Associated Press
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. ó Relief pitcher Duaner Sanchez was released Tuesday by the New York Mets after failing to regain form following two shoulder operations.
The move could improve East Rowan alum Bobby Parnell’s chances of making the team as a reliever.
Mets manager Jerry Manuel has made a case for both Parnell and Brian Stokes in the bullpen, which figures to include Pedro Feliciano, Sean Green, J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez.
“The way it sounds I’m going to be keeping about 15 pitchers,” Manuel joked.
Sanchez separated a shoulder in a taxi accident on July 30, 2006 and had season-ending surgery. He missed the 2007 season following a hairline fracture in the front of his shoulder during spring training and returned to the majors last April 15.
BRAVES
KISSIMMEE, Fla. ó Derek Lowe is getting comfortable with his new team.
Atlanta’s new No. 1 starter, signed in the offseason as a free agent, struck out six in four hitless innings to lead the Braves over the Houston Astros 7-4.
The 35-year-old right-hander felt like the new kid in school when he first joined the team.
“At first everyone kind of looks at you, but no one really says anything,” Lowe said. “Eventually you’ve got to break the ice. But it’s like that anywhere you go. This place is no different. It’s getting a lot more where everyone feels comfortable around each other.”
Lowe said Tuesday was his best work of the spring.
“That’s about as good as I can do,” he said. “It really is, as far as command, being able to throw pitches for strikes. It’s important to throw strikes. It’s steadily gotten better.”
DODGERS
PHOENIX ó Manny Ramirez is scheduled to make his spring training debut Thursday in an exhibition against South Korea’s World Baseball Classic team.
RED SOX
FORT MYERS, Fla. ó Jon Lester is among 19 players who have agreed to one-year contracts with the Boston Red Sox. Lester’s agent has been working on a long-term deal with the Red Sox, but the pitcher said an agreement had not yet been completed.
YANKEES
TAMPA, Fla. ó Yankees general manager Brian Cashman thinks he’s unlikely to acquire a fill-in third baseman to replace Alex Rodriguez.
“I’m not optimistic about doing anything,” Cashman said. “I’m not going to be proactive in trying to do something.”n Mike Mussina is enjoying retirement and no has desire to pitch again.
The former New York Yankees pitcher, on vacation with his family, visited old teammates before Tuesday’s game with Cincinnati.
“No itch,” Mussina said. “It feels good being retired.”
ATHLETICS
PHOENIX ó Eric Chavez remains optimistic that he can play by opening day despite a setback in his shoulder rehabilitation.
CLEMENS
NEW YORK ó Federal authorities have found performance-enhancing substances on the materials Brian McNamee said he used to inject Roger Clemens, The New York Times reported.
McNamee turned over the syringes, vials and gauze pads to federal investigators last year after he told baseball investigator George Mitchell he injected the pitcher with steroids and human growth hormone. The Washington Post reported Feb. 6 that tests linked Clemens’ DNA to blood in the syringes given to investigators by McNamee.
Clemens has said repeatedly that McNamee, his former personal trainer, injected him with B-12 and the painkiller lidocaine.