Raines Leads Off on Disabled List

Tim Raines, whose broken left thumb has not shown any sign of improvement, was put on the 15-day disabled list Thursday by the New York Yankees.

Raines, who chipped a bone in his left thumb while sliding earlier this week, will be sidelined at least four regular-season games. He is eligible to come off the disabled list on April 6.

Gerald Williams is the front-runner to replace Raines in left field.

Center fielder Bernie Williams, Raines’ probable replacement as the leadoff hitter, left Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh after the first inning because of a bruise to his right knee.

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Don Mattingly said he will not play this season, but the former Yankee first baseman has not ruled out a return to baseball. “I know I still have gas left,” he said. “I’m only 34 years old.”

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Lance Parrish, an eight-time all-star signed as a non-roster player by the Pittsburgh Pirates to back up rookie starting catcher Jason Kendall, might have seen his nearly 20-season career end with his outright release.

Parrish, 39, ranks third in career homers by a catcher and was a three-time Gold Glove winner, but the Pirates felt his skills had so eroded they should keep either second-year receiver Angelo Encarnacion or rookie Keith Osik.

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Houston Astro relief pitcher John Hudek has a tear in a muscle that runs from his neck to his first rib and will be out of action indefinitely.

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The Hillsborough (Fla.) County coroner’s office expects toxicology reports in two weeks to help determine why a Cincinnati Reds’ minor leaguer died in his sleep.

Dr. Laura Hair said Thursday that the tests might help pinpoint whether Randy Donisthorpe died as a result of a seizure.

Donisthorpe, 23, of Fayette, Iowa, was found dead by his roommate Wednesday morning at the team’s spring training hotel in Plant City. Donisthorpe had occasional seizures the last five years and was taking medication to control them, his father said.

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Tempestuous Cleveland Indian slugger Albert Belle was ejected from the Indians’ exhibition game with Toronto for arguing a called third strike in his first at-bat. Belle was tossed by home plate umpire Matt Malone after the outfielder continued shouting at him from the dugout.

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Rushing to beat today’s deadline to come up with $90 million to keep construction of a new Milwaukee Brewers stadium on track, the team announced that Miller Brewing Co. had committed $41.2 million for the right to name the stadium Miller Park.