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Around the American League

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 24, 2001

Rangers, Royals moving spring home to Arizona

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Rangers and Royals reached an agreement Friday with city officials to move their spring training facilities to Arizona in 2003.

The Surprise City Council still must approve the deal, which calls for the building of a new stadium in the Phoenix suburb.

The teams had said as early as last year that they would move their spring training sites from Florida to Surprise if the city built a site.

That was assured in November when voters in Maricopa County approved an increase in hotel and rental car taxes to fund construction of a new stadium for the NFL's Cardinals and other sports projects. Two-thirds of the money for the baseball stadium will come from the tax hike and one-third from the city.

The Rangers exercised a one-year option to remain in Port Charlotte for one more year. Texas has trained in Port Charlotte since 1987.

The Royals have trained in Haines City since 1988.

ATHLETICS: Jose Ortiz, who hit .351 in the minors last season and will take over from the departed Randy Velarde at second base this year, hit his fourth homer of the spring. ... Oakland reassigned three players, including ex-Rays infielder Miguel Cairo.

INDIANS: Charles Nagy, whose career appeared to be in jeopardy before spring training, continued his impressive comeback from elbow surgery by pitching five shutout innings against Detroit's Triple-A team. His velocity is topping off at about 85 mph. "I feel like I can take a regular turn (in the rotation)," said Nagy, 1-0 with a 2.18 ERA in four A games this spring. Nagy has no cartilage left in his right elbow after surgery last season, and was told by doctors he could pitch as long as he could handle the pain.

ORIOLES: Cal Ripken was talking to reporters when he stopped for a moment, reached behind himself and produced a half-inch shard of wood. "Tough bench," he said, eyeing the splinter he yanked from the seat of his pants. Ripken, who doesn't like sitting in the dugout under any circumstances, hopes to make his spring debut today when Baltimore hosts the Dodgers. Ripken, 40, reported to spring training with a hairline fracture in his rib cage.

MARINERS: Outfielder Jay Buhner (strained left arch) will miss at least the first month of the season. But the membrane is not torn and will not require surgery, which would have kept Buhner out until after the All-Star break in July. With Buhner sidelined, Manager Lou Piniella said he will use Stan Javier and Anthony Sanders in leftfield along with Al Martin. ... Ichiro Suzuki, a seven-time batting champion in Japan, hit his second spring home run of the week. He is hitting .352. ... Seattle will open the season with a rotation of Freddy Garcia, John Halama, Aaron Sele, Jamie Moyer and Paul Abbott. ... Third baseman David Bell (hip) probably will miss a few days.

TIGERS: Third baseman Dean Palmer (sore right shoulder) could miss the start of the season. Palmer had surgery this winter but still is unable to throw from third to first. He'll be re-examined next week by Dr. James Andrews. Utility infielder Shane Halter will start at third until Palmer returns.

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