Baseball

Athletics: Optioned C Ramon Hernandez to Triple-A Vancouver. Reassigned former Orioles P Mike Oquist to minor-league camp.

Blue Jays: Assigned P Billy Koch to minor-league camp.

Expos: Released P Erik Bennett, OF Ed Brady, OF Dax Jones, C Luis Rivera, OF Mo Blakeney, OF Jermaine Swinton, OF Trovin Valdez, P Jason Woodring, P Andrew Frierson and P Raymond Plummer from minor-league camp.

Giants: Assigned 1B Damon Minor, OF Calvin Murray, P Steve Connelly and former Orioles IF-OF Jack Voigt to minor-league camp.

Mariners: Optioned OF Shane Monahan to Triple-A Tacoma.

Mets: Placed OF Jay Payton, P Greg McMichael and P Jeff Tam on 15-day DL.

Pirates: Released IF Rafael Bournigal. Reassigned P Rich Sauveur, P Todd Ritchie, C Chris Tremie and 1B Ivan Cruz to minor-league camp.

Reds: Promoted base-running coordinator Dave Collins to first base coach, moved Ron Oester from first base to third base coach and made third base coach Harry Dunlop a coordinator.

Yankees: Re-assigned SS Alfonso Soriano to minor-league camp. Released former Orioles OF Jerome Walton.

Basketball

Suns: Placed G Rex Chapman (turf toe on the big toe of his left foot) on injured list.

Hockey

NHL: Suspended Penguins D Brad Werenka one game for high-sticking. Suspended Blackhawks RW Ryan VandenBussche one game for head-butting.

Penguins: Recalled D Chris Kelleher from AHL Syracuse.

Pub Date: 3/29/99