Posted on: Thursday, March 15, 2001
Ex-UH pitcher Scott Karl released by Padres
Advertiser News Services
Scott Karl's career with the San Diego Padres is over.
The National League team put the former University of Hawai'i left-hander on waivers yesterday for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.
Karl, one of seven pitchers competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, had a $625,000 salary, and would get $102,459 in termination pay if he clears waivers.
San Diego also released outfielder Ruben Rivera, a sensational center fielder who struggled at the plate. If Rivera clears waivers tomorrow, the Padres would owe $163,394 in termination pay from his $1 million salary.
INDIANS • Fryman, Gonzalez hurting: Third baseman Travis Fryman will be sidelined at least a week with a sore right elbow.
Fryman and outfielder Juan Gonzalez did not play in yesterday's 6-4, 10-inning win over Atlanta. Gonzalez hurt his left knee while running in the outfield before the game.
PIRATES • Pitching problems: Pittsburgh's pitching problems got worse yesterday when right-hander Francisco Cordova's elbow began hurting again and Kris Benson was scratched from his next start with soreness in his right elbow.
With 2› weeks before opening day, three of the five projected Pirates starters are injured. Right-hander Jason Schmidt, coming off rotator cuff surgery, has a cartilage injury and likely won't be ready by opening day.
YANKEES • El Duque misses start: Right-hander Orlando Hernandez, who missed his scheduled exhibition start against Tampa last night because of right forearm stiffness, is scheduled to resume throwing Saturday.
"If he feels good, we'll figure him in the first part of the week," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "He said he feels a lot better."
IN THE COURTS • Maris family seeks $2.5 billion: Former home run king Roger Maris' family will seek $2.5 billion in a breach-of-contract lawsuit against beer giant Anheuser-Busch, their attorney Willie Gary said yesterday.
The family members took over the lucrative Ocala-Gainesville beer distributorship after Maris' death in 1985, but Anheuser-Busch canceled the deal soon afterward.
"It created an opportunity for them to do what they're doing, to oust the family," Gary said.
