Baseball Capsules: Red Sox fired 2 staffers after steroid probe
BOSTON — A Boston newspaper is reporting that the Boston Red Sox fired two security staffers last summer after an investigation into steroid use.
Jared Remy, the son of Red Sox television commentator Jerry Remy, and Nicholas Alex Cyr both told the Boston Globe they used steroids, but denied any knowledge of drug use by players.
The Red Sox issued a statement saying they worked with Major League Baseball in investigating the staffers, but said that investigation is confidential.
The Globe says state police confiscated a vial of steroids from Cyr's car just before last year's All-Star break and that Cyr told police he had bought the drug from Remy.
Major League Baseball said its investigation in the case was "thorough and detailed."
Angry Mora complains about being benched by O's
BALTIMORE — Disgruntled third baseman Melvin Mora lashed out at Baltimore Orioles manager Dave Trembley on Sunday after being benched for the third time in four games.
"I don't appreciate the disrespect, because I've been playing hurt for a guy who won't respect you. I don't deserve it," the 37-year-old Mora said. "I need to have my respect. This is not a guy who just came to the Orioles. This is a guy who's been here for nine years."
Mora is a two-time All-Star who hit .285 with 23 homers and 104 RBIs last season despite being bothered by a foot sprain for several weeks. This year, however, Mora is batting .256 with only three homers and 27 RBIs.
Trembley stuck with Mora until recently, when he began giving veteran Ty Wigginton more playing time at third base. Trembley acknowledged Sunday the switch was made in part because Wigginton's contract extends through next year and Mora will become a free agent after this season.
Mora expects to be playing elsewhere in 2010.
"I need to sit down in my house, see what team (is) thinking to win," he said. "I know here they're rebuilding and they bring a lot of young guys here, good players. I know it's time for me to move on."
Mora insisted the benching wasn't as maddening as the reason he was given for the move.
"Don't give me the excuse that I cannot beat John Smoltz, that I cannot beat Josh Beckett or I cannot beat (Jon) Lester or I cannot beat Pedro Martinez or I cannot beat nobody here, because I've been here for nine years," he said. "I've been here for nine years and all those guys in the East, they know me. You don't make the All-Star team for nothing. You deserve respect."
Told of Mora's comments, Trembley said, "I'm disappointed that he feels that way, but that's really nothing for me to comment on because I'm not going to get into that. Melvin's been a very good player for a long time, but we don't show disrespect to anybody."
By benching Mora on Sunday — a day game after a night game — Trembley believed he was doing the veteran a favor.
"If I give a guy a day off — guys who are up there in age, they've played a long time, guys who are struggling — I'm trying to help them. I'm not trying to hurt them," Trembley said. "It's easy to look at things from the negative. You've got to be a team guy here."
Mora said he would continue to do his job, even if his role is reduced.
"If he wants me to pinch hit, I'll pinch hit and help my teammates," he said. "My job isn't to go into his office and tell him I want to play tomorrow. That's not my job. Whatever he wants to do there, he can do it. But like I told you before, I need to have my respect."
-- David Ginsburg
Royals designate Ponson for assignment
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Kansas City Royals right-hander Sidney Ponson was designated for assignment, and the team plans to bring up right-hander Kyle Davis from Triple-A Omaha.
Royals manager Trey Hillman made the announcement before Sunday's game against Tampa Bay. Ponson went 1-7 with a 7.36 ERA in 14 games, including nine starts, this season.
"He did everything that we asked him to do," Hillman said. "Honestly, I still like his stuff, I really do. It's a matter of location."
Davies will start Wednesday's game with Seattle.
The Royals have offered Ponson the opportunity to pitch at Triple-A if he clears waivers.
"It will be entirely up to him," Hillman said.
Also, reliever Kyle Farnsworth threw a 22-pitch bullpen session. The right-hander, out since June 25 with a right groin strain, will likely have one more mound session before pitching in a minor league game.
Outfielder Mark Teahen, taken out of Saturday's game because of lower back tightness, was not in Sunday's starting lineup. He is day to day.
Blue Jays closer Downs returns to DL
OAKLAND, Calif. — Toronto Blue Jays closer Scott Downs was placed on the disabled list Sunday after aggravating the injured left big toe that landed him on the DL earlier this season.
The Blue Jays recalled right-hander Jeremy Accardo to take Downs' roster spot. Right-hander Jason Frasor will handle most of the ninth-inning duties while Downs is out.
Downs, a Louisville native who played collegiately at the University of Kentucky, missed about three weeks from mid June to early July with the same injury. Gaston suggested he may have returned a little too early last time. He was 0-3 with two blown saves and a 9.00 ERA in nine games after he was activated.
On Saturday night against the A's, Downs entered with a two-run lead and got only one out before he was removed because of the injury.
First Dome review: Mauer's double still double
MINNEAPOLIS — The first replay review used at the Metrodome didn't help the Twins.
Minnesota's Joe Mauer hit a double the bounced off the top of the left-field wall and back into the field in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
Umpires went to look at the video and upheld their decision that the ball did not reach the seats. It was the first time baseball's new rule allowing reviews of close calls on home runs was used at the Metrodome.
National League
Mets activate Sheffield; Putz throws bullpen
NEW YORK — Gary Sheffield was activated from the disabled list Sunday, giving the injury-riddled New York Mets another healthy option in the outfield.
The Mets also announced their starting pitcher for Monday night's series finale against Arizona. Right-hander Nelson Figueroa will be called up from Triple-A Buffalo to face Diamondbacks ace Dan Haren.
The 35-year-old Figueroa, who made one start for New York earlier this season, was 7-5 at Buffalo with a 2.25 ERA, second-best in the International League. He grew up rooting for the Mets in Brooklyn.
Figueroa was 3-3 with a 4.57 ERA in 16 games with the Mets last year, including six starts. To make room for him on the roster, New York optioned left-hander Pat Misch to Buffalo after Sunday's 5-2 loss.
The Mets needed a fill-in starter Monday because of a rainout last week and subsequent doubleheader.
The 40-year-old Sheffield had been sidelined since July 18 with a strained right hamstring. Signed just before opening day after getting cut by Detroit, he leads the Mets with 10 homers.
Sheffield nearly got a big hit off the bench Sunday. With a runner on third and one out in the fifth inning, he pinch hit for starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey and ripped a line drive to first that was caught by a leaping Chad Tracy, preserving Arizona's 3-2 lead.
"That was definitely a big swing," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. "That was really probably the game, as to the shift in momentum or the way it was going."
Sheffield stayed in the game to play left field and was robbed again in the eighth on a diving grab by Diamondbacks left fielder Gerardo Parra.
Before the game, Manuel said there was a good chance Sheffield would start Monday.
"I like Gary in those night games," Manuel said. "He's still our leading home run hitter, so we've got to get him in there."
To make room for Sheffield on the roster, New York designated third-string catcher Robinson Cancel for assignment after Saturday night's 9-6 victory.
In other news, setup man J.J. Putz threw 20 fastballs and five splitters in his second bullpen session since June 9 surgery to remove a bone spur from the back of his right elbow.
"It went pretty well," Putz said. "No pain at all."
Putz said he wants to return sometime in August, hopefully in about three weeks.
Manuel watched the reliever throw and said he was very impressed and encouraged.
"He looked free and easy," the manager said.
Putz is slated for another bullpen session Wednesday, with an increased workload. He'll throw 20 pitches, then sit down for 3 minutes before getting up and tossing 10-15 more.
After that, Putz thinks the team will set up a schedule for him to face hitters and eventually begin a minor league rehab assignment.
"I think they've been pretty cautious with it. They're really going on how I feel," he said. "I think after Wednesday will be a big day to see how I feel after that."
Manuel also said he thought reliever Billy Wagner was scheduled for his second minor league rehab outing Monday. The left-hander has been out all season following elbow ligament replacement surgery.
-- Mike Fitzpatrick
Rolen OK after getting hit in helmet
CINCINNATI — Third baseman Scott Rolen was left with just a knot on his head but no other problems after leaving his second game with the Cincinnati Reds in the seventh inning when he was struck on his batting helmet by a pitch from Colorado's Jason Marquis.
"I'm pretty good," Rolen said after Cincinnati's 6-4, 11-inning loss. "I was a little dizzy. It stunned me, but I could still cuss. I'm working on my on-base percentage, but I still haven't touched first base. I haven't met (first base coach) Billy Hatcher yet."
The five-time All-Star is 0 for 6 since being acquired in a trade with Toronto on Friday.
Rolen was at the plate with no one out and Brandon Phillips on first when he was hit by Marquis, a former teammate with St. Louis. He never lost consciousness and walked off the field after less than a minute, escorted by manager Dusty Baker and a trainer. Adam Rosales ran for Rolen.
"It was just a stupid pitch that got away," Marquis said. "I was upset."
As he walked off the field, Rolen signaled Marquis that everything was OK, but the pitcher still called over to the Reds clubhouse.
"I just wanted to tell him I wasn't dead," Rolen said. "We talked. We go back a long way. Our families are friends."
Brewers' Hart to undergo appendectomy
SAN DIEGO — Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Corey Hart was scheduled to undergo an appendectomy Sunday night.
The Brewers said Hart will go on the 15-day disabled list and be replaced by Bill Hall, who will be recalled from Triple-A Nashville.
Hart, who missed Milwaukee's 6-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday, complained of stomach and side pains Saturday night after he went hitless in three at-bats with a walk during the Brewers' 4-2 loss to the Padres. When Hart came to Petco Park on Sunday, the pain persisted and he was examined by a doctor.
Hart is batting .264 with 11 homers and 40 RBIs in 98 games this season.
