Friday, August 22, 2003
Bonds returns tonight: Barry Bonds is likely to return to the San Francisco Giants' lineup tonight. Bonds returned home from New York last Thursday to be with his ailing father. Bonds missed the team's entire four-game series in Montreal as San Francisco extended its season-high losing streak to six games.
Schmidt speaks for Rose: Baseball commissioner Bud Selig probably will announce some time after the World Series whether he will reinstate Pete Rose, former Rose teammate Mike Schmidt said. Schmidt said Sunday that he and two of Rose's former teammates on the Cincinnati Reds, Joe Morgan and Johnny Bench, met with Selig last month at the Hall of Fame. "We're optimistic that after the postseason, something will happen with regards to Pete Rose," said Schmidt, who played with Rose when he later joined the Philadelphia Phillies.
Red Sox complete trade: The Reds acquired minor league left-hander Tyler Pelland from Boston, completing the trade that sent reliever Scott Williamson to the Red Sox last month.
Tigers suspensions: Tigers outfielder Bobby Higginson and bench coach Kirk Gibson were suspended and fined Monday by major league baseball for their ejections from a game Aug. 10 against the Minnesota Twins. Higginson was suspended for two games for "directing inappropriate comments" at umpire Doug Eddings during an argument over balls and strikes and then "through the media following the game," baseball said in a statement. Gibson was ejected moments later for yelling from the dugout. Higginson also was fined $2,000. He is appealing the suspension, and remained in Monday's lineup against the Texas Rangers. Gibson, fined an undisclosed amount, served his one-game suspension Monday night.
Franco hurt: Braves first baseman Julio Franco was put on the 15-day disabled list Monday after breaking a finger in a freak accident. Franco, who is batting .297 with three homers and 27 RBIs in a part-time role, was talking with a teammate in the weight room when an 80-pound dumbbell rolled over the middle finger on his left hand.
Angels release Gil: The Angels requested waivers on infielder Benji Gil on Monday for the purpose of granting his unconditional release. Gil appeared in 63 games this season, hitting .192 with one homer and nine RBIs. In four seasons with Anaheim, he hit .257 with 18 homers and 91 RBI in 337 games. During the 2002 postseason, Gil hit .667 with two runs, one double and one RBI in six games as the Angels won their first World Series championship. Gil has appeared in 604 major league games, including two stints with Texas and then Anaheim. He has a .237 career average with 32 homers and 171 RBI.
-- Associated Press