Giants Reportedly Claim San Diego Closer Bell Off Waivers
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- The San Francisco Giants have claimed San Diego closer Heath Bell off waivers, four people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because baseball rules forbid the public discussion of waiver cases. Whether the reigning World Series champions will actually acquire Bell from the division rival Padres is unclear. Once Bell is claimed, San Diego has 48 hours to decide whether to trade the three-time All-Star, allow him to be claimed or pull him back from waivers.
There is also a theory that Giants general manager Brian Sabean might be trying to block NL West-leading Arizona—under first-year general manager and former Padres GM Kevin Towers—from landing Bell.
ESPN first reported the Giants had won the waiver claim for the 33-year-old Bell, who converted his 35th save in 39 opportunities in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Giants.
The burly right-hander, who sprints all out to the mound when summoned from the bullpen for his ninth-inning duties, had been a topic of trade rumors leading up to last month's deadline. The Padres (60-70) sit in fourth place in the West and 10 ½ games out of the lead after missing the playoffs on the final day of the season last year with a loss at San Francisco.
The Giants are beat up in the bullpen, with closer Brian Wilson and reliever Sergio Romo on the disabled list.
There is no timetable for when Wilson will get on a mound and test his inflamed right elbow, though there's a chance he could return in early September for the stretch run. Wilson has declined to discuss his injury.
One person familiar with the situation said it could take a lot for the Giants to land Bell, an investment they might only make if they thought Wilson would be out for the remainder of the season.
Wilson was last season's majors saves leader with 48, while Bell had 47.
San Francisco began the day two games back of the Diamondbacks in the division race.
Romo returned to San Francisco last week from the team's 10-game road trip to be checked out by team doctors. He has pain in the back of his elbow, but it wasn't considered serious.
San Francisco also has lefty starters Jonathan Sanchez and Barry Zito on the DL, meaning they've had to bring up pitchers from Triple-A Fresno.
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
