Saberhagen's latest? Six-pitch rehab start

By Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 7, 2000

BOSTON -- Bret Saberhagen has not given up on returning to the Red Sox this season, even though his last Triple-A rehab start lasted all of six pitches.

"I'm not going to be making a start (for Boston) the next time, so it's a setback," he said Sunday after the Red Sox lost 3-1 to the Royals.

"They're still talking about this year. I'm still very optimistic."

The two-time Cy Young Award winner had surgery on his rotator cuff during the winter, and he has not pitched for Boston this season. He has made four rehab starts and threw 70 pitches in his third -- but Saturday night brought a setback.

Saberhagen allowed a leadoff home run and then threw two more pitches, both balls, before leaving Pawtucket's game against Syracuse.

"Instead of trying to so something stupid and try to throw when the shoulder wasn't letting me do it, I just decided to shut it down," he said. "The shoulder is just not responding as quickly as I would like."

ANGELS: The pitching staff did not retaliate on Saturday by hitting Manny Ramirez after he spiked Matt Walbeck, and manager Mike Scioscia took a stern view of those who questioned why Ramirez went unpunished. "If anyone doubts the intestinal fortitude of this club, as far as playing the game hard, they have to be almost moronic," he said. "There's no club I've seen in this league that has the heart of this club."

BLUE JAYS: The team acquired Mickey Morandini from Philadelphia for a player to be named. Homer Bush, Toronto's starting second baseman, is out until at least late September with a broken bone in his left hand. Morandini, 34, hit .252 with 13 doubles and 22 RBI in 91 games with the Phillies. The 11-year veteran will be reunited with Jim Fregosi, who managed Morandini at Philadelphia from 1991-96. Toronto designated right-handed pitcher Peter Munro for assignment to make roster room for Morandini.

INDIANS: Manny Ramirez is day-to-day with a sore left hamstring. Ramirez was on the disabled list May 30 to July 12 with a strained hamstring. Since returning, he is hitting .355 with 11 homers and 26 RBI. "I think it was even too sore for him to pinch hit because he couldn't run," manager Charlie Manuel said.

MARINERS: Right-hander Aaron Sele, who left Saturday's game with a bruised right ankle after being hit by a line drive, could miss his next start. "He's pretty stiff," manager Lou Piniella said. "We won't know for a few days."

RANGERS: With singles in the seventh and eighth against Toronto, Gabe Kapler extended his career-high hitting streak to 20 games, the best for the team since Ivan Rodriguez hit in 20 in a row last season. The longest in the AL this season is 22 by Toronto's Carlos Delgado.

TIGERS: Right-handed pitcher Danny Patterson is eligible to come off the 15-day DL (right elbow inflammation). He felt no pain after a throwing session Saturday.

YANKEES: David Cone will make another start; it's just not certain when. Cone, who threw 137 pitches Saturday and remained winless in 15 starts, will throw on the side today before manager Joe Torre decides when to slot him next in the rotation.

STRAWBERRY SURGERY: Darryl Strawberry is scheduled to have a cancerous tumor removed from his stomach today amid questions about his finances.

The 38-year-old outfielder was to arrive in New York on Sunday. This will be his second cancer operation in two years at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.

"My understanding, from talking to Darryl and his agent, is that Darryl has some very difficult financial circumstances he has to deal with," said Marvin Goldklang, a minority owner of the Yankees.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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