MLB Capsules: Rockies closer Huston Street activated from DL
DENVER (AP) — Huston Street is back, and ready to wait for another save opportunity.
Street was activated from the disabled list before the opener of Colorado’s three-game interleague series against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.
“Eventually he will be the guy pitching the ninth inning because that’s what we signed him up for the next three years to do is to pitch the ninth inning,” said manager Jim Tracy, who will ease Street back into the closer’s role now held by Manny Corpas.
Waiting a week or two for his first save situation is fine with Street.
“The big leagues are the big leagues,” Street said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re throwing in the fifth inning or the 15th inning. Every out matters. Every pitch matters. And you approach it from that frame of reference, it makes pitching the ninth the same as pitching the sixth, pitching the sixth the same as pitching the first.
“The role isn’t, but the mentality is the same.”
Street, acquired from Oakland in the Matt Holliday trade in November 2008, signed a $22.5 million, three-year contract over the winter after earning 35 saves in 37 chances last season, when he held hitters to a .194 batting average.
He was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation at the start of spring training and was slated to return from rehab May 25, but he hit a roadblock when his left foot got caught on a minor league mound and he strained his left groin, delaying his return by a month.
“The arm has been there for me and has been solid the whole time,” said Street, who completed his final rehab tuneup over the weekend.
Street said he missed the rush of pitching in the big leagues.
“I think the hardest part when you’re trying to get ready in the minor leagues is not feeling that little jolt and trying to pitch when you don’t feel it,” he said. “When you don’t feel it, you have to like amp yourself up in different ways.
“I would say pitching up here emotionally is going to be a lot easier than pitching down there.”
The Rockies’ pitching staff has performed well despite a string of injuries. It’s their offense that’s been stuck in low gear all season.
Still, they’re excited to have their best reliever back in the bullpen, and another important starter on the way. Left-hander Jorge De La Rosa left Denver on Tuesday to start a minor league rehabilitation assignment that he hopes will return him to the Rockies’ rotation by July 7.
“That takes a lot of pressure off the hitters because when you have a lot of really good pitching, there’s not a lot we have to do,” outfielder Carlos Gonzalez said. “At the same time we want to click on all cylinders and be a team that scores runs.”
To make room for Street, the Rockies designated right-hander Juan Rincon for assignment.
Mets CF Carlos Beltran to start rehab assignment
NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Beltran will begin a rehabilitation assignment Thursday and could be manning center field for the New York Mets before the All-Star break.
Beltran has been out all season after having right knee surgery in January. He has been working out at the team’s spring training facility in Port St. Lucie, Fla. General manager Omar Minaya saw him play Sunday and was pleased with the five-time All-Star’s progress.
“It’s very encouraging to hear he’s doing extremely well,” manager Jerry Manuel said Tuesday before the Mets played Detroit. “He’s very excited about getting back and playing, and he’s in a hurry to help the team.”
But Beltran will have to prove at Class-A St. Lucie that he can go all-out and stay healthy before he is activated from the disabled list. Beltran has expressed an interest in returning to the Mets by the time they play the Florida Marlins in Puerto Rico, his homeland, at the end of June, but Minaya said that is unlikely.
“We need to see that he will be able to play up here and be able to play and play comfortable and be able to perform and be able to bounce back the next day,” Minaya said. “He’s got to be able to help this team in the phases of fielding, running, hitting and also he’s got to be able to do it on a regular basis.”
Minaya acknowledged that Beltran, who missed 2½ months last summer with a bruised knee, has a limp when he runs but he attributed it to the large brace the three-time Gold Glove winner is wearing. Minaya said it is most likely Beltran will return after the All-Star break, which is July 12-14.
Beltran is in the sixth season of a $119 million, seven-year contract. His offseason surgery was a big disappointment for a club coming off a 70-92 season that was wrecked by a slew of key injuries. He even ended up in a dispute with the team over the timeline of approval for the operation.
This season the Mets have surged to second place in the NL East at 39-30 entering Tuesday’s game, and Angel Pagan, subbing in center field, has played a big role in the team’s success.
Pagan has hit .325 since May 5 and is batting a team-high .296 with four triples, four homers and 31 RBIs. He stands to lose the most playing time when Beltran returns, but he’s not worried about that.
“What happens when he comes back, I have no control of that,” Pagan said. “The only thing I can control is to stay ready for whatever opportunity and to keep helping the team in any way.”
Manuel said with a laugh that he prefers the problem of having to find playing time for four solid outfielders to the difficulty of cobbling together a lineup the way he did last season, when he was relying on several players who weren’t ready for the big leagues.
To keep Beltran, right fielder Jeff Francoeur and left fielder Jason Bay happy Manuel said he will try to map out each week so his players know when and how they will be used. Pagan, he said, is the most versatile.
“Pagan is the guy that has the ability of all three to play in three different spots,” Manuel said.
Also, the Mets said right-hander John Maine has gone for a second opinion on his sore right shoulder and they will have a report in the next couple of days.
New York also recalled right-hander Bobby Parnell from Triple-A Buffalo to take Jenrry Mejia’s place in the bullpen. The 20-year-old Mejia was sent to Double-A Binghamton to work as a starter. Parnell made 68 appearances — eight starts — for the Mets in 2009.
-- Howie Rumberg
Phillies activate SS Rollins, put C Ruiz on DL
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies activated All-Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the disabled list Tuesday night and put him right into the starting lineup.
His right calf healed, Rollins was set to bat leadoff against Cleveland.
Rollins has twice been on the 15-day DL this season because of a calf problem. He got hurt warming up prior to the Phillies' home opener and missed 31 games, then re-injured himself less than a week later on May 21.
Rollins is hitting .341 in 41 at-bats for the Phillies this season.
The Phillies plan to be extra careful with Rollins' second return.
"We do have to be cautious with him because he's had setbacks," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro said. "We'll go day-by-day and go by how he feels."
Rollins "says he feels better than before," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said.
The Phillies made a series of moves. They put catcher Carlos Ruiz on the disabled list with a concussion, promoted lefty reliever Mike Zagurski from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and cut reserve infielder-outfielder Greg Dobbs.
Dobbs, used mostly as a pinch-hitter, was designated for assignment, giving the Phillies 10 days to make a move with him. He struggled at the plate this year, hitting .152 in 66 at-bats.
It was a mildly surprising move considering Dobbs had excelled in his role off the bench during his four-year career in Philadelphia. Instead, the Phillies chose to keep reserve infielders Wilson Valdez and Juan Castro. Amaro said their ability to play shortstop and provide insurance in case Rollins gets hurt again factored into the move.
"It was a very difficult decision," Amaro said. "Dobbs has been a very, very productive player for us and helped us win a World Series and get back to another World Series."
The move with Ruiz was retroactive to June 19, after he was hit in the head by Jason Kubel's broken bat in a game against Minnesota. Ruiz is batting .275 in 51 games.
Philadelphia filled Ruiz's spot by promoting left-handed reliever Mike Zagurski from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Zagurski appeared in 25 games out of the bullpen with the Phillies in 2007, going 1-0 with a 5.91 ERA.
Zagurski, slowed by injuries to his hamstring and pitching arm, threw in 29 games for Lehigh Valley this season, going 0-2 with a 2.35 ERA.
The Phillies also optioned right-hander Scott Mathieson to Lehigh Valley. After pitching in nine games in 2006 for the Phillies, Mathieson made his return to the major leagues following two arm surgeries on Friday, getting two outs in the Phillies' 9-5 win over Minnesota.
Brewers’ Macha says Hoffman could return as closer
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brewers manager Ken Macha says there’s a chance career saves leader Trevor Hoffman will reclaim the closer’s role from rookie John Axford.
Macha says he’s not sure how the situation will play out, but the 42-year-old Hoffman is throwing the ball well enough to return to the job.
“We’ll play it out, we’ll see,” Macha said before Milwaukee hosted the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night. “I’d feel pretty good about him coming in now.”
There’s still a large banner in center field at Miller Park that keeps track of Hoffman’s career saves. It’s been stuck on 596 since May 7.
“I certainly would like Trevor to reach his goal, and (if) that’s getting 600, we’d like to get that done for him,” Macha said. “Or 610, or whatever he wants.”
Hoffman lost the closer job when he blew half of his first 10 save opportunities this season. But the right-hander has a win and five scoreless innings in his last five games.
“I thought that the other day was his best outing,” Macha said. “He had good pop on the ball, good arm action on his changeup. For him, it’s going to come down to making his pitches.”
Hoffman has been supportive of Axford and Axford has downplayed replacing the career saves leader. Axford has said he’s fine with whatever his role is as long as it’s in Milwaukee.
But the 27-year-old right-hander has emerged as a potential long-term closer for Milwaukee. Axford has converted each of his four save opportunities and kept his composure during a couple of rocky appearances, going 3-1 with a 2.81 ERA in 14 games.
“That’s all going to work itself out,” Macha said. “I’m not worried about it. Both of them are pitching well.”
Axford was selected by Cincinnati in the 42nd round of the 2005 draft and signed a minor league deal with Milwaukee in 2008. He zipped through the Brewers’ system last year, going from Single A to the majors. He began this season with Triple-A Nashville but was recalled on May 15.
-- Colin Fly
Marlins add relievers Sanabia, Houser
BALTIMORE (AP) — The Florida Marlins attempted to strengthen their struggling bullpen by purchasing the contracts of minor league pitchers Alex Sanabia and James Houser.
The moves were made Tuesday.
Sanabia, a right-hander, was summoned from Double-A Jacksonville, where he was 5-1 with a 2.03 ERA in 14 starts.
The left-handed Houser was promoted from Triple-A New Orleans after posting a 3.26 ERA in 19 innings over 11 appearances.
Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez says Sanabia would be used in long relief and Houser would be a situational reliever.
The newcomers replace right-hander Jay Buente, who was optioned to New Orleans on Sunday, and right-hander Jorge Sosa, who was designated for assignment Tuesday.
Cubs push Silva’s next start back 2 days
SEATTLE (AP) — Cubs right-hander Carlos Silva will get a couple extra days to rest his ailing right hamstring, taking him out of the series in Seattle against his former team.
Silva was scheduled to pitch Thursday but manager Lou Piniella says he now will go Saturday at the White Sox. Silva tweaked his hamstring during his last start Friday against the Angels.
Chicago traded mercurial slugger Milton Bradley to Seattle in December for Silva, who won five games in two years with the Mariners but is 8-2 with a 3.01 ERA so far for the Cubs.
Piniella says Ted Lilly will start Thursday’s game.
Also for the Cubs, third baseman Aramis Ramirez will not come off the disabled list Wednesday. Piniella says the team is now planning to activate him on Friday.
Torrealba starts serving 3-game suspension
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — San Diego Padres catcher Yorvit Torrealba has dropped his appeal and started serving a three-game suspension for making contact with an umpire.
He was also fined an undisclosed amount.
Torrealba will sit out the Padres' three-game series at Tampa Bay. He said Tuesday that he wanted to allow greater roster flexibility when the Padres return to National League play Friday at Florida.
Torrealba was ejected in the ninth inning of a loss to Toronto last week for arguing with umpire Larry Vanover after taking a called third strike. Torrealba said the brim of his helmet made contact with Vanover.
The Padres recalled catcher Dusty Ryan on Tuesday from Triple-A Portland to back up Nick Hundley.
Padres call up C Dusty Ryan
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The San Diego Padres have recalled catcher Dusty Ryan from Triple-A Portland and optioned infielder Lance Zawadzki to the Pacific Coast League club.
The moves were announced before the Padres played Tuesday night at Tampa Bay. Ryan was previously recalled on May 31, but didn't appear in a game before returning to Portland. Zawadzki hit .200 with one RBI in 20 games over two stints this season with San Diego.
American League
Orioles acquire INF/OF Jake Fox from Athletics
BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles added depth to their struggling offense Tuesday by obtaining utility player Jake Fox from the Oakland Athletics for minor league pitcher Ross Wolf and cash.
Fox hit .214 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in 39 games for the A's this season.
"Fox gives us another bat," Orioles interim manager Juan Samuel said. "He's also a catcher, plays first base, third base, outfield, so there's some flexibility for us."
Although the right-handed hitting Fox had poor numbers at the plate with Oakland, he gives Samuel another option in his effort to generate some punch on a team that ranks last in the AL in runs scored.
"We're going to do anything we can to get him in there and get some offense," Samuel said. "That's just an extra guy to help us off the bench, to pinch hit if we need to throw him in against a left-hander."
Fox hit .259 with 11 homers and 44 RBIs in 82 games last season. He hopes a change in scenery will revive his bat.
"I'm excited about it. It's good to go someplace where hopefully you fit in because where I came from, it just wasn't the right fit for anybody," he said. "I didn't fit into their style and it's very difficult to change your style at this point. You can't teach an old dog new tricks. So I'm happy to be here. It seems like they want me to be here."
Fox was traded from the Cubs to Oakland in December.
"When I came from Chicago ... Oakland had fielded the team they wanted," he said. "It was almost like they didn't want me, but they didn't want to get rid of me, either. So I was kind of stuck."
He was designated for assignment on June 14, which paved the way for his move to Baltimore.
Baltimore optioned right-hander Chris Tillman to Triple-A Norfolk to make room on the 25-man roster for Fox, and cleared a space on the 40-man roster by designating righty Cla Meredith for assignment. Tillman was 0-3 with an 8.40 ERA in four starts before being sent to the bullpen last week.
Tillman was not used out of the bullpen, and Samuel said allowing him to pitch every fifth day in the minors was essential for his development.
Meredith was 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 21 relief appearances with Baltimore and was ineffective in five games with Norfolk.
A’s activate Crisp from second stint on DL
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Coco Crisp is back with the Oakland Athletics after his second stint on the disabled list — and he hopes it’s to stay this time.
Crisp was activated Tuesday and inserted into the starting lineup for the middle game of an interleague series with the Cincinnati Reds. He was playing center field and batting leadoff.
Crisp had missed all but two games this season after beginning his first year with Oakland on the DL with a broken left pinkie finger. He returned briefly and was sidelined again with a strained rib cage.
He insists all the time on the DL didn’t get him down or wear on him at all.
“I’m eager to play. It is what it is,” he said. “I just roll with the punches. I don’t dwell on it too much. There’s nothing I can do about it. I enjoy cheerleading. ... I’m happy to be back here. This is where I want to be.”
Crisp, who signed a $5.25 million, one-year contract over the winter, batted .591 with five RBIs in six rehab games with Triple-A Sacramento.
“I don’t know if seven days will get me a ring, but hopefully if they win it all I’ll get half a ring,” Crisp joked.
With Crisp back, manager Bob Geren has plenty of outfielders he can use. Rajai Davis had been filling in for Crisp but wasn’t in the lineup Tuesday.
“I’m just going to try to put the best lineup out there I can each day,” Geren said. “I’ll try to rest certain guys so they don’t get overused and play other guys so they don’t get stale. In general, it’s a good feeling to have a hard time making your lineup each day.”
The A’s designated outfielder Eric Patterson for assignment to make room for Crisp.
Last time Crisp came off the DL, he went to Geren and made his case to return — only to quickly get hurt again. This time, the A’s took their time making the move.
“I was hoping to be up here earlier because I felt good,” Crisp said. “They kept pushing the program. I’ve been moving forward, it just hasn’t been here. We’ll see how this stint holds up. Hopefully I can finish the season without anymore major injuries.”
-- Janie McCauley
Blue Jays RHP McGowan has rotator cuff surgery
TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays right-hander Dustin McGowan had surgery Tuesday to repair a “significant tear” in his rotator cuff and improve range of motion in his pitching shoulder. He will not resume throwing for four to six months.
“I think he’s relieved in the sense that he finally understands where the pain is coming from and that was something we weren’t sure (about),” Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “They were able to find it and get it fixed. Hopefully he can come back and be the guy he once was.”
McGowan was pitching with a partially torn rotator cuff when he left a July 8, 2008, start against Baltimore because of pain in his shoulder. He had surgery to repair a frayed labrum later that month and has not pitched in the majors since.
His comeback was further delayed last July when he had surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his right knee.
Dr. James Andrews performed the operation Tuesday, which was originally supposed to simply improve range of motion. The rotator cuff tear was a new injury.
“We’ve found, potentially, the root of maybe what some of the problems have been,” Anthopoulos said. “More than anything else, there’s a bit more clarity, a little bit more direction.
“We’re optimistic that he’ll be able to come back and we’ll continue to work with him once he starts throwing.”
The 28-year-old McGowan has a career record of 20-22 with a 4.71 ERA. He missed all but six games of the 2004 minor league season because of elbow ligament replacement surgery.
Damon misses old Yankee Stadium in return to NYC
NEW YORK (AP) — For Johnny Damon, the only thing unsettling about being back in New York for the first time since parting with the Yankees was what was missing in the Bronx.
Damon, in town Tuesday for Detroit’s interleague series against the New York Mets, says it’s weird that old Yankee Stadium is gone.
Damon played four seasons with the Yankees, winning a World Series title last season — the first year at the club’s new ballpark. He signed with Detroit in February.
The old stadium’s exterior remained mostly intact throughout last season and the Tigers don’t face the Yankees in New York until August. So Damon got his first glimpse of the recently cleared site flying into the city Monday.
The two-time All-Star said he has a few items from the old ballpark.
Indians recall RHP Joe Smith
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians have recalled reliever Joe Smith from Triple-A Columbus.
Smith will take the roster spot vacated by starter David Huff, who was optioned to the Clippers on Monday. Huff (2-9) has just one win in his last 11 starts.
This will be Smith’s second stint with Cleveland this season. He was on the club’s opening-day roster, but was sent to Columbus on April 30. He went 2-1 with two saves and a 1.96 ERA in 20 appearances for the Clippers.
Smith, who was 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA when he was demoted, will join the Indians for their series opener on Tuesday in Philadelphia.
White Sox sign first-round pick, LHP Chris Sale
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox and first-round draft pick Chris Sale have agreed to a contract that includes a $1,686,000 signing bonus.
A left-hander from Florida Gulf Coast University, Sale went 11-0 with a 2.01 ERA as a junior this past season. He was the 13th overall choice in the draft.
The White Sox said the 21-year-old Sale will begin his professional career with Class-A Winston-Salem. He is listed at 6-foot-6, 185 pounds, and the club hopes he can add some weight in the coming months.
Red Sox recall OF Josh Reddick
DENVER (AP) — The Boston Red Sox recalled outfielder Josh Reddick from Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday.
Reddick arrived at Coors Field early before the Red Sox played at Colorado.
To make room for Reddick, Boston returned right-handed pitcher Robert Manuel to Pawtucket. Manuel was called up on June 19, but never made an appearance while with the club.
Manager Terry Francona said the move was made because he needed an extra outfielder. J.D. Drew was still slowed by a strained right hamstring.
