Baseball

American League: Chose Orioles 1B Rafael Palmeiro (.357, 12 homers, 29 RBIs, AL-high 41 hits in June) Player of Month and Indians' Bartolo Colon (4-1, 1.30 ERA in June) Pitcher of Month.

National League: Announced Cubs C Sandy Martinez dropped appeal of two-game suspension and began serving penalty for his role in May 25 fight with Atlanta.

Angels: Agreed to terms with P Seth Etherton, 1998 first-round draft pick.

Astros: Signed free-agent P Mike Nannini.

Brewers: Activated P Chad Fox from DL. Optioned OF Geoff Jenkins to Triple-A Louisville.

Cardinals: Activated former Orioles P Kent Mercker from DL. Recalled C Eli Marrero from Triple-A Memphis. Optioned P Brady Raggio to Memphis. Designated IF/OF Shawn Gilbert for assignment.

Mets: Placed IF/OF Matt Franco (fractured toe) on 15-day DL, retroactive to June 29. Recalled OF Benny Agbayani from Triple-A Norfolk.

Phillies: Recalled P Ricky Bottalico from rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and activated him from DL. Designated P Toby Borland for assignment.

Red Sox: Placed P Rich Garces (right elbow strain) on 15-day DL. Recalled P Dario Veras from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Football

Jaguars: Waived K Justin Skinner.

Hockey

Canadiens: Traded D Peter Popovic to Rangers for D Sylvain Blouin and 1999 sixth-round draft pick.

Predators: Signed C Craig Darby and D Chris Armstrong.

Pub Date: 7/02/98