The Associated Press

SEATTLE - The Seattle Mariners traded reliever Jeff Nelson back to the New York Yankees on Wednesday for right-hander Armando Benitez and cash.

Nelson criticized the Mariners' front office last week after the team failed to make a major deal at the trade deadline, but was told that wasn't the reason he was dealt.

"It gives us more options," Mariners manager Bob Melvin said. "Not to take anything away from Shigetoshi (Hasegawa), who has been fabulous as a closer, but we've got another guy experienced in that role."

Nelson, 36, has pitched for only two teams in his 12-year career - two stints with Seattle and this will be his second with the Yankees. The right-hander helped New York win four World Series titles from 1996-2000.

The Yankees acquired Benitez in a trade with the New York Mets on July 16, but he didn't last long in the Bronx.

The deal comes less than a week after the trade deadline, meaning both players had to clear waivers before being dealt.

The Mariners and Yankees open a three-game series at Yankee Stadium on Friday night and it could be a playoff preview - both teams are in first place.

ROYALS: Kevin Appier is back with Kansas City.

The right-hander signed a deal with his original team Wednesday, just one week after being released by the Anaheim Angels. Appier will start Friday against Tampa Bay.

"Our starting pitchers are young. That means we're looking for some help," Royals manager Tony Pena said after the deal was announced. "I think we're going to be OK."

To make room for Appier on the roster, the Royals put right fielder Michael Tucker on the 15-day disabled list.

Tucker will miss six to eight weeks with a broken right leg, suffered when he hit a ball off the leg.

Appier was released by the Angels last week, even though Anaheim still owed him more than $15.6 million. A source familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press the Royals will pay $100,000 for Appier this year.

Anaheim also will be responsible for his $12 million salary next year.

The 35-year-old Appier pitched for the Royals from 1989-99. The ninth overall pick in the 1987 amateur draft, he soon became a mainstay in Kansas City's rotation and was 114-89 with the Royals.

"Obviously, he's a veteran, a guy with playoff experience," assistant general manager Muzzy Jackson said.

SOSA BALL: The college student who caught the baseball Sammy Sosa hit for his 500th home run is putting it up for auction.

MastroNet Inc. of Chicago will take bids on the ball starting Aug. 11. The auction house has set a minimum bid of $20,000.

SHORT HOPS: Former All-Star catcher Darren Daulton was arrested on a charge of violating a no-contact order with his estranged wife. He contends he wanted to visit two of his children. He was released from Pinellas County Jail on his own recognizance on Monday, jail officials said. No court date has been set, said his lawyer, Jay Hebert.

• A man who along with his son attacked a Kansas City Royals coach during a game last fall was sentenced Wednesday to 30 months of probation.

• Atlanta put right-hander Darren Holmes on the 15-day disabled list with strained right shoulder. Holmes is 1-2 with a 4.21 ERA in 42 appearances.

• The Diamondbacks placed first baseman Mark Grace on the disabled list Wednesday with a hyperextended right elbow and recalled utilityman Robby Hammock from Triple-A Tucson.