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Guillen tossed in minors for apparent corked bat

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 14, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- Jose Guillen may have more problems than recovering from a sprained left knee.

Playing for Triple-A Durham on a rehabilitation assignment, Guillen was ejected from Tuesday's game for using a bat that umpires said was corked.

Guillen could face additional disciplinary action, including a possible suspension, after International League officials review the situation.

Umpiring crew chief Mike Van Vleet told reporters in Louisville that Guillen's bat was hollowed and stuffed with wine cork.

"It was a pretty easy decision," Van Vleet said. "He had an illegally altered bat, which is an automatic ejection."

Guillen, contacted by the Times on Wednesday, declined comment.

Assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said the Rays would not comment until the matter was reviewed by the International League office.

Guillen, who started the 20-day rehab assignment Sunday, was batting in the first inning when the episode unfolded.

Guillen grounded to third and the bat cracked, with one piece landing near the mound. According to reports in Louisville, Guillen stepped toward the mound as if he were going to pick up the bat, but home plate umpire Jeff Head noticed the bat had been altered.

Guillen, injured during a May 17 game in Kansas City, went to Durham thinking he soon would rejoin the big-league team. But the Rays may not be in any hurry to activate him, with Randy Winn having taken over as the starting rightfielder and the disciplinary action pending. Once healthy, Guillen could be optioned to Durham anyway.

Tuesday's game, won by Durham 3-2, was rather eventful. In the second inning, Bobby Smith was ejected for twice confronting Louisville pitcher Chris Peters after being hit by a pitch.

Smith first charged the mound, but was stopped by Head and catcher Tim Spehr. At the end of the inning, he waited for Peters near the Louisville dugout with his fist clenched and arm cocked.

- Information from the Louisville Courier-Journal was used in this report.

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