For Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland, this move was a difficult one.
Leyland’s team released Gary Sheffield on Tuesday after the nine-time All-Star struggled during spring training. The 40-year-old slugger hit .178 in 18 Grapefruit League games. He had eight hits, including five home runs, in 45 at-bats.
Leyland said he had a hard time sleeping Monday night, knowing he was going to release the designated hitter.
“I lit two Marlboros at the same time,” he said. “I couldn’t sleep. But I feel better that it’s over with than I did at 3 in the morning.”
Sheffield needs just one homer to become the 25th player to reach 500 for his career, and the slugger might not be out of work for very long. The World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies quickly called to see if there was a fit.
“I will call him when he hits No. 500,” Leyland said. “He’s a good guy but we went in another direction. We won a World Series together. This was tough.”
presence at the plate in the final season of the $28 million, two-year contract extension it gave him after acquiring him from the Yankees for prospects. He was hurt much of his time in Detroit.
The move came a day after the Tigers acquired outfielder Josh Anderson from Atlanta, forcing the team to make some tough decisions about its roster a week ahead of opening the season in Toronto.
“I wouldn’t say I’m shocked, but I am surprised,” Sheffield told The Oakland Press of Pontiac. “To do this when somebody is one home run away … I don’t know how to react to it.”
Marcus Thames, who went 0-for-3 in Detroit’s 7-2 loss to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, likely will get more at-bats at designated hitter with Sheffield gone. Brent Clevlen, Jeff Larish and Ryan Raburn could replace Sheffield on the opening-day roster.
“I never saw this coming,” said Thames, who was crowded out of the Tigers outfield by Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen and Curtis Granderson. “I just want to play. I kept hearing about being traded and I didn’t want that. It needs to sink in.”
In other news:
-The Cincinnati Reds traded Jeff Keppinger to the Houston Astros for a player to be named, getting rid of a reserve shortstop who didn’t play very well in spring training.
-The Colorado Rockies reassigned Scott Podsednik to minor league camp, giving rookie outfielder Dexter Fowler a spot on the club.
Yankees 6, Reds 3
At Sarasota, Fla., Joba Chamberlain pitched into the sixth inning, a step forward in his development as a starter, and New York took advantage of four Cincinnati errors.
Chamberlain allowed five hits and two runs in 5 1-3 innings, leaving after the Reds scored twice in the sixth.
Reds manager Dusty Baker was ejected by plate umpire D.J. Reyburn following a heated argument in the sixth inning.
Red Sox 8, Rays 7
At Fort Myers, Fla., Clay Buchholz was shaky in his final Grapefruit League start for Boston. He allowed six runs and nine hits in 5 1-3 innings. His spring ERA jumped from 0.46 to 2.52.
Rockies 4, White Sox 1
At Phoenix, Mark Buehrle tossed six strong innings and White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said the left-hander will make his seventh opening-day start on Monday against the Kansas City Royals.
Mets 9, Marlins 2
At Jupiter, Fla., Mets setup man J.J. Putz left after irritating the fingernail on his right middle finger. Manager Jerry Manuel said it was nothing serious.
Giants 10, Rangers 3
At Surprise, Ariz., Giants left-hander Barry Zito gave up three runs and six hits in seven innings.
Josh Hamilton hit a three-run homer for the Rangers.
Astros 8, Braves 3
At Kissimmee, Fla., Houston’s Russ Ortiz had one of his most impressive outings of the spring, yielding two earned runs and five hits.
Twins 12, Pirates 8
At Fort Myers, Fla., Jason Kubel hit a two-run homer and Brian Buscher had three hits for Minnesota.
Jack Wilson connected for a two-run homer for the Pirates.
Cardinals 7, Orioles 3
At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Chris Duncan hit a three-run homer and St. Louis roughed up Hayden Penn. Jason LaRue and Joe Mather also connected for the Cardinals.
Athletics 7, Royals 2
At Phoenix, Sidney Ponson gave up seven runs in five innings, hurting his bid for a spot in Kansas City’s rotation.
Angels 8, Cubs 4
At Mesa, Ariz., Sean Marshall had his second straight rough outing since earning the No. 5 spot in Chicago’s rotation. He gave up eight hits and eight runs in 3 1-3 innings.
Mariners 12, Indians 4
At Goodyear, Ariz., Russell Branyan homered twice and Seattle scored 10 runs off Scott Lewis.
Dodgers 10, Diamondbacks 9
At Tucson, Ariz., Blake DeWitt and Andre Ethier had three hits apiece for Los Angeles. DeWitt had two RBIs and Ethier drove in three runs.
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