After 15 seasons, the Boston Red Sox apparently will need a new leader.
Jason Varitek has been absent for the first two days of workouts by pitchers and catchers. General manager Ben Cherington offered the soon-to-be 40-year-old captain a minor-league deal months ago, but the catcher never responded.
Varitek has three options: He can take the minor-league deal; try to convince another team to give an aging backstop with declining skills a chance as a backup; or retire.
It must be noted that Varitek's close friend and fellow veteran Tim Wakefield, retired last week.
Pitcher Roberto Hernandez said he hopes to obtain a judicial pardon and return to the Cleveland Indians this season.
Hernandez was placed on baseball's restricted list after he was arrested in the Dominican Republic on false identity charges last month.
Authorities said he is 31, three years older than the pitcher claimed while using the name Fausto Carmona.
Ronald Belisario spent last season in Venezuela instead of with the Los Angeles Dodgers due to visa problems.
The reason? A positive test for cocaine.
Belisario, who claims he only used the drug once, said he must serve a 25-game suspension.
While with the Mets last summer, outfielder Carlos Beltran offered to foot the bill if teammate Jonathan Niese received a nose job.
Turns out Niese did have the operation over the winter - and sent Beltran the bill.
The surgery didn't straighten the 25-year-old's nose very much, but that wasn't the point. Niese is breathing a lot easier after the procedure corrected a deviated septum.
The Indians signed infielder Cristian Guzman to a minor-league contract. . . . Veteran righthander Jason Isringhausen, 39, agreed to a minor league deal with the Angels.
Contact staff writer Don McKee at dmckee@phillynews.com.
This article contains information from the Associated Press.
