Athletics send Harden to Cubs
The Chicago Cubs acquired pitcher Rich Harden from the Oakland Athletics in a six-player trade Tuesday, a day after the rival Milwaukee Brewers landed CC Sabathia.
The Cubs received the right-handed Harden and righty Chad Gaudin for pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor leaguer Josh Donaldson.
“We’ve been working on Mr. Harden for a few weeks now,” Cubs GM Jim Hendry said.
Harden, eligible to be a free agent after the 2009 season, is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts this season. He’s scheduled to earn $4.75 million this season.
The oft-injured righty missed a month earlier this season because of a right shoulder strain. It was his sixth trip to the disabled list in his six-year career.
The Cubs said they expected Harden would join the team today and that he’ll pitch either Friday or Saturday night at Wrigley Field against the San Francisco Giants.
Ortiz improves
Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz reported no pain a day after he took his first on-field batting practice since injuring a tendon in his left wrist almost six weeks ago.
“That was good news,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “We’ll see how he feels at the end of the week and then we’ll go from there.”
Ortiz will spend some time in the minors on a rehab stint after he is cleared to play.
K.C. stadium floods
Emergency crews were mopping up the outfield and working frantically to repair the warning track at Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium after nearly 3 inches of rain fell in half an hour.
The deluge happened about four hours before the Royals were set to play the Chicago White Sox, and sent water into the dugouts and both clubhouses, said Chris Richardson, director of event operations.
Ordinarily, the stadium could have handled the downpour. But ongoing construction in a $250 million renovation project left the 35-year-old facility vulnerable.
“The problem was with a temporary wall that had been put up,” Richardson said. “There was so much water that hit the wall all at once. The water came down and flooded the bullpens and the outfield area. The home bullpen got the worst of it.”
Although rain had subsided, the Royals and White Sox both canceled infield and batting practice while crews worked to get the field ready.
Rodriguez misses out
Alex Rodriguez’s decision to opt out of his contract last October cost him $200,000 in All-Star bonuses from the New York Yankees this year.
Rodriguez’s old deal, which he agreed to with Texas before the 2001 season, contained provisions that earned him $100,000 bonus for making the A.L. All-Star team and another $100,000 for receiving the most fan votes in his league.
In December, Rodriguez signed a record $275 million, 10-year contract with New York. The Yankees do not give contract bonuses for All-Star selection or awards such as MVP, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger.
Clearing the bases
Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun was added to the All-Star home run derby. He will join Houston’s Lance Berkman, Texas’ Josh Hamilton, Cleveland’s Grady Sizemore, Florida’s Dan Uggla and Philadelphia’s Chase Utley. Two more players will be added to Monday’s event at Yankee Stadium. Defending champion Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels said he will not participate. … Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt is on track to start Friday’s game against the Washington Nationals after having his previous turn in the rotation skipped because of a nerve problem in his lower back. … The Chicago White Sox reinstated first baseman Paul Konerko from the disabled list and designated infielder Pablo Ozuna for assignment. … Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Edgar Gonzalez, on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right elbow, has decided against surgery.