Rays/MLB

Marlins owner steers clear of praising manager's work

By TIMES WIRES
Published August 27, 2006

MIAMI - Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria offered a curt assessment of his strained relationship with manager Joe Girardi, which may mean they'll soon part company.

"Everything is, you know, it's fine," Loria said Saturday. "But I don't want to talk about it."

Addressing his rift with Girardi for the first time since it became public three weeks ago, Loria repeatedly tried to steer the conversation away from the subject. He declined to endorse the job Girardi has done in his first year as manager, even though baseball's youngest team has far exceeded expectations.

"Managers obviously have some input during the course of the season," Loria said. "But what's important is the product that's put on the field by the baseball department as well. An amazing job was done by our organization before we started this season."

When told his comments might fuel the perception Girardi won't return next season, Loria told reporters: "If you guys want to come to those conclusions, okay. As far as I'm concerned, the only focus for me and the fans should be what's on the field, personalities aside."

The rift erupted at a game Aug. 6, when Loria berated an umpire while sitting behind the plate. From the dugout, Girardi told or asked the owner to stop, witnesses said. Loria angrily left his seat and confronted Girardi after the game during a 90-minute clubhouse meeting.

Loria has declined to comment on the episode or respond to published reports that he fired Girardi, then changed his mind.

"I don't want to talk about ancient history," Loria said. "These kids deserve the opportunity to finish out the season unencumbered by peripheral issues like who said what or who did what."

Girardi, under contract through 2008, has repeatedly declined to discuss the matter or his future.

DODGERS: Right-hander Giovanni Carrara was designated for assignment and left-hander Tim Hamulack recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas. Carrara had a 5.04 ERA in 21 appearances since being recalled from Las Vegas on July 4. Hamulack had a 1.42 ERA in 28 appearances for Las Vegas.

INDIANS: Reliever Fausto Carmona, a bust as closer, was sent to Triple-A Buffalo with the plan of bringing him back in a few weeks as a starter. Right-hander Edward Mujica was recalled from the Bisons. Carmona blew three consecutive saves on game-ending hits and lost four games in one week, becoming the second reliever in history to lose four in seven days.

PADRES: Outfielder Ben Johnson was sent to Triple-A Portland to make room for infielder Russell Branyan, acquired Thursday from the Devil Rays, on the 25-man roster. Also, right-hander Scott Williamson went on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow strain, and right-hander Jon Adkins was recalled from Portland.

REDS: Closer Eddie Guardado, on the DL with tendinitis in his left (pitching) forearm, played catch to test the injury and still felt some pain.

- TIMES WIRES

[Last modified August 27, 2006, 05:59:22]