Rangers prospect Nippert throws no-no in Triple-A

OMAHA, Neb. -- Dustin Nippert threw a seven-inning no-hitter Sunday, helping Triple-A Oklahoma beat Omaha 2-0 in the first game of a doubleheader.

Nippert (6-2), who passed through waivers unclaimed less than a month ago, struck out five and walked two against the Royals' Triple-A squad. The Texas Rangers prospect won for the first time in his last four starts.

The 6-foot-8 right-hander was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Rangers just before the start of the regular season, on the same day his daughter, Carrie, was born. He was 1-2 with a 16.62 ERA in six relief appearances with Texas before going on the disabled list April 22 because of a foot injury.

Nippert started his rehab at Triple-A Oklahoma and cleared waivers at the end of May to remain with the RedHawks.

Nippert is 3-5 with a 7.55 ERA in 47 major league games over four seasons, including five starts.


Rangers place Millwood on 15-day disabled list
Rangers Announce Liverpool Clash
Rangers re-sign forward Parenteau

Dodgers' Pierre goes on DL with sprained knee

HOUSTON -- Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday after spraining a ligament in his left knee in Sunday's 1-0 loss to the Angels.

Pierre

Pierre left in the sixth inning after hurting his knee sliding into second base on a successful steal. Angels shortstop Erick Aybar fell on Pierre's knee and Pierre writhed in pain for a few moments before limping off the field.

Pierre had an MRI exam in Los Angeles on Monday that revealed a sprained medial collateral ligament. The 30-year-old Pierre's DL stint is his first in nine seasons.

The Dodgers recalled Jason Repko from Triple-A Las Vegas, and he replaced Pierre in center field and the leadoff spot for the opener of Los Angeles' four-game series at Houston. Repko was hitting .277 with six homers, 29 RBIs and 15 steals in 74 games with Las Vegas.

Pierre is hitting .277 with 35 steals, second in the NL. The Dodgers' regular leadoff man is baseball's active steals leader with 424.


Report: Angels will host All-Star Game in 2010
Totti blow for Roma
Bavasi, architect of Series-winning Dodgers, dies

Tribe's Carmona, Hafner still healing from injuries

CLEVELAND -- Fausto Carmona and Travis Hafner won't be back with the Cleveland Indians until after the All-Star break.

Both are progressing from injuries, Indians trainer Lonnie Soloff said Saturday before the Indians played the Cincinnati Reds in the second of a three-game series. He added that it will take a little longer for Josh Barfield and Victor Martinez to return.

"Fausto did light throwing two days in a row and all went well," Soloff said. "And there's no doubt in my mind that Hafner will be back this season."

Carmona, a 19-game winner a year ago, had been sidelined since May 24 with a strained left hip. Hafner, the team's main power source, has been on the disabled list since May 30 with a weak right shoulder.

"Fausto did two sets of 30 throws from 75 feet today after doing two sets from 60 feet Friday," Soloff said. "He'll take Sunday off, then throw from 105 feet Monday."

Carmona suffered a setback about 10 days ago during a throwing session when the Indians were in Colorado.

Hafner has done no baseball-related activities since finally being shut down after his average had dipped to .217 with only four homers in 46 games -- a far cry from his production over the past four seasons. From 2004 through 2007, the slugger averaged 32 homers, 109 RBI and a .296 average.

According to manager Eric Wedge, the strength in Hafner's right shoulder has improved "about 15 percent, but is only about 45 to 50 percent as strong as his left shoulder.

"It's improved. We feel like we've got to get him a little stronger before he swings the bat. We'll keep testing it, keep working on it and we'll go from there."

Soloff said that Hafner's preseason physical showed no problem and that he was "somewhat surprised" at the results when the veteran DH was tested just before going on the DL.

"When we put all the pieces together, it all made sense," Soloff said. "The improvement we've seen this week is highly encouraging, but it is going to take more time."

Martinez, the Indians' all-star catcher who had no homers in 54 games, had bone chips removed from his right elbow June 13 and told the team he feels much better.

"We'll have to really be careful with our evaluation versus what Victor's telling us," Wedge said. "He's going to be looking to get back way early."

Second baseman Barfield and top pitching prospect Adam Miller are both scheduled to revisit Dr. Tom Graham on Monday. Both had finger tendons surgically repaired earlier this month.


Nats’ Zimmerman has small tear in left shoulder
Colts DB Sanders, DE Freeney continuing rehab

Myers could be dropped from Phillies' rotation

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Struggling right-hander Brett Myers could soon be out of Philadelphia's starting rotation and back in the bullpen.

Since winning consecutive decisions in mid-April, Myers (3-9, 5.84 ERA in 17 starts) is 1-8 in his last 13 starts. The NL East-leading Phillies have won only two of those games.

Manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee talked to Myers before the game Saturday night in Texas, a night after Myers gave up five runs and was pulled without recording an out in the third inning of an 8-7 loss to the Rangers.

While Manuel didn't announce any changes, it was clear he and Dubee aren't pleased with how things are going in Myers' return to the rotation.

"I talked to [Myers] for quite a while. He's struggling and trying to find it. Whatever he tries doesn't seem to work," Manuel said. "I'll think about what I want to do the next few days and we'll come up with something. We don't have a lot of options."

Myers refused to speak to reporters after Friday night's game, and declined interview requests Saturday made through a team spokesman.

Dubee said Myers' struggles have been a combination of mental approach and mechanical problems. One example came Friday night after Rangers leadoff hitter Ian Kinsler hit a home run on the second pitch Myers threw.

"His second fastball got hit out of the ballpark and he went away from it," Dubee said. "We keep chatting, keep instructing, trying to push the right buttons. ... There's flaws [in his delivery]. I'd like to see him change more."

The first five batters in the third inning reached against Myers.

"Last game, I thought he changed pretty good. His command of his fastball was very good and he mixed well," Dubee said. "But he went back a couple steps [Friday]."

Myers was a starter his first five major league seasons, then began last year in the rotation. He made only three starts before 48 relief appearances, serving as the closer with 21 saves.

In his lone victory since April, Myers struck out 11 over eight innings in a 12-3 victory over Florida on May 30.

With an off day Monday, the Phillies could skip Myers' next turn in the rotation, Thursday at Atlanta. Or they could move setup man Chad Durbin (2-1, 1,47 ERA in 30 games) into the rotation.

Dubee said the Phillies don't have to make the decision before Tuesday. But he's not sure if a return to the bullpen would make Myers more comfortable.

"I get different reads on him," Dubee said. "He's a hard read."


O’s to skip struggling Trachsel’s turn in rotation
Reds’ rotation in flux again as Fogg heads to DL
GOYDOS FALLS SHORT AT SAWGRASS
Cocaine case dropped against Broncos DT Thomas

Yanks say knee surgery possible for injured Matsui

NEW YORK -- The Yankees acknowledged that Hideki Matsui could need surgery on his ailing left knee if it doesn't start feeling better. The slugger was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday.

"Hopefully, this is a 15-day thing and we get him healthy and get him better," manager Joe Girardi said. "Could it be more? Yes."

Matsui

Matsui had surgery on his right knee last offseason, but his left one is hurting now. The designated hitter and part-time left fielder is batting .323 with seven homers and 34 RBIs in 69 games.

"It's sore. There's some issues in there, obviously," Girardi said. "He had to have it drained again yesterday and hopefully it calms down now."

Asked if surgery was a possibility, Girardi said: "I think when things don't get healthy, surgery is always your next bet. But we're hoping to avoid that."

General manager Brian Cashman said surgery for Matsui would be a "last resort."

Meanwhile, the Yankees added a fresh arm to their bullpen Saturday, purchasing right-hander Dave Robertson's contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. New York also optioned lefty Kei Igawa back to Triple-A, one day after he was called up.

The 23-year-old Robertson was 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA and one save in 20 relief appearances for Scranton. He had 48 strikeouts and 16 walks in 33 innings.

"I figured sooner or later I'd get a shot, but I got the call sooner than I expected," said Robertson, who began the season at Double-A Trenton. "All I was trying to do was to get here."

Robertson was picked by the Yankees in the 17th round of the 2006 draft out of Alabama.

Girardi also said Sidney Ponson will get another start, on Wednesday night against his former team, the Texas Rangers. Dan Giese is headed back to the bullpen, but was not available Saturday against the Mets after starting the opener of Friday's two-stadium doubleheader.

With a history of off-the-field problems, Ponson pitched well for Texas this season but was cut by the Rangers for being a disruption.

He signed a minor league contract with the Yankees and was called up Friday night to start Game 2 of the Subway Series doubleheader. Ponson was a huge success, tossing six effective innings in a 9-0 victory. Igawa worked the ninth to finish it.

To make room for Robertson on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated minor league right-hander Oneli Perez for assignment. Perez was claimed off waivers from Cleveland on June 18.

Also, right-hander Ian Kennedy was to pitch for Class-A Tampa on Saturday. Kennedy was recently activated from the disabled list and optioned to Tampa.

Phil Hughes (fractured rib) is about three weeks from pitching in a minor league rehab game, Girardi said, and probably seven to eight weeks from returning to the Yankees.


Yanks’ Posada put on DL for first time in career
Frei surgery successful
Texans’ Johnson to miss workouts after surgery

Cardinals' Mulder activated Friday, sent to bullpen

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Mark Mulder, limited by a shoulder injury to just three major league appearances since the 2006 season, was activated Friday by the St. Louis Cardinals and sent to their bullpen.

Mulder

The left-hander, coming back from two shoulder operations, made three starts last September and was 0-3 with a 12.27 ERA.

"We will see how it goes," said Mulder, who was 0-3 with a 13.50 ERA in three rehabilitation starts for Triple-A Memphis.

He has made 202 major league appearances, all starts, going 103-60.

"Based on his experience, I don't think anybody is going to be comfortable hitting against him," said manager Tony La Russa.

To make room for Mulder, the Cardinals optioned pitcher Mike Parisi to Triple-A Memphis.

St. Louis had hoped Mulder could start Saturday against the Royals but his back felt stiff during a rehab start Monday and he had a so-so bullpen session on Thursday.

Mulder will temporarily fill the void left by Randy Flores, who has left ankle tendinitis and on Thursday became the seventh Cardinals pitcher on the DL. Flores had been the second left-handed reliever alongside Ron Villone.

"I'm definitely excited. Obviously, there's a need for it," Mulder said. "I've always liked facing lefties."

Jason Isringhausen was unavailable on Friday night and could be headed back to the disabled list after feeling a pop in his knee while stretching in the dugout during Thursday's game against the Tigers.

"There's clearly some reason for concern at this point," general manager John Mozeliak said. "It's frustrating, that's for sure. It was nice to see the success he was starting to have, and I'm very hopeful that this isn't a serious injury."


Rotator cuff strain puts stop to Mulder’s rehab stint
Cardinals not interested in dealing unhappy Boldin

Rangers place pitcher Gabbard on disabled list

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Kason Gabbard is on the disabled list again, and rookie Luis Mendoza is getting another chance in the Texas Rangers' injury-riddled rotation.

Gabbard was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow inflammation Saturday, a day after pitching only 3 1/3 innings in his latest start. It is the second DL stint this season for Gabbard, and the ninth disabled list move involving seven different Texas starting pitchers.

Manager Ron Washington said Gabbard felt pain in his elbow after Friday night's 8-7 victory over Philadelphia, and felt worse when he got to the ballpark Saturday. Gabbard, the lefty who was 2-3 with a 4.82 ERA in 12 starts, will have an MRI on Monday.

The Rangers called up right-hander Warner Madrigal from Triple-A Oklahoma. Madrigal, a converted outfielder looking to make his major league debut, was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 14 saves in 31 relief appearances for Oklahoma and Double-A Frisco.

Mendoza, who began the season as the Rangers' fifth starter but has also had two DL stints, will return to the rotation Wednesday night at the New York Yankees in Gabbard's spot.

"He's somebody we expect to be in our rotation for a long time to come, and now he's healthy," Washington said. "He's in the rotation [to stay] barring no health problems."

The 24-year-old Mendoza (1-2, 5.74 ERA) made his first start April 12 after beginning the season on the DL with a blister on his right middle finger. He went back on the DL on April 25 because of right shoulder inflammation and has been in the bullpen since being recalled from Oklahoma on June 20.

"Right now, I'm 100 percent healthy," Mendoza said.

Gabbard was also on the disabled list from April 22-May 7 because of back stiffness. In his first start after that, Seattle first baseman Richie Sexson flung his helmet at Gabbard while charging the mound after an eye-high pitch that appeared more over the plate than inside. That ignited a bench-clearing brawl and led to Sexson getting suspended.

The Rangers also have had another setback in the rehabilitation of Hank Blalock, a former two-time All-Star third baseman who is moving to first base when he finally makes it back.

Blalock felt soreness in his surgically repaired left hand after taking some swings in the batting cage Friday. Team doctors told Blalock he shouldn't try to swing again for at least a week.

"It's frustrating to me," said Blalock, who had hoped to be back by now but won't play until after the All-Star break. "I've been trying to push it. ... I'll listen, and take the week and do everything the trainers tell me to do."

Blalock was originally on the 15-day DL since April 29 with a torn left hamstring. He recovered from that injury and was preparing for a rehabilitation assignment when he experienced wrist soreness that required surgery to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome.

Right-hander Brandon McCarthy (right forearm inflammation) has been on the DL since spring training, Jason Jennings made six starts before season-ending elbow surgery, and rookies A.J. Murray (left rotator cuff strain) and Doug Mathis (right shoulder inflammation) are also on the DL. Kevin Millwood had a 15-day DL stay in May because of a right groin strain.


Rangers Announce Liverpool Clash
Rangers place Millwood on 15-day disabled list
Rangers cut Ponson for attitude despite 4-1 mark

Braves hoping Chipper can return Friday vs. Jays

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves finished their homestand with a patchwork starting lineup. They hope to have a few familiar names back on the field when they play their next home game.

The Braves, who left Atlanta on Thursday only 4½ games out of first place in the National League East, must be wondering where they might be in the standings if not for the rash of injuries that have filled the first three months of the season.

Among position players, the Braves were missing third baseman Chipper Jones, center fielder Mark Kotsay, left fielder Matt Diaz and shortstop Yunel Escobar in the starting lineup for Wednesday's final game of the homestand. They lost fill-in shortstop Omar Infante to another injury during the 4-2 win over Milwaukee.

The Braves, who begin a weekend series at Toronto on Friday night, could have some of the injured players back when they play their next home game on Tuesday against Philadelphia.

Jones has missed five straight starts with a strained right quadriceps. He hopes to serve as the designated hitter against Toronto. If all goes well, he could be ready to play defense next week. He leads the major leagues with his .394 batting average.

Kotsay has been out since May 26 with a lower back strain. He was 2-for-3 with a run scored in his second injury rehabilitation game with Double-A Mississippi on Wednesday night.

The Braves tentatively plan for Kotsay to come off the disabled list on Tuesday.

Backup infielder Martin Prado, who was placed on the disabled list on May 5 with a sprained left thumb, was scheduled to begin his rehab assignment at Mississippi on Thursday.

The Braves hope Escobar and Infante can avoid the disabled list with their shoulder and hamstring injuries.

Escobar jammed his left shoulder on Tuesday night when he tried to dive back to first base and was tagged out by Milwaukee's Prince Fielder. Escobar, hurting and upset about the call, threw his helmet and was ejected from the game by first-base umpire Eric Cooper.

Escobar had missed the previous three starts due to a strained right hip flexor.

Cox had to stretch his bench to find replacements for Jones, Escobar and Kotsay at the same time. Gregor Blanco has been the main substitute for Kotsay, while Ruben Gotay and Infante made fill-in starts in the infield. When Infante was hurt, rookie Brent Lillibridge was the team's final option at shortstop.

Diaz, who was losing playing time before his injury, may be two to three weeks away from making his return from an injured left knee.

The Braves anticipate a boost with the returns of Escobar, Kotsay and Jones.

"It'll give us a little more pop," Cox said.

Kelly Johnson had two hits and drove in three runs while hitting in Jones' usual No. 3 spot in the lineup on Wednesday.

Even with the win, the Braves (39-41) left Atlanta two games under .500 but still within reach of the first-place Philadelphia Phillies.

"We're not that far out of it," Johnson said. "Let's win these games and get everybody healthy and then see what happens."

The Braves also have had to compensate for injuries to their pitching staff. Closer Rafael Soriano and starter Tom Glavine are out with elbow injuries, and starter John Smoltz and setup reliever Peter Moylan had season-ending shoulder and elbow surgeries, respectively.

Mike Gonzalez, returning from elbow surgery, recorded two saves in his first week off the disabled list.

The Braves also are hoping for a comeback by Mike Hampton. The left-hander won a spot in the rotation in spring training then strained his left pectoral muscle before his first start. He was scheduled to pitch three to four innings in his second rehab appearance for the Gulf Coast League Braves on Thursday.

Hampton hasn't pitched in the major leagues since 2005.


Report: Suspect accuses Pacman of framing him
Cox thinks Smoltz may return within next 2 weeks
Goodell: Trade won’t affect Pacman reinstatement

Piniella replaces Randolph on NL All-Star staff

CHICAGO -- Cubs manager Lou Piniella was selected Thursday to replace fired New York Mets manager Willie Randolph on the NL coaching staff for next month's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

The decision by Colorado's Clint Hurdle, the NL manager, marks the second time he decided not to choose former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre, now with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"Listen, I"m happy that they asked," Piniella said Thursday. "I accept. I look forward to going to New York. This will be the last time I'm in Yankee Stadium. I played there, I coached there and I was a general manager there. It'll be fun for me. I'm appreciative that they asked."

Piniella played for the Yankees from 1974-84, winning World Series championships in 1977 and 1978. He managed the Yankees in 1986 and 1987, then served a second stint as manager during the second half of the 1988 season.

When Piniella initially was overlooked for the All-Star coaching staff, he said he didn't mind.

"I'd rather go home and spend three days in Florida with my family and on the beach," he said on May 18. "They could have brought Joe Torre back. Joe Torre won all those championships there too. I'll see the new Yankee Stadium."

Torre has said he didn't mind not being picked for the game and thought he might be a distraction if he had been asked to attend.

San Diego manager Bud Black also is on the NL coaching staff along with Hurdle's coaches from the Rockies.


Ex-Yankee Munson’s memorablia to be auctioned
Falcons name Truitt head coach
Torre has no problem being left off All-Star staff

Orioles place Albers on DL, activate Cabrera

CHICAGO -- The Baltimore Orioles put right-hander Matt Albers on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with shoulder inflammation and activated right-hander Fernando Cabrera.

Cabrera

Albers

Albers will get an MRI exam in Baltimore on Friday, manager Dave Trembley said.

Albers lasted just one-third of an inning in an emergency start against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. Starting for the sick Brian Burres, Albers faced five batters and threw 21 pitches before he left with shoulder discomfort. Albers gave up three hits, four runs and a walk.

Cabrera started the season on the DL after offseason elbow surgery. He had an 0.69 ERA in 13 innings with Triple-A Norfolk.


O’s designate Trachsel after poor bullpen outings
Jets add depth to backfield by signing Musa Smith
A welcome surprise: Suggs at Ravens minicamp

Sore right forearm lands Nationals' Hill on DL

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals placed right-hander Shawn Hill on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of a sore right forearm and activated left-hander Odalis Perez from the DL.

Perez

Hill

Hill's arm was examined Wednesday at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and the team said doctors found no structural damage. Doctors attributed his pain to irritation of his forearm muscles, and they recommended rest and rehabilitation.

Hill, 1-5 with a 5.83 ERA in 12 starts, gave up eight runs in three innings during Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. The move to put him on the DL was retroactive to Wednesday.

Perez, who had been on the DL since June 11 with tendinitis in his left shoulder, is 2-5 with a 4.09 ERA. He is scheduled to start against Baltimore on Friday.

Washington also moved first baseman Nick Johnson from the 15-day to 60-day disabled list. Johnson had surgery on Tuesday on his right wrist and is expected to miss the rest of the season.


Nationals place 1B Johnson on 15-day disabled list
Nats’ Zimmerman has small tear in left shoulder
Nolan, Smith bury the hatchet at 49ers minicamp

Reds' Dunn denies phone call with Jays' Ricciardi

Dunn

TORONTO -- The dispute between Cincinnati Reds outfielder Adam Dunn and Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi took a strange twist Tuesday.

Last week, Ricciardi criticized Dunn on a Toronto radio station, accusing the slugger of lacking passion for the game.

"We've done our homework on guys like Adam Dunn and there's a reason why we don't want Adam Dunn," Ricciardi responded to a caller asking about trade rumors. "I don't want to get into specifics."

After reading a transcript of the remarks, Dunn shot back, calling Ricciardi a "clown sitting in the front office pushing paper."

Ricciardi later apologized and tried to contact Dunn through Reds GM Walt Jocketty.

Before the Reds played at Toronto Tuesday, Ricciardi said he had taken a call from Dunn on Saturday and apologized for starting the furor. Asked later about the call, Dunn denied it had taken place.

"If he said he talked to me, it's a lie," Dunn said.

Ricciardi believes he may have been the victim of a prank.

"I got a call from someone who identified himself as Adam Dunn," Ricciardi said. "It's extremely disappointing if that's not an accurate phone call. I apologized to the person on the phone."

Dunn went 1-for-3 with a double Tuesday as Toronto beat Cincinnati 14-1.


Blue Jays fire Gibbons, bring back Cito Gaston
Spalletti denies Blues link
Blue Jays’ Thomas, in slump, angered by benching
Galaxy eye revenge vs. Reds

Nats' Johnson likely out for '08 after wrist surgery

WASHINGTON -- Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his wrist Tuesday and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Johnson

"I feel bad for him, because I know how much Nick loves to play," Nationals manager Manny Acta said.

Johnson had the surgery at the Mayo Clinic. He is expected to be healthy by spring training next year.

"You've got to feel bad for Nick and his family. He's had a tough career of injuries," Washington general manager Jim Bowden said. "You can't explain it. Some players just get hit by the injury bug. And his injuries, a lot of them were just freak accidents, unfortunately."

Johnson missed all of last season while recovering from a broken leg suffered late in the 2006 season.

He injured his wrist while swinging in a game against the Mets on May 13 and was placed on the disabled list two days later.

"It's just been unlucky," said Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who is also on the disabled list with a small tear in his left shoulder. "It's not like he's doing crazy things -- it's just weird. It's like it always happens to him."

Johnson was batting .220 with five home runs and 20 RBIs in 38 games this season. He also had 33 walks for a .415 on base percentage, the best mark of any Washington player.

"There's not one thing you can pick on him when he's healthy," Acta said. "Even when his batting average isn't there, he's getting on base four out of 10 times. ... Defensively, he was brilliant this year, and his clubhouse presence -- he's a quiet guy, but he leads by example."

Johnson's injury is the latest blow to a team that has dealt with injuries all season. Washington has sent 13 different players to the disabled list this season, and the team currently has seven players on the DL.


Bengals’ Johnson to have surgery on both ankles
Nationals place 1B Johnson on 15-day disabled list
Texans’ Johnson to miss workouts after surgery

Mets owner: Willie did well, but firing was right call

NEW YORK -- Mets owner Fred Wilpon praised Willie Randolph's performance as manager, even though he agreed with general manager Omar Minaya's decision to fire him last week.

"I think Willie did a good job. I think that the results the last, say, 14 months were not up to what we thought it had to be," Wilpon said Monday. "What Omar finally decided was that he had to make that change."

I think Omar has done a great job. Everybody who makes decisions is not going to make all right decisions. He has made some great decisions.

-- Fred Wilpon

Randolph, celebrated for bringing the Mets within one win of the World Series two years ago, was fired on June 17 with New York at 34-35. The Mets began 3-2 under new manager Jerry Manuel going into Monday night's game against Seattle.

"Obviously, we've been playing well in the last few games," Wilpon said.

Wilpon said Minaya made the initial decision to fire Randolph on June 15, after a doubleheader split against Texas.

"He called me at the end of the doubleheader and asked me whether we can meet," Wilpon said after a news conference at the commissioner's office. "He told us what his recommendation was going to be, and that what he wanted to do was replace Willie and replace the two coaches, and that he wanted to do it expeditiously. He wanted to do it in person. And he said, just like he always does, trades and everything else, he said, 'I want to just think about it overnight.'"

Mets executives spoke again at 9 a.m. on June 16 and made the final decision. Minaya then traveled to California and told Randolph after the Mets beat the Los Angeles Angels.

"Management and the owners approved of what his plan was, so we were OK with the switch and we were OK with his recommendation, and he implemented that recommendation," Wilpon said.

Wilpon rejected criticism that the Mets were unfair to Randolph because of the timing of the announcement, which came just after 3 a.m. ET. Randolph said he was stunned.

"The intent here clearly was to respect Willie, to respect his feelings and to do it in person," Wilpon said. "It's never easy to fire anybody. Believe me, it is not easy to do, and Omar took a lot of time. We took a lot of time listening to him and thinking about it."

In the end, Randolph was fired for a lack of wins.

"It's all a matter of performance, and Willie knew this when he started," Wilpon said. "Recognize we gave Willie the chance -- Omar gave Willie the chance to be in this position. He had never been a manager in the major leagues or minor leagues."

Minaya's first big decision after the Mets hired him as GM in September 2004 was to make Randolph the manager.

"I think Omar has done a great job," Wilpon said. "Everybody who makes decisions is not going to make all right decisions. He has made some great decisions. ... Our minor leagues are in much better shape than is being reported."


Giants patiently await Strahan’s decision on future
Mets COO Wilpon declines comment on Randolph
Text message to Müller: “Well done!”
Mets’ Randolph focused on winning, not job status

Source: Demand surges for Dominican Inoa, 16

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds have joined the Oakland Athletics in a bidding feud for the services of Dominican pitching prospect Michael Inoa, the crown jewel of the pool of Latin American players who will be available to be signed July 2, a source has told ESPNdeportes.com.

"Oakland has led the pack of teams interested in Inoa, but both Cincinnati and Texas have surged in the past few days, and it is now a three-horse race of big favorites to grab this kid," the source said.

"Some teams have offered him a major league contract in order to make the offer even more attractive, but Inoa's team is not interested in that. The battle may be fought until the last minutes," the source added.

July 2 marks the beginning of the eligibility period for players who turn 17 years old after Sept. 6, though they won't be able to play until next year. Players 17 or older may sign anytime.

Inoa, 16, at 6 feet 7 and 210 pounds, is a right-hander with a repertoire consisting of a 93-mph fastball, a changeup and a curveball.

The young prospect has been evaluated by every major league organization. General manager Billy Beane and a group of Oakland executives even traveled to Dominican Republic to evaluate Inoa.

According to data obtained by ESPNdeportes.com, at least seven teams were ready to give Inoa a bonus of more than $3 million, but many of them, including the New York Yankees, pulled out of the race as the price for the young ace went up.


Villarreal Reject First Barça Cáceres Offer
ChiSox fire director of player personnel, 2 scouts
Royals designate Nomo; righty’s career over?

Mets hire Krivsky as special assistant to Minaya

DENVER -- Longtime baseball executive Wayne Krivsky was hired by the New York Mets on Saturday as special assistant to general manager Omar Minaya.

Krivsky was fired as GM of the Cincinnati Reds in late April. His main responsibility with the Mets will be scouting at the major league level.

The 53-year-old Krivsky has spent 32 years in the front office of various major league teams. He was GM of the Reds from 2006 through early this season.

Krivsky joined the Minnesota Twins in 1994 as a special assistant and spent eight years as their assistant GM. He was appointed the assistant GM for the Texas Rangers in 1980, a position he held until he joined the Twins.


Jets hire Eagles’ Cohen as asst. general manager
Church still reeling from concussion, stays home
Torre has no problem being left off All-Star staff

After 1-month wait, Pads' Young throws off mound

SAN DIEGO -- Padres right-hander Chris Young threw 40 pitches in a bullpen session on Saturday, exactly a month after he sustained a broken nose and small skull fracture when he was hit in the face by Albert Pujols' line drive.

"Today I was pretty happy with the way things went," said Young, who anticipates pitching again sometime after the All-Star break.

It was the first time the 6-foot-10 Young has been on a mound since he was left bloodied and stunned in the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 21.

"It felt good. I was actually surprisingly sharper than I had expected," said Young, who was an All-Star last year. "It's really just a starting point. My arm felt free and easy. I felt strong. Hopefully I can build on it."

Young said he threw fastballs, curveballs and sliders, and out of the windup and the stretch. He said everything felt good, although he's still having trouble breathing.

Young is scheduled to have surgery on June 30 to repair his septum, which will fix his breathing problem, as well as some small broken bones in his nose.

He'll take four to seven days off, then resume full activity as soon as he feels like it.

"The only real concern is getting hit in the face again, but there's a risk of that regardless of surgery, so it doesn't matter," said Young (4-4, 4.50), who at some point will make a rehab assignment.

"I'm very encouraged," Young said. "I want to come back. I want to have a strong second half, help this team. We're not out of this by any means. I think we've recently shown some signs when we play well we can compete with other teams in this division."

Young's injury was the most serious of a spate of setbacks for the Padres, who've struggled all season.

The same inning Young was hurt, catcher Josh Bard was knocked out with a sprained ankle when Pujols slid into him while scoring. Bard remains on the disabled list. The previous day, ace Jake Peavy was put on the DL with a swollen right elbow.

Nine days after Young was hurt, left-hander Shawn Estes broke the thumb on his throwing hand when he fell on the tunnel stairs between the team's clubhouse and dugout at San Francisco.

"If I can come back strong, Jake's back healthy, if Shawn comes back, the guys that have been here, Cha Seung [Baek] and Josh Banks have been incredible, so it's going to take every one of us," Young said. "And hopefully if I come back at my best, it helps us and gives us a better chance."

The Padres started the day in fourth place in the NL West, 11 games under .500 and 7½ games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks.


Chivas hope to reverse early trend
Injuries keep Pujols, Ankiel out of Cardinals lineup
Pads’ Prior set for season-ending shoulder surgery

O's Cintron to start at shortstop after Bynum cut

MILWAUKEE -- The Baltimore Orioles designated infielder Freddie Bynum for assignment Sunday, and manager Dave Trembley said Alex Cintron will be the team's third starting shortstop this season.

Bynum hit .192 with five RBIs in 34 games. The Orioles have 10 days to trade, release or send him outright to the minors.

Baltimore selected the contract of right-hander Ryan Bukvich from Triple-A Norfolk to take Bynum's roster spot. Trembley said he wanted another option in the bullpen after starter Radhames Liz lasted only two-plus innings in an 8-5 victory over Milwaukee on Friday night.

Cintron was batting .325 with one homer and four RBIs. Luis Hernandez was the starting shortstop to begin the season, but was outrighted to Norfolk earlier this month after batting .241 in 36 games.


Jets’ draft of tight end leaves starter Baker upset
Cintron called back up to big leagues with Orioles

Cards place Izturis on DL with strained hamstring

BOSTON -- The St. Louis Cardinals placed shortstop Cesar Izturis on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained right hamstring.

Izturis was injured Friday night and came out of the Cardinals' 5-4 victory over Boston in the fourth inning. He is batting .241 with one homer and 12 RBIs in 67 games this season.

The Cardinals also purchased the contract of outfielder Nick Stavinoha from Triple-A Memphis. He was in the starting lineup at designated hitter for the finale of the Cardinals' three-game series against the Red Sox.

Stavinoha was in line to become the ninth St. Louis player to make his major league debut this season. He was batting .346 with 10 homers and 50 RBIs in 71 games at Memphis.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Stavinoha, the Cardinals transferred injured right-hander Chris Carpenter from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL.

Cardinals not interested in dealing unhappy Boldin
Degen injured for final
Angels activate Figgins, put Aybar (finger) on DL

Jays' Halladay OK after taking line drive to head

PITTSBURGH -- A day after being hit in the head with a line drive, Toronto's Roy Halladay said Saturday that he was "fine" and wouldn't miss his next start.

The news wasn't as good for fellow Blue Jays starter Shaun Marcum, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right elbow.

Halladay

Marcum, second in the American League with a 2.65 ERA, was to fly to Florida on Saturday to be examined by Dr. Steve Mirabello. Marcum will also see noted orthopedic Dr. James Andrews on Monday.

"Hopefully, we'll get good news and then after 7-10 days of a rest period, we'll make a decision and go from there," Blue Jays pitching coach Brad Arnsberg said.

The team recalled outfielder Adam Lind from the minors to take Marcum's place on the roster.

Halladay was struck near the right temple by Nyjer Morgan's line drive in the seventh inning of what ultimately was a 1-0, 12-inning loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday.

Halladay had pitched seven shutout innings to that point. The ball deflected off him and into the glove of third baseman Scott Rolen, who recorded the out with the bases loaded.

The 2003 Cy Young Award winner left the game immediately.

Halladay had a CAT scan taken, and no broken bones were detected. He said that after the initial shock, he did not suffer from any headaches or other ill effects Friday night or Saturday.

"Everything checked out, so it's just back to normal," he said.

Halladay's next scheduled start is Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds. He is 8-6 with a 2.90 ERA this season, and his career record is 119-61.

Though Marcum had been pitching well recently -- having given up only nine earned runs in his past five starts -- Arnsberg said that his elbow had been bothering him over about the past two weeks.

A 24-year-old left fielder, Lind had appeared in 113 games for the Blue Jays over the past three seasons, hitting .249 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs.

This season he was only 1-for-19 in a previous stint in Toronto but performed much better for Triple-A Syracuse, where Lind hit .328 with 17 doubles, six home runs and a .394 on-base percentage in 51 games.

New Toronto manager Cito Gaston said no decision had been made on who will ultimately take Marcum's place in the starting rotation.


Blue Jays’ Thomas, in slump, angered by benching
Yates, Cull to return behind Crunch’s bench in 2008-09
Blue Jays’ Wells out 6-8 weeks with broken wrist

McLaren believes infighting doomed Mariners

SEATTLE -- When the Seattle Mariners fired manager John McLaren at 9 a.m. on Thursday, he turned to the executives and friends who had just taken his dream job away -- and laughed.

"We could have done this at 3 in the morning and done it right," a chuckling McLaren told interim general manager Lee Pelekoudas and team president Chuck Armstrong.

He was referring to the Mets firing manager Willie Randolph earlier this week at that ghoulish hour, New York time.

The Mariners have their own horrors. They were 25-47 and 17½ games out of the AL West lead going into promoted bench coach Jim Riggleman's debut Friday night. They are on track to become the first team with a $100 million payroll to lose 100 games.

A disappointed but far-from-bitter McLaren thanked everyone from team CEO Howard Lincoln to clubhouse attendants and the media Friday. He said he deserves a second chance to manage, but not until "I get my feet back on the ground" away from the game this summer.

"For whatever reason, I've still got confidence in myself," said the major league assistant of 21½ years, who was 68-88 in less than 12 months as manager.

McLaren, speaking by telephone from his home in Peoria, Ariz., said tension and jealousy among players in the fractured clubhouse contributed to Seattle going from supposed contenders to the worst team in the majors in three months.

"A little divided, pitchers against hitters," he said, adding the team's season-long woes on offense caused the turmoil.

Starting pitcher Carlos Silva provided a glimpse of that on June 4 following his sixth consecutive loss.

"One thing in here is, I know everybody has to do their own job, but don't forget it's a team. A lot of people in here play for themselves," Silva said then. "Like, 'If I get my two hits, it's OK. That's my day. I made my day.' "

Then again, any hitter would be free to question Silva's contributions. Signed to a $48 million contract last winter, Silva is 3-8 with a 5.79 ERA in 15 starts.

McLaren emphasized he wasn't pointing out the rift to deflect criticism from himself but offer advice to the players on how to turn around their flopping team.

"I think there is a little friction and tension in there, a little jealousy," McLaren said. "I think the players have to [fix] it on their own.

"Sometimes we get caught up in our own world. This is a team sport. I think there are some issues in there and if they take care of them, they will get to where they want to go."

McLaren said he tried many approaches to solving the clubhouse's corroding chemistry. He tried coddling. He tried team meetings. He tried berating -- most infamously a 45-second tirade filled with profanities on that fateful June 4, which lives on in Internet video lore.

Though he failed at all tries, he has no hard feelings for an organization he has known since 1995, when he arrived as an assistant for then-manager Lou Piniella. McLaren said he wasn't surprised to lose his job given the team's complete collapse, but he was surprised to be fired so soon -- three days -- after Seattle dumped general manager Bill Bavasi.

"I thought I was going to do it a little longer," he said. "But I understand the team's situation."

McLaren remains under contract with Seattle through the end of the season and said he offered to help out later in the season with some scouting or consulting.

The bench coach and confidant to many players, including franchise cornerstone Ichiro Suzuki, became manager last July after Mike Hargrove abruptly quit with the Mariners in playoff contention. McLaren said despite the team's current state, he thinks just a few tweaks are needed to get it back into contention.

Suzuki disagrees. Asked late Wednesday night, hours before McLaren was fired, if players should be next to go and the team should be playing for 2009 now, the All-Star said, "Yes, I think so."

McLaren did say one Mariner may need to go: fading slugger Richie Sexson. The owner of the lowest batting average among AL regulars (.209) since the start of the 2007 season had just 23 RBIs in 58 games entering Friday. He hasn't had an extra-base hit since May 24 and has become a target of incessant Seattle booing.

"That would be a possibility for him to get a fresh start," McLaren said. "He needs to reach a relaxed stage. I don't know if he'll be able to do that with everyone looking at him and all the speculation. He's still strong. It makes you wonder, if he gets a fresh start someplace else, if it wouldn't be better for him."

McLaren said he has no regrets, that his players always played hard -- just not well enough.

"I can hold my head high," McLaren said. "Believe me."


Walk in the park for VfB
Blue Jays fire Gibbons, bring back Cito Gaston
Emery Hopes For Silva Stay

MRI on Zambrano reveals minor shoulder strain

CHICAGO -- Big Z's shoulder pain might not be a big problem for the Chicago Cubs.

Star right-hander Carlos Zambrano has a minor strain in his right shoulder but no major structural damage, a team spokesman said after the Cubs' 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday.

Zambrano underwent an MRI arthogram, a test in which dye is injected into the troubled area to provide a more detailed look, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Friday and headed home. He will meet with the trainers and coaching staff on Saturday.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella has said Zambrano will miss his scheduled start against Baltimore on Tuesday. But the plan beyond that is unclear.

"We'll evaluate tomorrow and see what we'll do," Piniella said.

Even so, Cubs spokesman Peter Chase said, "the results are encouraging."

Zambrano left Wednesday night's game at Tampa Bay because of discomfort in his right shoulder and was examined Thursday in Chicago by team orthopedist Dr. Stephen Gryzlo. Zambrano was originally set to have an MRI exam Thursday, but the Cubs decided instead on the arthogram.

Zambrano won a career-high 18 games in 2007 and was off to a strong start for the NL Central leaders, going 8-3 with a 3.13 ERA in 16 starts. But when the two-time NL All-Star winced after throwing a pitch in the seventh inning on Wednesday, so did the rest of the organization.

On Friday, there was some sense of relief.

"That's good news," said Aramis Ramirez, who hit a game-ending homer. "If Zambrano goes down, that's a big loss for us."

Chase also said X-rays taken Friday on Alfonso Soriano's broken left hand showed "the bone is healing well. The timetable remains the same at this point." Soriano was injured when he was hit by a pitch from Atlanta's Jeff Bennett in the second inning of a game on June 11.


Soriano comes off DL, bats leadoff vs. Brewers
Zambrano: We Lost The Battle, But Not The War
Piniella: Soriano to bat leadoff in Thursday return

Blue Jays fire Gibbons, bring back Cito Gaston

PITTSBURGH -- John Gibbons was fired by the last-place Toronto Blue Jays on Friday and replaced by Cito Gaston, who led the team to World Series titles in 1992 and 1993.

The Blue Jays began the day 35-39, having lost five straight and 13 of their past 17 games to fall 10½ games behind first-place Boston in the AL East.

Gibbons' $650,000, one-year contract was to expire at the end of the year. He is the third major league manager fired this week, following Willie Randolph of the New York Mets and John McLaren of the Seattle Mariners. Randolph was fired early Tuesday and McLaren on Thursday.

"The team just wasn't doing what was expected of it, and maybe changes were needed," Gibbons said during a conference call. "There was a lot expected this year, we came in riding high and speaking high. And that's not the results we're getting now."

General manager J.P. Ricciardi has repeatedly said Gibbons should not be a scapegoat. Ricciardi roomed with Gibbons when both were prospects in the New York Mets system during the early 1980s and have been friends since.

Just Not Adding UpBlue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi has assembled an impressive pitching staff in Toronto. But the Blue Jays aren't scoring -- and Ricciardi's comments about Adam Dunn don't help his case, writes Rob Neyer. Blog

"From our standpoint we've underachieved," Ricciardi said. "We know we have a better team than this. Right now we want to see if we can spark this team and we think Cito is the guy to do it."

The Jays, who were in Pittsburgh to open a weekend series, also fired three of Gibbons' coaches -- Marty Pevey, Ernie Whitt and Gary Denbo.

This is the first time there were three managerial changes in a four-day span within a season since May 1991, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Back then, Jim Essian replaced the Chicago Cubs' Don Zimmer, Johnny Oates took over from Baltimore's Frank Robinson and Hal McRae succeeded the Kansas City Royals' John Wathan.

Gibbons, who became manager midway through the 2004 season, had a record of 305-305 with the Blue Jays. His best season was in 2006, when Toronto went 87-75 to finish second in the division.

But that 2006 season was also when Gibbons challenged Shea Hillenbrand to a fight after the infielder wrote on a clubhouse bulletin board that the "ship is sinking," and a month later had a confrontation with pitcher Ted Lilly in a dugout tunnel following an argument on the mound.

The 64-year-old Gaston becomes the Blue Jays' first two-time manager. He previously managed the team from 1989 to 1997.

Gaston, who has been special assistant to the president and chief executive, had a 681-635 record as manager during his earlier stint. Joining his staff will be first base coach Dwayne Murphy, third base coach Nick Leyva and hitting coach Gene Tenace.

The Blue Jays' main problem this season has been hitting, and a pitching staff unable to carry the burden. Toronto is near the bottom of the AL with a .258 average and next-to-last in the league with 49 homers in 74 games.

"We tried different things, different batting orders, to see if something clicked, and there just wasn't any real consistency," Gibbons said. "We had our ups and downs, the problem is it was more downs this year."


MLS Clubs Turn On Charm For McBride
Blue Jays’ Thomas, in slump, angered by benching

Depleted Yankees sign Rangers cast-off Ponson

NEW YORK -- Adding depth to their injury-riddled pitching staff, the New York Yankees re-signed troubled right-hander Sidney Ponson to a minor league contract Wednesday.

Ponson

With a history of off-the-field problems, Ponson was released Monday by the pitching-starved Texas Rangers for being a disruption to the team. He performed well on the mound, however, going 4-1 with a 3.88 ERA.

In other news, Hideki Matsui was out of the Yankees' starting lineup Wednesday night against San Diego because of a swollen left knee.

Matsui was to be examined by a doctor and have fluid drained from the knee, general manager Brian Cashman said before the game. The designated hitter and part-time left fielder had surgery on his other knee last offseason.

"Last year was much more painful," Matsui said through a translator.

Texas designated Ponson for assignment June 6, cutting him loose "for disrespecting teammates and club personnel," general manager Jon Daniels said.

Ponson, who pitched briefly for the Yankees in 2006, will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and could be called up to the majors to start one game of New York's two-ballpark doubleheader against the Mets next Friday, Cashman said.

"He's coming into Scranton not to help us in the International League, he's coming in to try to pitch his way into the big leagues," Cashman said. "I think it's just an obvious move."

The Yankees are missing ace Chien-Ming Wang as well as young starters Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy due to injuries.

"If I can continue to build up some inventory on an incremental basis, that's what I need to do, I think," Cashman said.

Ponson started June 4 for Texas against Cleveland on three days' rest for the first time in his 11-year career, and reacted angrily when he was removed from the game after four innings.

Ponson allowed six runs, four of them unearned because of three errors by his teammates, further fueling his anger. The Indians went on to a 15-9 victory.

He was scheduled to sit for six days before his next start, which also upset him, and Rangers manager Ron Washington said Ponson came to his office to "let me know about his displeasure."

One report said Ponson had been put on notice by Texas officials after creating a disturbance at a hotel bar in Florida during a road trip. He had been informed that no other problems would be tolerated.

Ponson has had several other problems as well, including two DUI arrests from 2004-05.

Cashman said he spoke with Ponson and others about the pitcher's behavior with the Rangers.

"Hopefully, whatever happened in Texas stays in Texas," Cashman said. "When Sidney was here for a short period of time, he was fine."

The Yankees also claimed right-hander Oneli Perez off waivers from the Indians and optioned him to Double-A Trenton. The 24-year-old Perez had been pitching in Triple-A this season for Cleveland and the Chicago White Sox.

To make room for Perez on the 40-man roster, the Yankees transferred right-hander Jonathan Albaladejo (elbow) from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL.

Cashman joked about the acquisition of Perez because many expect the Yankees to pursue a trade for Indians ace C.C. Sabathia, last year's AL Cy Young Award winner.

"I got a pitcher from Cleveland, like you guys have all been expecting, and we've optioned him to Trenton," Cashman said. "Now we can put the Cleveland rumors to bed."


Rangers cut Ponson for attitude despite 4-1 mark
Day after releasing Wright, Browns sign DB Perry

Furcal not likely to return until after All-Star break

This is how important leadoff hitter Rafael Furcal is to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Furcal is tied for the team lead in runs scored -- even though he has not played since May 5 because of a bulging disk in his back.

Rafael Furcal

Shortstop
Los Angeles Dodgers

Profile

2008 Season StatsGMHRRBIROBPAVG3251634.448.366

The timetable is not favoring the Dodgers, however. Manager Joe Torre said on Tuesday that Furcal is not likely to return until after the All-Star break, especially after last week's visit to the doctor. Torre added that the possibility of back surgery has not been discussed yet.

"If we get him back before the All-Star break it's a bonus, but I don't see that happening," Torre said in the Los Angeles Times.

The Dodgers are 18-14 in games started by Furcal, and 13-24 without him. And they could use his offense right about now, with the division-leading Arizona Diamondbacks suddenly in a mini-slump and giving the second-place Dodgers an opening.

More from ESPN.com

Hold off on the fire sales -- the Diamondbacks are suddenly struggling, and that gives the other NL West teams a chance, Buster Olney writes. Blog

Before his injury, Furcal was batting .366, with 16 RBIs, eight stolen bases and 34 runs scored in 32 games.

Furcal's 34 runs scored is tied with Russell Martin for the team lead -- but Martin has played in 68 games.

In the meantime, the Dodgers have asked Nomar Garciaparra to get to know his old position again as he continues his rehabilitation assignment in Las Vegas.

Garciaparra, who has been out since April 26 with a left calf strain, would give Torre another option at shortstop, even though he hasn't played the position since 2005.

The Dodgers have been relying on 30-year-old shortstop Angel Berroa -- acquired from the Kansas City Royals on June 6 -- and minor league infielder Luis Maza.


Karlsruher SC: the surprise team
Tendinitis in shoulder sends Dodgers’ Penny to DL

Colon, Dice-K, Schilling going different directions

The Boston Red Sox got good, bad and so-so news regarding their pitching staff on Tuesday.

Schilling

Matsuzaka

Colon

While Boston placed Bartolo Colon on the 15-day DL because of lower back stiffness, the team does expect Daisuke Matsuzaka to rejoin the rotation Saturday. Meanwhile, injured right-hander Curt Schilling was sent back to Boston for an examination with team doctors.

Colon (4-2, 4.09 ERA) was injured Monday taking a swing during an at-bat against Phillies starter Cole Hamels. Colon left after five innings because of the stiffness.

"He has a history of issues, that's why we're being somewhat cautious," manager Terry Francona said before Boston's 3-0 defeat of the Philadelphia Phillies. "We would like to have him for the whole year and not just have him, but have him be productive and healthy."

Boston recalled righty Chris Smith from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Colon's spot.

With Colon on his way out, Dice-K appears to be on his way in.

Francona said Matsuzaka was set to start Saturday against St. Louis. Matsuzaka (8-0, 2.53 ERA) allowed two runs and three hits over five innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday night, his first game action since straining his rotator cuff last month.

Schilling is a whole different story.

On the 60-day DL since spring training with shoulder weakness, Schilling will head back to Boston to have his shoulder examined by medical director Dr. Thomas Gill. Francona said Schilling had reached a "little bit a plateau" in his recovery.

"It's been a frustrating week for him," Francona said.

Also, first baseman Kevin Youkilis didn't start for the second straight game because of muscle spasms in the middle of his back. Youkilis said he felt tight and hoped to be ready for Wednesday. But Francona said he might rest Youkilis one more day, especially with the Red Sox off on Thursday.


Steelers re-sign tackle Starks to 1-year contract
Injured Dice-K to begin strengthening shoulder
Houshmandzadeh sees ‘problem’ if Chad not dealt
BoSox’s Ortiz’s cast replaced, Colon leaves game

Rangers' Bradley (quadriceps) sits out vs. Braves

ARLINGTON, Texas -- AL batting leader Milton Bradley was out of Texas' lineup for Wednesday night's game against Atlanta because of a strained left quadriceps.

Rangers manager Ron Washington said the injury wasn't serious and that he expects Bradley to be available for Thursday's series finale against the Braves. Milton Bradley

Designated Hitter
Texas Rangers

Profile

2008 Season StatsGMHRRBIROBPAVG62154847.452.330 Bradley left Tuesday night's 7-5 victory over the Braves after hurting himself on a two-run single in the third inning. He hit the ball into the gap in right-center field, and reached down for his leg even before reaching first base.

Bradley wanted to remain in the game and tried to test his leg by running down the right-field line. Washington decided to pull him.

Washington checked with Bradley on Wednesday.

"He came in feeling OK, but he felt another day would help so we'll give him another day," Washington said. "It's a little strain. He came in and got it worked on. He'll be ready for the day game tomorrow."

Bradley is hitting .330 with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs. He is leading the league in slugging percentage and on-base average.

In other Rangers injury news, right-hander Joaquin Benoit has one more throwing session scheduled for Thursday as he gets closer to rejoining the bullpen.

Benoit, one of the Rangers' top relievers last season, hasn't appeared in a game since June 7. He hasn't been placed on the disabled list, but he hasn't been available because of weakness in his right shoulder.

"You want consistency on the pitching staff and he's one of the guys we depend on for that, so it hurts," Washington said.

If Benoit comes through Thursday's session pain-free, Washington said the pitcher should be back in the bullpen for this weekend's series at Washington.

Benoit is 3-2 with a 5.76 ERA in 29 games this season. Last year he was 7-4 with a 2.85 ERA in 70 games.


Rangers’ Bradley goes after Royals announcer
Despite injury, Chipper hopeful to play Monday
Franzen sits, concussion-like symptoms

Tendinitis in shoulder sends Dodgers' Penny to DL

CINCINNATI -- The Los Angeles Dodgers put right-hander Brad Penny on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a sore shoulder that has bothered him for much of the season, then sent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda back to Los Angeles to have a sore shoulder examined.

Brad PennyStarting Pitcher
Los Angeles Dodgers

Profile2008 SEASON STATISTICSGMWLBBKERA155936475.88

He went back to Los Angeles for a medical test Monday that determined he has tendinitis. He was 0-7 in his last eight starts, and pitched only 3 2/3 innings in a 12-7 loss to Detroit on Saturday. He is 5-9 with a 5.88 ERA this season.

Penny has been taking pain medication before his starts because of the shoulder. The former All-Star said his shoulder bothered him while he was warming up during the weekend.

Manager Joe Torre said Penny could resume throwing later this week and might be able to return in two weeks.

"It's structurally fine," Torre said of Penny's shoulder. "They think what's tricked us all is when you look up there and see his velocity numbers seem to be pretty consistent, and at times he looked really good. But again, inconsistency probably matches up with the fact that he's had this discomfort. Some days have been better than others."

Left-hander Eric Stults was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas to take his spot in the rotation. He was 5-6 with a 3.59 ERA in 14 starts for Las Vegas.

Stults had three stints with the Dodgers last season, going 1-4 with a 5.82 ERA in five starts and seven relief appearances.

"The fact that he has some big league experience means he won't be a duck out of water," Torre said.

Kuroda was scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Kuroda, who is 3-6 with a 4.04 ERA, told the team that his pitching shoulder has been bothering him at times. The team got him on a flight back to Los Angeles on Tuesday night to have it checked.

"I guess he's experienced this on and off for a while," Torre said. "He was ready to pitch tomorrow, but we decided to send him home and figure by the time we get home, we'll have an idea [what's wrong]."

Derek Lowe will move up a day and start Wednesday's game, with Stults finishing the series on Thursday.


Dodgers bring up Kershaw, send down Loaiza
McNabb has shoulder tendinitis, sits out practice
Roddick to miss French Open with injury

BoSox's Ortiz's cast replaced, Colon leaves game

PHILADELPHIA -- David Ortiz had the cast removed from his left wrist on Monday and replaced by a removable splint, an encouraging sign for Boston's slugger.

Ortiz

Ortiz suffered a partial tear of the sheath that surrounds his tendon while swinging during a game against Baltimore on May 31. He went on the disabled list a few days later for the first time since he joined the Red Sox before the 2003 season.

At the time of the injury, Boston manager Terry Francona said surgery was "very unlikely." An operation probably would've ended Ortiz's season.

"They weren't going to [remove the cast] until he was pain free," Francona said before the Red Sox played the Phillies. "I think that's a real good sign.

"Once he gets that removable splint, he can take that thing off, he can do his work. He can do range of motion. That's great. I don't think they would really take him out of the cast and keep him out of the cast unless he is pain free."

Ortiz had a team-high 13 homers and 43 RBIs when he got hurt.

In other injury news, left fielder Manny Ramirez returned to the lineup after sitting out two games with a sore hamstring. But first baseman Kevin Youkilis didn't start because of muscle spasms in the middle of his back and starting pitcher Bartolo Colon left after five innings because of stiffness in his back.

Colon allowed four runs and six hits before exiting. Sean Casey filled in after Youkilis was scratched less than an hour before gametime.

Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed two runs and three hits over five innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday night, his first game action since straining his rotator cuff last month.


Big Papi headed to DL with tendon tear in left wrist
Dragutinovic Set For Return

Johnny Buzhardt dies; pitched for Chicago's teams

PROSPERITY, S.C. -- Johnny Buzhardt, who pitched for the Chicago Cubs and the White Sox during 11 seasons in the major leagues, has died. He was 71.

Buzhardt had a stroke several years ago and had been in declining health, according to the McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. He died Sunday at his home.

Buzhardt pitched in the big leagues from 1958-68 with the Cubs, Philadelphia, the White Sox, Baltimore and Houston. His best years were with the White Sox when he went 9-4, 10-8 and 13-8 from 1963-65.

Buzhardt's final season was with Houston in 1968 when he was primarily used as a reliever. Buzhardt went 4-4 with five saves in 39 appearances that year. He retired with a 71-96 mark and a career ERA of 3.66.

He leaves a wife, two sons and a daughter.


‘Steel Curtain’ defender Dwight White dies at 58
Marion, NFL official for 28 years, dies at 81
Bavasi, architect of Series-winning Dodgers, dies

Rangers cut Ponson for attitude despite 4-1 mark

Ponson

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers released right-hander Sidney Ponson and activated minor league pitcher Thomas Diamond from the 60-day disabled list Monday.

Ponson was designated for assignment June 6 despite a 4-1 record and 3.88 ERA for a starting rotation beset by injuries and among the worst in the majors. General manager Jon Daniels has said Ponson was dumped "for disrespecting teammates and club personnel."

Diamond was optioned to Double-A Frisco, where the right-hander has already made five rehab starts. The former first-round pick is 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA in those starts. He missed all of last season after elbow ligament replacement surgery.


Rangers’ skipper says Ponson was hurting team
Fresh Doubts About Liverpool Stadium Project

ChiSox's Konerko could land on DL after BP injury

CHICAGO -- Chicago first baseman Paul Konerko could be headed to the disabled list after straining a muscle near his rib cage before the White Sox's game against Colorado on Sunday.

Paul Konerko

First Base
Chicago White Sox

Profile

2008 Season StatsGMHRRBIROBPAVG6383027.322.215

Konerko, batting .215 with eight homers and 30 RBIs, hurt himself during batting practice and did not seem optimistic about a quick return. The team initially said he injured his oblique, but Konerko said it was one of his intercostal muscles, which connect the ribs and chest wall, on the left side.

"It's definitely gotten a little sore as the day goes on," he said.

Manager Ozzie Guillen said he'll be reevaluated before the White Sox open a three-game series against Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

"They're going to see how he feels," Guillen said. "When you have those problems with the rib cage, I hope for the best but I'm not too optimistic about it."


ChiSox fire director of player personnel, 2 scouts
Red-and-White settling into groove
Triple threat: Indians pull off rare 3-player steal

Final Hall of Fame Game canceled because of rain

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Severe thunderstorms drenched historic Doubleday Field on Monday, forcing cancellation of the final Hall of Fame Game.

Despite a determined effort to play the game between the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs, the storms packed too much rain and pelted the field with bursts of hail before officials called it off just after 2:30 p.m.

The sellout crowd of nearly 10,000 was eligible for a refund.

Major League Baseball announced in late January that this would be the final Hall of Fame Game because of scheduling problems. It was the last remaining exhibition game on the major league schedule.


Ex-Viking Eller pulled over in motorcycle incident
Gossage: There’s no room for Joba’s antics in MLB
Chargers sign long-snapper Binn to four-year deal

Chipper injures eye in batting practice accident

Chipper Jones

Third Base
Atlanta Braves

Profile

2008 Season StatsGMHRRBIROBPAVG58154144.504.420

ANAHEIM, Calif -- Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, who leads the majors with a .414 average, was scratched from the lineup Friday night against the Angels after a freak accident during batting practice.

Jones fouled off a pitch, and the ball ricocheted off the crossbar at the top of the batting cage and struck him just under his eye. The Braves announced that the five-time All-Star suffered a contusion and was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Orange, where he underwent a CT scan. The results were negative, a team spokesman said.

Jones leads Atlanta with 41 RBIs and 15 homers, including the 400th of his career on June 5. The Braves had lost all six of the games he had missed prior to the opener of their first-ever series at Anaheim.

The only other series between the Braves and Angels was in 2005, while Jones was on the disabled list with an injured left foot. Atlanta dropped two of three.


Report: Suspect accuses Pacman of framing him
Pacman puts Nashville house on market for $1.8M
Despite injury, Chipper hopeful to play Monday
Ailing Braves put Glavine on DL with elbow injury

Mets activate Nixon, but weather forces rainout

NEW YORK -- Trot Nixon, acquired by the New York Mets in a trade the previous night with Arizona, arrived about 25 minutes before the scheduled first pitch Saturday night and was activated for the game against the Texas Rangers.

Nixon

The 34-year-old outfielder was delayed arriving from Triple-A Tucson, where he had been toiling with the Diamondbacks' minor league club since failing to make the big league roster out of spring training.

Turns out it didn't matter. The game was delayed by rain.

Known for his gritty playing style and sometimes surly demeanor, Nixon was hitting .309 with 10 homers and 31 RBIs in 58 games with Tucson. He had an option in his contract that would have made him a free agent June 2, a deadline that he and Arizona extended.

Nixon is expected to fill the void left by Moises Alou, who went back on the disabled list Friday with a lingering calf strain, and shore up an outfield that is already missing Ryan Church because of post-concussion syndrome and Angel Pagan due to a sore shoulder.

"I've got a lot of respect for Trot and the way he plays," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "He's one of those focused players that I really like."

Nixon hit .251 with three homers and 31 RBIs in 99 games last season with Cleveland, but was at his best in the playoffs. He was 5-for-11 with a homer and three RBIs against the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.

He has a .275 batting average in 11 big league seasons, 10 with the Red Sox. Nixon had his best year in 2003, when he batted .306 with a career-high 28 homers and 87 RBIs, and a year later helped Boston win the World Series.

"He's been on very successful ballclubs and I like the way he grinds," Randolph said. "He plays with a lot of intensity. I like that in him."

Outfielder Chris Aguila was designated for assignment to clear roster space for Nixon.


AUSTRIA ORGANISERS CONSIDER CHANGES
Jones: Sunderland Must Now Prove Worth
O’s designate Trachsel after poor bullpen outings
Pirates obtain just-released Michaels from Indians

Battle over Griffey HR ball likely headed to court

MIAMI -- Justin Kimball says he never wanted 15 minutes of this kind of fame.

The 25-year-old aspiring musician bought a ticket -- Section 130, Row 8, Seat 23 -- for the Florida Marlins' game with the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night, hoping for that once-in-a-lifetime brush with history. He was in the right-field seats, envisioning that Ken Griffey Jr., one of his boyhood idols, would hit career home run No. 600 into his waiting hands.

Wojciechowski on Griffey

Ken Griffey Jr. would like his 600th home run ball. It's up to 'Joe', the Marlins fan who caught it, to do the right thing. Story Kimball says the miracle happened.

His attorneys have nine witnesses saying the same.

But the Marlins say his recollection isn't true, and video replays don't conclusively support the claim, either.

So here we go again: The rights to yet another historic baseball -- like the one Barry Bonds hit for his 73rd home run in 2001 and Bonds' 762nd career homer last year -- will likely be decided in a courtroom.

It's a bizarre tale of a singer and his wool hat, a man in a Sergio Mitre replica jersey who only goes by "Joe," grainy replays that seem to prove nothing, along with claims of foul, thievery and dishonesty.

"It's all really weird," Kimball said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press. "It makes me sick to my stomach."

Kimball has filed suit in Miami-Dade County court, alleging, among other things, that Joe -- identified as "John Doe, an individual aka Joe and any party in control or possession of [the] Ken Griffey Jr. 600th home run baseball" -- committed civil theft and civil battery against him.

Oh, and as if this all wasn't enough drama, the story got more odd Thursday: Kimball's side also says people -- they weren't identified -- at the stadium informed their office that the infamous Joe struck again Wednesday night and wrestled Dan Uggla's game-ending grand slam away from a woman whose hands were on that ball, too.

"This guy is apparently a magnet," said Robert Zarco, one of the attorneys representing Kimball for free.

Marlins president David Samson said Joe, who Samson said has authorized him to speak on his behalf, did not catch the Uggla ball.

But whether Joe caught it or not, Uggla left the stadium with his grand slam ball Wednesday.

Griffey -- who wants his 600th -- wasn't so lucky Monday, and Kimball wishes that wasn't the case.

"My client really wants to get Ken Griffey Jr. the baseball, his baseball, for free," Zarco said. "This isn't about money. I do not want any indication at all that there is any kind of desire or attempt that I'm a greedy lawyer looking for money. I am not."

Kimball says he isn't, either.

"It'd be dirty money," Kimball said.

The Miami-Dade court did not rule on Kimball's request for a temporary restraining order Thursday. The court could, in theory, block Joe from doing anything with the ball, but Samson said the man is not deterred by the legal issue.

"He did not indicate he is in any way concerned," Samson said. "When you're right and telling the truth, it's hard to be concerned."

Samson knows Joe, whom he identified as a longtime season ticket-holder, from various team events. Samson has spoken with Joe at least three times about the man's options, most recently Thursday, when Samson provided the man with a frame-by-frame tape that purportedly shows Joe catching the ball.

Samson added that he wants the ball "somehow, some way to get back to Ken Griffey" and that his involvement is merely to help out a season ticket-holder. Earlier this week, Samson said anyone who claims Joe did not catch the ball is "misinformed and dishonest," an assertion that didn't sit well with Kimball.

"Calling me dishonest has really been eating at me," Kimball said. "There's a lot of people that saw me catch the ball. ... I wish this all would go away. I didn't want this. I just want it to be over with."

Kimball said he grew up in Minnesota, a huge Twins fan. He remembers going to the Metrodome to see the Seattle Mariners, back when that lineup featured Griffey, Jay Buhner, Alex Rodriguez and Randy Johnson. And as a third-grader, he said he bought a book from his school's reading club about baseball -- one with Griffey on the cover.

He has some Kirby Puckett memorabilia in his collection, some Dan Marino autographs and even a signed Mickey Mantle ball.

"But none of that is associated with any sort of milestone," Kimball said. "My intention with the ball is just to get it back to Griffey. I don't want any money. I don't want anything. And I don't understand how so much animosity can come toward me from my favorite baseball team, when all I want is what's best for the game."

Kimball cannot explain why video doesn't support his claim, that the ball was in his wool cap and Joe ripped it away, scratching his arms and legs in an ensuing scrum. He simply says that the video doesn't prove anything said by either side, calling it "all inconclusive."

His original court filing on Wednesday -- it was slightly amended Thursday -- asked a court to bar whomever has the 600th homer ball from selling it until the ownership issue can be resolved. Memorabilia experts say the ball could fetch $50,000 to $100,000 at auction.

"In reality, the ball should go to the guy who hit it, not the guy who caught it," Zarco said. "Shouldn't it?"


Gomez back on the ball
Reds’ Griffey left out of starting lineup vs. Marlins
Champs headed East