Pitcher Stodolka cut by Royals

Haines City, Fla. Â Left-hander Mike Stodolka, the Kansas City Royals’ first-round pick in the 2000 draft, was among four players cut by the team Saturday.

Stodolka was sent to the minor league camp for reassignment despite pitching a scoreless inning Friday against the Detroit Tigers.

Also sent to the minor league camp were catchers Mike Tonis and Scott Walter and third baseman Matt Ferrara. Tonis and Walter were second- and third-round picks, respectively, in 2000. Ferrara was a third-round choice last season. The Royals have 58 players remaining in the major league camp.

Buck has setback, remains in hospital

St. Louis  St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck is again fighting a staph infection as he tries to recover from an intestinal blockage, son Joe Buck said Saturday. The 77-year-old Buck has been at Barnes-Jewish Hospital since surgery Jan. 3 for the intestinal blockage. He also had surgery in December for lung cancer.

“He’s definitely on hold,” Joe Buck said. “He had been making such good progress so this is tough for him. It’s weakened him to the point that it’s slowed his recovery. The hope is that he doesn’t slip backward. But until they get this infection under control he’s spinning his wheels.”