AP denied its request for names

A federal magistrate judge yesterday rejected a request by the Associated Press to reveal the names of players allegedly implicated in drug use by former major league pitcher Jason Grimsley.

"Disclosure at this time may compromise the ongoing investigation in several ways," US Magistrate Edward C. Voss wrote in a seven-page order.

The AP's application, filed last month in US District Court in Phoenix, was opposed by the US Attorney's office in San Francisco, which is conducting the investigation, and by the Major League Baseball Players Association.

The AP had asked the court to reveal names blacked out in a sworn statement by Internal Revenue Service special agent Jeff Novitzky. The document was used to support a warrant to search Grimsley's Arizona home last year.

"We're disappointed and not at all persuaded that disclosing the names at this late date could hurt any investigation that might still be under way," Dave Tomlin, AP's associate general counsel said.

The judge indicated his ruling could change once the investigation ends.

David Segui told ESPN in June 2006 that he was one of the blacked-out names. The Los Angeles Times reported last October that Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Miguel Tejada, Brian Roberts, and Jay Gibbons also were named.

Chase Utley's broken right hand might not keep him out of the lineup for as long as the Phillies originally feared. The All-Star second baseman could be back in only three weeks, encouraging news for a team chasing a playoff berth.

Utley, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list, had a pin inserted into his hand to help heal a broken fourth metacarpal, suffered when he was hit by a pitch Thursday night.

The Phillies acted quickly in finding his replacement, acquiring second baseman Tadahito Iguchi from the White Sox for minor league righthander Michael Dubee. Philadelphia did get some good news when it activated closer Brett Myers, who hasn't pitched since he strained his right shoulder in late May.

Randy Johnson will have season-ending back surgery and intends to be with the Diamondbacks at spring training next year.

"I have no intention at this time of retiring," he said. "I'll cross the bridge of surgery and be willing to go through the process of rehabilitation again because I know I can still pitch."

It marks the second year in a row the 43-year-old lefthander will have an operation on his troublesome back. It will be the third back operation of his career.

Peabody's Jeff Allison has returned to the Marlins' restricted list, a setback in his bid to come back from drug problems. The righthander, who has pitched only one season in the minors since 2004 because of substance-abuse issues, had been working out at the team's spring training and Single A complex in Jupiter, Fla. Allison was arrested in October in North Carolina and charged with felony possession of heroin and possession of a stolen vehicle. He also was hospitalized last August after police said he suffered a heroin overdose. The Marlins said Allison "will remain inactive until all legal issues have been resolved." . . . A day after getting rocked by the Red Sox, the latest in a string of bad starts for Cliff Lee, the Indians sent the lefthander to Triple A Buffalo. Lee, who signed a three-year, $14 million contract extension last season, was 5-8 with a 6.38 ERA and had given up seven earned runs in three straight starts. The Indians also recalled reliever Edward Mujica from Buffalo and optioned outfielder Ben Francisco to the Bisons . . . The Orioles welcomed back Tejada sooner than anticipated, activating the shortstop from the DL weeks before he was expected to recover from a broken bone near his left wrist . . . Mets outfielder Moises Alou, who has missed 66 games with a strained left quadriceps, was activated from the DL. To make room on the roster, the Mets designated catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. for assignment . . . The Padres acquired outfielder Scott Hairston from the Diamondbacks for minor league pitcher Leo Rosales. Arizona recalled outfielder Carlos Quentin from Triple A Tucson . . . The Yankees sent struggling lefthander Kei Igawa and his 6.79 ERA to Triple A Scranton and recalled infielder Chris Basak . . . Former San Francisco pitching prospect Thomas King, released by the Giants June 23, was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for a drug of abuse under baseball's minor league drug program.