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Urbina sentenced to 14 Years in Prison

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Ugueth Urbina was sentenced to 14 years in prison for the attempted murder of five workers on his family's ranch, the Attorney General's Office announced Wednesday.

Urbina, a former pitcher with the Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies, was also found guilty of illegal deprivation of liberty and violating a prohibition against taking justice into his own hands during a dispute over a gun on Oct. 16, 2005, according to a statement from the Attorney General's Office.

The 33-year-old free agent was accused of joining a group of men in attacking and injuring workers with machetes and pouring gasoline on them at his family's ranch, located about 25 miles south of Caracas.

"The ruling was too severe," said Jose Antonio Baez, a former attorney who represented Urbina.

Urbina repeatedly has denied involvement in the violent attack, saying he was sleeping at the time.
But Wuanyer Perez, the attorney for the accusers, told ESPN that "justice has been served" and indicated that his clients will seek damages in civil court.

"We think it is an excellent sentence. The victims consider this an important example that anyone with power, influence and money is not above the law," Perez said. "It is an example for the entire world, not just for Venezuela, that everyone is on equal ground when it comes to the law and justice."

Urbina, a two-time All-Star, last pitched in the major leagues with the Phillies in 2005. He's 30th on the all-time saves list with 237. He had two saves in the 2003 World Series for the victorious Marlins.

In 11 major league seasons with the Expos, Boston Red Sox, Rangers, Marlins, Tigers and Phillies, Urbina went 44-49 with a 3.45 ERA. He led the National League with 41 saves in 1999 with the Expos and was third in the AL with 40 saves for the Red Sox in 2002.

Source: ESPN

Mark Prior Could Start Season in Minors

Manager Lou Piniella made it official Tuesday: Wade Miller will be the Chicago Cubs' fifth starter. It means one-time 18-game winner Mark Prior could start the season in the minor leagues.

"He's going be our fifth starter, OK?" Piniella said of Miller. "He's pitched well in camp. He's earned a spot."

Miller, who had shoulder surgery after the 2005 season with the Boston Red Sox, appeared in five games with the Cubs last season. But this spring he's 2-0 with a 3.63 ERA in five starts. The right-hander was 16-8 and 15-4 in 2001 and 2002 with the Houston Astros.

Prior, meanwhile, has made just three appearances this spring and is 0-2 with a 9.82 ERA, although he pitched well last week, allowing one run in four innings.

With Kerry Wood nursing a sore shoulder and likely to start the season on the disabled list, it means the Cubs will open up without the two pitchers who led them to within five outs of the World Series in 2003.

"Remember our posture here with both Prior and Wood has been the same. It hasn't changed since we got here," Piniella said.

"Whenever they are ready, they're ready. I've seen some nice improvements from Mark. He's worked hard. The other kid [Miller] pitched well. In fairness, what do you do?" he said.

Prior is scheduled to pitch Wednesday and Piniella said a decision on his future could be made after the start.

"I don't know. We'll figure that out in the next couple of days. I don't know," Piniella said. "Obviously he needs to continue pitching. But I don't have an answer."

Prior began the last three seasons on the disabled list with Achilles, elbow and shoulder problems respectively. He was limited to nine starts a year ago with a sore shoulder.

Wood, who had a partially torn rotator cuff that he rehabbed during the offseason, has shown some improvement since he hurt his shoulder during an inning of relief Sunday.

Piniella said there was a possibility that Wood could throw on flat ground when he was able to tolerate it. Wood is taking medication for the shoulder, Piniella said.

"Actually the news is a little bit encouraging," Piniella said. "He feels better and that's the important thing. We'll go from there."

Piniella said the Cubs would lean toward carrying 12 pitchers instead of an extra outfielder, meaning Angel Guzman will be in the bullpen.

Source: ESPN

Sosa Added to Opening Day Roster

Sammy Sosa made the Texas Rangers' 25-man roster for their opener Monday night against the Los Angeles Angels.

Sosa, out of baseball last season, is fifth in major league history with 588 homers. He will begin the season as the Rangers' designated hitter.

Left-hander Bruce Chen, 0-7 for Baltimore in 2006, also will open the season on the Texas roster as a long reliever, Rangers manager Ron Washington said following Saturday night's final exhibition game.

The Rangers purchased the contracts of Sosa, Chen, utility man Jerry Hairston Jr., outfielder Matt Kata, and right-hander Mike Wood.

Outfielder Marlon Byrd, right-hander Ezequiel Astacio and catcher Guillermo Quiroz were designated for assignment.

Right-hander Eric Gagne, recovering from back surgery but expected to take over as the closer early in the season, was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 28.

Catcher Miguel Ojeda was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma and right-hander Francisco Cruceta was outrighted to Oklahoma. Infielder Adam Fox was outrighted to Double-A Frisco.

There will be more moves involving the pitching staff when Gagne comes off the DL and when a spot is needed to activate No. 5 starter Jamey Wright, a non-roster invitee to spring training.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Chris Carpenter To Miss Next Start

Chris Carpenter will miss a turn in the St. Louis Cardinals' pitching rotation due to right elbow inflammation, though the team thinks its ace won't be out long.

Carpenter complained of soreness Monday, the day after he struggled in the season opener against the New York Mets. An examination by team physician Dr. George Paletta on Tuesday did not include an MRI, and Carpenter said he thought his elbow already had improved.

"I'm not a doctor, but I feel it's a little bit better," Carpenter said.

The Cardinals said Carpenter will be evaluated over the next three days.

"The first indication is there's a chance it'll be something that is not real serious," manager Tony La Russa said. "We're going to be real careful with it."

Carpenter allowed five runs in six innings during a 6-1 loss to the Mets on Sunday night. He has been the staff ace the last three seasons after missing most of the 2002 season and all of 2003 following shoulder surgery.

"Obviously, anytime something's going on it's 1) frustration, 2) disappointing, and 3) I don't know if it's alarming or not," Carpenter said. "But I want to make sure it's OK.

"That said, everybody I've talked to, the doctors and trainers, are not alarmed. They're trying to make sure I know everything will be OK."

Carpenter had been slotted to pitch again Friday, jumping ahead of Adam Wainwright and Anthony Reyes to keep him on his regular routine despite two off days in the opening week.

Instead, Wainwright will pitch Friday in the opener of a three-game series at Houston and Reyes will start Saturday. Kip Wells, the team's new No. 2 starter, will start the finale of that series on Sunday. Wells had been scheduled to make his debut with St. Louis on Tuesday night.

Carpenter was an All-Star in each of the last two seasons, going 15-8 last year after winning the NL Cy Young Award with a 21-5 record in 2005. He's the lone holdover from the rotation that opened last season for the World Series champions.

Carpenter said the elbow did not bother him during the game, and talked afterward about improving on his debut in five days. But by the time he got home Sunday night, swelling had begun to set in.

"I could tell there was something going on because it felt funny," Carpenter said. "When I woke up the next morning it had swelled up pretty good."

He noticed it most when he attempted, unsuccessfully, to adjust his shirt because he was unable to bend his elbow enough.

"I was talking to my parents in the kitchen and I was trying to fix my shirt and went to grab my shoulder and it wouldn't go any farther," Carpenter said. "I was like, 'Oh, no."'

Carpenter missed the 2004 World Series due to a biceps injury. Last season he was on the 15-day disabled list with bursitis in his right shoulder from May 22 to June 5.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Selig Rakes In $14.5 Million in 2005

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig earned as much last year as some of the league's top players.

Selig received $14.5 million in the 12 months ending Oct. 31, according to Major League Baseball's tax return, which was obtained by the Sports Business Journal.

Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, received $4,875,000, the publication reported in this week's issue. Pay for executive vice presidents included $1.92 million for Rob Manfred (labor relations), $1.3 million for John McHale Jr. (administration) and $1,245,000 for Jonathan Mariner (finance).

Sandy Alderson, who quit as executive vice president of baseball operations in 2005 to become chief executive officer of the San Diego Padres, made $875,000. Jimmie Lee Solomon, who replaced Alderson in June 2005, made $543,583.

The publication, citing unidentified sources, said Selig received a $6 million base salary, an equal amount in a bonus and the remainder in expenses and personal fees.

Baseball's central office paid $77.3 million in salaries and benefits to 231 employees, the report said. The NFL paid $41.5 million to 839 employees in 12 months ending March 31 last year and the NHL $13.9 million to 56 employees in the year ending June 30, 2005, when staff was reduced because of a lockout.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Griffey To Wear #42 To Honor Jackie Robinson

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. called Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig and received permission to wear uniform Number 42 on Sunday, April 15th to honor Jackie Robinson on the 60th anniversary of his Major League debut, it was announced today.
Commissioner Selig has expanded the gesture and extended an invitation to all Clubs to allow any of its members to wear Number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day, April 15th, as a tribute to Jackie and the history he made on that day 60 years ago.

"This is a wonderful gesture on Ken's part and a fitting tribute to the great Jackie Robinson and one, I believe, that all Clubs will eagerly endorse," Commissioner Selig said. "To make this happen, I gladly will temporarily suspend the official retirement of uniform Number 42 on that day.

"Jackie continues to be an inspiration to all of our players, and his impact will be felt for as long as our game is played. I thank Ken for finding another special way to mark Jackie Robinson Day."

On April 15, 1997, the 50th anniversary of Robinson's entry into Major League Baseball, Commissioner Selig announced that Robinson's Number 42 would be retired throughout baseball and would never again be issued to on-field personnel.

"If it weren't for Jackie Robinson, I wouldn't be able to put on the uniform I'm wearing today," Griffey said. "He should be an inspiration not only to baseball players but to anyone who fights prejudice and hatred."

Each of the 15 games throughout Major League Baseball on April 15th will feature festivities to honor Jackie Robinson. The national celebration of Jackie Robinson Day will take place at Dodger Stadium on April 15th with a VIP-filled reception and on-field ceremony prior to the game between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers. The ceremony and game will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes at 8:00 p.m. (ET) and will also be carried on XM Satellite Radio. Among those participating in the festivities will be Rachel Robinson, Jackie's wife and founder of The Jackie Robinson Foundation; their daughter, author Sharon Robinson; several of Jackie's former teammates; baseball executives and civic and industry leaders; Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars; and winners of the Breaking Barriers Essay Contest.

Source: Major League Baseball

Cardinals Place Carpenter on DL

Cardinals staff ace Chris Carpenter was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday after an MRI exam in St. Louis revealed arthritis and a previously undiscovered impingement in his right elbow.

Carpenter, limited to one start this season, will rest for the next 10 days to two weeks and will be re-examined after that. The condition sometimes requires surgery but also can be cured by rest and treatment.

According to a statement issued by the team, there was no evidence of an acute ligament injury -- a problem that would have required surgery and likely would have finished Carpenter's season.

An impingement occurs when a thin layer of membrane that lines the elbow becomes caught in the elbow joint. The problem is relatively common among athletes who have a repetitive elbow motion, such as throwing a pitch or swinging a golf club. Arthroscopic surgery can repair the usually painful injury if initial treatment is not successful.

Carpenter, the NL Cy Young Award winner with a 21-5 record in 2005, hasn't pitched since allowing five runs in six innings during a 6-1 loss to the New York Mets in the majors' season-opener April 1. He also was scratched from a scheduled start Friday against Houston.

Carpenter flew with the Cardinals from Houston to Pittsburgh after Sunday's game, but stayed on the chartered plane because it was returning to St. Louis. With Carpenter unable to make his previously scheduled start Tuesday night in Pittsburgh, left-hander Randy Keisler was called up from Triple-A Memphis to pitch.

The 30-year-old Keisler signed with St. Louis during the offseason as a free agent. He had no decisions and a 4.50 ERA in 11 games last season with the Oakland Athletics. He is 4-4 with a 6.82 ERA in 51 games over five major league seasons, making 17 starts, for the Yankees, Padres, Reds and Athletics.

"It was his day to pitch. He's got some experience," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said.

Keisler gave up one run and five hits in five innings in his only start this season for Triple-A Memphis. He was effective during spring training for St. Louis, allowing only an unearned run and three hits over eight innings in four games.

La Russa said it will be difficult for the Cardinals to replace Carpenter, who has won 51 games the last three seasons. St. Louis also lost Jeff Suppan, Jeff Weaver and Jason Marquis to free agency.

"Our strength is sending a guy out there every day who has a chance to win," La Russa said. "We're not going to make up for Carpenter missing unless Keisler gives us a chance."

Carpenter, who turns 32 on April 27, initially complained of soreness a day after opposing the Mets. He was examined by the team's medical staff on April 2, but did not undergo an MRI that day. Carpenter said the elbow didn't bother him during the Mets game, but he began experiencing swelling afterward.

Carpenter was an All-Star in each of the last two seasons, going 15-8 last season, and is the only remaining starter from St. Louis' season-opening rotation a year ago. He has a 100-69 career record in 246 games with the Blue Jays and Cardinals during a career that began in 1997 with Toronto.

Source: ESPN

Mike Hampton Out for Season

Mike Hampton will have surgery on his left elbow on Tuesday in New York, leaving the Atlanta Braves without one of their starting pitchers for the second straight season.

Hampton, who had elbow ligament-replacement surgery performed by Dr. Dave Altchek on Sept. 26, 2005, will have a torn tendon in the elbow repaired by Altchek on Tuesday. He is expected to be held out of pitching activities for at least six months.

Hampton was examined in New York on Monday by Altchek, and the diagnosis was the latest in a series of medical setbacks for the left-hander. Hampton was unable to make a start in spring training after straining muscle in his left side during batting practice.

"I guess the only silver lining is my elbow will get a little more time to rest," Hampton said in spring training.

Hampton recovered from the oblique injury sooner than expected, and the team had planned for him to make a series of minor league rehabilitation starts and join the rotation by early May.

Instead, Hampton felt more pain in the elbow when throwing in the bullpen Sunday. He met with team doctors Sunday and scheduled the appointment with Altchek.

The 34-year-old Hampton has failed to meet expectations since signing a $121 million, eight-year contract with Colorado before the 2001 season.

Hampton is 53-48 since agreeing to the big contract with Colorado. He is owed $14.5 million this year and $15 million in 2008.

Hampton went 5-3 in 12 starts for the Braves in 2005, struggling much of the season with a sore elbow. His best season was in 1999, when he went 22-4 with the Houston Astros.

After Hampton was hurt in spring training, the team signed another left-hander, Mark Redman, who struggled in Friday's loss to the New York Mets.

With Hampton lost for the season, Redman, Kyle Davies and Lance Cormier are the team's top three options for the last two spots in the rotation behind John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Chuck James.

Davies gave up two runs and four hits over 6 2-3 innings in a 3-2 win over the Mets.

General manager John Schuerholz decided not comment until after the operation, spokesman Brad Hainje said.

Source: Sports Illustrated

B Bonds Out for Season




Source: Sports Ullistratrated

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