Bechler’s Widow Seeks $600 Million in Lawsuit

The widow of Baltimore Oriole pitcher Steve Bechler has sued the manufacturer and the distributor of a dietary supplement containing ephedra for $600 million.

The 23-year-old Bechler was taking the supplement to lose weight at the start of spring training when he collapsed Feb. 16 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. His body temperature rose to more than 108 degrees and he died the next day. A bottle of Xenadrine RFA-1 was found in Bechler’s locker.

Toxicology tests confirmed “significant amounts” of an over-the-counter supplement containing ephedra led to Bechler’s heatstroke, along with other factors, the medical examiner said.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by Kiley Bechler in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale, also seeks a ban on the sale of ephedra-based products.

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The Oakland Athletics purchased the contract of rookie right-hander Rich Harden from triple-A Sacramento. Harden, 21, will make his debut Monday at Kansas City. He’ll be the youngest A’s pitcher to start a game since Steve Karsay in 1993.

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Arizona Manager Bob Brenly was suspended two games and fined by baseball disciplinarian Bob Watson for throwing a ball into the stands after being ejected from a game last week.

The suspension begins today.

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The Minnesota Twins activated left fielder Jacque Jones from the 15-day disabled list and optioned right-hander Grant Balfour to triple-A Rochester.... San Francisco put catcher Benito Santiago on the 15-day disabled list because of a dislocated left pinkie and recalled right-hander Kevin Correia from triple-A Fresno.