Mondesi says he won’t return

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Raul Mondesi, his pay withheld for most of the season because of a civil suit, will sit out the rest of the year, he said from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

“I won’t play another game this season,” Mondesi told the Associated Press.

“I can’t concentrate well enough to play baseball,” he continued. “I don’t want to become a distraction for the team. This is the best for the Pirates, for myself and my family.”

Mondesi, 33, said the decision was only for this year and he may return next season.

Mondesi returned to his native Caribbean country Saturday. He missed a three-game weekend series against Los Angeles.

A Dominican civil court ruled in February that Mondesi owed former major leaguer Mario Guerrero about $640,000 for helping him improve his baseball skills, a claim Mondesi denies.

Mondesi appealed, but said the court ordered his nine accounts in nine Dominican banks frozen and the Pirates withheld his pay.

In April, Mondesi had threatened to leave the team if the Pirates didn’t pay him by the end of the month.

Last Wednesday, a Dominican court order that caused the Pirates to hold his pay was lifted. The Pirates then said they would release Mondesi’s wages from an interest-bearing escrow account.

Mondesi was hitting .283 with two homers and 14 RBIs this season.

Clearing the bases

Angels outfielder Jose Guillen’s sprained right knee and ankle were re-examined by team trainers Monday, and he remained listed as day to day. The team didn’t order any further diagnostic tests, possibly indicating the injury wasn’t as serious as originally feared. Guillen was carted off the field during Sunday’s victory over Tampa Bay after getting injured while sliding into second base.

Pitcher Jimmy Haynes was put on waivers by the Reds, who would be responsible for the rest of his $2.5 million salary if he doesn’t get claimed… . The White Sox activated pitcher Kelly Wunsch from the 15-day disabled list Monday and optioned the left-hander to Triple-A Charlotte… . The Rockies signed right-handed pitcher Kevin Jarvis to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Jarvis was designated for assignment April 26 after going 0-1 with an 8.31 earned run average in eight games for the Mariners.