Baseball notebook: Dizzy spells halt Morneau
Twins first baseman Justin Morneau missed his third straight game Thursday and returned to Minnesota to be examined by a specialist for an inner ear infection.
Morneau has experienced dizziness from the ear problem since last weekend. He is scheduled to see an ear, nose and throat doctor today.
The three-time All-Star and 2006 A.L. MVP has shown little improvement this week despite being examined by team trainers and general practitioners and taking medication. Morneau said he feels better in the mornings, but the dizziness returns later in the day.
Morneau, hitting .298 with 28 home runs and an A.L.-high 94 RBIs, started the series opener Monday in Texas. But he left that game in the fourth inning and hasn’t been in the lineup since.
Mets cut Hernandez
The New York Mets released struggling right-hander Livan Hernandez, clearing roster space to activate former closer Billy Wagner.
The 34-year-old Hernandez was 7-8 with a 5.47 ERA, but had been especially poor over his last three starts, allowing 18 earned runs in 141/3 innings.
The departure of Hernandez, who helped the Florida Marlins win the 1997 World Series, leaves another hole in a porous starting rotation. New York already is missing Jonathon Niese with a torn hamstring tendon and John Maine with a shoulder injury.
Clearing the bases
Mike Rizzo has taken over as the Washington Nationals’ general manager, 20-plus years after becoming a scout. Rizzo has been serving as Washington’s acting GM since Jim Bowden resigned March 1. … Outfielder Nelson Cruz returned to the Texas Rangers’ lineup after missing more than two weeks with a sprained left ankle. … The Cincinnati Reds placed right-hander Johnny Cueto on the 15-day disabled list because of inflammation in his right shoulder. … The sale of the Chicago Cubs to the Ricketts family is “imminent,” sources said. More than a month after Tribune Co. agreed to broad financial terms of a deal to sell the team to the Rickettses, the two sides are close to completing all the legal documents associated with the large and complicated transaction.