Baseball Capsules: Canseco plans to support Clemens
WASHINGTON — Jose Canseco plans to reiterate his previous support of Roger Clemens when the former slugger testifies before a federal grand jury next week.
One of Canseco’s lawyers, Gary Holmes, said Thursday that Canseco’s testimony "will be fully consistent" with a 2008 affidavit submitted in connection with the Clemens investigation.
In the sworn statement, dated March 2008, Canseco wrote: "I have never seen Clemens use, possess, or ask for steroids or human growth hormone."
The Washington, D.C., grand jury has been hearing witnesses as it deliberates whether to indict Clemens for allegedly lying to Congress two years ago, when the seven-time Cy Young Award winner denied using steroids or HGH.
Canseco is scheduled to testify on June 3.
American League
After rocky start, Mariners see trust from Bradley
SEATTLE — Milton Bradley arrived in Seattle this winter distrusting the world.
Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu could see that. He knew Bradley was joining his eighth team in 10 years. He knew many people saw the mercurial slugger as baseball’s bad guy. And after suspensions and repeated run-ins with umpires and his own teams, Bradley himself believed he was fulfilling that bad-boy role.
Wakamatsu also knew he needed a cleanup hitter with power to boost an offense that was a liability for a team hoping to win an AL West title.
So the manager approached Bradley in February on his first day in spring training to set ground rules.
"Milton, I told him from Day One there has to be some kind of trust factor," Wakamatsu said.
"He was a little like, ‘I heard that before."’
But after two weeks away for emotional counseling set up by the Mariners, Bradley said the team has been more supportive, accommodating and patient than any of his seven other clubs. He’s finally trusting his employers.
Just as important for the Mariners, his bat is getting well, too.
"My mind is clear," Bradley said. "It’s been a while."
Tuesday, he hit the go-ahead single in the eighth inning against Detroit. Then he ran from first base into the dugout during a pitching change. His surprised teammates gave him high-fives and back slaps. Bradley then ran back to first base to complete the first in-game dugout celebration from a guy still on the base paths that Wakamatsu or any other Mariner had ever seen.
"The way I was feeling, I needed to share with my teammates," Bradley said. "It was a good feeling. I came through."
Wednesday, after Mike Sweeney homered in the eighth to spark a four-run rally and another win over the Tigers — Seattle’s first series win in a month — Bradley sneaked up behind Sweeney in the dugout while he was conducting a postgame interview. After Bradley unsuccessfully tried to plant a shaving-cream pie in Sweeney’s face, he and Sweeney walked out of the dugout laughing together. Sweeney’s arm was around Bradley’s shoulders.
Is this really the same guy who in March called himself the Kanye West of baseball? Who flipped off fans who were heckling him in Texas during his a slumping start to the season? Who became so uncontrollable following two strikeouts in a game on May 4 that Wakamatsu saw he was unfit to play and removed him from the tight contest?
Bradley left the stadium before that game ended. A day later, he came to Wakamatsu and general manager Jack Zduriencik and asked for their help in controlling his emotions.
The Mariners placed him on the restricted list for two weeks while Bradley received counseling that is ongoing. He said he was having "unpleasant thoughts." He told his wife he was understanding why some people commit suicide.
He returned saying "I don’t have all the answers, I’m not saying I’m cured."
Yet since he came back he is batting .296 entering Friday’s series opener at the Los Angeles Angels. That’s 82 points above what his average was when he went on the restricted list. He has hit his first home run since April 13. He says he’s as happy as he’s been since a 2006 playoff run with Oakland.
Bradley is back in the cleanup spot that created so much pressure and doubt for him in April. He is starting to provide some of the production Seattle desperately needs to climb back into the division race.
"That’s where I should be hitting," he said. "If I’m swinging the bat the way I’m capable of, I should be in the middle of the order driving in runs, being a producer. The way I’ve been swinging it, you can’t put me there.
"I have to stay consistent and maintain this, because the way it has been is one day on and two, three or four days off. That’s what brings the frustration, but I have to just stay with it."
Bradley’s detractors are waiting for the next big failure, that next frustration, and expect Bradley to blow up yet again.
Yet Wakamatsu sees progress. He cited Sunday’s game against San Diego. Bradley struck out, dropped his batting glove and helmet and squatted. He stared for a long, tense minute along the first-base line. But this time there was no eruption.
"I think he believes in us now," Wakamatsu said. "I think it helps that he knows we care about him (after) he opened up and said, ‘I need some help.’ That was step No. 1.
"We said this was the right environment for him. In the last month, he’s started to understand that this is the right environment for him."
-- Gregg Bell
Tigers RHP Valverde vows to never change his ways
DETROIT — Jose Valverde points, pulsates and shouts.
The Detroit closer says he has been animated on the mound since he was 17, playing in the Dominican Summer League, and plans to let his emotions show for the rest of his career.
The Tigers simply hope he doesn’t change how he has pitched when they open a homestand Friday night against Oakland.
Valverde has blown only one of 12 save chances this year. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last 19 appearances, the second-longest active streak in baseball and fourth best by a Tiger since 1952, according to STATS LLC.
Those are the results the Tigers were hoping for when they signed him to a $14 million, two-year contract in January after deciding not to bring back Fernando Rodney or Brandon Lyon. Valverde led the National League in saves in back-to-back seasons, combining for 91 with Houston and Arizona, after slipping to 25 last year as a part-time closer with the Astros.
When he has success, everyone knows it.
Valverde points to the sky and then from his left to right shoulder — to thank God, he says — after each save. Following some outs, he contorts his body and screams things to no one in particular in an act that he insists is genuine each time.
"This is my game," he said. "This is how I pitch."
Once, Valverde tried to chill out a bit. In 2005 — his third season with the Diamondbacks — his new manager wasn’t a fan of Valverde’s style.
"Bob Melvin told me, ‘I don’t like it. Stop what you’re doing,"’ Valverde recalled. "After I stopped doing everything, my emotions were low and I was giving up walks. Melvin called me in his office and said, ‘Do whatever you want. I just want the save."’
Tigers manager Jim Leyland approaches Valverde’s antics in about the same way, saying he’s not crazy about how his closer carries himself on the field before quickly adding the results are most important.
Leyland, though, wants people to know that the player known as "Papa Grande" is not a bad guy.
"Anybody that flies home on a day off to the Dominican Republic to see their mother, that’s pretty good," Leyland said.
Valverde traveled from Minnesota to the Dominican Republic three weeks ago, instead of enjoying an off day between two series on the road.
"I wanted to see her for a Mother’s Day surprise," he said. "She was in shock because I never did that before."
It startles some to see Valverde’s antics, but opponents seem to accept what he does on the field with his arms, legs, body and mouth.
"He’s done it his whole career. It’s just who he is," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "As a team, you’re a factor in his antics. You can get hits and score runs."
Dodgers catcher Russell Martin, who hasn’t fared well against Valverde, said it’s difficult to stop the right-hander from putting on his show when he’s effectively attacking the strike zone with fastballs and sliders that look the same coming out of his hand.
Martin insisted Valverde’s consistently crazy contortions don’t rub him the wrong way.
"When a guy does it once in a while, you’re like, ‘Where is that coming from?"’ Martin said. "But when you see that all the time from a guy, you realize it just becomes a part of the routine and how they are, so you get used to it and you can’t really say anything. It’s just who he is.
"He’s animated out there, and you can tell he’s having fun."
-- Larry Lage
Guillen: No word from baseball about his ump rant
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen hasn’t heard whether he faces punishment for expletive-filled comments about umpire Joe West following his ejection during a game in Cleveland.
Speaking before his team opened a series against Tampa Bay on Thursday, Guillen reiterated his belief that he spoke his mind but did not necessarily do anything to merit harsh disciplinary action.
"I say what I feel. I don’t think I say anything to disrepect anybody or the game. If Major League Baseball will do something, they know where to find me," Guillen said.
"I don’t think it should be anything to make a big deal about it," he added. "We’ll wait and see."
Guillen and pitcher Mark Buehrle were ejected for protesting a pair of balks during the first three innings of Wednesday’s 5-4 victory over the Indians. He criticized West’s handling of the situation, but said there were no lingering personal feelings.
"I think Joe is one of the best umpires in the game, there’s no doubt. I’m the type of guy, no matter what happened yesterday, to me it’s another day. I’m not going to hold any grudges against him," Guillen said.
"That’s part of the game. That’s my job. ... I never criticized him about the call. I never did. That’s his call and I always respect that. I say what I feel about that particular moment. I think what I said was right."
-- Fred Goodall
Ellsbury out again with sore side
BOSTON — Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury still has soreness in his left side and was out of the lineup for Boston’s game against the Kansas City Royals.
The Red Sox have sent Ellsbury for MRIs and he will be examined by team Dr. Thomas Gill Thursday night.
"We’ve got to get to the bottom of this," Francona said. "We don’t want to rush into putting him on the DL," Francona said. "At the same time, he’s not ready to play yet."
Ellsbury was injured in a game against Kansas City on April 11 when he collided with Adrian Beltre and was kneed in the ribs. He missed 37 games with a hairline fracture in four ribs on his left side before returning May 22 against Philadelphia. He played in three games and went 1 for 14 and hasn’t played since Monday.
Ellsbury said after Wednesday’s game that there was still pain in the same area as where the ribs were broken.
Boston centerfielder Mike Cameron was activated Tuesday after missing 34 games and the tandem of Ellsbury and Cameron has only played together six games this season after being projected as part of one of the strongest defensive outfield units in baseball alongside J.D. Drew
National League
Bochy tells struggling ace Lincecum to just relax
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy met with struggling ace Tim Lincecum on Thursday and had a simple message for the reigning two-time NL Cy Young winner: relax.
One day after Lincecum gave up six earned runs in 4 2-3 innings en route to his first loss of the season — the third straight rough outing by the Giants’ right-hander — Bochy sought out the pitcher prior to San Francisco’s series finale against the Washington Nationals and offered a few bits of advice.
"We talked about a lot of things," Bochy said. "When things aren’t going so well for a player there’s some times as a manager you do want to talk to them to see where they’re at. I talked to Timmy and basically he’s fine. He’s a little frustrated. This guy has set the bar so high that he’s tough on himself when he doesn’t pitch like he’s accustomed to."
Lincecum has been consistently dominant since his arrival in the majors, evidenced by the pair of Cy Young trophies he owns.
He was nearly flawless in April while winning his first four starts and appeared well on his way to a third straight NL Cy Young award. The Giants, who rewarded their ace with a $23 million, two-year contract in February, had no reason to think things would go south so quickly.
But with only one win over his last six starts, Lincecum’s performance is beginning to raise questions. Radio shows spent much of Thursday morning debating his outing against the Nationals, and his recent lack of command was the primary topic during Bochy’s pre-game meeting with reporters.
Nevermind his 5-1 record or the 3.00 ERA. The main theme: What’s wrong with Timmy?
"That’s what’s tough on some of these players, especially great players," Bochy said. "The bar does get set so high that you expect too much out of yourself. Fans in general, us, that puts a little added pressure on the player, I think, and that’s what you want to stay away from. I certainly don’t want Timmy to put any added pressure on himself. He’s had a great year. We’re talking about a couple starts here, come on.
"Some of us, myself, who were average players, we’re used to dealing with tough outings or at-bats. But when you set the bar so high it’s a little tougher for him because he is so demanding of himself."
Reports surfaced this week that Lincecum has been pitching with a blister on his right hand, but both he and Bochy downplayed it following his poor outing against Washington.
"It’s nothing," said Lincecum, who was unavailable for comment Thursday. "I go through them all the time. It had nothing to do with anything."
Bochy also shot down talk that Lincecum has lost velocity on his fastball, saying Lincecum has been focused more on his command.
More important in Bochy’s eyes was Lincecum’s lack of concentration with runners on base, something the pitcher acknowledged in the Giants clubhouse following his loss to the Nationals.
"I just let guys kind of go," he said. "It was almost like I wasn’t looking at them. It’s extremely frustrating for me, my team and obviously (catcher) Bengie (Molina)."
Bochy, who has met previously with Lincecum, is confident the pitcher will regain his form quickly.
"Whether it’s mechanics or mental, everybody goes through it," Bochy said. "It’s not one thing. Again, we’re talking a couple starts here. Let’s give this kid a break. He’s pitched outstanding this year."
Cards RHP Lohse to have surgery on right forearm
SAN DIEGO — St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Kyle Lohse is set to undergo surgery on his right forearm on Friday.
Lohse, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with exertional compartment syndrome, will have the surgery performed by Dr. Stephen Shin in Los Angeles.
Lohse was examined by Shin on Wednesday at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles.
"It explains everything I’ve been feeling throughout the last year," Lohse said. "It explains why it’s such a hard thing to diagnose."
Exertional compartment syndrome is an uncommon, exercise-induced neuromuscular condition that causes pain and swelling in legs or arms and can be difficult to identify.
Lohse will have fascial release surgery performed on his forearm. There is no timetable for his return.
Lohse. who is 1-4 with a 5.89 ERA, has not pitched since Saturday, when he lasted only 3 1-3 innings in a 10-7 loss at the Los Angeles Angels. Lohse said he experienced fatigue and cramping in his forearm in that start, similar to what he’s been feeling since last season.
The move to the disabled list is retroactive to Sunday.
Lohse joins right-handed starter Brad Penny on the DL. Penny was placed on the list Saturday because of a back strain.
St. Louis purchased the contract of right-hander Fernando Salas from Triple-A Memphis to replace Lohse on the roster.
No home run for Nationals’ Dunn after replay
SAN FRANCISCO — Washington Nationals slugger Adam Dunn was denied a home run Thursday against San Francisco after umpires used instant replay to uphold their original ruling.
Dunn, who earlier homered in the first inning, appeared to hit his second off Giants starter Barry Zito with one out in the seventh. The ball sailed high and bounced off the top of the wall in right-center field.
Dunn rounded first then appeared to slow into a home run trot before stopping at second when first base umpire Casey Moser ruled the ball in play. After Washington manager Jim Riggleman came out to argue the call, Moser met with the other three umpires and the quartet left the field to watch the replay before returning with their ruling.
Marlins call up 3, place Pinto on 15-day DL
MIAMI — The Florida Marlins called up relievers Jay Buente and Taylor Tankersley, along with infielder Mike Lamb from Triple-A New Orleans on Thursday.
To make room, right-hander Burke Badenhop was optioned to New Orleans and left-hander Renyel Pinto was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a left hip injury. On Wednesday night, the Marlins started clearing space on the 25-man roster by sending outfielder Bryan Petersen to New Orleans.
Buente, a right-hander, was 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 19 games with New Orleans. The left-handed Tankersley was 3-2 with a 4.19 ERA in 20 appearances, and Lamb batted .250 in 13 games with the Zephyrs.
Pinto was 0-0 with a 2.30 ERA in 19 games with Florida. Badenhop was 0-5 with a 6.43 ERA.
Giants add Joaquin, Rohlinger to 25-man roster
SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants recalled right-hander Waldis Joaquin from Triple-A Fresno before Thursday’s game against the Washington Nationals in an attempt to fortify their leaky bullpen.
The Giants need relief help with left-hander Jeremy Affeldt unable to pitch for several days because of a sore left hamstring. Infielder Matt Downs was optioned to Fresno to make room for Joaquin.
Infielder Ryan Rohlinger was added to the roster following Wednesday night’s 7-3 loss, taking the place of Edgar Renteria, who was put on the disabled list before the game because of a strained right hamstring.
Reds will promote right-hander LeCure
CINCINNATI — Right-hander Sam LeCure will take Homer Bailey’s spot in the rotation while he recovers from an inflamed pitching shoulder. LeCure joined the Reds on Thursday, driving up from Triple-A Louisville. He is expected to be officially promoted on Friday and start the first game of a weekend series against Houston. A reliever will likely be sent down.
The 26-year-old LeCure will make his major league debut. He was 5-2 with a 2.55 earned run average at Louisville, with one shutout in nine starts.
Bailey went on the disabled list Monday.
Rockies recall Daley, option Smith
DENVER — The Colorado Rockies recalled right-hander Matt Daley from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Thursday and optioned lefty Greg Smith to the Sky Sox.
Daley is 0-1 with a 4.02 ERA in 19 games for the Rockies this season. He was sent down to Triple-A on May 16 to make room for starter Jeff Francis. Daley allowed two hits and struck out three in two games with the Sky Sox.
He will be in uniform when the Rockies play Arizona on Thursday. Smith is 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA in eight starts with Colorado.
Zambrano goes to hospital with abdominal pain
CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano is day to day after going to a hospital for precautionary reasons because of lower abdominal pain. Tests taken Thursday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital ruled out appendicitis.
Zambrano was unavailable to pitch in short relief in Thursday’s 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is expected to return to the starting rotation next week after working out of the bullpen since late April.
Dodgers designate RHP Ramon Ortiz for assignment
CHICAGO — The Los Angeles Dodgers have designated right-handed pitcher Ramon Ortiz for assignment and purchased the contract of right-hander Justin Miller from Triple-A Albuquerque.
The moves were announced Thursday. Ortiz is 1-2 with a 6.30 ERA in 16 appearances. Miller was 0-1 with a 2.22 ERA in 18 appearances with Albuquerque. He was 24-14 with a 4.84 ERA in six seasons with Toronto, Florida and San Francisco.
