ESPN fires Reynolds after accusation

Harold Reynolds was fired by ESPN from his job as a baseball analyst after he was accused of sexual harassment, the New York Post reported.

The former Gold Glove-winning second baseman, a member of the “Baseball Tonight” team for 11 years, said he didn’t do anything to warrant his dismissal and wants his job back.

“It was a total misunderstanding,” Reynolds told the Post. “My goal is to sit down and get back. To be honest with you, I gave a woman a hug and I felt like it was misinterpreted.”

The newspaper, quoting sources, reported that the woman is an ESPN employee.

On Tuesday, ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said Reynolds, 45, made his last on-air appearance for the network Sunday night.

ESPN refused to comment on previous reports that Reynolds was dismissed, or to provide any details regarding his departure.

“All I can say is he is no longer working here,” Krulewitz said.

Reynolds, who played 12 major league seasons, joined ESPN in 1996. In addition to his work on “Baseball Tonight,” he also covered the College World Series and the Little League World Series.

ESPN already was dealing with the loss of another baseball analyst, Peter Gammons, who has been off the air since he was stricken with a brain aneurysm on June 27.

Yankees acquire Fasano

The New York Yankees acquired catcher Sal Fasano from the Philadelphia Phillies for minor league second baseman Hector Made.

Fasano had been designated for assignment by the Phillies on July 22. He hit .243 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 50 games.

Fasano, who generally will be Jorge Posada’s backup, was in the starting lineup Wednesday night in Texas.

“We’re throwing him into the fray,” Yankees manager Joe Torre said. “He hasn’t played in a few days, so we’ll see where we are.”

Reds re-sign Hatteberg

Scott Hatteberg, who took over at first base for the Cincinnati Reds and has been an important part of their resurgence, got a one-year contract extension that will pay him at least $1.65 million.

As one of his first moves after taking over as general manager in February, Wayne Krivsky signed Hatteberg as a free agent from Oakland. Hatteberg replaced first baseman Sean Casey, who had been traded to Pittsburgh before Krivsky was hired.

Hatteberg, who also played at Washington State University, agreed to a one-year, $750,000 deal for 2006. He is batting .324 in 87 games for the Reds.

Belle pleads guilty to stalking

Former major league slugger Albert Belle pleaded guilty to one count of stalking his ex-girlfriend, authorities said.

Belle, who remains jailed, is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 24 in Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, the day before his 40th birthday.

Prosecutors said Belle faces at least a 90-day jail sentence plus supervised probation and must avoid all contact with the victim.

Belle was arrested May 17 at his Scottsdale, Ariz., home. Police arrested him after they investigated allegations that he made harassing telephone calls to his former girlfriend and violated a court order prohibiting contact with her.

Torre dealing with bad knee

Joe Torre’s arthritic left knee has been bothering him so much lately that the New York Yankees manager plans to try an injection of lubrication in it.

“It’s gotten worse,” Torre said before Wednesday night’s game at Texas.

Torre said he has never tried or even considered an injection before, but the pain has gotten worse. He played 17 major league seasons as a catcher and third baseman.

“It’s always been there, would give way on me every once in a while, but not as chronic as it has been,” Torre said.

Around the league

San Francisco shortstop Omar Vizquel left the Giants’ game against the Washington Nationals in the fifth inning with a bruised right foot. X-rays on his foot showed nothing was broken, and Vizquel was listed as day to day. … Los Angeles starter Bartolo Colon left after the first inning of the Angels’ game at Tampa Bay with right elbow irritation. … Tampa Bay Devil Rays left-hander Scott Kazmir will miss his scheduled start Friday night against the New York Yankees because of shoulder soreness.