Hernandez's Remarks Draw Reprimand

Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez was reprimanded by the team's television network for "inappropriate" remarks during a broadcast about a female member of the Padres' training staff.

The former MVP first baseman said women "don't belong in the dugout" when he spotted 33-year-old Kelly Calabrese , San Diego's massage therapist, high-fiving Mike Piazza in the dugout after he hit a home run during New York's 8-1 road victory Saturday.

After Hernandez found out later in the broadcast that Calabrese was with the Padres' training staff, he repeated that she shouldn't have been there. "I won't say that women belong in the kitchen, but they don't belong in the dugout," he said.

Hernandez, a former Mets star, then laughed and said: "You know I am only teasing. I love you gals out there -- always have."

"We immediately addressed the issue with Keith and reprimanded him, and he publicly apologized during Sunday's game," SportsNet New York said in a statement yesterday.

Hernandez said Sunday that he was sorry if he offended anyone. He also said that baseball's rulebook allowed only the head trainer and assistant trainer in the dugout.

But a league memo previously sent to all clubs said that in addition to the two trainers, one member of the conditioning staff was permitted in the dugout during games. Calabrese said Sunday that she was flabbergasted by Hernandez's comments.

"It's a little shocking but you know what -- it happens," she said. "He not only discredited me as a person, but he discredited women."

· WOMACK LOSES SPOT: The Reds acquired OF Cody Ross from the Dodgers for a player to be named and designated IF Tony Womack for assignment.

Womack hadn't started since April 14 and was relegated to occasionally pinch-hitting after GM Wayne Krivsky traded for 2B Brandon Phillips on April 7.

"We just felt with the way the team's set up right now, his playing time is obviously not going to be what he thought it might be," Krivsky said. "We thought it best to do it now."

If Cincinnati can't trade Womack, he could become a free agent.

The Reds also put LHP Eric Milton on the 15-day disabled list and called up RHP Elizardo Ramirez from Class AAA Louisville. Milton had surgery yesterday to repair torn cartilage in his left knee. He's expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks.

-- From News Services