MLB officials suspend Mercker, Weathers

New York Colorado pitcher Kent Mercker was suspended for four games, and the New York Mets’ David Weathers was suspended for three Wednesday for throwing at batters Sunday at Coors Field.

New York manager Bobby Valentine and Colorado’s Clint Hurdle also were suspended for one game each. All four men were fined, and Rockies pitcher Denny Neagle also was fined for throwing at Timo Perez in the first inning.

Mercker said he plans to appeal the suspension, which was scheduled to begin today. Weathers said he would appeal his suspension, set to begin Friday, while Valentine and Hurdle had not made decisions on appeals.

Cardinals discuss site for Illinois stadium

St. Louis For the second time this year, Illinois Gov. George Ryan met with St. Louis Cardinals president Mark Lamping on the prospect of moving the team across the Mississippi River into Illinois. Lamping said a new ballpark could be built at any of five suburban St. Louis sites in Illinois that the team is weighing as alternatives to its preferred site south of Busch Stadium.

Lamping said the downtown site remained the team’s top priority.

Reinsdorf blasts his team for lack of effort

Chicago Before what could be the final game of the season at Comiskey Park, White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf addressed his team Wednesday and criticized his players’ effort.

“He feels that we haven’t given any effort and it’s embarrassing the kind of year that we had,” White Sox player representative Jeff Liefer said.