Aug. 10, 2004

News briefs: Ex-hockey player Glavine loses teeth in crash

SportsLine.com wire reports

NEW YORK -- New York Mets pitcher Tom Glavine was cut in his mouth during an automobile accident Tuesday while going from LaGuardia Airport to nearby Shea Stadium in a taxi cab.

The accident occurred at about 2:15 p.m. ET, Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said.

Glavine was leaving LaGuardia Airport in a taxi that collided with a SUV, Port Authority spokesman Tony Ciavolella said. Port Authority police responded and noticed that Glavine was conscious and alert but sustained cuts to the mouth, and the pitcher was taken to NYU Medical Center, Ciavolella said.

The driver of the taxi, a 54-year-old male from Brooklyn, and the other vehicle, a 40-year-old from New Jersey, were both males and were both uninjured, Ciavolella said. Their names were not immediately available, and no summonses were issued, Ciavolella said.

Horwitz said Glavine's injuries were not life-threatening. Full story

Mariners closer's season probably over

SEATTLE -- Mariners closer Eddie Guardado has a torn rotator cuff in his pitching shoulder that probably will require season-ending surgery.

The veteran left-hander is expected to miss eight to 12 months, the Mariners said.

The diagnosis was made by Dr. Larry Pedegana, the team's medical director. Guardado, 33, will seek a second opinion before he has an operation. He plans to be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Anaheim Angels' team doctor, next Monday.

"It's a sad day for me," Guardado said. "I think I did enough crying all day today. Nobody wants to go under the knife. But I'll be back, I'll be back definitely."

Bonds will map out future in winter

PITTSBURGH -- Barry Bonds plans to map out his baseball future this winter, and the San Francisco slugger said he still wants to finish his career with the Giants.

The 40-year-old Bonds entered Tuesday night's game in Pittsburgh with 687 home runs, third on the career list behind Babe Ruth (714) and Hank Aaron (755). Bonds said his plans will depend on his family and the Giants.

"I've got to talk to my family. It just depends on my family," Bonds said. "Probably that's a good chance (I'll play through 2006). But this offseason is when I'm really going to sit down and figure out what is best. This winter is going to determine a lot of what I'm going to do in the future."

Bonds wouldn't say what other factors he will weigh in making future plans. It is believed he wants the Giants to guarantee his contract for the 2006 season, worth $18 million. It can be voided by the team if he has fewer than 400 plate appearances next season.

Yanks' Vazquez out with pink eye

ARLINGTON, Texas -- New York Yankees pitcher Javier Vazquez will miss his scheduled start Wednesday night against the Texas Rangers because of pink eye.

The right-hander has been bothered by pink eye for nearly a week. He remained in New York and could rejoin the team for its series next week in Minnesota.

"It's just something that hasn't gone away," manager Joe Torre said. "He's feeling better, but he's frustrated by being shut down because he wants to pitch."

Right-hander Tanyon Sturtze will start in Vazquez's place.

Millwood isn't nearing return yet

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Kevin Millwood is out indefinitely because of a sprained ligament and a strained tendon in his pitching elbow.

Millwood, who was placed on the disabled list last week, won't throw for at least three or four weeks. An ultrasound on Millwood's elbow showed no gaping in the joint, but it's uncertain if he'll return this season.

Millwood, in his second season with the Phillies, is 9-6 with a 4.86 ERA. He's pitching on a one-year, $11 million contract after turning down a three-year offer worth about $30 million last winter.

Also, left-hander Eric Milton received an injection in the base of the pinkie finger on his right hand, but won't miss a start.

Slow Mets coach gets quick reprieve

NEW YORK -- Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson was suspended for the opener against Houston for violating baseball's slow pace policy, then was reinstated before the penalty took effect.

"The whole thing has been rescinded," Bob Watson, vice president of on-field operations in the commissioner's office, said without elaborating.

Earlier in the day, Peterson was suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount for a run-in with plate umpire Tony Randazzo last Wednesday at Montreal.

Peterson had gone to the mound to talk to reliever Tyler Yates after a walk. The coach later said he did not think Randazzo gave him enough time to talk to Yates, and an argument ensued and Peterson was ejected.

Doctors clear Giambi for workouts

TAMPA, Fla. -- A smiling and upbeat Jason Giambi arrived at the New York Yankees' spring training complex to start working himself back into playing shape after being diagnosed with a benign tumor.

"Definitely, I'm feeling better," Giambi said when departing the complex.

Wearing sweat pants and a white T-shirt, Giambi said he would talk about his situation Wednesday afternoon at a news conference.

"Jason Giambi has been cleared to resume baseball activities immediately," Yankees physician Dr. Stuart Hershon said after consulting with doctors at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.

Astros have to put Oliver on DL

NEW YORK -- The Houston Astros put left-hander Darren Oliver on the 15-day disabled list because of shoulder trouble and sent righty Tim Redding to Triple-A New Orleans after a loss to the New York Mets.

Oliver was forced to come out of last Thursday's start against Atlanta after a 12-pitch first inning because of tightness in his shoulder. This is the fourth time in his career that he has gone on the DL with shoulder problems.

Oliver was acquired from Florida on July 22. He did not allow an earned run in five games for the Astros.

Redding was demoted after giving up three runs in 1 1/3 innings to the Mets in relief. He is 4-7 with a 5.73 ERA.

Tigers' Vina officially out for season

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Tigers second baseman Fernando Vina will not play again this season because of a partial tendon tear in his left knee.

Vina has been on the disabled list since May 12 with the knee problem and an injured right hamstring.

Vina saw Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Anaheim Angels' team doctor. There hasn't been a decision on whether Vina will have surgery on the knee.

"This really beats you up mentally because you don't know what's ahead," he said before Detroit played the Oakland Athletics.

Cards' Carpenter has to leave start

MIAMI -- St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Chris Carpenter left the game at Florida in the third inning because of tightness in his lower back.

With one out, Carpenter gave up a walk and a single and had a 1-0 count on Mike Lowell when the Cardinals' trainer went to the mound. Carpenter consulted with him, then departed. He threw 55 pitches and trailed 1-0.

The outing was Carpenter's shortest this season. The right-hander came into the game with a 12-4 record and 3.73 ERA in 21 starts.

Carpenter has been frequently injured and missed the 2003 season following shoulder surgery.

Padilla, Lidle added to Phillies roster

PHILADELPHIA -- Right-hander Vicente Padilla came off the disabled list to make his first start for the Philadelphia Phillies since being sidelined with elbow tendinitis in May.

Right-hander Cory Lidle, acquired in a trade with Cincinnati on Monday, also was added to the roster. Geoff Geary was sent to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre and Paul Abbott was designated for assignment to make room on the roster.

A former All-Star, Padilla was 4-5 with a 4.07 ERA in 10 starts, before going on the DL. Lidle was 7-10 with a 5.32 ERA in 24 starts for the Reds. He is tied for second in the NL with three complete games, and he led the Reds with 149 innings pitched.

Geary had a 7.12 ERA in 21 games with the Phillies. Abbott was 1-6 with a 6.24 ERA in 10 starts for Philadelphia after being released by Tampa Bay. The Phillies have 10 days to trade Abbott, send him outright to the minor leagues or place him on waivers for the purpose of his unconditional release.

Royals' Berroa demoted to Double-A

CHICAGO -- The Kansas City Royals sent struggling AL Rookie of the Year Angel Berroa to Double-A Wichita.

Berroa, who signed a four-year, $11 million contract in May, was batting just .249 with five home runs and 30 RBI. Last year, the shortstop hit .287 with 17 homers and 73 RBI in his first full season on a big league roster.

The Royals called up Wichita shortstop Andres Blanco to fill Berroa's roster spot, Royals general manager Allard Baird said.

In 80 games for Wichita, the 20-year-old Blanco hit .244 with 21 RBI. He is the second-youngest player in the major leagues, behind Tampa Bay shortstop B.J. Upton.

Rockies get Kennedy back for start

PHILADELPHIA -- Left-hander Joe Kennedy came off the disabled list to make his first start for the Colorado Rockies since being sidelined with a shoulder injury last month.

The Rockies also placed backup catcher Todd Greene on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Travis Driskill was designated for assignment to make room for Kennedy. J.D. Closser was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs to take Greene's spot on the roster.

Greene left Saturday's game against the Reds after getting injured. He was hitting .271 with nine homers and 31 RBI in 155 at-bats. Kennedy was 5-4 with a 3.95 ERA in 17 starts before going on the DL.

Driskill had a 6.48 ERA in five appearances.

Twins option Fultz to Rochester

SEATTLE -- Left-hander Aaron Fultz was optioned to Triple-A Rochester by the Minnesota Twins, who recalled right-hander Matt Guerrier from their International League farm club.

Fultz had an 8.31 ERA in his last four appearances and 4 1/3 innings. He is 3-2 with a 4.57 ERA in 47 games and 43 1/3 innings.

Fultz, 30, was signed by the Twins as a free agent during the offseason.

"He was having trouble getting lefties and righties out," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "More than anything, it's a confidence thing. It's time for him to go down there and get some confidence."