The Associated Press

Kansas City signed left-hander Greg Swindell to a minor league contract Sunday and invited him to spring training.

Swindell has a 113-122 career record with a 3.86 ERA. He did not pitch in the majors last season. In 2002, he went 0-2 with a 6.27 ERA in 34 relief appearances with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"His agent called me and asked if we would be interested," Kansas City general manager Allard Baird said. "I said, 'We always have interest in left-handers.' "

Baird sent scout Brian Murphy to look at Swindell in a workout in Texas, and the reports were good.

"This is hit and miss for us and hit and miss for Greg," Baird said.

If Swindell makes the team, he would earn the major league minimum $300,000.

PITTSBURGH: Infielder Freddy Sanchez might not be ready to start the season because of a right ankle injury.

Sanchez, a top prospect expected to compete for the starting second base job this spring, could be out until May.

Sanchez had surgery to remove a bone spur Nov. 4, but he's been bothered by scar tissue and hasn't been cleared by doctors.

The 26-year-old Sanchez, a .323 hitter in four minor league seasons, was acquired from Boston on July 31 for pitcher Jeff Suppan.

DODGERS: Darren Dreifort threw off a mound Saturday for the first time since his surgery in June, which repaired the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. The hope is that he will be ready for the start of the season. The Dodgers have an excess of starting pitchers, and Dreifort said he wouldn't mind joining the bullpen.

"I'm just thinking about getting prepared for April 5, and I don't really have much in mind beyond that," Dreifort said.

Dreifort, 31, signed a five-year, $55 million contract before the 2001 season, but has made just 26 starts since, and missed all of 2002.

SEMINICK DEAD: Andy Seminick, the starting catcher on the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies team that won the NL pennant, died Sunday after a short illness. He was 83.

Seminick spent 12 seasons with the Phillies and three with the Reds.

An All-Star in 1949, Seminick helped Philadelphia beat out the Brooklyn Dodgers for the NL title in 1950.

Baseball Calendar

Feb. 24 - Voluntary reporting date for position players on teams other than the Yankees and Devil Rays.

March 2-11 - Teams may renew contracts of unsigned players.

March 2 - Mandatory reporting date.

March 17 - Last day to place a player on unconditional release waivers and pay 30 days termination pay instead of 45 days.

March 30-31 - Opening series, New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay, Tokyo.

March 31 - Last day to request unconditional release waivers on a player without having to pay his full 2004 salary.

April 4 - Opening day for other teams. Active rosters reduced to 25 players.

June 14 - Hall of Fame game, Atlanta vs. Minnesota, Cooperstown, N.Y.

July 13 - All-Star game, Houston.

July 25 - Hall of Fame inductions, Cooperstown, N.Y.

Oct. 5 - Playoffs begin.

Oct. 12 - League championship series begin.

Oct. 23 - World Series begins.

Dec. 10-13 - Winter meetings, Anaheim, Calif.