Fly’s rumorama: Jason Heyward, Reds, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Jay Feely, Mel Kiper, Jimmy Clausen, Talladega

MLB: Quote of the day: Mets infielder Alex Cora on Braves rook Jason Heyward: "He’s LeBron James in a baseball uniform."

• Prose of the day: From the Cincinnati.com home page: "Great American Ball Park has given Uncle Phil’s Düsseldorf Mustard its unconditional release. The distinctly spicy condiment has been replaced by a pale imitation from Heinz, which is headquartered in — gasp! — Pittsburgh." It’s worth reading the whole story.

NBA: Stat of the day: Consecutive games in which Michael Jordan scored more than 40: Nine. Times LeBron James has scored 40 or more points in a playoff game: Nine.

Golf: Speaking of Michael Jordan, looks like he’s spending time between Charlotte Bobcats playoff games hitting the links with Tiger Woods.

NFL: Most repeated stat of the day: Mel Kiper had Jimmy Clausen going in the first round of the NFL draft. Todd McShay didn’t. Yep, Kiper, that’s Jay Feely calling you out on Twitter. Ben Volin, the Palm Beach Post‘s Florida Gators beat writer, takes his shot, too: "Listening to Mel Kiper rip the Tebow pick this morning, and continue to try to justify ranking Clausen 4th overall, is great comedy."

NASCAR: Video of the day: Courtesy of the Birmingham News: "We have choices this weekend …" women’s Fed Cup tennis vs. the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. Uh, OK. In California that might be a choice. Not in Alabama.

MLB: Quote of the day: Mets infielder Alex Cora on Braves rook Jason Heyward: "He’s LeBron James in a baseball uniform."

• Prose of the day: From the Cincinnati.com home page: "Great American Ball Park has given Uncle Phil’s Düsseldorf Mustard its unconditional release. The distinctly spicy condiment has been replaced by a pale imitation from Heinz, which is headquartered in — gasp! — Pittsburgh." It’s worth reading the whole story.

NBA: Stat of the day: Consecutive games in which Michael Jordan scored more than 40: Nine. Times LeBron James has scored 40 or more points in a playoff game: Nine.

Golf: Speaking of Michael Jordan, looks like he’s spending time between Charlotte Bobcats playoff games hitting the links with Tiger Woods.

NFL: Most repeated stat of the day: Mel Kiper had Jimmy Clausen going in the first round of the NFL draft. Todd McShay didn’t. Yep, Kiper, that’s Jay Feely calling you out on Twitter. Ben Volin, the Palm Beach Post‘s Florida Gators beat writer, takes his shot, too: "Listening to Mel Kiper rip the Tebow pick this morning, and continue to try to justify ranking Clausen 4th overall, is great comedy."

NASCAR: Video of the day: Courtesy of the Birmingham News: "We have choices this weekend …" women’s Fed Cup tennis vs. the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. Uh, OK. In California that might be a choice. Not in Alabama.

In shape and on target: Pelfrey a bright spot for Mets

To erase the disappointment of a lousy 2009, Mets righthander Mike Pelfrey had to do something.

"Last year got to the point where baseball stopped being fun," says Pelfrey, who had a 5.03 ERA and averaged fewer than six innings in 31 starts. "When the offseason came, my response was, ‘I can’t go through that again. What do I have to do to get better?’ "

First step: "I told myself I was going to lose 20 pounds." At 6-7, 250, Pelfrey wasn’t exactly Pablo Sandoval-like, but after a season in which "I didn’t achieve any of my goals," he viewed losing weight as a goal as much as a way to improve his fitness.

"To set your mind to something and be able to achieve it builds confidence," he says.

Mike Pelfrey lost more than 20 pounds during the offseason.
Mike Pelfrey lost more than 20 pounds during the offseason.

After taking off a month, Pelfrey headed to the YMCA near his home in Wichita, Kan. Two months of pickup basketball and twice-weekly, hour-long swims, along with "eating right for the first time in my life," helped drop his weight below 230. One goal was met. The real objective of turning around his season — his career, really — awaited.

Three weeks into the 2010 season, he is meeting his other goal, too. Pelfrey is 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA and will take a 19-inning scoreless streak into his next start (Sunday against the Braves). The last-place Mets have had a multitude of problems, but Pelfrey hasn’t been one of them.

"He’s confident and in control," manager Jerry Manuel told reporters after Pelfrey beat the Cubs in his most recent outing. Manuel added that Pelfrey, 26, is pitching his best since running off a 17-inning scoreless streak in July 2008.

The early success has been about more than a successful diet. Pelfrey also devoted his offseason to improving his secondary pitches, including a split-finger fastball that has come a long way in a short time. "That’s the secondary pitch I’ve been missing," he says. "I owe (pitching coach) Dan Warthen a lot of credit for that."

Before spring training, Pelfrey tested the splitter on players at his old school, Wichita State, and left for Florida feeling good about it. He was not deterred even though he was banged around in spring training for 37 hits, including eight homers, in 26 1/3 innings.

"Everybody was making a big deal out of it, but I threw my secondary stuff (which also includes a slider and curve) more than I threw my fastball at times, which I had never done," says Pelfrey, whose best pitch remains a power sinker. "I felt the ball was coming out of my hand great and I could feel my confidence in the secondary pitches growing."

Another change in Pelfrey has been as obvious as his improved numbers. He is working with a purpose, not wandering around the mound between pitches like he’d rather be shooting hoops in Wichita.

"Last year was not the kind of year I wanted to have, but it happened," he says. "After going through that, I’m better prepared to handle adversity. I feel like I’m a lot more in control when I’m on the mound. I have a clear head and that allows me to execute a pitch and worry about that instead of something else."

While Pelfrey clearly is pleased with his April, 30-plus starts remain on his docket if all goes well. How he handles a bad outing also will determine how much he has changed. He took his struggles home in the past to the point where "I would not talk to my wife if I had a bad game because it ate me up inside."

After having a son last August, Pelfrey says he leaves the park these days with a new perspective. "When I go home, it’s family time," he says. "I’m going to sit and play with him after a bad game or a good game. He doesn’t care what happened. He’s smiling."

Dad has had just as much reason to smile so far this season.

THREE STRIKES

STRIKE 1: Carlos Zambrano wasn’t the only one surprised when Cubs manager Lou Piniella sent him to the bullpen. Said one scout: "Over (Tom) Gorzelanny? Hmm. That’s their decision. We’ll see how long it lasts."

STRIKE 2: After Zack Greinke’s first four starts last season, he was 4-0 with two complete games and a 0.00 ERA. After four this season: 0-2 with no complete games and a 3.28 ERA. But don’t worry. "His stuff is the same," says a scout who has seen him pitch. "I just don’t look for him to have that kind of dominating season this year. That’s not easy to do." One thing that hasn’t changed is Greinke’s lack of support. He left both of his no-decisions with a lead.

STRIKE 3: What do Prince Fielder, Carlos Lee, David Ortiz, Jason Bay, Brandon Inge, Ben Zobrist and Adam LaRoche have in common? Each hit at least 25 homers last season but went into Thursday’s action still looking for No. 1 this season.

Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.

To erase the disappointment of a lousy 2009, Mets righthander Mike Pelfrey had to do something.

"Last year got to the point where baseball stopped being fun," says Pelfrey, who had a 5.03 ERA and averaged fewer than six innings in 31 starts. "When the offseason came, my response was, ‘I can’t go through that again. What do I have to do to get better?’ "

First step: "I told myself I was going to lose 20 pounds." At 6-7, 250, Pelfrey wasn’t exactly Pablo Sandoval-like, but after a season in which "I didn’t achieve any of my goals," he viewed losing weight as a goal as much as a way to improve his fitness.

"To set your mind to something and be able to achieve it builds confidence," he says.

Mike Pelfrey lost more than 20 pounds during the offseason.
Mike Pelfrey lost more than 20 pounds during the offseason.

After taking off a month, Pelfrey headed to the YMCA near his home in Wichita, Kan. Two months of pickup basketball and twice-weekly, hour-long swims, along with "eating right for the first time in my life," helped drop his weight below 230. One goal was met. The real objective of turning around his season — his career, really — awaited.

Three weeks into the 2010 season, he is meeting his other goal, too. Pelfrey is 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA and will take a 19-inning scoreless streak into his next start (Sunday against the Braves). The last-place Mets have had a multitude of problems, but Pelfrey hasn’t been one of them.

"He’s confident and in control," manager Jerry Manuel told reporters after Pelfrey beat the Cubs in his most recent outing. Manuel added that Pelfrey, 26, is pitching his best since running off a 17-inning scoreless streak in July 2008.

The early success has been about more than a successful diet. Pelfrey also devoted his offseason to improving his secondary pitches, including a split-finger fastball that has come a long way in a short time. "That’s the secondary pitch I’ve been missing," he says. "I owe (pitching coach) Dan Warthen a lot of credit for that."

Before spring training, Pelfrey tested the splitter on players at his old school, Wichita State, and left for Florida feeling good about it. He was not deterred even though he was banged around in spring training for 37 hits, including eight homers, in 26 1/3 innings.

"Everybody was making a big deal out of it, but I threw my secondary stuff (which also includes a slider and curve) more than I threw my fastball at times, which I had never done," says Pelfrey, whose best pitch remains a power sinker. "I felt the ball was coming out of my hand great and I could feel my confidence in the secondary pitches growing."

Another change in Pelfrey has been as obvious as his improved numbers. He is working with a purpose, not wandering around the mound between pitches like he’d rather be shooting hoops in Wichita.

"Last year was not the kind of year I wanted to have, but it happened," he says. "After going through that, I’m better prepared to handle adversity. I feel like I’m a lot more in control when I’m on the mound. I have a clear head and that allows me to execute a pitch and worry about that instead of something else."

While Pelfrey clearly is pleased with his April, 30-plus starts remain on his docket if all goes well. How he handles a bad outing also will determine how much he has changed. He took his struggles home in the past to the point where "I would not talk to my wife if I had a bad game because it ate me up inside."

After having a son last August, Pelfrey says he leaves the park these days with a new perspective. "When I go home, it’s family time," he says. "I’m going to sit and play with him after a bad game or a good game. He doesn’t care what happened. He’s smiling."

Dad has had just as much reason to smile so far this season.

THREE STRIKES

STRIKE 1: Carlos Zambrano wasn’t the only one surprised when Cubs manager Lou Piniella sent him to the bullpen. Said one scout: "Over (Tom) Gorzelanny? Hmm. That’s their decision. We’ll see how long it lasts."

STRIKE 2: After Zack Greinke’s first four starts last season, he was 4-0 with two complete games and a 0.00 ERA. After four this season: 0-2 with no complete games and a 3.28 ERA. But don’t worry. "His stuff is the same," says a scout who has seen him pitch. "I just don’t look for him to have that kind of dominating season this year. That’s not easy to do." One thing that hasn’t changed is Greinke’s lack of support. He left both of his no-decisions with a lead.

STRIKE 3: What do Prince Fielder, Carlos Lee, David Ortiz, Jason Bay, Brandon Inge, Ben Zobrist and Adam LaRoche have in common? Each hit at least 25 homers last season but went into Thursday’s action still looking for No. 1 this season.

Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.

Tom Seaver: ‘The Mets have a pretty good record of things to be proud of’

Hall of Famer and 311-game winner Tom Seaver visited Citi Field Wednesday as part of the Mets’ Alumni Association Presented by Citi — the franchise’s ongoing commitment to honor its history and serve the community. Seaver was among the Mets greats who joined 25 U.S. military veterans and the Wounded Warrior Project for a tour of the new Mets Hall of Fame and Museum. During the game, Mets alumni worked alongside Citi’s Veterans Employee Network and staffers from the New York City Military Network to encourage fans at Citi Field to make a card for service members recovering from injuries sustained in battle or preparing for deployment. Seaver spoke with Sporting News’ Chris Bahr about his involvement with the alumni and military, as well as his career and the game.

'The Mets have a pretty good record of things to be proud of,' Tom Seaver says.
‘The Mets have a pretty good record of things to be proud of,’ Tom Seaver says.

Sporting News: As far as the Mets Alumni Association, how enjoyable has it been reconnecting with some of the team’s all-time greats?

Tom Seaver: Any friendships — inside or outside the game — being able to reconnect and tell all those war stories about the game that we love, it’s fun to do. It’s rewarding to do. It takes us back to our youth. It’s just good memories, and it’s fun to share all of that stuff.

SN: How special is the Wounded Warrior Project that you are associated with and participated in today?

TS: It gets me because I’m very proud to say that I’m a Marine as well. I’m not a Marine that saw active duty in a situation where someone was shooting bullets at me, but there is a Marine Corps spirit, and we had a lot of Marines here today. One of the young Marines asked me, "What’s your service number," and I said, "1972265, sir." And he goes, "Yeah, you’re a Marine." You always end it with a ‘sir.’

SN: How often do you think you’ll be back to Citi Field this season?

TS: I work for the Mets about 10 days, so I make three or four trips. I’m in California now. … (The travel’s) not that big a deal, non-stop it’s not that big a deal.

SN: Having played in Shea Stadium, what are your thoughts about Citi Field and the museum?

TS: The professional tour (of the museum today), I think a lot of guys were seeing it for the first time. I’d never been in there, but there are a couple of articles of mine that are on the wall. One of the things that’s really been important about the Met organization is the realization that, yes, it’s relatively a short baseball history they have compared to the National League and American League clubs that were here. But the Mets have a pretty good record of things to be proud of — two world championships. They should relish that, show that stuff off. For a relatively young franchise, it’s a wonderful history.

SN: You’re a 311-game winner. Jamie Moyer has 259 wins, and Andy Pettitte has 231. No other active pitcher has more than 200 wins. Is 300 wins a plateau that we might not see many more pitchers reach?

TS: It would be a real aberration if somebody reaches it. There are two factors to that. First is the economics of the game. If you have that much invested in somebody, you’re not going to take the chance of letting them get hurt (from overuse). Longevity is the other. You’re going to have to pitch 20 years at least. And if you get that far, you will have made X amount of dollars, so why do I have to play anymore? That’s as big an issue as any.

SN: What’s your take on the Mets’ rotation this year?

TS: The thing I’d like to see is the guys pitch a little bit longer. But that’s probably true across the board. And one thing the older players forget, we always say, "Oh, I always pitched 7 2/3 (innings)." That wasn’t the reality of it. I think the economics of it is a big issue. They have so much money tied up, and they just can’t afford to have somebody hurt. … I look for a reason to keep a pitcher in the game, not take him out. A guy like Johan Santana has that foxhole mentality.

SN: What’s your take on pitch counts?

TS: I had a pitch count, too. It was my pitch count. People assume, "Oh, you didn’t have a pitch count." But I most certainly did. … It didn’t come about in my first year. It’s something you develop. My pitch count was between 125 and 135. After 135 — that doesn’t mean I never pitched beyond that point because I’m sure I did — but that’s when I began to run out of gas. (Jerry) Koosman was probably 145, Nolan (Ryan) was probably 155. It’s not a blanket pitch count; it’s an individual pitch count. I got to a point where I knew how many pitches I had going into the last nine outs. To remind myself, "Don’t throw nine pitches to the No. 8 hitter." You’re gonna need them for the No. 3. Pitch count was an issue; it just wasn’t spit out by a computer.

SN: Put yourself in your prime. Who are some of today’s hitters you’d like to face? How would you pitch to them?

TS: You’d have to give me (Albert) Pujols. (Derek) Jeter would be good. I’d go to my strength and say, "Can you hit the sinking fastball at the belt buckle?" If you prove to me that you can hit that one, then I’ve got to do something else. If you can’t prove to me that you can hit it, you’re not going to see much else.

SN: What do you miss most about the game now that you’re retired?

TS: A 3-2 pitch, bases loaded, and a fastball that you throw through the eye of the needle down and away on the outside corner. The execution and the thought process to get there.

Chris Bahr is Sporting News’ baseball editor. E-mail him at cbahr@sportingnews.com.

Sponsored link: Mets tickets available

Hall of Famer and 311-game winner Tom Seaver visited Citi Field Wednesday as part of the Mets’ Alumni Association Presented by Citi — the franchise’s ongoing commitment to honor its history and serve the community. Seaver was among the Mets greats who joined 25 U.S. military veterans and the Wounded Warrior Project for a tour of the new Mets Hall of Fame and Museum. During the game, Mets alumni worked alongside Citi’s Veterans Employee Network and staffers from the New York City Military Network to encourage fans at Citi Field to make a card for service members recovering from injuries sustained in battle or preparing for deployment. Seaver spoke with Sporting News’ Chris Bahr about his involvement with the alumni and military, as well as his career and the game.

'The Mets have a pretty good record of things to be proud of,' Tom Seaver says.
‘The Mets have a pretty good record of things to be proud of,’ Tom Seaver says.

Sporting News: As far as the Mets Alumni Association, how enjoyable has it been reconnecting with some of the team’s all-time greats?

Tom Seaver: Any friendships — inside or outside the game — being able to reconnect and tell all those war stories about the game that we love, it’s fun to do. It’s rewarding to do. It takes us back to our youth. It’s just good memories, and it’s fun to share all of that stuff.

SN: How special is the Wounded Warrior Project that you are associated with and participated in today?

TS: It gets me because I’m very proud to say that I’m a Marine as well. I’m not a Marine that saw active duty in a situation where someone was shooting bullets at me, but there is a Marine Corps spirit, and we had a lot of Marines here today. One of the young Marines asked me, "What’s your service number," and I said, "1972265, sir." And he goes, "Yeah, you’re a Marine." You always end it with a ‘sir.’

SN: How often do you think you’ll be back to Citi Field this season?

TS: I work for the Mets about 10 days, so I make three or four trips. I’m in California now. … (The travel’s) not that big a deal, non-stop it’s not that big a deal.

SN: Having played in Shea Stadium, what are your thoughts about Citi Field and the museum?

TS: The professional tour (of the museum today), I think a lot of guys were seeing it for the first time. I’d never been in there, but there are a couple of articles of mine that are on the wall. One of the things that’s really been important about the Met organization is the realization that, yes, it’s relatively a short baseball history they have compared to the National League and American League clubs that were here. But the Mets have a pretty good record of things to be proud of — two world championships. They should relish that, show that stuff off. For a relatively young franchise, it’s a wonderful history.

SN: You’re a 311-game winner. Jamie Moyer has 259 wins, and Andy Pettitte has 231. No other active pitcher has more than 200 wins. Is 300 wins a plateau that we might not see many more pitchers reach?

TS: It would be a real aberration if somebody reaches it. There are two factors to that. First is the economics of the game. If you have that much invested in somebody, you’re not going to take the chance of letting them get hurt (from overuse). Longevity is the other. You’re going to have to pitch 20 years at least. And if you get that far, you will have made X amount of dollars, so why do I have to play anymore? That’s as big an issue as any.

SN: What’s your take on the Mets’ rotation this year?

TS: The thing I’d like to see is the guys pitch a little bit longer. But that’s probably true across the board. And one thing the older players forget, we always say, "Oh, I always pitched 7 2/3 (innings)." That wasn’t the reality of it. I think the economics of it is a big issue. They have so much money tied up, and they just can’t afford to have somebody hurt. … I look for a reason to keep a pitcher in the game, not take him out. A guy like Johan Santana has that foxhole mentality.

SN: What’s your take on pitch counts?

TS: I had a pitch count, too. It was my pitch count. People assume, "Oh, you didn’t have a pitch count." But I most certainly did. … It didn’t come about in my first year. It’s something you develop. My pitch count was between 125 and 135. After 135 — that doesn’t mean I never pitched beyond that point because I’m sure I did — but that’s when I began to run out of gas. (Jerry) Koosman was probably 145, Nolan (Ryan) was probably 155. It’s not a blanket pitch count; it’s an individual pitch count. I got to a point where I knew how many pitches I had going into the last nine outs. To remind myself, "Don’t throw nine pitches to the No. 8 hitter." You’re gonna need them for the No. 3. Pitch count was an issue; it just wasn’t spit out by a computer.

SN: Put yourself in your prime. Who are some of today’s hitters you’d like to face? How would you pitch to them?

TS: You’d have to give me (Albert) Pujols. (Derek) Jeter would be good. I’d go to my strength and say, "Can you hit the sinking fastball at the belt buckle?" If you prove to me that you can hit that one, then I’ve got to do something else. If you can’t prove to me that you can hit it, you’re not going to see much else.

SN: What do you miss most about the game now that you’re retired?

TS: A 3-2 pitch, bases loaded, and a fastball that you throw through the eye of the needle down and away on the outside corner. The execution and the thought process to get there.

Chris Bahr is Sporting News’ baseball editor. E-mail him at cbahr@sportingnews.com.

Sponsored link: Mets tickets available

Podcast: Red Sox have a depth problem

Sporting News will offer weekly conversations with Sporting News baseball experts during the MLB season.  In this first installment, baseball editor Chris Bahr discusses the Boston Red Sox’ early season struggles and what they’ll do to get back to winning games.

Sporting News will offer weekly conversations with Sporting News baseball experts during the MLB season.  In this first installment, baseball editor Chris Bahr discusses the Boston Red Sox’ early season struggles and what they’ll do to get back to winning games.

Reds’ Volquez suspended 50 games because of PEDs

CINCINNATI — Former All-Star pitcher Edinson Volquez was suspended 50 games Tuesday following a positive test for a banned fertility substance, a punishment that will cost him money but won’t hurt the Cincinnati Reds’ rotation.

The 26-year-old right-hander is recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery and isn’t expected to rejoin the Reds until late July at the earliest. He can serve the suspension from Major League Baseball while continuing his rehabilitation at the team’s spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz.

"That’s the only good thing," Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo said. "I’m actually surprised they’re letting him do that."

Volquez became the first player suspended under the major league drug program since Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers was penalized 50 games last May.

Volquez said in a statement he received a prescription in the Dominican Republic as part of his treatment to start a family with his wife. He said the drug was banned by MLB – four types of fertility substances are illegal under baseball rules.

"As a result, I tested positive when I reported to spring training," he said. "Although I understand that I must accept responsibility for this mistake and have chosen not to challenge my suspension, I want to assure everyone that this was an isolated incident involving my genuine effort to treat a common medical issue."

Volquez’s suspension starts Wednesday. He could be eligible to play starting June 15. Volquez was to make $445,000 this season, so barring rainouts the suspension will cost him $133,743.

"When he’s ready to pitch, he’ll be able to pitch," general manager Walt Jocketty said.

An All-Star in 2008 when he went 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA for the Reds, Volquez was 4-2 with a 4.35 ERA last season before feeling pain in his arm in June. He twice went on the disabled list, the first time with back spasms and then with the elbow injury that finished his season.

"The Reds fully support Major League Baseball’s drug policy and its penalties. The organization does not condone in any way the use of drugs not sanctioned by MLB’s medical staff," the team said in a statement before Tuesday night’s game against the Dodgers.

MLB’s labor contract does not allow it to release which drug caused the positive test. A list of drugs that trigger positives is released after each season, without identifying which player used it.

MLB and the players’ union repeatedly warn players not to use any substance without guidance from doctors or trainers who are aware of the banned list.

"I was not trying in any way to gain an advantage in my baseball career," Volquez said in his statement. "I am embarrassed by this whole situation and apologize to my family, friends, fans, teammates, and the entire Reds organization for being a distraction and for causing them any difficulty."

"I simply want to accept the consequences, learn from the mistake, and continue to strive to be the best person and baseball player I can be," he said.

Ramirez was suspended after turning over to MLB a prescription for a banned female fertility drug.

Volquez was the first player suspended for a positive test under the big league program since San Francisco pitcher Kelvin Pichardo on March 23, 2009.

The only other players suspended under the major league program last year were Yankees pitcher Sergio Mitre and Philadelphia pitcher J.C. Romero, both in January 2009.

There have been 16 suspensions this year under the minor league drug program.

Bob DuPuy, baseball’s chief operating officer, said that Volquez’s suspension is more evidence that baseball’s crackdown on drugs is working.

"It’s sad when any player feels that he needs to take a performance-enhancing substance to gain an edge," DuPuy told The Associated Press in Los Angeles. "It’s disappointing, but at the same time it underscores the fact that the program is in fact working. And if players are cheating, they’re going to get caught."

Volquez made his major league debut with Texas in 2005 and went 0-4 with a 14.21 ERA. He went a combined 3-7 over the next two years and was traded in December 2007 to the Reds for outfielder Josh Hamilton. Both players were at the 2008 All-Star game at Yankee Stadium.

Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

CINCINNATI — Former All-Star pitcher Edinson Volquez was suspended 50 games Tuesday following a positive test for a banned fertility substance, a punishment that will cost him money but won’t hurt the Cincinnati Reds’ rotation.

The 26-year-old right-hander is recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery and isn’t expected to rejoin the Reds until late July at the earliest. He can serve the suspension from Major League Baseball while continuing his rehabilitation at the team’s spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz.

"That’s the only good thing," Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo said. "I’m actually surprised they’re letting him do that."

Volquez became the first player suspended under the major league drug program since Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers was penalized 50 games last May.

Volquez said in a statement he received a prescription in the Dominican Republic as part of his treatment to start a family with his wife. He said the drug was banned by MLB – four types of fertility substances are illegal under baseball rules.

"As a result, I tested positive when I reported to spring training," he said. "Although I understand that I must accept responsibility for this mistake and have chosen not to challenge my suspension, I want to assure everyone that this was an isolated incident involving my genuine effort to treat a common medical issue."

Volquez’s suspension starts Wednesday. He could be eligible to play starting June 15. Volquez was to make $445,000 this season, so barring rainouts the suspension will cost him $133,743.

"When he’s ready to pitch, he’ll be able to pitch," general manager Walt Jocketty said.

An All-Star in 2008 when he went 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA for the Reds, Volquez was 4-2 with a 4.35 ERA last season before feeling pain in his arm in June. He twice went on the disabled list, the first time with back spasms and then with the elbow injury that finished his season.

"The Reds fully support Major League Baseball’s drug policy and its penalties. The organization does not condone in any way the use of drugs not sanctioned by MLB’s medical staff," the team said in a statement before Tuesday night’s game against the Dodgers.

MLB’s labor contract does not allow it to release which drug caused the positive test. A list of drugs that trigger positives is released after each season, without identifying which player used it.

MLB and the players’ union repeatedly warn players not to use any substance without guidance from doctors or trainers who are aware of the banned list.

"I was not trying in any way to gain an advantage in my baseball career," Volquez said in his statement. "I am embarrassed by this whole situation and apologize to my family, friends, fans, teammates, and the entire Reds organization for being a distraction and for causing them any difficulty."

"I simply want to accept the consequences, learn from the mistake, and continue to strive to be the best person and baseball player I can be," he said.

Ramirez was suspended after turning over to MLB a prescription for a banned female fertility drug.

Volquez was the first player suspended for a positive test under the big league program since San Francisco pitcher Kelvin Pichardo on March 23, 2009.

The only other players suspended under the major league program last year were Yankees pitcher Sergio Mitre and Philadelphia pitcher J.C. Romero, both in January 2009.

There have been 16 suspensions this year under the minor league drug program.

Bob DuPuy, baseball’s chief operating officer, said that Volquez’s suspension is more evidence that baseball’s crackdown on drugs is working.

"It’s sad when any player feels that he needs to take a performance-enhancing substance to gain an edge," DuPuy told The Associated Press in Los Angeles. "It’s disappointing, but at the same time it underscores the fact that the program is in fact working. And if players are cheating, they’re going to get caught."

Volquez made his major league debut with Texas in 2005 and went 0-4 with a 14.21 ERA. He went a combined 3-7 over the next two years and was traded in December 2007 to the Reds for outfielder Josh Hamilton. Both players were at the 2008 All-Star game at Yankee Stadium.

Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Panic time? Six slow-starting MLB teams dig early holes

You know it’s early when you look at struggling teams and neither the Pirates nor Nationals are on the list.

But there is no shortage of clubs to assume their spots:

Red Sox

David Ortiz and the Red Sox offense have struggled, but that's only part of the problem.
David Ortiz and the Red Sox offense have struggled, but that’s only part of the problem.

The problem: The offense has struggled with runners in scoring position, but that stat is bound to improve. More concerning is the lackluster defense. The Red Sox allowed nine unearned runs in their first 13 games, third-most in the majors. Four (in one inning) were the result of an error by center fielder Mike Cameron, who hasn’t displayed the defense expected of him. The Red Sox lost that game to the Rays, 6-5, en route to being swept in the four-game series. "I’ve made that catch a thousand times, but that time I didn’t," said Cameron, who had a tough week. He passed a kidney stone Friday, returned to the lineup Saturday, sat out Monday because of similar symptoms and was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with an abdominal strain.

Panic level: 6 (out of 10). The Red Sox have too much talent and resources to not win. Their real problem is the Rays, who have an even better team than the one that went to the World Series two years ago.

Cubs
The problem: A veteran scout likes to tell me, "The team that figures out its bullpen first is the team that wins." The Cubs have much figuring to do, specifically in the seventh and eighth innings. They already have lost six games in which they led or were tied going into the seventh inning. John Grabow was supposed to be Carlos Marmol’s setup man, but the lefthander already has lost two games with eighth-inning failures. Jeff Samardzija continues to disappoint and lost a game to the Brewers when he unwisely tried to throw a fastball past Ryan Braun. Bringing in Marmol in the eighth hasn’t worked, either. His only blown save came when he allowed an inherited runner to score in the eighth.

Panic level: 7. The pitching should get a lift later this week when Ted Lilly returns to the rotation (and Carlos Silva or Tom Gorzelanny is sent to the bullpen). Offensively, Aramis Ramirez is hitting .157 with 17 strikeouts in 51 at-bats, and Ryan Theriot, who has a .271 on-base percentage, was dropped from the leadoff spot Monday night in favor of Marlon Byrd. Byrd is only Cubs with a double-digit RBI total.

White Sox
The problem: They aren’t reaching base, which is important considering their desire to play small ball. With new leadoff hitter Juan Pierre yet to warm up, the White Sox rank near the bottom of the majors in batting average and OBP. Pierre isn’t the only straggler. The White Sox didn’t have a regular hitting .300 after their first 13 games. "A bad road trip," manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters after Chicago totaled eight runs and was swept in a three-game series at Cleveland. "We continue to struggle at the plate."

Panic level: 5. They aren’t striking out much, which means the hits could start falling. The pitching has been solid, the relievers outstanding. The bullpen leads the AL in ERA with rookie Sergio Santos and Tony Pena both off to strong starts.

Brett Myers and the Astros have reason to be concerned.
Brett Myers and the Astros have reason to be concerned.

Mets
The problem: Jason Bay is off to a lousy start, Jose Reyes hasn’t returned to form and Jerry Manuel isn’t quite on his game. One example: Manuel admitted that he had Francisco Rodriguez warm up so often in Saturday’s 20-inning game that the righthander almost was unable to pitch. One estimate had Rodriguez making 100 warmup pitches. "If we had lost that game, you guys would have had plenty to question," Manuel admitted.

But those woes pale compared to what has happened at first base. Going into Tuesday’s action, Mets first basemen were hitting .192 with two runs and four RBIs, and that was after a successful debut by 23-year-old Ike Davis. Such a lack of production shouldn’t be surprising after the club neglected the position in the offseason.

Daniel Murphy was supposed to be the guy, though he did not take to the position last season. When Murphy injured his knee this spring, the Mets turned to journeymen Fernando Tatis and Mike Jacobs and started Davis, who hit .480 in spring training, at Class AAA. The Mets quickly gave up on Jacobs and promoted Davis on Monday, but not until he had warmed up and dressed for an afternoon game in Buffalo. Maybe they finally got it right; Davis had two hits and an RBI in his major league debut.

Panic level: 8 (for the minority who thought the Mets had a chance to contend). Finishing ahead of the Nationals figures to be challenging enough.

Astros
The problem: They hit three homers and averaged 2.3 runs in their first 12 games. Cleanup hitter Carlos Lee had yet to drive in a run.

Panic level: 7. Lance Berkman’s return will help, but not much.

Orioles
The problem: How about everything? Baltimore was outscored 74-44 in its first 14 games as the offense scuffled, the bullpen blew more than its share of leads and the defense was responsible for 12 unearned runs.

Panic level: 8. This was supposed to be the season the Orioles escaped last place, but they already are 10 games under .500.

Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.

Sponsored link: White Sox tickets available

You know it’s early when you look at struggling teams and neither the Pirates nor Nationals are on the list.

But there is no shortage of clubs to assume their spots:

Red Sox

David Ortiz and the Red Sox offense have struggled, but that's only part of the problem.
David Ortiz and the Red Sox offense have struggled, but that’s only part of the problem.

The problem: The offense has struggled with runners in scoring position, but that stat is bound to improve. More concerning is the lackluster defense. The Red Sox allowed nine unearned runs in their first 13 games, third-most in the majors. Four (in one inning) were the result of an error by center fielder Mike Cameron, who hasn’t displayed the defense expected of him. The Red Sox lost that game to the Rays, 6-5, en route to being swept in the four-game series. "I’ve made that catch a thousand times, but that time I didn’t," said Cameron, who had a tough week. He passed a kidney stone Friday, returned to the lineup Saturday, sat out Monday because of similar symptoms and was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with an abdominal strain.

Panic level: 6 (out of 10). The Red Sox have too much talent and resources to not win. Their real problem is the Rays, who have an even better team than the one that went to the World Series two years ago.

Cubs
The problem: A veteran scout likes to tell me, "The team that figures out its bullpen first is the team that wins." The Cubs have much figuring to do, specifically in the seventh and eighth innings. They already have lost six games in which they led or were tied going into the seventh inning. John Grabow was supposed to be Carlos Marmol’s setup man, but the lefthander already has lost two games with eighth-inning failures. Jeff Samardzija continues to disappoint and lost a game to the Brewers when he unwisely tried to throw a fastball past Ryan Braun. Bringing in Marmol in the eighth hasn’t worked, either. His only blown save came when he allowed an inherited runner to score in the eighth.

Panic level: 7. The pitching should get a lift later this week when Ted Lilly returns to the rotation (and Carlos Silva or Tom Gorzelanny is sent to the bullpen). Offensively, Aramis Ramirez is hitting .157 with 17 strikeouts in 51 at-bats, and Ryan Theriot, who has a .271 on-base percentage, was dropped from the leadoff spot Monday night in favor of Marlon Byrd. Byrd is only Cubs with a double-digit RBI total.

White Sox
The problem: They aren’t reaching base, which is important considering their desire to play small ball. With new leadoff hitter Juan Pierre yet to warm up, the White Sox rank near the bottom of the majors in batting average and OBP. Pierre isn’t the only straggler. The White Sox didn’t have a regular hitting .300 after their first 13 games. "A bad road trip," manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters after Chicago totaled eight runs and was swept in a three-game series at Cleveland. "We continue to struggle at the plate."

Panic level: 5. They aren’t striking out much, which means the hits could start falling. The pitching has been solid, the relievers outstanding. The bullpen leads the AL in ERA with rookie Sergio Santos and Tony Pena both off to strong starts.

Brett Myers and the Astros have reason to be concerned.
Brett Myers and the Astros have reason to be concerned.

Mets
The problem: Jason Bay is off to a lousy start, Jose Reyes hasn’t returned to form and Jerry Manuel isn’t quite on his game. One example: Manuel admitted that he had Francisco Rodriguez warm up so often in Saturday’s 20-inning game that the righthander almost was unable to pitch. One estimate had Rodriguez making 100 warmup pitches. "If we had lost that game, you guys would have had plenty to question," Manuel admitted.

But those woes pale compared to what has happened at first base. Going into Tuesday’s action, Mets first basemen were hitting .192 with two runs and four RBIs, and that was after a successful debut by 23-year-old Ike Davis. Such a lack of production shouldn’t be surprising after the club neglected the position in the offseason.

Daniel Murphy was supposed to be the guy, though he did not take to the position last season. When Murphy injured his knee this spring, the Mets turned to journeymen Fernando Tatis and Mike Jacobs and started Davis, who hit .480 in spring training, at Class AAA. The Mets quickly gave up on Jacobs and promoted Davis on Monday, but not until he had warmed up and dressed for an afternoon game in Buffalo. Maybe they finally got it right; Davis had two hits and an RBI in his major league debut.

Panic level: 8 (for the minority who thought the Mets had a chance to contend). Finishing ahead of the Nationals figures to be challenging enough.

Astros
The problem: They hit three homers and averaged 2.3 runs in their first 12 games. Cleanup hitter Carlos Lee had yet to drive in a run.

Panic level: 7. Lance Berkman’s return will help, but not much.

Orioles
The problem: How about everything? Baltimore was outscored 74-44 in its first 14 games as the offense scuffled, the bullpen blew more than its share of leads and the defense was responsible for 12 unearned runs.

Panic level: 8. This was supposed to be the season the Orioles escaped last place, but they already are 10 games under .500.

Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.

Sponsored link: White Sox tickets available

Rockies president found dead in hotel room

DENVER — Colorado Rockies president Keli McGregor, who parlayed a lifelong love of sports into a short stint in the NFL before embarking on a career in the baseball business, was found dead in his hotel room in Salt Lake City on Tuesday.

Detective Rick Wall said two of McGregor’s associates couldn’t get in touch with him and that someone entered his room at The Grand America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City and found the 48-year-old McGregor unconscious Tuesday morning.

Police were called about 9 a.m. MDT and emergency workers arrived on the scene and were unable to revive him.

Keli McGregor had been Rockies team president since 2001.
Keli McGregor had been Rockies team president since 2001.

"There are no signs of foul play. … Based on the initial investigation (police and fire officials) did not see anything suspicious," Wall said. "There is nothing suspicious. At this point it would look like it was some sort of a natural cause or something along those lines."

Wall said the investigation has been turned over to the medical examiner’s office, which will determine the cause and time of death.

The Rockies said McGregor was on a business trip with team chairman and CEO Charlie Monfort and executive vice president Greg Feasel.

"Words cannot describe the level of shock and disbelief that we all are feeling this morning at the loss of Keli," Charlie Monfort said in a statement. "Our thoughts, our prayers are with Lori and the entire family as we all try to cope and understand how such a tragic loss could occur with such a wonderful man."

McGregor is survived by his wife, Lori, three daughters and a son.

His voice cracking, manager Jim Tracy said before the Rockies’ game at Washington on Tuesday night that he struggled with what to tell his team about McGregor’s death.

"I’m stunned. I can’t believe what’s happened," Tracy said. "I told the players in the clubhouse: ‘I want to understand this, but I don’t.’ I don’t know what to say. I don’t understand it.

"We said a little prayer for him. The prayers are as much for him as for Lori and for those four children."

The clubhouse was closed before the game.

"I guess shock is the word that describes it," first baseman Todd Helton said as he walked out on the field. "Great man. I’ve known him 15 years. Last person you think you’d be getting that call about.

"He kept himself in great shape, worked hard. He really loved this team, loved his family even more," Helton said. "We went duck hunting together, pumped up together, stayed up playing cards, golfed several times in the offseason."

Rockies hitting coach Don Baylor, who was managing the club when McGregor came on board, said he was a passionate person who always put the organization first.

"He was a football guy. He didn’t understand what a 6-4-3 was or what an ERA was. It was a big learning experience for him," Baylor said. "What a rising star this guy would have been because he really did so much for this organization. Every time you talked to him it was about the Rockies, not about himself, always about improving the club, on the field. He’s really going to be missed.

"Forty-eight years old. You’re still asking, ‘Why?"’

McGregor’s loss shook the sports communities across Colorado, where he was a multi-sport athlete at Lakewood High School, starred as a tight end at Colorado State and was drafted by the Denver Broncos before going into coaching and then embarking on a career in sports administration, joining the Rockies in 1993.

"He had only friends in the industry, and this is a terrible loss for the game," Bob DuPuy, baseball’s chief operating officer told the AP. "Keli has been instrumental in the success of the Rockies over the entire time he was with them because of his guidance and leadership in every aspect of the organization."

Commissioner Bud Selig called McGregor "one of our game’s rising young stars," and new union head Michael Weiner sent his condolences to McGregor’s family and the Rockies.

McGregor was in his 17th season with the Rockies, his ninth as club president. He began his career with the club in October 1993 as senior director of operations. He was promoted to senior vice president in 1996 and executive vice president in 1998.

McGregor was a four-year starter at Colorado State, where he went from freshman walk-on to second-team All-American tight end in 1984. An undersized halfback when he arrived on campus, McGregor had a growth spurt before his sophomore season and at 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, he went on to become an All-Western Athletic Conference tight end from 1982-84.

He set a single-season school record with 69 catches in 1983, a mark that stood for 10 years.

McGregor was selected by Denver in the fourth round of the 1985 NFL draft and played for the Broncos, Colts and Seahawks during his brief pro career.

McGregor was "a wonderful person and a highly respected professional whose loss will be felt throughout the entire Denver community," Broncos chief operating officer Joe Ellis said.

McGregor joined the Rockies after a four-year stint as an associate athletic director at the University of Arkansas. He also was an assistant football coach for two years at the University of Florida from 1988-89, where he earned his Master’s degree in education with an emphasis on athletic administration.

McGregor, who was born in Primgahr, Iowa, was voted to Colorado State’s all-century team in 1992 and was named to the CSU Hall of Fame in 1996.

Last year, McGregor was the Rockies’ point man on a project that will result in the first major league baseball facility built on Indian land. The Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks partnered with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian community, a sovereign tribe in the Phoenix area, and will move into the new facilities next spring after training 17 seasons in Tucson.

"This sport lost a true friend and gentleman today," Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said. "Keli has quickly become one of my closest friends over the last few years. In recent months, our collaborative work and vision on creating our new spring home has made that bond even tighter.

"I am deeply saddened that he will not see the project upon its completion, but even more distraught over the tragic thought that this beautiful family will be without its loving husband and father."

CSU football coach Steve Fairchild called Tuesday "a heartbreaking day on our campus," where McGregor’s daughter, Jordan, is a sophomore and where his godson, Ben Tedford, is a sophomore on the Rams football team.

"This is an enormous and tragic loss for CSU and all of Colorado," university president Tony Frank said. "Keli was a true champion in life and on the field, who exemplified what we’d want for all our graduates – an honorable and successful business leader, dedicated family man, and loyal alumnus."

Associated Press Writer Elizabeth White in Salt Lake City and AP free-lancer Rich Dubroff from Washington, D.C., contributed to this story.

Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DENVER — Colorado Rockies president Keli McGregor, who parlayed a lifelong love of sports into a short stint in the NFL before embarking on a career in the baseball business, was found dead in his hotel room in Salt Lake City on Tuesday.

Detective Rick Wall said two of McGregor’s associates couldn’t get in touch with him and that someone entered his room at The Grand America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City and found the 48-year-old McGregor unconscious Tuesday morning.

Police were called about 9 a.m. MDT and emergency workers arrived on the scene and were unable to revive him.

Keli McGregor had been Rockies team president since 2001.
Keli McGregor had been Rockies team president since 2001.

"There are no signs of foul play. … Based on the initial investigation (police and fire officials) did not see anything suspicious," Wall said. "There is nothing suspicious. At this point it would look like it was some sort of a natural cause or something along those lines."

Wall said the investigation has been turned over to the medical examiner’s office, which will determine the cause and time of death.

The Rockies said McGregor was on a business trip with team chairman and CEO Charlie Monfort and executive vice president Greg Feasel.

"Words cannot describe the level of shock and disbelief that we all are feeling this morning at the loss of Keli," Charlie Monfort said in a statement. "Our thoughts, our prayers are with Lori and the entire family as we all try to cope and understand how such a tragic loss could occur with such a wonderful man."

McGregor is survived by his wife, Lori, three daughters and a son.

His voice cracking, manager Jim Tracy said before the Rockies’ game at Washington on Tuesday night that he struggled with what to tell his team about McGregor’s death.

"I’m stunned. I can’t believe what’s happened," Tracy said. "I told the players in the clubhouse: ‘I want to understand this, but I don’t.’ I don’t know what to say. I don’t understand it.

"We said a little prayer for him. The prayers are as much for him as for Lori and for those four children."

The clubhouse was closed before the game.

"I guess shock is the word that describes it," first baseman Todd Helton said as he walked out on the field. "Great man. I’ve known him 15 years. Last person you think you’d be getting that call about.

"He kept himself in great shape, worked hard. He really loved this team, loved his family even more," Helton said. "We went duck hunting together, pumped up together, stayed up playing cards, golfed several times in the offseason."

Rockies hitting coach Don Baylor, who was managing the club when McGregor came on board, said he was a passionate person who always put the organization first.

"He was a football guy. He didn’t understand what a 6-4-3 was or what an ERA was. It was a big learning experience for him," Baylor said. "What a rising star this guy would have been because he really did so much for this organization. Every time you talked to him it was about the Rockies, not about himself, always about improving the club, on the field. He’s really going to be missed.

"Forty-eight years old. You’re still asking, ‘Why?"’

McGregor’s loss shook the sports communities across Colorado, where he was a multi-sport athlete at Lakewood High School, starred as a tight end at Colorado State and was drafted by the Denver Broncos before going into coaching and then embarking on a career in sports administration, joining the Rockies in 1993.

"He had only friends in the industry, and this is a terrible loss for the game," Bob DuPuy, baseball’s chief operating officer told the AP. "Keli has been instrumental in the success of the Rockies over the entire time he was with them because of his guidance and leadership in every aspect of the organization."

Commissioner Bud Selig called McGregor "one of our game’s rising young stars," and new union head Michael Weiner sent his condolences to McGregor’s family and the Rockies.

McGregor was in his 17th season with the Rockies, his ninth as club president. He began his career with the club in October 1993 as senior director of operations. He was promoted to senior vice president in 1996 and executive vice president in 1998.

McGregor was a four-year starter at Colorado State, where he went from freshman walk-on to second-team All-American tight end in 1984. An undersized halfback when he arrived on campus, McGregor had a growth spurt before his sophomore season and at 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, he went on to become an All-Western Athletic Conference tight end from 1982-84.

He set a single-season school record with 69 catches in 1983, a mark that stood for 10 years.

McGregor was selected by Denver in the fourth round of the 1985 NFL draft and played for the Broncos, Colts and Seahawks during his brief pro career.

McGregor was "a wonderful person and a highly respected professional whose loss will be felt throughout the entire Denver community," Broncos chief operating officer Joe Ellis said.

McGregor joined the Rockies after a four-year stint as an associate athletic director at the University of Arkansas. He also was an assistant football coach for two years at the University of Florida from 1988-89, where he earned his Master’s degree in education with an emphasis on athletic administration.

McGregor, who was born in Primgahr, Iowa, was voted to Colorado State’s all-century team in 1992 and was named to the CSU Hall of Fame in 1996.

Last year, McGregor was the Rockies’ point man on a project that will result in the first major league baseball facility built on Indian land. The Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks partnered with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian community, a sovereign tribe in the Phoenix area, and will move into the new facilities next spring after training 17 seasons in Tucson.

"This sport lost a true friend and gentleman today," Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said. "Keli has quickly become one of my closest friends over the last few years. In recent months, our collaborative work and vision on creating our new spring home has made that bond even tighter.

"I am deeply saddened that he will not see the project upon its completion, but even more distraught over the tragic thought that this beautiful family will be without its loving husband and father."

CSU football coach Steve Fairchild called Tuesday "a heartbreaking day on our campus," where McGregor’s daughter, Jordan, is a sophomore and where his godson, Ben Tedford, is a sophomore on the Rams football team.

"This is an enormous and tragic loss for CSU and all of Colorado," university president Tony Frank said. "Keli was a true champion in life and on the field, who exemplified what we’d want for all our graduates – an honorable and successful business leader, dedicated family man, and loyal alumnus."

Associated Press Writer Elizabeth White in Salt Lake City and AP free-lancer Rich Dubroff from Washington, D.C., contributed to this story.

Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Braves exec disputes report of reduced payroll

Braves CEO Terry McGuirk told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s David O’Brien that the team’s payroll has not been reduced 13 percent since last season.

USA Today reported that the Braves’ payroll was $84.4 million at the start of the season.

"That’s not right," McGuirk told the AJC. "That ($84.4 million) doesn’t even make any sense, from an accounting standpoint. They’re drawing off of some database that MLB has, and whatever snapshot they got, that’s not correct. Our (payroll) will have a 9 in front of it."

The AJC reported that the Braves’ payroll is between $92 million and $95 million.

Braves CEO Terry McGuirk told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s David O’Brien that the team’s payroll has not been reduced 13 percent since last season.

USA Today reported that the Braves’ payroll was $84.4 million at the start of the season.

"That’s not right," McGuirk told the AJC. "That ($84.4 million) doesn’t even make any sense, from an accounting standpoint. They’re drawing off of some database that MLB has, and whatever snapshot they got, that’s not correct. Our (payroll) will have a 9 in front of it."

The AJC reported that the Braves’ payroll is between $92 million and $95 million.

Ripken: Orioles owner not standing in way of him returning to team

Cal Ripken Jr. said Monday that Orioles principal owner Peter Angelos did not stand in the way of him joining the team, MLB.com reported.

FoxSports.com reported last week that Ripken was blocked from joining the Orioles by Angelos.

"I have met with Andy (MacPhail, president of baseball operations) and Peter on a number of occasions to discuss many subjects," Ripken told MLB.com. "Ultimately, our discussions have turned to baseball, the Orioles and me. I have enjoyed those talks very much, and, yes, the subject has been broached about me potentially joining the organization. I look forward to those talks continuing."

FoxSports.com previously reported that Ripken was looking for a position with the team where he would work with some of the organization’s young players. According to MLB.com, the Fox report said that Angelos stopped that from happening "because he didn’t want Ripken to get most of the credit if the organization returns to prominence."

Added Ripken, in his comments to MLB.com, "I have been consistent in my statements about a return to baseball since my retirement in 2001. With my son, Ryan, approaching the end of high school in a couple of years, I have been thinking more seriously about a return to the big league game. I am more excited now to explore all opportunities and find the right situation that could lead me to the next phase of my life."

Cal Ripken Jr. said Monday that Orioles principal owner Peter Angelos did not stand in the way of him joining the team, MLB.com reported.

FoxSports.com reported last week that Ripken was blocked from joining the Orioles by Angelos.

"I have met with Andy (MacPhail, president of baseball operations) and Peter on a number of occasions to discuss many subjects," Ripken told MLB.com. "Ultimately, our discussions have turned to baseball, the Orioles and me. I have enjoyed those talks very much, and, yes, the subject has been broached about me potentially joining the organization. I look forward to those talks continuing."

FoxSports.com previously reported that Ripken was looking for a position with the team where he would work with some of the organization’s young players. According to MLB.com, the Fox report said that Angelos stopped that from happening "because he didn’t want Ripken to get most of the credit if the organization returns to prominence."

Added Ripken, in his comments to MLB.com, "I have been consistent in my statements about a return to baseball since my retirement in 2001. With my son, Ryan, approaching the end of high school in a couple of years, I have been thinking more seriously about a return to the big league game. I am more excited now to explore all opportunities and find the right situation that could lead me to the next phase of my life."

Fly’s rumorama: Ben Roethlisberger, NHL reportage, Boston Marathon, Tiger Woods, Alex Rodriguez

NFL: No word yet on Ben Roethlisberger’s punishment, but in the meantime, the QB is expected to show for the Steelers’ first offseason practice today.

NHL: In this age of budget cutting at the nation’s newspapers, NHL coverage has taken a hit. Enter the New Jersey Devils’ DIY project. They hired a writer for their website, and then outsourced his stories to the local Gannett papers. It works for the Asbury Park Press, its editor says.

Running: Thank you, Boston Globe, for the "no kiddin?" headline of the day: "26.2 miles takes a toll on the body."

Golf: Tiger may be back together with his swing, but things aren’t looking good for his marriage, if you believe rumors circulating in the New York Post and on Radar Online. It appears Tiger and Elin haven’t exactly been cozy since the end of The Masters.

MLB: Alex Rodriguez’s love life is back on Page Six of the New York Post. It seems the Yankees slugger has been spending time in Miami with Cameron Diaz, whose relationship with Justin Timberlake ended a while back. Maybe A-Rod should play basketball — he’s picking up a lot of rebounds.

NFL: No word yet on Ben Roethlisberger’s punishment, but in the meantime, the QB is expected to show for the Steelers’ first offseason practice today.

NHL: In this age of budget cutting at the nation’s newspapers, NHL coverage has taken a hit. Enter the New Jersey Devils’ DIY project. They hired a writer for their website, and then outsourced his stories to the local Gannett papers. It works for the Asbury Park Press, its editor says.

Running: Thank you, Boston Globe, for the "no kiddin?" headline of the day: "26.2 miles takes a toll on the body."

Golf: Tiger may be back together with his swing, but things aren’t looking good for his marriage, if you believe rumors circulating in the New York Post and on Radar Online. It appears Tiger and Elin haven’t exactly been cozy since the end of The Masters.

MLB: Alex Rodriguez’s love life is back on Page Six of the New York Post. It seems the Yankees slugger has been spending time in Miami with Cameron Diaz, whose relationship with Justin Timberlake ended a while back. Maybe A-Rod should play basketball — he’s picking up a lot of rebounds.