Rays give 4-year deal to Cuban prospect
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Cuban outfielder-first baseman Leslie Anderson and the Tampa Bay Rays reached agreement Tuesday on a four-year contract worth a minimum of $1,725,000.
The 28-year-old Anderson hit .381 with 13 homers and 61 RBIs for Cuba’s Camaguey during the 2008-09 season, his ninth with the team. He played for Cuba in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Anderson was assigned to extended spring training at the team’s facility in Port Charlotte.
“Anderson is the consummate professional hitter,” Rays director of international operations Carlos Alfonso said. “We were also attracted to him because of his athleticism.”
The left-handed hitter gets a $500,000 signing bonus and either $125,000 in the minor leagues this year or the minimum $400,000 in the majors. He receives $200,000 in the minors or $450,000 in the majors in 2011, $400,000 in the minors or $500,000 in the majors in 2012, and $500,000 in 2013.
He could earn an additional $350,000 annually in the majors based on plate appearances: $50,000 for 400, $75,000 for 450, $100,000 for 500 and $125,000 for 550.
Rays place Shoppach on DL
BALTIMORE — The Tampa Bay Rays have placed catcher Kelly Shoppach on the 15-day disabled list with a right knee sprain.
The move was announced Tuesday and is retroactive to April 11.
Shoppach’s injury occurred Saturday in a game against the New York Yankees, shortly before he broke up CC Sabathia’s no-hit bid with an eighth-inning single.
The 29-year-old Shoppach has appeared in four games this season. He’s batting .250.
Bonser not sharp in rehab start
PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Boston Red Sox pitcher Boof Bonser allowed nine runs in two innings in a rehab start for Class AAA Pawtucket.
The right-hander, on the disabled list with a right groin strain, also hit one batter and threw a wild pitch against Lehigh Valley on Tuesday. He gave up eight runs on four hits and three walks in the second inning.
Bonser was on a 90-pitch count, but threw only 50, including 26 for strikes.
Hawpe leaves game
DENVER — Brad Hawpe left the Colorado Rockies’ game against the New York Mets with tightness in his left quadriceps after hitting a two-run double in the first inning Tuesday night.
Hawpe slowed down just before rounding first base after pulling a pitch down the right-field line with two out. He was stranded at second base and replaced by Ryan Spilborghs in right field to start the second inning.
Hawpe is the second Rockies outfielder to leave a game with an injury this season. Carlos Gonzalez strained his left hamstring against San Diego on Sunday.
The Rockies said Hawpe is day to day.
Associated Press
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