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MLB notes: Giants close book on Benitez, trade him

Associated Press Inside SOCAL

Article Last Updated:05/31/2007 11:01:10 PM PDT

The San Francisco Giants traded struggling closer Armando Benitez to the Florida Marlins for reliever Randy Messenger on Thursday night.

Benitez was not in the clubhouse after the Giants' 4-2 loss and his locker was completely cleaned out.

"Maybe Elvis has left the building," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.

Benitez was 0-3 with nine saves in 11 chances and a 4.67 ERA. His final game for the Giants was Tuesday night, when he balked twice in the 12th inning of a 5-4 loss to the New York Mets.

On his last pitch for San Francisco, he gave up a game-ending to Carlos Delgado.

Benitez is owed $5,066,666 from the remainder of his $7.6 million salary this year, of which Florida will pay $333,333 and San Francisco will pay $4,733,333.

The 34-year-old Benitez returns to Florida, where he set a team record with a career-high 47saves in 2004.

Weaver rejects rehab assignment: Injured Seattle starter (Simi Valley) and the Mariners are downplaying the veteran avoiding a trip to the minor leagues to rehabilitate his tired shoulder.

Seattle wanted to send its No. 5 starter to perhaps two minor league outings to finish a stint on the disabled list that began May 11. But Weaver said he didn't need the trip.

Weaver, 0-6 with a 14.32 ERA, said having a bullpen session Thursday and an 85-pitch simulated game Sunday instead is not a disagreement with his sixth team in six years.

"No, there's no disagreement," Weaver said. "It was always something we were going to discuss."

Restraining order against Dukes: Tampa Bay rookie Elijah Dukes is not allowed to contact his estranged wife, NiShea Gilbert, for a year under terms of a restraining order she sought after being threatened by the 22-year-old outfielder.

Gilbert sought a restraining order after receiving a threatening message on her cell phone, as well as a text message containing a picture of a handgun. She also said Dukes threatened her at the middle school where she's a teacher.

Also: New York Yankees designated hitter Jason Giambi will be sidelined at least three weeks and possibly far longer after tearing tissue in the arch of his left foot while rounding the bases on a home run. ... owner Drayton McLane voiced support for manager Phil Garner and general manager Tim Purpura amid the team's longest losing streak in 12 years. Entering Thursday, the Astros had lost 10 in a row, their longest skid since they dropped 11 straight games in August 1995.... Arizona signed Max Scherzer, its 2006 top draft pick and a former University of ace, to a four-year, $4.3 million contract - minutes before the Diamondbacks would have lost his rights, which would have made him eligible for the 2007 draft. ... A state investigation found no evidence workers at 's restaurant in St.Louis knew Josh Hancock was drunk when they served the Cardinals pitcher alcohol in the hours prior to his fatal accident. ... Left-hander Bobby Paschal (Cal State Northridge) signed to play with the Colorado organization.

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