Padres Get Myers in Waiver Deal

The San Diego Padres reacquired reliever Randy Myers on Thursday, grabbing him off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays to give the NL West leaders a left-handed complement to closer Trevor Hoffman.

Myers, who saved 38 games for the Padres in 1992, was acquired from the Blue Jays for minor league catcher Brian Loyd and a player to be named.

Myers, 35, is 3-4 with 4.46 earned-run average and 28 saves.

Because the trade happened after the July 31 trading deadline, the waiver process came into play where teams can block proposed deals. No AL teams submitted a claim for Myers, and when the process went through the NL in the reverse order of the standings, the Padres submitted a claim.

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Already set in their rotation after the acquisition of Randy Johnson, the Houston Astros sent left-hander Pete Schourek to the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations.

Schourek, 29, had won four of his last five decisions, but the Astros needed to open up a roster spot for closer Billy Wagner, who was expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list today.

Schourek is 7-6 with a 4.50 ERA in 15 starts.

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Mark Wohlers, the struggling former relief ace for the Atlanta Braves, has agreed to return to the minors.

The team also put right-hander Russ Springer on the 15-day disabled list because of a bone spur in his right elbow.

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The Blue Jays signed shortstop Felipe Lopez, the eight overall selection in this year’s entry draft. Contract terms weren’t disclosed.

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PNC Bank Corp. agreed to pay the Pittsburgh Pirates $30 million over 20 years to put its name on the team’s new ballpark.

PNC Park is scheduled to open in April 2001. The 38,000-seat stadium will cost an estimated $228 million, of which the Pirates will contribute $40 million.

When the agreement was announced at Thursday’s game against Colorado, however, it was met with boos. Most fans had hoped for a name that would incorporate Pirate Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente.

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The Lamar Hunt-Western Resources group confirmed its offer for the Kansas City Royals fell more than $20 million short of the asking price.

The Royals’ board of directors has set a minimum $75 million for the team, with all proceeds of the sale going to Kansas City charities.

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Detroit catcher Raul Casanova, on the disabled list since July 21, is probably out for the season after breaking a bone in his right wrist last weekend during a minor league rehabilitation assignment.