BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Leave of Absence for Rangers’ Oates

Texas Ranger Manager Johnny Oates, his wife hospitalized with exhaustion, was granted a two-week leave of absence and will miss the start of the season.

General Manager Doug Melvin said third-base coach Jerry Narron becomes acting manager.

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Reliever Jeff Reardon abandoned his attempt to make the Montreal Expos staff and announced his retirement after a 16-year career. Reardon, 39, ranks second on the all-time save list with 367, trailing only Lee Smith’s 434. . . . Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, Pittsburgh’s postseason hero as a rookie in 1992, was released by the Pirates. . . . Cleveland pitcher Willie Smith is out for the season because of a ruptured ligament in his right elbow. . . . The Rangers put Mexican pitcher Hector Fajardo on the restricted list after he failed to pick up an entry visa. . . . Catcher Brian Harper agreed to a minor league deal with Oakland that will pay him $225,000 if he makes the team.