Cubs' Kerry Wood retires, strikes out final batter he faced

By Mike Dodd, USA TODAY

UPDATE, 5:47 p.m. ET: After the Cubs game, Kerry Wood said it was time to retire. Why did he want one last appearance? "I didn't want the last inning to be me throwing my glove into the seats."

On May 8, Wood was roughed up by the Braves. He walked off the field and tossed his glove into the stands. That was his last appearance at Wrigley until today.

According to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports, the Blue Jays placed Adam Lind on outright waivers Friday.
"No chance he gets claimed," said an American League executive. Lind was batting just .186/.273/.314 through 132 plate appearances this season and finished with a brutal .251/.295/.439 slash line in 2011. Toronto signed Lind to a four-year, $18 million contract extension prior to the 2010 season. The club is on the hook for a $2 million buyout of a club option after the 2013 season.
Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter May 19 - 6:49 PM

Scherzer Fans 15 In Tigers' Win


DETROIT -- Max Scherzer struck out 15 -- the most by a Detroit pitcher in 40 years -- and the Tigers rallied for him with three runs in the seventh inning to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Sunday.

Scherzer (3-3) threw 115 pitches in seven innings and was done for the day when the Tigers came back from a 2-1 deficit while he was still the pitcher of record. Alex Avila hit a two-run single through a drawn-in infield to put Detroit ahead.

Pittsburgh scored a run in the ninth off Joaquin Benoit, but he held on for his first save this season.
Kevin Correia (1-5) allowed three runs in six-plus innings.

Mickey Lolich had 15 strikeouts for the Tigers in a 1972 game and set the club record of 16 in 1969.
Scherzer's 15 strikeouts were the most by a major league pitcher this year. Miami's Anibal Sanchez had 14 against Arizona on April 28.

Scherzer allowed seven runs in 2 2/3 innings in his first start of the season, and although he's been better since then, he entered Sunday's game with a 6.26 ERA. He was locked in from the start, throwing his first 10 pitches for strikes before finally missing the zone against Pedro Alvarez, the first hitter of the second. Scherzer got Alvarez anyway for his third strikeout of the day.

Scherzer had struck out five straight -- and 10 for the game -- when Rod Barajas homered with one out in the fifth to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead. Jhonny Peralta answered with a solo shot in the bottom half.

Neil Walker hit a 407-foot homer in the sixth, and it appeared the Tigers might waste Scherzer's terrific effort. His pitch count was creeping up, precluding a run at the big league record of 20 strikeouts for a nine-inning game, and Scherzer was actually on the hook for a loss when manager Jim Leyland offered him a congratulatory handshake after the top of the seventh.

But Prince Fielder led off the bottom half with a blooper to left that dropped between shortstop Clint Barmes and left fielder Nate McLouth. Barmes had a long way to run because the infield was shifted around to the right, and when the ball hit the ground, it bounced weirdly up off him into foul ground, enabling Fielder to reach second with a double.

Delmon Young followed with a tying single, and Peralta drew a walk one out later. A passed ball by Barajas allowed the runners to move up to second and third, and the Pirates brought the infield in. Avila's base hit up the middle foiled that strategy and made it 4-2.

Scherzer allowed four hits and a walk.

Detroit was without center fielder Austin Jackson (abdominal strain) and closer Jose Valverde (lower back strain), but the Tigers ended up taking two of three from Pittsburgh. Scherzer and Justin Verlander bookended the series with brilliant pitching performances. Verlander threw a one-hit shutout Friday night, striking out 12 and giving up only a ninth-inning single to Josh Harrison.

The Pirates struck out 17 times Sunday and 41 times in the series.

Brian McNamee names 3 others

Updated: May 21, 2012, 12:17 PM ET

Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The key witness in the Roger Clemens perjury trial testified Monday about three other baseball players who he said took human growth hormone.

Brian McNamee, Clemens' longtime strength and conditioning coach, told jurors that he provided HGH to current Yankee pitcher Andy Pettitte and former Yankee infielder Chuck Knoblauch.

McNamee also testified that former Yankee pitcher Mike Stanton obtained HGH from drug dealer Kirk Radomski, after McNamee put them in touch.

McNamee hadn't been allowed to name the players before, but U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton said Monday he would allow it to rebut the suggestion made by Clemens' lawyer during cross-examination that McNamee solely targeted the former pitcher.

Last week, McNamee testified he injected Clemens with steroids and HGH. Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, is accused of lying to Congress in 2008 when he denied taking those drugs. Both Pettitte and Knoblauch told congressional investigators that year that McNamee injected them with HGH.

Prosecutors, who hope the information about the three players will help rehabilitate McNamee's credibility, finished their redirect questioning of McNamee on Monday.

Also Monday, prosecutors put on the stand a Miller-Coors manager who testified about the infamous Miller Lite can that McNamee said he used to store some of the evidence he collected from Clemens, such as syringes and medical waste. The witness, Anthony Manuele, looking at markings on the bottom of the can, was able to confirm that it would have been on shelves between August 2001 and Nov. 15, 2001 -- coinciding with the August timeframe that McNamee said he put the items in the can.

Manuele couldn't resist a little bit of product placement, saying the company pulls the cans from shelves after a certain period because "we want consumers to enjoy the great taste of Miller Lite while it's still fresh."

Clemens' lawyer Rusty Hardin, on cross-examination, needled prosecutors by asking, "You don't sell these beer cans to keep needles, do you?"

The judge sustained a government objection, but not before Manuele could answer, "No sir."

The trial is now in its sixth week.


Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

Walkoff homer for Frazier wins it for the Reds!

Can these five surprisingly strong starters maintain their pace?

2. Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, Blue Jays

Season Stats: .263/.330/.557, 13 HR, 35 RBI, 6 SB

Another 29-year-old, Encarnacion is in his eighth major league season and is tied for fourth in the majors in home runs and tied for third in RBIs. Prior to this year, his only top-10 finishes in an offensive category were a pair of appearances among the hit-by-pitch leaders. His career highs are 26 home runs and 76 RBIs. A quarter of the way through this season, he's already half way to the former and nearly that close to the latter.

If we take a step back, however, we see that Encarnacion's batting average and on-base percentage are right in line with his career rates (.260, .335). So the only real changes here are his power and his RBI opportunities. With regard to the former, it's awfully tempting to credit his home ballpark, the Rogers Centre, which has been no stranger to sudden power surges in recent years. Thus far this year, Encarnacion has hit 10 of his 13 home runs at home, slugging .759 in Toronto and .376 everywhere else. He did something similar last year, hitting 14 of his 17 homers and slugging 171 points higher in Toronto. Looking at the Park Factors in the 2012 Bill James Handbook, the Rogers Center is indeed extremely friendly to right-handed power hitters -- it had a park factor of 114, with 100 being neutral, for right-handed home runs in 2011 and 121 over the last three seasons combined.

However, what Encarnacion is doing is more extreme than that. Going back to 2010, Encarnacion's first full season as a Blue Jay, his splits actually broke the other way, with him hitting for much more power on the road. Has he made an adjustment to his home park? Should we consider the rumors of sign stealing on the part of the Blue Jays that made the rounds last year? Jose Bautista was equally effective at home and on the road last year, suggesting this split is unique to Encarnacion. At this early stage of the season, it may just be a small-sample fluke, meaning those splits could even out as the season progresses. More significant is the fact that Encarnacion always seemed capable of this sort of power outburst and worked this offseason to make his swing more compact. It's not showing up in any other aspect of his offensive game, but his shorter, two-handed swing just may have been all he required to tap his full power potential.

As for the RBIs, per Baseball Prospectus's stats, through Tuesday, Encarnacion was just 40th in the majors among hitters with 100 or more plate appearances in percentage of runners on base driven in, but was 15th in total runners on base during his at-bats, a surprising figure given the unimpressive on-base percentages in the Jays' lineup. Add in the 13 times Encarnacion has driven himself in, and there you have it. Encarnacion is now hitting cleanup in the Blue Jays' batting order, so if third-place hitter Bautista can rediscover his on-base knack from a year ago, he'll continue to hit with runners on base, meaning he could hang around the league leaders in those two triple-crown categories well into the second half.

A couple of years ago, when Edwin Encarnacion was trying to resurrect his career playing winterball in the Caribbean, seem to recall that I thought Eddy would be a nice addition to the Indian roster. He's done well since that time. 21 homers in 2010, 17 last year, and so far 14 this year. His numbers have been more than respectable since signing with the Jays.

Was just reading some rumors at ESPN. They are speculating the Cubs could call up Anthony Rizzo soon and shop Bryan LaHair. They said the Indians could be a buyer cause he wouldn't cost as much as a guy like Morneau or Dunn.

I would love to add a big righty bat but LaHair would definitely interest me. I'd rather have him than Dunn if cost and salaries were equal.

CC vs. Bartololo in Oakland today.

It's only "A" ball. It's only Dunedin. It's only been two games.

Vladimir Guerrero was 2-5 with a homer, a single, and two runs scored in game 1. Against Lakeland in game 2, Guerrero was 3-5 with a single, a double, and a homer with two more runs scored. Tonight's game is against Lakeland.

I know we had a meeting with Guerrero and he turned us down for Toronto settling for a minor league contract pro-rated at $1.3MM.

With his recent history, it was a gamble to rely on Hafner for a full season. One of two legitimate power hitters in the lineup goes down.

I wonder if we'll try to work a deal with Toronto if Guerrero can show he's capable of putting up last year's numbers. Toronto really doesn't have any permanent plans for Guerrero. At least in Cleveland he'll get a shot at being in the lineup everyday, especially being a right handed batter.

I wonder how Guerrero feels about turning us down now!?!?!

joez wrote:It's only "A" ball. It's only Dunedin. It's only been two games.



I wonder if we'll try to work a deal with Toronto if Guerrero can show he's capable of putting up last year's numbers. Toronto really doesn't have any permanent plans for Guerrero. At least in Cleveland he'll get a shot at being in the lineup everyday, especially being a right handed batter.

Wishful thinking! The Indians never do stuff like that. They will tell us that Sizemore is due back soon, and that Hafner should return in 6 weeks.

SANTO DOMINGO (AP) -

Reliever Juan Carlos Oviedo said Wednesday that he received forgiveness from immigrations U.S. State Department and hopes to get a visa to return to the Miami Marlins.

"It is one thing is to get forgiveness and another to have a visa, I have much faith that I'll get it, God willing," Oviedo said over the Internet portal of the Dominican radio station Z101.3 FM.

Oviedo, 30, has not pitched this year in the majors. In September after he was detected using the false name of Leo Nunez and was a year younger than the Marlins thought.

Despite his legal problems, Miami avoided arbitration and gave him a six million dollars for the 2012 season.

The Marlins hired Heath Bell for the closing job over the winter, but has not been effective during the campaign.

Oviedo saved 36 games last season with the Marlins. In the last three years has accumulated 92 saves.

Can Roberto Hernadez be coming home soon?

Oviedo, Marlins eyeing bullpen return in July

Reliever working at extended spring camp during suspension

By Tom Green / MLB.com | 05/29/12 12:30 PM ET

JUPITER, Fla. --

While working to get a visa to return to the United States, Juan Carlos Oviedo followed the Marlins on TV from his home in the Dominican Republic. But there were times when he couldn't bear to watch.

"From one side, I was desperate. I want to be there with my colleagues," Oviedo said. "Many times I would turn the channel off, because I would feel a little sad with the things that happened."

In eight weeks, that feeling will turn to relief and joy.

Ovideo, formerly known as Leo Nunez, was discovered last year to be using a false identity. He acquired his visa on Friday following eight months of dealing with issues related to his identity. He reported to the Marlins' complex in Jupiter, where he will begin workouts at extended spring camp while serving an eight-week suspension handed down by Major League Baseball. The suspension, which went into effect Monday and runs through July 22, is for "engaging in age and identity fraud."

Oviedo, who was placed on the restricted list late last September and returned home to the Dominican Republic, understands the mistake he made in falsifying his identity and is prepared to serve the suspension. He's just happy to have his real name again -- as well as a second chance.

"There are no words to explain how happy I am that I have my name, my dad's name, who died, which is what he wanted for me," said Oviedo, who was contrite while speaking with the media on Tuesday. "Everybody makes a mistake and I made a mistake. ... Everybody in the world knows that I am Juan Carlos and I just want to play baseball."

The Marlins signed Oviedo to a one-year, $6 million contract in the offseason, and the right-hander will receive a prorated salary when he returns from the suspension.

His first workout is Wednesday, and then he will start extended spring while working with the Marlins' player development staff, including Minor League pitching coordinator Jeff Schwarz, training and rehabilitation coordinator Gene Basham and Marlins pitching coach Randy St. Claire.

During the offseason, Oviedo said he stayed in shape by running, working out and throwing bullpen sessions -- though he did not face any live hitters -- while in the Dominican Republic waiting for his legal issues to be resolved.

Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said Oviedo will participate in extended spring camp until they take a break for the First-Year Player Draft on June 4-6, and will pick up again following the break. Sixteen days before his suspension ends, Oviedo will be eligible for a rehabilitation assignment in the Minors, which Beinfest said could be with Class A Jupiter, Double-A Jacksonville or Triple-A New Orleans.

From 2009-11, Oviedo served as the Marlins' closer, recording 92 saves in 117 opportunities. He had 36 saves in 42 chances last season before being placed on the restricted list.

"His name changed, but I'm hoping his stuff is the same, and we think it is," Beinfest said.

But with the acquisition of Heath Bell in the offseason, Miami has a new closer this year, despite some early-season struggles. That means Oviedo could have a new role with the team as a setup man, a seventh-inning reliever or a specialist upon his return.

"It's an awful good arm and he'll find a home out there," Beinfest said. "That's an awful big arm with a lot of experience to add at the end of July."

No matter what his role with Miami is, Oviedo, who said he will still wear No. 46, is ready to put this behind him and return to the Marlins.

"I'm going to stay the same because it's me, it's my arm that pitches," Oviedo said. "I'm just going to continue to do my work like all these years, because there are a lot of fans that believe in me. I want to let them know I'm the same JC Oviedo. It's my arm and my body."