Baseball Capsules: Hunter says black Latino players are 'impostors'
Comments 0PHOENIX — Los Angeles Angels center fielder Torii Hunter insists he meant no harm toward Latino players when he referred to them as "impostors" while discussing the number of African-Americans in the major leagues.
Hunter's original comments were made two weeks ago in one of a series of USA Today roundtables about baseball and published in Wednesday's editions.
"What troubles me most was the word "impostors" appearing in reference to Latin American players not being black players. It was the wrong word choice, and it definitely doesn't accurately reflect how I feel and who I am," Hunter posted on his Angels-sponsored blog Wednesday afternoon.
"What I meant was they're not black players; they're Latin American players. There is a difference culturally. But on the field, we're all brothers, no matter where we come from, and that's something I've always taken pride in: treating everybody the same, whether he's a superstar or a young kid breaking into the game. Where he was born and raised makes no difference."
Hunter has long been known as one of baseball's sincere, good guys.
In the blog post, he added: "I am hurt by how the comments attributed to me went off the track and misrepresented how I feel. My whole identity has been about bringing people together, from my neighborhood to the clubhouse. The point I was trying to make was that there is a difference between black players coming from American neighborhoods and players from Latin America. In the clubhouse, there is no difference at all. We're all the same.
"We all come from different places and backgrounds. Coming from Pine Bluff, Ark., my hometown, is no different than being a kid from San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic. We all share the common bond of a love of baseball, and it pulls us together on the field and in the clubhouse," he wrote.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the article's author, said he spoke by phone with Hunter for 30 minutes Wednesday after Hunter's blog update was posted.
"He said: 'I'm not going to apologize. I told the truth. I'm sorry if I used the wrong choice of words, but impostor is not a racist word,'" Nightengale said. "He's more upset by the reaction to the story."
In the report, Hunter was quoted as saying: "People see dark faces out there, and the perception is that they're African-American. They're not us. They're impostors. Even people I know come up and say: 'Hey, what color is Vladimir Guerrero? Is he a black player?' I say, 'Come on, he's Dominican. He's not black.' ...
"As African-American players, we have a theory that baseball can go get an imitator and pass them off as us. It's like they had to get some kind of dark faces, so they go to the Dominican or Venezuela because you can get them cheaper. It's like, 'Why should I get this kid from the South Side of Chicago and have Scott Boras represent him and pay him $5 million when you can get a Dominican guy for a bag of chips?' ... I'm telling you, it's sad," he said.
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, a Venezuelan, scoffed at Hunter's remarks before Wednesday's game against the Oakland Athletics. Angels spokesman Eric Kay said Hunter will not further discuss the subject.
"I was laughing because when he said, 'They go there and sign for potato chips,' I said, 'Well, we've got Chapman. They gave him $12 million. (Cincinnati actually agreed to a $30.25 million, six-year contract with pitcher Aroldis Chapman.) We've got (prospect Dayan) Viciedo. They gave him $10 million. I remember in my time, one scout goes (to Venezuela and) 30 players show up. Now, 30 scouts go there and one player shows up. In our country, we play baseball. That's no choice. Here you can play basketball, you can be another athlete, you can do so many things when you have the opportunity. And that's why there's not many (African-American) players out there."
There has been some concern about the number of African-American baseball players. Many blacks are choosing to play other sports instead. Black players accounted for 10.2 percent of major leaguers in 2008, the most since the 1995 season, according to the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports.
"I keep saying a lot of times, in 10 more years American people are going to need a visa to play this game because we're going to take over. We're going to," Guillen said.
Garciaparra comes back to Red Sox to retire
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Six years after he was traded away for the final pieces of Boston's World Series puzzle, Nomar Garciaparra finally got a friendly farewell from the Red Sox.
The rookie of the year, batting champion and All-Star whose trade began a bitter back-and-forth in Boston and, for Garciaparra, an inglorious slide into irrelevance, signed a ceremonial one-day contract with the Red Sox on Wednesday for the purpose of retiring in the uniform of his original team.
"From the first day I had the thrill of putting on a Red Sox uniform and playing in front of all the great fans at Fenway Park, I have felt at home in Boston," Garciaparra said in a statement that belied the ugliness that accompanied his departure. "While I had the privilege of playing with other legendary teams, I always saw myself retiring in a Red Sox uniform."
Garciaparra announced he's leaving baseball at 36 to become an ESPN analyst, ending a 14-year career in which he was a six-time All-Star and two-time batting champion. But the career that started with the 1997 AL Rookie of the Year award began to crumble when the Red Sox tried to acquire Alex Rodriguez after the 2003 season — a deal that probably would have forced them to trade Garciaparra.
Although the Rodriguez deal fell through, the talks upset Garciaparra, and an Achilles' tendon injury that kept him out until June the next season didn't help his mood. It also didn't help that the market for shortstops had plummeted since he rejected a four-year, $60 million offer from the Red Sox.
With the Red Sox struggling at midseason, general manager Theo Epstein traded Garciaparra for shortstop Orlando Cabrera and defensive first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. Accusations of disloyalty flew, and Red Sox fans were stunned to lose their "No-mah."
But they soon overcame their grief: The Red Sox went 42-18 for the best finish in baseball, capping the season with their first World Series crown since 1918. Garciaparra watched from afar.
"I felt like I was there," he said. "In Boston there's something greater than an individual player winning a World Series. When I was there I realized there's something bigger than us winning a World Series. It's winning a World Series for these people."
Epstein, who grew up in the Boston area, knew the risk he was taking by trading away the shortstop who had been the most popular player on the team.
"We've been fortunate over the years to maintain a relationship after the trade," Epstein said. "I think both of us understood at the time that it wasn't about Nomar and it wasn't about me. It was just baseball trades that happen. They're about what's going on with the team at the time and certain things that had to happen. But, it didn't change what Nomar meant to the Red Sox."
Terry Francona, who led the team to a World Series title in his rookie season as Red Sox manager, saw just the last few months of Garciaparra's time at Fenway Park.
"His last part in Boston was tough," Francona said. "He was kind of Boston-ed out. It had kind of wore on him for whatever reasons. Sometimes it's time to move on. That doesn't mean he's a bad person. I think the fact he's come back kind of shows that."
Garciaparra's teammates — the beneficiaries of his acrobatic defense and clutch hitting — found it appropriate that he retired in a Boston uniform.
"He was a Red Sox for a long time and I think he'll always be remembered as a Red Sox," said pitcher Tim Wakefield, who was Garciaparra's teammate for the shortstop's entire stay in Boston. "For the organization to sign him to a one-day deal and have him retire as a Red Sox is pretty special. I'm really happy for him. I wish he was still playing but sometimes our careers take different paths."
Garciaparra threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, with former Red Sox and Georgia Tech teammate Jason Varitek catching.
"Nomar will always hold a special place in Red Sox history and in the hearts of Red Sox Nation," owner John Henry said. "His accomplishments on the field and in the community place him among the greatest players to wear a Red Sox uniform. We are very appreciative that Nomar is ending his career where it began."
Garciaparra spent the past five seasons with the Cubs, Dodgers and A's. He had a .313 career average with 229 home runs and 936 RBIs. Garciaparra was in the thick of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry but always earned the respect of his opponents in New York.
"I always enjoyed playing against Boston because of Nomar," Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said. "I used to enjoy being mentioned with him."
Added Rodriguez: "I love Nomar. He's a great player and a friend."
A-Rod: Lawyers are setting up interview with feds
TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez may soon be talking to federal authorities, and he hopes it will happen close to spring training.
Lawyers for the Yankees slugger are setting up an interview as part of an investigation into a Canadian doctor who is the focus of a cross-border drug smuggling case involving human growth hormone.
Rodriguez said the site is under discussion but he would like it to be near the team complex in Tampa rather than in Buffalo, N.Y., where the U.S. investigation is being conducted. He expects to soon know the interview date.
"The idea is to schedule something that allows me to cooperate and also get my work in," Rodriguez said Wednesday. "Obviously doing it here would be fantastic."
Rodriguez would not indicate if he pressed his lawyers to lock in a date, but he said they have been working on it for "maybe a few days. I don't know."
Kathleen Mehltretter, acting U.S. attorney for western New York, said it is not unusual for investigators to go to those they want to interview but declined to comment on the investigation. Maureen Dempsey, an FBI spokeswoman in Buffalo, would not comment on Rodriguez's statements, citing the investigation.
Rodriguez lawyer James Sharp did not respond to several messages left by The Associated Press.
On March 1, Rodriguez said he was aware federal agents wanted to talk to him about his relationship with Dr. Anthony Galea. The doctor told the AP on Monday that he helped the three-time MVP recover from a hip injury last year but prescribed only anti-inflammatories, not HGH.
Rodriguez said he is not frustrated by the wait or questions from the media because the investigation is "not about me."
Other baseball players, including Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran of the Mets, have been contacted by federal investigators regarding Galea. Colorado Rockies closer Huston Street has said federal investigators might want to talk to him about the case. Reyes and Beltran have said they did not receive HGH from Galea.
Rodriguez has appeared more at ease this year than last spring, when he acknowledged using steroids from 2001-03. Dressed in workout gear Wednesday, he said his surgically repaired hip from a year ago was much better.
"It just feels good to be back at work and have the freedom and flexibility to have a regular camp," he said. "There's no question I want to ramp things up a little bit and obviously work diligently more than anything down here, not overdo things."
At some point this season, he will see his surgeon, Marc Philippon, and have X-rays, perhaps during the All-Star break or on a western road trip. During his rehabilitation, Rodriguez met Galea, who has close ties to chiropractor Mark Lindsay. Lindsay helped Philippon monitor A-Rod's recovery.
Galea, who recently resigned as team doctor for the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts, became the focus of authorities' attention last September when his assistant, Mary Anne Catalano, was stopped at the U.S. border in Buffalo.
Galea was arrested in Canada last October on four charges relating to an unapproved substance used in healing therapy called Actovegin. He is known for using a technique, called platelet-rich plasma therapy, designed to speed recovery. He has used that to treat several high-profile athletes.
U.S. federal court documents say "20 vials and 76 ampoules of unknown misbranded drugs including Nutropin (Human Growth Hormone — HGH) and foreign homeopathic drugs" were found in a car Catalano was driving.
But Galea said Catalano could have had only a tiny, half-empty bottle — or one ampoule of HGH — because she was bringing the drug across the border for his use.
The 51-year-old Galea says he's taken HGH, which is banned by the major sports, for a decade because it can improve the quality of life for people over 40.
Even if he's cleared in the investigation, Rodriguez could be in violation of his record $275 million, 10-year contract because the Yankees have the right to approve doctors not on its medical staff.
If Rodriguez was treated without club consent, any attempt to determine whether he violated his contract or baseball's collective bargaining agreement likely would hinge on whether treatment was elective or necessary.
General manager Brian Cashman said the Yankees' "no comment still stands" while the federal investigation is proceeding.
-- Howie Rumberg
Red Sox prospect Bowden gets used to bullpen role
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Signing with the Red Sox after being drafted out of high school in 2005, Michael Bowden began his climb through the Boston farm system and was named the organization's top pitching prospect by Baseball America before the 2008 season.
But last season, spent primarily at Triple-A Pawtucket with three call-ups to Boston, was mostly a year of learning for the right-hander. With Pawtucket, he went 4-6 with a 3.13 ERA in 24 starts. With the Red Sox he was 1-1 with an 9.56 ERA in eight appearances.
He was first called to the big leagues last April 26, pitching two scoreless innings out of the bullpen against the New York Yankees in a 4-1 win. The next time he faced the Yankees, another two innings in an August call-up, was a very different story.
In that appearance, Bowden gave up seven runs on eight hits and three walks in a 20-11 loss. One of the things he learned last season was that pitching out of the bullpen in the majors is very different from starting in the minors.
"(In the first outing) I knew what innings I was pitching. I'm very structured. I've started my whole career. So I could prepare that like a start," Bowden said. "The second time I got called up it was very tough, because all it was was a lack of experience. I didn't know how many throws my body needed to warm up. I got warmed up in the second, third. I threw way more than I should have.
"So obviously I learned tons because I won't ever do that again."
Dealing with that kind of adversity can help.
"Almost everyone will go through it," said Red Sox minor league pitching coordinator Ralph Treuel. "It's how they deal with that will help them determine how successful they can be. And he did a very good job with it."
Last season Bowden was working on adding a slider to his repertoire. He had difficulty with the new pitch at the beginning of the season but eventually began to throwing it with confidence and consistency. He is considering shelving his 12-6 curveball, which he was having trouble throwing for strikes, in favor of the slider.
"We wanted something that goes away from a righty and would stay in the strike zone longer," he said. "And that's what we found. So if that's getting the same thing accomplished as the curveball was when I was throwing it for strikes, then there wouldn't really be a need for (the curveball)."
Bowden also learned at the end of the season that his delivery needed to be revised. He brought it up to Treuel and Boston pitching coach John Farrell, knowing something needed to be changed. They gave him video of Scott Richmond, Joe Blanton, and a few other pitchers. Bowden spent the offseason reworking his mechanics.
He's very excited about his new mechanics.
"This is a lot easier," he said. "Just by watching me last year, I was so tense. It didn't look easy. So this, the first time I tried it, it felt good. It has not been hard at all. In my first bullpen I'm throwing right around the zone. I'm a lot more consistent. I'm staying online. It wasn't really a hard transition. Now it's just a matter or repeating it, and staying as consistent as I can with it, and that's what spring training is for."
Bowden also learned that in spite of that August outing against the Yankees, he enjoys pitching out of the bullpen. In his third call-up, he sat 12 days between outings, giving him a chance to take on a reliever's mentality.
"I learned so much those 12 days because I was in the bullpen and I didn't know (when I was) going to throw," he said. "So everyday I had to show up to the park and prepare like I was going to throw. I really got a good routine down. Just talking to all those guys in the bullpen. Preparing every day like every time the phone rang it could be me. I just learned how to prepare like a reliever. It was just a lot of fun. I didn't think I'd like it but I had a blast in the bullpen, and I really enjoyed it."
This spring is the most optimistic he has felt going into a season, he said.
"I was so antsy in December to get down to spring training because I wanted to start throwing, get out there in games," he said. "So I'm real excited for this year because I feel much more well rounded and like a better all-around player."
Lewis, Perez key to Indians relief corps
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Jensen Lewis and Rafael Perez often go unnoticed by Cleveland Indians fans — until failing.
Both relief pitchers received plenty of unwanted attention in 2009, as Cleveland's bullpen went bust. The Indians converted only 25 of 43 save chances, a 58 percent success rate that tied Baltimore for worst in the American League. It was a key reason for a 65-97 record, Cleveland's worst since losing 105 games in 1992.
"I really believe we're a strong unit this year," Lewis said Wednesday before the Indians played the San Diego Padres. "I've learned a lot. I'm so much better prepared."
General manager Mark Shapiro hopes so.
"I feel as good as you can feel about the bullpen in light of the progress our guys made in the second half," he said.
That was after Lewis and Perez had refresher courses at Triple-A Columbus with pitching coach Scott Radinsky, now the new bullpen coach in Cleveland.
"Scott has a way of getting me into a comfort zone," Lewis said. "It's just another reason for me to be excited."
Lewis and Perez have blazed a trail of success thus far this spring, pleasing new manager Manny Acta. He wants the duo to preserve leads for Kerry Wood, the $10 million-a-year closer who often went unused a year ago as Cleveland regularly fell behind.
Perez has pitched two perfect innings, striking out three. That's how the left-hander worked in 2007 and 2008 as one of the AL's most reliable setup men. In 2009, he had a 7.31 ERA and opponents hit .336 off him, including .412 by lefties.
"He became predictable in some of those left-on-left matchups because he relied too much on his slider," Acta said. "He tried to adjust and couldn't put any of his pitches in the zone."
Perez walked 25 hitters in 48 innings last year. He had walked only 44 in his first 149 career innings.
"Raffy doesn't throw anything straight," Radinsky said. "Everybody talks about his slider, but his fastball moves, too. There's nothing wrong with his stuff. He's just got to maintain his delivery. I think that was a little tougher for him because of being used so much the previous year."
Perez worked in 73 games in 2008, when Lewis emerged as the closer in the second half and went 13 for 13 in save chances.
"Jensen came off 2008 with a lot of steam and I think he had a letdown," Radinsky said. "He tried to do too much."
Lewis didn't admit at the time to being upset when Wood was signed to a two-year, $20.5 million free agent deal in December 2008, but the right-hander's outlook changed.
"I tried to be somebody I'm not," Lewis said. "I got a taste of what I want to be. I tried too hard to get back to that."
Aggressive by nature, Lewis attempted to strike out every hitter by pumping his fastball into the zone. Batters connected for six home runs in his first 11 outings.
"Jensen just needs to relax and maintain focus," Radinsky said. "You want that aggressiveness, a guy with guts, coming into tight situations. He's blessed with it. It's a great attribute.
"But he must understand that when he's got a batter 0-and-2, put him away. It's OK to challenge the guy, but don't go overboard. What he did to get the first two strikes worked, so why change radically?"
Acta loved Lewis' results when he came on with the bases loaded and none out Tuesday against Seattle. He gave up a run, but got a double-play grounder, then retired the next batter.
"We told him it was damage-control time and that with a 6-3 lead not to worry about giving up a run," Acta said. "He did his job well."
Lewis admits he did play it smarter.
"I've learned to give up a run for two outs," he said. "I'll take outs any way I can. It's part of becoming a pitcher instead of a thrower."
Orioles' Wieters looking to build on last year
SARASOTA, Fla. — Matt Wieters was the center of attention when he reported to spring training last year. This year, everything has been much quieter.
To Wieters, it's a welcome change. The switch-hitting catcher is primed for a big season with the Baltimore Orioles, ready to assume a bigger role for the struggling franchise.
"He's moving into another phase," manager Dave Trembley said. "He's been assigned the leadership of the pitching staff."
Wieters started last season at Triple-A Norfolk and was called up in May. The 6-foot-5 slugger got off to a slow start in the majors but managed to hit .288 with nine homers and 43 RBIs in 96 games.
He's hoping to build off last year's strong finish when Baltimore opens the season at Tampa Bay on April 6.
"I'm just trying to fit in, not trying to stand out — and just get your work in. This year, it's trying to be more of a leader with this pitching staff," he said.
"I can be a little more vocal leader on the field, talk to the pitchers a little more, talk to the infielders, let them know what I'm thinking."
Wieters' routine spring did take a hit this week when he became the first Orioles player to be featured on a Sports Illustrated cover since 1996.
"It's a great honor," he said. "It'll pretty neat to be able to look at three or four years from now."
Wieters, selected No. 5 overall in the 2007 draft, thinks his experience last year will be a big asset this season. He already has worked with four of Baltimore's starters — Brad Bergesen, Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman. The fifth — Kevin Millwood — is a 155-game winner in the big leagues.
"It's definitely a big help, knowing the pitching staff, knowing how they like to communicate, so we can really have conversations about how their outing went and improve from there," Wieters said.
Trembley wants him to catch 130 to 140 games this year, and Wieters is all for it.
"The season is a grind no matter what position it is," he said. "It's going to be a grind, but I came in in really good shape this year, looking forward to catching as many games as possible."
A's center fielder Crisp has hamstring injury
PHOENIX — Coco Crisp leaned over to pick up his bat from the on-deck circle and felt a "prickle" in his left hamstring. He still took his third at-bat Tuesday, and his leg told him two more times he wasn't right: in the batter's box and running to first on a single.
The new Oakland Athletics center fielder said Wednesday he has a strain in the hamstring and it isn't clear how long he might be sidelined. He already was being limited to designated-hitter duties as he fully recovers from operations on both shoulders last summer, but the plan was for him to play the field for the first time this weekend. Not now.
Crisp will undergo treatment for the next few days — and he hopes to still be ready by opening day April 5 at home against Seattle. Though this latest development doesn't help matters.
"It's nothing bad," he said. "I had a severely strained hamstring in Double-A on my right leg. This is the first time I've had anything with my left leg. I reached over to pick up my bat from the on-deck circle and felt my hamstring prickle like someone poked me really hard in the back of the leg."
Crisp, who is being listed as day-to-day, received treatment Wednesday morning on the leg, which he had wrapped. The 30-year-old Crisp signed a $5.25 million, one-year contract in December and is among several big offseason acquisitions that general manager Billy Beane hopes will make the A's a contender again in the AL West.
Crisp isn't sure how long this injury will hold up his throwing program, because he puts pressure on the leg to throw.
"I've got to take a few more days to feel close to normal," Crisp said. "I've got to make sure it doesn't linger on and recur, even at this minute stage."
In addition to Crisp, right-handed reliever Joey Devine is being shut down for about a week because of soreness in his surgically repaired elbow and flexor tendinitis in the surrounding inner forearm area. He underwent Tommy John surgery last April and was considered ahead of schedule in his recovery, but manager Bob Geren isn't going to take any risks that could lead to a serious setback. Devine threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday.
"It's just one of those things where it's pretty common to have a setback," Devine said. "I've been pretty blessed so far."
Geren said Devine's next step would be determined once he's re-evaluated after this break.
Outfielder Travis Buck was doing well a day after being scratched with dizziness. He had his left ear flushed out Wednesday morning to give him what he described as "equilibrium." Buck ran into the outfield wall two years ago and sustained a concussion when he hit the left side of his head, then was involved in a terrifying collision with teammate Chris Denorfia late last season in which his head snapped back and banged hard on the warning track.
"I don't think it's anything serious," said Buck, who expects to need the ear flushed out on occasion. "It's just a matter of staying on top of it."
Righty reliever John Meloan also is experiencing elbow soreness and he was to be examined by local team orthopedist Dr. Doug Freedberg.
-- Janie McCauley
Orioles 2B Roberts hopes to be ready for opener
SARASOTA, Fla. — Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts said Wednesday he is better, two days after feeling ill. He said he wasn't sure if the illness was due to a medication given during his rehabilitation for a back injury.
Roberts, who led the American League with 56 doubles last season, has yet to play this spring. To speed his recuperation from the back injury, Orioles medical personnel gave him some medication on Sunday. On Monday night, he reported feeling ill.
Roberts said he hopes to resume some baseball activities on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said he expected Roberts to be ready for Opening Day on Apr. 6, but admitted concern. Roberts said he thought the situation wasn't ideal but he'd be ready for the team's first game.
"It's not ideal," Roberts said, "but I'm not concerned about missing Opening Day yet."
Orioles manager Dave Trembley said he'd like to get Roberts between 25-30 at-bats before the season opener. Roberts has no idea when he'll be ready.
"I'd rather be fully healthy and get 15 at-bats than try to push it and get 30 at-bats and start off less than 100 percent," Roberts said.
"We still have three-and-a-half weeks, so I'm certainly not in panic mode."
Tigers' Johnny Damon sits out against Yankees
LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers outfielder Johnny Damon is sitting out against his former team because of a sore toe.
Damon was scratched for what would have been his first spring training game against the New York Yankees on Wednesday after stubbing his right big toe "running around in the yard" a day earlier.
Damon says he could have played if it was "life or death," joking that some people consider a Tigers-Yankees spring training game to be just that. But he wanted to stay off the toe for a day. Tigers manager Jim Leyland says Damon will probably play Thursday.
Curtis Granderson, who was traded by the Tigers to the Yankees on Dec. 9, was scheduled to lead off for New York. Rookie Austin Jackson, who went the other way in the same trade, was leading off for Detroit.
Lewis, Perez key to Indians relief corps
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Jensen Lewis and Rafael Perez seem to go unnoticed by Cleveland Indians fans — until they fail.
Both relief pitchers received plenty of unwanted attention in 2009, as Cleveland's bullpen went bust. The Indians converted only 25 of 43 save chances, a 58 percent success rate that tied Baltimore for worst in the American League. It was a key reason for a 65-97 record, Cleveland's worst since losing 105 games in 1992.
Lewis and Perez have blazed a trail of success thus far this spring, pleasing new manager Manny Acta. He knows how important the duo is in handing a lead to closer Kerry Wood. Wood's talent often went unused a year ago as the Indians blew leads before he even warmed up.
Indians sign remaining 32 players on roster
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cleveland Indians agreed to terms with the remaining 32 unsigned players on their 40-man roster Wednesday. All of the players agreed to one-year contracts for 2010, including starting shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, second baseman Luis Valbuena and right fielder Shin-Soo Choo. Left-hander David Huff, who led the team with 11 wins as a rookie in 2009, also agreed to a deal.
Others agreeing to terms are right-handers Justin Masterson, Jensen Lewis, Chris Perez, Mitch Talbot, Joe Smith, Jess Todd, Anthony Reyes, Hector Ambriz, Carlos Carrasco, Hector Rondon and Jeanmar Gomez; left-handers Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, Rafael Perez, Tony Sipp and Kelvin De La Cruz; catchers Lou Marson, Wyatt Toregas and Carlos Santana; infielders Andy Marte, Matt LaPorta, Brian Bixler, Jason Donald, Wes Hodges and Carlos Rivero; and outfielders Michael Brantley, Trevor Crowe and Nick Weglarz.
Indians rookie Brown has right knee surgery
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cleveland Indians rookie Jordan Brown has had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
Brown tore the medial meniscus in the knee during outfield drills Friday before the Indians' first exhibition game. Surgery to repair it was done by Dr. Rick Parker at the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday. Brown, a 26-year-old first baseman/outfielder, will need four to eight weeks of rehabilitation. A fourth-round draft choice in 2005 from the University of Arizona, the left-handed hitter won the Triple-A International League batting title with a .336 average in 2009.
Rays top pick David Price injured by shattered bat
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays prized left-hander David Price, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, left Wednesday's game against the Boston Red Sox in the bottom of the second inning after being hit on the right hand by the barrel of a shattered bat.
With no outs and Kevin Youkilis on first base for the Red Sox, Adrian Beltre's bat splintered on a pitch from Price. The barrel headed toward the mound, where price deflected it with his non-pitching arm.
Price walked off the field with a towel wrapped around his right hand. According to team spokesman Rick Vaughn, Price had an abrasion on his right thumb and will not need stitches.
The Rays held a 1-0 lead at the time, but Youkilis and Beltre eventually scored in the inning, both runs being charged to Price.
National League
Cubs GM Hendry lashes out at OF Milton Bradley
MESA, Ariz. — Cubs general manager Jim Hendry says Milton Bradley should stop blaming the team, manager and fans for his failure to produce during his tumultuous season in Chicago.
"I think it's time maybe Milton looked himself in the mirror," an agitated Hendry said Wednesday in response to Bradley's latest charges that he was mistreated by the Cubs.
"He just didn't swing the bat," Hendry said. "He didn't get the job done. It's really unfortunate that you ... try to use the other areas for excuses."
Hendry said signing Bradley to a three-year, $30 million contract before last season was "a mistake." He added the atmosphere of the entire organization has improved since the outfielder was traded to Seattle in December. Several players have said clubhouse chemistry has improved.
Bradley, who batted .257 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs last season, was regularly booed at Wrigley Field. He told ESPN in an interview that aired Tuesday that he was fearful of racist fans in Chicago and was "a prisoner in my own home."
Bradley said Chicago was a difficult place for black players "unless you're Superman, you're Andre Dawson, you're Ernie Banks, you're in the Hall of Fame."
He also said manager Lou Piniella should have apologized in front of the team instead of in private for a disparaging remark Piniella made during a game in June.
"I apologized to Milton," Piniella said Wednesday. "I did the best I could. I'm human like everybody else. I bent over backward to make it as comfortable as I possibly could.
"I don't know why we're revisiting these things. I'm very pleased with the personnel we have here, with the chemistry we have here, and I'm looking forward to a really good season."
Bradley refused to take any questions after he departed Seattle's spring game against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.
The Cubs, who won 97 games and the NL Central title in 2008, went 83-78 and missed the playoffs in 2009. Hendry suspended Bradley for last season's final two weeks after a verbal altercation with hitting coach Von Joshua.
Asked by ESPN if some of the hate mail he received while in Chicago might have come from within the organization, Bradley said: "I would hope not. Who knows? I don't know."
Hendry said the notion was "absolutely ridiculous." In his numerous discussions with Bradley last season, the GM said the player never once voiced concerns about hate mail from within.
Bradley said that one of the few times he ventured out into the city, he was at a restaurant and overheard "a guy badmouthing myself and (Alfonso) Soriano, saying how bad we were ... and that we should go back to the ghetto we came from."
Soriano, a Dominican in his fourth season with the Cubs after signing a $136 million contract, has been booed at games when he's struggled but otherwise said he hasn't been confronted by fans. Soriano criticized Bradley several times last season and said Wednesday his ex-teammate should stop talking about the Cubs.
"You can't bring the past back to the present," Soriano said. "Move on. 2010 is here."
Ryan Dempster, a white pitcher, was booed mercilessly when he was blowing saves as the closer in 2007. As a successful starter the last two years, he has become a fan favorite.
"They're fans. They pay for their tickets and have every right to boo," Dempster said. "At the same time, they love their Cubs and they're very forgiving people. They just want you to do well because if you're doing well, the team's doing well."
Although other recent black players such as LaTroy Hawkins and Jacque Jones said they felt uncomfortable at Wrigley Field, Hendry said the Cubs have a long history of being popular with players of all races and nationalities.
Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez recently told reporters they hope to sign new contracts with the Cubs. Hendry also noted that new Cubs Marlon Byrd and Kevin Millar have the same agent as Bradley. Lee and Byrd are black, Ramirez is Latino and Millar is white.
Byrd said he talked at length with Bradley, a good friend, before signing a three-year contract. Byrd nonetheless said he expects to have a great time in Chicago.
Setup reliever still undecided for Manuel, Mets
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The eighth-inning setup role has been a big question for the New York Mets at spring training, and an answer doesn't appear to be coming any time soon.
Veteran pitcher Kelvim Escobar has spent time in both the bullpen and starting rotation during his 12-year career and appeared to be the front-runner for the job entering camp. But Escobar arrived in Port St. Lucie with a weak shoulder and was shut down last week.
Now, manager Jerry Manuel seems fixated on the organization's top prospect, right-hander Jenrry Mejia. The 20-year-old Mejia, who has risen no higher than Double-A, has created a buzz this spring with an electric fastball that has carried him through 5 1/3 shutout innings. While the club prefers to develop Mejia in the minors for a future starting role, Manuel can't help but be intrigued.
"I like him a lot," Manuel said. "For me, when you are that dominant, you hope as you progress that you continue to see that consistency. What he has to do is prove he can throw consistent strikes. If he can do that, you've got somebody fighting for him."
Mejia began last season with the High-A St. Lucie Mets before earning a promotion in June by going 4-1 with a 1.92 ERA. His 98 mph fastball could translate well into the eighth inning right now, and Manuel is looking for someone who can throw strikes.
The young right-hander struck out 91 batters in 94 2-3 innings combined between St. Lucie and Binghamton last year, though he went just 0-5 with a 4.47 ERA in Double-A.
"If you can bring them along — back in the day you used to bring them along in the bullpen — until there's a comfort, then you can go back and work on some things," Manuel said. "For me, it's just as important for a guy to be comfortable at the big-league level, to get that experience, whether it's the bullpen or not. Rather than wait and say 'Here's your starter,' you still have to get through that period of adjustment with the major leagues."
Manuel admits he sees Mejia through a prism because of the dire need for an eighth-inning guy, but said he probably wouldn't start him in that role right away. He'd like to ease him in, but then that leaves the setup spot still up in the air for Opening Day.
Right-handed relievers Bobby Parnell and Ryota Igarashi, a Japanese pitcher signed to a major-league contract, are candidates, and former Marlins reliever Kiko Calero signed a minor-league deal last week to enter the mix.
Igarashi, who signed a two-year, $3 million contract, appeared to be the likely alternate to Escobar entering camp, but Manuel would like to see more from him before making an assessment. Igarashi has given up three hits and two runs in four innings with two strikeouts in his three appearances this spring.
Parnell struggled in his first full season in the majors last season, posting a 5.30 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 88.1 innings, mainly out of the bullpen except for eight games as a fill-in starter. He continues to work on his fastball location after leaving too many pitches up the middle of the zone last year and said he is ready to fill whatever role in which he's needed.
"I'd like to help the team any way I can, and if that's where they need me in the eighth inning, that's where I will be," Parnell said.
Calero has the same mentality, except his focus is on first making the team. The 35-year-old right-hander had what he called his best season while pitching for the Florida Marlins last year when he compiled a 1.95 ERA in 67 relief appearances, striking out 69 batters and walking 30 in 60 innings.
Shoulder issues have been a concern ever since he tore his rotator cuff in 2007, but he said he feels "great." Calero missed more than 50 games in 2008 and spent two weeks on the disabled list last season because of inflammation in the shoulder. Calero has yet to appear in a spring training game since signing.
"I came in here to try to make the team first and then I can figure out sixth, seventh or eighth inning, whatever they say my job is," Calero said.
Manuel virtually eliminated the idea of a setup man by committee early in camp and said the eighth-inning pitcher is the biggest hole that needs to be filled.
"For me, that's something I have to make sure I get out of in spring training, is that I feel confident in that role," Manuel said.
Mattingly, Dodgers have talked about manager's job
GLENDALE, Ariz. — On his first day as Dodgers interim manager, hitting coach Don Mattingly said Wednesday that the team has made overtures about him eventually becoming Joe Torre's permanent replacement.
With Torre en route to Taiwan to manage a Dodgers split squad for three exhibition games, Mattingly is in charge of the team in Arizona and will work at least five games as manager. Mattingly interviewed with the Cleveland Indians for their manager opening this offseason. He then turned down an interview request from the Washington Nationals.
In a meeting this winter with Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti, owner Frank McCourt and team president Dennis Mannion, Mattingly said the word manager was brought up but "nothing definitive" was said or done.
"We talked about it, for sure," he said.
Mattingly's first day managing came complete with a rookie gaffe when the Dodgers batted out of order against the Arizona Diamondbacks later Wednesday. Andre Ethier came to the plate twice in the span of three Dodgers batters. Crew chief Mike Winters wanted Ethier to hit behind Matt Kemp to adhere to the lineup card the Dodgers submitted to the umpires before the game.
Dodgers bench coach Bob Schaefer filled out the lineup cards, but the one posted in the dugout listed Ethier batting before Kemp.
"I could have avoided it simply by just checking the lineup card," said Mattingly. "We usually look at it before the game but I didn't even look at it."
The Dodgers and Diamondbacks called it off with the game tied at 4 after 10 innings. Torre's contract expires after this season but both he and McCourt said they are working on a one-year extension. Mattingly would then take over the Dodgers in 2012.
"Obviously with Joe, everything is off of him," Mattingly said. "(After) the first interview with Cleveland, talking to the Dodgers I felt like I was part of their future and they liked me. I like it here. I'll keep working toward that."
Mattingly, who turns 49 on April 20, has no managerial experience. He was the Yankees' bench coach in 2007, taking over games twice when Torre was ejected. He said the Yankees went 1-1 in those games. Torre also turned over the first four spring games to Mattingly with the Dodgers going 1-3 in those contests.
"I've been pretty much managing every day down here," Mattingly said. "I'm not doing too good at it."
Mattingly has no family ties to Los Angeles, but has always had an affinity for the area.
"I liked California the first time I came out to play in Anaheim," he said. "We were always coming out from the East Coast where it was hot and you get out here and it was cool at night. It was good playing weather. But more than anything it fits my personality as much as anything."
Mattingly described himself as laid back and joked that his quotes as manager would be boring. Still, with his duties as hitting coach to tend to, Mattingly plans to lean on bench coach Bob Schaefer for help over the next few days.
"I have to keep my priorities straight," Mattingly said. "I know where I want to go but I also know what my job is and I'll keep my mind on that. I'll soak up as much as I can with all the other areas as we go."
Torrealba still fears for family in Venezuela
PEORIA, Ariz. — Although Yorvit Torrealba's son is safe, the San Diego Padres catcher still fears for the rest of his family.
Nine months after his son was kidnapped by five men in Caracas, Venezuela, and later returned unharmed, Torrealba said his son and wife are now living in Miami and adjusting to their new lives. The rest of Torrealba's family remains in Venezuela, and he's concerned for their safety.
"It's hard because I have a big family," Torrealba said. "I'd love to buy a big enough house. I wish I could bring all of them here and move them in.
"I do worry about it. It's been hard. I feel safe because I'm the player. If they kidnap me, who's going to give them the money? I don't feel like my family is safe."
Torrealba has good reason. On Nov. 30, 2008, the brother of New York Mets catcher Henry Blanco was kidnapped and later killed by his captors in Venezuela. This past November, the mother of former Venezuelan major league pitcher Victor Zambrano was also kidnapped, though she was rescued two days later.
Torrealba's son, Eduardo, was kidnapped last June 2 while on an outing with his uncle. Then with the Colorado Rockies, Torrealba left the team and traveled to Caracas. Torrealba said his son's captors held him for two-plus days and demanded a $500,000 ransom. He was on the way to pay the ransom when the kidnappers unexpectedly released the boy, who was 11 at the time. Once reunited, Torrealba spent the next 10 days with his son and immediately moved him to Miami.
Even though he was told two of the kidnappers have been arrested, Torrealba said he rarely visits Venezuela and has changed his habits of where he visits when he goes back.
"We're the big target now," Torrealba said. "Obviously, we don't go to places we used to. Now kidnapping has become normal. It's easy money."
Torrealba says his son is adjusting well to Miami life and attends school with the sons of Manny Ramirez and Magglio Ordonez. He also is showing no signs of being affected by the kidnapping.
"They treated him good," Torrealba said. "They didn't hurt him mentally or physically."
Ryan Howard to be honored by Lakewood BlueClaws
LAKEWOOD, N.J. — Philadelphia Phillies slugger Ryan Howard is having his number retired — by his minor league team. The Lakewood BlueClaws of the South Atlantic League announced Wednesday that they will retire his number 29 on Sept. 2.
Howard hit .280 with 19 home runs and 87 RBI as Lakewood's first baseman in 2002, and later became the first BlueClaws to play in the Major Leagues. In 2007, he returned to Lakewood on a rehab assignment and hit another home run and drove in four runs to tie the franchise RBI record.
"It is a tremendous honor for me to have my number retired by the BlueClaws," Howard said. "I'm excited to return to Lakewood this summer to participate in the ceremony."
Howard's number will be the third retired by the BlueClaws, but the first of a former player. John H. Moss, who was SAL president for 50 years, had number 50 retired by all SAL clubs. Jackie Robinson's number 42 is retired by every team in major and minor league baseball.
"Ryan has gone from a great BlueClaws player to one of the best players in all of baseball," Lakewood general manager Geoff Brown said.
Howard was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2005, the league's MVP in 2006, the NLCS MVP last season and a key member of two Phillies World Series teams, including their 2008 championship club. He has hit 40 home runs in four straight seasons, and can tie Babe Ruth for the all-time record with a 40-home run season this year.
In May 2009, the two-time All-Star became the fastest player ever to hit 200 career home runs (his 658th game), surpassing Ralph Kiner's record. The first 2,000 fans on Sept. 2 will receive a special Ryan Howard mini-BlueClaws commemorative jersey.
Phillies closer Brad Lidge set to appear in game
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge faced hitters Wednesday for the first time since offseason surgeries on his right elbow and right knee.
Lidge threw 21 pitches to Ozzie Chavez and Chris Duffy at Philadelphia's training complex in Clearwater, Fla. The 33-year-old right-hander then went through a round of fielding drills. Lidge had been limited since arriving at camp last month.
"That was a full day," he joked. "It felt like I was in spring training today."
Lidge was a perfect 48 for 48 in save chances in 2008, helping the Phillies win the World Series. But he led the majors with 11 blown saves last year and finished 0-8 with a 7.21 ERA in the regular season. Lidge is expected to throw another live batting practice session on Friday, and is scheduled to appear in a game on Monday.
"For us to get him out there and getting the feel for throwing off the mound against hitters, it's very big," manager Charlie Manuel said.
Lidge's health is one of the biggest question marks for the Phillies. He hasn't pitched in a game since Philadelphia lost to the New York Yankees in last year's World Series.
"Each time I've gone out there I've felt better and better," Lidge said. "The spin on the slider was quick enough to get some swings. I think when the arm speed comes around everything becomes a little crisper. And that'll come around, it's just a matter of pitching, getting out there as much as possible.
"The thing I'm going to be working on is maintaining control as my arm speed gets going. Right now I feel really good about being able to throw the ball on both sides of the plate."
Cards sluggers Pujols, Holliday scratched
JUPITER, Fla. — Albert Pujols was expected to rejoin the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup on Wednesday, but his return has been pushed back at least one more day.
Pujols was originally slated to play first base, then was moved to designated hitter before becoming a late scratch against the Washington Nationals because of a sore back. The three-time National League MVP has missed the last three games as a precaution.
"He says he's good to go, but if at any time during the workout he feels a twinge, we'll get him out," manager Tony La Russa said prior to batting practice.
Pujols took his normal turn in batting practice before the decision was made to pull him. The Cardinals also scratched outfielder Matt Holliday from the lineup after he experienced soreness in his right rib cage following BP.
"Especially at this time of year it's better to go safe than sorry," Holliday said. "Whether it feels good enough to swing tomorrow or not, I probably won't (swing). If this was two days before the season started I might be a little more concerned, but I've got time."
La Russa expects Holliday to be out at least a few more days.
"He wont play this week, I'm sure," he said.
Rockies name Ubaldo Jimenez Opening Day starter
TUCSON, Ariz. — Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy named Ubaldo Jimenez his Opening Day starter on Wednesday.
The assignment had been expected since the start of spring training. Tracy said he waited until the day after Jimenez had a strong start to make it official. He pitched three scoreless innings Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Aaron Cook, who started for the Rockies on Opening Day in 2007 and 2009, said he wanted to be with Tracy when he gave the news to Jimenez. Tracy said Cook "very unselfishly is handing the torch to him."
"I have a lot of respect for (Cook), but right now I have even more respect for what he did, that he came in with us," Jimenez said of the meeting with Tracy. "After Tracy told us, we walked outside and he gave me a lot of advice about Opening Day. He told me to just take it as another game and be prepared for it and just enjoy it."
This will be the first Opening Day start for the 26-year-old Jimenez, who went 15-12 last year with a 3.47 ERA, the lowest in franchise history for a starter. While logging 218 innings, Jimenez pitched at least six in a franchise-record 25 consecutive starts from May 1-Sept. 7.
"I like challenges," Jimenez said. "I'll be there."
Nationals C Flores likely to begin season on DL
JUPITER, Fla. — Nationals catcher Jesus Flores is likely to begin the season on the disabled list because his surgically repaired shoulder has been slow to heal.
Washington is sending Flores to Birmingham, Ala., to have Dr. James Andrews take another look at his right shoulder. Manager Jim Riggleman said Wednesday he expects Flores to spend at least 10 days away from the club while undergoing tests.
Flores hit .301 in 93 at-bats last season, then had surgery to repair a torn labrum in September. The Nationals signed Ivan Rodriguez during the offseason partially as insurance in case Flores did recover as quickly as expected.
Riggleman says the Nationals won't be able to get him in enough games to ensure he's ready for the start of the season.
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