BREWERS: Milwaukee obtained AL Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia in a trade with the Cleveland Indians, giving up four prospects in a gamble that favors the present over the future. Barring blockbuster contract offers from a small-market team that already is stretching this year’s payroll into the $90 million range, both players will become free agents after the season. Milwaukee sent Cleveland outfielder Matt LaPorta, pitchers Rob Bryson and Zach Jackson and a player to be named. Shapiro said the player to be named would be one of two specified in the deal.
BRAVES: Jeff Francoeur’s stay in the minor leagues barely lasted a weekend. Francoeur, who had four hits in his third game with Class AA Mississippi on Sunday, was recalled to the Atlanta Braves on Monday. Francoeur was 7-for-13 (.548) with two RBI at Mississippi.
RED SOX: At Falmouth, Mass., a man was ordered held without bail for allegedly beating a New York man with a baseball bat because he thought the man was a Yankees fan. As it turned out, the New Yorker allegedly beaten in the land of the Red Sox isn’t even a big baseball fan. Police say Robert Correia, 20, and others spotted a car with New York license plates leaving a fireworks display Saturday. The group approached the car and began yelling about the Yankees. The New York Post identified the victim as William Nestor, 29, of Northport, N.Y. Nestor said his family was traveling in two cars and stuck in heavy traffic after the fireworks on Cape Cod when he was attacked.
Also, the Red Sox optioned starting pitcher Justin Masterson to Class AAA Pawtucket with plans to convert him into a relief pitcher. Manager Terry Francona said the team is preparing to recall right-hander Clay Buchholz, who will take Masterson’s spot as the fifth starter.
Two weeks after season-ending surgery on his right shoulder, Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling said he hasn’t decided whether he will try to play in 2009.
“We’re in the initial phase of my rehab,” he said. “Whether I was a plumber or a pitcher, I’d have to do it just to have use of my shoulder and arm. There’s no real critical decision-making point for a good five, seven or eight weeks from now, until I need to decide whether I want to progress past the normal surgery rehab into very specific job rehab and we’ll figure that out then.”
David Ortiz has been on the disabled list since May 31 because of a partial tear of the sheath that surrounds the tendon in his left wrist. He hit a few long drives before the Red Sox played Minnesota on Monday night. Ortiz didn’t immediately know what his next step would be, whether it would be more BP or a rehab assignment soon.
HR DERBY: Home run leaders Chase Utley and Grady Sizemore, and major league RBI leader Josh Hamilton are among the players who will be in the All-Star home run derby. Lance Berkman and Dan Uggla also will be in the July 14 contest at Yankee Stadium. Three players will be added to the event. Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi said Sunday that if fans elect him to the final spot on the AL roster, he would be willing to hit in the annual contest.
REDS: Cincinnati shortstop Alex Gonzalez had surgery on his left knee Monday, ending his season before he got to play a single game. Team medical director Dr. Timothy Kremcheck performed the one-hour surgery and said Gonzalez could be ready for spring training next year. The 31-year-old Gonzalez sustained a compression fracture at the start of spring training in February.
Associated Press
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