SHEFFIELD’S SHOT AT 500 WILL BE AS A MET
NEW YORK — Gary Sheffield plans to go for No. 500 with the Mets.
One home run shy of the milestone, Sheffield reached a contract agreement with New York on Friday, three days after he was released by the Tigers. The deal is contingent on him passing a physical, general manager Omar Minaya said.
“Gary gives us another element in the lineup and he gives us a different intensity, just because of the competitive guy that he is,” Minaya said.
The 40-year-old slugger provides the Mets with a right-handed power bat, something they need to help balance the batting order. But his role on the team will be tricky: New York was already set at the corner outfield spots with Ryan Church in right and Daniel Murphy in left — both left-handed hitters.
Mets manager Jerry Manuel said the team would give Sheffield time to get in shape to play the outfield, which he hasn’t done regularly since getting hurt in 2006. Once he shows he’s ready, Sheffield will probably see action in right, Manuel said.
The Tigers will have to pay $13.6 million of Sheffield’s $14 million contract this year while the Mets get him for the major-league minimum of $400,000.
Ichiro put on DL with bleeding ulcer
SEATTLE — Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki is being treated for a bleeding ulcer and was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
The Mariners said the ulcer is no longer bleeding. Doctors have restricted the 35-year-old outfielder’s activity but are optimistic he’ll be ready to play when he’s eligible to come off the DL on April 15.
“I know how much (Ichiro) cares. This is the first time in eight years he’s been on the DL,” manager Don Wakamatsu said. “Every indication is that it will be 15 days. We’ll see how he is after that.”
Footnotes.
The Royals outrighted first baseman Ryan Shealy to Triple-A Omaha and announced right-hander Joel Peralta had cleared waivers after being designated for assignment.
• Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla has been scratched from the starting lineup because of tightness in his left calf.
The Associated Press
