Escobar may need surgery

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Mar 27, 2008

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Kelvim Escobar, an 18-game winner for the Los Angeles Angels last season, told reporters Wednesday he has a tear in his pitching shoulder and might need surgery.

The team hadn't confirmed that diagnosis by the end of Wednesday's 7-5 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

The 31-year-old right-hander said he would continue to try to strengthen his arm, but admitted surgery could be a possibility. Escobar, 18-7 with a 3.40 ERA last season, hasn't pitched this spring.

A-Rod not distracted by Canseco

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Alex Rodriguez refused to address allegations by Jose Canseco, who claims he introduced the three-time MVP to a steroids dealer.

"It's over as far as I'm concerned," Rodriguez said after his New York Yankees lost 4-0 to the Philadelphia Phillies. "No further comment on the matter. I'm just excited to be playing baseball."

In the book, "Vindicated: Big Names, Big Liars, and The Battle to Save Baseball," Canseco claimed he introduced Rodriguez to a steroids dealer named "Max." Excerpts from the book, slated for publication on April 1, were posted on deadspin.com before being removed Wednesday. Canseco wrote Rodriguez approached him years ago and asked where "one" might acquire steroids. In an interview to be broadcast tonight by ABC's "Nightline," Canseco said he won't produce evidence to back his claim.

Preston Gomez struck by truck

BLYTHE -- Former major league manager Preston Gomez was critically injured Wednesday when he was struck by a pickup truck at a gas station.

Police Sgt. Jeff Wade said the Gomez, 84, sustained serious head injuries when he was hit by the truck as he walked around gas pumps at a Chevron station in Blythe, about 220 miles east of Los Angeles. Wade called it an "unfortunate accident," and said Jesse Mashore, 31, was holding Gomez's hand when police arrived. Mashore wasn't arrested.

Gomez, a Cuban infielder who played eight games for the Washington Senators in 1944, was 346-529 in seven seasons as a major league manager with San Diego, Houston and the Chicago Cubs from 1969 to 1980.

Around the majors

Former St. Louis Cardinals utilityman Scott Spiezio will be arraigned on drunken driving and other charges April 7. Spiezio was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in Newport Beach, but the case was postponed. ... Masumi Kuwata, one of the top pitchers in Japanese history and a major leaguer for the first time last season at age 39, chose to retire rather than start the season at Triple-A Indianapolis when it became clear that he would not make the Pittsburgh Pirates' opening-day roster. ... Alex Rios and the Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on a six-year contract extension through 2014 that would guarantee him about $65 million.