Mets Decide It’s Time to Trade Matsui

The New York Mets traded slumping second baseman Kaz Matsui and cash to the Colorado Rockies for utility man Eli Marrero on Friday. The Rockies optioned Matsui to triple-A Colorado Springs.

Signed by the Mets to a $20.1 million, three-year contract before the 2004 season, Matsui, 30, never showed the talent that made him an All-Star in Japan. He was batting .200 with one home run and seven RBIs in 38 games.

Marrero, 34, batted .217 with four homers and 10 RBIs in 30 games for the Rockies. He has started in right field, left field, first base and catcher this season.

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The Chicago Cubs put right-hander Kerry Wood on the 15-day disabled list, hoping to bring him along slowly in his comeback from shoulder surgery.

Wood, who opened the season on the disabled list, needed two extra days of rest before his last start, then gave up four runs in 3 2/3 innings of a 4-1 loss to Houston on Tuesday.

Wood was activated off the disabled list on May 18 and pitched four times, going 1-2 with a 4.12 earned-run average.

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Cleveland Indians reliever Scott Sauerbeck, disappointing on the field and distracting off it, was designated for assignment 10 days after he was arrested.

Not only was Sauerbeck not pitching well, but he was arrested, accused of fleeing police with a woman charged with driving his car while drunk.

The Indians have 10 days to trade, release or send the left-hander to the minors. He went 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA in 24 appearances.

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The Minnesota Twins recalled right-hander Kyle Lohse from triple-A Rochester as a replacement in the bullpen for Matt Guerrier, who suffered a broken right thumb when he was hit by Richie Sexson’s line drive during Thursday’s 7-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners.