MLB Capsules: Ramirez on Gonzalez: 'Everybody will miss him'
MIAMI (AP) — As the Florida Marlins' search for a manager continued Sunday, Hanley Ramirez wanted to clear the air about his relationship with the team's former skipper.
Yes, he and Fredi Gonzalez clashed at times, something that was no secret.
But the All-Star shortstop insists he wasn't thrilled to see Gonzalez fired last week.
"Everybody will miss him," Ramirez said Sunday at his locker before the Marlins played the San Diego Padres. "But at the same time, you've got to forget and move forward. A lot of people put it on me. I don't know why. It had nothing to do with me. Things that should have happened, happened. That's it."
Ramirez was benched in May by Gonzalez after the shortstop's lazy chase of a misplayed popup allowed the Arizona Diamondbacks to score two runs. Ramirez defended the play the next day, and said Gonzalez "doesn't understand" because "he never played in the major leagues."
Only after a series of clubhouse apologies was Ramirez allowed back into the lineup, and when Gonzalez was dismissed Wednesday, there was speculation that the shortstop could have played a role in the move. Ramirez strongly denied Sunday that was the case.
"Our relationship was good after that," Ramirez said. "Everything was good."
Ramirez said he and Gonzalez exchanged pleasant words after the firing was announced, denying reports that he celebrated Gonzalez's departure.
"He told me to just keep playing hard and keep doing your thing," Ramirez said. "We're going to see him soon. He's a good manager."
It's still a delicate time for the fourth-place Marlins, who were playing Sunday for the fifth time under interim manager Edwin Rodriguez, who will accompany the team to San Juan for a three-game series there starting Monday against the New York Mets and expects to keep filling out the lineup cards for those games.
"My priority is being the manager and finding a way to help this team get in the race," Rodriguez said. "That's number one."
The Marlins acknowledged interest last week in Bobby Valentine, though those talks have slowed. Florida officials also interviewed Arizona third-base coach Bo Porter on Friday.
SI.com reported Sunday that Valentine was no longer a candidate for the job. In his role as an analyst on ESPN, Valentine said the sides remain "right in the middle of the process."
"We're taking it day by day," Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said Sunday.
Valentine has talked with the Marlins at least twice, though it remains unknown when the next meeting will occur. He's not expected to be in San Juan during the series against the Mets, his most recent major-league club.
"I'm not hopeful one way or another," Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said when asked about a hiring timeframe. "We have to do what we have to do and it's a process. Right now Edwin is the manager. We'll see what happens."
It was a rare pregame clubhouse appearance for Loria. Around the same time Ramirez was speaking, Loria emerged in the same corner as his shortstop and expressed his frustration with what he believes is unnecessarily negative media reports about the club, its expectations and the managerial search.
"It's fair to do whatever you think is constructive," Loria said, showing a level of emotion he typically doesn't display when talking with reporters. "But it's not fair to do destructive criticism. I can take anything."
Rodriguez's whirlwind continues in San Juan
MIAMI (AP) — Florida interim manager Edwin Rodriguez isn't sure what awaits in San Juan. He doesn't know what the crowds will be like. He doesn't know what sort of reception he'll get.
And he doesn't know how many tickets he'll need, either.
"I think I'm going to find out how big a family I have in Puerto Rico," Rodriguez said. "I would say, the ones that I know the names, 25 or 30. The other ones, I would say 150. A lot of cousins, a lot of uncles I've never known."
It's a neat problem for Rodriguez to have, and the latest twist of his whirlwind week.
A week ago, he was the Marlins' Triple-A manager in New Orleans. Now he's the first Puerto Rican to manage in the major leagues, an interim fill-in for fired Florida skipper Fredi Gonzalez — and, barring a totally unexpected change in plans, Rodriguez will lead the Marlins in his home country during a three-game series that starts Monday against the New York Mets.
"I think it's hard to grasp what it means to him, because I'm not from Puerto Rico," Marlins left fielder Chris Coghlan said. "I can only imagine it's going to be a huge deal, going back to his home country and being the first manager from there. It's going to be huge. I joke with him now that he's going to be the president of Puerto Rico someday. He'd rather stick to managing."
That's the priority for Rodriguez right now.
He's a candidate for the Marlins' full-time managerial job, having interviewed with the team formally on Saturday. Rodriguez is one of three known candidates, former major league skipper and current ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine and Arizona third-base coach Bo Porter (a former Marlins coach) being the others.
Valentine was once thought to be the frontrunner. SI.com reported Sunday that he was no longer a candidate, although Valentine — both in a text message and later in his on-air role at ESPN — indicated differently, saying the process is ongoing.
He also said the chance for Rodriguez to manage in Puerto Rico "was a grand thing."
"He's a wonderful baseball guy," Valentine said on ESPN.
Rodriguez has been told he'll be with the club for the entirety of the series in San Juan. What happens next — and for that matter, if he manages all three games against the Mets — remains anyone's guess.
"Right now Edwin is the manager," Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said. "We'll see what happens."
Rodriguez says he's flattered merely to have the chance to be part of history-making event for his country.
It's the third time the Marlins — who have a large Latin following — have played a regular-season series in San Juan. They took two of three games from the Montreal Expos in 2003, then swept the Expos in 2004.
"I'm just excited to go there and share this moment with the country," Rodriguez said. "For many, many years, baseball people in Puerto Rico, they were questioning who's going to be the first and not only who, when it's going to happen. I think that's why it's so important for the people in Puerto Rico."
Rodriguez grew up about 90 minutes away from San Juan, although his current home is not only in the city, but about a five-minute drive "with traffic" away from Hiram Bithorn Stadium. The Marlins' team hotel this week is actually farther from the ballpark than Rodriguez's house.
Hearing that, shortstop Hanley Ramirez's ears perked up.
"We'll be eating there," Ramirez said.
Actually, Rodriguez plans no home cooking on this trip.
"There's going to be so much going on there," Rodriguez said. "It's going to be easier for me if I stay at the hotel."
Much like their manager, the Marlins' players are anxious to see what the scene will be that awaits Rodriguez on Monday.
Ticket sales have reportedly been brisk since it became evident that Puerto Ricans could see one of their own calling the shots in a big-league dugout for the first time, and the significance isn't lost on the Florida clubhouse.
"We can't quite grasp the anticipation or the excitement that he's going through right now," Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla said. "Everyone dreams about going home and playing. It's got to be a very exciting time for him, and we're all very excited for him."
-- Tim Reynolds
Cubs await league feedback on Zambrano
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs were awaiting feedback from Major League Baseball to determine the length of Carlos Zambrano's suspension for his wild outburst on Friday.
The Cubs filed a report on the incident, and general manager Jim Hendry said he hopes to get a response "in the next day or so" after the league and players union look into it.
Zambrano, who has a history of outbursts, unleashed a tirade against his teammates and had to be separated from Derrek Lee in the dugout after allowing four runs in the first inning of a 6-0 loss to the White Sox. He was sent home by manager Lou Piniella, suspended indefinitely by the team and won't have a spot in the rotation when he comes back.
Hendry, speaking before Sunday's game, said he's been in contact with Zambrano's agent Barry Praver but not the pitcher. Nor has manager Lou Piniella.
"I think until something gets rectified, the less conversation the better," Piniella said.
The Cubs entered Sunday's game against the White Sox at 32-42, and Zambrano hasn't pitched to the level that led to his $91.5 million, five-year contract extension three years ago. He's 3-6 with a 5.66 ERA, and the outburst wiped out most if not all the good will he earned by accepting his five-week assignment in the bullpen.
When he does return, Hendry said Zambrano will have some fences to mend with his teammates.
"The last few years, when he hasn't pitched as well, there've been some other instances that I don't think he would have been referred to as the ideal teammate," he said. "That's for him to rectify with his own teammates and how they handle him. That wasn't the first instance where the best teammate wasn't exhibited."
Will the Cubs look to deal Zambrano, who has a full no-trade clause?
"I never talk about ever potentially trading any our players," Hendry said.
Would the Cubs be better off keeping Zambrano in the rotation and showcasing him?
"First of all, I never get into talking about potentially trading any of our players," Hendry said. "Secondly, the word showcase doesn't exist to me. People have plenty of time to scout players, present and past. That's just something I would never get into."
Hendry also would not say if Zambrano has been to anger management counseling.
Praver did not respond to messages seeking comment.
In the latest episode, Zambrano apparently was upset because some teammates didn't try to make diving stops on some balls that were hit hard.
That includes a leadoff double by Juan Pierre down the right field line past Lee and another with one out by Alex Rios down the left field line past third baseman Aramis Ramirez to drive in the first run. And when the inning was over, Zambrano delivered his latest outburst.
He was suspended for six games last season by Major League Baseball after an outburst during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. And in 2007, he got into a fight with former teammate Michael Barrett in the dugout that resumed in the clubhouse, resulting in fines for both players.
Zambrano didn't help his standing in the organization by going to dinner Friday with White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, who advised his friend and fellow Venezuelan to "face it like a man."
Hendry, who was not at the ballpark on Saturday, said, "I would think in those types of circumstances that even if you had it planned before that better judgment would have kept you home that night. Ozzie and I are good friends, too. It's certainly not his fault; he just kept his end of a prearranged dinner. But if you go through what you did that day and go through what you did with your teammates that day, you might be better served staying home."
Piniella again said he wasn't happy about that and pointed out that he stayed home after Friday's game rather than go to dinner with his wife and daughter, who he had not seen since February.
"My wife and daughter wanted me to go eat dinner with them," he said. "I was sick with what happened, and I was very tired."
-- Andrew Seligman
Reds call up LH reliever Bray
CINCINNATI (AP) — Bill Bray's long recovery from reconstructive elbow surgery is finally complete.
The Cincinnati Reds called up the left-handed reliever on Sunday, strengthening their bullpen before the final game of an interleague series against the Cincinnati Reds. It was a long-awaited moment for Bray, who had his left elbow rebuilt on May 19, 2009.
"It was a wonderful surprise," said Bray, who was with Triple-A Louisville. "Everything has been going well. I feel good. I've been bouncing back. I've been able to go back-to-back days or three out of four days. Every time out there it gets a little better."
Rookie starter Sam LeCure was optioned to Louisville to open a roster spot. LeCure lasted only 3 1-3 innings in a 6-4 win over Cleveland on Saturday night. He was 1-4 with a 4.86 ERA in his first six big-league starts.
"LeCure has pitched pretty well," manager Dusty Baker said. "Last night was probably the worst he's pitched. That's not why we made the moves. We don't need his spot for three or four days. We've got the Phillies coming in with a lot of lefties. We need three lefties in that 'pen. When you're trying to win the pennant, you have to make temporary auxiliary moves sometimes."
The Reds thought Bray would be a cornerstone reliever when they got him from Washington in 2006, part of an eight-player deal that sent outfielder Austin Kearns to the Nationals. A series of injuries held him back. Bray broke the tip of his left index finger in 2007 and later developed tendinitis in his left shoulder.
He pitched in a career-high 63 games for the Reds in 2008, going 2-2 with a 2.87 ERA. He had a torn ligament in the left elbow replaced the next season.
Bray thought he was all the way back during spring training, but the elbow swelled up, forcing him to back off on his rehabilitation.
"It's been a long road back," he said. "I'm so thankful it's over."
Bray went on the disabled list after the problems in March. He started a rehabilitation stint at Class A on June 4, made four scoreless appearances, then moved up to Louisville, where he made six more scoreless appearances spanning 5 2-3 innings. Batters were 3 for 35 against him overall.
Pitching coach Ted Power broke the news to him early Sunday.
"It's an awe-struck feeling," Bray said. "I wasn't expecting it at all. I didn't know what to say. I still don't really know what to say. It's an amazing feeling. I think it's better than when I got called up for the first time."
-- Joe Kay
Jackson to have next start pushed back
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Arizona right-hander Edwin Jackson will get extra rest after throwing 149 pitches to complete the fourth no-hitter of the major league season.
Diamondbacks manager A. J. Hinch said Sunday that Jackson will pitch Friday or Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers instead of his scheduled start Wednesday at St. Louis. Arizona explored several options to ensure Jackson's arm recovers before his next start.
Jackson walked eight and allowed 10 baserunners overall while beating the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 on Friday night.
It has not been determined yet who will replace Jackson on Wednesday.
Stanton gets day off night after catch mistake
MIAMI (AP) — Florida rookie right fielder Mike Stanton was not in the lineup a day after he cost his team a run by catching a flyball in foul territory.
Marlins interim manager Edwin Gonzalez Stanton says Saturday Stanton is being given a one-day break. It's his first game off since being called up from Double-A Jacksonville earlier this month.
Stanton is batting .213 with one home run and 10 RBIs in 61 at-bats.
Stanton nearly made a spectacular catch on Jerry Hairston Jr.'s triple for San Diego on Saturday night. A batter later, Stanton sprinted into foul ground and leaned over the bullpen wall to catch a pitcher Jon Garland's flyball. The play left himself no chance of throwing out Hairston at the plate. The Padres beat the Marlins 2-1.
Brock interim 1st base coach for Florida
MIAMI (AP) — Tarrik Brock is the latest interim first-base coach for the Florida Marlins.
The team announced the move on Sunday, a day after Dave Collins surprised the organization by abruptly resigning. Brandon Hyde coached first Saturday night.
Brock is expected to remain the first-base coach when the Marlins play a three-game series starting Monday against the New York Mets in San Juan.
Brock has been a roving minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator in the Marlins' organization. Collins resigned three days after the Marlins fired his close friend, manager Fredi Gonzalez.
American League
Indians send Branyan to Mariners
CINCINNATI (AP) — Acknowledging that their season is lost, the last-place Cleveland Indians traded Russell Branyan back to Seattle for a couple of prospects and put their youth movement in fast-forward by bringing up first baseman Matt LaPorta.
LaPorta, acquired from Milwaukee in the trade for C.C. Sabathia two years ago, was in the starting lineup Sunday for the final game of an interleague series against the Cincinnati Reds. He'll become the everyday first baseman with Branyan gone.
"Russell did perform at the level we expected him to perform," general manager Mark Shapiro said. "The rest of the club, however, did not."
Shapiro has spoken generally with clubs about trading other players, but said nothing is close.
The 34-year-old Branyan had career highs with 31 homers and 76 RBIs with Seattle last season. He missed the last month of the season with a bad back. Cleveland signed him on Feb. 24 to a one-year deal that includes a $2 million salary and a $5 million mutual option, thinking he could help them be competitive.
The Mariners get Branyan and a player to be named or cash. Shapiro said the Mariners will cover the rest of his salary, and the Indians will most likely cover the buyout if the mutual option isn't exercised.
"It's a familiar place. I have a lot of friends over here and I had a great time here last year," said Branyan, who'll be the starter in Seattle. "Playing in Cleveland was a good time. We had a lot of young players over there, (I) really embraced that situation and I'm going to miss those guys over there."
The deal between last-place teams gives the Mariners a power hitter and the Indians a little more depth in the farm system.
"He's fond of Seattle as well as the players, and they like him," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "It gives you the legitimate threat in your lineup, and it was important for us to do this at this time."
Branyan joined the Mariners during the final game of their series in Milwaukee on Sunday. The Mariners' pitching has been dependable lately, but they could use more power in their young lineup.
"He was a big part of our team last year and a huge offensive lift for us last year, and obviously that's something we're looking for with our offense now," manager Don Wakamatsu said. "I know he feels comfortable in this organization, and we feel comfortable having him here."
The Indians acquired 22-year-old outfielder Ezequiel Carrera and 21-year-old shortstop Juan Diaz. Carrera currently is sidelined by a bruised hip. Carrera batted .268 with 19 RBIs in 61 game for Triple-A Tacoma. Diaz batted .295 with seven homers and 41 RBIs.
Cleveland's signing of Branyan in February relegated LaPorta to Triple-A Columbus. Branyan batted .263 with 10 homers and 24 RBIs for Cleveland, which had the third-worst record in the majors at 26-47 at the time of the trade.
Only three years after they won the AL Central and came within a victory over Boston of reaching the World Series, the Indians are on pace for their first 100-loss season since 1991.
LaPorta and outfielder Michael Brantley, also part of the deal for Sabathia, are considered future building blocks for Cleveland. The 25-year-old LaPorta was called up last season and played in 52 games, hitting seven homers. He had hip and toe surgery in October.
But LaPorta struggled this season in a limited role. He was batting .218 with one homer and seven RBIs in 35 games when he was sent to Triple-A in early June.
Brantley will likely be called up soon as well.
"That's what it's all about — getting those guys up here, getting big league experience, setting things up for down the road," manager Manny Acta said.
-- Joe Kay
Orioles give up on 1B Atkins, activate Uehara
BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles finally ran out of patience with Garrett Atkins.
The Orioles designated Atkins for assignment on Sunday, a move that coincided with the activation of right-hander Koji Uehara from the 15-day disabled list.
Atkins was batting .214 with one home run and nine RBIs in 44 games. He scored only five runs, struck out 30 times in 140 at-bats and hit into seven double plays.
Signed to a $4.5 million, one-year contract in December, Atkins started at first base out of spring training. But as his struggles at the plate extended from weeks to months, he was replaced by the platoon of Ty Wigginton and Luke Scott.
Atkins started only five games this month, going 3 for 14 with one RBI.
"Unfortunately, things didn't work out for him here," interim manager Juan Samuel said. "It was getting kind of tough getting Atkins some at-bats. He got an opportunity early in the season. We just wish him luck."
Before signing with Baltimore, the 30-year-old Atkins had previously spent his entire career with Colorado, where he batted .289 with 98 homers in 773 games.
But Atkins lost his starting job last season, when he hit .226 with nine homers and 48 RBIs after hitting .286 with 21 homers and 99 RBIs in 2008.
His numbers with Baltimore weren't much better.
"We just couldn't get any power production from him, which limited his playing time," Samuel said.
Atkins packed his bags and left the clubhouse before reporters could talk to him. But Samuel said Atkins took the news without undue stress.
"He's a veteran. He understands," the manager said.
Although Atkins stumbled at the plate, he never groused in the clubhouse.
"He was very much a pro the whole time," Wigginton said. "He was always one of the first guys getting excited when somebody else got a big hit. He was a very good teammate."
Besides clearing space on the 25-man roster for Uehara, the Orioles made the move because outfielder Felix Pie (back) is expected to come off the disabled list by the end of the week.
-- David Ginsburg
Leyland says Cederstrom admits missing call
ATLANTA (AP) — Another umpire has accepted responsibility for a blown call that went against the Detroit Tigers.
Gary Cederstrom acknowledged he erred when he called a third strike on Johnny Damon that ended the Atlanta Braves' 4-3 win over the Tigers on Saturday night with the bases loaded.
"It was a sweeping pitch, going away from Damon," Cederstrom told a pool reporter from the Detroit Free Press after the game. "It looked good coming in, then broke late."
Tigers manager Jim Leyland said on Sunday that he called Cederstrom after the game and the umpire said, "'I kicked it. I knew it right away.'"
Replays showed the full-count pitch from Peter Moylan was outside. A walk would have tied the game.
"My timing was fast," Cederstrom said. "Whenever you have fast timing as an umpire, you usually get in trouble."
Said Leyland: "The pitch wasn't even close." Holding his hands about a foot apart, he said, "It was that much outside."
Cederstrom's gaffe follows the missed call by umpire Jim Joyce that cost Detroit's Armando Galarraga a perfect game on June 2. Joyce later apologized to Galarraga.
Cederstrom was stationed in front of the Tigers' dugout as the third-base umpire for Sunday's game against the Braves.
"You have to turn the page," Leyland said. "You can't do anything about it."
-- Charles Odum
Red Sox C Victor Martinez has broken left thumb
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez has a broken left thumb, the latest injury for banged-up Boston.
Martinez left Sunday's 5-1 win at San Francisco and was replaced by Jason Varitek in the bottom of the fourth. Martinez took two foul tips off his thumb, which swelled up so much he couldn't stay in the game. An X-ray revealed the fracture.
The Red Sox did not know whether Martinez will need to go on the disabled list — Martinez didn't think so. He will be re-evaluated on Monday's off-day.
"It's not a given that he'll go on the DL but it's not a given that he'll be OK, either," manager Terry Francona said. "We'll get him examined tomorrow and we'll see where we go from there."
Boston is already missing star second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who recently broke his left foot. Clay Buchholz, a 10-game winner, left his start Saturday after one inning because of a hyperextended left knee that he hurt running the bases.
That made for three injuries in three days against the Giants.
"We definitely want to get out of here," Martinez said.
Leyland ejected while arguing call at first base
ATLANTA (AP) — Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland has been ejected from Sunday's game against the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning for arguing a close call at first base.
A day after umpire Gary Cederstrom acknowledged he blew a called strike three that ended the Braves' 4-3 win over the Tigers on Saturday night, Leyland took exception with a call by first base umpire Fieldin Culbreth.
Culbreth called pitcher Justin Verlander out on a double-play grounder to shortstop Yunel Escobar with the bases loaded. Escobar threw to catcher Brian McCann to force out Carlos Guillen. McCann's throw to first arrived about the same time as Verlander.
As the crew chief, Cederstrom, the third base umpire, stepped in between Leyland and Culbreth before walking with Leyland back to the dugout.
joined the argument Sunday and escorted Leyland off the field.
-- Charles Odum
White Sox closer Jenks on bereavement list
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have placed closer Bobby Jenks on the bereavement list before the final game of their series against the Cubs.
The White Sox have been without Jenks the last three games as he tends to an undisclosed family matter. In Jenks' absence on Saturday, Matt Thornton pitched a scoreless ninth for the White Sox in a 2-1 win over the rival Cubs. The White Sox enter Sunday having won 11 straight.
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen hopes to get Jenks back on Wednesday for the final game of a three-game series at Kansas City.
Jenks has 17 saves in 18 opportunities this season and has been perfect in his last 12 chances.
Jenks was replaced on the roster by left-handed reliever Erick Threets from Triple-A Charlotte.
Crawford still out of the lineup
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay All-Star left fielder Carl Crawford remains out of the lineup due to a sore left shoulder.
Crawford was on the bench again for Sunday's game against Arizona, with his status for a two-game series that starts Tuesday night at Boston uncertain. He hurt the shoulder making a throw Wednesday and has not started since Thursday, when he left the game after two innings.
Rays manager Joe Maddon said Crawford is "not quite ready" to play in the field or DH. Maddon added the outfielder's situation should be clearer by the start of the Red Sox series.
Crawford has taken dry swings with a bat and might throw on Monday. He said Sunday that the shoulder is "pretty much" the same, but hasn't ruled out playing Tuesday.
Mariners put Sweeney on DL, call up RHP Pauley
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners have placed designated hitter Mike Sweeney on the 15-day disabled list with back spasms and brought up right-hander David Pauley.
Seattle announced the moves before its game at the Brewers on Sunday. The Mariners opened up a spot for first baseman Russell Branyan, who was acquired in a trade with the Indians late Saturday, by sending first baseman Mike Carp to Triple-A Tacoma.
Sweeney has a history of back problems and had just come off the DL on June 17 with lower back inflammation. He missed one game following a start at first base Friday night. He was hitting .263 with six homers and 18 RBIs in 30 games.
Elsewhere
Former White Sox announcer Lorn Brown dies
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox say former play-by-play announcer Lorn Brown has died. Brown died on Thursday in Las Cruces, N.M. He was 71. The White Sox did not provide a cause of death.
Brown called games on television and radio from 1976-79 and 1983-88. He also did games for DePaul, Notre Dame, Bradley, the Big Ten and Atlantic Coast Conference before moving in 2005 to Las Cruces, where he worked for New Mexico State.
Hired by Bill Veeck, Brown worked alongside Harry Caray, Jimmy Piersall, Don Drysdale, Early Wynn and Del Crandall in the White Sox booth. He was at the microphone in 1983 when the White Sox clinched the AL West title to reach the postseason for the first time since 1959.
