BLUE JAYS Wells out 6-8 weeks CLEVELAND — Vernon Wells will go from leading the Toronto Blue Jays in home runs and RBI to leading the team in cheers. The two-time All-Star outfielder was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a broken left wrist and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. He was injured while making a diving catch Friday night.
“I want to stay with the team and give my support,” Wells said before the Blue Jays played the Cleveland Indians. “I’m a part of this team, though for a while it’s going to be as a cheerleader.” The Blue Jays, hit by a rash of injuries, also placed reliever Jeremy Accardo on the 15-day DL with tightness in his right forearm. Toronto recalled infielder Joe Inglett and purchased the contract of right-hander Armando Benitez from Class AAA Syracuse. To make room for Benitez on the 40-man roster, right-hander Tracy Thorpe was designated for assignment.
CARDINALS Izzy no longer a closer MILWAUKEE — Jason Isringhausen got his wish. After blowing his major league-leading fifth save Friday night in a 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cardinals’ embattled reliever will no longer close games, Manager Tony La Russa said Saturday. “He’s still prepared to pitch important innings, but for a while we’ll try to keep him out of the ninth inning,” La Russa said. “If we’re playing well, there’s still going to be games where you can’t cherry-pick his situations because if we’re playing well, you need your bullpen.” The Cardinals manager said the closing duties will be split between Ryan Franklin and Russ Springer, and that he wouldn’t shy from using a left-hander in the role against certain lineups. “We’ll mix and match,” La Russa said. “I think all things, everyone rested, Franklin and Springer are the guys that match up the best.” Franklin, who had been the setup man, said he hadn’t been told what his new role might be, but the right-hander is 1-1 with a 2. 00 ERA in 19 appearances this season.
“He gets righties and lefties out, he’s very quick off the mound, so he’s tough to run on,” La Russa said. “He gives you a lot as a guy that’s pitching important innings in games.” Isringhausen, who has four blown save opportunities in his past seven appearances and is 1-4 with a 7. 47 ERA, said Saturday he met with La Russa and agreed he needed to be pulled from the role. “It needed to be done,” he said. “It’s a mental break more than anything.” Isringhausen leads the NL with 11 saves and is eight saves shy of 300 for his career.
MARLINS Long-term deal for Ramirez ? MIAMI — With a new ballpark finally on the horizon, the Florida Marlins are beginning to loosen their purse strings. Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez has agreed to the framework of a $ 70 million, six-year contract to remain with the Marlins, a person familiar with the negotiations said Saturday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the deal hadn’t been completed. It’s expected to be announced next weekend when the team returns home from a seven-game trip. In February, the Marlins reached an agreement to build a long-sought, retractable-roof stadium near downtown, which is expected to substantially increase revenue for a franchise with a history of poor attendance and tight budgets. Florida’s 2008 payroll of $ 22 million is by far the smallest in the major leagues.
YANKEES A-Rod making progress TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez is making progress in his rehab from a strained right quadriceps, and the third baseman could rejoin the New York Yankees late next week. “So far, so good,” Rodriguez said Saturday. The three-time AL MVP is scheduled for a magnetic resonance imaging Monday and is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Thursday. “I don’t want to speculate,” Rodriguez said when asked if could return then. If he gets the go-ahead after his MRI he could be cleared to start playing rehab games in extended spring training. On Saturday, Rodriguez took 65 swings in batting practice and fielded 31 grounders at third base during his second injury rehabilitation workout at the Yankees’ minor league complex. He is also running in the outfield. Catcher Jorge Posada took batting practice for the second time since going on the DL on April 28 with right rotator cuff tendinitis. The switch-hitter remains on target to start a light throwing program Monday.
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