Vicente Padilla recovering from accidental shooting

Detroit News wire services

Managua, Nicaragua -- Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Vicente Padilla is recovering from a bullet wound in his leg after a target shooting instructor accidentally shot him.

Dr. Eduardo Reguera said Padilla, who signed with the Dodgers in August, didn't need surgery after spending time at Managua's Metropolitan Hospital.

Police spokesman Vilma Reyes said Wednesday that Padilla's pistol apparently jammed during a target shooting session late Tuesday.

Padilla handed the pistol to a shooting instructor, a former police captain, who didn't realize there was a bullet in the chamber and shot himself in his hand, Padilla's legal adviser Roberto Calderon told The Associated Press. The bullet also grazed Padilla's leg.

The account contradicts Padilla's agent, Adam Katz, who told The Los Angeles Times that it was a "hunting accident."

Padilla went 4-0 with a 3.20 ERA for the Dodgers the final two months of the regular season. He allowed one run in 7 1/3 innings in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series, but was battered for six runs in three innings in a season-ending loss to the Phillies.

Ripken statue thief pleads guilty

One of four young men accused of stealing a monument to Baltimore Orioles great Cal Ripken has pleaded guilty to theft.

Baltimore prosecutors say 19-year-old Jason Stoneburner of Essex received a two-year suspended jail term and was ordered to pay restitution to the Orioles. If he completes all the terms of his sentence, the conviction could be turned into probation before judgment, effectively wiping it off his record.

Three other defendants have opted for jury trials, which are scheduled to begin Friday.

Police say the men ripped the 3 1/2-foot aluminum No. 8 from its base outside Camden Yards on Sept. 9, then threw it into the back of a pickup truck. They were arrested about two hours later.

Cubs left-hander Lilly gets surgery

Chicago Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly had surgery on his left shoulder.

The Cubs said the arthroscopy and debridement procedure performed Tuesday by Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles revealed no major damage.

The Cubs said they will determine after the first of the year a timetable for Lilly to start a throwing program.

Lilly was 12-9 with a 3.10 ERA in 27 starts last season.