BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Astros Reportedly to Release Williams

Relief pitcher Mitch Williams, who recently predicted he would soon be released, will be put on waivers today by the Houston Astros, team sources told the Associated Press.

Williams met with Astro management on Monday and was told of the team’s decision, the sources said. He is 1-4 with six saves and two blown chances and a 7.65 ERA.

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Ken Griffey Jr. is tired of losing with the Seattle Mariners and says it might be time to win with someone else.

“I can’t see staying,” The News Tribune of Tacoma (Wash.) quoted Griffey in Monday editions. “I hate to lose. I love Seattle. I’m building a home there, and I love the people. But losing is killing me. It’s killing me.”

Griffey made his comments after the Mariners were swept in a three-game series in Milwaukee. The Brewers had lost a team-record 14 in a row before the weekend.

“It takes heart to win and we don’t have enough here,” Griffey said. “There’s not enough heart here to win the division. It’s easier to roll over and quit. People say we’ve never won here and never will, and for some players it’s easier to let it keep happening than try and change it.”

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Deion Sanders walked into Riverfront Stadium wearing gold earrings, two large chains around his neck and a gold bracelet on his right wrist.

After a meeting with Red owner Marge Schott--who recently said “only fruits wear earrings”--he went before the cameras with her to say hello.

“I’m here to play ball and win games,” Sanders said. “Mrs. Schott runs her team in a professional manner, in a very businesslike manner. I’m pleased with that.”

Sanders talked about winning and helping the franchise; Schott praised the fact that Sanders is married and has two kids, “a good family man.”

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The New York Mets’ Dwight Gooden worked three hitless innings in his first scheduled rehabilitation start with Norfolk of the International League. Gooden, on the disabled list retroactive to April 22 because of ligament damage in his big right toe, struck out four of 10 Columbus Clippers he faced while walking one. He threw 39 pitches, 22 for strikes, and left the game with a 3-0 lead.