Posted on Wed, May. 07, 2008

NOTEBOOK

Reds GM: Griffey trade speculation premature

CINCINNATI --

Reds GM: Griffey trade speculation premature

Suggestions that the struggling Cincinnati Reds might trade outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. during the season are premature, general manager Walk Jocketty said Tuesday night without ruling out that a deal could happen.The outfielder, 38, is in the final guaranteed year of his contract. The Reds have an option to keep him next year for $16.5 million, and could buy out the option for $4 million.

The club's poor start has sparked speculation that Griffey and others could be traded in July if things don't improve on the field. The Reds were 13-21, 81/2 games out of first place in the NL Central, after losing 3-0 Tuesday in the second game of their series against the Chicago Cubs.

Griffey would have the right to block any trade. He said if the club comes to him at some point, he would listen.

Two of Jocketty's biggest decisions will involve Griffey and left fielder Adam Dunn, who gets $13 million in the final year on his deal. If the club is out of contention at midseason, both outfielders would be attractive in trade talks. -- Associated Press

Around the leagues

ARIZONA: Second baseman Orlando Hudson had tests on his sore right hamstring. Manager Bob Melvin said he was optimistic that Hudson wouldn't have to go on the disabled list.

BOSTON: Pitcher Curt Schilling, 41, tested his ailing shoulder by playing catch on flat ground, but isn't ready to begin throwing off a mound. The right-hander threw 25 balls from 60 feet away. He'll repeat the exercise Thursday.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX: Before Sunday's game in Toronto, an unnamed player positioned two nude blowup dolls in the clubhouse with bats of the players fanning out around them -- a ritual of sorts to try to get the team out of its slump. Some found the shrine more tasteless than amusing. Manager Ozzie Guillen said it was a joke that has been blown out of proportion after it got play in the media. General manager Ken Williams said he was disappointed by the display.

"I don't think we tried to disrespect or hurt anybody's feelings. We just tried to have fun and to keep things loose. Obviously a lot of people took it the wrong way," Guillen said, adding he did not buy the dolls. "I'm not going to say I'm sorry. I don't know what to say. ... I'm not guilty. ... We just had a plastic thing sitting on a table and, wow, we're bad people."

CLEVELAND: The slumping Indians designated outfielder Jason Michaels, hitting .207, for assignment and recalled Ben Francisco from Class AAA Buffalo. The Indians have 10 days to trade or release Michaels, who has one hit in his past 21 at-bats.

• Catcher Victor Martinez was pulled from the lineup in New York because of a stiff neck.

MILWAUKEE: Closer Eric Gagne began this week's series at Florida leading the majors with five blown saves, but manager Ned Yost said he's sticking with Gagne.

Yost said it was "ridiculous" to even discuss a change, despite Gagne's 6.14 ERA in 16 games. Gagne blew a two-run lead in the ninth Sunday at Houston and entered Tuesday tied for third in the NL with nine saves.

PHILADELPHIA: Shortstop Jimmy Rollins thinks he's almost ready to rejoin the Phillies after going 2-for-4 with a home run in an extended spring game against the Yankees. He is recovering from a sprained left ankle suffered April 8.

SAN FRANCISCO: Left-hander Barry Zito, demoted to the bullpen last week, is returning to the rotation without having made any relief appearances. Manager Bruce Bochy said Zito will start today in Pittsburgh. Zito, who a year ago signed a $126 million, seven-year contract, lost his first six starts.

BONDS UPDATE: The players' association has expressed concern to the commissioner's office over the lack of offers to Barry Bonds, asking for additional information about the offseason's free-agent market. The union did not file a grievance on behalf of the outfielder, 43, who remains unsigned and hasn't received any offers since becoming a free agent.

A seven-time NL most valuable player, Bonds broke the career home run record last year, then was indicted in November on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice relating to 2003 grand jury testimony about illegal performance-enhancing drugs. A trial is unlikely to start before 2009.

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