The Associated Press

PEORIA, Ariz. - Norm Charlton, the veteran relief pitcher who has tried to come back from shoulder injuries the last two years, said Sunday he is retiring.

Charlton, 41, underwent surgery Friday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and said doctors told him it would never be strong enough for him to pitch again.

"I'm pretty tired of going back under the knife," Charlton said Sunday at the Seattle Mariners' spring training facility. "If they say my shoulder won't be strong enough to stand pitching at the major league level, they probably know best."

Charlton was a member of the Reds' "Nasty Boys" bullpen, along with Rob Dibble and Randy Myers, that helped the Reds win the 1990 World Series. He pitched 14 years in the major leagues, including stints with Seattle in 1993, 1995-97 and 2001.

WILLIAMS' SON DEAD: The son of Hall of Famer Ted Williams died late Saturday of leukemia in a hospital in Los Angeles, an attorney for Ted Williams' family said. John Henry Williams was 35.

Peter Sutton said Williams died at UCLA Medical Center with family members at his bedside.

Williams, at the center of a controversy surrounding his father's remains, had been battling the disease for months. In December, he had a bone marrow transplant, using a donation from Claudia, his youngest sister.

SHORT HOPS: Greg Maddux's return to the Cubs was successful, giving up one hit in two scoreless innings in Chicago's 4-4 tie with the Royals. Maddux, who last pitched for the Cubs in 1992, threw 23 pitches. "It felt good," he said.

• Mets starter Tom Glavine pitched three scoreless innings in his first spring appearance, against the Dodgers. Glavine went 9-14 with a 4.52 ERA in his first year in New York.

• Yankees right fielder Gary Sheffield had an MRI exam Sunday on his sore right thumb. It doesn't' appear to be serious, but results are expected today.

• Roger Clemens gave up two runs and five hits in two innings of his first start as an Astro in a 15-8 victory over the Pirates.