Estes in Line for Fine

New York Met left-hander Shawn Estes probably will be fined for throwing a pitch behind New York Yankee ace Roger Clemens, major league disciplinarian Bob Watson said Tuesday.

Watson said Estes’ pitch Saturday violated rule 8.02 (d), which states that the pitcher shall not intentionally throw at the batter. He said he has made a decision about the fine but will not announce the amount.

“We need to inform some people of what we’re going to do. It’s going to take awhile,” Watson said. “I’ve talked to all the parties involved.”

Watson’s office does not release information about fines, only suspensions.

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Seattle Mariner pitcher Paul Abbott has a torn labrum in his right shoulder and will undergo season-ending surgery later this month.... The Kansas City Royals, who have a major league-worst 5.29 earned-run average, fired pitching coach Al Nipper and replaced him with John Cumberland, pitching coach at triple-A Omaha.