MLB News: Pro Sports Daily

Lee suspended for first five games of 2010

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March 18

MLB.com

"The imposing one-two punch at the top of the Mariners' starting rotation appears to be on hold for a while. Cliff Lee's extracurricular activities in Tucson, Ariz., on Monday were penalized Wednesday, when Major League Baseball announced that the pitcher has been issued a five-game suspension, effective at the start of the regular season. Lee, who declined to comment on the issue Wednesday afternoon, was ejected for throwing at Arizona catcher Chris Snyder in the third inning, an incident that emptied both benches. With the suspension comes immediate confusion for the Mariners. The 2008 American League Cy Young Award-winning left-hander, expected to be the team's No. 2 starter behind last ..."

Ron Washington 'truly sorry' for drug use

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March 18

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington used cocaine last season and failed a random drug test, but team officials are convinced that he continues to be the right man to lead the club despite his actions. Washington, 57, told his players of his indiscretion during a team meeting Wednesday morning, then read a prepared statement and took questions for nearly 13 minutes during a late-morning news conference at Surprise Stadium. He insisted in both meetings that the drug use was a one-time mistake, but did not reveal the type of drug he took or specify when he made his mistake. Sources, though, said that Washington took cocaine, and that the timeline had its origin in July."

Brandon Webb hopes to return for late April

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March 18

Arizona Republic

"Right-hander Brandon Webb feels his arm suddenly has come back to life, flipping his mind-set for the better and injecting some much-needed optimism into his road back from shoulder surgery. "It felt like I was throwing hard as hell," he said, recalling a throwing session he had with teammate Dan Haren on Sunday in Surprise. "It felt like I was throwing 95." Even better for his outlook: The doctor who performed his surgery in August was there watching him throw and came away so impressed he didn't even feel the need to examine him. "I was letting it go almost all the way," Webb said. "I felt like I had more left in the tank even. It was good, really good." As good as he feels, Webb seems ..."

In surprising move, Washington Nationals release outfielder Elijah Dukes

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March 18

Washington Post

"Elijah Dukes's tenure with the Washington Nationals ended Wednesday when the team unconditionally released him, a decision the team said was made for reasons pertaining only to baseball. The move left Dukes stunned and the Nationals without a set right fielder with the season less than three weeks away. General Manager Mike Rizzo called Dukes's release "a performance-based decision" and that "no singular incident" led to the decision. But Rizzo also implied that Dukes's presence in the clubhouse adversely affected the Nationals, saying they "will be a more cohesive group" without him. "The clubhouse will be more united," Rizzo said. "We'll have a better feel around the ballclub. We'll ..."

Indians claim Mets infielder Anderson Hernandez; designate Brian Bixler

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March 18

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Indians have claimed middle infielder Anderson Hernandez off outright waivers from the New York Mets. To make room on the 40-man roster, Brian Bixler was designated for assignnment. Hernandez played for Washington and the Mets last year. He hit a combined .251 (92-for-368) with 15 doubles, four triples, three homers and 37 RBI. Anderson stole seven bases in 12 attempts and scored 39 runs. The switch-hitting Anderson, 27, played 74 games at second, 38 at shortstop and one in left field. He pinch-hit 17 times. He gives the Indians another alternative if they want to platoon at second base with Luis Valbuena. Hernandez is a lifetime .289 (43-for-149) hitter against lefties. Valbuena, a ..."

Marte hurts back in 1st outing

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March 18

New York Post

"Damaso Marte's first outing of the spring started badly and ended with a scare that forced him out of the game. Marte, the only reliable lefty in Yankees manager Joe Girardi's bullpen, was drilled in the lower back by a Ryan Howard liner in the fifth inning yesterday. Marte bent at the waist for a while and was walked off the field by trainer Steve Donohue and Girardi. "It hurts right now, but it's OK," Marte said in the clubhouse during a 6-2 Yankees' loss to the Phillies at Bright House Field. "It's good." "It wasn't near the vertebrae, but he will be sore," Girardi said. "He is supposed to throw [tomorrow]. We will see.""

Marlins release ailing Derrick Turnbow

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March 18

Miami Herald

"Derrick Turnbow's final act as a Marlin was to sign autographs as he left the team's spring training complex Wednesday, shortly after being released. The Marlins cut the veteran reliever one day after severe pain in his throwing shoulder forced his sudden departure from an outing in Viera. Turnbow was hoping to resurrect his career with the Marlins. But those plans went out the window with his shoulder setback, and Turnbow, who will be examined by a doctor to determine the exact nature of the injury, said he will have to start over. ``I'm not going to call it quits until my body just can't do it anymore, or other teams don't want to give me a shot,'' Turnbow said."

Beckham says shoulder pain subsiding

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March 18

Chicago Tribune

"Second baseman Gordon Beckham confirmed Wednesday he has coped with right shoulder pain that is starting to subside. "Really, it has gotten a lot better," Beckham said. "We kind of knew it would. It just took some time (because it was) start-up pain but it's feeling good, ready to go." Beckham said not throwing for an extended period in the off-season may have led to the pain that had some Sox insiders worried it could be chronic, but he has played the last two games. "My shoulder has wear and tear like everyone else's, just more start-up pain for me," said Beckham, who typically took only one month off from throwing when he played at Georgia. "I've never had this much time off, and I ..."

Few surprises as Astros cut 12 from roster

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March 18

Houston Chronicle

"The Astros cut 12 players from their major-league spring training roster Wednesday morning, none of whom was expected to earn a spot on the ballclub. Pitchers Fernando Abad, Evan Englebrook, Chia-jen Lo, Matt Nevarez, Polin Trinidad, Jose Valdez and Henry Villar were cut. Outfielders Brian Bogusevic, Yordany Ramirez and Alex Romero, infielder Wladimir Sutil and catcher Lou Santangelo were also cut before workouts began Wednesday morning. Lo and Santangelo were non-roster invitees and were reassigned to minor league camp. The rest of the dozen were optioned to minor league camp except for Romero who was given an unconditional release, making him a free agent. "A lot of the guys need to get ..."

Rockies' Street suffers big setback

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March 17

Denver Post

"Rockies closer Huston Street suffered a setback with his injured right shoulder on Tuesday, creating a strong possibility that he will open the season on the disabled list. Street said that he will undergo an MRI today to try and get a better understanding of what caused the shoulder tightness that is identical to what shut him down nearly three weeks ago. "It's really frustrating - opening day is definitely in jeopardy," Street said this morning. "It would be the first time in six years I would not be ready to go." Street, who signed a three-year. $22.5 million deal during the offseason, was caught off guard Tuesday by the stiffness in his shoulder, especially because his simulated game ..."