A Bust For Cubs, Rojas Moves Along To Mets
Intent on strengthening their bullpen for the stretch run, the New York Mets are counting on Mel Rojas to be everything the Chicago Cubs thought he would be.
Rojas, who has struggled most of the season as the Cubs’ closer, was traded with reliever Turk Wendell and outfielder Brian McRae to New York on Friday for center fielder Lance Johnson, pitcher Mark Clark and infielder Manny Alexander, the latter two having to clear waivers first.
“We feel we are a team that can make a run for the playoffs,” Steve Phillips said after his first trade since taking over as general manager of the Mets on July 16.
Rojas signed a $13.75 million, three-year contract with Chicago in the off-season. But he has saved just 13 games and blown six opportunities, and is 0-4 with a 4.42 ERA.
“It was just not working out here,” Cubs manager Jim Riggleman said. “Whatever it was, Wrigley Field or the cold, it wasn’t working.”
The Mets have been trying since the off-season to shore up their relief pitching.
Johnson, in his second season with the Mets, is hitting .309 with 15 steals and six triples despite shin splints all season. He led the N.L. in triples and hits last season.
McRae, 30, and four years younger than Johnson, was having a subpar year but is considered better defensively than the man he replaces. McRae, batting .240 with 28 steals, will take over Johnson’s leadoff spot.
Wendell is a hard thrower who saved 18 games in 1996. This season he has four saves and a 4.20 ERA working mostly as a setup man.
Everett to see his kids
Two of New York Mets outfielder Carl Everett’s children will remain in the custody of city child welfare authorities, at least through the weekend.
A Family Court hearing Friday failed to settle allegations that one of the children may have been physically abused. Police said they found no evidence to charge Everett, or his wife, with any crime, but because the children were already remanded into the custody of child welfare authorities, a hearing was required before the children could be returned to their parents.
Everett and wife Linda will be permitted supervised visits with the children, 4-year-old Carl and 5-year-old Shawna, today and Sunday. The hearing will resume Monday.
Score to leave the Indians’ booth
Herb Score, a Cleveland Indians broadcaster for a franchise-record 34 years, will retire at the end of the season.
Score, who joined the Indians television broadcast team in 1964, took over radio play-by-play duties in 1968. Score also pitched for the Indians from 1955-59, winning the 1955 A.L. Rookie of the Year Award. Two years later, he was struck in the cheekbone by a line drive by Gil McDougald of the Yankees and his career declined.
Irabu to rejoin Yanks
Hideki Irabu is returning to the New York Yankees, this time with his own pitching coach, and might pitch next Friday against the Texas Rangers.
Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has added Billy Connors, the organization’s pitching coordinator, to the team for the remainder of the season to watch over Irabu.
Mulholland rejoins Giants
The San Francisco Giants claimed left-hander Terry Mulholland off waivers from the Chicago Cubs.
Mulholland, 34, will be joining the Giants for the third time. He pitched for San Francisco in 1986-89 and again in 1995.
Mulholland has an 87-101 career record with a 4.27 ERA in 11 major league seasons. He was 6-12 with a 4.07 ERA in an N.L.-leading 25 starts this season for the Cubs.
Reds GM: Reinstate Rose
Reds general manager Jim Bowden thinks it’s time baseball reinstated Pete Rose.
Bowden, who brought in Jack McKeon as interim manager after firing Ray Knight on July 25, said if Rose were reinstated and expressed interest in the Reds job, he would interview the all-time hits leader.
Rose, who has been banned for gambling since 1989, has talked about having his suspension lifted, but he has yet to make such a request to acting commissioner Bud Selig.
Rose, who managed the Reds from 1984 until he was banished, has said he has no ambitions about managing again.