By The Associated Press

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Boston Red Sox left-hander David Wells rescinded his trade request and said Sunday there was a “99.9” percent chance he would retire after the upcoming season.

He said he told Boston general manager Theo Epstein of his decision on Saturday. Wells had requested a trade so he could be closer to his family in San Diego. He also disliked the lack of privacy he had when he went out in public in Boston.

During Saturday’s meeting, Wells said, Epstein told him “there are a lot of teams out there that are not interested because of the fact that there are a lot of young guys they want to look at.”

The 42-year-old Wells is coming off surgery on his right knee, lessening the likelihood that a team would want him before he proves he’s healthy. He said his first exhibition start for the Red Sox could take place on March 13 or 14.

“Obviously, they want to keep me,” Wells said. “I think we’re a better team this year than we were last year, so if you’re going to go out on top you might as well do it with a team that you feel good with and this is it. So I told Theo I’d probably just stay.”

Emotional Twins turn thoughts to Puckett

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Ron Gardenhire was asked what Kirby Puckett meant to the Twins, and the Minnesota manager nearly broke down.

“He’s the best player I ever saw on the field, without a doubt,” Gardenhire said.

Just before Sunday’s 5-1 win over the Boston Red Sox, the Twins learned that the Hall of Famer, who led the team to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991, had a stroke at his Arizona home and was undergoing surgery.

“We all put things in perspective here,” a shaken Gardenhire said. “That pretty much takes away from anything you do at the ballpark. Our hearts and our prayers are all with Puck. We know it’s a tough situation out there.”

While most current Twins players didn’t really know Puckett, he was a mentor to center fielder Torii Hunter, who was scratched from the lineup after hearing the news. Hunter and Puckett remain close friends.

“He took it hard,” Twins outfielder Shannon Stewart said. “I can understand that. Kirby took him under his wing and helped him out. I wish Kirby the best. I hope he gets better.”

Disappointed’ Marlins release AWOL Reese

JUPITER, Fla. – Second baseman Pokey Reese’s contract was terminated Sunday by the Florida Marlins, who said they were disappointed not to receive an explanation regarding his abrupt departure from spring training.

Reese went home following a workout Wednesday without notifying the Marlins. They later heard twice from his agent, but not directly from Reese, general manager Larry Beinfest said.

Clemens steady in Team USA win over Giants

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Roger Clemens struck out three in two scoreless innings and Chase Utley went 5-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs in Team USA’s debut Sunday – a 12-7 exhibition victory over a San Francisco Giants split squad.

Utley’s two-run shot off Jack Taschner broke a 7-7 tie in the eighth inning of a game that went 10 to allow extra work for Team USA players, some of whom had not had an at-bat this spring.

Chipper Jones also hit a two-run homer for the U.S. squad, which opens its World Baseball Classic play Tuesday against Mexico at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Clemens, who has yet to say whether he will pitch another season in the majors, got the start. The 43-year-old right-hander allowed just one hit, Steve Finley’s two-out double in the first. Clemens threw 29 pitches. He struck out the last two batters he faced and three of his last four.

“It was everything I expected it to be, a lot of pride,” he said. “Finally, everything’s come together.”

Clemens will start Friday against South Africa.