Sosa begins serving seven-game suspension

Baltimore — Sammy Sosa thrilled the fans at Camden Yards Wednesday with a wonderful display of power during batting practice. After that, however, he was done for the day.

Wednesday, he began a seven-game suspension for using a corked bat, a penalty reduced by one game after his appeal Tuesday.

Sosa refused to talk to the media before Chicago’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, but the Cubs seemed satisfied with the ruling.

“I think it’s great that they knocked a day off it. He can go serve it, then come back ready to play,” reliever Mike Remlinger said.

Sosa was ejected from a game June 3 after cork was discovered in his shattered bat. He contended he accidentally used a bat he usually uses in batting practice.

“I am convinced of the sincerity of Sosa’s explanation and his contrition,” said Bob DuPuy, baseball’s chief operating officer.

Seattle’s Sasaki injured while carrying suitcase

Seattle — Mariners closer Kazuhiro Sasaki is making his second trip to the disabled list after injuring his ribs while carrying a suitcase up a flight of stairs in his home.

Seattle placed Sasaki on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to last Friday, before Wednesday night’s game with the Montreal Expos.

Sasaki, 35, bruised his right ribs when he slipped and fell after arriving back home Sunday from the Mariners’ 12-game roadtrip.

Cleveland’s Vizquel to have knee surgery

Cleveland — Indians shortstop Omar Vizquel will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today, and likely will miss at least three weeks.

Vizquel injured his knee while sliding into home plate during the seventh inning of Cleveland’s 6-3 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks June 6.