Mulder will remain with St. Louis
Pitcher Mark Mulder agreed to a $13 million, two-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals that could be worth up to $45,075,000 over three seasons.
The 29-year-old left-hander, recovering from rotator cuff surgery, is expected to miss the first half of next season. He also had been negotiating with the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers.
When he returns, he’ll bolster a rotation missing several pitchers who helped the Cardinals win their first World Series title since 1982.
Mets pitching comes into focus
As the New York Mets struck a deal with left-handed reliever Scott Schoeneweis, ace starter Pedro Martinez promised he won’t rush his return from shoulder surgery.
Martinez missed the playoffs last season with a torn right rotator cuff and a left calf injury. He could begin throwing again in March, but isn’t expected to be back on the mound until July or August.
Schoeneweis reached a preliminary agreement on a $10.8 million, three-year contract with the Mets. The 33-year-old Schoeneweis split last season between Toronto and Cincinnati, going 4-2 with a 4.88 ERA.
Robinson disproves of tactic
Former manager Frank Robinson will not return to the Washington Nationals with any sort of full-time job, and said it bothers him that the team took until this week to deliver that news.
“When someone doesn’t want you around, they don’t reach out to you,” Robinson said in a telephone interview from California, where he lives. “They don’t make you feel like you are wanted.”
Robinson was told during the final week of the 2006 season that he wouldn’t be brought back as manager. At the time, there was a possibility raised about some sort of future role with the team.
Ripken Jr. would consider purchase
Cal Ripken Jr. would be interested in buying the Baltimore Orioles if Peter Angelos decides to sell the team.
Ripken Professional Baseball has owned two Class A teams.
“I haven’t been approached,” he said. “I’ve thought about that, yes, and if an opportunity were to arise, it would be an interesting thought process to go through.”
Willis pleads not guilty on DUI
Florida Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis pleaded not guilty to drunken driving in Miami Beach, his attorney said.
Willis entered the plea in writing and did not appear in court, attorney Robert Reiff said. Reiff declined further comment.
The 2003 National League Rookie of the Year was arrested Dec. 22 around 4 a.m. EST after an officer noticed he had double-parked his black Bentley along a South Beach street lined with nightclubs.
Clearing the bases
Relief pitcher Tim Worrell retired after a 14-year career that ended with the San Francisco Giants. Worrell was 48-59 with 71 saves and a 3.97 ERA over 678 career appearances. … John Thomson agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract to pitch for the Toronto Blue Jays. … Lou Gehrig was elected to the first veterans class of the College Baseball Hall of Fame in Lubbock, Texas, for his play at Columbia University. Three others were elected, including Bucknell pitcher Christy Mathewson, Alabama second baseman and coach Joe Sewell, and Holy Cross shortstop and coach Jack Barry. … The tumor that was removed from Bobby Murcer‘s brain during surgery last month was malignant. The 60-year-old Murcer, a New York Yankees broadcaster, had surgery in Houston on Dec. 28.