Baseball: Female ump on deck
A rookie fresh from the minors is about to change the face of baseball: A female umpire is set to work a major league exhibition game for the first time in almost 20 years.
Ria Cortesio will be on the bases Thursday for a game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs in Mesa, Ariz.
“I’m looking forward to it,” she said Monday night. “There will be a lot more people in the stands than I’m used to.”
Kerry asks for change
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass) urged Major League Baseball on Tuesday to hold off on a deal to put the sport’s “Extra Innings” package of out-of-market games exclusively on DirecTV Group Inc. A top baseball official declined to agree, with opening day less than a week away.
Garcia throws off mound
Philadelphia’s Freddy Garcia threw 30 pitches off a mound, six days after he lasted just one inning against Toronto because of right biceps tendonitis.
Murcer get good news
Bobby Murcer’s latest MRI exam showed his brain tumor has not grown.
The New York Yankees broadcaster had the scan last week in Texas, the team said, and he was to have his first vaccine shot Tuesday as part of a clinical trial.
Clearing the bases
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Jay Payton could start the season on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. … Cleveland Indians reliever Matt Miller will miss up to four weeks with a muscle strain in his right forearm. … Right-hander Ben Hendrickson was traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Kansas City Royals on for minor league catcher Maxim St. Pierre. … Pittsburgh outfielder Michael Ryan, right-hander Josh Sharpless and catcher Einar Diaz were sent to the minor leagues. Pirates reliever Masumi Kuwata can’t throw for four to six weeks after badly spraining his right ankle. … The Boston Red Sox obtained outfielder Cory Keylor from the Orioles for catcher Alberto Castillo. … Right-hander Edgar Gonzalez was named to the Arizona Diamondbacks rotation. … The Washington Nationals purchased the contracts of first baseman Dmitri Young and left-handed reliever Ray King from Triple-A Columbus. … The San Diego Padres will release right-hander Scott Strickland today.