Judge’s Letter May Implicate Sheffield

As much as Gary Sheffield wants to separate himself from Barry Bonds and the BALCO controversy, more damaging evidence emerged Thursday, and it potentially could be used against him in baseball’s steroids investigation.

A federal judge from Idaho sent a letter last month to Commissioner Bud Selig detailing a random conversation with Greg Anderson, then Bonds’ trainer, in an airport in 2002. The letter says Anderson told the judge he had been sent from California to Minnesota by Bonds to “help� Sheffield, who had been “struggling.�

A Major League Baseball spokesman confirmed Thursday that Selig received the letter last month and gave it to George Mitchell, the former senator named to head MLB’s investigation into steroids.

Sheffield’s attorney, Rufus Williams, declined to comment. Bonds also refused to comment Thursday after the San Francisco Giants’ home opener against Atlanta.

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The Atlanta Braves put left-handed pitcher Horacio Ramirez, who has a strained left hamstring, on the 15-day disabled list. Ramirez was injured during the third inning of Wednesday night’s 9-8 victory over the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium while running out an infield single.

The Braves purchased the contract of right-hander Kenny Ray from triple-A Richmond, optioned right-hander Blaine Boyer to Richmond and recalled right-hander Joey Devine from Richmond.

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The New York Yankees claimed catcher Koyie Hill off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Yankees, who are carrying three catchers, must make a roster move when Hill joins the team.

Hill, a former Dodger prospect who was part of the trade for outfielder Steve Finley in 2004, batted .218 with six runs batted in for Arizona last season and was designated for assignment last weekend.

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Shortstop Julio Lugo was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who also signed infielder Tomas Perez to a one-year contract and released pitcher Jesus Colome.

Lugo has an abdominal strain, suffered on opening day. The move is retroactive to Tuesday.

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Milwaukee Brewer ace Ben Sheets struck out five in 2 2/3 innings in his rehabilitation start for double-A Huntsville. Rehabbing a strained muscle in his upper back, he gave up two runs -- one earned -- and four hits against the Mississippi Braves.

Sheets, who strained a muscle in his upper back during a spring training game March 9, was put on the 15-day disabled list on March 30. The move was retroactive to March 24.

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Toronto Blue Jay right-hander A.J. Burnett gave up one run and three hits in four innings during a rehabilitation start for Class-A Dunedin against Clearwater. He walked two, struck out two and hit a batter, throwing 39 strikes in 62 pitches.