Vladimir Guerrero released from minor league contract - Los Angeles Times

The Toronto Blue Jays released veteran outfielder Vladimir Guerrero from his minor league contract on Tuesday. (Associated Press / Patrick Semansky / August 13, 2011)

Associated Press

June 12, 2012, 7:23 p.m.

The Toronto Blue Jays granted Vladimir Guerrero's request to be released from his minor league contract.

The 37-year-old free agent hit .303 in eight games with the triple-A Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League.

"He played [Monday] night and he decided that was enough for him," Blue Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "He felt he was worthy of a call-up and we weren't prepared to do that right now."

Etc.

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera said Tuesday's surgery on his injured right knee "went perfectly" and he is looking forward to beginning his rehabilitation. The 42-year-old career saves leader tore his right ACL and damaged meniscus in the knee while shagging fly balls in batting practice May 3. A blood clot in his right calf delayed the surgery until Tuesday.

Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde denied throwing a spitball in the ninth inning of Sunday night's 7-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds. An Internet video showed Valverde putting his glove to his mouth with the ball in it before delivering a 1-2 pitch to Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco. Mesoraco swung and missed at the 94-mph fastball. Valverde said he was wiping sweat from his face with his glove, not spitting on the ball.

The Tigers also put reliever Octavio Dotel on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow.

Texas Rangers right-hander Alexi Ogando is expected to miss four to six weeks with a strained right groin. The Rangers put Ogando on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, two days after he was hurt while running to first base on a bunt single at San Francisco.

The Cleveland Indians have acquired right-hander Esmil Rogers from the Colorado Rockies for cash, hoping the reliever can get turned around in the American League. Rogers went 0-2 with an 8.06 ERA in 23 appearances for Colorado this season.

The Chicago Cubs fired hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo after losing 40 of their first 60 games. James Rowson, the organization's minor league hitting coordinator, was chosen to replace Jaramillo on an interim basis.