Miami reliever Heath Bell was critical of manager Ozzie Guillen in a radio interview Monday, the latest in a series of turbulent comments for the disappointing Miami Marlins to deal with as their season winds down.
“It’s been an interesting year with Ozzie,” Bell told Miami station WQAM. “That’s pretty much all I’ll say about that. It’s just been really interesting to have him manage.”
However, pressed with more questions, Bell kept talking, eventually saying the Marlins need a manager “that everybody respects and looks up to.”
Bell’s struggles were one of the biggest issues for the Marlins this season. He signed a $27 million, three-year contract over the winter, then eventually lost the closer role after a disastrous start to the season, which included an 8.47 ERA after his first 21 appearances.
The Marlins will finish with a losing record for the fifth time in the past seven seasons.
DAVEY JOHNSON WILL REST REGULARS
Nationals manager Davey Johnson plans to rest his regular players if Washington clinches the National League East — and he doesn’t care one bit what anyone else thinks.
The Nationals’ magic number for clinching the division title is five. Washington just finished a series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday and will play series against the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals to finish out the regular season.
And if other clubs hope the Nationals will put their best lineup on the field against the Cardinals, who are still playing for a wild-card spot?
“I’m resting my regulars. End of conversation,” Johnson said.
“I have a lot of confidence in the other guys, too, in that they’re fully capable as they’ve shown all year long when they’ve had the opportunity to play. My responsibility is to get my club ready for the next day,” he said. “But it’s happened in the past. I’ve had criticism, and I’ve said, ‘Fine. I’m not worried.’ ”
SHORT HOPS
Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton was back in the lineup Monday after missing five games due to ocular keratitis, a drying of the cornea caused by too much caffeine and energy drinks. … Former Seattle Mariners utility player Michael Morse was out of the Nationals’ starting lineup Monday because of a bothersome hand. … Athletics center fielder Coco Crisp was not in the starting lineup Monday for a sixth game in a row due to an unknown infection in both eyes. … Orioles left-hander Randy Wolf is experiencing discomfort in his left elbow and will undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests today. … The Blue Jays purchased the contracts of right-handers Shawn Hill and Bobby Korecky and transferred left-hander J.A. Happ (foot) to the 60-day DL. … The Twins activated reliever Matt Capps from the DL. Capps has been out with a bad shoulder since July 17.
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