Cardinals decide to activate Spiezio

Infielder Scott Spiezio was activated from the restricted list Friday, about five weeks after leaving the St. Louis Cardinals to undergo treatment for substance abuse.

Spiezio, 35, said he received daily treatment on an outpatient basis during his 33-game absence. The rehabilitation process began Aug. 10, the day after the Cardinals removed him from the active roster.

More than two months after abruptly stepping down as manager of the Seattle Mariners, Mike Hargrove has decided to take over the semipro summer team in southwest Kansas he played for more than 30 years ago. Hargrove, 57, will manage the Liberal BeeJays, one of the nation’s most successful summer teams for college-age players.

Philadelphia reliever Antonio Alfonseca was suspended for four games, a day after he was ejected for hitting Colorado’s Todd Helton with a pitch. . . . Right-hander John Patterson, the Washington Nationals’ opening day starter, underwent surgery on a nerve in his pitching arm. . . . New York Mets Vice President Tony Bernazard has emerged as a candidate for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ general manager job. The Pirates have received permission to speak with him about the position