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Roundup: Reds lose closer Brantley for 5-8 weeks

Brantley had a broken sesamoid bone removed from his right foot in Cincinnati. Brantley's foot swelled up after he pitched an inning during an intrasquad game Tuesday. X-rays revealed the fracture and doctors recommended surgery.

Brantley was 3-2 with 28 saves and a 2.82 ERA last season for the Reds, who used a deep bullpen to win the National League Central Division title.

The Reds may use right-hander Hector Carrasco or left-hander Chuck McElroy as the closer until Brantley returns. Carrasco was 2-7 with five saves and a 4.12 ERA and McElroy was 3-4 with a 6.02 ERA.

St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Donovan Osborne has a hairline fracture of the ninth rib in his left side and will be sidelined for about two weeks.

Osborne suffered the rib injury in an automobile accident 10 days ago at St. Petersburg, Fla. A bone scan taken this week revealed the fracture.

Osborne was 4-6 with a 3.81 ERA in 19 starts last year. He missed the entire 1994 season while recovering from shoulder surgery.

Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals on Sunday signed outfielders Tom Goodwin, Johnny Damon and Michael Tucker and infielder Joe Vitiello to one-year contracts.

Goodwin finished tied for second in the American League with 50 stolen bases last year and batted .288 with four homers and 28 RBIs in 133 games for the Royals.

Damon, Tucker and Vitiello were rookies last year for the Royals. Damon hit .282 with three homers and 23 RBIs in 47 games. Tucker batted .260 with four homers and 17 RBIs in 62 games and Vitiello hit .254 with seven homers and 21 RBIs in 53 games.

The Royals also signed pitcher Jim Pittsley to a one-year contract.

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