Reggie Jackson says he messed up | Baseball Notebook

NEW YORK — Reggie Jackson says he messed up by disparaging Alex Rodriguez, Gary Carter and other big names in baseball and has been reaching out to make apologies.

Jackson had told Sports Illustrated that Rodriguez's statistics were tainted by the Yankees star's admitted use of performance-enhancing drugs. Jackson also said he didn't see Carter, Kirby Puckett, Phil Niekro, Don Sutton and Jim Rice as Hall of Famers.

Jackson is a special adviser with the Yankees. The team released a statement Thursday from the Hall of Fame slugger:

"In trying to convey my feelings about a few issues that I am passionate about, I made the mistake of naming some specific players," Jackson said. "This was inappropriate and unfair to those players, some of which are very close friends of mine."

The Yankees told Jackson to stay away from the team and he is expected to steer clear for several weeks, a source told The Associated Press. He was not disciplined or fined.

Notes

• Investigators say there is not enough evidence to arrest Giants slugger Pablo Sandoval for an alleged sexual assault last month at a hotel near Santa Cruz, Calif., and he won't be charged.

• Blue Jays 1B Edwin Encarnacion, having a breakout season with 23 home runs, signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the club.

• Mets RHP Dillon Gee will have shoulder surgery Friday and likely miss the rest of the season.

• Red Sox OF Jacoby Ellsbury could come off the disabled list Friday. He's been out since April 13 with a shoulder injury.

• Cleveland LHP Nick Hagadone will be out at least two months after surgery on a broken left arm the team says he injured in frustration.

• RHP Ben Sheets, 34, capping a comeback from elbow surgery, will pitch in the majors for the first time in two years Sunday when he starts for Atlanta.

• A longtime friend of Oakland OF Coco Crisp was convicted of 14 counts of fraud and identity theft for running up $30,000 on Crisp's credit card.

By The Associated Press