Tight chest muscle ends Sheets' day
By TIMES WIRES
Published August 6, 2006
ST. LOUIS - Pitcher Ben Sheets left Saturday's start after one inning because of tightness in a chest muscle. The right-hander had made only seven starts this season due to injuries.
He allowed one run and two hits with two walks and a strikeout Saturday. Sheets threw 27 pitches against the Cardinals and left trailing 1-0.
He began the year on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder injury, and returned to the DL after four starts May 10 due to tendinitis in the shoulder. Sheets made only 22 starts last season before tearing a muscle in his side in August.
La Russa miffed: Cardinals manager Tony La Russa accused David Bell of the Brewers of dangerous play after Bell upended shortstop David Eckstein with a hard slide Saturday.
"I know David Bell is a hard-playing guy, and he was a St. Louis Cardinal one time, but he crossed the line," La Russa said. "When you watch that thing, that's the slide that's real dangerous and has been outlawed."
Replays appeared to show that Bell slid well out of the baseline and then popped up in time to catch a leaping Eckstein at third after the shortstop had taken a force throw on a bunt, sending him sprawling. La Russa called it a "rolling block."
Brewers manager Ned Yost's reaction: "Much ado about nothing. It was a clean play. He slid, and he popped up; he didn't roll, and he was right there at the bag. The umpires got it right."
Diamondbacks: Right-hander Dustin Nippert was recalled from Triple-A Tucson, clearing the way for him to start Saturday night. To make room, right-handed reliever Mike Koplove was designated for assignment. Nippert took Brandon Webb's spot in the rotation. Webb is bothered by a sore elbow.
Mets: Leftfielder Cliff Floyd left Saturday's game against the Phillies because of a sore left Achilles' tendon. Floyd aggravated the tendon in the first inning when he unsuccessfully chased Aaron Rowand's foul drive in the leftfield corner, and the Mets pinch hit for Floyd in the bottom of the first inning. Floyd said he should be able to play in tonight's series finale.
Red Sox: Keith Foulke completed his second rehabilitation start in 72 hours Saturday night for Triple-A Pawtucket and declared himself ready to return to Boston. "I'm waiting for a call," said Foulke, the former closer who was put on the 15-day disabled list June 13 with elbow tendinitis.
Royals: Luke Hochevar, the first overall pick in the draft, signed a four-year contract for a reported $5.3-million, including a $3.5-million signing bonus. He is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today at Kauffman Stadium, then he will report Monday to the Royals' complex in Surprise, Ariz. After about 10 days, Hochevar will be assigned to Class A Burlington (Iowa).
TIGERS: If his throwing session today goes well, Mike Maroth will be sent on a rehabilitation assignment and start Wednesday for Triple-A Toledo. Maroth is on the 60-day DL after surgery on his left elbow.
White Sox: Third baseman Joe Crede left Saturday's game with back stiffness and won't play today.
Yankees: Back at Camden Yards for the first time since being cut loose by the Orioles last season after an arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence, Sidney Ponson showed no love for his former team. "I'm happy I'm not in that clubhouse over there," Ponson said, nodding toward the Orioles' side. "Whatever happened in the past is in the past. I'm with a new team. I'm happy now." He was signed during the offseason by the Cardinals, who released him July 7. One week later, Ponson signed with the Yankees.