Minor League Camp

Baseball ORIOLES: Signed P Yorkis Perez. BLUE JAYS: Sent P Brian Cooper outright to Triple-A Syracuse. CUBS: Acquired P Antonio Alfonseca and P Matt Clement from Marlins for P Julian Tavarez, P Jose Cuento, P Dontrelle Willis and C Ryan Jorgensen. DEVIL RAYS: Claimed IF Felix Escalona off waivers from Giants. DIAMONDBACKS: Released P Troy Brohawn (Cambridge/South Dorchester). EXPOS: Released OF Jose Canseco. Optioned SS Tomas De La Rosa to Triple-A Ottawa. Reassigned C Sandy Martinez, OF Glen Barker and P Osvaldo Fernandez to minor-league camp.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -The Orioles' top three pitching prospects were among 12 players sent to minor league camp yesterday in the first cuts of spring. Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta, potentially the strongest trio of pitchers the organization has had in decades, impressed during their short story here. "I've been watching pitchers for a long time," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said, "and I would say those three guys are as good as I have seen at any one time coming up through somebody's system."

Moves Baseball ANGELS -- Announced retirement of P Troy Percival, effective April 2. BLUE JAYS -- Sent P Brian Tallet outright to Triple-A Syracuse. BREWERS -- Released P Grant Balfour. Placed OF Laynce Nix on 15-day DL. CUBS -- Placed P Juan Mateo and P Kerry Wood on 15-day DL. Optioned P Buck Coats to Triple-A Iowa. DEVIL RAYS -- Released P Dan Miceli. DIAMONDBACKS -- Claimed P J.D. Durbin off waivers from Twins. Designated OF Dave Krynzel for assignment. Optioned P Enrique Gonzalez and P Dana Eveland to minor league camp.

BaseballAthletics: Optioned C Ramon Hernandez to Triple-A Vancouver. Reassigned former Orioles P Mike Oquist to minor-league camp.Blue Jays: Assigned P Billy Koch to minor-league camp.Expos: Released P Erik Bennett, OF Ed Brady, OF Dax Jones, C Luis Rivera, OF Mo Blakeney, OF Jermaine Swinton, OF Trovin Valdez, P Jason Woodring, P Andrew Frierson and P Raymond Plummer from minor-league camp.Giants: Assigned 1B Damon Minor, OF Calvin Murray, P Steve Connelly and former Orioles IF-OF Jack Voigt to minor-league camp.

BaseballAngels: IF Luis Rivera retired. Gave IF Andy Stankiewicz choice of playing for Triple-A Edmonton or being released.Astros: Placed OF Dave Clark on waivers for purpose of giving him unconditional releases.Athletics: Assigned OF Marc Newfield to minor-league camp.Blue Jays: Assigned OF Jimmy Hurst to minor-league camp.Brewers: Sent IF Ron Belliard to minor-league camp. Placed P Cal Eldred (elbow) and P Jeff D'Amico (shoulder) on 15-day DL.Cubs: Claimed former Orioles OF Curtis Goodwin off waivers from Rockies.

BaseballCubs: Optioned IF Jason Maxwell and P Phil Norton to Triple-A Iowa. Assigned P Scott Watkins to minor-league camp.Dodgers: Vice president of Latin American programs Ralph Avila retired but will continue to work as special adviser to president Bob Graziano.Expos: Optioned P Ted Lilly, P Guillermo Mota, 1B/OF Fernando Seguignol, IF Jose Fernandez, and OF Chris Stowers. Re-assigned C John Pachot and IF Geoff Blum to Triple-A Ottawa. Reassigned OF Peter Bergeron to Double-A Harrisburg.

BaseballAngels: Sent P Joe Jacobsen, P Ryan Hawblitzel and P Darrin Winston to minor-league camp.Giants: Optioned P Pedro Feliz and IF Jay Canizaro to minor-league camp. Assigned OF Dan McKinley to minor-league camp.Cardinals: Reassigned C Mike Stefanski, 1B Eduardo Perez and P Brian Barnes to minor-league training camp.Marlins: Optioned P Justin Speier, P Ryan Dempster, P Joe Fontenot and P Michael Tejera to Triple-A Calgary. Re-assigned P Rob Stanifer, P Dario Perez, IF Pablo Ozuna and C Lionel Hastings to minor-league training camp.

Astros: Optioned IF Daryle Ward to Triple-A New Orleans.Athletics: Released P Mark Holzemer.Blue Jays: Signed P Doug Bochtler to a minor-league contract.Cubs: Placed P Jeremi Gonzalez on the 15-day DL after off-season elbow surgery; placed OF Robin Jennings on the 15-day DL with sprained right hand.Devil Rays: Promoted John P. Higgins to senior vice-president of administration and general counsel.Diamondbacks: Reassigned P Bobby Chouinard, P Rich Batchelor, P Dan Carlson and ex-Oriole OF Pete Incaviglia to Triple-A Tucson.

BaseballAthletics: Optioned IF Jorge Velandia and P Tim Kubinski to Triple-A Edmonton. Reassigned OF Mike Neill to minor-league camp. IF Hiromi Matsunaga retired. Optioned P Tim Kubinski to Triple-A Edmonton.Blue Jays: Signed P Dan Plesac to contract extension through 1999. Placed 1B Carlos Delgado on 15-day DL.Brewers: Reassigned P Valerio De Los Santos, P Patrick Bronswell Patrick and P Robert Ellis to minor-league camp.Cubs: Optioned P Rodney Myers to Triple-A Iowa.Dodgers: Re-signed P Sug Chung to minor-league contract.

BaseballAngels: Agreed to terms with IF Randy Ready on minor-league contract.Astros: Sent P Manuel Barrios, P Ryan Creek, P Jose DeJesus, P Mike Gardiner, P Mike Grzanich, P Doug Mlicki, P Bronswell Patrick and P Mike Walter to minor-league camp.Blue Jays: Optioned P Mark Sievert to Triple-A Syracuse and P Joe Young and P Kelvim Escobar to Double-A Knoxville.Indians: Agreed to terms with P Alan Embree, P Paul Shuey and OF Brian Giles on one-year contracts.Mets: Sent C Yohanny Valera and C Vance Wilson to minor-league camp.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -The Orioles' top three pitching prospects were among 12 players sent to minor league camp yesterday in the first cuts of spring. Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta, potentially the strongest trio of pitchers the organization has had in decades, impressed during their short story here. "I've been watching pitchers for a long time," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said, "and I would say those three guys are as good as I have seen at any one time coming up through somebody's system."

Baseball BRAVES -- Optioned P Buddy Carlyle to Triple-A Richmond. Purchased contract of C Corky Miller from Richmond. Placed P John Smoltz and P Chuck James on 15-day DL. MARINERS -- Traded C Jair Fernandez to Twins for Twins' refusal to return Rule 5 draft pick P R.A. Dickey. Optioned Dickey and OF Jeremy Reed to Triple-A Tacoma. Optioned P Brandon Morrow to Double-A West Tennessee. Sent former Orioles P Arthur Rhodes, P Roy Corcoran, P Chris Reitsma, IF Tug Hulett and IF Greg Norton to minor league camp.

ASTROS -- Sent OF Reggie Abercrombie and former Orioles P Chad Paronto outright to Triple-A Round Rock. BRAVES -- Claimed OF Ruben Gotay off waivers from Mets. Sent 1B Scott Thorman outright to Triple-A Richmond. DODGERS -- Released P Mike Myers. Optioned P Yhency Brazoban to Double-A Jacksonville. INDIANS -- Released P Aaron Fultz. METS -- Returned P Steven Register to Rockies. Optioned IF Anderson Hernandez to Triple-A New Orleans. PHILLIES -- Claimed P Tim Lahey off waivers from Cubs.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The Orioles are leaning toward sending Jay Gibbons to the minor league camp to play in the instructional league while he serves a 15-day suspension for violating Major League Baseball's rules against performance-enhancing drugs. A final decision is expected by tomorrow. Part of the delay is based on the confusion over whether Gibbons would be allowed to go on a rehabilitation assignment with one of the Orioles' affiliates. It's believed he's prohibited from doing so, but team officials are looking into it. Gibbons would prefer to work out with the Orioles in Baltimore and get his at-bats with a minor league team while they're on the road.

Baseball BLUE JAYS -- Optioned C Curtis Thigen, IF Joe Inglett, OF Buck Coats, OF Adam Lind and C Robinzon Diaz to Triple-A Syracuse. Assigned OF Ryan Patterson and OF Wayne Lydon to minor league camp. INDIANS -- Optioned P Edward Mujica and C Wyatt Toregas to Triple-A Buffalo. Assigned former Oriole P Rick Bauer, P J.D. Martin, P Jeff Stevens, C-IF Chris Gimenez, IF Jordan Brown, IF Beau Mills and OF Trevor Crowe to minor league camp. NATIONALS -- Optioned 3B-OF Kory Casto to Triple-A Columbus.

MLB -- Suspended Yankees OF Melky Cabrera and 1B Shelley Duncan three games for role in brawl Wednesday with Rays. Suspended Rays OF Jonny Gomes two games. CARDINALS -- Announced resignation of president Mark Lamping. Named Bill DeWitt III president. CUBS -- Sent IF Andres Blanco to minor league camp. DIAMONDBACKS -- Claimed IF Josh Whitesell off waivers from Nationals. Optioned Whitesell to Triple-A Tucson. Designated P Bill Murphy for assignment. MARLINS -- Optioned P Ross Wolf to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Baseball BLUE JAYS -- Optioned P Davis Romero to Triple-A Syracuse. Returned IF Chip Cannon to minor league camp. MARINERS -- Signed P Denny Stark to minor league contract. RED SOX -- Optioned P Edgar Martinez and P David Pauley to Triple-A Pawtucket. Optioned P Kyle Jackson and IF Argenis Diaz to Double-A Portland. Assigned P Michael Bowden, P Hunter Jones, P Justin Masterson, IF Jeff Bailey, IF Tony Granadillo and IF Gil Velazquez to minor league camp. Basketball HEAT -- Recalled G Daequan Cook and F Joel Anthony from NBDL Iowa.

Baseball ATHLETICS -- Agreed to minor league contract with IF Todd Walker. BRAVES -- Optioned P Kyle Davies, P Peter Moylan and IF Martin Prado to Triple-A Richmond. Assigned P Buddy Carlyle, P Steve Colyer, OF Doug Clark, IF Yunel Escobar, OF Willie Harris and C Corky Miller to minor league camp. Placed IF Willy Aybar, P Mike Hampton and P Tanyon Sturtze on 15-day DL, retroactive to March 23. CARDINALS -- Released P Ricardo Rincon. Assigned P Dennis Dove, OF John Rodriguez, P Kelvin Jimenez and IF Jolbert Cabrera to minor league camp.

Moves Baseball ANGELS -- Announced retirement of P Troy Percival, effective April 2. BLUE JAYS -- Sent P Brian Tallet outright to Triple-A Syracuse. BREWERS -- Released P Grant Balfour. Placed OF Laynce Nix on 15-day DL. CUBS -- Placed P Juan Mateo and P Kerry Wood on 15-day DL. Optioned P Buck Coats to Triple-A Iowa. DEVIL RAYS -- Released P Dan Miceli. DIAMONDBACKS -- Claimed P J.D. Durbin off waivers from Twins. Designated OF Dave Krynzel for assignment. Optioned P Enrique Gonzalez and P Dana Eveland to minor league camp.

Moves Auto racing NASCAR -- Said it will not penalize driver Greg Biffle for failing post-race inspection at Bristol Motor Speedway in NASCAR's debut of the Car of Tomorrow. Baseball ASTROS -- Placed P Brandon Backe and C Hector Gimenez on 15-day DL. Released OF Charlton Jimerson and P Kelly Wunsch. ATHLETICS -- Returned OF Ryan Goleski to Indians via Rule 5. BLUE JAYS -- Agreed to terms with OF Wayne Lydon on minor league contract. CUBS -- Optioned P Mark Prior to Triple-A Iowa.