IN THE NEWS: For the negotiating rights to Hideki Irabu the Yankees offer the Padres a choice of one from a list of players: Brian Boehringer, David Weathers, Chris Cumberland, Andy Fox, and Matt Luke. Also, one player from a list of five minor leaguers, plus $3 million. The Padres are talking to several other teams beside the Yankees.
IN THE NEWS: Angels' 2B Randy Velarde tears a ligament in his right elbow while throwing from the outfield in pre-game drills. He will undergo surgery and be out for the year.
IN THE NEWS: The pitching-poor Detroit Tigers release pitcher Jason Grimsley. Grimsley posted a 5-7 record with a 6.84 ERA with the California Angels last season, but was 0–3 this spring.
In an exhibition game, the White Sox 3B Robin Ventura dislocates his right ankle and suffers a compound fracture in his lower leg. The injury occurs while trying to protect a bruise on his left calf, he slides home and catches the spikes on his right shoe. He will be out of action until July 24.
IN THE NEWS: The Mets, loaded with middle infielders, add two more, acquiring SS Manny Alexander and 3B Scott McClain from Baltimore. The Mets give up hard throwing reliever Hector Ramirez in exchange.
Reds catcher Joe Oliver tears a ligament in his thumb making a tag at home plate, and will need surgery to repair it. Oliver will be out of action at least a month.
IN THE NEWS: In a trade reflecting current baseball economics, the Braves send RF David Justice and CF Marquis Grissom to the Indians for CF Kenny Lofton and reliever Alan Embree. The swap of the two Gold Glove center fielders and the veteran Justice reduces the Braves' payroll by an estimated 6.8 million dollars. Both players have several years left on their contracts, while Lofton, considered the best leadoff hitter in baseball, is in the last year of his.
The Kansas City Royals release Bob Hamelin, the 1994 American League Rookie of the Year. The 29-year-old Hamelin never lived up to his first year, when he smacked 24 homers in strike-shortened season. The Tigers will sign Hamelin to a minor-league contract.
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