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MLB Capsules - AL: Ogando pitches Rangers to 12th straight win
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Texas Rangers came into Angel Stadium with a business-as-usual attitude. None of this "critical series" stuff. That's for the second-place team.
Alexi Ogando extended an extraordinary run by Texas pitchers with eight innings of four-hit ball and the streaking Rangers beat the sputtering Los Angeles Angels 7-0 Tuesday night for their 12 straight victory.
"Our pitching staff's done an incredible job in the last couple of weeks. And it goes without saying that we believe in our lineup," designated hitter Michael Young said. "We know we're playing good baseball, but in no way, shape or form are we satisfied. We're happy right now, but we're not satisfied. We're capable of bigger and better things."
The defending AL champions, making their first visit to Anaheim since ending the Angels' run of three straight AL West titles, increased their lead in the division to a season-best five games over Los Angeles.
"We know they have a really good team, but we're trying to create some separation," third baseman Adrian Beltre said. "We're trying to win every game we can. We came here to win the series — and who knows? Maybe all three games.
"We have some breathing room now and the starting pitchers have been pitching really good, so we feel comfortable knowing that no matter how many runs we score, we'll get the pitching," he added. "Pitching has been the key to this streak."
The winning streak is the second-longest in club history behind a 14-game run in 1991, and it has put the Rangers (56-41) a season-high 15 games over .500. They have outscored opponents 77-24 during this stretch, and the pitching staff has yielded two earned runs over the last six games — including four shutouts.
"It's been great," Young said. "I mean, if you look at our three young guys in the rotation, they're all 95 (mph)-plus. But now they're getting to a point where they're starting to command their stuff. They're going after guys, they're attacking the strike zone and forcing guys to make contact. They're competing, staying poised and starting to show maturity. We're really happy with what they're doing out there."
Ogando (10-3) won his third straight start and first since July 6, lowering his ERA to 2.72. He struck out five, including Torii Hunter three times. The All-Star right-hander's only other career start against the Angels was on May 13, when he outpitched current major league ERA leader Jered Weaver in a 4-1 victory.
"He was Alexi. I didn't really expect anything different," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "I expected him to pitch his game and keep us in the ballgame. He certainly did that. He was very good. We caught the ball behind him and put up five runs with two outs. That was huge."
Endy Chavez, the No. 9 batter, hit a two-run homer in the eighth against reliever Michael Kohn. The rookie right-hander also gave up solo shots to Josh Hamilton and Beltre to open the ninth.
The Angels, a game out of first place at the All-Star break, have dropped four of five. Tyler Chatwood (5-6) gave up three runs, seven hits and four walks in five innings. The 21-year-old rookie is 0-4 with a 5.54 ERA in his last five starts at Angel Stadium, where Los Angeles had won 11 of 13.
"I've got to cut down on walks. That's been an issue all season," Chatwood said. "I've got to stop trying to nitpick and just go after them."
The shutout loss was the Angels' 11th, and six of those games were started by Chatwood.
"We've just got to get back swinging the bats," Howie Kendrick said. "Our pitching's been pretty good all year, and for the longest time we were in this game tonight. We had a couple chances early, but the guy made his pitches. He's been good all year, and tonight he didn't leave much out over the plate."
The Angels' best scoring chance came in the third, but Bobby Abreu stranded runners at second and third with a groundout.
Erick Aybar led off the Angels' fifth with a drive to left-center and tried to stretch it into a triple, but was thrown out. Mark Trumbo followed with his second double of the game, but it turned out to be Los Angeles' final hit.
"When Alexi hits his spots and throws strikes, he's effective," said Mike Napoli, who has started behind the plate in six of Ogando's starts. "It's huge for us, and it's a plus that we have another quality starter who can go out there every day."
Napoli, who spent his first five big league seasons with the Angels, was 2 for 3 with a pair of walks and scored twice in his first game at Anaheim since Los Angeles traded him and Juan Rivera to Toronto for Vernon Wells on Jan. 21. Four days later, Napoli was dealt to Texas for reliever Frank Francisco.
"It was tough. I thought I brought it to the table here, but obviously they thought they had to make a move," Napoli said. "I learned a lot when I was here. It was weird to walk in on the other side today, but I'm a Texas Ranger now and I love it there. This is my new home and my new team, and I'm the enemy now. We're having a lot of fun over here and we're a big family. We go out on the field and try to play for each other and not for ourselves."
Rangers part-owner and team president Nolan Ryan was scheduled to throw a first pitch and take part in a pregame ceremony inducting former Angels owner Gene Autry posthumously into the Angels Hall of Fame. But the 64-year-old Ryan, baseball's all-time leader in strikeouts and no-hitters, was resting at home after undergoing tests on his heart at a Houston hospital.
NOTES: The Rangers announced they will raise the height of all rails in front of the seating areas at the Ballpark in Arlington. The announcement came 11 days after a fan fell headfirst 20 feet onto concrete trying to catch a ball tossed by Hamilton, and died from his injuries. ... Autry is the ninth person to be inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame.
Rangers to raise railings after fan death
ARLINGTON (AP) — The Texas Rangers plan to make all the protective railings at their stadium the same height, raising some as much as a foot to make their stadium safer following the death of a fan during a recent game.
Rangers executive vice president Rob Matwick said Tuesday that the team's intention is for all rails in the front of seating sections to be 42 inches throughout Rangers Ballpark.
Architectural and engineering studies are already under way at 17-year-old Rangers Ballpark to determine how to do the work.
Railings around the ballpark now are 30 or 34 inches in most areas, with 42-inch rails already at the base of aisles that lead to the front row. City building requirements are that guardrails must be at least 26-inches high.
"Part of the goal is to not only raise it, but to raise it to the highest standard that exists in the United States at this time, and to do that uniformly on all the front rows around the ballpark," Matwick said.
Shannon Stone, a Brownwood firefighter, died less than an hour after he tumbled headfirst over a rail out of the seats in left field during a game July 7. Stone fell about 20 feet to concrete behind the outfield wall after reaching out to catch a ball tossed his way by All-Star outfielder Josh Hamilton.
Matwick said the railing in the area where Stone fell is 34 inches.
The day after Stone's fatal fall, the Rangers were already in contact with city officials, as well as ballpark contractors and architects, about how to ensure safety for fans attending games played in the American League champion's stadium.
Because it will take time for the rails to be changed, the club is taking some immediate steps to remind fans to be careful.
The most prominent is adding yellow signs on the rails that read, in all capital letters, "DO NOT LEAN, SIT ON, OR STAND AGAINST RAIL." The same warning will be made before each game over the public-address system and on the scoreboards. Plus, stadium workers will more closely monitor the rails.
Security personnel were placed at the base of each aisle in left field the next game after Stone fell. Matwick said the plan is to keep those personnel in place in the immediate future, meaning there will be an extra six of seven workers in that area each game.
The Rangers' next home game is Friday night.
"The Rangers have continually updated us regarding their new safety initiatives and we are fully supportive of their efforts," MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said. "We have encouraged our clubs to review stadium operations over the second half of the season to continue to ensure a safe environment for our fans."
Rangers Ballpark workers on Tuesday were placing the yellow stickers on rails along the front rows. There had already been such warning signs in place, but mostly at the base of aisles. Now there are numerous signs along the rail in each section.
Matwick said the team is hopeful that the architectural and engineering studies will be completed in "probably a few weeks." He said the process has already begun to measure each rail section to verify exactly what is in place.
No work on the railings can be done until the studies are completed. Those will help determine if new railing will be needed or if current railing can be updated at the stadium that opened in 1994.
"We need to check and make sure that the way that the rails are currently anchored can support additional structure on top," Matwick said. "It's just a question of whether it can be done in existing structure or whether it has to be retrofitted. It's not a question of whether or not it can be done, just a question of whether or not we have to retrofit. That could potentially take some more time, we just don't know that yet."
Matwick said the team's goal would be to start the work on the railings "during the season if we absolutely can." He said it was difficult now to determine when that would be or when the work could be completed.
"The safety of our fans is our top priority," Rangers president Nolan Ryan said in a news release. "The initiatives we are announcing today for Rangers Ballpark in Arlington will help to ensure that we meet that priority."
Ryan was released Tuesday from a Houston hospital after being tested for a heart ailment.
A woman posing for a photo fell over a rail following the first regular-season game at the stadium in 1994, and last year a man trying to catch a foul ball fell over a rail on the second deck. Stone's fall came one year and one day after the previous accident.
Some rails were raised following the 1994 fall, but none after the 2010 incident though the team reviewed the railings.
Ryan released from hospital in Houston
HOUSTON (AP) — Nolan Ryan has been released from a hospital and will rest at home for a few days before returning to work with the Texas Rangers.
The 64-year-old Ryan — a Hall of Fame pitcher and CEO of the AL West leaders — checked into a Houston hospital on Sunday after experiencing discomfort while at his home in Georgetown. Tests taken Monday showed no new problems related to a heart condition for which he already was being treated with medication. Doctors decided to keep treating him with medication, and sent him home Tuesday.
Ryan had a double-bypass operation in 2000 and has a family history of heart disease.
He had been scheduled to join the team Tuesday in Anaheim, Calif.
Rangers get Green, cash from O's for Phillips
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Texas Rangers have acquired veteran utility man Nick Green and cash from the Baltimore Orioles for left-hander Zach Phillips. Financial terms of the deal announced Tuesday weren't disclosed.
Green was assigned to Triple-A Round Rock and not placed on the 40-man roster. He has been with Triple-A Norfolk all season, hitting .208 with 10 home runs and 46 RBIs.
The 32-year-old Green is a career .237 hitter in 393 major-league games with seven teams since 2004. He played for Toronto last season.
Phillips was designated for assignment last week when Scott Feldman was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list.
Other AL Capsules
Guthrie, Orioles end skid against Red Sox
BALTIMORE (AP) — Jeremy Guthrie allowed two runs over seven innings in an effort that belied his title as the losingest pitcher in the majors, and the Baltimore Orioles beat Boston 6-2 to end a seven-game losing streak against the Red Sox on Tuesday.
Derrek Lee and Mark Reynolds hit successive homers in the eighth off Alfredo Aceves to turn a one-run lead into a more comfortable cushion for the Orioles, who lost their previous seven games against Boston this season by a combined score of 61-32.
Guthrie (4-13) gave up eight hits and walked one. The right-hander was 1-6 in his previous 10 starts and had lost seven straight decisions against Boston since May 13, 2008.
Jim Johnson worked two innings for his first save.
The Red Sox lost for only the third time in 16 games despite getting a home run from Jarrod Saltalamacchia, his second in two nights. Kyle Weiland (0-1) yielded three runs in six innings.
Rays 3, Yankees 2
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Jeremy Hellickson pitched seven strong innings and Tampa Bay took advantage of sloppy New York defense to rally past the Yankees.
Hellickson (9-7) retired 13 of 15 batters after giving up a two-run homer to Robinson Cano in the third, helping his team stay close until the sputtering Rays offense could finally break through against Bartolo Colon (6-6) in the seventh.
That's when things really went awry for New York.
With two on, center fielder Curtis Granderson lost pinch-hitter Justin Ruggiano's fly ball in the Tropicana Field roof for a single off Boone Logan that loaded the bases. It looked as though the Yankees might escape the jam when the next batter — pinch-hitter Elliot Johnson — hit a tailor-made, double-play grounder back to the mound, but the ball glanced off Logan's glove for an error that enabled the Rays to tie it at 2.
Rodriguez raced home from third for the go-ahead run on Johnny Damon's sacrifice fly to shallow center. Granderson charged in to make a sliding catch, scrambled to his feet but threw wildly to the plate.
Joel Peralta worked a perfect ninth for his first save.
Twins 2, Indians 1
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Danny Valencia hit a two-run single off All-Star closer Chris Perez in the ninth inning, sending Minnesota to a victory over Cleveland.
Perez (2-5) walked Joe Mauer and gave up a double to Michael Cuddyer. Jim Thome was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Valencia followed with a bloop single.
Glen Perkins (2-1) picked up the win in relief of Francisco Liriano, who gave up one run and four hits in six innings.
It was a huge emotional lift for Minnesota, which was swept in a day-night doubleheader to start the series on Monday, falling seven games behind the Indians.
The Twins were dominated for most of Tuesday's game by Justin Masterson, who allowed four hits in 7 2/3 innings.
Tigers 8, Athletics 3
DETROIT (AP) — Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Guillen each hit a two-run homer in Detroit's six-run fifth inning against Oakland. The Tigers trailed 3-1 before they grabbed control in the fifth against Guillermo Moscoso (3-5).
After Magglio Ordonez brought Detroit within a run on a sacrifice fly, Cabrera hit his 20th homer of the season, putting the Tigers ahead to stay. It was his 600th career extra-base hit.
Detroit starter Rick Porcello (9-6) allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings.
Moscoso allowed six earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.
Guillen hit his first home run since Aug. 14 — shortly before his 2010 season ended because of a left knee injury. He returned to the lineup Saturday and reached base four times Tuesday.
Royals 4, White Sox 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Danny Duffy returned from the minors to toss seven sharp innings, Matt Treanor delivered a go-ahead, two-run single and the light-hitting Royals hung on to beat Chicago.
Melky Cabrera homered and Alcides Escobar drove in the other run for Kansas City, which came into the game batting .196 while scoring a measly eight runs during a recent three-game skid. The anemic output in part prompted manager Ned Yost to call a closed-door meeting a couple of hours before the first pitch.
Turned out the Royals didn't need a whole lot of runs with Duffy (2-4) back on the mound.
He settled down after a shaky start to outpitch Jake Peavy (4-4), mowing down a lineup that White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen stacked with right-handed hitters.
Joakim Soria earned his 10th consecutive save and 17th of the season.
Blue Jays 6, Mariners 5, 14 innings
TORONTO (AP) — Rajai Davis stole two bases before scoring on John McDonald's sacrifice fly in the 14th inning and Toronto extended Seattle's losing streak to 10 games.
It is the Mariners' longest slide since a 12-game skid in 2008.
Davis hit a one-out single off Jamey Wright (2-3) in the 14th and stole second and third before scoring on McDonald's fly to center. Activated from the disabled list before the game, Casey Janssen (3-0) pitched a scoreless inning for the win.
Greg Halman hit a three-run homer and Brendan Ryan added a solo shot for the Mariners, who held a players-only meeting on the field before batting practice, but couldn't stop their slide.
Other AL News
Ripken's son follows Dad's big footsteps
BALTIMORE (AP) — Cal Ripken Jr. was never pushed to play baseball by his father. The Iron Man adopted that same philosophy when bringing up his own son.
Turns out that Ryan Ripken, like his dad, grew to love baseball. And, just like his father, he's pretty darn good at the game.
Ryan Ripken has been selected to play in the 2011 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game, which will be held next month at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Over the first three years of the game, 88 of the 103 draft-eligible players who competed in the game were selected in the Major League Baseball amateur draft — including 18 first round picks.
Ryan batted .353 as a junior at Gilman High School and is already fielding scholarship offers from several college baseball coaches.
Sure, his father is proud. But if Ryan chose to drop baseball for basketball, or opted to abandon sports completely, his dad wouldn't mind one bit if the run of Ripkens in the majors ends at two generations.
"I want him to be happy. If he derives the same sort of happiness that I did from baseball, he wants to pursue that and continue to play, then I'll be happy for him," Cal said Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press. "But quite honestly, I want him to choose something that he's happy in, and it doesn't have to be baseball by any means."
Cal Ripken Sr. was a coach and manager in the Baltimore Orioles organization for nearly four decades. Cal Jr. spent his entire 21-year career with the Orioles, played in a record 2,632 straight games and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2007.
Cal Jr. loved hanging around the Orioles clubhouse as a kid and enjoyed playing the game. Ryan grew up under similar circumstances until his father retired in 2001.
Ryan stuck with baseball, but not because he was pressured by his notable dad.
"I let him gravitate to whatever he wanted to do. That's what my dad did to me," Cal said. "Certainly the exposure that you get being in professional baseball is exciting and different for the kids. Some kids really like it and some don't. Ryan was 8 years old when I retired. He enjoyed being around the clubhouse and then he just started pursuing it."
Ryan received plenty of instruction from Cal about the finer points of the game, but nothing could prepare him for what's it's like to have the last name of Ripken and playing baseball in Baltimore.
"There are some positives associated with that, but in many ways there's a burden that comes with the last name," Cal said. "I think a lot of people sort of expect a lot out of him. When kids are learning to play the game we make mistakes. We all grow from our failures. Sometimes it doesn't seem like Ryan is afforded some of those failures. It's almost like he feels the pressure, he feels the scrutiny. And he's done a remarkable job of handling it — because he has to."
At 6-foot-6, Ryan is now taller than his father. He's a standout on the basketball court, better than most of his peers and far superior to his dad.
"This is how he puts it: I can score on Dad when he's trying really hard," Ripken said. "It's true. I don't think I can keep up. He's got too much range on his shot and he's a good player. He's also taken great pride in the fact he's passed me in height."
Ryan, who turned 18 on Monday, has focused on baseball this summer. Being selected to play in the All-America game is no small accomplishment.
"It's a great honor to be named to this team with all of these terrific players," Ryan said. "The game is prestigious, and the thought of playing at Wrigley Field and representing Baltimore and my teammates at Gilman is exciting."
Described as "tall and lanky" by his father, Ryan doesn't yet possess the power of Cal, who had 431 career homers. But he plays a solid first base and still has room to develop his swing.
"He's got easy power with his bat. His home runs haven't really caught up to his easy power, but I remind him that I hit zero home runs in my first pro season," Cal said.
No matter. Regardless of what Ryan ends up doing, his father won't be disappointed.
"It's his life. He doesn't have to do anything in baseball to make me proud. I'm proud of him already," Cal said. "So it's totally his choice. My dad's philosophy was, It's your life, you have to make choices in your life. And Ryan's going to be given the full freedom to make the choice his.
"I know a lot of people find it hard to believe. They think that I would push, push, push, push. But I honestly, deep inside, it doesn't matter to me."
-- David Ginsburg
Sizemore's MRI shows bone bruise on knee
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Cleveland Indians got some good news about Grady Sizemore on Tuesday, with an MRI showing nothing more than a bone bruise on his injured right knee.
There is no timetable for Sizemore's return, and with fellow outfielder Shin-Soo Choo still out another month with a broken left thumb, manager Manny Acta said the need for his team to make a trade to bolster the club is "an understatement."
The Indians expect to have a more detailed plan for Sizemore's recovery by the time they return home Thursday, but they're on top of the AL Central and could use some help to stay there.
"How can you substitute the absence of Choo and Grady Sizemore?" Acta said before the Indians played the Minnesota Twins. "I don't think that's a secret. We know that from top to bottom and we're working on it.
"People need to understand too that it takes two to tango. You can have all the Christmas lists and wishes, but you need to have somebody that you can engage with that's also going to work, at least for both sides."
Sizemore was injured while running the bases against Baltimore and was placed on the disabled list on Monday. He is hitting .237 with 10 homers and 29 RBIs in 61 games this season.
"It doesn't appear to be anything as serious as we might fear," Acta said of the injury.
Still, the surprising Indians began the day with a one-game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the division. They swept a doubleheader against the Twins on Monday.
One thing Acta made clear is the team is building for the long haul and won't sacrifice that plan for a short-term fix. Prized young players like infielder Lonnie Chisenhall won't be surrendered by general manager Chris Antonetti to bring in an established veteran.
"It's not because of a lack of diligence or trying. He's in conversation with a number of teams," Acta said. "But it's going to have to be something that makes sense for us. And we have made it clear that we're not going to mortgage our future."
-- Jon Krawczynski
Blue Jays to retire Alomar's No. 12
TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays are retiring former second baseman Roberto Alomar's No. 12 before their game against the Texas Rangers on July 31. It will be the first time the Blue Jays have retired a number worn by one of the team's players in the club's 35-year history. Jackie Robinson's No. 42 was retired by Major League Baseball in 1997.
Team President and CEO Paul Beeston said Tuesday that Alomar is "arguably the best second baseman of all time."
In five years with the Blue Jays, he helped them win the World Series in 1992 and 1993.
"This is an honor that I was not expecting," Alomar said in a statement. "I knew my numbers were worthy of consideration for the Hall of Fame but for the Blue Jays to select my No. 12 to be the first number they retire is a great honor. I am truly blessed to be a Blue Jay and I'm looking forward to the ceremony."
Alomar and former Blue Jays general manager Pat Gillick will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 24. Alomar said he was caught by surprise when Beeston called to tell him about retiring his number.
"I was speechless." Alomar said. "I didn't know what to say. When I came to play for this organization all I wanted to do was to win games. Last night I couldn't sleep but I want to thank the whole organization, Paul Beeston, Cito Gaston and especially the fans for embracing me since Day 1."
A 12-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner, Alomar and outfielder Joe Carter joined the Blue Jays in December 1990 in a trade with the San Diego Padres for infielders Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez.
Indians' Buck hit in head by Liriano pitch
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Cleveland Indians outfielder Travis Buck left Tuesday night's game against Minnesota after being hit in the head by a 91-mph fastball from Francisco Liriano during the fifth inning.
The ball hit Buck in the batter's helmet, just above the ear flap. The ball caromed into the stands and a dazed Buck sat down in the dirt as trainers rushed to his side. After a few moments, Buck got up and walked off under his own power.
The Indians announced Buck had a head contusion. The team said there were no immediate signs or symptoms of a concussion. He was replaced by pinch-runner Luis Valbuena.
After the pitch got away from him, Liriano watched intently as Buck was tended to by team trainers.
In June, Buck and his wife were in a traffic accident while the Indians were playing the Yankees in New York. He was shaken up and taken to the hospital, but not seriously hurt.
Indians infielder Lonnie Chisenhall recently missed some time after being struck on the cheekbone with a pitch.
Royals recall LHP Duffy to start against White Sox
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals have recalled left-hander Danny Duffy from Triple-A Omaha to start Tuesday night's game against the Chicago White Sox.
Duffy (1-4, 4.85 ERA) was sent back to the minor leagues before the All-Star break so he could pitch on regular rest. He allowed four runs in six innings for the Storm Chasers last Thursday.
The 22-year-old rookie, who is winless in his last four starts, has nonetheless established himself as one of the most promising pitchers in the Royals' beleaguered starting rotation. He allowed just two earned runs in four of his last five starts at the major league level.
The Royals sent reliever Everett Teaford back to Triple-A after Monday night's game to clear space for Duffy, who manager Ned Yost has said could stay in the rotation the rest of the season.
Orioles RHP Simon returns from restricted list
BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles have reinstated right-hander Alfredo Simon from the restricted list and optioned infielder Josh Bell to Triple-A Norfolk. The moves were made Tuesday.
Baltimore transferred second baseman Brian Roberts to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Simon on the 40-man roster.
Simon returned to the United States on Monday night after attending a legal hearing in the Dominican Republic. Simon, the lead suspect in the fatal shooting of his cousin Jan. 1, had the hearing suspended when prosecution witnesses did not show.
Simon is expected to start Friday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Bell was recalled from Norfolk on Monday and hit a single against Boston.
Sizemore MRI shows bone bruise on knee
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Cleveland Indians manager Manny Acta says an MRI on Grady Sizemore's injured right knee only revealed the bone bruise that has been there all along.
Acta says there is no timetable for the outfielder's return. Sizemore was injured while running the bases against Baltimore and was placed on the disabled list on Monday. Acta says "it doesn't appear to be anything as serious as we might fear."
Sizemore is hitting .237 with 10 homers and 29 RBIs in 61 games this season. Acta says the injuries to team leaders Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo increase the need for the team to make a trade as it fights to stay in first place in the AL Central.
The Indians faced the Twins on Tuesday night.
-- Jon Krawczynski
Red Sox RHP Buchholz to test ailing back Friday
BALTIMORE (AP) — Boston Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since June 19 with a lower back strain, is scheduled to have his first throwing session off a mound Friday.
Buchholz was 6-3 with a 3.48 ERA before being sidelined. He has been throwing off flat ground and gradually increased his workout totals from 60 to 120 pitches this week.
Manager Terry Francona said the pitcher's most recent stint went well, and the team will use this week's session to determine the next course of action. If the mound work goes well, the Red Sox likely would send Buchholz on a rehab assignment.
Buchholz, who has made 14 starts, said Tuesday his back feels better. He says arm strength is not an issue, but he needs to regain strength in his lower body.
Tigers bringing up LHP Below to pitch Wednesday
DETROIT (AP) — Duane Below will make his major league debut Wednesday night when the left-hander takes the mound for Detroit, and the Tigers are sending outfielder Casper Wells to the minors. Below is set to start for the Tigers against the Oakland Athletics. He's gone 9-4 with a 3.13 ERA with Triple-A Toledo this season.
The team says Below and reliever Charlie Furbush will be recalled from Toledo on Wednesday. Wells and reliever Adam Wilk were optioned to Toledo following Tuesday night's win over Oakland.
Manager Jim Leyland says Wells "doesn't deserve to go down" — but the Tigers needed to make some tough decisions with their outfielders. They instead decided to keep backups Andy Dirks and Don Kelly. Wells was hitting .257 with four homers for Detroit.
Yankees put RHP Mitre on DL
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The New York Yankees have placed reliever Sergio Mitre on the 15-day disabled list because of right shoulder inflammation. The move was made before Tuesday night's game against Tampa Bay. Left-hander Steve Garrison was recalled from Double-A Trenton to replace Mitre.
Also, Rafael Soriano started a minor league rehab assignment with Class-A Tampa. The right-handed reliever, who allowed two runs and two hits over 1 1-3 innings in Tuesday night's game against Jupiter, has been out with right elbow inflammation since May 14.
Corner infielder Eric Chavez was the DH in the same game as Soriano. It was his first game action since going on the disabled list May 6 due to a broken left foot.
Bautista ready to return to Blue Jays' lineup
TORONTO (AP) — The Blue Jays will have slugger Jose Bautista in the lineup Tuesday night when they face the Seattle Mariners at home. The major league home run leader missed the final three games of a weekend series with the New York Yankees because of an ankle injury.
Bautista, who tested the ankle on the field before the game, will serve as Toronto's designated hitter. He could return to third base on Wednesday. Bautista announced he was back on his Twitter account: "Cleared to play! DH role tonight! beastmode."
Bautista twisted his ankle when his cleat got caught in the dirt sliding into third base in the fourth inning of Thursday's 16-7 win over the Yankees. Bautista entered the game with 31 homers, 65 RBIs and a .336 batting average.
A's designate LHP Blevins for assignment
DETROIT (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have designated left-hander Jerry Blevins for assignment and recalled right-hander Guillermo Moscoso from Triple-A Sacramento to start against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.
Moscoso makes his ninth start of the season. He's 3-4 with a 2.16 ERA. He was sent to Sacramento on July 7 because the A's didn't need a fifth starter for the time being because of the All-Star break.
Blevins was recalled from Sacramento following the first game of a doubleheader Saturday and pitched Sunday. He is 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA in 16 games with the A's this year. The A's said Blevins remains on their 40-man roster.
Athletics' Sizemore leaves after being hit on bunt attempt
DETROIT (AP) — Oakland Athletics third baseman Scott Sizemore left Tuesday night's game against the Detroit Tigers after being hit in the left jaw by a pitch.
Sizemore was squaring around to bunt with two on in the fourth inning when Rick Porcello's pitch came high and inside. The ball hit Sizemore, and he was attended to briefly on the field before going to the dugout. Sizemore was awarded first base, and Eric Sogard ran for him and remained in the game at third. X-rays were negative, and Sizemore is day-to-day.
Sizemore was traded from the Tigers to the A's in May for left-handed reliever David Purcey. He's hitting .247 with four home runs.
Blue Jays activate P Janssen from DL
TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays have activated reliever Casey Janssen from the 15-day disabled list. To make room for Janssen, the club optioned left-hander Luis Perez to triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old Janssen was placed on the 15-day DL on June 17 with a right forearm strain. The right-hander has appeared in 28 games for the Blue Jays this season, going 2-0 with one save and a 2.93 earned-run average.
In five rehab appearances for double-A New Hampshire, Janssen didn't allow a run in five innings of work. Perez has made 24 appearances in his rookie season with the Jays, posting a 3.57 ERA.
Related NL Minor League Capsules
Royals send down right-hander Jeffress to Naturals
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (AP) — Right-hander Jeremy Jeffress has been sent from Triple-A Omaha to the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Also Tuesday, the parent club Kansas City Royals promoted righty Zach Miner from the Naturals to Omaha.
Jeffress arrives in Springdale with a 2-3 record and a 7.13 ERA. He had three saves in four opportunities at Omaha. The 29-year-old Miner is coming back from reconstructive elbow surgery. In 11 starts with the Naturals, he went 1-6 with a 7.16 ERA. Before getting hurt, Miner was with the Detroit Tigers, putting together a 25-20 record and a 4.24 ERA in 157 American League games over four years.=
