MLB Notebook: Cardinals add McGee to staff
BY Associated Press
Thursday, March 07, 2013
3/07/13 at 6:00 AM
The St. Louis Cardinals have hired former great Willie McGee as a special assistant to the general manager focusing on the minor leagues.
The 54-year-old McGee, added to the staff on Wednesday, served as special instructor at spring training last month. McGee is in the franchise top 10 in games played, triples, stolen bases and pinch hits and was a career .295 hitter over 18 seasons.
McGee was a member of the 1982 World Series championship team and was National League MVP in 1985 with a league-leading .353 average for a pennant-winning team. His batting average from 1985 and 216 hits are franchise bests for switch hitters.
Teixeira out 8 to 10 weeks with wrist injury: Mark Teixeira is going to be out at least until early May with a strained right wrist tendon, the latest major injury setback for the New York Yankees.
New York general manager Brian Cashman gave the news after the Yankees were beaten 8-2 by the Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic team on Wednesday.
Teixeira was hurt swinging a bat Tuesday in an indoor cage during warmups with the U.S. WBC team.
Berkman homers for Rangers in win: In Surprise, Ariz., Lance Berkman hit his first home run of spring training, helping the Texas Rangers beat the Chicago Cubs 3-2.
Mitch Moreland had a run-scoring single and Ian Kinsler drove in the other run with a sacrifice fly for the Rangers, who have won three of four.
Texas starter Robbie Ross, a candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation, allowed one run on four hits with a walk and a strikeout. Alexi Ogando, the Rangers' projected fourth starter, went three innings and gave up a run on two hits and two walks. He struck out six.
Gordon's slam lifts Royals: In Scottsdale, Ariz., Alex Gordon hit a grand slam, James Shields pitched three scoreless innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-1 to remain unbeaten in spring training.
Gordon also doubled and scored two twice, and Alcides Escobar and Jeff Francoeur each drove in a run as Kansas City improved to 11-0-1 in the Cactus League.
Westbrook sharp in win for Cardinals: In Jupiter, Fla., Jake Westbrook showed no ill effects of the bruised knee that forced him to leave his first spring start after one inning, limiting the Miami Marlins to a run and four hits over three innings of the St. Louis Cardinals' 7-2 win.
Matt Holliday had a two-run homer, one of five long balls for the Cardinals. Top prospect Oscar Taveras put St. Louis on top in the second inning, connecting for a two-run homer to center field off Tom Koehler.
