Yanks' Brown, recovering from hand injury, slowly on way back
By wire services
Published September 25, 2004
BOSTON - Kevin Brown had "no problem" throwing in the bullpen but is a "long shot" to pitch Sunday against the Red Sox after breaking his non-pitching hand three weeks ago, Yankees manager Joe Torre said.
Brown only would be able to pitch with a glove with extra padding, which wasn't ready for him to use Friday but will meet baseball requirements, Torre said. The manager wouldn't say whether Brown would be in the playoff rotation if he's able to pitch.
"I have not finalized anything," Torre said. "You're going to have to find somebody that you don't want to pitch." Mike Mussina, Jon Lieber, Orlando Hernandez and Esteban Loaiza all have pitched well recently. The rotation also includes Javier Vazquez, who is 1-4 since his last win Aug. 6. Loaiza is scheduled to pitch the series finale. Vazquez starts today.
Expos still waiting
As far as Washington is concerned, the negotiations with Major League Baseball are essentially done. Now it's a matter of waiting for a 33-year drought to end. Months of talks - including an 111/2-hour session last week and another round that lasted until midnight Wednesday - have produced a 30-page document that would conditionally award the Expos to the nation's capital.
"I would say that it is virtually completed without any major deal points outstanding," Bill Hall, chairman of the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission's baseball committee, said Friday.
So what's next? "As far as I'm concerned," Hall said, "(it) is to hear from Major League Baseball that we have a deal."
The wait shouldn't be long. The city needs a decision by the end of next week so that legislation can be introduced to pay for a $13-million renovation of RFK Stadium.
ASTROS: Second baseman Jeff Kent began serving a two-game suspension for arguing a called strike with umpire Chris Guccione. Kent kicked and threw dirt on home plate before he left.
CARDINALS: An appeal did little to help reliever Julian Tavarez, who was suspended for eight days for applying a foreign substance to balls. Tavarez was ejected from a game Aug. 24 when umpires inspected his grimy hat. After the game, crew chief Joe West said manager Tony La Russa "as much admitted" it was pine tar.
DODGERS: Starter Brad Penny won't pitch again this season after tests confirmed he aggravated a nerve injury Wednesday.
METS: Infielders Jose Reyes and Kaz Matsui were activated from the disabled list. Reyes started at shortstop against the Cubs.
ORIOLES: Reliever Jorge Julio started serving his four-game suspension for throwing a pitch that nearly hit Minnesota's Augie Ojeda in the head.
ROCKIES: Reliever Jeff Fassero was released after he and manager Clint Hurdle disagreed about his ability to start. "It was over philosophical differences," Hurdle said. When Fassero found out he was scheduled to start Sunday, he said he needed to get some work in relief beforehand.
