Baseball Capsules: Albert Pujols hits 400th career home run
WASHINGTON (AP) — It was hardly ideal timing for a 400th home run. For Albert Pujols, it happened in the fourth inning of a 13-inning loss to a last-place team — and in a game in which he twisted his ankle trying to climb a rolled-up tarp.
The St. Louis Cardinals slugger led off the fourth against the Washington Nationals on Thursday night by sending an 0-1 fastball from starter Jordan Zimmermann into the right-center seats, becoming the 47th major leaguer to reach the milestone.
At 30 years, 222 days, Pujols became the third-youngest player to hit 400 homers. Alex Rodriguez hit No. 400 at 29 years, 316 days, and Ken Griffey Jr. reached the benchmark at 30 years, 141 days.
As soon as he completed his swing, Pujols stood and admired the shot. He was mobbed by teammates when he returned to the dugout after cutting the Nationals' lead to 3-2. He had been tied with Al Kaline and Andres Galarraga for 47th place on baseball's career list.
"It's a special milestone," Pujols said, "but I don't play for numbers."
Pujols instead spoke of other goals he had as a young baseball fan: to play professional baseball, to play in a World Series and "maybe one day have the opportunity to be in Cooperstown" and the Hall of Fame.
Pujols was more concerned about another loss in a slide that has hurt the Cardinals' playoff chances, and about a right ankle that twisted the wrong way when he tried to plant his foot on the tarp to reach for a foul ball near the first base dugout in the 10th inning.
"It's pretty sore right now," Pujols said. "It was pretty scary. I tried to put my right leg on top of the tarp and slipped."
Pujols stayed in the game, but said he didn't know if would be able to play Friday because the ankle could swell overnight.
"It was never comfortable," he said. "I was sore. I stayed in the game sore. I know it was going to take more than that to take me out of the game. I knew my team needed me out there."
Nats top-pick Harper puts on batting practice show
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sporting a new mohawk — but no war paint — Bryce Harper took batting practice at Nationals Park for the first time Thursday and sent a home run into the upper deck in right field.
The 17-year-old left-handed hitter sprayed several more homers around the park, to left, center and right, with the Washington Nationals brass standing nearby.
When the Nationals introduced 2009 No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg a year ago, they set off fireworks. Harper, the first selection of 2010, supplied fireworks of his own, just by showing off his powerful but compact swing.
"It felt like home," Harper said. "It was a blast going out there and hitting with a couple of the guys. I'm like a little kid in a candy store right now. It's a lot of fun to go out there and show what I've got and be able to hit it in the upper deck."
Harper was then formally introduced by the Nationals, a week and a half after agreeing to a $9.9 million, five-year deal. They covered up his mohawk by giving him a red, curly "W'' hat that was about two sizes too big. His jersey number is 34 — because three plus four equals the No. 7 worn by one of his childhood favorites, Mickey Mantle.
"My sister is a beautician," he said, explaining his new hairdo, "so she tries different things on me. The ladies like it."
If Strasburg is the next great pitching phenom, Harper is supposed to be the hitting equivalent. He skipped his final two years of high school and got his GED so he could make the jump to JUCO ball at the College of Southern Nevada, which plays in a league that uses wood bats. He tore up the league, hitting .443 with 31 homers and 98 RBIs.
It'll be a while before he hits home runs at Nationals Park for real. His next stop is Florida, where he will work out with the Nationals' Gulf Coast League affiliate and then play in the Florida Instructional League. It's undecided whether he'll then play in the Arizona Fall League before reporting for spring training next year.
But Harper will have to give up a few things as he fulfills his professional dream. The Nationals have told him he can't wear the war paint-style eye black that Little Leaguers have started to copy. He is also reluctantly being moved from catcher to outfield — his favorite Nationals player is Ivan Rodriguez.
"I'm going to miss it a lot," Harper said. "Being out there and being able to take control of the whole game."
-- Joseph White
'Anxious' Nationals await Strasburg's MRI results
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman spoke for a franchise when asked about the latest exam to be performed on Stephen Strasburg's valuable right arm.
"I'm very anxious about that," Riggleman said.
Thursday was a day of suspense at Nationals Park as the 22-year-old right-hander underwent his second MRI in less than a week. The results will be analyzed and announced on Friday, and the team is hoping they show nothing that will force the rookie phenom to sit out the rest of the season — or worse.
Strasburg was pulled from Saturday's game at Philadelphia when he grimaced and shook his wrist after throwing a changeup. An MRI on Sunday confirmed the initial diagnosis of a strained flexor tendon in his forearm, but the test raised enough questions for the Nationals to order a more extensive MRI that uses an injection of dye into the arm.
Strasburg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday, the second time he's been sidelined in less than a month. This latest setback come in his third start since returning from the DL because of inflammation in the back of his right shoulder.
"The thing with Stephen, he was in my office yesterday saying, 'I could pitch tonight, I feel great,'" Riggleman said. "But you never know. Jordan Zimmermann last year felt like he could pitch through the whole situation, and it wasn't to be."
Zimmermann, another premier prospect, ended up having elbow ligament replacement surgery. He happened to be making his first start in the majors in more than a year Thursday night against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Another bit of happenstance: Thursday was the day the Nationals introduced Strasburg's successor as the No. 1 overall pick, 17-year-old slugger-to-be Bryce Harper.
Strasburg is 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 68 innings with the Nationals and has thrown 123 1-3 innings total in the majors and minors this season. The Nationals were hoping he would throw 160 innings this year.
-- Joseph White
Padres RHP Young hopes to pitch again this year
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Padres right-hander Chris Young threw another simulated game Thursday, and a rehab assignment might be next as he continues to work his way back from a shoulder injury.
Motivated by San Diego's run atop the NL West, the 6-foot-10 Young hopes to pitch again this season. He made one start before going on the disabled list April 12 with a strained shoulder. He underwent surgery on the shoulder a year ago.
"It's definitely my goal, not just to pitch, but to be successful and win," said Young, who's had a serious injury for three straight seasons. "Certainly I'm not trying to get ahead of myself. There's still some tests, but I wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't my goal. It would be easy to shut it down and say I'll strengthen it and worry about pitching later, but that's not the case. I want to pitch, I want to win, I want to help this team make a strong run here. I feel if things keep going according to plan, I'm capable of that."
Young threw 55 pitches over three innings before the Padres hosted the last-place Arizona Diamondbacks in a series finale.
"It felt better as I went," he said. "It's nice to focus on how I feel and stuff versus what my arm's doing."
Young said he got a little distracted when a singer started rehearsing the national anthem.
"I don't know if it was a physical thing as much as maybe a mental focus thing, just the environment. It felt like early in the morning. You know, national anthem being played, first hitter. Definitely the second two innings felt better than the first."
Padres manager Bud Black said Young looked better than he did when he threw a simulated game in Milwaukee on Saturday.
"As he got into it he threw the ball better," Black said. "It was progress from in Milwaukee to have him sit down for another inning. His last 30 pitches were better than the first 25."
Young says he'll discuss the next step with the coaching and medical staffs.
"There will be a next step," he said. "Everything went well with it. My guess is it's going to be a rehab start but I'm not positive on that. I think it would probably be good to be in a game environment next."
There's probably enough time left in the minor league season for Young to make two rehab starts.
Young was an All-Star in 2007, when he finished 9-8 with a 3.12 ERA and a career-high 167 strikeouts in 173 innings.
On May 21, 2008, he was hit in the face with Albert Pujols' line drive, breaking his nose and fracturing his skull. He returned nine weeks later. He spent time on the disabled list that August with a strained right forearm before returning for the final month. Young took a perfect game into the eighth inning at Milwaukee that Sept. 7 before giving up a home run to Gabe Kapler in a 10-1 Padres win.
Young made 14 starts last year before missing the second half with a strained right shoulder.
He said he's been motivated watching his teammates hold the division lead for most of the season when most outsiders figured there was no way the Padres would contend.
"I've put in a lot of work and sweat, and there have been a lot of tears to get where I am," he said. "Certainly there's a goal in mind and I'm working toward that. I'm hopeful it'll happen, but I can't get ahead of myself."
-- Bernie Wilson
Mets SS Reyes lifted in second inning vs Marlins
NEW YORK (AP) — Mets shortstop Jose Reyes left Thursday night's game against the Florida Marlins after aggravating a right oblique strain that caused him to miss the All-Star game last month.
Reyes snapped an 0-for-11 skid with a single in the second inning off Anibal Sanchez. The speedy sparkplug rounded first and didn't appear to be hurt, but first base coach Razor Shines summoned a trainer from the dugout to check on him.
A couple of moments later, Reyes left to a smattering of boos. He didn't even take off his batting helmet before plopping down on the bench.
"It's not that painful right now," Reyes said after New York's 11-4 loss, "so hopefully by tomorrow it'll be OK."
The Mets continue their six-game homestand Friday night against Houston.
Reyes hurt his right side June 30 while taking batting practice before a game against the Marlins in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He returned July 6 but still struggled with the injury, leaving a game against the Atlanta Braves a few days later after making a play in the field. An MRI performed at the time was negative, but the nagging injury caused Reyes to sit out the All-Star game in Anaheim, Calif.
"It never really goes away, since I hurt it in Puerto Rico," Reyes said. "I felt it a little in batting practice and when I hit the fly ball (in the first inning). Then when I got the base hit, it was worse."
Reyes was replaced on the bases by rookie infielder Ruben Tejada, who stayed in the game to play shortstop. Tejada went 0 for 2 and is 1 for 36 since being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Aug. 7.
"As of right now, we kind of see this as a day-to-day thing," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said of Reyes' injury. "It's going to be a tough one to lose him for any period of time, because he brings so much."
-- Dave Skretta
Ethier tossed against Brewers for arguing call
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier was ejected in the top of the sixth inning of Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers for arguing with home plate umpire Adrian Anderson.
Ethier struck out looking leading off the sixth inning and argued the call with Anderson. Ethier thought the pitch was low and had a few words for the ump before returning to the dugout. One out later Anderson had enough of Ethier's continuing comments and tossed him.
Ethier raced out of the dugout, but Dodgers manager Joe Torre and teammate James Loney got between him and Anderson, who did little but jaw at each other.
Ethier was replaced in right field by Reed Johnson.
RHP Jordan Zimmermann recalled by Nationals
WASHINGTON (AP) — Jordan Zimmermann has been recalled by the Washington Nationals to make his first major league start of the season against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Zimmermann returned to the big leagues Thursday, just more than a year after having elbow ligament replacement surgery. He last pitched for the Nationals on July 18, 2009, and had the operation on Aug. 19.
A premier prospect before he got hurt, Zimmermann pitched in 10 minor league games this season, going 1-2 with a 1.59 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 39 2-3 innings. The right-hander was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, where he went 1-0 with a 0.53 ERA in four starts this year.
Cubs to rededicate Harry Caray statue
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs will honor the late broadcaster Harry Caray next month by rededicating his statue outside Wrigley Field.
The team said Thursday that a pregame ceremony is also planned for Sept. 1. Caray's wife, Dutchie Caray, and Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts are expected to be at the rededication.
Caray's statue will be rededicated at Sheffield and Waveland avenues. It previously was outside the field at Sheffield Avenue and Addison Street, where a new statue of Cubs outfielder Billy Williams will be placed.
Team officials say Dutchie Caray will throw a ceremonial first pitch before the game against Pittsburgh. She'll wear a No. 23 Caray jersey.
American League
Indians pitcher has Tommy John surgery
CLEVELAND (AP) — Hector Rondon, one of the Cleveland Indians' top pitching prospects, has undergone reconstructive Tommy John elbow surgery.
The team announced that the hard-throwing right-hander had the operation on Wednesday in Birmingham, Ala., by Dr. James Andrews.
"Hector was one of the players that if the injury didn't happen and he had developed that we likely would have taken a look at in September," Indians manager Manny Acta said Thursday.
Rondon, a 22-year-old who was the organization's minor league pitcher of the year in 2009, went 1-3 with a 8.53 ERA in seven starts at Triple-A Columbus.
He last pitched on May 12 before being shut down with soreness. The Indians sent him to their year-round training complex in Arizona, but he experienced more pain and surgery was recommended.
"Tommy John (surgery) is not what it used to be and a lot of times a guy comes back in about one year and sometimes even stronger," Acta said. "We hope for the best for Hector. I feel bad for him."
The Indians have been hit hard by injuries on the major-league level, too. The top four hitters in their opening day lineup have spent time on the disabled list with center fielder Grady Sizemore out for the season after having microfracture surgery on his left knee in May. Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (broken left arm), right fielder Shin-Soo Choo (strained right thumb) and designated hitter Travis Hafner (shoulder fatigue) also missed time.
Top prospect Carlos Santana, a switch-hitting catcher called up in June, had season-ending surgery on his left knee after being hurt in a home-plate collision in Boston on Aug. 2.
"It's been unfortunate," Acta said. "We don't have the depth to substitute for all these players and survive."
Orioles' Jones scratched with bruised shoulder
CHICAGO (AP) — Center fielder Adam Jones has been scratched from the Baltimore Orioles' lineup with a bruised left shoulder.
Jones was hit by a pitch from Gavin Floyd in the fourth inning of Baltimore's 7-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night. He left after the top of the inning and was held out of Wednesday's game.
Manager Buck Showalter says Jones' shoulder bothered him when he tried to run before Thursday's game against Chicago and he is day to day.
Felix Pie moved from left to center and Corey Patterson was inserted into the lineup in left for the matchup against the White Sox. Patterson was batting second
Jones is batting .275 with 17 homers and 52 RBIs in 123 games this season.
White Sox INF Vizquel leaves with upset stomach
CHICAGO (AP) — White Sox infielder Omar Vizquel has left Chicago's game against the Baltimore Orioles with an upset stomach.
Vizquel was replaced by Brent Lillibridge at third base before Baltimore batted in the seventh inning Thursday night. The White Sox say the 43-year-old Vizquel is day to day.
Elsewhere
Yankees, Jay-Z team up on co-branded merchandise
NEW YORK (AP) — Get your New York Yankees hats here — with a Jay-Z logo.
The hip-hop mogul is teaming up with his favorite baseball squad on co-branded clothes that will be sold exclusively at Yankee Stadium beginning next week. All the items, from baseball caps to T-shirts and hooded sweat shirts, will feature Yankees and Jay-Z logos.
In a news release Thursday, the Yankees said the attire was created to commemorate the first official concerts at the new Yankee Stadium on Sept. 13 and 14, when Jay-Z and Eminem will co-headline.
The shows mark the second half of their "Home and Home" tour, following joint performances at Detroit's Comerica Park on Sept. 3 and Sept. 4.
The new merchandise will be available at Yankee Stadium from Aug. 30 to Sept. 14.
Alex Ramirez sets Japan baseball record for RBIs
TOKYO (AP) — Former major leaguer Alex Ramirez has set a Japan pro baseball record by reaching 100 RBIs for eight consecutive seasons.
Ramirez hit a three-run homer in the first inning at Tokyo Dome to move to 102 RBIs this season, surpassing the Japanese record of seven straight 100 RBI seasons set by Sadaharu Oh.
Ramirez hit his 41st homer of the season in the seventh inning for 104 RBIs as the Yomiuri Giants coasted to a 10-4 win over the Chunichi Dragons.
The 35-year-old from Venezuela is playing in his 10th season in Japan. He played for the Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates before signing with the Yakult Swallows of Japan's Central League in 2001.
Baseball's 2012 Winter Meetings set for Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Baseball's Winter Meetings will return to Nashville in 2012.
According to a news release Thursday from Minor League Baseball, the meetings will be at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort Dec. 3-6.
The gathering also was in Nashville in 1983, 1989, 1998, 2002 and 2007.
The meetings this December will be near Orlando, Fla. In 2011 they will be in Dallas.
