BookMaker Sports News - Latest US and International Sporting News

Dodgers release Eric Gagne

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:02:30 GMT

The 34-year-old reliever signed a minor league contract with his original club in February. The deal included an out clause that Gagne elected to invoke.

He made three spring training appearances for the Dodgers before being reassigned to their minor league camp, allowing six runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Mauer agrees to eight-year, $184M extension with Twins

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:24:13 GMT

Mauer, who became just the second catcher in the last 33 years to be named the American League's MVP in 2009, is slated to earn $12.5 million this coming season and was set to become a free agent at the end of the year. The deal includes a full no-trade clause.

Despite missing the first month of the 2009 season with a back injury, Mauer hit .365 to win his third batting title in the last four years, while putting up the best power numbers of his career, belting 28 home runs with 96 RBI. He also led the AL with a .444 on-base percentage and a .587 slugging percentage.

Nathan to have season-ending surgery

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:15:49 GMT

Nathan tried to throw Sunday morning in Florida after allowing his elbow to rest for two weeks following a diagnosis of a torn ulnar collateral ligament. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that the session did not go well and quoted Nathan as saying he will undergo surgery.

"We knew it was a long shot, but what this did do is clear my head," Nathan was quoted by the paper as saying Sunday.

Rays C Navarro suffers knee injury against Twins

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:04:57 GMT

Twins outfielder Jacque Jones collided with the catcher after trying to score from second base on a single. Jones was called out as Navarro hung onto the ball.

The catcher then fell to the ground clutching his left leg as medical assistance quickly came to the scene. Charlotte Sports Park personnel loaded the catcher onto the cart and drove him off the field for x-rays, where the injury was determined.

Rays C Navarro carted from field after collision

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:43:54 GMT

Twins outfielder Jacque Jones collided with the catcher after trying to score from second base on a single. Jones was called out as Navarro hung onto the ball.

Indians closer Wood could miss up to two months

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:21:37 GMT

An MRI taken on Thursday revealed a strained latissimus muscle as the source of considerable pain in that shoulder, which Indians team trainer Lonnie Soloff termed "moderate." Soloff's opinion was that Wood will not be ready to pitch until at least 6- to-8 weeks had elapsed from the time of the MRI. If that is the case, it will be the 12th time in Wood's 13-year career that he will land on the disabled list.

The 33-year-old went 3-3 with a 4.25 earned run average and 20 saves in 58 appearances for the Tribe in 2009.

Boston brings back Embree

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:32:25 GMT

Embree played for parts of four seasons with the Red Sox, and is best remembered for getting the final out in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS, when Boston made up a three-game deficit to beat the rival New York Yankees.

Embree, 40, spent last season with Colorado and in 36 appearances posted a 5.84 earned run average and 2-2 record.

Nationals send Strasburg to Double-A

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:15:13 GMT

Strasburg, the top overall pick in the 2009 draft, has pitched well this spring.

In nine innings, he has allowed two runs and eight hits, walked one and struck out 12.

Dmitri Young says he's done playing baseball

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:25:54 GMT

Young, 36, who last appeared in an MLB game with Washington in 2008, was set to play in 2009 before a torn hamstring ended his campaign in spring training. The two-time All-Star is now the vice president and senior adviser for an independent professional baseball club.

From 1996-2008 with the Cardinals, Reds, Tigers and Nationals, Young batted .292 with 171 homers and 683 RBI.

Mariners' Lee to sit at least one week with ab strain

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:21:03 GMT

The injury was detected and treated by team medical director Dr.

Edward Khalfayan and the left-hander will be re-evaluated in seven days.

Colorado's Street gets good news from MRI

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:51:36 GMT

Street, who signed a three-year extension with Colorado in the offseason, underwent tests Wednesday after experiencing soreness in the shoulder this spring.

The righty was slowed by biceps tendinitis last September, but logged 35 saves and a 4-1 record with a 3.06 ERA in 64 games last season.

Brewers' Gamel has tear in shoulder

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:19:14 GMT

The injury occurred in batting practice before the start of spring games. The 24-year-old third-base prospect attempted to play March 8 but had to leave early.

It's expected Gamel will start the season on the 15-day disabled list and likely will miss 8-to-9 weeks in total.

Arizona makes Reynolds deal official

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:54:18 GMT

If the option is picked up, the deal would cover all three of Reynolds' arbitration-eligible seasons.

According to the Arizona Republic, Reynolds will receive a $1 million signing bonus and earn $500,000 this season, $5 million in 2011 and $7.5 million in 2012. The 2013 option has a $500,000 buyout.

Rangers manager Washington admits to drug use as player

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:52:31 GMT

Washington, 57, spent parts of 10 seasons in the majors with five teams. His last major league experience was in 1989, when he appeared in seven games for Houston.

Washington didn't go into detail about the drug use during his playing career, which he admitted before the Rangers' game Thursday against the Brewers. On Wednesday, Washington admitted to using cocaine last regular season.

Cubs' Guzman to have shoulder surgery

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:52:12 GMT

The tear was discovered in an MRI exam on March 5th and the right-hander had been hoping to avoid a procedure with rehabilitation.

But Guzman met with noted orthopedic surgeon James Andrews Monday and surgery was recommended, then scheduled for next Tuesday. Andrews previously has worked on Guzman's shoulder and elbow.

Marlins to host Mets in Puerto Rico in June

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:49:25 GMT

"Major League Baseball is thrilled to bring regular season games back to Puerto Rico," said Paul Archey, MLB's senior vice president of International Business Operations.

"The growth of baseball around the globe has been tremendous and we hope that by providing Major League competition to the passionate fans in Puerto Rico and around the world, we will encourage interest and participation well into the future." The Marlins and Mets both played at Hiram Bithorn Stadium against the Montreal Expos in 2003 and 2004.

Rockies closer Street likely to start season on DL

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:00:23 GMT

Street underwent an MRI Wednesday and has been experiencing soreness in the shoulder this spring. Results of the MRI should come Thursday or Friday.

The righty was slowed by biceps tendinitis last September. He logged 35 saves and a 4-1 record with a 3.06 ERA in 64 games last season.

Cliff Lee dealt five-game suspension

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:14:23 GMT

MLB's ruling indicated Lee intentionally threw at the head of Arizona catcher Chris Snyder during Monday's spring training contest.

Lee is scheduled to begin his suspension on Opening Day, April 5, unless he appeals.

Mariners release P Petit

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:31:39 GMT

The move comes before Petit ever threw a pitch in a regular-season game for Seattle, as the team claimed him off waivers from Arizona last November.

Petit appeared in 23 games for the Diamondbacks in 2009, posting a record of 3-10 with a 5.82 earned-run average. In 17 starts, he was 3-9 with a 5.72 ERA.

Rangers manager Washington remorseful about cocaine use

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:07:22 GMT

Washington, 57, just finished his third season with the Rangers and led the team to an 87-75 finish in 2009, the club's first winning campaign since 2004.

"I am truly sorry for my careless, dangerous, and frankly, stupid, behavior last year," Washington said. "I am not here to make excuses. There are none. I fully understand that I disappointed a lot of people -- my family, my players, coaches, as well as the team's leadership, especially (president) Nolan Ryan and (general manager) Jon Daniels, as well as young people who may have looked up to me." Washington also detailed his offering of a resignation letter following the drug test in which he tested positive.

Report: Rangers manager Washington tested positive for cocaine

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:03:34 GMT

According to a report from SI.com, Washington failed the test last July, but has passed all his tests since. The testing increased after the positive test, the report said.

Washington, 57, told the news outlet he made a mistake and regretted it. The report said Washington notified the commissioner's office and the Rangers about his use of cocaine prior to learning the test results.

Diamondbacks sign P Benson to minor league deal

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:36:14 GMT

The 35-year-old appeared in eight games (two starts) in 2009 with the Texas Rangers and went 1-1 with an 8.46 earned run average.

The first overall pick in the 1996 draft by Pittsburgh, Benson has struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness the last two years. He missed the entire 2007 campaign after undergoing rotator cuff surgery on his pitching shoulder.

Nationals release Dukes

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:37:18 GMT

The team announced the news Wednesday in a brief release, which did not provide a reason for the move.

Dukes, 25, was expected to be the Nationals' starting right fielder this season. The Washington Post reported on its website that manager Jim Riggleman said it was strictly a baseball decision and that the team liked some of its other options for the position.

Red Sox prospect Westmoreland has successful surgery

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:21:25 GMT

The procedure, which lasted five hours, removed a cavernous malformation that was diagnosed earlier this month after he experienced headaches and numbness. Dr.

Robert Spetzlerof the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix performed the procedure.

Yankees hire former Padres GM Towers

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:47:52 GMT

Towers spent 26 seasons total with the Padres, guiding the team to a National League title in 1998.

The team went to the playoffs four times during his tenure with the club but had won just 75 and 63 games, respectively, in the past two seasons.