WASHINGTON — Former major league catcher Randy Knorr was hired as the bullpen coach of the Washington Nationals on Friday, replacing John Wetteland.
Knorr, a member of the Toronto Blue Jays' 1992 and 1993 World Series champions, had been managing the Nationals' Single-A Potomac minor league club.
He retired as a player in 2004, having spent time in the majors with five teams, including the Montreal Expos.
Wetteland lost his job Thursday. Manager Frank Robinson said he asked Wetteland several times to get the team's relievers to focus more and cut down on pranks, such as lighting firecrackers.
Nationals relievers have 12 saves in 21 chances, with a 7-12 record and 4.41 ERA this season, in Wetteland's first year as bullpen coach.
TAMPA PROSPECT ARRESTED: Durham Bulls shortstop B.J. Upton, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 amateur draft, was charged Friday with drunken driving.
The Tampa Bay prospect was stopped by Chapel Hill, N.C., police about 3:30 a.m. for traveling 51 mph in a 30 mph zone, according to a police report. He had a blood alcohol level of 0.11 percent. The legal limit for drivers in North Carolina is 0.08.
Upton was released on a written promise to appear in court, the report said.
The 21-year-old player is batting .270 with five home runs in 66 games this season.