Mariners Add Pitching Help In Two Deals
Spring training
With No. 2 starter Jeff Fassero on the 15-day disabled list, the Seattle Mariners acquired pitcher Jim Bullinger from the Chicago White Sox in a trade Thursday for minor-league pitcher Marty Weymouth.
The Mariners also announced they have claimed right-hander Jose Paniagua on waivers from expansion Tampa Bay. Seattle said that infielder Aaron Holbert has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma.
Bullinger, 32, was Montreal’s opening-day starter last season. He has a six-year record of 34-40 with a 4.96 earned run average and 11 saves in 184 games with the Chicago Cubs (1992-96) and the Expos (1997).
Fassero, 35, a 16-game winner in 1997, was put on the disabled list last week because of a sore left elbow.
Bullinger, who was the Cubs’ opening-day starter in 1995, can be used by manager Lou Piniella as either a starter or in their bullpen. He is expected to join the team when it plays the Colorado Rockies in exhibition games in Denver this weekend.
Paniagua, acquired by Tampa Bay in the expansion draft, appeared in 22 games with Montreal over two seasons. He had a 3-6 record with a 5.74 ERA.
Johnson pitches well
Randy Johnson tuned up for Tuesday night’s opener in Seattle by pitching his longest outing of the spring as the Mariners defeated the San Diego Padres 6-4 at Peoria, Ariz.
Johnson went six innings and threw 71 pitches, allowing three hits and two runs while striking out six and walking none.
“I wish I would have had a few more of these kind of starts,” said Johnson, who was 3-2 this spring.
Reserve outfielder Rob Ducey was helped off the field in the first inning with what has been tentatively diagnosed as torn cartilage in his left knee. Ducey likely will begin the season on the disabled list, perhaps opening a spot for rookie Charles Gipson.
Red Sox sign Lemke
The Boston Red Sox signed free agent Mark Lemke and said he will start at second base as soon as he is ready. The move had been discussed since Jeff Frye was lost for the season early in spring training.
Although he is a career .248 hitter with little power or speed, Lemke became known for his clutch hitting during five N.L. playoffs and four World Series with the Atlanta Braves.
“I’ve just seen him make so many plays and be in the middle of so many rallies at key times, in big games,” said Boston manager Jimy Williams, who was a coach in Atlanta at the time and lobbied to get him.
Either Mike Benjamin, Donnie Sadler or Lou Merloni will play second until Lemke is ready. Mike Gallego, a 13-year veteran, was released after Lemke was signed.
A’s dump pitching coach
The Oakland Athletics had the worst pitching staff in the majors last season, and an ERA of 6.10 this spring, so pitching coach Bob Cluck has paid the price.
Less than a week before opening day, the A’s announced they have fired Cluck and replaced him with Rick Peterson, a roving minor league instructor.
Doctor warns Dykstra
Lenny Dykstra must stop playing baseball or he will risk serious future injury, the Philadelphia Phillies center fielder has been told by one of the country’s leading back specialists.
Dr. Robert Watkins examined the former All-Star on Tuesday in Los Angeles and “felt that Dykstra stood a chance of increased future disability if he were to continue to play,” Phillies general manager Ed Wade said.