Nelson back with M’s
Jeff Nelson joined the Seattle Mariners for the third time, agreeing Monday to a minor-league contract.
The 38-year-old right-hander, who pitched for Seattle from 1992-95 and 2001-03, apologized Sunday for criticizing the team 1 1/2 years ago, before he was traded to the New York Yankees.
“The whole hurdle was to get things the way they used to be. It was a big deal for me to do that,” Nelson said. “The year and a half since it happened has weighed heavy on my heart and mind.”
At the time of the criticism, Nelson was angry the Mariners didn’t make any major moves at the trade deadline. Nelson met Sunday with Mariners president Chuck Armstrong and general manager Bill Bavasi, then met Monday with team chairman Howard Lincoln.
“I went to their office to say that I was truly sorry and to make sure they knew that,” Nelson said. “They were very receptive and very happy to hear the things I had to say.”
Nelson, who lives in the Seattle area during the off-season, holds the Seattle record for games pitched with 383 and has a 23-20 record with the Mariners.
Union approves Sosa trade
The trade that would send Sammy Sosa from the Chicago Cubs to the Baltimore Orioles took a step forward when the players’ association approved a key change to his contract that is required to complete the deal.
Chicago would receive Jerry Hairston Jr. and a pair of minor leaguers, second baseman Mike Fontenot and right-hander Dave Crouthers, in exchange for Sosa and $12 million. The trade is likely to be finalized Thursday or Friday.
Surgery will limit Bonds
San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds is expected to miss much of spring training following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. The seven-time NL MVP had a “minor arthritis cleanup,” the Giants said in statement.
Clearing the bases
A group from Northern Virginia, American Baseball Capital, formerly the Virginia Baseball Club, became the latest to submit an application to buy the Washington Nationals, just beating the Monday deadline set by Major League Baseball. … Denny Neagle‘s grievance against the Colorado to overturn the team’s termination of his contract three days after he was issued a citation for solicitation will be heard on April 14-15 by baseball arbitrator Shyam Das.