Yankees Retain Gooden

Sat., Nov. 2, 1996

Compiled From Wire Services

Dwight Gooden’s $2 million option was exercised Friday by the New York Yankees, and Roberto Kelly opted to stay with the Minnesota Twins rather than become a free agent.

Gooden was 11-7 with a 5.01 ERA last season and provided a highlight of the year when he pitched a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners on May 14.

Kelly, meanwhile, agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract even though he was disappointed with his limited role with the Twins last season. He hit .323 with six homers, 47 RBIs and 17 doubles in 98 games.

Five players did file for free agency Friday, raising the total to 88: Jim Eisenreich, Mike Henneman, Mike Maddux, Jamie Navarro and Dave Valle.

In others news, catcher Darrin Fletcher’s $1.35 million option for 1997 was exercised by the Montreal Expos, and officials said infielder Jose Valentin’s three-year deal with Milwaukee - announced late Thursday - was worth $5,257,000 guaranteed.

Pat Hentgen was tagged for five runs in the first inning, and the Japanese all-stars opened an eight-game goodwill series in Tokyo by beating a team of major leaguers 6-5.

Brady Anderson homered for the major leaguers, back in Japan after a four-year absence.

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Yankees Retain Gooden

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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