Roundup

D'backs pitching prospect apologizes for lying about age

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- Top pitching prospect Ramon Antonio Pena, who lied about his age to sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks two years ago, made a public apology Tuesday and asked for a second chance.

"I know that I made errors that could put my baseball career in jeopardy," Pena said in a statement. "From my heart I want to ask forgiveness from all the people or entities who were offended by my actions."

Pena blamed his decision on youth and inexperience.

"God teaches us to forgive, and everybody deserves a second chance," said Pena.

Birth records obtained by The Associated Press in May showed that the real name of pitching prospect Adriano Rosario was Ramon Antonio Pena Paulino, and that he was born Jan. 9, 1982, making him 22.

The real Rosario, who is Pena's nephew, turned 19 this year, according to the documents.

Pena, a hard-throwing right-hander from the Dominican Republic, apparently used his nephew's birth certificate to appear younger and gain a $400,000 signing bonus with Arizona in 2002.

When the identity switch was uncovered, major league officials investigated and concluded that Pena had falsified his identity.

Pena admitted the falsification and the Diamondbacks quickly forgave him, keeping in their farm system the right-hander who can throw 99 miles per hour.

"His repentance has a lot of meaning for us and we accept it," Junior Noboa, the Diamondbacks operations director in the Dominican Republic, said Tuesday.

The team sent Pena back to the Dominican Republic last summer to legalize his identity. Currently he's playing for the Cibao Giants in the Dominican winter league.

To return to Arizona, Pena must convince U.S. consular authorities to give him another travel visa to enter the United States.

Last season in the United States, Pena had a 3-3 record and 5.44 ERA in seven outings with Arizona's Double-A El Paso farm club. In 2003, he went 9-5 with a 2.86 ERA at Class-A South Bend.

Orioles' Hairston undergoes ankle surgery

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Orioles second baseman Jerry Hairston underwent ankle surgery on Tuesday and is expected to be fully recovered within six weeks.

Hairston had the talus bone removed from his left ankle at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, team officials said. After wearing a protective boot for two weeks, he will begin a rehabilitation program.

Hairston was playing center field on Aug. 17 when he fractured the ankle while jumping for a ball at the wall in a game against Oakland. He was placed on the disabled list the next day.

In other news, Orioles left-hander Adam Loewen will not require surgery for a slightly torn left labrum and should be ready for spring training.

Loewen missed the end of the minor league season because of the tear, and would have probably missed the 2005 season if the injury required surgery. But the shoulder responded to a throwing program, and he will begin baseball activities at the start of next year.

Loewen, the Orioles' top pick in the 2002 free agent draft, was 4-5 with a 4.11 ERA for low Class A Delmarva.

Outfielder Val Majewski also recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder and won't need surgery. Majewski spent most of the season at Class AA Bowie but was called up by the Orioles in September.

Freel has knee surgery

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Reds utility player Ryan Freel had arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to fix torn cartilage in his right knee. He's expected to be fully recovered by spring training.

Freel hit .277 in 143 games last season and led the Reds with 37 stolen bases. He made at least 10 starts at five positions, the first player to do so since Detroit's Tony Phillips in 1992.

In procedural moves, the Reds reinstated outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. and right-handed pitchers Josh Hall and D.J. Mattox from the 60-day disabled list. Griffey tore his hamstring in August, Hall missed the season following shoulder surgery and Mattox missed the season because of elbow surgery.