MLB Capsules: Clemens heads to D.C., this time for court
WASHINGTON (AP) — On this trip to Washington, Roger Clemens will be in a courtroom, not in Congress. His defiant stance is expected to remain the same, even if his statement is much shorter.
Something along the lines of, "Not guilty."
The seven-time Cy Young Award winner is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in the nation's capital on a six-count indictment alleging he lied to Congress when he said he never used steroids or human growth hormone.
In what should be a short court appearance, Clemens will appear before U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton. If convicted on all charges, he could face up to 30 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine, though under U.S. sentencing guidelines, he would probably face no more than 15 to 21 months in prison.
All signs point toward him fighting. He came to Congress after being mentioned repeatedly in the Mitchell Report — the damning breakdown of the sport's steroid problem released in 2007.
In front of a House committee the next year, Clemens said: "Let me be clear. I have never taken steroids or HGH." Before his indictment was handed down Aug. 19, Clemens was offered a plea deal that he turned down, and afterward, he showed no signs of backing down.
"I look forward to challenging the Governments accusations, and hope people will keep an open mind until trial," Clemens wrote on Twitter after the indictment. "I appreciate all the support I have been getting. I am happy to finally have my day in court."
His day in court figures to be one of many in the near future for some of baseball's biggest names — now sullied by steroid-related accusations. All-time home run king Barry Bonds is scheduled to go on trial in March on charges of lying to a federal grand jury when he said he never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs.
The 48-year-old Clemens is charged with three counts of making false statements, two counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of Congress.
At the hearing in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Clemens' former trainer, Brian McNamee, said the pitcher did, in fact, use steroids and HGH. Former teammate Andy Pettitte also told congressional investigators that Clemens told him he had used HGH.
Clemens told Congress that Pettitte "misremembers" the conversation.
All that testimony figures to be rehashed in a trial that could irrevocably tarnish the reputation of one of the most dominant pitchers in history. Over 23 seasons, Clemens recorded 354 wins, 4,672 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.12 — Hall of Fame numbers that might not land him in the Hall of Fame.
American League
AP source: Ramirez expected to join White Sox
CHICAGO (AP) — Manny Ramirez helped the Boston Red Sox win the World Series in 2004 and 2007. He powered the Los Angeles Dodgers to the NL West title two years ago with a stellar run at the plate.
The Chicago White Sox are hoping he has one more playoff push left.
Ramirez is expected to join the White Sox on Monday, giving the fading playoff contenders a big boost during a key 10-game road trip.
A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Sunday night that Chicago was close to acquiring the slugger from L.A. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the details were still being worked out, expected the deal to be completed on Monday, but whether it's a trade or waiver claim was still to be determined.
The White Sox are hoping Ramirez will be energized by a change of scenery and can give them a lift similar to the one he provided when he was acquired by the Dodgers in 2008. Los Angeles got Ramirez in a deadline deal that season, and he hit .396 with 17 homers in 53 games to lead the club to the postseason.
But that was two years ago, and the 38-year-old Ramirez has been hampered by right leg injuries this season. The outfielder is batting .311 with eight homers and 40 RBIs in 66 games in 2010.
White Sox general manager Kenny Williams declined comment in an e-mail to the AP. The AP also e-mailed Dodgers GM Ned Colletti seeking comment.
Ramirez's salary is $20 million in the final season of a two-year contract, but only $5 million is due this year, with the rest to be paid over the next three years. He also has a full no-trade clause.
The White Sox were awarded a waiver claim on Ramirez last week, giving them until 1:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday to complete a trade with the Dodgers. Or Los Angeles could let him go and the White Sox would simply assume his salary.
Those details were still being worked out, with Chicago likely trying for a trade that would include cash to offset part of Ramirez's salary.
The White Sox (70-60) have lost nine of 14 and 13 of 20 to fall 4½ games back of AL Central-leading Minnesota with three games left in the season series between the teams. Interestingly enough, the first two stops on their 10-game trip are Cleveland and Boston, two of Ramirez's former clubs.
"We know what time it is," second baseman Gordon Beckham said after Sunday's 2-1 loss to the New York Yankees. "September is around the corner and we have to make a push."
Ramirez likely would become the designated hitter in Chicago, especially considering his recent fragile history. He returned Aug. 21 from his third stint on the DL this year.
The 12-time All-Star became a fan favorite when he arrived in Los Angeles, with a section of seats named in his honor at Chavez Ravine and wigs that mimicked his dreadlocks suddenly becoming fashionable. Ramirez performed so well down the stretch during his first season in Los Angeles that the Dodgers signed him to a two-year, $45 million contract.
The injuries and last season's 50-game suspension following a failed drug test soured his stay, and Ramirez hasn't spoken to reporters since spring training, when he said this would be his final season in L.A.
The Dodgers (67-64) could have kept Ramirez to bolster their chances of making the postseason. They won four straight last week to move closer to a playoff spot, then lost consecutive games at Colorado over the weekend to slip back.
Los Angeles is fourth in the NL West, 10 games back of first-place San Diego, and trails wild card-leading Philadelphia by 6½ games.
Ramirez, who hasn't started a game since Wednesday at Milwaukee, entered Sunday's 10-5 loss as a pinch hitter and was ejected after arguing a called strike on the only pitch he saw.
-- Jay Cohen
White Sox retire Thomas' number
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox gave The Big Hurt a big honor on Sunday, retiring Frank Thomas' number before their game against the New York Yankees.
Thomas fought back tears during an emotional ceremony that included fireworks and several of his former teammates. He thanked the organization and the city, saying "you can only dream of something like this" as his voice cracked.
Among those on hand to see Thomas become the ninth White Sox player to have his number retired were Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk and former World Series MVP Jermaine Dye, who both played with him. They got big ovations along with Billy Pierce and Minnie Minoso, while former manager Terry Bevington got booed.
The biggest reaction was for the honoree.
"It brought back a lot of memories, thinking about teammates and all the great times and bad times," Thomas said. "It just got to me. Emotion caught up. I'm a very, very proud man today, and this was probably was the proudest day of my life."
There was a video tribute for Thomas, who was then presented a painting and framed jersey by chairman Jerry Reinsdorf near home plate. Thomas' image with his No. 35 was unveiled along the wall in left-center and fireworks went off. The team later announced plans to install a bronze sculpture of Thomas in the outfield concourse next season, adding another honor on a day that Thomas said he'll remember for the "rest of my life."
The tributes are fitting, considering he is regarded by many as the greatest White Sox player of all.
"You want to talk White Sox, Frank Thomas' name has got to be No. 1," said Ozzie Guillen, his former teammate and manager. "I know Luke Appling played here. I know Nellie (Fox) played here, I know (Luis) Aparicio played, (Harold) Baines — all those guys. I think Frank Thomas did stuff for this organization that people are not going to forget."
Thomas retired in February after a 19-year career in which the two-time AL MVP hit .301 with 521 homers and 1,704 RBIs.
The Big Hurt made his major league debut in 1990 and set club marks for homers (448) and RBIs (1,465) before splitting his final three seasons with Toronto. That came after a messy split with Chicago following the 2005 championship season, but the ill will eased in recent years, with the White Sox hiring him as an ambassador last month.
When he left Chicago, Thomas was upset when the club bought out his option for $3.5 million that December, and things got particularly nasty during the 2006 spring training. He sounded off against the organization in an interview with The Daily Southtown of suburban Tinley Park, Ill., and general manager Ken Williams responded by calling him "an idiot."
Thomas was angry with the organization for portraying him as a damaged player, although injuries to his left ankle limited him to 34 games and made him a spectator as the White Sox grabbed their first World Series title since 1917. So it was a bitter end to an otherwise storied tenure with the team.
"It's going to be some ups and downs if you play anywhere as long as I played," Thomas said. "It happens to all the big players. Sixteen years in one city and played at a high level for such a long time, you're going to have your ups and downs. I'm sorry, people want to knock you down sometimes. I'm used to that. I had broad shoulders; I had to get broader shoulders.
"There were some days that I wanted to just go in my locker and cry with all that stuff. But I kept finding a way to get it done. I'm proud of what I accomplished over 16 years here and thank all of Chicago," he said.
-- Andrew Seligman
Hall of Famer Feller being treated for leukemia
CLEVELAND (AP) — Bob Feller is back watching his beloved Cleveland Indians, a bounce in his step as he is treated for leukemia.
The third-oldest living member of the Baseball Hall of Fame at age 91, Feller said Sunday that he's "feeling better than I have in weeks," following two days at Cleveland Clinic and a week of outpatient treatment.
"I just didn't have my usual energy, so I went in for a checkup and they said my blood count was low," Feller said. "I spent two days in the hospital and they gave me two quarts of blood. Then they gave me some pills, and I went back every day for a week. They injected three shots of chemo a day.
"I've got my energy back. I feel very good. I'll go back for a checkup next month."
Feller was at his usual seat in the press box after missing the first five games of the Indians' current homestand.
He burst on the baseball scene in 1936 as a 17-year-old schoolboy from Iowa. Signed for $1 and an autographed baseball, the right-hander never pitched in the minors and spent 18 seasons with the Cleveland Indians, compiling a 266-162 record. He missed 3½ seasons at the peak of his career to serve in the Navy during World War II.
He pitched three no-hitters and 12 one-hitters. In 1938, he struck out 18 in one game, a record at the time. Two years later, he pitched the only no-hitter on opening day and won a career-high 27 games. Feller's best season was 1946, when he went 26-15 with a 2.18 ERA, 348 strikeouts, 10 shutouts and 36 complete games.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962, Feller is younger than 92-year-olds Lee McPhail and Bobby Doerr among living members.
O's Lugo leaves in 1st inning after hit in helmet
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Julio Lugo left the Baltimore Orioles' game against the Angels in the first inning Sunday after a pickoff attempt hit him in the batting helmet, briefly leaving him motionless on the ground.
The Orioles determined Lugo wasn't seriously injured after undergoing a CT scan during the Orioles' 1-0 victory. Lugo said he felt fine after the game, but manager Buck Showalter said the club will be cautious about his return to the lineup.
Lugo drew a leadoff walk from Los Angeles' Jered Weaver, who then attempted to pick him off first base. Fill-in first baseman Juan Rivera missed the throw, which hit Lugo in the back of the helmet, behind his ear, as he dived back to the bag.
"He hit him flush, and it's scary," Showalter said.
Although Lugo said he didn't lose consciousness, he stayed facedown in the dirt while trainers and Showalter rushed out to check on him. He eventually got up and walked to the dugout.
"I could have stayed in, and I wanted to," Lugo said. "I was fine, just stung by the hit. I'm just going to wait, see how it feels tomorrow. Right now, I feel fine."
Lugo said he had a concussion in 2007 after a collision with an opponent's knee at second base, but this hit wasn't similar.
Jake Fox replaced Lugo on the basepaths and then took over at first base in the bottom half of the inning, with Ty Wigginton moving to second base.
Showalter said Lugo will be re-evaluated Monday back in Baltimore. Second baseman Brian Roberts also is out of the Orioles' lineup with an injured hip.
Indians' LaPorta leaves with strained left hip
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians say Matt LaPorta strained his left hip and is day to day after leaving the fourth inning of Cleveland's game against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.
LaPorta hit a routine fly ball to left and held his left hip as he jogged to first base on the final out of the inning. Indians trainer Lonnie Soloff went out to check on the first baseman, who walked off the field and was replaced at first by Andy Marte.
Television replays showed LaPorta grabbing his hip while taking a pitch earlier during his at-bat. LaPorta had arthroscopic surgery on the hip Oct. 14.
Marte moved from third base to first, Luis Valbuena switched from second to third, and Jason Donald entered the game at second.
LaPorta was 0 for 4 before leaving. He had two home runs and five RBIs in his previous three games.
LaPorta is hitting .234 with nine homers and 34 RBIs.
Teixeira out of Yankees' lineup with bruised thumb
CHICAGO (AP) — Mark Teixeira was scratched from the New York Yankees' lineup against the Chicago White Sox because of a bruised right thumb.
He was penciled in to bat third and play first Sunday after leaving the previous night's game, but the plan changed after batting practice.
Teixeira, batting .257 with 28 homers and 91 RBIs, left after fielding Gordon Beckham's routine grounder to end the second inning Saturday. He injured his thumb Friday while making a diving stop.
Nick Swisher moved from right field to first and from fifth in the order to third, with Austin Kearns starting in right and batting seventh.
Meanwhile, pitcher Andy Pettitte, out with a groin injury, says he could return in two weeks at the earliest after throwing 35 pitches in a bullpen session. He will throw again on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Blue Jays' Morrow to be shut down after next start
TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow will be shut down for the season following his next start.
General manager Alex Anthopoulos said there is nothing physically wrong with Morrow, who beat Detroit Saturday to win his career-high fifth straight decision.
The Blue Jays have not announced who will take Morrow's place in the rotation after he makes his last start Friday at New York.
Morrow is 10-6 with a 4.27 ERA in 25 starts, his first full season as a starter, and has worked a career-high 143 1-3 innings. He came within one out of a no-hitter in a 17-strikeout performance Aug. 8 against Tampa Bay, throwing a career-high 127 pitches.
The fifth overall pick by the Mariners in 2006, Morrow was traded to Toronto last winter in exchange for right-handed reliever Brandon League and minor league outfielder Johermyn Chavez.
Pirates' Meek hit in arm by liner, leaves game
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Evan Meek was hit in his pitching hand by a line drive from Milwaukee's Ryan Braun and left Sunday's game, but X-rays were negative.
Pittsburgh manager John Russell said the ball hit Meek on the top part of his hand near his fingers.
"No fracture, which is good," Russell said. "Really lucky."
Meek was struck in the eighth inning and walked off with trainers gingerly holding his right arm.
Meek was facing his fourth batter when Braun hit a 1-2 pitch that struck Meek, deflected off his chest and rolled to third for a single. Meek was knocked backward by the impact.
Royals activate RHP Tejeda
CLEVELAND (AP) — Right-hander Robinson Tejeda has been activated by the Kansas City Royals.
Right-hander Kanekoa Texeira was put on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Saturday, with a strained right elbow. The moves were announced Sunday before the Royals game at Cleveland.
Tejeda missed 27 games with a strained right biceps tendon. Tejeda was 3-3 with a 3.42 ERA in 41 relief appearances before going on the disabled list Aug. 1, retroactive to July 30. He had a 1.38 ERA over his last 31 outings.
Texeira pitched Friday night in the Royals' 15-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians. He was claimed on waivers by Kansas City from the Seattle Mariners on June 3. He is 1-1 with a 4.84 ERA.
Fan hit in head by line drive
CHICAGO (AP) — A fan at U.S. Cellular Field needed medical attention after being struck in the head by a foul ball during the Chicago White Sox's game against the New York Yankees.
The man was injured when Curtis Granderson lined a pitch from Gavin Floyd leading off the seventh to the area near the first-base dugout. Spectators seated nearby immediately signaled for help, and medical personnel and security tended to him for several minutes before he walked away with a bandage on his head, still seeming woozy.
Granderson flied out and then re-emerged from the dugout, delivering a ball to someone in the stands near where the fan was struck.
The White Sox had no further information after the game.
National League
Nationals sign RHP Hernandez to 1-year extension
WASHINGTON (AP) — Livan Hernandez's ability to mentor young pitchers, coupled with an unforeseen opening in the Washington rotation, has earned the 35-year-old right-hander a one-year contract extension from the Nationals.
Washington general manager Mike Rizzo announced after Sunday's victory over the St. Louis Cardinals that Hernandez would return to the Nationals in 2011, lending some stability to a starting staff that will be without Stephen Strasburg.
"The time he gives with our young guys, it's something we think he's earned and deserves," Rizzo said. "He can be a guy for us, through the winter, that we know he's part of the ballclub and we know every fifth day we'll be handing him the ball and having a quality start."
Terms were not disclosed.
With Strasburg expected to undergo Tommy John surgery this week to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow and miss most of the 2011 season, Rizzo moved quickly to lock up Hernandez, who is 9-9 with a 3.49 ERA in 27 starts this season.
"I always want to come back and play here," said Hernandez. "They give me a chance to come back another year and hopefully more years. ... It's a dream come true."
Washington reunited with the 1997 World Series MVP for a third time this year, signing Hernandez on Feb. 24 to a minor league contract with a spring training invitation.
Hernandez heeded Rizzo's advice to report to camp in better condition and has become "a cornerstone and leader of the pitching rotation."
"He wants to pitch for quite a few more years. ... For him to do that, he had to get himself in better shape. He really worked hard to get his body into shape. He's always been a terrific athlete with a durable arm that could give you a lot of innings," Rizzo said.
Hernandez is 35-31 with a 4.27 in 94 career starts with the Nationals and is the team's all-time leader in wins, starts, innings pitched (617) and strikeouts (354).
In 15 seasons with Florida, San Francisco, Montreal, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota and the New York Mets, Hernandez is 165-160 with a 4.39 ERA in 440 games, all but one of them starts.
"This year, I prove I can continue to pitch for a long time," Hernandez said. "It's a good year for me. I got to prove — and I said in spring training — that I want to come back and perform like I used to. ... It's happened right now and I feel really good about myself."
Hernandez is the only active major leaguer to start 30 or more games in 12 consecutive seasons. He can extend the streak to 13 with three more starts this year.
Padres RHP Young to make rehab start Tuesday
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Padres right-hander Chris Young is scheduled to make a rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Portland at Reno as he continues to work his way back from a shoulder injury.
There's a possibility Young will pitch again in the majors this year if he remains pain free, pitching coach Darren Balsley said.
The 6-foot-10 Young made one start this season before going on the disabled list April 12 with a strained shoulder. He had arthroscopic surgery on the shoulder a year ago.
After throwing a series of simulated games and bullpen sessions, a rehab start will give Young a better sense of where he is physically.
"You can throw these sim games, but they're just not the same as being in a game environment where you might sit five minutes in between one inning and 15 minutes between the next inning," Young said Sunday before the NL West leaders tried to avoid being swept by Philadelphia. "That's what my arm needs to be conditioned to doing. A simulated game is nice to face hitters, and the hitters I think get something out of it, seeing live pitches, but I think it's time to be in a real game environment and push it a little bit. The intensity and adrenaline will probably be a little bit more than I've had yet. It'll just be another test."
Young, who's had a serious injury each season since 2008, called it a "fun challenge. I hope I feel good physically, which I expect to do."
As for his stuff, "We're going to find out. I think I've done some things well and there's still a lot to improve on. I'll find out where it is. The hitters will sort of tell me."
Young threw a bullpen session Saturday. Balsley and manager Bud Black felt a rehab start was the next step.
"He's got no pain or anything like that, and that's the most important thing," Balsley said. "I'd say right now he'd be a little bit ahead of where he would be in spring training, ready to go for his first start, just because he's had a simulated game. In spring they throw batting practice instead. He's faced batters in a game-type situation with no pain in there. His command and velocity are getting a little bit better each time out."
If all goes well Tuesday, Young said he'd probably make another rehab start five days later.
"But I've got to get through Tuesday first," he said.
Balsley said Young will need to remain pain free to return to the rotation.
"Where we're going to fit him in, and when, if, all those things, who knows. But there's a possibility, yes," Balsley said.
-- Bernie Wilson
Phillips out of lineup for third game
CINCINNATI (AP) — Brandon Phillips was out of the starting lineup for the third straight game Sunday because of a bruised right hand.
The Cincinnati Reds' All-Star second baseman was hit by a pitch Wednesday and hasn't played since. Manager Dusty Baker said he was available to pinch run during the final game of a series against the Chicago Cubs.
Baker said the swelling is going away and Phillips could be back within a few days.
The NL Central leaders are playing short-handed. Outfielder Laynce Nix has a sprained ankle, and infielder Miguel Cairo has a sore leg.
The Reds will have to make a roster move Tuesday when they bring Aaron Harang off the disabled list to start against Milwaukee.
-- Joe Kay
Dodgers' Ramirez ejected for arguing strike call
DENVER (AP) — Dodgers star Manny Ramirez was ejected Sunday after arguing a called strike on the only pitch he saw as a pinch-hitter.
Ramirez came to bat in the sixth inning against Colorado with one out, the bases loaded and Los Angeles trailing 8-2.
Plate umpire Gary Cederstrom called strike one and Ramirez began arguing. Ramirez was quickly tossed and walked slowly back to the dugout while continuing to jaw with Cederstrom. The umpire turned away from Ramirez.
It was the first ejection this season for Ramirez. Reed Johnson came on to bat for Ramirez and hit into an inning-ending double play.
Minor recalled by Braves
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have recalled left-handed pitcher Mike Minor and optioned reliever Craig Kimbrel to Triple-A Gwinnett.
The moves were announced Sunday before Atlanta's game against the Florida Marlins.
Minor had been sent to the Gulf Coast League for a few days but it was merely a paper move, since he had been skipped over in the rotation and wasn't scheduled to start again until Tuesday. Kimbrel gave the Braves an extra arm in the bullpen for the first two games of their series against Florida.
With the rookie league season over, Minor was officially recalled.
