Rays/MLB

Philadelphia trades for veteran Conine

By TIMES WIRES
Published August 28, 2006

BALTIMORE - Jeff Conine was traded to Philadelphia on Sunday, a deal that provides the Phillies with a solid right-handed bat and veteran leadership in their drive to earn an NL wild-card berth.

The Orioles dealt Conine and cash for a player to be named. The deal was completed during the seventh inning of Baltimore's 5-4 win over the Rays.

"He's been through it," said Ruben Amaro Jr., the Phils' assistant general manager. "He's been a clutch player."

The trade was not announced until after the Rays-Orioles game, and Conine found out when he walked off the field.

Conine, 40, doubled in the tying run in his final at-bat with the Orioles.

"I obviously didn't know it was going to be the last hit or the last at-bat, but you contribute to (a) win, that's what I try to do every time I take the field," he said.

Conine is hitting .265 with nine homers and 49 RBIs. He has played leftfield this season and some first base.

ASTROS: Manager Phil Garner altered his rotation for the Brewers series, dropping Wandy Rodriguez out of Tuesday's scheduled start and moving Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte up a day. Clemens starts Wednesday and Pettitte on Thursday, both on four days' rest.

CUBS: Manager Dusty Baker said he "sometimes" feels he has a future with the team, and made it clear that sometimes he does not.

Baker is in the final season of a four-year contract and general manager Jim Hendry has said only that his manager is secure for the rest of a disappointing season.

"You put yourself in my position, what would your answer be?" Baker asked media members. "It's not only Jim, it's the whole picture."

MARINERS: Manager Mike Hargrove said 20-year-old right-hander Felix Hernandez would probably need to skip at least one start to keep him under the 200-inning threshold the organization would like.

RED SOX: Slugger Manny Ramirez (sore right knee) was out of the lineup for the third time in four games. Also, LHP Jon Lester (sore back) will not make his scheduled start tonight in Oakland. Lester labored through five innings Thursday in a 5-4 win over the Angels. RHP Tim Wakefield is expected to throw off the mound today in Oakland, continuing his recovery from a stress fracture in his rib cage area.

TIGERS: General manager Dave Dombrowski said LHP Andrew Miller, Detroit's No. 1 draft pick in June, will be called up Tuesday from Class A Lakeland. Detroit optioned RHP Colby Lewis to Triple-A Toledo and outfielder Brent Clevlen to Double-A Erie.

Also, LHP Mike Maroth isn't likely to return to the rotation this season. "I didn't feel too good in the bullpen today," he said after a workout. Maroth had surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow on June 2.

RAINOUT: The Mets' game against the Phillies was rained out and the teams will return at 12:10 p.m. today for the finale of the three-game series at Shea Stadium.

[Last modified August 28, 2006, 01:59:09]