Rocker Finally Reports to Minors, Doesn’t Pitch

After waiting two days to report to his minor league assignment, John Rocker arrived Thursday for the Richmond Braves’ game with the Toledo Mud Hens at Maumee, Ohio.

He didn’t pitch in Richmond’s 10-4 loss but did spend 20 minutes throwing in the bullpen before the game, working on smoothing out his delivery. He is expected to pitch in today’s game.

The reliever walked onto the field to a standing ovation and a few boos just before the first pitch.

“I was shocked by how the fans love him,” Richmond third baseman Wes Helms said. “. . . That right there is what the guy needs.”

Chris Edwards, a fan from Bowling Green, couldn’t believe there were cheers.

“This is pathetic,” he said. “That’s the last reaction I would suspect.”

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Sammy Sosa and Cub Manager Don Baylor patched up their differences during a 15-minute meeting in Baylor’s office. “We both can go home and sleep tonight,” Sosa said afterward. “There will be no more problems. We agreed man-to-man, one-to-one, like father like son, we had to put an end to this.” Sosa had been unhappy about what he perceived as negative comments by Baylor. . . . Outfielder Jon Nunnally, who had been designated for assignment by the New York Mets last week, will sign a contract with the Orix BlueWave of the Japanese League after he clears waivers on Monday. . . . The San Diego Padres plan to promote right-handed reliever Carlos Reyes today and send right-hander Domingo Guzman back to triple-A Las Vegas. . . . St. Louis Cardinal General Manager Walt Jocketty was released from a hospital after undergoing cardiac angioplasty treatment.