Back to scene of the brawl

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 21, 2000

SEATTLE -- Esteban Yan returns to the Safeco Field mound tonight focusing more on throwing pitches than punches.

Yan was involved in an incident with Seattle's Mark McLemore when he last pitched here May 20. McLemore angrily charged the mound when Yan threw a pitch at his legs after he had called timeout and stepped out of the batter's box, sparking a skirmish that lasted close to 15 minutes.

McLemore was suspended five games for his actions, but the punishment was reduced to four games after he pleaded his case to baseball officials. McLemore began serving the suspension Tuesday, so he won't be in the lineup tonight.

Yan, who denied any intent and was not disciplined for the incident, said he doesn't expect there to be any carryover tonight.

"It's not in my mind," he said. "I'm just going to try and pitch my game and try to do better than I've been doing."

Manager Larry Rothschild took a similar view.

"I'm not going to look for anything," Rothschild said. "It's been a month and he's had a number of starts since then and I think he knows enough. (Pitching coach Bill Fisher) may say something to him, but we'll just leave it where it is and play the game, and that's it."

CANSECO REPORT: Jose Canseco put on an impressive batting practice display Tuesday afternoon, but the more important test in determining when he will come off the disabled list will be when he runs the bases. Canseco, out since May 25 with a sore left heel, likely won't be activated until he shows that he can run at close to full speed. He may attempt running drills today, but says he has made progress and wants to make sure to avoid setbacks. "I'll see how it feels, but I'm not going to be in any hurry," he said. "I want to be careful not to do something that could lead to being out another two or three weeks because I'm so close." Canseco had hoped to be activated for Friday's game, but it may not happen until next week.

BRYAN TRYIN': The Rays will have a better idea of their upcoming rotation after Bryan Rekar tries to throw in the bullpen this afternoon. Rekar came out Sunday with a stiff back and said Tuesday he is feeling better. Rothschild said he anticipates moving Rekar back in the rotation, but will have a better read on his condition today. If Rekar is unavailable for the weekend series in Texas, the Rays likely will start Cory Lidle on Friday, Albie Lopez on Saturday and Steve Trachsel on Sunday.

WAITING BY THE PHONE: The Rays may find out today if Juan Guzman will pitch again this season. Guzman, out since the April 7 home opener with shoulder problems, is scheduled to be examined by orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. On Sunday, Guzman said his shoulder had not gotten better despite weeks of rest, treatments and rehabilitation and that there wasn't anything else that could be done, raising the possibility of season-ending surgery. "He's a little down," Rothschild said. "He got to the point where it looked like he was going to get back and he couldn't push past that. You don't want to have to go back and see Andrews after everything he's been through. But I'm not going to draw any conclusions until I know what Andrews says." ... Injured pitchers Dave Eiland and Tony Saunders went through workouts in St. Petersburg with no problem, Rothschild said.

FAMILIAR FACE: If things had worked out a little differently during the winter, Aaron Sele could be pitching for the Devil Rays tonight rather than against them. Sele was in earnest negotiations with the Rays and came "pretty close, actually," to signing, but accepted an offer from the Orioles because he and his wife preferred to live in Baltimore. The Orioles deal then fell apart and Sele signed with Seattle, for whom he is 7-2. "Our dealings with Tampa Bay were very good," Sele said. "It just didn't work out."

RAYS BITS: Left-handed pitcher Dennis Malaska, the team's eighth-round draft pick, was signed and assigned to Class-A Charleston. ... Greg Vaughn is the Rays' top All-Star vote-getter with 142,426 but ranks 14th among AL outfielders.

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