Marlins’ Willis charged with drunken driving

Florida Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis was released from jail Friday after being charged with drunken driving when a police officer noticed him stumbling and confused outside his car in Miami Beach.

The 24-year-old Willis told reporters gathered outside Miami-Dade County jail that he would try to set a better example for his fans: “I’ll do a better job.”

The 2003 National League Rookie of the Year was arrested around 4 a.m. after an officer noticed he had double-parked his black Bentley along a South Beach street lined with nightclubs, according to a police report. The officer said he saw Willis urinate on the street, so he later approached him after responding to an emergency call.

The officer said Willis had watery eyes, slurred speech and appeared “confused and disoriented.”

“He couldn’t keep his balance, he had a strong smell of alcohol,” police spokesman Bobby Hernandez said.

Willis was arrested and taken to a police station, where he refused a breath test, Hernandez said.

He spent more than six hours in jail before being released on $1,000 bail, jail spokeswoman Chandra Gavin Dinkins said.

Yankees slapped with big tax

The New York Yankees got the bill for their sorry season.

The Yankees were slapped with a $26 million luxury tax by the commissioner’s office, raising their total to $97.75 million over the last four years.

Boston, which missed the playoffs, was the only other team over the tax threshold and will pay $497,549.

New York hasn’t won the World Series since 2000, and was knocked out in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight year.

Payments are due at the commissioner’s office by Jan. 31.

Mets raise ticket prices

The New York Mets are raising the price of their box seats closest to the field by up to $12 next season and are increasing the best tickets available for individual games by as much as $7.

The Metro Club Gold seats, the ones nearest the dugouts, will range from $108-$72, the Mets said, up from $96-$60 last season. The Mets have five prices depending on the opponent: platinum, gold, silver, bronze and value.

Rivera suffers injury

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Juan Rivera broke his left leg during a winter league game in Maracay, Venezuela.

Bosox add pitcher, change time

The Boston Red Sox agreed to a minor league contract with pitcher Runelvys Hernandez, who was released this month by the Kansas City Royals.

The Red Sox also said they have received permission from Major League Baseball to play their annual Patriots Day game earlier than usual because the Boston Marathon is starting next spring’s race two hours earlier, at 10 a.m.

Yankees sign Cuban infielder

Cuban infielder Juan Miranda and the Yankees agreed to a $2.07 million, four-year contract.

He played with Pinar Del Rio in Cuba from 2002-04, and the Yankees said he hit .303 there with 27 homers, 73 walks and 87 strikeouts.

Texas gets Donovan, Sandberg

Outfielder Todd Donovan and infielder Jared Sandberg agreed to minor league contracts with the Texas Rangers. Sandberg is the nephew of Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, the North Central High graduate.