Deliberations Continue in Mesa Trial

Surrounded by family and friends, Jose Mesa left a Cleveland courtroom Tuesday after the jury in his rape trial retired for the evening without reaching a verdict after four hours of deliberations.

Deliberations will resume this morning.

Mesa, 30, is charged with one count of rape, two counts of gross sexual imposition and one count of theft. The judge instructed the jury that it could consider the lesser charge of gross sexual imposition as an alternative to the rape count.

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The Seattle Mariners designated right-hander Salomon Torres for assignment to make room on their 25-man roster for Dennis Martinez, 41, who was Tuesday night’s starter against Cleveland. Seattle General Manager Woody Woodward said the Mariners did not intend to release Torres, who gave up 10 earned runs in 3 1/3 innings of relief this season. Torres’ earned-run average is 27.00.

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First baseman Bob Hamelin, the AL rookie of the year only three seasons ago, signed a minor-league contract with the Detroit Tigers and was assigned to triple-A Toledo. Hamelin, 29, was released by the Kansas City Royals after batting .323 in 18 spring training games with no home runs and five RBIs. . . . Texas Ranger outfielder Warren Newson was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left calf muscle. . . . Temperatures in the teens forced the postponement of Tuesday night’s game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Aug. 19.