The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ex-All-Star Loaiza pleads not guilty
Former All-Star pitcher Esteban Loaiza, who earned more than $43 million over 14 MLB seasons, denied allegations Wednesday that he is a cocaine dealer.
Loaiza, 46, appeared in San Diego County Superior Court in Chula Vista, Calif. He wore a khaki jail uniform and looked at his father and other family members before entering his not guilty plea.
Prosecutors charged Loaiza with possession and transportation for sale of more than 22 pounds of cocaine, a cocaine base or heroin, and using a false compartment to smuggle drugs.
Loaiza could face up to 20 years and eight months in prison if convicted. The judge raised his bail to $250,000 after prosecutors argued the Mexican pitcher poses a flight risk.
Loaiza played for nine teams between 1995 and 2008. He was 21-9 with the White Sox in 2003 and started the All-Star Game that year.
Indians: Former major leaguer John “Tito” Francona, the father of Indians manager Terry Francona, died Tuesday at his home in New Brighton, Pa. He was 84. Tito Francona batted .363 and finished fifth in AL MVP voting in 1959, his first season with the Indians. Francona played in the majors for 15 seasons, six with the Indians. Terry Francona is affectionately called “Tito” after his father.
Angels: For a change, twotime AL MVP Mike Trout isn’t the biggest thing at Angels camp. Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani got to work with the rest of the pitchers and catchers on Day 1. “Baseball-wise on the field I’m going to be nothing different than what I was doing in Japan,” he said through a translator. Dozens of Japanese media members followed every move of the 23-year-old rookie.
White Sox: Outfielder Avisail Garcia won his arbitration case against the team and will get a raise to $6.7 million instead of the club’s $5.85 million offer. Garcia was a first-time All-Star last year, when he set career bests with a .330 average, 18 homers and 80 RBIs. He made $3 million.
Cardinals: Bud Norris finalized a $3 million, oneyear deal. The right-hander, 32, led the Angels with 19 saves last season.
Braves: Veteran catcher Chris Stewart, 35, agreed to $575,000, one-year contract.
Giants: Left-hander Will Smith said he has thrown seven bullpens at 75 percent as he returns from elbow surgery that sidelined him all of last season. Manager Bruce Bochy said Smith’s target date for returning is May 1.
Orioles: Manager Buck Showalter said eight pitchers could work in Grapefruit League games as starters. They include Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, Miguel Castro, Hunter Harvey, Mike Wright and Gabriel Ynoa. Rule 5 draftees Nestor Cortes and Jose Mesa are also under consideration.
Athletics: Dave Stewart, the 1989 World Series MVP, is back as a spring training instructor and will spend the first five days of camp working with pitchers.
Rockies: The team has talked to leadoff hitter Charlie Blackmon about hitting in the middle of the order as they attempt to fill the hole left by Carlos Gonzalez, who remains a free agent but does not appear to be in the team’s plans.
Noteworthy: The players’ association had a Royals scout escorted out of the union’s opening training session for unsigned free agents in Bradenton, Fla. The scout was told he was not welcome but could set up a session with an individual player at the player’s discretion, several people familiar with the situation said. Media was barred from the workouts.