 38-year-old Jones is taking a different path.
"Honestly, I have not made a decision either way. Let's face it, we all know, sort of, which way I'm leaning," he said, presumably indicating he's still seriously considering retirement after struggling for the second year in a row and battling numerous injuries.
"But I think it's best that we put this all behind us."
When the season is over, Jones said he'll meet with family, friends and other members of his support group to gather their input before he decides whether to return in 2011.
Jones said he's been meeting periodically with team president John Schuerholz and general manager Frank Wren over the last six months to discuss his future. There was another such meeting on Tuesday that also included manager Bobby Cox.
"As best as I can gather right now, he's thinking about retiring after this year," Cox said following the meeting. "But I can't give a definitive answer."
Jones told the AP, "It's obvious that it's something I've been thinking about. I need to go through the proper channels. Once those have all been taken care of, everybody's questions will be answered."
But he apparently decided the speculation about his future could wind up hurting a team that is eager to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2005. The Braves went into Thursday's contest leading the NL East by a half-game over the New York Mets.
"I think it's best that we concentrate what we need to concentrate on, and that is the fact that this team is in first place, that we are trying to get into the playoffs," Jones said. "This is not a good time to have a distraction."
Jones was the NL MVP in 1999 and won his first batting title only two years ago. But his numbers tailed off dramatically in 2009, and he was hitting just .234 with four homers and 23 RBIs this season.
He wasn't in the starting lineup Thursday, but Cox said it was just one of the occasional off days that Jones will need to protect his body for the long haul.
"I'm going to be quite frank with Bobby, but I expect to be in there 90 percent of the time," Jones said.
Cox, the Braves' manager since 1990, already has announced this will be his final season, and for a couple of days it appeared two longtime stalwarts of the franchise would call it a career together. Jones has played his entire career in Atlanta, taking over as the starting third baseman in 1995.
"Let's let Bobby have his just due. Let him get the attention he deserves," Jones said. "I'm on a first-place ballclub. Playing third and hitting third for a first-place ballclub, which is exactly where I like to be. I'm going to spend the rest of the summer concentrating on that and trying to send Bobby off in the best way possible.
"I'm here. I'm playing the rest of the year. Any decision I make on my future will be made in the offseason."
-- Paul Newberry
Pirates: GM, manager contracts were extended
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates extended the contracts of manager John Russell and general manager Neal Huntington for the 2011 season without making a public announcement during the offseason.
The Pirates were coming off a 99-loss season in 2009 and, amid slumping ticket sales, apparently felt announcing the winter deals might further lessen enthusiasm for this season. Huntington was given a one-year extension through 2011, and the club picked up Russell's option.
Pirates president Frank Coonelly acknowledged the moves Thursday, after a FoxSports.com report that Huntington's contract had been extended. The website's report Wednesday that the team was holding internal discussions about Russell's future apparently prompted the Pirates to disclose the extensions.
Coonelly defended the decision to extend Huntington and Russell without publicly disclosing it, even though major pro sports teams almost never keep such high-profile moves secret.
"I really thought the public discussion of the manager and general manager's contract length just raised constant questions about, 'Are you going to dismiss? Are you going to extend? ' " Coonelly said. "The better policy is direct communication with the employees, making sure they understand the goals and the standards by which their performance is measured."
Huntington and Russell are in their third seasons, and the team has yet to produce a 70-win season under them. Currently stuck in a 10-game losing streak, the Pirates are 19 games under .500 and on pace for a major league record-extending 18th consecutive losing season.
Russell welcomed the extension, but said having an additional year's worth of security won't alter the way he does business.
"Neal and I have said it from day one and we'll continue to say it, whether we have a one-year extension or a 10-year extension, we're not going to change the way we do things," he said.
Russell's stoic personality, refusal to argue most debatable calls and non-swaying patience have discouraged fans who say the club gives the appearance of accepting losing.
"He's a laid-back guy but he's got that fire and drive, he knows the game and he wants to win," outfielder Garrett Jones said. "When we have meetings in here, he gets fired up, he fires the team up with speeches."
With Huntington in charge, the Pirates have dealt off nearly every tradable player with experience over the last two years to rebuild with a core of younger players, including former All-Stars Jason Bay, Freddy Sanchez and Jack Wilson. The club's top four prospects — Pedro Alvarez, Brad Lincoln, Jose Tabata and Neil Walker — have been called up during the past three weeks.
Several of the deals were major busts, including the Bay trade. The Pirates' refusal to pursue talented veteran players on the open market — the team's opening day payroll of $34 million-plus was easily the lowest in the majors — also has upset fans who have waited for a winning season since 1992.
The Pirates' troubles began long before Coonelly, Huntington and Russell arrived; they have won more than 72 games in a season only once in 10 years, averaging 95½ losses over the last five seasons.
Despite the latest slide — one of the Pirates' three longest losing streaks in 42 years — Coonelly does not regret making the extensions.
"We evaluate on a daily basis. But is it difficult to reach the conclusion that a manager is not doing the job when you're turning over the roster so completely, as we have the last two years?" Coonelly said. "And when you're asking him to win with players who are being asked to move from one position to another? And with so many rookies in the lineup? Yeah, it's difficult in that scenario."
Coonelly disclosed the extensions because he felt the debate over Huntington and Russell was threatening to become a major distraction at the very time the Pirates are breaking in new players.
"I continue to believe that internal understandings regarding goals, expectations, standards, performance and progress towards meeting those goals are far more productive than public votes of confidence or public discussions about the years remaining on an employee's contract," Coonelly said in a statement. "(But) it is clear that the desire to ascertain the number of years that remain on our manager's contract has become and will remain a distraction — precisely the result we sought to avoid by declining to discuss such matters."
The Pirates aren't writing off this season because they believe the influx of rookies will result increasingly better play. Several offseason pickups, including light-hitting second baseman Aki Iwamura, have played poorly, and Iwamura was designated for assignment on Wednesday despite his $4.8 million contract. Infielder Ramon Vazquez was let go in spring training despite a $2 million guaranteed contract
"The level of disappointment is so high I can't accurately give you a word for it. Extraordinarily disappointed and frustrated by the level of play," Coonelly said. "We certainly knew that we had challenges this year, but we're excited to attack those challenges. More importantly, we still believe we can turn it around."
-- Alan Robinson
Mets' Bay out of lineup against Indians
CLEVELAND (AP) — Mets left fielder Jason Bay was out of the lineup for Thursday night's game against the Cleveland Indians after bruising his left thigh.
Bay was injured beating out a single in the second inning of Wednesday's 8-4 victory at Cleveland. He collided with first baseman Andy Marte and was knocked to the ground. Bay got up limping, but stayed in the game. He was removed in the sixth.
Bay attempted to talk manager Jerry Manuel into letting him play in the series finale against the Indians.
"I tried, but it was a losing battle," Bay said. "It made sense to give it a day. It's a little tight. It's not life or death. There's a little knot in there."
The Mets gave some thought to using Bay as the designated hitter.
"We talked about it, but that actually would have been a worse idea," Bay said. "You're sitting around for a while and then running. You might have to sit for an hour and then sprint."
Bay was available to pinch-hit and plans on being in the lineup Friday night when the Mets open a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.
"We thought it might be best to make sure we get it cleared up before we put him back out there," Manuel said.
Bay is batting .283 with four homers and 27 RBIs in 64 games.
Jesus Feliciano got the start in left against the Indians.
Tulowitzki leaves after getting hit in hand
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki left the game against Minnesota on Thursday in the eighth inning after getting hit by a pitch on his left hand.
Tulowitzki was in visible pain after being hit by Twins reliever Alex Burnett and received attention from Rockies trainers. He remained in the game on the bases, but was pulled when the defense took the field in the bottom of the inning.
Rockies manager Jim Tracy said after the 5-1 victory that an initial examination revealed no serious damage. Tulowitzki will have an X-ray on Monday in Colorado.
"We feel like we dodged a pretty serious bullet there," Tracy said after rapping his knuckles on his wooden desk.
Tulowitzki was 1 for 2 with an RBI triple in the game.
Jonathan Herrera was inserted at second base and Clint Barmes moved from second to shortstop to replace Tulowitzki.
Center fielder Carlos Gonzalez was replaced in the ninth inning after jamming his left knee while fielding a single from Drew Butera in the eighth. Tracy called it a left knee strain, but didn't think it was a serious injury.
Pirates didn't request physical for Iwamura
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pirates president Frank Coonelly says the team didn't ask Aki Iwamura to undergo a physical before trading for him last year, even though the former Rays infielder was coming off major left knee surgery.
Coonelly said Thursday it is uncommon for big league teams to ask for such physicals. He also said that scouting reports the Pirates received after Iwamura resumed playing for Tampa Bay last season were positive.
Iwamura proved to be a major bust, costing the Pirates $4.8 million in salary for little offensive production. His left knee apparently bothered Iwamura so much that it left him with little range defensively.
Iwamura was designated for assignment Wednesday after batting .182 — one of the lowest averages in the majors for an everyday player.
Phillies put LHP Bastardo on DL, RHP Mathieson up
NEW YORK (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have put reliever Antonio Bastardo on the 15-day disabled list because of inflammation in his left elbow and called up right-hander Scott Mathieson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
The Phillies made the move before Thursday night's game against the New York Yankees.
Bastardo pitched Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium and hit two batters and walked another while getting only two outs. He is 0-0 with a 5.11 ERA in 16 games this season.
Mathieson was 2-2 with 12 saves and a 2.43 ERA in Triple-A.
Dodgers put SS Furcal on bereavement list
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers put shortstop Rafael Furcal on the bereavement list before the final game of their series against the Cincinnati Reds.
He left for the Dominican Republic to be with an ailing family member on Thursday.
He's batting .302 since his return from a strained left hamstring on May 25, and had five hits in a 12-0 victory over the Reds on Tuesday night.
The Dodgers called up shortstop Chin-lung Hu from Triple-A Albuquerque to take his place. Hu has played in 82 games for the Dodgers during the past three years.
