Mariner Reliever Sasaki to Stay in Japan in 2004

Seattle closer Kazuhiro Sasaki told the Mariners on Monday he will not pitch for the team in 2004, deciding to forfeit the final year of his contract and remain with his family in Japan.

The Mariners’ career saves leader, who turns 36 on Feb. 22, would walk away from as much as $9.5 million by not playing for Seattle next season.

“It’s a personal situation,” agent Tony Attanasio said. “He wanted to stay home with his kids.”

Attanasio said Sasaki may pitch in Japan next season but “he will not pitch again in the United States.”

General Manager Bill Bavasi said the team would try to “accommodate” the request but added that as of now the contract remained in effect.

Sasaki had a 1-2 record with 10 saves in 14 opportunities and a 4.05 earned-run average in 2003. He sat out much of the season because of injuries.

The Mariners signed Eddie Guardado, who saved 41 games for Minnesota last year, in the off-season.

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Seattle agreed to a $14.5-million, three-year contract with right-hander Joel Pineiro, who had a 16-11 record with a 3.78 ERA last season.

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New York Yankee right-hander Jose Contreras said his family has been barred from leaving Cuba, the Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa reported.

Contreras told the newspaper that Cuban officials had twice refused permission for his wife and their two daughters to leave for Nicaragua.

Contreras was a star with the Cuban national team before defecting and signing with the Yankees in December 2002. He has legal residence in Nicaragua.

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First baseman Derrek Lee and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a $6.9-million, one-year deal.

Lee, who helped the Florida Marlins win the World Series, was traded to Chicago in November. He batted .271 with 31 home runs, 92 runs batted in and 21 steals last season.

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The Houston Astros agreed to one-year contracts with three pitchers: Wade Miller, $3.4 million; Roy Oswalt, $3.25 million and Octavio Dotel, $2.8 million.... Shortstop Rafael Furcal and the Atlanta Braves agreed on a $3.7-million, one-year contract.... Right-hander Kip Wells and the Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to a $2,575,000, one-year contract.... Right-handers Tomo Ohka and Tony Armas Jr. agreed to one-year contracts with the Montreal Expos, Ohka for $2,337,500 and Armas for $2.1 million.... Pitcher Jim Brower agreed to a two-year deal with the San Francisco Giants worth $1,825,000, and utility player Pedro Feliz agreed to a one-year contract worth $850,000.... Closer Dan Kolb agreed to a $1.5-million, one-year deal with Milwaukee.

Football

Suspended running back Maurice Clarett remains committed to trying to force his way into the NFL draft even though he hasn’t ruled out playing again for Ohio State, his mother, Michelle, told Associated Press.

Clarett, who helped Ohio State win the 2002 national title as a freshman, was suspended from the team before last season because he accepted money from a family friend and lied about it to school and NCAA investigators.

He filed a federal lawsuit in New York in September challenging the NFL rule that says a player must be three years removed from his high school graduation before he can be eligible for the draft.

Kent State junior quarterback Joshua Cribbs, who last season set school records for total offense in a season and in a career, was in jail on charges of trafficking in marijuana and domestic violence.

Kent police said Cribbs was arrested at home Saturday. He is being held without bond and will be arraigned today.

Skiing

Olympic champion Janica Kostelic of Croatia plans to have surgery for a thyroid imbalance and will not ski this season. Kostelic has had four knee surgeries in the last 10 months.

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T.J. Simers has the day off.