YANKEES
A-Rod dispute settled
NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees settled their dispute over a marketing payment with a deal announced Friday that gives $3.5 million to charitable groups, gives A-Rod the home run ball from his 3,000th hit and saves the team millions of dollars.
At the time Rodriguez and the Yankees signed their $275 million, 10-year contract in December 2007, they reached a separate marketing agreement. It called for $6 million each for up to five milestone accomplishments in exchange for marketing rights, such as using A-Rod's name and image in selling licensed goods. The first was to be for A-Rod's 660th home run, tying Willie Mays for fourth on the career list.
The club's relationship with Rodriguez deteriorated during 2013, when he was a target of Major League Baseball's Biogenesis drug investigation. That led to A-Rod's suspension for the entire 2014 season after then-Commissioner Bud Selig concluded he violated the sport's drug agreement and labor contract. Rodriguez sued MLB, the players' union and the Yankees' team physician, then dropped the litigation.
When the 39-year-old hit No. 660 on May 1, New York said it had the discretion not to make the payment and declined to do so, saying his marketing rights did not have any worth. MLB and the players' association stopped the clock on the time to file a grievance as negotiations continued.
Under the deal, the Yankees will donate $2.5 million to the MLB Urban Youth Foundation, to be used in programs to increase youth participation in baseball, with a focus on urban areas. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred will pick the initiatives after speaking with Rodriguez, and Manfred promised to consider charitable activities the player has focused on.
The Yankees also will split $1 million among the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa and Pitch In For Baseball.
Zach Hample, the fan who retrieved Rodriguez's 3,000th hit at Yankee Stadium on June 19, gave Rodriguez the ball at a news conference before New York played Tampa Bay on Friday night. Hample will receive a signed Rodriguez jersey and other perks.
ANGELS
Pitcher acquired in swap
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Angels have acquired minor league right-hander Gaither Bumgardner from the New York Mets for an international bonus pool slot.
Bumgardner was taken in the 23rd round of the 2013 Major League draft out of the University of South Carolina -- Upstate. A reliever, the 24-year-old Bumgardner was 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA in three games with Class A Brooklyn this year.
The Mets got the Dodgers' slot No. 90, giving them an extra $239,400, according to Baseball America, to spend on international players before facing penalties.
The international signing period began Thursday.
TIGERS
Bullpen juggled
DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers made a slew of roster moves Friday, including reinstating catcher Alex Avila from the disabled list and designating for assignment struggling relievers Joba Chamberlain and Tom Gorzelanny.
After one appearance with Class AAA Toledo, Jeff Ferrell was called up to make his major league debut Friday. And after being converted to a relief role early this season, Drew VerHagen joined the Tigers from Class AA Erie for Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
They will take the spots of Chamberlain and Gorzelanny in the team's bullpen.
Chamberlain struggled all season as Joakim Soria's set-up man. In his last seven games, including six Tigers losses, he had a 14.40 ERA and allowed opponents to post a .444 batting average with four homers in five innings.
Gorzelanny was brought in as a veteran lefty, but posted a 6.38 ERA in 30 appearances.
To make room for Avila, who had been out since May 9 with a knee injury, the Tigers optioned catcher Bryan Holaday to Toledo.
BREWERS
Two RHPs recalled
CINCINNATI -- The Milwaukee Brewers beefed up their bullpen on Friday, recalling rookie right-handers Tyler Cravy and David Goforth from Class AAA Colorado Springs.
Two other rookies, infielder/outfielder Jason Rogers and right-handed pitcher Corey Knebel, were optioned to Colorado Springs.
Cravy and Goforth are in their second stints with Milwaukee. Cravy was up for the first two days of June and made his major-league debut on June 2, getting the decision in a 1-0 loss at St. Louis.
Goforth was with Milwaukee from May 26 through June 9 and had no record in four scoreless appearances, including his major-league debut on May 26.
Knebel had no record and a 2.95 ERA in 19 games for Milwaukee this season. Rogers hit .236 with 2 home runs and 7 RBI in 51 games.
RANGERS
OF Skole traded
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers have traded former first-round draft pick Jake Skole to the New York Yankees for cash considerations and have signed three international free agents.
Skole is an outfielder who was selected 15th in the 2010 amateur draft. He had been playing at Class AA Frisco before the deal was announced Friday.
On the international front, Texas signed switch-hitting shortstop Adrian Pernalete from Venezuela, right-hander Rodolfo Garcia from Mexico and catcher Max Morales from the Dominican Republic.
Sports on 07/04/2015