Baseball

Family to keep key reliever away from Indians

By wire services
Published September 14, 2005

CLEVELAND - Indians reliever Arthur Rhodes has left the club because of a family illness and will miss the rest of the season, a blow to baseball's best bullpen and the club's playoff chances.

"It's going to be tough without him," closer Bob Wickman said. "He has been huge for us all year. We're definitely going to miss him."

Rhodes was in his first season with the Indians, who acquired him in December from Pittsburgh for outfielder Matt Lawton . The left-hander didn't pitch because of the personal matter from Aug.2 to Sept.3.

Rhodes is married and has two daughters and a son. Wickman, a father of three, said he understood Rhodes' decision.

"If I was in the same situation, my family would come first also," Wickman said. "We're all behind him."

Rhodes, 35, has helped Cleveland's bullpen become one of the majors' stingiest one season after it was one of baseball's worst. He was primarily used in the seventh and eighth innings and went 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 47 appearances.

PIAZZA NOT FINISHED: Mets catcher Mike Piazza , who is recovering from a concussion and broken hand, said he still wants to play next season, even if it's not in New York.

"Everyone is assuming that I'm not going to be here next year, but I've never said anything either way," Piazza, 37, said. "I'm just going to finish as strong as I can and see what the options are."

KATRINA AID: Chicago White Sox Charities and the team's fans donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The Audience Auction, Sox Split raffle and donations from fans, employees and staff brought in more than $40,000 during the recent homestand against the Royals and Angels. Chicago White Sox Charities donated almost $60,000. Autographed player items, including two team jerseys, will be auctioned online (www.chicago.whitesox.mlb.com)

In other White Sox news, reliever Damaso Marte had his sore neck examined, and manager Ozzie Guillen said the left-hander probably will go on the disabled list.

RADKE'S FUTURE UNSETTLED: Right-hander Brad Radke , the former Jesuit standout who turns 33 next month, said that he's strongly considering retirement after next season and that the shoulder soreness he has fought for more than two months is a factor. "There's a lot of parts to it," said Radke, who has mentioned time with his family as another.

SOSA SETTLES: Orioles slugger Sammy Sosa settled a lawsuit in Miami that alleged he owed more than $22,000 for a law firm's work in resolving tax disputes with the IRS. Details were not released.

ANGELS: Left-hander Jarrod Washburn was scratched from tonight's start against the Mariners with a flareup of the forearm tendinitis that sidelined him for 18 days in July and August.

ASTROS: Rookie centerfielder Willy Taveras left after three innings against Florida with a cut on his right middle finger.

D'BACKS: Outfielder Luis Gonzalez , the former Jefferson High standout, won the Branch Rickey Award for community service for devoting more than 1,000 hours and generating more than $1-million in contributions for Arizona charities.

RED SOX: An MRI exam of centerfielder Johnny Damon 's ailing left shoulder showed no structural damage.

[Last modified September 14, 2005, 02:15:34]