Braves Lose Smoltz for the Season

Pitcher John Smoltz will be sidelined for the season because of a torn ligament in his right elbow, a jolt that jeopardizes the Atlanta Braves’ chances for a return trip to the World Series.

“It was pretty obvious,” Smoltz said Wednesday, three days after lasting only 1 2/3 innings in his lone exhibition outing. “The last few days have been the worst for me.”

The startling setback came just when things seemed to be settling down in camp after the arrival of John Rocker. Now, the Braves must figure out how to fill the spot the 32-year-old former Cy Young winner has held since 1988.

Bruce Chen and Terry Mulholland had been competing for the No. 5 job in the rotation, and this might give both of them the chance to start. Steve Avery also is back on the team, hoping his shoulder heals.

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At Vero Beach, Fla., Todd Hundley hit a two-run home run in the second inning, igniting the Dodgers their first victory in seven games this spring, 12-5, over the Detroit Tigers.

Orel Hershiser pitched three hitless innings and walked one. Chan Ho Park struggled for the second consecutive time, giving up five runs and six hits in three innings. Park has a 10.80 ERA in five innings this spring. Mark Grudzielanek had a run-scoring single and Shawn Green added an RBI double in the third inning for a 4-0 lead. Chad Kreuter hit a three-run double in the seventh inning to make it 8-5.

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The decision is final, at least for as long as the Mariners stay in contention for a playoff spot this season: Alex Rodriguez stays in Seattle.

“We have no plans to trade him,” Mariner chairman Howard Lincoln said. “I am convinced that the best way to win in 2000 is for Alex to be a Mariner, and the best way for us to keep Alex long term is for us to win in 2000.”

After trading Ken Griffey Jr. to Cincinnati on Feb. 10, the Mariners concluded they couldn’t deal Rodriguez, even if they worry he might flee as a free agent after the season.

“We have a very good pitching staff and we have a very good ballclub,” Rodriguez said. “In my opinion, we’re no longer going to be the team that hits tons of long balls and loses games. We’re going to be a team that is a lot more fun to watch. We’re going to be a team that’s getting Ws and Ws, and that’s what I’m excited about.”

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Though he still faces a trial for domestic violence, Pedro Astacio will be on the mound for the Colorado Rockies when they open the season April 3.

A judge in Littleton, Colo., allowed Astacio to withdraw his guilty plea to third-degree assault, temporarily suspending deportation proceedings against the Dominican Republic native. Astacio was ordered to attend a trial July 5, which falls in the middle of a 10-day trip leading up to the All-Star break.

Astacio received a two-year deferred sentence after pleading guilty to third-degree assault for hitting his pregnant estranged wife, Ana, last August.

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Adrian “El Duquecito” Hernandez, 25, one of the top pitchers in Cuban baseball, has fled the island and announced plans to hold a tryout for major league scouts here next week. He is not related to the Yankees’ Orlando Hernandez . . . Cleveland manager Charlie Manuel was back in his Indians’ uniform and back in the dugout Wednesday, nine days after emergency colon surgery. . . . Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher Dave Stevens remained hospitalized in Bradenton, Fla., a day after having a seizure and falling unconscious in the team’s clubhouse. . . . Kerry Wood, 22, who missed last season after elbow surgery, threw his longest session of live batting practice with mixed results. The Chicago Cub pitcher threw 46 pitches--fastballs and changeups--to four minor league batters. He bounced several pitches into the dirt. Batters swung at only five balls.