Pierzynski laughs off past Star snub, praises Washington
A.J. Pierzynski can joke with Texas manager Ron Washington about last season’s All-Star snub now that he’s the starting catcher for the Rangers.
They shared a laugh over lunch a few days before Wednesday’s announcement that Pierzynski’s one-year, freeagent contract with Texas was complete. Both considered the All-Star issue dead after it happened in July, even though Pierzynski had a cryptic retort when Washington explained the difficulty of the decision.
“Everybody keeps trying to make a big deal out of it, but I’ve known Wash for a really long time,” Pierzynski said. “It’s not going to change the way I feel about Ron Washington because I know what he’s done in this game and I know where he stands and what he’s all about. It’s over and done with for me.”
Washington said Pierzynski will be the primary catcher, pushing Geovany Soto to the backup role after he re-signed as a free agent. The two-time AllStar hit .278 with a careerhigh 27 home runs in 135 games for the Chicago White Sox.
Terms of Pierzynski’s deal weren’t disclosed. To make room for Pierzynski on the 40-man roster, the Rangers designated catcher Luis Martinez for assignment.
Red Sox: Boston acquired All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a sixplayer deal.
Boston completed the trade Wednesday, also receiving infielder Brock Holt. The Red Sox gave up right-handers Mark Melancon and Stolmy Pimentel, infielder Ivan DeJesus Jr. and first baseman-outfielder Jerry Sands.
Over the past two seasons, the right-handed Hanrahan had 76 saves, fourth most in the National League, and a 2.24 ERA. Last season, he was 5-2 with a 2.72 ERA and 36 saves.
Mariners: Seattle officially announced their $2.75 million, one-year deal with 40-year-old outfielder Raul Ibanez (.240, 19 home runs, 62 RBIs for the Yankees last season), returning the veteran to where he began his major league career in 1996.
Jones accused of dragging wife: The wife of former Atlanta Braves star Andruw Jones accused him of dragging her down a staircase, grabbing her neck and saying he wanted to kill her, according to police records.
A police report obtained by The Associated Press said the fight happened around 1:30 a.m. on Christmas Day, after Nicole Jones asked her husband to help her prepare their suburban Atlanta home for Christmas morning.
Andruw Jones was free on bond after his arrest on a battery charge, according to Gwinnett County Jail records.
Police said they found injuries on her neck, which they photographed for evidence.