Mabry’s Jaw Broken in Batting Practice

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman John Mabry fractured his right jaw after being struck in the face by a batted ball during batting practice before a game in Montreal on Tuesday.

Mabry was standing along the left-field line as the Cardinals waited for the Expos to finish batting practice and was struck on the right side of his face by a line drive hit by Montreal’s Mark Grudzielanek.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates finally gave up on 1996 opening day starter Paul Wagner by designating him for assignment to the minor leagues.

Wagner was replaced on the 25-man roster by left-hander Jeff Wallace, who was 4-8 with a 5.40 earned-run average in 38 relief appearances at Double-A Carolina.

Wagner had no record and a 3.94 ERA in 14 relief appearances since being called up unexpectedly by the Pirates late last month.

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New York Mets outfielder Carl Everett and his wife, under investigation for child abuse, will not regain custody of their two children until at least Sept. 5, a New York Family Court judge ruled.

Shawna Everett, 5, and Carl Everett, 4, were taken into city custody Aug. 7 after a child care worker at Shea Stadium noticed bruises on Shawna. Although police found no evidence to charge Everett or his wife with a crime, a fact-finding hearing is necessary under city law before the parents regain custody.