Steinbrenner speaks out
Hank Steinbrenner expects his struggling New York Yankees to focus and turn around their season.
“They’ve got to play smarter and harder,” he said Wednesday. “The injuries – when you’re missing Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada – that makes it tough. The injuries make a huge difference. At the same time, you’ve got to get it done. We still have plenty of good hitters. We need to get the job done.”
New York is fourth in the A.L. East after losing two of three games against Tampa Bay, the surprise division leader.
“No question, the Rays are a hungry team,” said Steinbrenner, the Yankees’ co-chairman. “That’s what our team has to get back.”
When asked if it was time for the players to earn their money, Steinbrenner said: “Yes.”
Steinbrenner, in his first season overseeing the team’s baseball operations, expects the Yankees to put together a hot streak, which has become a trademark in recent years.
“We’re going to do everything we can turn to it around this year,” Steinbrenner said. “I guarantee we’ll get his thing straight next year.”
Doumit lands on DL
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit will be sidelined at least a month after breaking his left thumb on a passed ball.
Doumit, a Moses Lake native, was placed on the 15-day disabled list after an examination confirmed the break. Surgery will not be needed for the team’s top offensive player thus far.
Clearing the bases
The Chicago Cubs were on the verge of signing free-agent outfielder Jim Edmonds, who was released last week by the San Diego Padres. Edmonds must pass a physical before he can join the team. … Tampa Bay left-hander Scott Kazmir, 24, has agreed to a $28.5 million, three-year extension through 2011, a deal with a club option that could raise the contract’s value to $39.5 million over four seasons. … Jim Hoey, who pitched in 23 games for Baltimore last year, will miss the rest of the season following shoulder surgery. … After a toughened drug agreement was passed unanimously by baseball’s executive council, Bud Selig expects an easy path to ratification when owners meet today.