Snow May Miss Opener With Fractured Eye Socket

J.T. Snow couldn’t avoid Randy Johnson’s chin music Tuesday, and the San Francisco Giants came out singing the blues.

The lower part of Snow’s left eye socket was fractured when he was struck in the face by a pitch from Seattle’s ace in a Cactus League game.

Snow was released from a Scottsdale, Ariz., hospital Wednesday. But his vision remains blurred due to severe swelling, and doctors may not be able to determine the full extent of the injury until the inflamed area subsides in the next seven to 10 days.

Giants trainer Mark Letendre said Snow was resting comfortably at his Scottsdale residence.

“He’s doing pretty well,” Letendre said. “Between now and Monday he’ll be getting total rest and a lot of ice to get the swelling down. He’ll be re-evaluated Monday.”

Giants general manager Brian Sabean said he doubted Snow would be ready for San Francisco’s opener against Pittsburgh on April 1. Surgery has not been ruled out.

Snow was batting right-handed in the bottom of the second inning when a Johnson pitch glanced off his left wrist and smacked the left side of his face. The X-rays on his wrist were negative, but he needed stitches to close a wound on his eyelid.

Angels stop M’s

Anaheim’s Darin Erstad homered twice off 41-year-old Dennis Martinez and Eddie Murray added another off Rafael Carmona as the Angels beat Seattle 10-7 for their third straight win and the Mariners’ seventh straight loss.

Alex Rodriguez (3-for-3, HR) and Edgar Martinez (3-for-5, HR) led the Mariners at the plate.

Seattle cut nine players, leaving 41 competing for the 25-man roster.

Right-handers Dean Crow and Mac Suzuki, infielder Giomar Guevara and outfielder Raul Ibanez were optioned to Class AAA Tacoma. Right-hander Ivan Montane and outfielder Marcus Sturdivant were sent to Class AA Memphis. Left-hander Damaso Marte was optioned to Class A Lancaster, and catcher Jason Varitek and infielder Todd Haney were sent to the club’s minor-league camp for reassignment.

Irabu sweepstakes continue

San Diego is considering offers for pitcher Hideki Irabu from about 10 teams, the latest from Cincinnati.

The Reds have offered a package of players for Irabu. Reds GM Jim Bowden declined to discuss specifics. One report said the Reds would offer Pete Schourek, who makes $2.64 million this season and is coming off major elbow surgery. A baseball source said the Padres were not interested.

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was reportedly talked out of pursuing Irabu, at least for a day. The New York Daily News said word from Mets manager Bobby Valentine was that a deal between the Yankees and the Padres had been completed and Irabu would play in pinstripes.

Not so, yet. The Daily News said that while Steinbrenner is willing to consider dealing outfield prospect Ricky Ledee, another player from the minor- or major-league roster and $4 million for Irabu, there are several high-ranking Yankee officials oppose any move involving Ledee.

Henderson trade looms

San Diego has worked out a trade to send Rickey Henderson to the Anaheim Angels, provided he agrees to restructure his contract.

A source close to the possible deal told the AP that the Padres would receive middle reliever Chuck McElroy for baseball’s career stolen base leader.

There was no immediate word on whether Henderson would agree to alter his contract for the Angels.

Pendleton has knee surgery

Terry Pendleton had knee surgery Wednesday, a double setback for the third baseman: He won’t be on Cincinnati’s opening-day roster and he won’t be going anywhere else.

Pendleton tore cartilage in his right knee before the first spring game and had not played an inning.

Valentin to fight fine

Boston shortstop-turned-second baseman John Valentin will fight a $500 fine, his agent said, noting that the workout he missed and the resulting fine came before a two-day furlough was over. Agent Dick Moss said that if the team won’t relent, he would try to make Valentin a free agent.

Sandy Alomar gets extension

Cleveland signed catcher Sandy Alomar to a two-year contract extension, three weeks after passing on a club option for 1998. Alomar, who would have been eligible for free agency after this season, hit .263 with 11 homers and 50 RBIs last year. Terms of the new deal, which includes a club option for 2000, weren’t available.