Friday, March 22, 2002
Baseball notebook
Motorcycle 'wheelies' said to be cause of Kent injury
The Associated Press
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — San Francisco Giants second baseman Jeff Kent might have broken his wrist falling off a motorcycle, not while washing his truck as he claims, general manager Brian Sabean said Wednesday.
“There's mounting evidence from all sorts of eyewitnesses that says he fell off a motorcycle popping wheelies,” Sabean said.
The guarantee language in Kent's contract bans certain activities, including motorcycle riding, meaning the Giants could try to void the contract or fine him. Kent, who hopes to be playing by opening day, is in the option year of the deal, which would pay him $6 million.
A report in Wednesday's Arizona Republic, quoting police reports and eyewitness accounts, said Kent might have been injured on a road about a mile from the Giants' minor-league training facility.
“We'll weigh all the information and all the options,” Sabean said. “The most important thing is to get him back on the field.”
Kent originally reported the injury to the Giants on March 2, a day after he said he was hurt washing his truck. The Giants began investigating last Friday.
“I haven't talked to Jeff yet and I don't plan on it,” Sabean said. “We hold all the cards, not that we want to use them. I'm not angry. That's life. There's just a big difference between riding a motorcycle and popping wheelies.”
Kent did not comment.
YANKEES:
Pitcher Sterling Hitchcock will start the season on the disabled list because of a strained ligament in his back but should be ready in mid-April.
INDIANS-BRAVES TRADE:
Cleveland acquired catcher Eddie Perez from Atlanta for a player to be named or cash. Perez is a .258 career hitter.
DIAMONDBACKS:
First baseman Erubiel Durazo had surgery to remove a broken hamate bone in his right wrist. Durazo, who is hitting .535 this spring, is expected to be out six weeks.
PADRES-ANGELS BRAWLS:
San Diego pitcher Bobby Jones and Anaheim third baseman Troy Glaus are appealing their suspensions resulting from two brawls March 9.
PHILLIES:
Manager Larry Bowa was suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount for his ejection and shouting match with an umpire during the first inning of a spring game March 9. He plans to appeal.
THURSDAY'S HIGHLIGHTS:
• Astros 5, Indians 3 — Houston's Jeff Bagwell homered twice.
• Mets 12, Dodgers 6 — New York's Edgardo Alfonzo had two homers and five RBI.
• Diamondbacks 4, Giants 3 — Luis Gonzalez homered for the fifth straight game for Arizona.
• Pirates 5, Phillies 4 — Pittsburgh's Jack Wilson hit a go-ahead single in the sixth inning.
• Tigers 3, Marlins 1 (5 innings, rain) — Detroit's Wendell Magee, Dmitri Young and Jose Macias homered.
• Expos 4, Devil Rays 3 — Montreal's Vladimir Guerrero hit a grand slam off Ryan Rupe.
• Red Sox 9, Cardinals 6 — Boston's Pedro Martinez allowed four runs in five innings.
• Rockies 7, Angels 3 — Colorado's Denny Neagle extended his spring streak of scoreless innings to 10 before giving up Glaus' three-run homer.
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Kentucky schedule
Ohio schedule
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