Beltran traded to Houston
Star center fielder Carlos Beltran was traded from Kansas City to the Houston Astros as part of a three-way deal that also sent reliever Octavio Dotel to Oakland.
The last-place Royals wound up with three prospects: highly touted third baseman Mark Teahen and right-hander Mike Wood from Oakland, and catcher John Buck from the Astros.
“This is obviously huge for our organization,” Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker said. “Carlos Beltran is one of the most exciting, complete players in our game today.”
“He’s the prototype we’ve been looking for for a long time. He’s going to be a very exciting force for us in the middle of our lineup,” he said.
Beltran can become a free agent this fall — but for now, he joined a team clearly going all out this year to win its first World Series.
The Astros spent millions last off-season to bring pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte to Houston. Clemens, who already ended one brief retirement, agreed only to a one-year deal, while longtime stars Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio are nearing the end of their careers.
Last week, the Astros traded right fielder Richard Hidalgo to the New York Mets for reliever David Weathers and a minor league pitcher. This time, Houston pulled off a much bigger deal.
“When you have a chance to get an All-Star like Beltran, you do it, then you worry about filling in holes. He significantly makes us better, he is an impact player and will have an effect on our ballclub,” Hunsicker said.
The multitalented Beltran is hitting .278 with 15 homers, 51 RBIs and 14 steals.
Beltran’s arrival almost certainly means yet another position change for Biggio, who started his career as catcher, moved to second base and then center field. Biggio will probably move to left, with Lance Berkman shifting to right.
Wood and Buck are expected to join Kansas City’s major league roster.
Reese may return soon
Red Sox second baseman Pokey Reese wore a brace on his left hand to protect his injured thumb, and Boston remained hopeful that he may soon return to the lineup.
Reese partially tore a ligament in the second inning of a 4-2 loss Wednesday night to the Minnesota Twins.
“He’s very sore, but I think there’s less swelling than he thought or the trainers thought,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “Although he’s sore, maybe this thing is manageable in a couple days.”
Mark Bellhorn started at second Thursday in the finale of the three-game series.
Lee drops appeal of suspension
Cleveland Indians left-hander Cliff Lee dropped his appeal and began serving a six-game suspension for throwing a ball behind Ken Griffey Jr. on June 12.
Lee, who is 7-1 after beating the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night, decided to drop his appeal on the advice of manager Eric Wedge.
With a day off Monday, the Indians will be able to keep their rotation intact without calling up a pitcher from the minors or using a reliever out of the bullpen.
Lee will make his next start July 2 in Cincinnati.
Piniella wants ownership to add players
Fresh off a surprising winning streak, Tampa Bay manager Lou Piniella wants to see something else new and different: more payroll for more players.
“Let’s just not sit on the streak,” Piniella said, a day after the Devil Rays’ team-record string ended at 12 games.
“We’ve got more than half our schedule to play yet. Now that we’ve gained that momentum and it’s been positive for us, let’s build on that. Let’s not just sit back,” he said.
The Devil Rays have a payroll of $23 million — the lowest in the majors — and Piniella has said that they need to increase it to compete in the A.L. East.
“Instead of trading our better players for the future, let’s start looking at other teams’ better players for our future,” he said. “And I’m talking within a salary framework that works for us, too. I’m not talking about a Alex Rodriguez-type deal.”
Pettitte to return Tuesday
Houston Astros left-hander Andy Pettitte is expected to come off the disabled list Tuesday to start against the Chicago Cubs.
Pettitte has been on the disabled list since May 27 because of a strained left forearm. He also was sidelined from April 7-29 because of a sore left elbow.
Team officials decided Pettitte was ready to return after he pitched five scoreless innings Wednesday in a rehabilitation start for Double-A Round Rock.
“So many little things out there felt right,” Pettitte said after the game. “My forearm feels great. I just hope I can get in there and get healthy and pick some slack up in the starting rotation. Maybe that will give us a little boost.”