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By MARC TOPKIN
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 9, 2001
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays signed veteran right-hander Ken Hill in hopes he can lend an experienced hand to their bullpen.
Hill, released last season by the Angels and White Sox, agreed to terms on a minor-league contract.
"Ken has had an outstanding career in the major leagues and we think there might be something left," general manager Chuck LaMar said. "Our guys saw him work out and they were impressed with the arm strength he showed. And he still has that good split-finger."
Hill, 35, won 16 games three times in his 13-year career, pitching for the Cardinals, Expos, Indians and Rangers. He made 16 starts for the Angels last season, going 5-7 with a 6.52 ERA before being released in August. He spent six weeks on the disabled list with a strained rib muscle and also was bothered by an arthritic elbow. The White Sox signed him Aug. 18, but he struggled in two outings and was released.
Also, outfielder Jason Tyner agreed to a one-year contract, leaving 17 players unsigned.
The team caravan will be in St. Petersburg today with stops at John Hopkins Middle School, 701 16th St. S; the St. Petersburg Times, 490 First Ave. S; and All Children's Hospital, 801 Sixth St. S. Russ Johnson, Toby Hall, Aubrey Huff, Ryan Rupe and Tyner are scheduled to participate. ... Single-game tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, coinciding with the opening of FanFest at Tropicana Field.
ASTROS: Houston agreed to a $7-million option on catcher Brad Ausmus for 2003. If it declines, he can exercise a $5.5-million option.
REDS: Outfielder Dmitri Young avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $3.5-million, one-year deal. He had 88 RBI last season. Also, arbitrators ruled in favor of first baseman Sean Casey, awarding a raise from $400,000 to $3-million. The club had offered $2.6-million. Casey had 85 RBI.
- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.