Canseco gives baseball another shot
Jose Canseco returned to baseball when he agreed to a contract with the independent San Diego Surf Dawgs, planning to be their designated hitter and – get this – pitch.
The Golden Baseball League announced the deal Thursday night, saying the former American League MVP and Rookie of the Year will make his Surf Dawgs debut Monday night on the road against the Chico Outlaws.
Canseco’s return to baseball comes some 19 months after he attracted Congress’ attention with an autobiography, “Juiced,” that accused several top players of steroid use.
“We strive to provide a high quality entertainment product, and Jose will undoubtedly be entertaining for our fans,” GBL president Amit Patel said
Bonds’ trainer in trouble again
Barry Bonds’ personal trainer refused to testify to the federal grand jury investigating the San Francisco slugger for perjury.
Greg Anderson, who served three months in prison after pleading guilty last year for his role in the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative steroid scandal, could be sent back to prison if found in contempt of court for refusing to testify.
Anderson’s attorney, Mark Geragos, said his client should not have to testify because he was the victim of an illegal government wiretap that he said resulted in a recording of Anderson saying he provided Bonds with “undetectable” drugs to help him beat baseball’s drug testing program in 2003.
Prosecutor Jeff Nedrow revealed that his office had obtained a copy of the recording last summer.
Alsup ruled that the recording was “not a wiretap, but a privately recorded conversation with a witness,” and that there was no legal reason for Anderson not to testify.
The grand jury is investigating whether Bonds perjured himself when he testified to the original BALCO grand jury in December 2003 that he never knowingly used steroids or other banned performance enhancing drugs.
Phillies acquire Castro
The Philadelphia Phillies acquired left-hander Fabio Castro from the Texas Rangers for minor league pitcher Daniel Haigwood and cash.
“Fabio is someone we’ve had our eye on since the Rule 5 draft approached last December,” Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. “He has a quality arm, is young and someone we are pleased to have in our organization. We feel that he has a chance to develop into a setup-type reliever.”
The 21-year-old Castro held right-handers to a .192 batting average (5 for 26) during his brief stay in Texas.
Rios out with infection in leg
Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios was hospitalized and expected to remain overnight to receive treatment on a bad infection in his lower left leg.
Rios fouled a ball off his leg during a victory over the Washington Nationals. The area swelled and he sat out Wednesday’s game as a precaution. But the pain in his leg got worse so the team sent him to the hospital.
Team trainer George Poulis described the injury as “weird” because there was no visible break in the skin that might have allowed the troublesome bacteria to enter.
Poulis said the key is stopping the infection from spreading, which is why Rios was being given strong antibiotics.
The Blue Jays don’t expect Rios to be out long.
Perez demoted to Triple-A
Pittsburgh Pirates opening-day starter Oliver Perez was demoted to Triple-A Indianapolis, the club’s latest move to try to turn around the hard-throwing pitcher once viewed as their staff ace.
Perez has struggled with his control, mechanics and velocity for a second consecutive season. He and Jorge Sosa of the Braves are tied for the National League lead in losses.
Uecker’s stalker warned
A woman charged with stalking Hall of Fame announcer Bob Uecker has been ordered to have no contact with him.
Ann E. Ladd was released on a signature bond Wednesday. She was ordered to stay away from Uecker’s home and workplace, including Miller Park in Milwaukee and any major league ballpark, and stay at least 1,000 feet from him at all times.
Ladd has been charged with felony stalking and could face up to 3 1/2 years in prison and a $25,000 fine if convicted.