Steinbrenner Downplays Potential Owners’ Lockout

Spring training

George Steinbrenner swooped into the New York Yankees’ spring training complex in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Monday sounding extremely edgy about voting to lock out major leaguers if the National Labor Relations Board obtains an injunction that would prompt the baseball players to scrap their strike.

“It’s not like I’m after a lockout,” Steinbrenner said sharply.

The possibility of a lockout has been discussed ever since the players announced they will return to work if the NLRB gains the injunction, which would force the clubs to restore salary arbitration and competitive bidding for free agents.

Although the Yankees owner did not make a definitive announcement, his hints of doubt were intriguing because only eight of the 28 owners need to vote against a lockout to prevent one. Steinbrenner said he did not know if the owners would get the votes for a lockout and indicated he was as curious as anyone about how the other owners might react.

‘Mahay kid’ may make big leagues

Boston manager Kevin Kennedy said if the baseball strike ended sometime this week it’s entirely possible replacement outfielder Ron Mahay would make the regular Red Sox roster.

“Based on what I’ve seen, this kid has some natural ability,” Kennedy said of Mahay’s .404 batting average, three home runs and 11 RBIs this spring. “He can play three outfield positions and he has a strong enough arm to play right field. Because we’ve traded Otis Nixon, who’s to say he won’t be playing out in center field? When the regulars come back, we’re going to mix him in with everyone and see how he fits.”

Dodgers sign former Mariner

The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed former Seattle Mariners outfielder Keith Mitchell, 25, to a contract with their Albuquerque farm club of the Pacific Coast League.

Mariners 3, Rockies 3 (11 innings)

A sun-aided triple with two outs in the top of the ninth inning allowed the tying run to score for Colorado in Peoria, Ariz.

Andy Hartung lifted a long fly ball to center field for what would have been the third out and a one-run Seattle victory. But center fielder Julio Peguero momentarily lost the ball in the sun and then overran it, allowing Link Jarrett to score the tying run.