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PEORIA, Ill. -- Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg was suspended for three games as manager of the Midwest League's Peoria Chiefs for his role in a bench-clearing incident last week.
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Sandberg, in his second season as Peoria's manager, began the suspension with Saturday night's game at Clinton, Iowa, and was to complete the penalty Monday night at home against Quad Cities. He also was suspended for two games on May 13 last year for bumping an umpire during a game at Fort Wayne
The Peoria Journal Star reported Sandberg confronted Clinton manager Mike Micucci between the sixth and seventh innings of Peoria's 7-3 loss last Thursday. Sandberg apparently was upset because a Clinton player tried to bunt in the sixth inning with a 6-0 lead. Sandberg was ejected for the third time this season and seventh time with the Chiefs.
Sandberg played 16 major league seasons, all but one with the Cubs, and hit 282 homers while batting .285. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
BoSox designate Tavarez
MINNEAPOLIS -- Boston designated reliever Julian Tavarez for assignment, clearing room for the return of first baseman Sean Casey.
Tavarez, who turns 35 later this month, was 0-1 with a 6.39 ERA in nine games. The right-hander allowed 18 hits and nine walks in 12 2/3 innings.
The Red Sox have 10 days to trade, release or send Tavarez to the minors. He made his major league debut in 1993, has played for eight teams and first joined the Red Sox in 2006. Tavarez filled a hole in the rotation last season, making 23 starts. He was more of a "safety valve" for the staff this year, manager Terry Francona said.
Casey was activated from the 15-day disabled list after recovering from a strained right hip. He hurt himself running the bases April 25 and spent a two-game rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket.
Bucs demote Van Benschoten
PITTSBURGH -- Right-hander John Van Benschoten was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis following his latest failed trial with Pittsburgh, losing twice in four appearances while giving up eight earned runs in 7 2/3 innings.
Van Benschoten (0-2) was the losing pitcher as the Pirates' six-game winning streak ended with an 8-1 loss to Atlanta in the second game of a doubleheader. The right-hander allowed seven runs, six earned, and nine hits in four-plus innings.
A 2001 first-round draft pick, Van Benschoten is 1-12 with an 8.84 ERA in 21 career major league games.
To replace Van Benschoten, the Pirates will bring up a pitcher Tuesday in St. Louis before beginning a weeklong road trip.
Braves' Smoltz hopes to be in bullpen soon
PITTSBURGH -- Atlanta ace John Smoltz is throwing again and hopes his injured rotator cuff heals enough to let him move into the Braves bullpen later this month. Smoltz threw 45 pitches from 60 feet at PNC Park, a day after throwing 25 pitches from about 40 feet.
Until this weekend, Smoltz had not thrown since lasting only four innings against the Mets in a 6-3 loss on April 27. Smoltz said after that game that discomfort in his shoulder prevented him from throwing properly.
Smoltz was diagnosed with inflammation in his rotator cuff and a biceps tendon and told to rest while on the disabled list. Smoltz was encouraged because his throwing sessions in Pittsburgh were pain-free.
The right-hander, 210-147 lifetime with 154 saves, began the season by going 3-2 with a 2.00 ERA in five starts. He will return to the bullpen once he is ready to pitch again and plans to reduce his warmup pitches to about 20 to alleviate stress on his shoulder.
Frustrated Pedro to pitch simulated game
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Pedro Martinez plans to throw a simulated game against minor leaguers Wednesday, another step toward returning to the Mets rotation from a frustrating leg injury.
Martinez, who strained his left hamstring April 1 during his season debut, 1, threw a bullpen session Monday. The injury has been difficult for the three-time Cy Young Award winner to handle, especially because he missed most of the 2007 season following right rotator cuff surgery.
Martinez is expected to rejoin the Mets next month. New York hopes the 36-year-old right-hander will have the form that made him an eight-time All-Star.
Neither Martinez nor Mets minor league rehabilitation coordinator Randy Niemann would speculate on a date for Martinez's return.
Brewers' Gagne: I want to close again
MILWAUKEE -- Two days after pronouncing himself unfit to close games for Milwaukee, Eric Gagne says he's ready for another shot at a save. He's just not sure when his next chance will come.
"I want to go out there as soon as I can," Gagne said. "That's the way I am. That's what I know. I know how to close. That's the only thing I know how to do."
Brewers manager Ned Yost hasn't committed to a specific role for Gagne, tied with Cardinals reliever Jason Isringhausen with a major league-worst five blown saves this season.
After another rough outing led to a Brewers loss Saturday, Gagne all but demoted himself by saying he didn't deserve to pitch the ninth inning. But from his seat on the bullpen bench Sunday, he immediately had second thoughts.
Goose visits Hall months before induction
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Rich Gossage isn't so tough anymore. The grit the Goose personified on the mound as a fearsome relief pitcher in a 21-year major league career was long gone Monday as he toured baseball's Hall of Fame and pondered his impending induction on July 27.
"It's more mind-boggling than I ever imagined," Gossage said. "You just can't comprehend it. I can't even really comprehend my career. I just can't believe that a kid from Colorado, just a big fan of the game, is here. It's totally overwhelming."
After being passed over eight times by the voters, the 56-year-old Gossage was elected in January, becoming only the fifth reliever to receive baseball's highest honor. He follows Hoyt Wilhelm (1985), Rollie Fingers (1992), Dennis Eckersley (2004) and Bruce Sutter (2006). Gossage had 310 saves and in 125 of those, he recorded at least six outs. He worked more than two innings 52 times.
Gossage pitched for nine major league teams from 1972-94, spending parts of seven seasons with the New York Yankees. He will be wearing a Yankees cap on his plaque for good reason.
