Baseball notebook

By Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 14, 2000

Dodgers reassure Davey about his job

ATLANTA -- Wanting to put the focus on the Dodgers' playoff chase instead of the status of their manager, general manager Kevin Malone said Sunday no changes in the on-field staff will take place during the season.

Malone said evaluation of everyone, including manager Davey Johnson and his staff, wouldn't take place until after the season.

"From ownership to management, we're not making any changes (during the season)," Malone said by telephone. "We want to put an end to wherever the speculation came from. This is the team we're going with. It's a very talented team. We want Davey to succeed. We want to make sure we stay focused."

Dodgers president and chief operating officer Bob Graziano called Johnson after Sunday's game with the Braves to tell him to stop wondering about his status because nothing was going to happen during the season.

CARDINALS: The team placed infielder Eduardo Perez on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right knee. Right-handed pitcher Gene Stechschulte was recalled from Memphis to take Perez's place on the active roster.

CUBS: The team sent left-hander Phil Norton to Triple-A Iowa and recalled right-hander Jamie Arnold from the minor-league club.

ORIOLES: Right-hander Pat Rapp was scheduled to start, but left the team because his father is seriously ill in Louisiana. Right-hander Lesli Brea, recalled Friday from Double-A Bowie, started in his place. It was his major-league debut.

PADRES: Catcher Ben Davis was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained abdominal muscle and catcher George Williams was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas.

RANGERS: Even with no real explanation as to why he passed out in the dugout after being pulled out of Friday night's game, right-hander Ryan Glynn has been cleared by doctors to make his next scheduled start and insists he's not worried. "As far as I know, I'm okay," he said.

YANKEES: Glenallen Hill did not start against Anaheim because of a mild right shoulder bruise. He is day-to-day.

Cuban players defect

EDMONTON, Alberta -- William Plaza and Yolexandry Reina, members of Cuba's national junior team who defected at the world junior championships, were reported to be in Mexico.

"It was not a spur-of-the-moment decision," Ron Hayter, chairman of the group organizing the championships, said.

"This was all preplanned, and when they got to Canada the arrangements were made for them to leave and get to Mexico."

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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