Pirates part ways with Mondesi
The Pittsburgh Pirates finally ran out of patience with absent outfielder Raul Mondesi, terminating his contract Wednesday when he didn’t show up for the start of a three-game series against San Diego.
The Pirates cited breach of contract in ending all dealings with Mondesi, who was hitting .283 with two homers and 14 RBIs when he left them May 7 to return to his native Dominican Republic and fight a lawsuit.
Mondesi was not disappointed by the Pirates’ decision.
“I feel relieved now,” Mondesi told the Associated Press. “I want the best for the Pirates, and considering my situation in the Dominican Republic I wasn’t going to be much help to them at this moment. I have an issue to resolve and the Pirates have a schedule to complete. I understand that they’ve taken this measure.”
Mondesi was paid approximately $192,000 of his guaranteed $1.75 million contract before leaving, but the Pirates are not required to pay any more money. He was due a $600,000 buyout if the team did not pick up his $8 million option for 2005.
Normally, clubs are responsible for the remainder of a player’s contract if they release him, but Mondesi voluntarily left the Pirates.
Helms slips on ramp, hurts knee
Milwaukee third baseman Wes Helms slipped on a wet ramp outside the clubhouse and sprained his right knee, an injury that forced him to go home for tests.
Helms, batting .252 with two home runs, was walking from the clubhouse to the dugout a couple hours before Wednesday’s game against Montreal when he slipped on stairs made wet by an afternoon rainstorm in San Juan.
Helms also hit his head on the step, although general manager Doug Melvin said the team “isn’t worried about the head,” but is concerned about Helms’ knee.
Melvin said Helms was scheduled to fly to Milwaukee on Friday for an MRI, and his status would be determined then. Normally a starter, Helms was not in the lineup before the injury; he was scheduled to get a day off.
Karsay pitches in simulated game
Yankees reliever Steve Karsay threw two innings in a simulated game, his first such action since rotator cuff surgery a year ago.
He is scheduled to pitch in another simulated game Saturday at the Yankees’ spring training complex.
McGriff to join Triple-A Durham
Fred McGriff may yet get his chance to reach 500 home runs.
The 40-year-old slugger has decided to join Triple-A Durham, and the sagging Tampa Bay Devil Rays expect to promote him to the majors by the end of May.
McGriff is nine home runs short of 500.
Cardinals prospect sets scoreless innings mark
St. Louis Cardinals prospect Brad Thompson broke a 97-year-old, minor-league record for consecutive scoreless innings, then fell just short of Orel Hershiser’s professional baseball mark.
Thompson took a shutout into the sixth inning in the Tennessee Smokies’ 11-2 victory over West Tenn before allowing a run. The 22-year-old right-hander pitched 57 consecutive scoreless innings dating to last season in Class A, when he played for Peoria of the Midwest League and Palm Beach of the Florida State League.
Hershiser set the major league record with 59 straight scoreless innings for Los Angeles in 1988.
Thompson’s streak came to an end in the sixth when Mike Dzurilla hit an RBI single to drive in Richard Lewis, who doubled.
Clearing the bases
The Pittsburgh Pirates purchased the contract of outfielder Ruben Mateo from Triple-A Nashville and placed outfielder J.J. Davis on the 15-day disabled list. … Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo left Wednesday night’s start against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning with a split nail on his right index finger. … The Reds activated outfielder Austin Kearns from the D.L.