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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Different look for HR Derby

Associated Press

NOTES

Atlanta outfielder Andruw Jones and Boston slugger David Ortiz are among the eight players who will represent their home countries in the Home Run Derby during All-Star weekend.

Jones, who leads the majors with 27 homers, will represent Curacao on Monday in Detroit in a new format.

Ortiz will represent the Dominican Republic. Others selected include: Philadelphia outfielder Bobby Abreu of Venezuela; Pittsburgh outfielder Jason Bay of Canada; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Hee-Seop Choi of Korea; Milwaukee outfielder Carlos Lee of Panama; Detroit catcher Ivan Rodriguez of Puerto Rico; and Texas first baseman Mark Teixeira of the United States.

Chipper nears return

Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones hopes to return to the lineup July 18 when the Braves begin a three-game series in San Francisco.

On Friday, Jones took live batting practice for the first time since June 6 when he went on the 15-day disabled list with an injured left foot.

Betancourt suspended

Cleveland Indians reliever Rafael Betancourt was suspended by Major League Baseball for 10 days after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance.

Betancourt, on the DL with a shoulder injury, disputes the claim and said he will ask the players’ association to file a grievance to clear his name.

Clearing the bases

Florida right-hander Josh Beckett went on the 15-day DL with a strained left oblique muscle. … Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee said his sore left shoulder felt better and he expects to return to the lineup today. … The Dodgers activated outfielder Ricky Ledee from the DL and put reliever Kelly Wunsch on it. … Ruthie Pesky, wife of Boston Red Sox special assignment instructor Johnny Pesky for 60 years, died after a long illness. She was 82.