Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Baseball Hall of Famer Rod Carew is preparing to receive a new heart and undergo a kidney transplant.
His wife Rhonda confirmed the procedures on Thursday through the American Heart Association News.
The 71-year-old former hitting star has struggled with heart issues since September 2015 when he had a heart attack and went into cardiac arrest while undergoing a procedure to open clogged arteries.
A machine has kept Carew alive since he nearly died 15 months ago. Doctors say the kidney transplant will improve his chances for a strong recovery.
After his heart attack, Carew was diagnosed with extreme heart failure with his heart too weak to pump blood to the rest of his body. Doctors implanted into his chest a left ventricular assist device that took over the heart’s pumping duties.
The procedure allowed Carew to resume his life and he toured the country last summer to boost awareness and prevention of heart disease. He attended spring training with the Minnesota Twins and appeared at the All-Star Game in San Diego, where the AL batting title was named in his honor.
Carew played from 1967 to 1985 for the Twins and California Angels. He was a seven-time American League batting champion and first-ballot selection to the Hall of Fame.
After returning home from the Hall of Fame ceremony in July, Carew was hospitalized and doctors recommended a new heart.
Rhonda Carew says the family appreciates the public’s thoughts and prayers for her husband and his medical team. She expressed sympathy and appreciation to the donor’s family.
Twins President Dave St. Peter says the team shares its thoughts and prayers with the Carews and the family of the donor.
Charges dropped against Familia
FORT LEE, N.J. — A judge dismissed a charge Thursday stemming from a domestic violence complaint against New York Mets star relief pitcher Jeurys Familia after the player’s wife told a prosecutor that her husband did not hurt her.
The couple left the New Jersey courthouse and drove off together without talking to reporters.
The 27-year-old, a first-time All-Star this year, faces a possible Major League Baseball suspension if he is found to have violated the sport’s domestic violence policy. The league said in a statement that the investigation is ongoing.
“We are aware of MLB’s investigation into this matter, and we will handle it in the appropriate course,” said attorney Jay Reisinger, who is representing Familia in the league’s probe.
Familia had been charged with simple assault and had pleaded not guilty after his wife, Bianca Rivas, made several frantic 911 calls to Fort Lee police on the morning of Oct. 31 in which she described her husband as “drunk.”
“My husband had a little bit of alcohol, and he’s going crazy,” Rivas said in the 911 recording, according to excerpts of a transcript published by NJ.com.
Rivas was left with scratches on her chest and a bruise on her right cheek.
But the judge dropped the charge after Prosecutor Arthur Balsamo said he met with Rivas and her lawyer. Balsamo said Rivas told him that the scratch came from the couple’s 1-year-old child and the mark on her cheek came from leaning on it.
Paul Brickfield, one of Familia’s lawyers, said they were happy the case was dismissed.
The Dominican Republic native set a franchise record with 51 saves last season. He previously was involved in an ad campaign for an anti-domestic violence group, which has since ended its relationship with him.
Rockies sign Dunn
DENVER — The Colorado Rockies shored up their shaky bullpen by agreeing to a $19 million, three-year contract with reliever Mike Dunn on Thursday.
Colorado desperately needed bullpen help after blowing 28 saves last season. The 31-year-old left-hander went 6-1 with a 3.40 ERA in 51 appearances for the Miami Marlins last season. He also had eight holds and four blown saves.
Dunn was to be introduced at a news conference at Coors Field. On his Twitter account, he thanked the Marlins organization and their fans for the last six years and added: “We are ready to start the next chapter in our lives. Denver here we come.”
Dunn was picked by the New York Yankees in the 33rd round of the 2004 amateur draft. He is 28-25 over his career with the Yankees, Atlanta Braves and the Marlins.
Dunn becomes the second splashy free agent signing by the Rockies this offseason following a $70 million, five-year deal with All-Star outfielder Ian Desmond, who is switching to first base.
Colorado general manager Jeff Bridich hinted at the Desmond news conference this week that he may not be done retooling the team for first-year Colorado manager Bud Black. The Rockies went 75-87 last season, their best record since 2010, and are trying to close the gap on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.
“We are still focused on if we can add impact pitching to where we are here,” Bridich said. “There are still a lot of players out there.”
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