Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Yanks to switch Knoblauch from second base to left field

Marketplace \| Services \| Contact Us \| Community \| Arts & Entertainment \| Local Guides

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Tuesday, March 20, 2001
Yanks to switch Knoblauch from second base to left field
Henderson hooks on with Padres in pursuit of records
Associated Press
Rickey Henderson finally found a team, while Chuck Knoblauch is trying out a new position.
   With all seven scheduled games in Florida washed out by rain, the biggest news Monday was Henderson and the San Diego Padres agreeing on a minor league deal, and the New York Yankees' decision to move Knoblauch from second base to left field.
   "It's just not happening now. I've done every possible thing," said Knoblauch, who has been plagued by throwing problems since 1999. "My teammates know that. Joe Torre knows that. The coaches know that. And more important, I know that."
   Knoblauch, who made 41 errors the past two seasons, spoke with a psychologist during the offseason and reported to spring training more than a month early trying to rediscover his arm's accuracy.
   But he made six errors in 14 spring training games, five on throws.
   "He needs to be comfortable for me to be comfortable, and we're not there yet," said Torre, the Yankees manager. "Nobody has worked harder than he has. There is nothing more he can do at second base that is going to make him a better second baseman. Maybe getting away from second base will solve second base."
   The move, which calls for Alfonso Soriano to take over at second, won't take place immediately. Monday night's game against Detroit was washed out and more rain was forecast for today, when the Yankees play a Houston split squad.
   If Knoblauch wants to get in a day of fielding practice and advice from outfield coach Lee Mazzilli, he might not play left on Wednesday.
   But the move will be made sooner than later.
   "It's a lot less stressful here in March than if you do it in June," Torre said.
   Henderson, the career steals leader who is closing in on other marks, agreed on a one-year deal that will pay him $250,000 if he makes the club.
   Henderson was at the Padres' complex hitting for about 1½ hours on Monday morning, general manager Kevin Towers said. The rest of the team had the day off.
   "I know there was a Rickey sighting," Towers said.
   Henderson is closing in on two major records. He is three walks short of breaking Babe Ruth's record of 2,062 and needs to 68 runs to top Ty Cobb's record of 2,245. He also is 86 hits shy of 3,000.
   Henderson was ignored by teams all spring before the Padres, one of his many former teams, offered him a minor league deal.
   In games that were played, it was Oakland 10, the Chicago Cubs 4; Seattle 4, Colorado 2; Milwaukee 5, Anaheim 4; and the Chicago White Sox 5, Arizona 1.
   Exhibition roundup
   At Peoria, Ariz., Jamie Moyer pitched six shutout innings and Edgar Martinez hit his second homer of the spring as the Mariners beat the Rockies, 4-2. Moyer, recovering from a broken left knee cap, allowed two hits, while striking out one and walking none. ... In Phoenix, John Jaha, struggling to regain his hitting form after missing most of last season with shoulder problems, had a two-run double as Oakland scored five runs in the first inning en route to a 10-4 win over the Cubs. Barry Zito made his third straight strong start for the A's, allowing one earned run in five innings. ... At Tucson, Ariz., Ray Durham's grand slam off Randy Johnson capped a five-run second inning that led the White Sox over the Diamondbacks, 5-1. Cal Eldred got the win for Chicago, improving to 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four starts this spring. In Tempe, Ariz., Jimmy Haynes allowed two runs in five innings and Richie Sexson had three hits and two RBIs in Milwaukee's 5-4 win over the Angels.
   Briefly
   Right-hander Rick Helling and left-hander Kenny Rogers have been scheduled to pitch the Rangers' first two games of the season. Helling, 16-13 last year, will start in the team's season opener on April 1 against Toronto in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Rogers, 13-13 last season, will take the mound for the April 3 home opener against the Anaheim Angels. ... Tim Wakefield isn't happy about starting the season in the bullpen for the Red Sox, but he's willing to do it for the good of the team. "I understand their situation and I understand they really don't have any other choice," Wakefield said Monday after discussing the situation with pitching coach Joe Kerrigan. Wakefield was told by manager Jimy Williams after his start Sunday that we would begin the season in the bullpen. Williams said he made the decision because of the uncertain situation of Hipolito Pichardo. The right-hander has an injured right elbow.
   Reds right-hander Seth Etherton was scheduled for arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder today to remove bone spurs and to repair the torn labrum. Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the Reds' medical director, will perform the surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati. Etherton, 24, was acquired by the Reds on Dec. 10 from the Angels in exchange for infielder Wilmy Caceres. ... The earthquake that rocked the Puget Sound region last month caused about $400,000 damage to Seattle's Safeco Field. Mariners Chairman and CEO Howard Lincoln said Monday that Safeco's anti-earthquake devices worked as the engineers designed them and the stadium did not sustain any structural damage. "But we have had quite a bit of cosmetic damage, probably close to $400,000," Lincoln said. The Mariners have used the $517.6 million stadium for the past 1½ seasons. ... Shawn Green, who hasn't played since spraining his right thumb in the first inning of the Dodgers' exhibition opener March 2, went through his first full workout with the team Monday since being injured. Team spokesman John Olguin said it is hoped Green will be playing in the near future, and the 28-year-old right fielder is expected to be ready to start the season. Green was injured while sliding into second base. It was originally thought he'd be sidelined only a few days, but the injury turned out to be more serious than that.
   The Pirates put left-hander Dan Serafini on waivers Monday and reassigned three players to their minor-league camp. The move left 39 players in camp two weeks before the season starts. The team must cut its roster to 25. Reassigned to the minor-league camp were right-handers Steve Sparks and Randy Galvez and catcher-first baseman Craig Wilson. Wilson led all Pirates minor leaguers with 33 home runs last season at Triple-A Nashville. ... Mets left-hander Bobby Jones has tendinitis in his throwing shoulder and won't be able to throw the ball for two weeks. Jones underwent an MRI on Monday that showed he had no structural damage in the shoulder. Also, Mets left-handed reliever Tom Martin has a bone bruise on his left knee and will be sidelined for 7 to 10 days. Right-hander Rick Croushore, out all spring with a right shoulder injury, threw for the first time on Monday.

| Talk about this story | Next Story | Home |

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

[ Printer-friendly version ]
[ Subscribe to newspaper ]

SEND THIS PAGE TO A FRIEND

[an error occurred while processing this directive]