Former major-league pitcher Ugueth Urbina was sentenced to 14 years in prison for the attempted murder of five workers on his family’s ranch, the attorney general’s office in Caracas, Venezuela, announced Wednesday.
Urbina, a former pitcher with the Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies, was also found guilty of illegal deprivation of liberty and violating a prohibition against taking justice into his own hands during a dispute over a gun Oct. 16, 2005.
The 32-year-old was accused of joining a group of men in attacking and injuring workers with machetes and pouring gasoline on them at his family’s ranch, located about 25 miles south of Caracas.
Urbina, a two-time all-star, last pitched in the major leagues with the Phillies in 2005. He’s 30th on the all-time saves list with 237. He had two saves in the 2003 World Series for the victorious Marlins.
Indians: C.C. Sabathia’s forearm was bruised when he was struck by a line drive in his final spring tuneup, putting in doubt his scheduled start in the team’s season opener next week in Chicago.
Sabathia instinctively threw up his arms, but the 6-foot-7 left-hander was unable to elude the hard shot off the bat of Toronto leadoff hitter Reed Johnson, who hit Sabathia’s second pitch of the game.
The ball smashed into the outside of Sabathia’s arm, above his wrist. X-rays were negative and he’ll be re-evaluated today.
The team said Ryan Garko earned a spot on the opening-day roster and will platoon with Victor Martinez at first base and optioned outfielders Shin-Soo Choo and Ben Francisco and left-hander Juan Lara to Triple-A Buffalo. Infielder Luis Rivas was reassigned to minor-league camp.
Cubs: Mark Prior was sent to the minors, where the team hopes he can regain the form that made him an 18-game winner and all-star selection four years ago.
Prior, whose career has been slowed by an assortment of injuries, was optioned to Triple-A Iowa right after his final spring training start.
Phillies: Outfielder Karim Garcia was released in a surprise move.
The left-handed hitting Garcia batted .305 (18-for-59) with four doubles and one homer in spring games. He was competing for a spot as the fifth outfielder.
Red Sox: Jon Lester’s next destination on his road back from cancer is Boston’s minor-league team in Greenville, S.C.
The left-hander is slated to make four rehabilitation starts for the Drive of the Single-A South Atlantic League to build his stamina and pitch count.
Rangers: Texas optioned right-handed relievers Frank Francisco and Wes Littleton to Triple-A Oklahoma.
The Rangers also said Jamey Wright, who came to spring training on a minor-league contract, will be their No. 5 starter.
Nationals: Washington first baseman Nick Johnson went on the 15-day disabled list while he recovers from the broken right leg that ended his 2006 season.
Orioles: Baltimore optioned outfielder Adam Stern to Triple-A Norfolk and reassigned catcher Alberto Castillo and pitcher Paul Shuey to the team’s minor-league camp.
Devil Rays: Tampa Bay optioned right-hander Tim Corcoran and left-hander J.P. Howell to Triple-A Durham and sent right-hander Scott Dohmann outright to the minor-league affiliate.
Twins: Minnesota gave Carlos Silva, who brought an 11.02 ERA into Wednesday night’s game, a spot in the rotation and sent Matt Garza to Triple-A Rochester.
Royals: Kansas City optioned right-hander Brian Bannister to Triple-A Omaha.
Yankees: Left-hander Andy Pettitte threw 31 pitches during his second bullpen session since experiencing back spasms earlier this month.
Padres: Right-hander Tim Stauffer, the team’s first-round pick in the 2003 amateur draft, was optioned to Triple-A Portland.
Astros: Houston put pitcher Brandon Backe and catcher Hector Gimenez on the 15-day DL.
