Rockies designate Moyer for assignment
Rockies designate Moyer for assignment
DENVER — Jamie Moyer has been designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies, the move being made about six weeks after he became the oldest starting pitcher to win a game in major league history.
The 49-year-old Moyer said in a news conference Wednesday he still had hopes of continuing his career elsewhere, but his immediate plan was to return home and attend a son’s high school graduation.
Rockies manager Jim Tracy told Moyer of the team’s decision in a meeting earlier Wednesday.
After missing all of the 2011 season while recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery, Moyer signed with the Rockies and made the team with an impressive spring training. He became the oldest pitcher to win as a starter on April 17, when he led the Rockies to a 5-3 win over the San Diego Padres.
Moyer was 2-5 with a 5.70 ERA in 10 starts.
Defense argues to dismiss some Sandusky charges
BELLEFONTE, Pa. — Jerry Sandusky lost another bid to delay his child sexual abuse trial on Wednesday and, in what could be the last pretrial hearing before jury selection begins next week, the presiding judge heard defense lawyers and prosecutors debate whether charges should be thrown out.
The 45-minute hearing in a central Pennsylvania courthouse focused on the evidence regarding so-called “Victim 8,” a young man who was reportedly seen by a janitor being molested by the former Penn State assistant football coach in team showers more than a decade ago.
Prosecutors have said the janitor, Jim Calhoun, has dementia and is not available to testify, so they want to call to the stand co-workers who would recount what Calhoun told them.
Sandusky lawyer Joe Amendola has argued there is not sufficient evidence to take the Victim 8 charges to trial, and at the Wednesday hearing he asked for a hearing at which prosecutors would either show he is wrong or have Cleland dismiss those counts. The same applies to charges involving two alleged victims.
Amendola also has asked for the remaining charges to be dismissed on other grounds.
Former Clemens catchers back up pitcher at trial
WASHINGTON — Two catchers who were teammates of pitcher Roger Clemens said he played with integrity and refused to cut corners, the opposite of the image painted by prosecutors of a man who cheated to gain an edge and then lied about it to Congress.
“I don’t think he’d cheat,” said former journeyman catcher Charlie O’Brien, who caught Clemens’ games for much of the 1997 season with the Toronto Blue Jays. O’Brien portrayed Clemens as such a stickler that he’d refuse to throw scuffed baseballs because he considered it cheating.
Oswalt hopes to join Rangers after four minor league starts
ARLINGTON, Texas — Roy Oswalt expects to be ready to join the Texas Rangers after four minor league starts.
Oswalt, who has agreed to a minor league deal with the AL West-leading Rangers, is scheduled to make his first start for Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.
During a conference call Wednesday, Oswalt said he has been throwing bullpen sessions every other day for the past six weeks. He said he wanted to make sure he had plenty of throwing in before stepping on the field.
Oswalt is scheduled to be in Arlington on Thursday for his physical. Assuming all goes well, he will then go to Round Rock.
Indians place designated hitter Hafner on disabled list
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians have placed designated hitter Travis Hafner on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right knee.
Hafner, who hasn’t played since May 23, is hitting .242 with six home runs and 23 RBIs in 39 games. The move is retroactive to May 24. Hafner, the Indians’ cleanup hitter, ran in the outfield and took batting practice before Tuesday night’s game, and manager Manny Acta said he would be available to pinch-hit.
From wire sources