Nats RHP Hill to have arthroscopic elbow surgery

WASHINGTON -- Nationals right-hander Shaun Hill is scheduled to have his chronically sore right forearm evaluated on Wednesday and will then undergo arthroscopic surgery on his pitching elbow.

Hill, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since June 25, was examined Friday in Pensacola, Fla., by orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Dr. Ben Shaffer, a Nationals team physician, said Andrews discovered "bony buildup" behind Hill's elbow ligament and recommended arthroscopic surgery to clean out the joint.

Before the surgery, Hill will see Dr. Tom Hunt, a hand and upper extremity specialist, at the University of Alabama-Birmingham on Wednesday. Shaffer said it is hoped the cause of the lingering forearm soreness that has plagued Hill for much of his career can be determined before the operation.

"It's a mystery. It's difficult to discern exactly what the problem is ... It doesn't appear to be anything structural," Shaffer said.

Hill was 1-5 with a 5.83 ERA in 12 starts this season.

He missed the 2005 season after having Tommy John surgery, and missed time in 2006 with soreness in his right elbow. Last season, Hill was limited to 16 starts by a shoulder injury and a compressed radial nerve in his right forearm.


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Mr. October? D-backs acquire Eckstein from Jays

Eckstein

NEW YORK -- David Eckstein has been traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Arizona Diamondbacks, giving the NL West leaders a late-season spark plug with impressive October credentials.

The 2006 World Series MVP with St. Louis, Eckstein batted .277 with a homer and 23 RBIs for Toronto. Known for his all-out hustle, the 5-foot-7 infielder also helped the Angels win the 2002 World Series.

The Diamondbacks sent minor league right-hander Chad Beck to the Blue Jays on Sunday for Eckstein, who could help replace injured second baseman Orlando Hudson in Arizona.


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Phillies, in need of left-handed bat, deal for Stairs

The Toronto Blue Jays have completed its trade of Matt Stairs to the Philadelphia Phillies, who were in need of a left-handed bat off the bench to replace the injured Geoff Jenkins.

Stairs

The trade was first reported by FoxSports.com on Friday.

"I never really had a say in it," Stairs said Friday. "They told me I was going to a contending team and that made it a little easier to accept than if I was going to a team that was out of the race. That would have been different.

"This is a good opportunity for me."

ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported the Phillies will send the Blue Jays left-handed minor league pitcher Fabio Castro in return for Stairs. He's 8-4 with a 4.71 ERA overall this season.

Stairs is expected to join the Phillies in Chicago, where they have dropped the first two games of an important four-game set against the Cubs.

"It will be a good fit for Matt," said Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi, who was in New York Friday to see Toronto in its last trip to Yankee Stadium. "They had Geoff go down and needed someone off the bench. He should be able to help them."

Jenkins was placed on the 15-day disabled list last week with a strained right hip flexor and could be out for the rest of the regular season. The Phillies have had discussions about several left-handed hitters in the past few days -- primarily Stairs, Minnesota's Mike Lamb and Atlanta's Mark Kotsay, who ended up being dealt to Boston.

Stairs, 40, has played the outfield and first base extensively in his career, but has started only 14 games in the field this year, all of them in the outfield. He has been the Blue Jays' primary DH since May this season, following the release of Frank Thomas.

He hit 21 home runs in only 357 at-bats last year, but has slumped this season, hitting just 11 homers and slugging only .394. But he is a .444 career hitter in Citizens Bank Park, with six home runs in only 27 at-bats.


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Joba throws in simulated game, says he's ready

NEW YORK -- Joba Chamberlain breezed through 35 pitches while facing batters in a simulated game Saturday, saying he's ready to rejoin the Yankees for the stretch run.

On the disabled list with rotator cuff tendinitis, Chamberlain said he threw all of his pitches.

Joba Chamberlain

Starting Pitcher
New York Yankees

Profile

2008 Season StatsGMWLBBKERA3243361042.63

"The biggest hurdle is just getting over the fact that you were out a little bit because of stuff going on in your shoulder," Chamberlain said. "You just have to be smart about your body and how it feels."

He also threw 45 pitches off a mound on Thursday and reported no lingering problems between sessions.

The 22-year-old right-hander, who was moved from the bullpen to the rotation earlier this year, said he doesn't know when he'll be activated but plans to return to relief duty.

"Wherever they need me," he said. "We're going to see how it reacts, and the way it has been is good. Hopefully I'll have an opportunity to get in there soon."

The Yankees are leaning on their bullpen as they try to keep pace with Boston for the AL wild card. Manager Joe Girardi used five relievers in the final three innings of a 2-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night, with Mariano Rivera getting the final five outs.

It was the first time all season that Rivera had been used for more than one inning on consecutive days, but Girardi said he isn't concerned about exhausting his All-Star closer or the bullpen.

"That's the way you have to manage now. If you did this in April and May, you may run the risk of burning people out," Girardi said. "But they have not been overworked. They've been good for us."

Chamberlain hasn't pitched since leaving a start Aug. 4 at Texas with discomfort in his right shoulder. He is 4-3 with a 2.63 ERA in 32 games this season, including 12 starts.

"He looked good to me," said Girardi, who only smiled when asked if Chamberlain could be ready Monday for the makeup of a rained out game at Detroit. "Obviously we'll see how he feels tomorrow and we'll discuss it.

"Pitchers always say they're ready," Girardi added.

The Yankees also hope to get Dan Giese back from his own bout with shoulder tendinitis.

The rookie right-hander, who is 1-3 with a 2.58 ERA but hasn't pitched since Aug. 13, will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday.

"I definitely believe we'll get him back," Girardi said.

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O's Cabrera starts suspension, will miss one start

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Baltimore Orioles pitcher Daniel Cabrera began serving his six-game suspension Friday for throwing at the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez after the ruling was upheld by Major League Baseball.

Cabrera

"Cabrera will throw a side-line on Wednesday, and pitch the first game of the spilt doubleheader a week from Saturday against Oakland," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said before Friday night's game against Tampa Bay.

Cabrera, 8-8 with a 5.24 ERA in 28 starts, was also fined for throwing a pitch at Rodriguez's head in the eighth inning of a game on July 29. Cabrera was ejected.

"The way I'm looking at it is, although we don't agree with it, we don't think he was intentionally throwing at anybody, we have to accept it and move on," Trembley said.

Cabrera had been scheduled to pitch Saturday. Chris Waters move up one day to replace Cabrera on Saturday. Brian Burres will get the start on Sunday.

Also, Orioles closer Chris Ray, who had elbow ligament replacement surgery on Aug 16 last year, 2007, will not join the team when rosters expand Monday. The right-hander is pitching in minor league games.

"He's done a great job," Trembley said. "He's going to have a normal winter of rest, and come to spring training and go from there. There's no purpose in him joining us for September."

Outfielder Adam Jones, on the disabled list with a foot injury, is expected to be activated Monday. He ran the bases and took batting practice on Friday.

Closer George Sherill, out with a shoulder injury, said he is scheduled to play catch Saturday and Monday and then could be ready for a bullpen or batting practice session.


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Yankees announce pricing plans for new stadium

NEW YORK -- Even seats behind the outfield fence will be costly at the new Yankee Stadium.

The front part of the area behind the outfield in right and left will cost $100 and $75 per game next year as part of season-ticket plans at the $1.3 billion ballpark.

But behind those four sections of seats, and to the rear of the bullpens closer to center field, are nine sections of bleachers priced at $12, the same as the cost this season in the final year of the 85-year-old ballpark.

The Price is Right?

The Yankees announced season ticket prices for 2009 on the team Web site Friday, the Bombers' first in the new Yankee Stadium. Here's a quick look at the top-ceiling rates for each section.

SectionPriceLegends$500-$2,500Main Suite$350-$750Terrace Suite$100-$135

The Yankees put season ticket prices on their Web site Friday along with a seat locator that shows views from each location. They also mailed relocation brochures to season-ticket holders.

Prices for the best seats were announced in March, with the Yankees charging $500-$2,500 for tickets near home plate in the first nine rows, contained in 25 sections ringing home plate. In all, the Yankees have sold more than 3,500 of approximately 4,300 premium seats on the field, main and terrace levels, chief operating officer Lonn Trost said Friday.

"Other than those 4,300 seats, which are going to subsidize everybody else, the prices are not" being raised significantly, Trost said. "And remember, 24,000-plus seats will have no price increase at all."

The Yankees said Friday the remainder of the field-seats level seats cost from $75-$325 as part of season tickets, while main-level seats go for $45-$100. The highest deck is split into two areas, with terrace seats going for $40-$65 and grandstand selling for $20 and $25.

In a sign most of the best seats will be sold as season tickets, only the least expensive category of field seats and the two least expensive levels of main seats are being made available for partial plans. The Yankees are charging $5-$10 more per seat for partial plans than they are for season tickets. Individuals game prices haven't been set.

Invoices for season tickets will be sent out starting in mid-September, and fans who decline their seats, wishing to upgrade, downgrade or switch their plan, can go in a pool for others seats. A 10 percent payment is due about two weeks after receiving an invoice.

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Red Sox get outfield help, deal for Braves' Kotsay

NEW YORK -- The Boston Red Sox acquired Mark Kotsay from Atlanta for a minor leaguer Wednesday, adding depth to their outfield one day after J.D. Drew went on the disabled list.

Kotsay hit .289 with six home runs and 37 RBIs in 88 games with the Braves. He arrived at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday before Boston's game against New York and was available off the bench.

"I figured once I cleared waivers and there wasn't really any action that I'd finish out the season in Atlanta," Kotsay told a pool reporter. "But this obviously is exciting to come to a club that's in the playoff race, and especially one like Boston that has the history of a great tradition."

Kotsay's only postseason experience came in 2006 with Oakland. The Red Sox lead the AL wild-card race and began the day 3½ games behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.

"It's very invigorating, no question," Kotsay said. "Unfortunately in Atlanta, things didn't go as well as we would have liked. I see Atlanta giving me this opportunity and we have to be thankful for that as well."

A strong defensive player, Kotsay has primarily played center field since 2001, when he joined the San Diego Padres. Before that, he was a regular in right field for Florida. He's also played 28 major league games at first base and could see time there with Boston.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said he'd have to talk to Kotsay before determining his role.

"He's going to play. He's going to help us," Francona said. "The one thing I've heard from numerous people is, if he can walk he'll play."

The 32-year-old Kotsay, like Drew, has been hampered by back pain during his career.

"I know that I've gotten messages from people all over the league that said he's everybody's all-time favorite. I know he's a real professional. I know he's excited about coming here," Francona said. "He said he'll do anything we ask to try to help us win."

Drew, an All-Star right fielder, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday because of a lower back strain.

With Drew already ailing, Braves general manager Frank Wren said Boston GM Theo Epstein called him last weekend and it took about four days to complete the deal.

"J.D.'s injury necessitated this trade," Epstein said, then praised Kotsay. "He adds a lot to our club. He's a plus defensively in center and in right. He plays first base. He has great instincts. He's really a gamer. He's the type you want up in a big spot. ... He'll help this club on the field and in the clubhouse."

Kotsay was scratched from Atlanta's starting lineup Tuesday night, raising speculation that a trade was pending. He walked as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning.

"I'd have to say it's my weirdest night as a professional in the big leagues," Kotsay said after the game. "I've never been scratched for that type of reason."

The Braves got minor league outfielder Luis Sumoza in the deal. The 20-year-old Sumoza batted .301 in 51 games for Class A Lowell of the New York-Penn League this season.

Wren said the Braves were interested in signing Sumoza a few years ago.

"So we had a lot of background on him. He has a lot of upside. That's what you strive for in a trade like this," Wren said.

Atlanta obtained Kotsay from the Athletics on Jan. 14. Coming off back surgery, he hit only .214 with one homer in 56 games for Oakland last year.

Kotsay has a .282 career batting average with 109 homers and 597 RBIs.

"He's going to be a great addition. He's one of those leader-type guys," Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett said.

To make room for Kotsay on the roster, Boston designated infielder-outfielder Joe Thurston for assignment. Thurston was called up Tuesday from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Third baseman Mike Lowell, on the disabled list with a strained muscle on his right side, hit off a tee Wednesday and said it went well.

Beckett said he still plans to pitch Friday night against the Chicago White Sox after skipping a turn in the rotation because of numbness and tingling in his right arm.

"Just day to day. We're going to keep checking. Be smart with it," Beckett said, adding that he appreciates the Red Sox being cautious with him. "We're not talking about the end of a season, we're talking about the end of a career when you're dealing with a pitcher's arm."

The right-hander, who is 11-9 with a 4.34 ERA, said his elbow has bothered him on and off this season.

"We're just dealing with it the best way we can. I don't think we can do anything different," Beckett said.

Epstein said the Red Sox will keep a close eye on Beckett this week.

"Even though he's scheduled to pitch Friday, we are evaluating on a day-to-day basis," the GM said. "The key is not to let guys play when they're in a vulnerable state."


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Pirates' signing of top prospect Alvarez on hold

PITTSBURGH -- No. 2 draft pick Pedro Alvarez refused to sign his contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the players' association filed a grievance Wednesday claiming the Aug. 15 deadline was unilaterally extended by Major League Baseball without the union's permission.

The Pirates announced early on Aug. 16 that Alvarez, a power-hitting third baseman from Vanderbilt, agreed to a minor league contract with a $6 million signing bonus. The Pirates said his agent, Scott Boras, told the team Alvarez would not report unless the deal was renegotiated. Boras claimed the agreement was reached after the midnight deadline for draft picks to sign on Aug. 15.

[+] Enlarge

John David Mercer/US Presswire

Pedro Alvarez's agent said the No. 2 draft pick would not report to the Pirates unless his contract was renegotiated.

Alvarez was placed on baseball's restricted list.

"Regrettably, we are not surprised that Mr. Boras would attempt to raise a meritless legal claim in an effort to compel us to renegotiate Pedro's contract to one more of his liking," Pirates president Frank Coonelly said in a statement, "We are, however, disappointed that Pedro would allow his agent to pursue this claim on his behalf. Pedro showed tremendous fortitude and independent thinking when he agreed to his contract on Aug. 15."

Michael Weiner, the union's general counsel, said the extension of the deadline "was done without notice to or consultation with the players' association, despite a firm deadline having been established through collective bargaining." He said the grievance was not filed on behalf of any particular player, and no decision had been made whether to seek to void the deals. The union and MLB hope to schedule a hearing by Sept. 10.

"It is the union's obligation, on behalf of all players, to defend the integrity of its collectively bargained agreements," he said.

Coonelly said the agreement between the Kansas City Royals and No. 3 draft pick Eric Hosmer was submitted to MLB after Alvarez's deal.

"Mr. Boras is apparently satisfied with the $6 million bonus that he secured for Mr. Hosmer and has not challenged the validity of that contract," Coonelly said. "Mr. Boras has been informed that if he pursues a claim that our contract with Pedro was not timely, he puts Eric Hosmer's contract with Kansas City in jeopardy."

Boras, reached by ESPN.com, said the matter was a dispute between Major League Baseball and the players' association.

"Pedro Alvarez never received a contract from the Pittsburgh Pirates," Boras told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. "We're awaiting the determination of a grievance filed by the union against the commissioner's office."

Rob Manfred, baseball's executive vice president of labor relations, called the grievance "entirely without merit."

"The deadline was extended to accept minor league contracts voluntarily entered into by the clubs and the players with the help of their agents," he said. "It is settled law that the arbitration panel has no authority to disturb such minor league contracts."

While Alvarez and Hosmer agreed to $6 million signing bonuses, No. 5 pick Buster Posey got an agreement with a $6.2 million signing bonus from the San Francisco Giants.

"It's time for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Mr. Coonelly to come clean with Pittsburgh fans regarding their dealings with Pedro Alvarez," Boras told ESPN.com.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore was surprised to see Hosmer's contract brought up.

"We agreed in the appropriate time frame and the terms were submitted in a timely matter," Moore said. "Eric Hosmer is completely satisfied with the terms of his contract and is completely satisfied with being part of this organization."

The Pirates are determined, Coonelly said, not to let the contract impasse affect their relationship with Alvarez.

"We continue to believe that in Pedro Alvarez, the person and the baseball player, and remain excited to add Pedro to our system," Coonelly said. "We will sit down with Pedro as soon as Mr. Boras' claim is rejected to chart a new and more productive start to Pedro's career with the Pittsburgh Pirates."


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Royals GM meets with Guillen over going after fan

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Royals general manager Dayton Moore said he met with Jose Guillen after the outfielder confronted a heckling fan Tuesday night.

Guillen had to be restrained by catcher Miguel Olivo, third base coach Luis Silverio and others when a fan down the right field line harassed him in the fourth inning of a 2-1 loss to the Texas Rangers.

Guillen

"It's an unfortunate situation. It really is," Moore said Wednesday. "Jose has got to remain focused to what happens on the baseball field. It is certainly inappropriate to engage in any conversation with the fans during a game. You need to ignore it and respond in a way that doesn't draw attention to yourself. We'll just continue to work with Jose about managing what he says and how he responds. It is something we continue to manage."

This is Guillen's fourth public outburst this season. He has called his teammates "babies" during a 12-game losing streak in May, made profanity-laced comments in June saying he could "care less about" fans who were booing him, and had to be separated from pitching coach Bob McClure on July 5 in a clubhouse confrontation in Tampa Bay.

"The fans have a right to act and say things as long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of the other fans," Moore said. "Hopefully, it gets to the point in a society where fans don't accept rude behavior."

Royals manager Trey Hillman said he missed Guillen's confrontation with the fan.

"I was actually in the toilet, so I didn't see it," Hillman said. "Managers do have to use the restroom and I guess I picked a bad time to be in the restroom. I found out about it a half inning later. We talked about it briefly. There's no sense on commenting on it."

The Royals said the fan was moved from his seat in right field -- Guillen started in right on Tuesday -- and placed in a seat down the left field line, but was not removed from the stadium. He said if the fan had been using profanity that they are usually warned first and then removed from the stadium if there are complaints.

"It was probably the right thing to do to avoid confrontation," Moore said.

Guillen, who at $12 million a season is the highest paid player in franchise history, entered Wednesday hitting .249, but led the club with 17 home runs and 80 RBIs.

"I understand who I am and the money that I'm making," Guillen said. "I understand that I'm hitting .250, and the fans are expecting a lot more than they're seeing. But the word he said, trust me, anybody would want to go there."

Rangers' Padilla to miss start with muscle issue

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Texas Rangers right-hander Vicente Padilla will miss his scheduled start Friday against the Los Angeles Angels with inflammation in the muscle joint between the neck and shoulder.

Padilla, who leads the Rangers with 12 victories and has a 4.98 ERA in 25 starts, couldn't throw bullpen sessions Tuesday or Wednesday.

"He's not going to make it Friday," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "This is frustrating. We want to win as many games as we possibly can."

Washington said the Rangers are not planning to put Padilla on the disabled list, instead hoping he can make his next scheduled start Sept. 3 against Seattle. Plus, rosters can expand to 40 on Monday.

Padilla was put on the disabled list in July with a stiff neck and missed an August start with the injury.

"We'll get [Dustin] Nippert prepared for Friday," Washington said

Dustin Nippert, 1-3 with a 7.83 ERA, is scheduled to take Padilla's turn. His only start among 15 appearances this season was in Padilla's place Aug. 17. He took the loss, giving up seven runs on eight hits, including two home runs, in four innings in Tampa Bay's 7-4 victory.

Nippert's longest and best outing of the year was July 7 against the Angels, when he allowed one run on four hits in seven innings of a 9-6 Texas loss. He made 10 starts earlier this season with Triple-A Oklahoma.

In another move, the Rangers announced outfielder Jason Ellison, who was designated for assignment Monday, has cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Oklahoma.


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Yastrzemski leaves hospital week after surgery

BOSTON -- Baseball Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski was released from a hospital Tuesday, one week after having triple bypass surgery.

The former Boston Red Sox outfielder had surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital after experiencing chest pains. His discharge was announced by team spokesman John Blake.

Yastrzemski, the last player to hit for the Triple Crown by leading the AL in batting average, homers and RBIs in 1967, turned 69 last Friday.

His family released a statement after the surgery saying it was "a complete success."

Yastrzemski took over for Ted Williams in left field in 1961 and spent his entire career with the Red Sox before retiring after the 1983 season.

He hit 452 home runs, drove in 1,844 runs, had 3,419 hits and batted .285. He won seven Gold Gloves and was an 18-time All-Star.

After finishing ninth in the 10-team AL in 1966, Boston finished first in 1967 before losing the World Series in seven games to St. Louis. Yastrzemski led the AL that year with a .326 average, 44 homers and 121 RBIs.


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Instant replay to begin in series starting Thursday

NEW YORK -- Replay ball!

Umpires will be allowed to check video on home run calls starting Thursday after Major League Baseball, guardian of America's most traditional sport, reversed its decades-long opposition to instant replay.

"Like everything else in life, there are times that you have to make an adjustment," baseball commissioner Bud Selig said following Tuesday's announcement. "My opposition to unlimited instant replay is still very much in play. I really think that the game has prospered for well over a century now doing things the way we did it."

The 74-year-old Selig, who described himself as "old fashioned" and an admirer of baseball's "human element," softened his opposition following a rash of blown calls this year.

For now, video will be used only on so-called "boundary calls," such as determining whether fly balls went over the fence, whether potential home runs were fair or foul and whether there was fan interference on potential home runs.

"Any time you try to change something in baseball, it's both emotional and difficult," Selig said. "There's been some concern that, well, if you start here, look what it's going to lead to. Not as long as I'm the commissioner."

Replay will go into use with three series scheduled to open Thursday: Philadelphia at the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota at Oakland and Texas at the Los Angeles Angels. For other games, replays will be available to umpires starting Friday.

Notable Dates in the
History of Instant Replay

Dec. 7, 1963: CBS shows a true instant replay of the preceding play in the Army-Navy football game, the first known use of instant replay during a televised sporting event. March 11, 1986: The NFL adopts instant replay on a limited basis. June 24, 1991: The NHL adopts instant replay and tenth-of-a-second clock in final minute. March 18, 1992: The use in officiating of a limited system of instant replay in the NFL was not approved. The vote was 17-11 in favor of approval (21 votes were required). Instant replay had been used for six consecutive years (1986-91). March 17, 1999: By a vote of 28-3, the owners adopted an instant replay system as an officiating aid for the 1999 NFL season. July 29, 2002: The NBA Board of Governors approves use of instant replay for end-of-quarter plays. March 22, 2006: The Hawk-Eye replay system is used in a professional tennis tournament for the first time, at the NASDAQ-100 Open. 2006: The NCAA enacts instant replay guidelines and makes them part of the official rules for college football. College football instant replay started in 2004, when reviews were used experimentally in the Big Ten. June 13, 2006: The CFL adopts instant replay rules similar to those used in the NFL. July 30, 2008: Little League International announces a limited system of replay for use on home run calls in the Little League World Series. Aug. 26, 2008: Major League Baseball announces a system of instant replay for boundary calls. -- Compiled by ESPN's Adam Reisinger

Cubs manager Lou Piniella wondered whether a team could challenge a call.

"I'd love to be able to throw a red hankie or a green hankie. Imagine being able to throw something on the field and not be ejected," he said. "I shouldn't say it's not going to work, but this could turn into a little bit of a fiasco initially."

The NFL first used replay to aid officials in 1986, the NHL in 1991 and the NBA in 2002. Even at stuffy old Wimbledon, technology has been used on line calls since 2006. Replay equipment to help determine calls was in place at this year's Little League World Series.

Fan interference has been a big issue in baseball, with almost constant debate since Jeffrey Maier reached over the wall and gave Derek Jeter a home run during the 1996 AL Championship Series. Many blown calls have occurred at newer ballparks, where fans are closer to the field have the ability to reach over fences.

"In this day and age, where all these ballparks are being built now where people can reach out over the outfield fence and catch balls, fan interference is becoming more and more of an issue," Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine said.

Detroit pitcher Kenny Rogers called the decision "a slap in the face of umpires that have been here for a long time" and said the decision might have been made because Alex Rodriguez lost a home run on a blown call May 21.

"It overshot the mark by far just because, what, in a Yankee game someone didn't get a homer? Please. It's happened thousands of times," Rogers said. "That's part of the game. It's the beauty of the game. Mistakes are made."

Baseball general managers voted 25-5 last November to recommend use the technology, and baseball's lawyers spent recent weeks finalizing agreements with the unions for umpires and for players.

"I find it very strange that, with 30 games to go in the season, that they would start it now. I find that very peculiar," Baltimore Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "If they wanted it so bad, what took them so long to get it going and why wait until this particular point in time?"

Baseball officials wanted to avoid having a situation in the postseason where fans with access to televisions and viewers at home knew what the correct call was but the umpires on the field did not.

"Some people thought that we ought to wait until the postseason," Selig said. "I'd rather go into the postseason knowing that we've already used it."

Video from available broadcast feeds -- not every team televises every game -- will be collected at the office of Major League Baseball Advanced Media in New York, where it will be monitored by a technician and either an umpire supervisor or a retired umpire. If the crew chief at a game decides replay needs to be checked, umpires will leave the field, technicians at MLBAM will show umpires the video and the crew chief will make the call, overturning the original decision only if there is "clear and convincing evidence."

Leaving the dugout to argue a call following a replay will result in an automatic ejection. Replays of the boundary calls will not be shown on stadium video boards, MLB executive vice president for baseball operations Jimmie Lee Solomon said.

MLB said replay delays will be offset by fewer arguments.

"So if the game is held up for a couple of minutes a couple of times a year, I think that's OK," New York Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina said. "It's certainly not going to be seen as often as it is in the NFL."

Selig would consider refinements during the offseason but boldly said he never will allow replays to be used for other calls, such as determining whether a ball was caught or trapped. The use for safe/out calls hasn't been considered.

"I believe that because of the configuration of ballparks, both new and old, that calling home runs is really much more difficult than it once was," Selig said. "I don't believe in the use of instant replay for other things."

Players generally agreed.

"I just don't want it to open up Pandora's box, with calls at home and calls at the bases and eventually behind the plate," Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria said.

The players' association agreed to replay for the balance of the season but retained the right, through Dec. 10, to ask for additional bargaining for future years. If players don't, the replay agreement will run through 2011.

Union head Donald Fehr doesn't anticipate an expansion of what calls replays can be used to determine.

"We haven't talked about that. I think that that's unlikely over the term of this agreement," he said. "What we'll obviously do is look at it after the World Series. We're hopeful that we're going to say it was great."

Umpire Gary Cederstrom said his crew had a training session Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.

"We talked to the technicians and he explained what they're going to be doing," he said. "We just basically did a dry run."


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NORMAN CALLS FOR OLYMPIC RECOGNITION

Five more minor leaguers suspended for drugs

NEW YORK -- Five more players, including four in the Dominican Summer League, were suspended Monday for testing positive for banned performance-enhancers under baseball's minor league drug program.

The suspended Dominican Summer League players included Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Aybar, Florida Marlins pitcher Alfredo Buret, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Julio Sanchez and Minnesota Twins outfielder Eliel Sierra, all penalized after testing positive for a metabolite of Boldenone.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Juan Castillo, assigned to the rookie league Gulf Coast League, tested positive for metabolites of Stanozolol.

A total of 34 minor leaguers have received 50-game bans since July 25, including 26 from the Dominican Summer League and four from the Venezuelan Summer League.


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Orioles starter Cabrera to undergo MRI on elbow

BALTIMORE -- Struggling Baltimore Orioles right-hander Daniel Cabrera will get an MRI on his pitching elbow after being examined Monday by the team orthopedist.

Cabrera

Cabrera has displayed diminished velocity on his fastball in recent starts, and was reluctant to address a possible injury after a poor performance against the New York Yankees on Sunday. An exam by Dr. John Wilckens on Monday was inconclusive.

"Dr. Wilckens doesn't seem to think there's a problem, but Daniel will have an MRI as a precautionary measure," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said Monday night after Baltimore beat Chicago 4-3 in the completion of a game suspended on April 28.

After allowing seven runs in 3 2/3 innings Sunday, Cabrera was asked if he was healthy.

"I don't have an answer for that question right now," he said. He also refused to explain why the velocity on his fastball had dropped into the low 90s.

Trembley expects Cabrera to start Saturday against Tampa Bay, pending the results of the MRI.

"I guess after he has the MRI, I'll have more to say," Trembley said.

Cabrera is 8-8 with a 5.24 ERA. He has allowed at least six earned runs in five of eight starts since the All-Star break.

"I'm not trying to diminish if there's something wrong with his arm," Trembley said, "but I think the guy is disappointed. He's upset with himself."


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Phils put Jenkins on DL with right hip flexor strain

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies placed outfielder Geoff Jenkins on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a strained right hip flexor and purchased infielder Andy Tracy's contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Jenkins

Jenkins, who has never played in the postseason, injured his hip while beating out an infield single in the third inning Friday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Philadelphia is in a tight race with the New York Mets for the NL East title.

"Yeah, I'm concerned. It's frustrating for me because I came here to be part of a winner, and like anybody else you want to be part of that," Jenkins said. "So, there's frustration there, but I'll try to do my best. I know they want me to rest a little bit before we start being aggressive as far as rehab or anything."

The 34-year-old Jenkins is hitting .246 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in 108 games. He was signed by Philadelphia as a free agent in the offseason and has spent the year platooning with Jayson Werth in right field.

"I've always been an everyday guy. I take pride in going out with the guys every day and being on the field," Jenkins said. "It's tough. I've played in a lot of games. I think there's only one other guy who's played more games without going to the postseason. I want to get there bad. Hopefully, we can get this thing healthy."

Tracy, also 34, was batting .288 with 21 homers and 84 RBIs in 120 games with the IronPigs.


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Reds starter Cueto leaves game after 3 innings

DENVER -- Cincinnati Reds starter Johnny Cueto left Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies after three innings with soreness in his right triceps tendon.

The Reds said he will be examined Monday in Cincinnati.

The 22-year-old Cueto walked three, struck out four and didn't allow a hit before leaving the game. He threw 74 pitches and allowed one unearned run.


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South Korea stuns favored Cuba for baseball gold

BEIJING -- Campeones no more. There's a new champion in Olympic baseball: the surprising, gutsy South Koreans.

South Korea captured gold and capped a perfect and improbable Olympic run with the country's biggest win yet in international baseball, a 3-2 victory over defending champion Cuba on Saturday night in the final of the Beijing Games.[+] Enlarge

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

South Korea celebrated its gold medal in baseball by throwing manager Kim Kyung-moon in the air.

Far from flashy and just plain steady all tournament long, the South Koreans (9-0) pulled off what will long be remembered as an upset in baseball's last Olympic hurrah for at least eight years.

Cuba and Japan were widely considered the favorites coming into these games, but the U.S. beat Japan 8-4 to take the bronze medal.

Reliever Chong Tae-hyon got Yuliesky Gourriel to ground into a 6-4-3 double play with the bases loaded to end it after a drama-filled ninth inning.

"Tonight we faced a good pitcher. He was really tough on the batters," said Cuba manager Antonio Pacheco. "And the last situation in the ninth inning, we were not able to execute. But that's baseball."

Lee Seung-yuop gave his team the lead on a two-run homer in the first inning and Lee Yong-kyu added an RBI double in the seventh, helping South Korea become the first unbeaten Olympic baseball champion since Cuba in 1992 and again in 1996.

Cuba (7-2), the perennial world powerhouse and lone representative from baseball-crazed Latin America in the eight-team Olympic field, dropped only two games in China -- both to the first-time gold medalists.

The Cubans loaded the bases in the ninth against South Korea starter Ryu Hyun-jin, who allowed Hector Olivera's leadoff single and walked Fredrich Cepeda one out later. Alexei Bell drew a walk and South Korean catcher Kang Min-ho vehemently argued the call before being ejected by home plate umpire Carlos Rey Cotto of Puerto Rico. Kang angrily threw his mask, a ball and then his glove into the dugout.

"I stood in the field tonight and had one goal in my mind. That was to win a gold medal," said Ryu, who beat Canada 1-0 with a complete-game five-hitter during round-robin play. "I wanted to perform well throughout the game but at the end of [the top of] the ninth inning, I felt a little bit nervous."

South Korea skipper Kim Kyung-moon then sent Chong to the mound to face Gourriel, who chopped an 0-2 pitch for a grounder to shortstop Park Jin-man. The South Koreans erupted in a pile of red and white on the mound, throwing their manager into the air before taking a victory lap around Wukesong Stadium waving small and large flags.

Cuba wanted nothing more than to leave with another Olympic title, but now must instead turn its attention toward next spring's second World Baseball Classic. The Cubans lost to Japan in the final of the inaugural event in 2006.

"The things that we lacked were, in particular, hitting," said Cuban relief pitcher Pedro Ruiz Lazo, who had to settle for the silver medal after being in the gold medal-winning teams of Cuba in 1996 and 2004 as well as a silver in 2000.


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Mets say Castillo won't return from DL just yet

NEW YORK -- The New York Mets temporarily shelved their plans to activate Luis Castillo on Saturday, giving the second baseman more time to rest his strained left hip flexor.

Castillo

At least, that's the company line.

Castillo has been out since entering the game as part of a double-switch July 2 against St. Louis. He played his last rehab game for Double-A Binghamton on Wednesday night and worked out for coaches on Friday, with the expectation that he'd be activated on Saturday.

Manager Jerry Manuel said the two met before the Mets' 8-3 loss to the Houston Astros and the three-time All-Star apparently volunteered to remain out of the lineup for a few days, partly to rest his hip and partly because the Mets have been playing awfully well without him.

New York has surged to the top of the NL East in Castillo's absence, with 38-year-old Damion Easley and rookie Argenis Reyes playing well in his place. The Mets are 1½ games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies in the division.

"We had a conversation. We brought him in and he felt if he was given a few more days he'd be much better prepared," Manuel said. "He felt the team was playing well without him and it would allow him to get things together, which I think is admirable."

When pressed later whether the decision was his own, Castillo said, "The team is playing well and I'll take a couple days. Whatever the decision we made, that's what it is."

The 32-year-old Castillo is in the first year of a $25 million, four-year contract and has had trouble recovering from arthroscopic surgery on both knees in the offseason.

Castillo's appeared in only 68 games for the Mets this season, batting .261 with three home runs and 26 RBIs. He hit just .139 during his 13-game rehab stint.

Manuel acknowledged the bizarre nature of a player effectively taking himself out of the lineup, then spent a few moments trying to recall if it had ever happened to him.

"No, they all had these egos where they think they can do anything," Manuel said. "This was a little different situation where the team was playing extremely well."

Manuel said the club won't announce a roster move until Castillo is activated in "a couple days." He said Friday that the decision would be a difficult one, and that it wouldn't necessarily be "infielder for infielder."

Should the Mets be leaning toward cutting a pitcher, making the move Saturday would have been risky with John Maine on the mound. Maine made his third start Saturday since coming off the DL with a mild strain to his right rotator cuff, allowing eight runs over five-plus innings, and a long reliever might be needed if he struggles.

Until a move is made, Castillo will continue to take batting practice and will accompany the team on its upcoming trip beginning Tuesday at Philadelphia.

"That's what it is now," Castillo said quietly, "a couple days."


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Hank Steinbrenner expects Joba to return in '08

TAMPA, Fla. -- New York Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner expects hard-throwing Joba Chamberlain to pitch again this season. Whether it's as a starter or out of the bullpen will be determined.

Chamberlain

"I don't know yet," Steinbrenner said Friday night at the Yankees' spring training complex. "It's up to [manager Joe] Girardi and [pitching coach Dave] Eiland, how they want to do it. They know what they're doing, and the doctors obviously know."

Chamberlain has been on the 15-day disabled list since Aug. 6 due to rotator cuff tendinitis in his pitching shoulder. He is scheduled for his first bullpen session this weekend since leaving his start on Aug. 4 against Texas with shoulder stiffness.

"Whatever is best, not just for now but for his future, is what we'll do," Steinbrenner said. "We'll just have to see."

The 22-year old Chamberlain was moved from the bullpen to the rotation earlier this season. He is 4-3 with a 2.63 ERA in 32 games, including 12 starts.

His injury was another blow to New York's depleted pitching staff. The team is also without No. 1 starter Chien-Ming Wang and right-hander Phil Hughes.

Steinbrenner will be at the Yankees' three-game home series with Boston that begins Tuesday night. His brother Hal, a team co-chairman, is also expected to be at Yankee Stadium for the matchup with the Red Sox.


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Brewers' Braun returns to lineup despite bad back

MILWAUKEE -- Brewers All-Star Ryan Braun returned to the starting lineup Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates as he continues to deal with a nagging, tight back.

While the team said the back problems haven't been severe enough to put Braun on the 15-day disabled list, the All-Star slugger didn't start nine of the previous 11 games.

Braun

"It's good. It's just nice to be back in there," Braun said before the game. He said he has just been resting in the days leading up to his return to the lineup.

Braun, with a team-best 31 homers and 86 RBIs to go along with a .300 average, has described the pain as muscles tightening on both sides of his rib cage that affected his ability to breathe. But Brewers manager Ned Yost declined to call it an injury.

"I don't even know what you'd call it," Yost said. "I don't classify it as an injury, something that needs to be healed. It was tightness in both sides of his ribs. It wasn't a strain, it wasn't that he pulled anything, it was something almost like a spasm in both sides of his ribs that needed to unspasm."

Braun left Monday's game against Houston in the sixth inning when the injury flared up during an at-bat, walking gingerly back to the dugout.

Initially, it wasn't believed that Braun would return so quickly to the lineup because Milwaukee had Thursday off before playing the lowly Pirates in a three-game series, followed by another off day on Monday leading into a two-game trip at St. Louis. The Cardinals are 2½ games behind Milwaukee in the NL wild card race coming into Friday's play.

"I told him to make sure when he was ready to play, ready to play nine [innings], come see me. He's ready to go," Yost said. "It's not an issue."

Braun pinch hit Saturday and returned to the lineup Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He batted four times against the Astros on Monday, striking out twice.

Yost said Braun was ready to return Wednesday, but he elected to give him two extra days rest.

Braun, who joined Albert Pujols as the only two sluggers to hit at least 30 homers in each of their first two seasons, has said he's not sure the feeling will go away completely until after the season.


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Cardinals pitcher Lohse suspended 5 games, fined

ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals pitcher Kyle Lohse was suspended five games Wednesday for throwing a fastball past the head of Cincinnati pitcher Edinson Volquez last weekend.

Lohse appealed the penalty, and can continue to play until a hearing is held. Asked about the suspension, he called the ruling "pretty weak."

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said he had not been expecting a suspension.

"The other guy threw two balls at guys' heads," La Russa said. "I don't know, I'm just shocked."

Major League Baseball disciplinarian Bob Watson also fined Lohse an undisclosed amount.

St. Louis is second in the NL wild card race. The Cardinals played Pittsburgh at home on Wednesday night.

Trouble between Lohse and Volquez started in the fifth inning of the Reds' 7-3 win Sunday at Cincinnati.

Lohse batted in the top half with two runners on base, and Volquez threw up-and-in to the Cardinals pitcher. Volquez led the bottom half and Lohse's first pitch was high-and-tight, leading plate umpire Greg Gibson to warn both teams.

"Same spot," Lohse said after the game. "Wasn't trying to hit him, though."


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Nats get SS Hernandez from Mets to finalize trade

PHILADELPHIA -- The Washington Nationals acquired shortstop Anderson Hernandez from New York on Wednesday, completing Sunday's trade that sent right-hander Luis Ayala to the Mets.

The slick-fielding Hernandez has a .138 career average in 87 big league at-bats. The 25-year-old switch hitter was batting .203 with five homers and 36 RBIs in 125 games this year at Triple-A New Orleans.


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Royals sign free agent Kip Wells to bolster bullpen

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kip Wells, who started on Opening Day for Colorado before getting demoted and later cut, signed Tuesday with the Kansas City Royals.

The 31-year-old free agent was designated for assignment by the Rockies on Aug. 10. He is 1-2 with a 5.27 ERA in 15 appearances -- he was 1-1 with a 3.32 ERA as a reliever, which is how the Royals expect to use him the righty.

Wells joined the Royals for their game in Cleveland on Tuesday night. This is his sixth major league team in a 10-year career.

"Obviously, I'm excited to get back on the field," he said.

It's been a trying season for Wells, who has had to deal with issues on and off the field.

Wells had surgery to remove blood clots in his pitching hand on May 6. He returned from the 60-day disabled list on July 21 and made his second start of the season that night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, getting only one out while giving up eight runs in the Rockies' 16-10 loss.

Wells also had a blocked artery in his right arm in 2006, which had to be replaced by a vein taken from his leg.

Last April, Wells' daughter, Georgia, had a cancerous tumor removed from her spine when she was 11 months old. Wells' wife, Emily, gave birth to son Deacon on Aug. 14.

Wells was thankful he's been able to be with his family at their home in Houston for most of the season.

"It was kind of a blessing I was injured the way I was because it gave me time to address that," Wells said. "Then I got put on waivers so I had a chance to get home for my son's birth."

Royals manager Trey Hillman said Wells will be used in both long and short relief.

Left-hander Josh Newman was optioned to Triple-A Omaha. He allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings (three appearances) after being called up from Omaha on Aug. 10.


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MLB umpires sit out conference call on replays

NEW YORK -- Umpires want baseball to take another look at instant replay.

Umps said their governing board voted Tuesday to boycott a conference call with management intended to discuss implementing replay, angry that their concerns aren't being addressed.

Major League Baseball responded by saying it canceled the Wednesday call because it doesn't have a replay agreement with the union.

"A lot of the procedural issues necessary for instant replay to be implemented need to be worked out," World Umpires Association spokesman Lamell McMorris said. "Major League Baseball needs to step up to the plate and iron out these issues."

Umpires say they're unhappy that replay equipment is being installed away from the field in nearly all major league ballparks and say MLB wants to limit the number of umpires allowed to review replay monitors.

They also aren't pleased that MLB wants them to discuss the replays with umpire supervisors in New York before making a decision on whether to reverse a call. They claim MLB may not be able to provide replays for some rescheduled games.

"I'm not going to go through these one by one. I will tell you that on a number of them, the comments are simply not accurate," said Rob Manfred, MLB's executive vice president for labor relations. "For example, we've had an understanding with the WUA for some time that the crew chief and the crew chief only would be the one responsible for reviewing the video and making the decision on instant replay.

"There are other issues that remain to be worked out. It is my general policy that I don't comment when I'm trying to bargain but I remain confident that we're gong to be able to make a deal."

Baseball has started installing equipment in ballparks, hoping to get a replay system up and running this month. It would be used for boundary calls, such as determining whether balls cleared fences for home runs and whether potential homers near foul poles were fair.

McMorris said that other than at Chase Field in Phoenix, the equipment will cause umpires to leave the field.

"Thus, there will be a lack of transparency and obviousness for the public as to what is going on when instant replay is under way," he said.

McMorris said the procedures and limitations were proposed by Jimmie Lee Solomon, MLB's executive vice president for baseball operations.

"There may be situations where the umpires will have to leave the field in shifts so that everyone can view the video while leaving the requisite number of umpires on the field," McMorris said. "This could create a 'Laurel and Hardy' effect, and may cause delay-of-game problems."

McMorris said Solomon wants some umpires to remain on the field because "he doesn't trust the teams to behave themselves in their absence." McMorris also said MLB hasn't thought about where to place batters and runners after a changed call, or how crew chiefs will communicate decisions to the teams, official scorer, media and fans.

McMorris maintained Solomon originally wanted only an umpire supervisor to review replays, but that umpires objected and said they wanted to see the video for themselves. In addition, McMorris said MLB hasn't figured out how to secure the cabinets where the equipment is stored, claiming that in some ballparks the location is in public areas.

"The umpires raised concerns and brought potential problems to Solomon's attention at least six weeks ago," McMorris said.

Solomon did not return a call seeking comment and was en route to Beijing, MLB spokesman Rich Levin said.

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Hurricane threatens Angels-Rays game Tuesday

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- With Tropical Storm Fay strengthening, Tampa Bay Rays officials were meeting Monday to decide the status of Tuesday's game with the Los Angeles Angels.

Fay, which could gain momentum to reach hurricane force, is expected to make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast on Tuesday. The Rays and Angels are scheduled to play at 7:10 p.m.

Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said before Monday night's game with the Rays that the Angels were planning to remain in their Florida hotel and not leave the area. Should Tuesday's game be postponed, Scioscia said a doubleheader might be played Wednesday.


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Twins' Casilla (thumb) to start rehab assignment

Casilla

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins will send second baseman Alexi Casilla on a rehab assignment Monday, and he could be back with the team for the beginning of a 14-game road trip later in the week.

Casilla has been out since he tore a ligament in his right thumb on July 28, and he was initially resigned to having season-ending surgery. He has recovered quickly, however. After playing two games with Class A Beloit, he will rejoin the Twins if all goes well.

"He's feeling great. He seems to think that this is going to be all he needs," manager Ron Gardenhire said before Sunday's game against Seattle.

After starting the season in the minors, Casilla was called up as an injury fill-in in May and within two weeks took over as a fixture in the second spot in the lineup. He was batting .313 with 38 runs, 15 doubles, four homers and 39 RBIs with a .351 on-base percentage in 243 at-bats before he got hurt.

The Twins went 38-25 from the day Casilla become the regular second baseman until the injury. Gardenhire said when Casilla returns Nick Punto will probably play more at shortstop and share time there with Adam Everett.


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Girardi: Yanks' Matsui on track to return Tuesday

NEW YORK -- Injured slugger Hideki Matsui is back with the New York Yankees and is likely to be activated Tuesday, when the club begins a six-game trip at Toronto.

Matsui

Matsui had 15 at-bats during a simulated game at the Yankees' spring training complex in Tampa, Fla. on Sunday, facing left- and right-handed pitching. Manager Joe Girardi said the balky left knee that has derailed the rehab process several times seems to be holding up.

"Every time he would get to bat, it would just blow up, but it hasn't this time," Girardi said. "So far the knee is good and we'll make a decision tomorrow," when the team has a day off.

Out since June 27, Matsui homered Friday night for his only hit in a doubleheader for Class A Tampa. He went 1-for-3, including a line drive single to right, and a walk in his third rehab game for Tampa on Saturday night.

"I'm very happy, definitely happy, and the only thing left is do whatever I can to help the team," Matsui said through a translator after his simulated game on Sunday. "I'll just have to try and see what happens, but I'm sure I'll be able to help the team."

Matsui is batting .323 with seven homers and 34 RBIs in 69 games this season. He decided not to have surgery last month in an attempt to rejoin the team this season.

"I had some doubts as far as the surgery, but as far as making the decision to try and make it back, I had no doubts," Matsui said. "I believe in myself, and I had no doubts."

Girardi also said he's keeping an eye on right-hander Phil Hughes, who is slated to start Sunday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and right-hander Carl Pavano, who will pitch for Double-A Trenton.

One of them will likely pitch at Baltimore this week, when the Yankees need a fifth starter.

The Yankees began the day 9½ games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East, and six games back of the Boston Red Sox for the wild card.


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Rays OF Upton benched again for lack of hustle

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Tampa Bay Rays center fielder B.J. Upton was benched for the second time in less than two weeks for failing to run hard on a double-play grounder in the sixth inning of Friday night's 7-0 victory over the Rangers.

Rays manager Joe Maddon punished Upton by keeping him out of the lineup Saturday night against Texas. On Friday night, Maddon removed Upton from the game in the bottom of the sixth after he was easily doubled-up on a one-out grounder.

Upton said after the game that he thought there were two outs, adding that he was "stunned" to be yanked in the middle of an inning for the AL East-leading Rays.

Maddon met with Upton on Saturday, and Upton apologized during the meeting, later telling reporters he had "disappointed" Maddon.

Maddon accepted the apology but told the media prior to the game Saturday night that he was still considering further punishment for Upton.

"I'm not angry, it's more about disappointment," Maddon said. "I like the guy a lot. B.J. is a wonderful young man who's going to be a superstar in this league. He's a big part of our organization now and in the future. But you have to draw the line at some point. He listened to me, I listened to him, and we'll move along. We're just looking for a continuous effort."

It wasn't the first time Upton has been disciplined for not hustling. On Aug. 6, Upton was benched against Cleveland for failing to run out a grounder the previous night.

Entering Saturday night, Upton was hitting .264 with seven homers, 54 RBIs and a team-best 36 stolen bases.

Maddon was unsure whether Upton would be back in the lineup Sunday night against Texas.

Ben Zobrist made his second start of the season in center field for the Rays on Saturday night.


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A's third baseman Chavez has shoulder surgery

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Oakland Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez had surgery Wednesday to repair damage in his right shoulder and will be out for at least six months.

The 2½-hour surgery was performed by Dr. John Frazier and Dr. Thomas Peatman at the San Rampon Surgery Center.

"It went extremely well," A's head trainer Steve Sayles said. "The doctors feel he will do well following surgery."

Chavez has been limited to 113 games the past two years due to various injuries. The six-time Gold Glove winner will not throw a ball for about 5 months.

"He's a huge part of our team," Oakland manager Bob Geren said. "You see how much our offense has missed him."

The A's also placed outfielder Ryan Sweeney on the 15-day disabled list before Wednesday night's game against Tampa Bay with a sprained right thumb.

Sweeney, among AL rookie leaders in stolen bases and batting average, injured his thumb making a diving catch in right field that helped preserve the A's 2-1 victory over the Rays on Tuesday night.

"He's been one of our best baserunners, defensive players and offensive players," A's manager Bob Geren said. "It's a big blow. Hopefully it will be no more than a couple of weeks."

Sweeney is hitting .287 with four home runs and 37 RBIs. He's yet to make an error in 114 career games.

The A's recalled outfielder Eric Patterson, part of the trade that sent Rich Harden to the Chicago Cubs, to replace Sweeney.


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Rays' Crawford opts for surgery on injured hand

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford will undergo surgery on his right hand Thursday and will be sidelined at least until the final series of the regular season -- maybe longer.

Crawford

Crawford, a two-time All-Star and four-time AL stolen base champion, was injured on his final at-bat Saturday in Seattle. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday and was joined there the following day by rookie All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria.

Crawford has a problem with his right middle finger and will be sidelined six to eight weeks. However, Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman remains hopeful that the left fielder is not done for the year.

Six weeks from Thursday is Sept. 25, the day the AL East-leading Rays begin the final series of the regular season at Detroit.

"If every single thing went extremely well I'd say that there is a chance he could play in a regular-season game," Friedman told reporters Tuesday in Oakland, Calif., where the Rays are in the middle of a 10-game trip. "There's just such a small window that I wouldn't say it's likely, but there is definitely a chance."

Crawford is batting .273 with eight homers, 57 RBIs and 25 steals.

Longoria, hitting .278 with a Rays rookie-record 22 homers and 71 RBIs, will be out a minimum of two weeks with a broken right wrist sustained when he was hit by a pitch in Seattle.


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Citi Field prices dwarf new Yankee Stadium tickets

NEW YORK -- Here's what qualifies as a bargain in New York - $495 for a seat at a ballgame. Hoping the price is right, the New York Mets set that figure as the average cost for the best seats next year during Citi Field's first season. While that's a 79 percent increase over this year, it's a small fraction of the $2,500 for the top tickets at the new Yankee Stadium.

"We have different customer bases and fan bases," Mets executive vice president Dave Howard said. "We set our price where we think it was fair given all considerations of the various issues."

The Mets appeared to make a conscious effort to price themselves lower than the Yankees.

"Whatever works for them, I'm happy for them," Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost said. "We do what we think is appropriate. In order to have 47,000 affordable seats, we had to have 4,500 expensive seats."

The priciest tickets at Citi Field are the 76 Sterling Club Platinum seats behind the plate, which include food and nonalcoholic drinks. The price is up from $276 for the comparable seats at Shea Stadium this year, a 73-seat section called Home Plate Club Gold. All of the most expensive tickets for next year have been sold.

Citi Field, scheduled to open in April along with the new Yankee Stadium, has 42,500 seats, down from 57,365 at Shea Stadium. But there will be about 39 ticket prices, an increase from the current 29.

Prices for tickets behind the dugouts at $800 million Citi Field average $375 for the first two rows, with the best seats in the house at $495.

The average price is $225 for rows three-to-six, $175 for rows seven-to-12 and $150 for rows 13-to-31.

A little farther out in the lower deck, the field seats average $125 to $225.

At the $1.3 billion new Yankee Stadium, which seats 52,325, the 1,800 Legends Field Suite seats in 25 sections ringing home plate go for $500 to $2,500, up from $250 to $1,000 for the comparable tickets this year. There also will be 1,200 Main Level Outdoor Suite seats in nine sections behind the plate at $350 to more than $500, and 1,300 Terrace Level Outdoor Suite seats in nine sections behind the plate, which sold out at $100 to $135.

The Yankees have not announced prices for the seats near the outfield but say they will keep the lowest-priced reserved seats in the top deck at $20 and $25 and bleachers at $12. Trost said 25,000 seats will not have an increase and that a complete price list will be released this month.

Reserved seats in the upper deck at Citi Field, called the Promenade, will average $19.

Howard said the Mets have talked to about 3,000 season ticket holders about relocation and hope to speak with about 3,000 more by the end of next month. The Mets are requiring 10 percent deposits for next year.

"We weren't looking to extract the last dollar," Howard said. "We were trying to produce revenue that would support our expenses and our debt service but also balance that against the realities that tickets were going to be going up for our customers. We were going to deliver qualitatively a far, far higher product for them."

While the Yankees have the same prices for all games, the Mets have five sets of prices, depending on the opponent, the month and the day of the week. An April midweek night game costs less than half the price of weekend games against a popular rival.

The Mets have sold 48 of 49 available luxury suites for next season at $275,000 to $500,000, with some purchased for up to 10 years.

Trost said the Yankees have lease commitments for 44 of 51 suites priced at $600,000 to $850,000, and are sold out at the $650,000 and $850,000 levels.

The Yankees already had the third-highest average ticket price in the major leagues this season at $41.40, according to the Team Marketing Report, trailing the World Series champion Boston Red Sox ($48.80) and Chicago Cubs ($42.49). The Mets were fourth at $34.05, well above the major league average of $25.40.


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Three more minor leaguers get drug suspensions

NEW YORK -- Kansas City minor leaguer Victor Jorge and two players in the Arizona organization were suspended for 50 games each Tuesday after testing positive under baseball's minor league drug program.

Jorge, a 21-year-old righty, is 0-2 with an 8.54 ERA for Burlington of the rookie Appalachian League. He tested positive for metabolites of Stanozolol.

The Diamondbacks' Winfild De La Rosa and Ramon Mariano, who play in the Dominican Summer League, tested positive for a metabolite of Boldenone. De La Rosa is a pitcher and Mariano is a first baseman.

A total of 23 minor leaguers have received 50-game penalties since July 25, and all but two tested positive in the Dominican and Venezuelan summer leagues. Prior to this year, baseball didn't announce suspensions in those two leagues because of legal issues.


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Caray remembered at Atlanta memorial service

ATLANTA -- Skip Caray, the voice of the Braves for more than three decades, was remembered Monday for simple contributions like cracking jokes to players in the clubhouse and his cries of "Braves win!" during the 1995 World Series.

Friends, colleagues and Braves players remembered the broadcaster at a two-hour memorial service at an Atlanta church. Caray, who came from a dynasty of baseball commentators -- including his father, Hall of Famer Harry Caray -- died Aug. 3 at his home. He is survived by his wife and four children.

At the opening of the service, which included a Catholic Mass, a priest offered Caray's own take on his eulogy.

"Caray is coming home ... can he make it?" Msgr. Tom Kenny quipped. "He slides. He's safe. Listen to the crowd!"

Pitcher John Smoltz, Braves general manager John Scheurholz and announcer Pete Van Wieren, who worked alongside Caray for 33 years, were among more than 400 who attended. Current Braves players Jeff Francoeur, Chipper Jones and Brian McCann served as pallbearers; Terry Pendleton, Otis Nixon, Tom Glavine and Brian Jordan were among players past and present in the pews.

Van Wieren said his partnership with Caray extended beyond the broadcast booth to parties, dinners, card games and, of course, a drink or two after the game. He remembered his friend as a "true original."

"His ability to capture the moment was second to none," said Van Wieren, who estimated the pair called more than 5,000 games together.

"It never got old," Van Wieren said. "Win or lose, we had a great time every day."

Caray and Van Wieren began broadcasting Braves games with Ernie Johnson Sr. in 1976. Caray's sarcastic wit made him a popular lead voice of the broadcast team, and his fame grew as TBS carried Braves games to a national audience for 30 years.

Johnson recalled that Caray didn't like long games or for fans to call in during his radio talk show. At times, the service was more like a roast, with even Caray's doctor, Charlie Wickliffe, chiming in.

"He loved jokes," Wickliffe recalled. "The raunchier, the better."

But Wickliffe also recalled the softer side of Caray, who continued to work in the booth until his death.

"His generous, wonderful heart just gave out," he said.

Schuerholz called Caray a "remarkable talent and a unique wit who had an unbridled joy for the Atlanta Braves."

"His impact on the Braves can be characterized so simply: Braves win! Braves win! Braves win!" Schuerholz said, borrowing from one of Caray's most memorable phrases, which he exclaimed with regularity as the team won 14 consecutive division titles beginning in 1991 and the 1995 World Series.

Smoltz heard Caray announce Braves games for years on TBS before he was traded to the organization in 1987 and met Caray in person.

"He really loved the Atlanta Braves," the pitcher said, recalling that even as Caray's health failed, he would still make his way down to the team to say hello and crack a joke. "As players, we were truly blessed."


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Stewart's second stint with Jays ends with release

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays released outfielder Shannon Stewart on Monday, bringing his second stint with Toronto to a disappointing finish.

Shannon Stewart

Left Field
Toronto Blue Jays

Profile

2008 Season StatsGMHRRBIROBPAVG5211414.325.240

Signed as a free agent during spring training, Stewart hit .240 with one homer and 14 RBIs in 52 games this season.

The 34-year-old Stewart sprained his right ankle when he stumbled over first base while running out a grounder June 7 against the Baltimore Orioles. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list the following day and has not played since.

"Hopefully, he will come up with a job somewhere else next year," manager Cito Gaston said. "You're always trying to keep your best players and he hasn't played in two months and so I'm not sure how much he could do here. There's really not a spot for him to play right now."

Stewart played in eight games on a rehab assignment with Class A Dunedin before his release, collecting six hits in 22 at-bats.

A first-round pick by Toronto in 1992, Stewart played for the Blue Jays from 1995 until 2003, when he was traded to Minnesota for outfielder Bobby Kielty. He remained with the Twins until the end of the 2006 season, when he signed with the Oakland Athletics.

Stewart owns a career average of .297 with 115 home runs and 580 RBIs.

"In the grand scheme of things, it's probably the best thing for him and for us," assistant general manager Bart Given said.


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Rockies activate Hernandez for start against Pads

DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies activated right-hander Livan Hernandez to start Sunday's series finale against the San Diego Padres.

Hernandez lasted 2 2/3 innings and took the loos after giving up nine runs on seven hits and four walks.

Hernandez, who was claimed off waivers from Minnesota on Wednesday, was 10-8 with the Twins before being designated for assignment on Aug. 1. He has a 5.48 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 139 2/3 innings this season.

The Rockies designated reliever Kip Wells, who has missed a large part of the season after having a blood clot removed from his right hand, for assignment.

Wells returned from the 60-day disabled list on July 21 and made his second start of the season that night against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He lasted 1/3 of an inning, giving up eight runs, seven earned, and seven hits in Colorado's 16-10 loss.

The Rockies also transferred first baseman Todd Helton to the 60-day disabled list, more than a month after the slugger was put on the 15-day disabled list.

The last time Helton played was July 2 against San Diego, two days before he was first put on the disabled list with a strained lower back.


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D-backs acquire slugger Dunn for three players

The Arizona Diamondbacks added a big bat Monday in their attempt to hold off the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West race.

Dunn

Arizona acquired Cincinnati Reds outfielder Adam Dunn, who is tied for the major league lead with 32 home runs, for three prospects.

The trade was first reported by KTAR Radio in Phoenix.

In exchange for Dunn, Cincinnati will receive minor league pitcher Dallas Buck and two other players to be named later.

Buck got a call from D-backs farm director A.J. Hinch, telling him he had been traded for Dunn. Buck, who was traveling with the Single-A Visalia Oaks, was already on the bus to San Jose, Calif., when Hinch called him. He had to tell teammates of the trade en route.

"It was kind of funny," Buck said, "because I was rumored to be in a deal for [Mark] Teixeira, so when I just told them they all thought I was messing with them."

Buck was drafted by Arizona in the third round of the 2006 draft. Once a top-notch prospect, Buck's draft status fell after an elbow injury revealed on the eve of the '06 draft bumped him out of a likely first-round slot. He had Tommy John surgery last summer and had begun pitching in Single-A this summer.

Dunn is tied with the Phillies' Ryan Howard for the NL lead with his 32 homers. The White Sox's Carlos Quentin also has 32 home runs.

The Diamondbacks lead the Dodgers by 1½ games in the NL West standings.


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Wagner among Mets on mend for race in NL East

NEW YORK -- There were indications Saturday the banged-up Mets are on the road to recovery.

Wagner

Church

Maine

The Mets, who entered Saturday night's game against Florida a half-game ahead of the Marlins, stood a game back of the Philadelphia Phillies in the tightly bunched NL East.

But ailing closer Billy Wagner, working his way back from a strained left forearm, played catch before the game.

Outfielder Ryan Church (concussions) took batting practice and was scheduled to leave for the Mets' training complex in Florida to begin a rehab stint next week.

And John Maine said he was feeling OK after throwing 61 pitches in a simulated game on Friday.

"The doctors have been very impressed," Church said, according to Newsday. "I haven't had headaches, haven't been sluggish and haven't been feeling tired."

Maine is coming back from a mild strain in his right rotator cuff and plans to start Wednesday at Washington.

"I felt fine," Maine said Friday. "Ready to go on Wednesday. I felt no pain, no soreness. Throw my bullpen on Sunday and get ready to go on Wednesday."

To help fill the void, the Mets purchased the contract of Brian Stokes from Triple-A New Orleans to make the start Saturday night.

It was to be the first big-league appearance this year for the right-hander, who was beaten out by Joe Smith for a bullpen spot in spring training.

Stokes went 10-8 with a 4.41 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) at New Orleans, and was 2-7 with a 7.07 ERA in 59 relief appearances for the Tampa Bay Rays last season.

The club optioned right-hander Ruddy Lugo to Triple-A to make room on the roster.


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