Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Roundup: Former phenom Wright set free

CLEVELAND -- The Indians declined to pick up their 2003 contract option for pitcher Jaret Wright, a former postseason star whose career has been sidetracked by injuries.

Wright, who has been on the disabled list seven times since 1999, declined to be outrighted and will file for free agency, the Indians said.

Cleveland had a $6-million option for '03 on the right-hander.

Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said the team might sign Wright as a free agent.

"I think based on the injuries that he went through the past couple of years, what we wanted to do was decline the option but maintain the possibility of signing him back," Shapiro said Wednesday.

BONDS BALL: The men feuding over Barry Bonds' record-setting 73rd home run ball failed to settle their differences out of court and will give it one more chance before their case goes to trial.

Alex Popov and Patrick Hayashi are scheduled to continue negotiating this morning before their lawyers make opening statements.

A-ROD HONORED: Alex Rodriguez was selected player of the year in a vote by players' association members, and John Smoltz was picked to receive the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award.

TRADE FINALIZED: The Dodgers acquired right-hander Brian Mallette to complete a July trade with the Brewers. Los Angeles received utility player Tyler Houston on July 23 for minor-league pitchers Ben Diggins and Shane Nance.

BREWERS: Braves third-base coach Ned Yost interviewed with general manager Doug Melvin for the managerial job.

MARLINS: Owner Jeffrey Loria has decided to increase the payroll next season, which will allow the team to keep most of its best players, general manager Larry Beinfest said. This season's $41-million payroll was baseball's third-lowest.

PADRES: Closer Trevor Hoffman had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and is expected to be ready for spring training.

PHILLIES: Cole Hamels, Philadelphia's top pick in the June draft, made his pro debut Tuesday in Clearwater. Facing Toronto's instructional squad, the 18-year-old left-hander from San Diego allowed an unearned run on two hits while striking out one.

REDS: Outfielder Wily Mo Pena is expected to have surgery Friday to repair the left hamstring he tore playing in the Arizona Fall League. He is expected to need 4-6 months of rehabilitation.

YANKEES: Team officials have contacted the agent for Jose Contreras, the right-handed pitcher who defected from Cuba. Agent Jaime Torres said he expected to establish residency soon for Contreras in a third country, which would keep him from being subject to the amateur draft.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright