Times wires
Friday, March 4, 2011
MESA, Ariz. — Cubs pitcher Carlos Silva said he accepts the blame for his dugout confrontation with third baseman Aramis Ramirez, but he insisted he made an innocuous comment that was taken the wrong way.
"I don't feel like the bad guy," Silva told reporters Friday, adding that he apologized to Ramirez and they would "talk later," but that conversation apparently had not happened.
The two scuffled after a six-run first inning vs. Milwaukee on Wednesday in which Silva gave up two homers and the Cubs committed three errors, one by Ramirez.
Silva said he made an offhand comment that the Cubs "need to start making plays here," and his third baseman took exception.
"It was my fault because you don't say anything," Silva said. "But he took it personally."
More Cubs: Former Rays pitcher Matt Garza gave up one single in two scoreless innings in a 5-4 loss to the Royals after he was hit by a liner off the bat of Jeff Francoeur.
The ball ricocheted off Garza to shortstop Starlin Castro, who threw out Francoeur at first base. Cubs manager Mike Quade and the trainer rushed to the mound, but Garza shook off the pain and finished the inning by retiring two more hitters.
"Everything's fine," said Garza, who had a welt on his back after throwing 20 strikes in 26 pitches.
Indians: Centerfielder Grady Sizemore took part in some team drills for the first time as he works his way back from knee surgery. This week, general manager Chris Antonetti said it was unlikely that Sizemore will be ready for opening day. … Shin Soo-Choo was in rightfield for the first time and reported no problems with his left elbow after playing five innings.
Padres: Bench coach Rick Renteria had surgery to fix a facial bone after being hit by a line drive in batting practice Thursday and could return today.
Rangers: GM Jon Daniels agreed to terms on a four-year extension through 2015.
Red Sox: Right-hander Josh Beckett threw 40 pitches with no problems in a three-inning, simulated game. Beckett missed his scheduled start after he experienced mild concussion symptoms after being hit in the left temple Monday by an errant ball while shagging flies during batting practice. Beckett is expected to make his start Tuesday.
Twins: Right-hander Joe Nathan pitched a perfect inning against the Rays in the closer's second appearance in his comeback from major elbow surgery.
White Sox: Right-hander Jake Peavy pitched two scoreless innings against the Angels in his first outing since ripping his right shoulder in July. The 2007 NL Cy Young winner struck out two and walked one. Peavy reached 92 mph with a fastball that Torii Hunter grounded into a double play. "It was a good day, get big-league hitters out and feel good about it," he said.
Rose divorcing: Court records in Los Angeles show all-time hits leader Pete Rose, 69, has filed for divorce from his wife of nearly 27 years, Carol, citing irreconcilable differences.