Fifty-nine players have been suspended this year for violating the minor league program. Five players have been given 10-day penalties for violating the major league program.
Also suspended were Robert Valido of the White Sox, Jonathan Herrera of Colorado, Steven Smyth of Oakland, and Briane Mazone, Oscar Montero and Guillermo Rodriguez of San Francisco. Three players who already have been released also were suspended: Tetsu Yofu of the White Sox, Marcos Mendoza of the Rockies and Joshua Cram of the Giants.
Yankees release Karsay
Steve Karsay was released by the New York Yankees, and fellow reliever Felix Rodriguez had surgery on his injured left knee on Thursday.
In addition, designated hitter Ruben Sierra planned to take batting practice on a field Friday as he rehabilitates a partially torn right biceps, and could return to the active roster next week.
Karsay, who never regained form after major shoulder trouble, was 0-0 with a 6.00 ERA in six games, allowing 10 hits and two walks in six innings. The Yankees designated him for assignment last week, giving them 10 days to make a move with the 33-year-old right-hander.
The move was a costly one for the Yankees. Karsay has a US$5 million salary this year, and his contract contains a US$6.5 million option for 2006 with a US$1.25 million buyout.
Coming off a successful 2001 season split with Cleveland and Atlanta, Karsay became a free agent and signed a US$22.5 million, four-year deal to become the Yankees' setup man.
Karsay filled the role in 2002, pitching in 78 games, but missed the entire 2003 season while recovering from surgery on his right shoulder. He worked in only seven games last year.
Karsay is 31-38 with 41 saves and a 3.89 ERA in 10 seasons with Oakland, Cleveland, Atlanta and the Yankees.
Rodriguez underwent arthroscopic surgery in Colorado. New York said the Dominican injured his knee this week while getting out of a shower. The Yankees said he will report to their training camp in Florida to start rehabilitation next week.
Sierra has hit the past couple days in a batting cage at New York's spring training complex. The Puerto Rican hopes to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment by Monday, and rejoin the Yankees later next week.
"I'm feeling better," Sierra said on Thursday.
Sierra was hurt while batting in an April 20 game against Toronto, and was placed on the 15-day disabled list two days later.
Sierra is hitting .269 with two homers and eight RBIs. He batted .244 with 17 home runs and 65 RBIs in 307 at-bats last season.
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