Times wires
Friday, May 6, 2011
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball and the players' association are considering a formal plan for dealing with alcohol-related incidents in the next collective bargaining agreement, the Associated Press reported Friday.
Monday, Indians RF Shin-Soo Choo became the sixth player this season arrested for an alcohol-related incident, joining: Indians LF Austin Kearns, Mariners INF Adam Kennedy, A's CF Coco Crisp, Braves RHP Derek Lowe and Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera.
None were suspended by their teams.
The CBA, which expires Dec. 11, has provisions for dealing with "drugs of abuse" such as cocaine and marijuana but does not provide commissioner Bud Selig the authority to discipline players for alcohol-related offenses.
Instead, players are typically offered confidential counseling and treatment case by case. The AP reported the league and union want to "codify" the process.
The plan could mirror the one in place for players who test positive for marijuana. They face mandatory counseling and possible suspension if they refuse to cooperate.
"This is something we have planned to discuss, alcohol in general," MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said. "It's been brought up and will continue to be brought up."
Oswalt goes on DL
PHILADELPHIA — Phillies star RHP Roy Oswalt went on the 15-day disabled list with lower back inflammation. The move is retroactive to April 27, so he can return Thursday.
"Just some soreness, but we're not going to take any chances," Phillies GM Ruben Amaro said.
Oswalt hurt his back April 15 while running the bases but had made two starts since.
"I've been a little tight, and it hasn't got any better," Oswalt said. "I could probably pitch (today) but couldn't promise any results."
More Phillies: 2B Chase Utley, out all season with right knee tendinitis, is set to play in an extended spring training game today. But his return to the majors remains unknown.
Cardinals: SS Ryan Theriot left with a bruised left shin after being hit by a pitch. His status is unknown.
Dodgers: Closer Jonathan Broxton went on the DL with a bone bruise in his right elbow and will miss 4-6 weeks. Vicente Padilla takes over as closer.
Mets: CF Angel Pagan, at extended spring training recovering from a strained oblique, felt pain. Out since April 22, he had hoped to return this weekend.
Padres: C Nick Hundley went on the DL with a strained muscle in his right side sustained while swinging at a pitch Wednesday.
Rangers: Closer Neftali Feliz, out since April 20 with right shoulder inflammation, was activated. … RF Nelson Cruz missed his second game with a tight right quad. An MRI exam is scheduled for today.
Reds: RHP Mike Leake (3-1, 5.77) likely will move to the bullpen. RHP Homer Bailey (shoulder) returned Thursday, and RHP Johnny Cueto (biceps and triceps) is set to return Sunday.
Yankees: SS Derek Jeter returned a day after sitting with a sore right hip. But RF Nick Swisher sat with a cold. And INF Eric Chavez went on the DL with a broken left foot sustained while running the bases Thursday.
Dykstra indicted: Former Mets and Phillies outfielder Lenny Dykstra was indicted by a Los Angeles federal grand jury in a bankruptcy fraud case. Dykstra, 48, filed for bankruptcy in 2009 and is accused of stealing and selling items from an $18.5 million estate. He faces 80 years in prison. Dykstra's lawyer said the case stems from a dispute with the bankruptcy trustee and no fraud was committed.