Tigers Deal Hunter to Mariners

Less than an hour before their teams played each other Wednesday, the Detroit Tigers traded center fielder Brian Hunter to the Seattle Mariners for two minor leaguers to be determined. Hunter was batting only .236 with no RBIs in 55 at-bats.

To make room on the roster, Seattle optioned right-handed pitcher Brett Hinchliffe to triple-A Tacoma. Detroit will recall outfielder Gabe Kapler from triple-A Toledo.

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An examination determined that Yankee pitcher Roger Clemens’ left hamstring is strained. He first hurt it while jogging on a cold morning April 11 and aggravated it in the second inning of Tuesday night’s game against the Texas Rangers.

Clemens, who has never had a hamstring problem, said he hopes to make his next scheduled start Sunday, but he’s not sure whether he’ll be able to pitch.

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A woman is suing Seattle Mariner pitcher Mark Leiter for $6 million, accusing him of punching her in the mouth, kicking her and putting out a cigarette on her arm during their relationship.

Sheila O’Connell filed the lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago, where she maintains she and Leiter had a relationship from 1996 through September 1997. Leiter denied the claims.