VIERA, Fla. — Jim Bowden’s final move as Washington Nationals general manager was his own resignation. Bowden abruptly stepped down Sunday morning after four seasons, leaving under the cloud of a federal investigation into the skimming of signing bonuses given to Latin American prospects.
He has maintained his innocence but said Sunday, “I’ve become a distraction.”
No replacement was immediately announced.
“We’re not planning on missing a beat,” team president Stan Kasten said.
A-Rod meets with MLB
NEW YORK — Yankees star Alex Rodriguez had a two-hour meeting with Major League Baseball officials. How much he told them about steroids is a secret — at least so far.
The commissioner’s office released a statement saying Rodri- guez was “cooperative” in an interview with officials from baseball’s Department of Investigations, and Labor Relations Department. No further details were revealed.
MLB sought to interview the slugger about his admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03 with the Rangers.
Footnotes.
Brandon Webb reported no problems with his right forearm after a bullpen session Sunday, and the Arizona ace said he will be ready to make his first spring start on Wednesday against Mexico in Tucson.
• Arizona outfielder Eric Byrnes, returning from hamstring injuries, is being held out of spring training games because he can’t run full speed on the basepaths. Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said he hopes Byrnes will be able to play in mid-March.
• The Dodgers have pulled their $45 million, two-year offer to Manny Ramirez, and team owner Frank McCourt said negotiations will have to start again from scratch.
• Minnesota closer Joe Nathan will skip the World Baseball Classic because of soreness in his pitching shoulder the past five days.
• Adam Eaton (4-8, 5.80 ERA in 2008) and the Orioles agreed to a minor-league contract.
• Rangers all-star Josh Hamilton left Texas’ game against Seattle with a strained left Achilles tendon but said later it was “no big deal.”
• San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum retired all nine batters he faced in the Giants’ 5-2 win over Milwaukee.
• Yankees pitcher Jason Johnson, coming back from treatment for a cancerous tumor behind his right eye, will resume outdoor workouts.
