Arroyo back with Reds
Minors deal for pitcher in latest comeback bid
The Cincinnati Reds are giving Bronson Arroyo a chance to find out whether he can still pitch more than two years after Tommy John surgery derailed his career in Major League Baseball.
The right-hander signed a minor league contract yesterday as pitchers and catchers reported. He signed a minors deal with Washington last year but elbow problems kept him off the mound.
“My arm is as good as it gets after grinding for two and a half years to get to this point,” said Arroyo, who turns 40 on Feb. 24.
Arroyo started his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and pitched for the Red Sox from 2003-05. He was a mainstay in the Reds rotation from 2006-13. Ahead of the 2014 season, he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks and had elbow surgery a year later.
Reds manager Bryan Price, the team’s pitching coach in Arroyo’s first stint, watched a bullpen session and was encouraged.
“We just want to see if he’s healthy,” Price said. “He will write his own story.” . . .
Atlanta Braves general manager John Coppolella said he isn’t sure whether it is realistic to hope for a return this season of infielder Sean Rodriguez, who will have shoulder surgery as the result of an accident in which the vehicle he was driving was rammed by a stolen police car in Miami on Jan. 28. Rodriguez, who signed with the Braves a free agent in November, his wife and two of their children were all injured in the crash. . . .
A source told the AP that the Kansas City Royals and free agent Travis Wood agreed to a $12 million, two-year contract, and the left-hander who worked out of the bullpen for the World Series champion Chicago Cubs last season will have the chance to earn a rotation spot. Also, former St. Louis Cardinals righty reliever Seth Maness, who is recovering from elbow surgery, signed a minor league deal. . . .
Free-agent first baseman Adam Lind and the Washington Nationals agreed to a $1.5 million, oneyear contract, pending a physical, a source told The Associated Press. Lind has played for 11 major league seasons with three organizations, the Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners. . . .
Left-hander Adam Loewen agreed to a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers. In 63 games with Baltimore (2006-08), the Philadelphia Phillies (’15) and Arizona (’16), Loewen is 10-8 with a 5.85 ERA. He also got into 14 games as an outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011. . . .
Arizona agreed to minors pacts with left-hander Brian Matusz and right-hander Kevin Jepsen. Matusz pitched for Baltimore and Cubs last season, and Jepsen appeared with the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays.
Colleges: Philly shooting
A Towson University basketball player who starred at a Philadelphia high school was wounded in a shooting after leading his team to a victory in his hometown. John Davis was “injured during an apparent drive-by shooting outside his home” following Towson’s 69-65 win over Drexel on Saturday, the school said in a statement, which also noted that he was treated and released from the hospital. . . .
The man arrested for running on the court and briefly entering the Miami men’s basketball team’s huddle during Saturday’s game at No. 4 Louisville must stay away from the KFC Yum! Center and a dancer he allegedly kicked during the incident in which police say he “threatened to kill everyone” there. Randall Bolton, 31, was released yesterday on those conditions. . . .
Hall of Fame football coach Bill Snyder, 77, was diagnosed with throat cancer, though treatments are going well and he expects to be on the field when Kansas State has spring practice in March. . . .
Michigan State suspended women’s gymnastics coach Kathie Klages, a week after she was accused in a lawsuit of downplaying complaints about sexual abuse by a sports doctor.
Misc.: OK to sue Lance
A federal judge in Austin, Texas, cleared the way for the government’s lawsuit seeking $100 million in damages from disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong. The lawsuit was filed in 2010 by former U.S. Postal Service teammate Floyd Landis, who could collect up to 25 percent. . . .
In a total turnaround, Luca Aerni won the combined event at the world ski championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland, after being 30th fastest in downhill. His slalom success led to a win by 0.01 over defending champion Marcel Hirscher.