Indians facility catches on fire
GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) - An old clothes dryer nicknamed "The Burner" sat scorched and surrounded by water after catching fire Friday and causing minor damage at Goodyear Ballpark, the Cleveland Indians' spring training home they share with the Cincinnati Reds.
No one was injured in the early-morning blaze.
The dryer, which the Indians brought with them when they moved to Arizona from Florida in 2009, was destroyed.
The facility's sprinkler system flooded the indoor bullpen and batting cage area behind the right-field wall. Water seeped under onto the field, forcing the groundscrew to repair the warning track before the Indians hosted an exhibition against the Colorado Rockies.
The Indians asked the Rockies to take batting practice at their complex in Scottsdale so workers could get the field ready.
The dryer was loaded with towels and running when it caught fire in a small laundry room located between the home and visiting clubhouses. The Reds hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night.
"There was no damage to the structure or public areas," ballpark manager Nathan Torres said. "We're ready to play ball."
Felix Hernandez
to make 1st spring start Monday
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - AL Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez will make his first start of the exhibition season on Monday against the Oakland Athletics.
The Seattle Mariners star has thrown live batting practice and a simulated game so far in spring training. The right-hander was 13-12 last season with a 2.27 ERA.
Rangers give GM Daniels 4-year contract extension
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels has received a four-year contract extension through the 2015 season.
Daniels joined the Rangers organization as a baseball operations assistant in 2002. When he became general manager in October 2005, he was only 28 years old and the youngest GM in the history of major league baseball.
Texas is coming off its first-ever World Series appearance, which came after Daniels helped overhaul the team's farm system and made several key trades.