MLB
Questions surround Piazza
Mike Piazza's election to the Baseball Hall of Fame has not ended questions about his suspected use of performance-enhancing drugs during his career.
It was front and center Friday when Piazza was made available on a conference call nine days before his induction into Cooperstown.
Piazza's career statistics -- a .308 batting average, 437 home runs and 1,335 RBI -- suggested first-ballot election, but it took four tries for him to receive the required percentage of votes.
Asked by former New York Times reporter and columnist Murray Chass, who now runs a website, to comment on what Chass called "the subject of much speculation about steroid use for years," Piazza, 47, credited Major League Baseball for instituting drug testing.
"I think there's no question that the game has moved on and I think it's better because of that and I'm just glad and honored that, you know, the writers have voted me into the Hall and it's something I'm really much looking forward to and very, very excited about," Piazza said.
Asked specifically by Chass as to whether or not he used steroids, Piazza responded, "I've addressed that many times in the past, sir. Thank you."
Piazza played from 1992 to 2007. MLB began testing for banned substances in 2003.
In Piazza's 2013 book Long Shot, he wrote, "Apparently, my career was a story that nobody cared to believe. Apparently, my success was the work of steroids. Had to be. Those were the rumors."
He did say in the book that he used androstenedione before it became banned by Major League Baseball. He also wrote that he used amphetamines until MLB banned them in 2006.
CARDINALS
Siegrist returns from DL
ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals activated Kevin Siegrist from the 15-day disabled list Friday, adding a left-handed reliever to the mix for the first series after the All-Star break.
Right-handed reliever Sam Tuivailala was optioned to Class AAA Memphis.
Siegrist, who turns 27 on Wednesday, has been out since June 30 with mononucleosis. He was 5-2, tied for the National League lead in victories by a reliever.
Siegrist had a 2.78 ERA and one save in 35 appearances covering 321/3 innings with 34 strikeouts.
Tuivailala, 23, played in 3 games from July 3-6, allowing 3 runs in 2 innings.
RED SOX
Rodriguez to start today
NEW YORK -- Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez has been recalled by the Boston Red Sox from Class AAA Pawtucket and is expected to start against the New York Yankees today.
Rodriguez originally was scheduled to start Friday's game at New York but was pushed back a day. Knuckleballer Steven Wright was moved up to start the series opener.
Rodriguez, 23, is 1-3 with an 8.59 ERA in 6 starts with the Red Sox this season.
Boston opened a roster spot by optioning right-hander Noe Ramirez last Sunday.
PIRATES
Niese heads to bullpen
WASHINGTON -- Struggling Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Jonathon Niese will try to get on track in the bullpen after being removed from the starting rotation.
Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle announced the decision to demote Niese to the bullpen on Friday before the team opened a three-game series at the Washington Nationals. Niese is 7-6 with a 5.13 ERA in 18 starts this season after Pittsburgh acquired him from the New York Mets for second baseman Neil Walker.
"We felt at this time to get him unplugged, to get a different look might help him moving forward," Hurdle said. "We told him this wasn't a banishment out of the rotation for good. We're just unplugging him, putting him in the bullpen for right now, see where that can take us."
Niese has allowed 20 home runs, struck out 71 and walked 36 in 1012/3 innings. The groundball pitcher allowed 20 home runs all last season and is two away from tying a career high.
WHITE SOX
Fulmer gets the call
CHICAGO -- Ready or not, here comes Carson Fulmer.
The White Sox called up their 2015 first-round draft pick for the opener of a three-game series against the Angels, one of three moves the team announced Friday.
The Sox also reinstated first baseman Justin Morneau from the 15-day disabled list and optioned outfielder Jason Coats to Class AAA Charlotte.
Morneau, 35, had been on injury rehabilitation assignment at Class AA Birmingham after offseason elbow surgery. The former AL MVP signed with the Sox on June 9.
Fulmer, 22, had been pitching at Birmingham this season, his second in the minors after being selected No. 8 overall in last year's draft.
-- The Associated Press
He was 4-9 with a 4.76 ERA with 51 walks and 90 strikeouts over 17 starts this season. He was strong over his last 3 starts, allowing 2 earned runs with 22 strikeouts over 19 innings. He also pitched a perfect inning in the Futures Game during All-Star festivities in San Diego on Sunday.
Sports on 07/16/2016