BOSTON - John Henry Williams, the son of late Hall of Famer Ted Williams, is giving up pursuit of his own fledgling baseball career.

        The 33-year-old Williams, signed by the Red Sox two weeks before his father's death, has told the team he won't return to the organization's Gulf Coast League rookie team in Fort Myers, Fla., as first reported by the Boston Herald and the News-Press on Saturday.

        “In light of all the circumstances surrounding his father's passing, he just felt that it would not be appropriate to return to the Red Sox organization,” said Chip Tuttle, a spokesman for Williams.

        Williams went 0-for-6 in his first two games with Fort Myers, then broke a rib June27 when he ran into the railing of a camera pit while chasing a foul ball.

        DIAMONDBACKS: Arizona starter Todd Stottlemyre (elbow) threw about 30 pitches in a simulated game and will begin a rehabilitation stint with Triple-A Tucson.

        INDIANS: Cleveland activated closer Bob Wickman (strained forearm) from the disabled list and optioned right-hander Sean DePaula to Triple-A Buffalo.

        METS: New York third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained muscle in his left side and infielder Marco Scutaro was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.

        YANKEES: New York right-hander Orlando Hernandez was released from the hospital Saturday, a day after he was forced to leave a start against the Oakland A's because of numbness in his left leg. Tests were negative.

        The team also placed first baseman-designated hitter Nick Johnson (bruised wrist) on the 15-day DL and recalled right-hander Mike Thurman from Triple-A Columbus.

        IN THE MINORS: The Mahoning Valley Scrappers, a Single-A Indians affiliate, have made Wednesday “Jim Traficant Night,” and hairpiece wearers and sons of truck drivers get into the game against Jamestown for free.

        The former Ohio congressman, serving an eight-year prison sentence for bribery and racketeering, often calls himself “the son of a truck driver.” His hairstyle caused speculation on whether it was real or a rug, until he had to doff it for booking.

Reds 9, Padres 0 Reds box, runs Reds Q&A Cinergy countdown - Sept. 17, 1983 Pain still afflicting Pineda Astros 8, Braves 5 Cardinals 5, Mets 4 Notes from Saturday's games John Fay's MLB power ratings Lieberthal hits three homers against Dodgers Little progress in labor talks Williams' son ends his baseball experiment Columbus 5, Louisville 2

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