Posada leaves game with bruised thumb
Fri, Apr 20, 2007
By Associated Press
BOSTON -- New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada left New York's game Friday night against the Boston Red Sox after bruising his right thumb while catching.
Posada, who doubled in the fourth inning, was taken for precautionary X-rays.
Wil Nieves replaced him behind the plate.
Yankees CF Johnny Damon (back) has been added to the injury list as questionable.
Cubs Alfonso Soriano (hamstring) is about 90% healthy, but manager Lou Piniella said it is looking like early next week for his return.
Yankees C Jorge Posada (thumb) is expected to miss 2-3 games according to the Worcester Telegram.
Twins 2B Luis Castillo (quadricep) is questionable
Marlins 3B Miguel Cabrera (upper body) is questionable.
Reds CF Ken Griffey Jr. (sick) is questionable
Phillies 1B Ryan Howard (knee) is questionable.
MLB notebook
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Soriano almost back
Alfonso Soriano's sore hamstring is healing quickly and the Chicago Cubs center fielder hopes to return as soon as this weekend. Manager Lou Piniella said it'll probably be early next week before his leadoff hitter is ready. Soriano missed his fourth straight game Friday after straining his left hamstring Monday against the Pa dres. He's batting .245 with no homers, one RBI and one stolen base in his first 12 games.
By the numbers
4: Padres relievers with 0.00 earned run averages: Trevor Hoffman, Cla Meredith, Kevin Cameron and Heath Bell.
24.79: Average age of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, youngest since the 1983 Twins.
1,541: Career games for Minnesota's Jeff Cirillo without making it to the postseason, most in the majors.
Naked humor?
Fun-loving Padres outfielder Brian Giles was asked recently about his craziest stunt. "I took batting practice naked in the cages under Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh," he said. "Well, I had on cleats. One time at Bradenton during spring training, I ran across the field with a scarf and a pair of Nikes. Nude humor is my forte."
AL insider
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has more home runs (12) than eight major-league teams.
The Detroit Tigers placed right-handed reliever Jose Mesa on the 15-day disabled list with a pulled muscle in his right groin. He is 0-1 with a 20.25 ERA, pitching 2 2/3 innings in four appearances.
NL insider
Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was out of the lineup Friday, getting a second consecutive day to rest his sore left leg. He may be back in the lineup today or Sunday.
The Nationals have been outscored, 20-0, in the first inning this season.
www.cleveland.com
No sign of Aybar
By DAVID O'BRIEN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New York — Another day passed without a sighting of troubled infielder Willy Aybar. He didn't report to Major League Baseball offices in New York or call to inform anyone of his whereabouts.
The suspended player's agent told The Journal-Constitution on Thursday that Aybar had a substance-abuse problem and drove from Atlanta to Boston to seek help from his brother, Francis.
Aybar was supposed to meet with MLB officials in New York and be evaluated by a doctor Thursday, but he overslept in Boston and didn't make the trip.
Agent Luis Valdez told MLB officials he would try to get Aybar to MLB offices in New York on Friday, but he didn't show up or call by the close of business. The Braves hadn't heard from him, either.
Aybar, 24, was suspended for three days by the Braves after not showing up at Turner Field last weekend for rehab on his injured hand (he has been on the disabled list all season).
His suspension (without pay on a salary of $385,000) was extended indefinitely after he missed a scheduled meeting Wednesday with manager Bobby Cox. The Braves said they didn't know of Aybar's substance-abuse problem or his whereabouts until Valdez called Wednesday night.
When Aybar reports to the MLB office, he will be evaluated by a doctor and likely tested for drugs. He would probably be put on a program that includes counseling and treatment.
Rockies place Ramirez on DL
April 21st, 2007
Denver, CO (Sports Network) - The Colorado Rockies placed pitcher Ramon Ramirez on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday, retroactive to April 18, with a sprained right elbow.
Ramirez has appeared in seven games this season, posting a 1-0 record, and has not allowed a run, giving up four hits and no walks and striking out four.
Over two seasons in the big leagues, Ramirez has appeared in 68 games and has a 5-3 record with a 3.19 earned-run average.
In other roster moves on Saturday, the Rockies designated pitcher Matt Herges for assignment, recalled pitcher Ryan Speier from Triple-A Colorado Springs and purchased the contract of Bobby Keppel from Colorado Springs.