Bullinger Wants Chance To Pitch

Jim Bullinger still wonders why the Chicago White Sox signed him as a free agent during the winter, then didn’t use him much this spring and dealt him to Seattle.

“You ask them,” Bullinger said, a day after the deal. “I’m still trying to figure that one out.”

With Jeff Fassero on the 15-day disabled list, the Mariners felt they needed more pitching. So they sent minor-league pitcher Marty Weymouth to Chicago for Bullinger.

Bullinger, who signed with the White Sox on Jan. 9, made four appearances for Chicago this spring and had a 5.63 ERA in eight innings.

“I was ready to pitch and I didn’t get a chance,” he said. “They kept saying they knew what I could do.”

A week ago, the White Sox told Bullinger they were going with youngsters and would seek a trade.

“I just didn’t get an opportunity to make their club,” he said.

In Seattle, Bullinger hopes to pitch a lot.

“It’s a real good ballclub, everybody knows that,” he said. “I’ve started mostly lately, but I’ve done a lot of different jobs.”

Without much work in spring training, he hopes he’s ready.

“I would have liked to have had more of an opportunity to get stretched out and get a lot more innings behind me,” Bullinger said. “But I’m not too too worried. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to pitch in Seattle. That’s what I’m looking for.”

Minor-leaguer Rico Rossy hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning as the Mariners rallied to beat the Colorado Rockies 9-7 on Friday in Peoria, Ariz.

Outfielder Rob Ducey will undergo surgery early next week to repair a tear to the medial meniscus in his left knee and miss three to four weeks.

Rookie Charles Gipson, 25, will replace Ducey on the opening-night roster unless the Mariners deal for a more experienced reserve - and they’re looking. If it’s Gipson, he has played the outfield and every spot in the infield in the minors. He’s also fast, having stolen 57 bases the past two seasons.

Vaughn turns down offer

Rejecting the latest contract offer from the Red Sox, Boston first baseman Mo Vaughn said for the first time he is planning to file for free agency after the season.

“There will be no deal before opening day,” he said after hitting his major league-best 10th homer of the spring. “You owe it to yourself, if it gets to that, to see what’s out there.”

Indians owner eyes NFL team

Cleveland Indians owner Richard Jacobs is interested in buying Cleveland’s expansion football team, the NFL confirmed.

Jacobs has publicly denied he wants to buy the expansion team awarded this week.

The Chicago Tribune reported Friday that Jacobs planned to issue stock in the Indians, perhaps to raise money to buy the Browns.

Cordero’s return delayed

The Chicago White Sox were still uncertain when Wilfredo Cordero would report to their minor-league spring-training complex, after his estranged wife gave birth to a baby boy. There was a problem with one of the infant’s hands that required minor surgery. Cordero might not arrive until Sunday or Monday.

Irabu cleared to pitch

Hideki Irabu had a problem-free workout in the bullpen and was cleared to start an exhibition game next week for the Yankees.

Irabu had not thrown from the mound since being diagnosed with right-elbow tendinitis last Saturday.