Pirate Pitcher Hospitalized After Seizure

Non-roster relief pitcher Dave Stevens was rushed to a hospital Tuesday after having a seizure in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ clubhouse and falling unconscious.

Stevens was sitting in front of his locker when he began shaking. He was able to walk to the trainer’s room under his own power, then collapsed.

Stevens was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, Fla., where he was conscious and listed in good condition. He was expected to stay overnight for tests, Pirate spokesman Jim Trdinich said.

Stevens, 30, signed a minor league contract with the Pirates on Feb. 5 and was invited to spring training. He has a 15-16 record with 21 saves and a 5.95 earned-run average in 181 major league games during six seasons with Minnesota (1994-97), the Chicago Cubs (1997-98) and Cleveland (1999).

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The St. Louis Cardinals aren’t happy with one potential realignment plan that breaks up their traditional rivalry with the Chicago Cubs.

One plan has the National League realigning into four divisions, linking the Cardinals in one with Atlanta, Florida and Tampa Bay, and Chicago with Cincinnati, Houston and Milwaukee.

“It’s a little hard to believe we wouldn’t be in a division where our competitors are the Cubs,” said Cardinal Manager Tony La Russa, who called the Cub-Cardinal rivalry one of the best in baseball.

Some owners want to shift the Arizona Diamondbacks to the American League and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the National League in 2001.

Owners plan to meet April 18 in Houston, and time is running out to make changes for 2001. They must give the players’ union a draft schedule by July 1.

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The Detroit Tigers traded catcher Gregg Zaun to the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named or cash.

Zaun, 28, spent last season with the Texas Rangers as the backup to Ivan Rodriguez. He was obtained by the Tigers in the nine-player trade that sent Juan Gonzalez to Detroit.

Zaun batted .247 with one home run and 12 runs batted in in 43 games for the Rangers.

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The New York Yankees put pitcher Jeff Juden on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.

Meanwhile, outfielder Shane Spencer agreed to a $250,000, one-year contract, and the Yankees renewed outfielder Ricky Ledee at $240,000. The two are competing for the starting left-field spot this spring.

In other news, pitcher Orlando Hernandez will make his spring debut Thursday against Philadelphia after missing his first scheduled start Saturday because of minor back stiffness.

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The San Diego Padres opened contract extension talks with Manager Bruce Bochy, who has led them to two NL West titles and a World Series appearance in five seasons. Bochy is earning $500,000 in the final year of his contract. . . . Lee Smith, baseball’s career saves leader, returned to the game by joining the San Francisco Giants as a minor league pitching coach. Smith, 42, retired in 1997 with 478 saves. . . . Outfielder Danny Clyburn was released by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who also assigned former Miami quarterback Kenny Kelly, a top outfield prospect, and 11 other players to their minor league camp.