Giants Coaches to Be Questioned

Members of the San Francisco Giants’ coaching staff have been contacted by former Sen. George Mitchell in his independent investigation of steroids in baseball.

“I understand some guys were supposed to” talk to Mitchell, Giants Manager Felipe Alou told the Associated Press on Monday. “That’s all I know. That is very personal. I don’t ask these guys.”

Several people within Major League Baseball confirmed that coaches on Alou’s staff had heard from Mitchell. They spoke on condition of anonymity after being asked not to discuss the investigation publicly. Harvey Shields, one of Giants slugger Barry Bonds’ personal trainers, who works for the team, also was being sought by Mitchell.

The former Senate majority leader was appointed in March by Commissioner Bud Selig to head the league’s investigation into steroids in the sport.

Bonds, second on the all-time home run list behind Hank Aaron, is among the players being investigated.

Alou said he had not been contacted by Mitchell, “but I probably will.”

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Chicago Cubs catcher Michael Barrett’s 10-game suspension for punching the White Sox’s A.J. Pierzynski in a May 20 game was upheld by Major League Baseball.

Barrett’s suspension began with Monday’s interleague game against the Cleveland Indians. He will be eligible to play again June 30 against the White Sox.

The Cubs will not add a player to the roster during the suspension. Henry Blanco will get the majority of playing time behind the plate.

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The Boston Red Sox activated right-hander Kyle Snyder in time to start Monday’s game against the Washington Nationals and designated first baseman J.T. Snow for assignment. Snyder was claimed off waivers from Kansas City on Friday.

Snow was batting .205 in 44 at-bats for Boston this season. He is a career .268 hitter with 189 homers in parts of 15 seasons.

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The New York Yankees released pitcher Scott Erickson and sent infielder Nick Green outright to triple-A Columbus on Monday. Erickson, an ex-Dodger and a former 20-game winner, was 0-0 with a 7.94 earned-run average in nine relief appearances with New York.... The Oakland Athletics agreed to a one-year contract with left-handed reliever Scott Sauerbeck, one day after Steve Karsay announced his retirement and opened a spot in the bullpen.