Minor league pitcher appeals suspension
around the horn
Texas Rangers minor league pitcher Agustin Montero became the first player to file a grievance over a suspension for violating the new major league steroids policy Tuesday.
Montero was given a 10-day ban last Wednesday, and the Major League Baseball Players’ Association filed the grievance the following day, saying the penalty was “discipline without just cause.”
Unlike penalties for on-field offenses, which don’t start until after an appeal, suspensions related to the drug policy start immediately. If the union prevails in the grievance, Montero could recover $4,918 in lost pay.
Wilson dies at 70
Earl Wilson, who threw a no-hitter in 1962 and was a starting pitcher on the Detroit Tigers’ 1968 championship team, died at 70.
Wilson died of a heart attack Saturday in suburban Detroit, Jim Martin, executive director of the Baseball Assistance Team charity, said Monday. Wilson was a board member of the group since 1988 and its president from 2000-04.
On June 26, 1962, Wilson became the first black pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the majors.
Astacio headed back to minors
Houston Astros pitching prospect Ezequiel Astacio’s plane trip to Pittsburgh for his first major league start instead turned into an unwanted round trip back to Round Rock, Texas. Houston’s game against the Pirates was postponed.
Astacio was to have been recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to start in place of the slumping Brandon Duckworth, but the postponement means the Astros don’t need him now. They are off Thursday, and Roger Clemens (1-0) opposes the Chicago Cubs’ Greg Maddux in a matchup of 300-game winners Friday at Wrigley Field. That means Astacio heads back to the minors.
Staying the course
The Kansas City Royals, who began play this week with the worst record in the major leagues, say they have no plans to change managers.
“Tony Pena is our manager this year, no doubt about it,” general manager Allard Baird said. “We’re not going to change the direction of the ballclub.”
Pena was the American League Manager of the Year in 2003, when the Royals were 83-79.
Clearing the bases
Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez will be sidelined for two to three months after hernia surgery this week. … Frank Robinson, 69, has set an upper limit on his retirement age: 75. “I think that would be more than enough, I really do,” the Washington manager said. … Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle missed the game against Florida because of flu-like symptoms that have plagued him for nearly two weeks. … The Rockies activated third baseman Garrett Atkins from the disabled list and optioned Jeff Baker to Triple-A Colorado Springs … Boston pitcher David Wells went on the disabled list with a sprained right foot on and is expected to miss at least a month. … Milwaukee first baseman Lyle Overbay left the game against St. Louis in the first inning to receive stitches in his jaw after falling while making a catch in foul territory. … Toronto catcher Greg Myers chose to become a free agent instead of accepting an assignment to Triple-A Syracuse. … Pitcher Chad Fox was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Cubs with an injured right elbow.