Cincinnati releases career saves leader
BASEBALL NOTES
Reds career saves leader Danny Graves cleared waivers and was released by Cincinnati on Thursday, freeing him to sign with any major league team.
Graves, once one of the Reds’ most popular players, has struggled this season and was jeered after yet another poor performance on May 22 and responded with an obscene hand gesture.
The closer was 1-1 with 10 saves and a 7.76 ERA this season.
Gonzalez placed on DL
Oft-injured Cleveland Indians outfielder Juan Gonzalez was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring.
Coco Crisp was activated from the DL to replace Gonzalez, whose latest comeback bid lasted just one at-bat.
Gonzalez strained his right hamstring Tuesday night against the Twins. The two-time A.L. MVP got hurt in the first inning trying to beat out a slow grounder in his first major league at-bat in more than a year.
Dotel to have elbow surgery
Athletics closer Octavio Dotel will have reconstructive elbow surgery as soon as possible.
Dotel will be sidelined at least a year and possibly up to two years.
Oakland acquired the 31-year-old right-hander from Houston in a three-team trade last June 24.
The A’s worked him in slowly in spring training after Dotel dealt with various injuries last season.
Dotel blew four saves in five outings from April 30 to May 11.