Seattle right fielder Ichiro Suzuki was sidelined for the third straight day with fatigue and was examined by a doctor. Suzuki, who returned from the World Baseball Classic on March 26, was lightheaded earlier in the week. He played four games with Seattle after helping Japan win its second World Baseball Classic.
“He came and we talked to him,” Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said. “He said he’s tired. He’s got some fatigue. We’re going to make sure that nothing’s wrong and have him checked out by the doctor.”
Results of the exam were expected to be available Friday.
• At Sarasota, Fla., fans booed the mayor before Cincinnati’s final spring training game in Florida. Only 2,935 fans showed up for the last game, less than half the capacity of Ed Smith Stadium. The Reds have trained in Florida since the 1920s, but are moving to Arizona – the site of their first camp in 1891 – to share a complex with the Cleveland Indians.
The Reds wanted to stay in Sarasota and offered to sign a long-term lease if the facility was upgraded. Voters rejected a stadium tax increase in 2007 and local politicians declined to commit $18 million to the facility, prompting the Reds to leave.
• Andruw Jones earned Texas Rangers’ final roster spot. Jones, who turns 32 on April 23, got the last spot over Frank Catalanotto, who was placed on irrevocable release waivers.
Jones hit 26 or more home runs from 1998-2007 with the Atlanta Braves. He signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2007 season and hit .156 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 75 games. He was placed on the disabled list three times with a knee injury and had to have surgery.