+SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 2+

BASEBALL
--------

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Placed pitcher Kelvim Escobar on
the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 31, with a right
elbow strain; transferred outfielder Tim Salmon to the 60-day
disabled list; purchased the contract of infielder Lou Merloni
from Salt Lake of the Pacific Coast League (AAA); optioned first
baseman Casey Kotchman to Salt Lake.

Atlanta Braves - Purchased the contract of pitcher Adam Bernero
from Richmond of the International League (AAA); assigned
catcher J.C. Boscan, outfielders John Barnes and Esix Snead and
pitchers Kevin Barry, Matt Childers, Buddy Hernandez and Zach
Miner to minor league camp.

Baltimore Orioles - Optioned pitcher Eric DuBose and
infielder-outfielder Ramon Nivar to Ottawa of the International
League (AAA); assigned pitcher Jay Witasick and infielder
Enrique Wilson to minor league camp.

Boston Red Sox - Purchased the contract of first
baseman-outfielder David McCarty from Pawtucket of the
International League (AAA); designated pitcher Mark Malaska for
assignment.

Cincinnati Reds - Placed pitcher Josh Hancock on the 15-day
disabled list, retroactive to April 1, with a right groin
injury; placed pitcher Luke Hudson on the 15-day disabled list
with a right shoulder injury; placed infielder Anderson Machado
on the 15-day disabled list with a left knee injury; placed
pitcher Jung Bong on the 60-day disabled list with a left
shoulder injury; placed infielder Ray Olmedo on the 60-day
disabled list with a right elbow injury; purchased the contracts
of infielder Rich Aurilia and outfielder Jacob Cruz from
Louisville of the International League (AAA); assigned infielder
Luis Lopez to minor league camp.

Colorado Rockies - Placed pitcher Matt Merricks on the 15-day
disabled list, retroactive to March 25, with left shoulder
inflammation; placed infielder Desi Relaford on the 15-day
disabled list, retroactive to March 25, with a chondral defect
in his left knee.

Detroit Tigers - Acquired pitcher Matt Ginter from the New York
Mets for pitcher Steve Colyer.

Florida Marlins - Placed pitcher Tim Spooneybarger on the 15-day
disabled list, retroactive to March 25, while recovering from
ligament replacement surgery; placed pitcher John Riedling on
the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 25, with right
shoulder tendinitis; assigned infielder Wilson Delgado and
outfielder Mark Little to minor league camp; purchased the
contracts of pitcher Brian Moehler and infielder Lenny Harris
from Albuquerque of the Pacific Coast League (AAA).

Houston Astros - Purchased the contract of pitcher Russ Springer
from Round Rock of the Pacific Coast League (AAA); optioned
catcher Humberto Quintero and pitchers Ezequiel Astacio and Mike
Gallo to Round Rock.

Kansas City Royals - Placed pitcher Scott Sullivan on the 15-day
disabled list with a back injury; placed infielder Chris Truby
on the 15-day disabled list with a chipped bone in his left
wrist; purchased the contracts of outfielder Emil Brown and
catcher Alberto Castillo from Omaha of the Pacific Coast League
(AAA).

Los Angeles Dodgers - Placed pitcher Eric Gagne on the 15-day
disabled list with a right elbow injury; placed Wilson Alvarez
on the 15-day disabled list with left shoulder tendinitis;
placed outfielder Jayson Werth on the 15-day disabled list with
a fractured left wrist; placed pitcher Brad Penny on the 15-day
disabled list, retroactive to March 25, with a right biceps
injury; transferred pitcher Darren Dreifort to the 60-day
disabled list; returned second baseman Oscar Robles to Mexico
City of the Mexican League; designated third baseman Brian Myrow
for assignment; optioned outfielder Cody Ross to Las Vegas of
the Pacific Coast League (AAA); Assigned pitchers Ryan Rupe and
Mike Venafro, outfielder Mike Edwards, catcher Mike Rose, and
third baseman Norihiro Nakamura to Las Vegas; purchased the
contract of pitchers Kelly Wunsch, Buddy Carlyle an Steve
Schmoll from Las Vegas.

Milwaukee Brewers - Purchased the contracts of infielder Jeff
Cirillo, pitcher Tommy Phelps and outfielder Chris Magruder from
Nashville of the Pacific Coast League (AAA); assigned catcher
Pat Borders, infielder Trent Durrington and pitcher Rick Helling
to minor league camp.

New York Mets - Purchased the contracts of catcher Ramon Castro
and pitchers Roberto Hernandez and Manny Aybar from Norfolk of
the International League (AAA).

Oakland Athletics - Re-signed pitcher Rich Harden to a four-year
contract; purchased the contract of pitcher Huston Street from
Sacramento of the Pacific Coast League (AAA); optioned pitcher
Seth Etherton to Sacramento; placed pitcher Chad Bradford on the
15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 30, following back
surgery; sent outright pitcher Tim Harikkala to Sacramento;
assigned pitchers Kirk Saarloos and Britt Reames and outfielders
Hiram Bocachica and Jermaine Clark to minor league camp.

San Diego Padres - Placed outfielder Dave Roberts on the 15-day
disabled list, retroactive to March 29, with a groin injury;
optioned catcher Michel Hernandez, outfielder Robert Fick,
infielders Jesse Garcia and Damian Jackson and pitchers Joe
Dawley, Brian Falkenborg and Steve Sparks to Portland of the
Pacific Coast League (AAA); optioned pitcher Andy Ashby to Lake
Elsinore of the California League (A).

San Francisco Giants - Placed outfielder Barry Bonds on the
15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 25, following knee
surgery; purchased the contract of pitcher Jeff Fassero from
Fresno of the Pacific Coast League (AAA); optioned infielder
Lance Niekro and pitchers Kevin Correia, Jesse Foppert and Scott
Munter to Fresno.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Released outfielder Dee Brown; assigned
infielder Luis Ordaz to minor league camp; designated pitcher
Bobby Seay for assignment; placed catcher Kevin Cash on the
15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 26, with right
shoulder tendinitis; placed pitcher Franklin Nunez on the 15-day
disabled list, retroactive to March 25, with right shoulder
tendinitis; placed outfielder Rocco Baldelli on the 15-day
disabled list, retroactive to March 25, following left knee
surgery; added outfielders Alex Sanchez and Chris Singleton to
the 25-man roster.

SOCCER
------

Columbus Crew (MLS) - Acquired defender Mark Schulte; signed
forward Knox Cameron, goalkeeper Bill Gaudette, defender Ryan
Kelly and midfielders Domenic Mediate, Marcus Storey, Jamal
Sutton and Eric Vasquez to developmental contracts.

st 04-03-05 09:01 et