July 21 (The Sports Xchange) - The U.S. Department of
Justice formally abandoned its pursuit of criminal prosecution
against former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds on
Tuesday.
In a one-paragraph court filing, the DOJ announced that it
would not attempt to pursue a request to the U.S. Supreme Court
to consider a lower court's reversal of a felony conviction.
The decision ends a drawn-out case against Major League
Baseball's career home run leader that has lingered in the
courts for more than a decade.
Bonds was indicted on obstruction of justice and perjury
charges in 2007 and convicted on a single count of obstruction
in 2011 for his rambling answer on whether he received
injections of performance enhancing drugs while playing for the
Giants.
But he was acquitted on all perjury counts at the original
trial and the obstruction of justice ruling was overturned by
the U.S. Court of Appeals in April.
Bonds served 30 days of home confinement before his
conviction was reversed in 2011.
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Houston Astros left-hander Joe Thatcher was designated for
assignment and dropped from the 40-man roster after appearing in
36 games for the Astros this year.
The 33-year-old Thatcher, who signed a one-year, $1 million
contract with the Astros during the offseason, posted a 1-3
record with a 3.79 ERA in 19 innings.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers activated veteran outfielder Carl
Crawford from the 60-day disabled list before their game against
the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta.
To make room for Crawford on the roster, the Dodgers
optioned right-hander Brandon Beachy to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The team also designated right-hander Preston Guilmet for
assignment.
Crawford has missed 75 games after suffering a torn oblique
muscle on his right side. He has not played in a game for the
Dodgers since April 28.
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The Kansas City Royals shipped opening-day starter Yordano
Ventura to the minor leagues.
Left-hander Jason Vargas was activated from the disabled
list to start Tuesday night's game against the Pittsburgh
Pirates.
Ventura was sent to Triple-A Omaha after struggling to a 4-7
record with a 5.19 ERA in 14 starts for the Royals this year.
(Editing by Andrew Both)