Cliff Lee ejected for throwing at D-backs' Snyder

Seattle Mariners ace Cliff Lee was ejected from a spring-training game yesterday in Tucson,Ariz., for throwing at Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder.

With two outs in the bottom of the third inning, Lee threw an inside pitch to Snyder, then tossed one just over the batter's head.

Snyder walked toward the mound, and the dugouts and bullpens emptied. No punches were thrown.

Plate umpire Brian Knight tossed Lee but let Snyder stay in the game.

In the first inning, Lee tripped over Snyder while trying to back up a play at home plate. But the lefthander denied throwing at Snyder intentionally and said he wasn't trying to retaliate.

"I was trying to go inside and a couple got away from me and the guy hitting got mad and came close to the mound and I got thrown out of the game in the process," Lee said. "That's it in a nutshell."

Lee didn't have much of an explanation for what happened in the first inning.

"I really don't know. I wasn't watching. All I know is I was just rolling on the ground, got knocked down," he said.

Acquired from the Phillies in a trade this offseason, Lee was tagged for four runs and six hits before leaving the game. He said it was the first time he'd been thrown out of a spring-training game.

Lee said he went to a field behind the stadium to throw another 15 pitches to complete what was supposed to be a four-inning outing.

* Arizona slugger Mark Reynolds said he has agreed to terms on a new contract with the Diamondbacks.

Two people familiar with the talks said the deal is worth $14.5 million over 3 years and includes an $11 million club option for 2013. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the deal. Reynolds expressed "relief to finally be able to get it done."

* The Los Angeles Dodgers have sent former Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne to their minor league camp, stalling the closer's bid to make it back to the majors. The 34-year-old Gagne had a 20.25 ERA in three outings during spring training, allowing six runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Manager Joe Torre said the reliever accepted the move. Gagne had an out clause and could have become a free agent.

* Milwaukee closer Trevor Hoffman says he will be ready for his exhibition debut on Friday, although the all-times saves leader isn't sure how many games he'll need to get ready for Opening Day.

Hoffman has been working through minor stiffness in his upper back and the Brewers don't want a repeat of last season's spring training when he strained his right oblique and missed the first month of the season on the disabled list.

* The New York Mets sent veteran pitcher R.A. Dickey to their minor league camp. Dickey is hoping to make the Mets this season as a knuckleballer. He's 35 and is trying to master the dancing pitch.

* Kansas City manager Trey Hillman said he is still looking for a fifth starter for the Royals rotation.

Among the candidates is former Phillie Robinson Tejada, who moved into the rotation at the end of last season because of injuries.

* Cleveland reliever Kerry Wood, bothered by soreness in a muscle under his pitching shoulder, did not throw a scheduled bullpen session so he could get more rest. The 32-year-old Wood said the injury isn't serious and if it was the regular season, he'd be pitching.

In other news, Alex White, the Indians' first-round draft pick in 2009, is among four pitchers sent to the minors in the club's initial roster cuts of spring training. White and fellow righthanders Zach Putnam and Jason Grilli were reassigned to the minor league camp. Lefthander Kelvin De La Cruz was optioned to Double A Akron.

* Washington released lefthanded reliever Ron Villone, who signed a minor league contract last month.

Villone, 61-65 over 15 seasons with 12 teams, had been invited to spring training where he had a 16.20 ERA in three relief appearances covering 1 2/3 innings.