Friday, June 1, 2007

The Giants agreed to trade struggling closer Armando Benitez to the Marlins for reliever Randy Messenger last night.

Neither team made an official announcement. Asked whether Benitez had been sent to the Marlins, agent Mike Powers said, "It's a done deal."

Benitez was 0-3 with nine saves in 11 chances and a 4.67 ERA. His final game for the Giants was Tuesday night, when he balked twice in the 12th inning of a 5-4 loss to the Mets. Benitez was not in the clubhouse after the Giants' 4-2 loss and his locker was completely cleaned out.

"Maybe Elvis has left the building," Giants Manager Bruce Bochy said.

· RESTAURANT UNAWARE: A state investigation found no evidence that workers at a St. Louis restaurant knew Josh Hancock was drunk when they served the Cardinals pitcher alcohol in the hours prior to his fatal accident.

· AT THE BUZZER: The Diamondbacks signed RHP Max Scherzer, their 2006 top draft pick, moments before they would have lost his rights Wednesday. Scherzer agreed to a four-year, $4.3 million contract.

· C. JONES, SMOLTZ, MAYBE: The Braves are awaiting updates on injured stars Chipper Jones and John Smoltz before the team opens a weekend series against the Cubs in Chicago today.

· FREEL NEEDS REST: Reds OF Ryan Freel was examined by a head and spine specialist, who recommended rest and limited activity as Freel recovers from a collision with another player.

-- From News Services