SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Pirates outfielder Raul Mondesi, his pay withheld for most of the season because of a civil suit, will sit out the rest of the season, he said Monday.
"I won't play another game this season," Mondesi told the Associated Press. "I can't concentrate well enough to play baseball. I don't want to become a distraction for the team. This is the best for the Pirates, for myself and my family."
Mondesi, 33, said the decision was for this year only.
Mondesi returned to his native Caribbean country Saturday. He missed a three-game weekend series against Los Angeles.
A Dominican civil court ruled in February that Mondesi owed former major-leaguer Mario Guerrero about $640,000 for helping him improve his baseball skills, a claim Mondesi denies.
Mondesi appealed the ruling but said the court ordered his nine accounts in nine Dominican banks frozen and the Pirates withheld his pay.
HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW: Johnny Damon plans to lose the caveman look for charity. The Red Sox centerfielder said he'll shave the black beard he has had since the offseason to benefit the Boston public libraries' reading and tutoring programs for youngsters.
The Gillette Co., based in Boston, will provide the funds for the programs, Damon said. A call seeking comment from Gillette was not returned.
"Gillette told me to pick out an organization" to help, said Damon, who believes his shaving will take place May 21. He plans to keep his shoulder-length black hair.
In other Red Sox news, outfielder Manny Ramirez missed his first game of the season to go to Miami to become a U.S. citizen. With the support of team management, Ramirez left Boston after Sunday's game.
ECK TOURS HALL: Dennis Eckersley posed in front of Juan Marichal's plaque, and that's when it struck him: He's going into the Hall of Fame, too.
"Being with the plaques is where I felt it. That's when it hit home," Eckersley said as he toured the baseball shrine in Cooperstown, N.Y.
"You get the feeling that it's not really true. That's what puts it in perspective, how awesome it feels," the pitcher said.
Eckersley and former Brewers star Paul Molitor were elected in January in their first year of eligibility. They will be enshrined July 25.
ANGELS: Outfielder Jose Guillen's sprained right knee and ankle were re-examined by team trainers. He remained day to day.
D'BACKS: Right-handed reliever Oscar Villarreal went on the 15-day disabled list with strained tendons in his right forearm. Right-hander Andrew Good was recalled from Triple-A Tucson.
REDS: Right-hander Jimmy Haynes was put on waivers by Cincinnati, which would be responsible for the rest of his $2.5-million salary if he isn't claimed.
ROCKIES: Right-hander Kevin Jarvis signed a minor-league contract.
YANKEES: Right-hander Jose Contreras is scheduled to start for Triple-A Columbus today, his first appearance since being sent to the minors last week to work on mechanics. Contreras had a light bullpen session supervised by team vice president and pitching guru Billy Connors at the spring complex in Tampa.
