O's look to void ex-ace's contract

By wire services
Published September 2, 2005

BALTIMORE - Sidney Ponson was released Thursday by the Orioles, who contend the former ace's conduct and problems with alcohol the past nine months give them grounds to terminate his contract.

The right-hander, on the 15-day disabled list with thumb and calf injuries, has one season left on a three-year deal that would pay him $10-million in 2006.

"The Orioles did what we felt was justified and right, and indeed what we were compelled to do," said H. Russell Smouse, the team's general counsel. "There was really no alternative after a deliberate consideration of all the facts."

Ponson's agent, Barry Praver, did not return a call. Praver and Ponson, 28, have not talked to the media since the pitcher's arrest last week.

"We will clearly grieve it," said Michael Weiner, the players' association general counsel.

Ponson was arrested Aug. 25 and accused of driving under the influence of alcohol. He also was charged with DUI in January in Florida, a case that has not been resolved.

That arrest came less than a month after he spent 11 days in an Aruban jail after he hit a judge during a Christmas Day fight at a beach in his home country. Ponson apologized for the fight and reached a settlement that involved community service and a charitable contribution.

Last week's arrest convinced the Orioles they had sufficient grounds to terminate his contract. In a one-sentence release Thursday, the Orioles said they placed the pitcher on "unconditional release waivers," citing a violation of the standard player contract.

SAN FRANCISCO - As long as his knee holds up, leftfielder Barry Bonds believes there's "a good possibility" he could be taking swings with the Giants when the club gets to Los Angeles next week.

Bonds, recovering from three right knee operations since Jan. 31, began taking light batting practice this week with no problems and wrote on his Web site that he's eager to resume his chase of the home run record and help the struggling Giants make things interesting in the season's final five weeks.

The slugger has been in Los Angeles the past two months rehabilitating his knee under the direction of renowned orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum and physical therapist Clive Brewster.

"If things look good and Dr. Yocum and Clive are satisfied in terms of how my knee is responding, then there's a good possibility I might be taking a few workout swings with the team when they come to Los Angeles next week," Bonds wrote at www.barrybonds.com

The Giants hope the next move will be getting Bonds in a game, even if it's in a limited role such as pinch-hitting.

BROWN'S CAREER OVER?: The Yankees moved right-hander Kevin Brown to the 60-day disabled list, in effect ending his season and perhaps his major-league career. Brown, 40, who has back problems, has been on the DL 14 times in his career and three times this season. The five-time All-Star was 4-7 with a 6.50 ERA in 13 starts before his final trip to the DL on July 28 with a lumbar strain.

COACHES SUSPENDED: Pirates hitting coach Gerald Perry was suspended eight games and Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan for four for a scuffle during batting practice Aug. 24 at Pittsburgh.

INDIANS: Reliever David Riske had his four-game suspension cut to three after he appealed the penalty for hitting Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki with a pitch July 29. ... Left-hander Jeremy Sowers, a first-round pick in 2004 who had a 2.08 ERA at Double-A Akron, was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo.

ROYALS: Right-hander Runelvys Hernandez had the appeal of his 10-game suspension denied. The suspension stemmed from a beanball incident July 17 at Detroit that led to a dugout-clearing brawl.

WHITE SOX: First baseman Ross Gload, a former USF standout, was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte when DH Frank Thomas was transferred from the 15- to the 60-day disabled list. Thomas' career with the team could be over: Chicago can exercise its option on him for next season for $10-million or buy it out for $3.5-million. Thomas is 37 and has battled injuries the past few seasons.

[Last modified September 2, 2005, 02:15:35]