AP source: Ivan Rodriguez to retire
NEW YORK — Ivan Rodriguez plans to announce his retirement Monday, ending a 21-year major league career that included a record 13 Gold Gloves at catcher.
A person familiar with the arrangements said Rodriguez intends to make the announcement in Arlington, Texas, where the Rangers start a homestand Monday against the New York Yankees. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not made an announcement.
A 14-time All-Star known as Pudge, Rodriguez spent his first 12 major league seasons with the Rangers and won the 1999 American League MVP with Texas.
Rodriguez finishes with a .296 batting average, 2,884 hits, 311 home runs and 1,332 RBIs.
He broke the record of 10 Gold Gloves at catcher that had been held by Johnny Bench and hit .300 or better 10 times. He was a World Series champion with the Florida Marlins in 2003.
Gomez suspended
5 games by MLB
NEW YORK — Cleveland pitcher Jeanmar Gomez has been suspended for five games and fined by Major League Baseball, which concluded he intentionally threw at the Royals’ Mike Moustakas last weekend.
Gomez and Cleveland manager Manny Acta said Wednesday that Gomez will appeal the suspension.
Angels close to new contract for SS Aybar
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels are close to finalizing a new contract for Gold Glove shortstop Erick Aybar.
Angels spokesman Tim Mead confirmed Wednesday that the club is getting close to a new deal for the switch-hitting leadoff man, who would have been a sought-after free agent this fall.
Aybar will be getting a four-year, $34 million deal.
Giants closer Wilson set for elbow surgery
SAN FRANCISCO — All-Star Giants closer Brian Wilson will undergo Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery today in Pensacola, Fla.
Renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews will perform the surgery after doing a similar procedure on Wilson when the right-hander was in college at LSU in 2003.
San Francisco team orthopedist Dr. Ken Akizuki was set to travel to Florida on Wednesday night to assist with the operation.
Andrews examined Wilson on Wednesday and confirmed the Giants’ diagnosis of a torn ulnar collateral ligament that will sideline him all season.
By wire sources