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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Major League Baseball is checking whether a Diamondbacks pitching prospect used his nephew's identity to sign with the team, making him appear three years younger, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press.
Birth records show that Adriano Rosario's real name is Ramon Antonio Pena Paulino, and that he was born Jan. 9, 1982, making him 22. The real Rosario, who is Pena's nephew, turned 19 Sunday, according to the documents.
Pena, a hard-throwing right-hander, allegedly used his nephew's birth certificate to gain a $400,000 signing bonus with Arizona in 2002, the documents show. He signed as a free agent in June 2002.
FAN HIT IN HEAD: A young girl was hit in the head by a foul ball and was carried from the stands on a stretcher during the Rockies-Phillies game in Denver. The girl, sitting about 20 rows back on the first-base side, was struck by a foul ball hit by the Phillies' David Bell in the seventh inning. Paramedics attended to her for about 10 minutes before putting her in a neck brace and taping her head to a stretcher. She was wrapped in a blanket and was holding hands with a man.
ASTROS: There have been five sellouts this season at Minute Maid Park, four with Roger Clemens on the mound.
BLUE JAYS: DH Josh Phelps sat and won't play for the next couple of games because of his 3-for-28 slump.
BREWERS: Right-hander Matt Kinney is returning to the bullpen after his subpar outing Saturday. ... Reliever Ben Ford (right shoulder tendinitis) was placed on the 15-day DL.
CUBS: Outfielder Jose Macias has four straight multihit games.
DODGERS: Rightfielder Juan Encarnacion (sore left shoulder) missed his third straight game.
EXPOS: Outfielder Ron Calloway was optioned to Triple-A Edmonton.
GIANTS: Leftfielder Barry Bonds (back) is expected to return Tuesday. Second baseman Ray Durham (sore hamstring) sat out Sunday.
MARINERS: Second baseman fBret Boone (hip flexor strain) didn't start for the fifth straight game.
MARLINS: Pitcher Dontrelle Willis grounded out to second in his first pinch-hit appearance this season.
METS: Mike Piazza will play primarily at first base from now on but will catch two times a week. Vance Wilson and Jason Phillips also will share playing time at catcher. ... Matt Ginter, called up from Triple-A Norfolk to make his first major-league start, allowed two runs and eight hits in 52/3 innings.
REDS: First baseman Sean Casey (sore left thumb) sat out his third straight game but should return Tuesday.
ROCKIES: First baseman Todd Helton tied a team record with four walks. ... Colorado switched to a four-man rotation two weeks ago but might abandon the plan after deciding to call up right-hander Aaron Cook from Triple-A Colorado Springs to start today. Right-hander Allan Simpson was recalled from and infielder Aaron Miles demoted to Triple A.
ROYALS: Outfielder Aaron Guiel (blurred vision) was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Infielder Wilton Guerrero was recalled from Triple-A Omaha. Omaha right-hander Joe Dawley was designated for assignment. ... Backup catcher Kelly Stinnett has hit safely in all 10 of his games. ... Chief operating officer Herk Robinson retired, ending a 35-year stay in the front office.
TWINS: Outfielder Jacque Jones , 0-for-23 all-time against Mark Buehrle , didn't start.
WHITE SOX: Designated hitter Frank Thomaswas ejected for the eighth time in his career for arguing balls and strikes.
YANKEES: Former Rays pitcher Tanyon Sturtze will start this weekend at Texas, taking the turn of Donovan Osborne .
- TIMES WIRES