M’s bullpen going Green
Nobody in the American League has pitched as many games as Sean Green, but who’s counting?
Certainly not Green, who has been the Seattle Mariners’ go-to guy out of the bullpen this year. He has pitched in 24 games, most in the A.L. and tied for second in the major leagues.
“It’s nothing that I consciously think about,” said Green, 1-1 with a 1.88 earned-run average. “It just happens that the first month and a half this year they’ve needed me more.”
Manager John McLaren calls Green a staff saver because he can call on him during times when other relievers might not be available.
“All clubs need somebody like that, somebody who can pitch in a lot of roles for you,” McLaren said. “He’s somebody we can use three days in a row, four out of five, whatever. If we didn’t have him, we’d be putting pressure on somebody else who can’t take everyday use like he can.”
In 12 relief appearances since April 26, Green has allowed two earned runs in 11 1/3 innings.
“Outfielder Jeremy Reed has been recalled from Triple-A Tacoma by the Mariners, filling the spot vacated when young catching prospect Jeff Clement was sent down.
Yanks to hold auction
Thurman Munson’s World Series rings, MVP trophy and the uniform the former New York Yankees catcher wore for his final home game before he died in a 1979 plane crash will be auctioned off in connection with this summer’s All-Star Game at New York’s Yankee Stadium.
Also part of the July 14-15 auction are Lou Gehrig’s warmup jacket dating to the final game of his streak of playing 2,130 consecutive games, the ball from Babe Ruth’s 712th home run and a bat used in a game by Jackie Robinson.
Clearing the bases
Alex Rodriguez is set to rejoin the slumping New York Yankees tonight after finishing his rehabilitation of a strained right quadriceps. Rodriguez went 2 for 6 with a double and a single in an extended spring training game Monday in Tampa, Fla. … Outfielder Jacque Jones, cut by the Detroit Tigers two weeks ago, reached a minor league deal with the Florida Marlins and is expected to soon become the Marlins’ starting center fielder.