Joe McEwing, a veteran utilityman for the Mets, was released Thursday. “It’s a part of the game,” said McEwing, 32, who came up to the majors with the Cardinals. “I’ve just got to go out there and start a new chapter of my life. I’m just going to wait, listen and talk to my agent and see what’s going on.”
Brian Hunter, another veteran player, was reassigned by the Royals to their minor-league camp. The 34-year-old outfielder, who twice led the American League in steals and was the majors’ top base-stealer in 1997, has not played in the big leagues since 2003.
Mariano Rivera, the Yankees closer sidelined by mild bursitis in his right (pitching) elbow, played catch for the first time since being sidelined. Rivera made 66 throws in the outfield before the Yankees’ game was canceled because of rain. “I was surprised he felt good enough to play catch,” New York pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre said. “Played catch and felt good.”
