Wohlers Gets His Wish With Trade to Reds

Unable to find the strike zone in Atlanta, Mark Wohlers wanted a fresh start with a new team. He got his wish Friday when the Braves traded their former closer and at least $4.4 million to the Cincinnati Reds for reliever John Hudek.

“It’s just a matter of getting comfortable again,” Wohlers said. “I think a fresh start is something that will help.”

Wohlers saved 97 games from 1995-97. But the 29-year-old right-hander, who throws nearly 100 mph, had a baffling lapse in control last season and wound up in the minor leagues. He reclaimed a spot on the team in spring training but walked six in his first two appearances and was assigned outright to triple-A Richmond last Friday.

Wohlers refused the assignment, leaving Atlanta with a week to either trade him or release him. A deal with the Reds was worked out several hours ahead of the deadline.

Hudek has appeared in two games this year, going 0-1 with a 27.00 ERA.

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Don Baylor had mixed feelings when he walked into Coors Field for the first time since the Colorado Rockies fired him last October.

“I have no bitterness whatsoever,” said Baylor, now hitting coach for the Braves. “When you are at a place for six years you have to feel something, but bitterness isn’t one of them.”

Baylor managed the Rockies in their first six seasons, accumulating a 440-469 record and making the playoffs in 1995, the team’s third year. Colorado slumped to 77-85 last season.

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Marge Schott’s tug-of-war for control of the Cincinnati Reds spilled into court Friday as a judge temporarily blocked her preliminary agreement to sell to a cousin.

The ruling came one day after the team’s limited partners sued in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, claiming she had entered into a “contrived” agreement with cousin Steve Schott to prevent them from buying her out.

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Warren Spahn threw out the first pitch in the last home opener at Milwaukee County Stadium.

The Brewers will move next season to Miller Park, which will have a retractable roof.

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Hideo Nomo was scheduled to pitch in the Iowa Cubs’ home opener against Las Vegas but the game was snowed out. The Chicago Cubs have said they will evaluate Nomo after three starts and decide whether to call him up or release him. Nomo gave up three earned runs and six hits in five innings in a 10-5 victory over Salt Lake City. . . The Pittsburgh Pirates placed starting pitcher Francisco Cordova on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right shoulder. The Pirates recalled pitcher Jim Dougherty from triple-A Nashville. . . Phil Nevin was activated from the 15-day disabled list by the San Diego Padres. Infielder Carlos Garcia was designated for assignment. . . The New York Mets recalled catcher Vance Wilson and optioned outfielder Terrence Long to triple-A Norfolk.