Baseball Capsules: Ouch! Injuries take a toll on All-Star squads
Dustin Pedroia has a broken foot. Chase Utley needed thumb surgery. Manny Ramirez strained his hamstring.
Every time an ump yells "Play Ball" it seems another All-Star gets hurt. Especially if they're in a Red Sox or Phillies uniform.
A rash of recent injuries around the majors has left disabled lists dotted with some of baseball's biggest names: Victor Martinez, Jason Heyward, Troy Tulowitzki, Placido Polanco, Kendry Morales.
Plus, there are all those veteran stars who've been sidelined most (or all) of the season, guys like Carlos Beltran, Jimmy Rollins, Josh Beckett and Joe Nathan.
Leave out a few perennial studs with subpar numbers so far — Johan Santana, Chipper Jones, Mark Teixeira — and the All-Star game July 13 at Angel Stadium might just feel a little diluted.
When rosters are announced Sunday they could read like a rehab report, with scores of injury replacements to follow. But there should be plenty of worthy newcomers (David Price, Joey Votto, Ubaldo Jimenez) to go with old, familiar faces: Scott Rolen, Billy Wagner, Andy Pettitte.
And while the hottest All-Star debate lately has centered on whether 21-year-old pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg should be included after six big league starts, more arguments are sure to follow.
Justin Morneau or Miguel Cabrera at first base for the American League? Rolen or David Wright at third in the NL?
"You have so many guys that are so close," AL manager Joe Girardi of the New York Yankees said. "Their numbers are so equal that it makes it difficult, because someone's always going to feel slighted."
A handful of rules were tweaked this year.
For instance, any pitcher picked as an All-Star who starts on the Sunday before the game is ineligible to participate and will be replaced on the roster. That prevents managers from ending up in the predicament of having to use a rival team's ace on short rest, say if the game goes to extra innings.
Nobody wants to jeopardize a player's health.
Also, rosters were expanded to 34 spots, with the extra one going to a 21st position player in each league. Every club must have a representative, so choosing is still difficult.
"Someone has to get left off that definitely deserves to go," said Philadelphia's Charlie Manuel, who will manage the NL squad for the second consecutive year. "That's the thing that I don't like about it. You'll always run into that."
This season in particular, there seem to be more struggling teams than usual that lack a legitimate All-Star. They'll all have at least one pick, though.
"It does hamstring your selections a little bit," Girardi said. "But you know what? It is a league that's made up of 30 teams and I believe that every team should be represented. I do. Because if you're in a market and you don't have a player on the club, you may not tune in. That just might be a fact. So I think it's important."
The league that wins gets home-field advantage in the World Series again, and the AL has refused to give it up. The junior circuit is 12-0-1 since the NL last won in 1996 at Philadelphia's old Veterans Stadium, including seven straight victories. That's the longest unbeaten streak in All-Star game history.
"You can have all the fun you want, but it's more fun if you win," Manuel said.
Without regard to fan or player balloting, here are our choices for the 81st All-Star game in Anaheim, Calif. And as for Strasburg, he's not on the list.
Let the kid earn his trip — next year.
Starting with the AL:
First Base — Cabrera said he got sober last winter following a much-publicized drinking binge during the final weekend of the season. Now, he's chasing a Triple Crown with Detroit. He edges Minnesota slugger Morneau for the start at first base, with Boston's Kevin Youkilis and Chicago's Paul Konerko also on the bench.
Second Base — Leading the majors in hitting, Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees is a serious MVP candidate and an easy choice at second base. Pedroia's injury means the surprise backup is gritty first-timer Ty Wigginton, who represents woeful Baltimore. Wigginton is better suited as a corner infielder, but he's played plenty of second base this season in the absence of injured Brian Roberts.
Shortstop — The double-play combo is all pinstripes. Yankees captain Derek Jeter is having a ho-hum season by his standards, but there's no bigger star in baseball. Jeter is the only pick, though Toronto's Alex Gonzalez has shown surprising pop and warrants consideration.
Third Base — Adrian Beltre is putting up big offensive numbers in his first season with Boston. He gets the nod at third over Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria, with Texas' Michael Young making the cut as well. Alex Rodriguez misses out for the second consecutive year after nine straight selections.
Catcher — Martinez is sidelined by a broken thumb, so reigning MVP Joe Mauer of the Twins is really the only worthy choice. He needs a backup, and we'll go with Kurt Suzuki, which gives Oakland its representative and maintains an open spot on the pitching staff that otherwise would have to go to an Athletics arm.
Outfield — The starters are Texas slugger Josh Hamilton in left, Toronto's Vernon Wells in center and Chicago's Alex Rios in right. Reserves include Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford, Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki, Cleveland's Shin-Soo Choo and hometown favorite Torii Hunter of the Angels.
Designated Hitter — Vladimir Guerrero looks 10 years younger in his first season with Texas, and he starts in his return to Angel Stadium. Boston bopper David Ortiz, also rejuvenated, wields a big bat on the bench.
Starting Pitchers — Three years out of college, Price was leading the league in wins and ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays going into his outing Friday night at Minnesota. He gets the ball, heading a staff loaded with left-handers: Seattle's Cliff Lee, Boston's Jon Lester, and Pettitte and CC Sabathia from the Yankees. Also making the squad are right-handers Felix Hernandez (Mariners), Jered Weaver (Angels) and Clay Buchholz (Red Sox), assuming his hamstring is OK.
Relievers — Yankees closer extraordinaire Mariano Rivera anchors the bullpen, as usual. Joining him are Detroit's Jose Valverde, Tampa Bay's Rafael Soriano, Kansas City's Joakim Soria and Rangers rookie Neftali Feliz.
And in the NL:
First Base — After a rare lull at the plate, three-time MVP Albert Pujols has turned it on. Seniority earns the St. Louis slugger a start over Votto, whose clutch hitting is a big reason Cincinnati is in first place. San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez, Philadelphia's Ryan Howard and Washington's Adam Dunn also get the call at a power-packed position. There's just not enough room for Prince Fielder, Troy Glaus or Aubrey Huff, who are all enjoying excellent years.
Second Base — With Utley out at least eight weeks, Atlanta's Martin Prado steps in to start after leading the league in batting average. Arizona's Kelly Johnson and Brandon Phillips of the Reds are reserves. Phillips is athletic enough to slide over to shortstop if necessary.
Shortstop — Hanley Ramirez from the Florida Marlins secures his third start in a row. A broken wrist keeps Tulowitzki off the team, making Ramirez the lone selection at shortstop.
Third Base — One player who has remained healthy in 2010 is the oft-injured Rolen, perhaps headed to a Comeback Player of the Year award with Cincinnati. He nudges out Wright, though the Mets star boasts a dangerous right-handed bat that fits nicely at DH against Price. Wright's boyhood buddy, Washington's Ryan Zimmerman, also snags a spot. Polanco had a small, dwindling lead over Wright with a few days left in fan balloting, but the Phillies third baseman is sidelined with a sore elbow.
Catcher — The surprise starter is first-timer Miguel Olivo, who is doing all sorts of damage in what began as a part-time role with Colorado. Take a look at the numbers — and his defense. Steady backstop Brian McCann from Atlanta is second string.
Outfield — Colby Rasmus is probably overlooked outside St. Louis, but he's good enough to merit a start in center field. He's flanked by Andre Ethier of the Dodgers in left and Milwaukee's Corey Hart in right. Also on the squad: Philadelphia's Jayson Werth, Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun, Chicago's Alfonso Soriano and Pittsburgh center fielder Andrew McCutchen. Heyward, Atlanta's rookie sensation, is on the DL with a badly bruised thumb.
Starting Pitchers — Jimenez (14-1, 1.83 ERA) has been blowing away hitters all season and the Rockies' ace is an obvious pick to start. Any chance he could win 30 games? The rest of the staff features Florida's Josh Johnson, Philadelphia's Roy Halladay, Atlanta's Tim Hudson, San Francisco's Tim Lincecum, Milwaukee's Yovani Gallardo, Houston's Roy Oswalt and a pair of St. Louis righties: Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright.
Relievers — Wagner, who turns 39 this month, just surpassed 400 saves and plans to retire after the season. He's been nearly untouchable in his first year with Atlanta, after missing most of last season following Tommy John surgery. The rest of the bullpen includes New York's Francisco Rodriguez, San Diego's Heath Bell and Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton.
National League
Diamondbacks turn to hard-nosed Gibson in shakeup
PHOENIX (AP) — Kirk Gibson brings instant credibility and a much-needed attitude adjustment to the Arizona clubhouse. Whether that can cut down the unrelenting string of strikeouts or blown leads by the game's worst bullpen remains to be seen.
Gibson's resume includes 17 years as a major league player with a reputation for fiery toughness. His limping, triumphant game-winning home run in the 1988 World Series stands as one of the game's most memorable moments.
Now, as interim manager of the Diamondbacks, his challenge is to instill that attitude in a team of terrific but sporadic talent in a laid-back clubhouse where players seem long accustomed to being the whipping post of the NL West.
"My hope is that Gibby let's his hair down and we get to see the fire that is Kirk Gibson," new interim general manager Jerry DiPoto said.
Gibson has been a bench coach for Detroit from 2003 to 2005 and, since 2007, for the Diamondbacks. He has had to hold his personality somewhat in check in deference to the manager. But when the Diamondbacks fired A.J. Hinch after a little more than a full season at the helm Thursday night, Gibson became the boss.
"A.J's personality and Gibby's personality are opposites," third baseman Mark Reynolds said before Friday night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. "Gibby's fiery and seems ready to go every day. You can't really convey that as a bench coach. He's not in charge, it's not really his place. But now that he's running the ship and it's his team to manage, the fans and the media are going to see a lot more of the old Gibby. It should be a kick in the butt."
In a story he said might be allegorical to his current situation now, Gibson recalled his tirade in his first spring training with the Dodgers in 1988. He had left the Detroit Tigers to sign as a free agent and didn't like what he saw in Dodgertown. The joking around, the "clowns coming out of trunks" and finally, the last straw when a teammate lathered the inside of his cap with "eye black." That wasn't the way he approached the game. He told them he devoted everything to the serious business of winning. Winning, he said, was fun.
"The rest is history," he said.
Gibson went on to become NL MVP that season and, with both his legs injured, he dragged himself to the plate as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the World Series to hit Dennis Eckersley's 0-2 pitch into the Dodger Stadium seats, limping around the bases, his arm raised in triumph.
He said he's matured some since his playing days.
"You get more savvy," Gibson said at a news conference. "There's just different ways of delivering your intensity. ... That's not to say I'm not going to have a blowup. It may happen. To see a fiery team on the field, playing with fire, would not make me mad. "
Gibson, a standout in baseball and football at Michigan State, played for Jim Leyland in the minors and Sparky Anderson with the Tigers, then Tommy Lasorda in Los Angeles. He said he is "more Sparky" than anyone else.
Hinch had never been a coach, let alone a manager, when eight days shy of his 35th birthday he was moved from his job as vice president for player personnel to replace the fired Bob Melvin on May 8, 2009. He was the choice of his longtime friend, general manager Josh Byrnes, who also got the boot on Thursday night even though he had 5½ years remaining in his contract. DiPoto, a former big-league reliever, shifted from the vice president for player personnel position that Hinch once held.
Under Hinch, the team went 89-123.
"When I took the challenge, I honestly felt like it could work," Hinch said in a conference call.
Byrnes, hired in 2005 after serving as assistant to GM Theo Epstein in Boston, was considered one of the rising stars of baseball management when the young Diamondbacks had the best record in the National League and advanced to the NLCS in 2007. Arizona was so worried about losing him that he was signed to an extension through 2015.
Managing partner Ken Kendrick, who made the ultimate decision to fire Hinch and Byrnes, said things probably would have been different had ace Brandon Webb been healthy and the bullpen not so terrible.
Hinch said he doesn't like "to play the if game."
"I'm grateful for the opportunity and I'm glad that I accepted the challenge," he said. "Certainly things could have gone better."
He acknowledged there were things he "had to learn on the fly" but downplayed reports that players simply didn't buy into his leadership.
"There are those who didn't believe in me and didn't want me to be the manager," Hinch said, "... but I'll certainly cherish all the relationships that I've built."
Besides the strikeouts and bad bullpen, Kendrick said Arizona's farm system, once one of baseball's best, needed improvement.
DiPoto, who described himself as "chatty,'''said the problem is a gap between the talent the team has at the Class A level and at the major leagues.
As for the bullpen woes, DiPoto should have some expertise. He was a reliever for eight seasons in the majors in a variety of roles. Arizona's bullpen entered Friday's game with an ERA a shade under 7.00, and that's an improvement from what it was a few weeks ago.
With the trade deadline a little over a month away, team president Derrick Hall said that the Diamondbacks want to evaluate the team before making any decisions on trades.
"We made it clear all along we don't want to blow this up," he said. "This isn't a complete makeover. We have to tweak here and there, and I think with new leadership we can make those decisions now and see if they respond differently."
The Diamondbacks were 15 games behind first-place San Diego in the division going into Friday's game, the first of 10 straight at home.
Kendrick said that he, along with everyone else, shares the blame for the struggles.
"We all need to look in the mirror when things don't go well," he said. "... We've made some good decisions, but we have made some bad ones."
-- Bob Baum
More stress for Manuel: Making All-Star picks
PITTSBURGH (AP) — His All-Star second baseman is out until September, and his disabled list is long enough to give any manager a tension headache. What Charlie Manuel of the Phillies doesn't need is another worry.
He's got one this weekend in Pittsburgh: Picking nine National League players for the All-Star game July 13 in Anaheim.
Manuel knows his selections — the last to be made, except for the final player that is voted in by the fans — will be debated among fans, players and other managers. In the past, such picks caused animosity when a manager was accused of favoritism by choosing his own player or passed over a seemingly deserving player from his own division.
Regardless, Manuel plans to spend as much time as possible this weekend choosing what he said Friday are "the right people."
"There's always guys who probably deserve to be on the All-Star team (and don't make it), but we're going to try to come as close as possible to who we think is right," said Manuel, who is managing the NL for the second successive season.
After the fans vote for the NL and AL starting lineups, major league players choose 16 players — including eight pitchers. Manuel and AL manager Joe Girardi of the Yankees each choose nine players, with the fans selecting the last player in an online vote. Each team will have 34 players, up one from last year and two from 2008.
In another change, any pitcher who starts on Sunday — a few hours before the teams are announced — will be ineligible to pitch in the All-Star game and will be replaced on the roster. Each team will have 13 pitchers.
Still, Manuel knows there could be 50 players on each side and it wouldn't end the complaints.
Manuel will make his choices in consultation with the commissioner's office, which he said pushes hard for some players to be chosen. Every team must be represented, which frequently causes a less-deserving player to be chosen.
Last year, Manuel made certain all three of his starting outfielders were on the team when he chose Jayson Werth, who joined Shane Victorino and Raul Ibanez. With fewer Phillies having big years statistically, it will be difficult for Manuel to overload this NL team with his own players.
"There's a lot of guys out there having bigger years," he said. "Definitely, they have to be considered. ... But I always keep in mind my players."
One Phillies player who definitely won't be going is second baseman Chase Utley, who is out until September with a badly injured thumb. He is one of seven Philadelphia players on the disabled list.
Manuel also likes his potential NL pitching staff, but he didn't offer any names or drop any hints whether Nationals rookie Stephen Strasburg — who has been in the majors less than a month — will be considered. Strasburg (2-2) starts Saturday against the Mets.
The most obvious pick is Colorado's Ubaldo Jimenez (14-1), who faces the Giants on Saturday.
"There's some good guys out there, man, that's a big choose. When I look at the pitching, I like the National League's pitching — we've got some guys definitely capable of starting, we've got some guys having big years, too," Manuel said.
Opposing managers lobby, too — Pirates manager John Russell, for example, has one of the majors' worst teams, yet he is pushing for Andrew McCutchen and setup reliever Even Meek (0.98 ERA). Russell said Meek, a former Rule 5 pick, "should be a shoo-in."
There is plenty of back and forth lobbying when the final choices are made in consultation with the commissioner's office, Manuel said.
"I think we'll both have sides, but when you say I get to pick somebody and you put me on the spot, I'll pick whoever I want to," Manuel said. "I don't give a damn about (being on) the spot, you put me there."
-- Alan Robinson
Cardinals to place Ludwick on DL
ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick aggravated a left calf injury during a treadmill workout and could be placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Manager Tony La Russa said Friday that Ludwick told him he thought he'd be available to pinch hit that night against the Milwaukee Brewers. Ludwick instead missed his ninth start in 10 games and general manager John Mozeliak said there was a "high probability" that Ludwick would go on the DL in a move backdated to last Friday.
Ludwick said he felt the calf grab, but didn't think it put him back at "square one."
"My understanding is I'll probably, likely, go on the DL," Ludwick said. "I'm glad I didn't go out there, though, and do it during the game. At least it's retroactive, so that's kind of nice."
La Russa had been thinking Ludwick would return by Tuesday at the latest after an off-day, and perhaps could have played this weekend. Ludwick was batting .273 with 11 homers and 42 RBIs, third-best on the team.
"He tried to step it up a little bit and he tweaked something, so I'm certain we're going to disable him," La Russa said. "He said he tried to go just a little harder, he thought that he could, and felt something."
La Russa wants Ludwick to take his time returning to avoid another setback. "Let's just get him well and see him after the (All-Star) break," he said.
The Cardinals played a man short Friday and were expected to add a minor league outfielder in place of Ludwick.
In a separate move, the Cardinals returned to a 12-man pitching staff by recalling infielder Tyler Greene from Triple-A Memphis and optioning right-handed reliever Fernando Salas to Memphis. Greene was in the lineup batting ninth and playing second.
Greene played primarily shortstop at Memphis earlier this year but could be used at three infield spots. He batted .291 in 62 games at Memphis and hit .231 in 10 games for the Cardinals earlier in the season.
"I'm just going to go out there, play as hard as I can, and let it happen," Greene said.
La Russa had preferred an extra arm as backup for a rotation minus starters Brad Penny and Kyle Lohse.
Penny, also expected back after the break, is scheduled to throw a second bullpen session Saturday and either a simulated game or batting practice Tuesday in Colorado. He's been out since May 22 with an upper back injury.
-- R.B. Fallstrom
Nats reportedly sign El Duque to minor league deal
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals declined comment on a report they have reached an agreement with 44-year-old Orlando Hernandez on a minor league contract, but his half-brother, Livan, says El Duque is on his way to the organization.
Orlando Hernandez last pitched in the majors in 2007 with the New York Mets.
"We're really happy for him to come back and pitch again," Livan Hernandez said. "I don't know how they are going to use him, but he is in good shape and he throws every day, working out every day."
El Duque is 90-65 with a 4.13 ERA in a 10-year career highlighted by pitching for four World Series winners (Yankees, 1998-2000 and White Sox, 2005).
Livan Hernandez says he speaks with Orlando nearly every day, and he's known about the comeback for about a week.
"He feels good," Livan Hernandez said. "He's in better shape than anybody in baseball. It's unbelievable. He throws the ball good in the offseason in Venezuela — up to 93, 94. I think it could be good."
Jackson's no-hit streak ends at 10 innings
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Edwin Jackson's bid to become the second pitcher to throw consecutive no-hitters lasted just three outs.
Coming off throwing the majors' fourth no-hitter this season in his last start, Jackson pitched a perfect first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday night before James Loney lined a single up the middle to lead off the second.
Jackson had Arizona's second no-hitter last Friday despite walking eight batters and hitting another in a 1-0 win over Tampa Bay. He got a couple extra days' rest after throwing 149 pitches, taking the mound against the Dodgers in Kirk Gibson's managerial debut.
Cincinnati's Johnny Vander Meer is the only pitcher to throw consecutive no-hitters, doing it in 1938.
Ramirez still on shelf with hamstring
PHOENIX (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers are still trying to figure out what to do with Manny Ramirez and his balky right hamstring.
The Dodgers slugger hasn't played since straining his hamstring Tuesday against San Francisco, and wasn't available Friday against Arizona, even as a pinch-hitter.
Dodgers manager Joe Torre said Ramirez would likely be out the rest of the three-game series and the team will have to decide whether to continue playing a man down or put him on the disabled list next week. Ramirez said his hamstring was getting better, but Torre wasn't sure how close he was to returning.
Los Angeles is 13-15 this season without Ramirez, who is hitting .322 with eight homers and 39 RBIs in 59 games.
Hawpe, Helton out of Friday's lineup
DENVER (AP) — Rockies first baseman Todd Helton and outfielder Brad Hawpe were scratched from Friday's starting lineup against San Francisco with minor injuries.
Helton is out with lower back stiffness that forced him to miss two games earlier in the week, while Hawpe bruised ribs running into a wall down the right-field line against the Los Angeles Angels on June 25. Hawpe has missed three of the last five games.
An MRI exam performed Thursday confirmed Hawpe's bruised ribs.
Helton is hitting .250 with two home runs and 15 RBIs and Hawpe is hitting .270 with five home runs and 30 RBIS.
Florida activates RHP Hensley
ATLANTA (AP) — Florida Marlins right-hander Clay Hensley has been activated from the 15-day disabled list.
Right-hander Scott Strickland was outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans before the Marlins played the Atlanta Braves on Friday to make room for Hensley on the 25-man roster.
Hensley missed 17 games with a strained neck. He is 1-3 with a 2.51 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 27 relief appearances.
Strickland did not receive a decision and had a 9.00 ERA in three appearances.
American League
Banged-up Red Sox call up RHP Manuel, IF Romero
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox are putting together a rather impressive roster — on their disabled list.
The latest additions to a group that features five former All-Stars among its 10 players are catcher Jason Varitek and right-handed reliever Manny Delcarmen. They were placed on the 15-day DL on Friday night before the Red Sox put together a makeshift lineup against the Baltimore Orioles.
Center fielder Mike Cameron was scratched from the lineup before the game because abdominal soreness and replaced by Darnell McDonald.
Varitek is expected to miss four to six weeks after breaking a bone in his right foot Wednesday night on a foul ball by Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford in the seventh inning of the Rays' 9-4 win. Just two days earlier, starting catcher Victor Martinez fractured his left thumb. He is expected to come off the disabled list soon after the All-Star break.
Delcarmen has a strained forearm and could be activated as soon as he's eligible.
The Red Sox called up righty reliever Robert Manuel and infielder Niuman Romero from Triple-A Pawtucket.
That disabled list already included second baseman Dustin Pedroia (2007 AL rookie of the year and 2008 AL MVP), right-hander Josh Beckett (2003 World Series MVP and 2007 major league leader with 20 wins), third baseman Mike Lowell (2007 World Series MVP), outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (2009 major league leader with 70 stolen bases), backup outfielder Jeremy Hermida, shortstop Jed Lowrie and right-hander Junichi Tazawa.
The former All-Stars are Martinez, Pedroia, Beckett, Lowell and Varitek.
Despite losing their top players, the Red Sox entered Friday night's game with a 47-32 record, third best in the majors and one game behind the New York Yankees, who lead the AL East.
"We're in a good spot and that's the good thing," Varitek said. "Losing a couple of guys, having to adjust with that and then move from there. There's a reason we are where we're at because we've had contributions from a lot of people."
Friday's starting lineup included six players who were not on the team last year and three — McDonald, left fielder Eric Patterson and catcher Kevin Cash — who did not start the season with the Red Sox.
After Varitek was hurt, the Red Sox obtained Cash from the Houston Astros for infielder Angel Sanchez on Thursday night. Cash played 73 total games with Boston in 2007 and 2008 when he was knuckleballer Tim Wakefield's personal catcher. He was behind the plate for Wakefield's start Friday.
Cash, a light hitting, good fielding catcher, is the "perfect guy" to fill in, manager Terry Francona said.
Varitek's injury, a minimally displaced fracture of the second metatarsal on the top of his foot, is similar to the one sustained by Pedroia, although it involved a different bone, Francona said. Pedroia broke a bone in his left foot when he fouled a ball off it on June 25 at San Francisco.
On the bright side, Beckett, on the disabled list since May 19 with a lower back strain, is scheduled to pitch in a Gulf Coast rookie league game on Tuesday with a limit of about 55 pitches.
And Clay Buchholz (10-4) could start Monday at Tampa Bay after leaving last Saturday's game at San Francisco after one inning with a strained left hamstring.
Manuel was 4-1 at Pawtucket with a 1.54 ERA and eight saves in eight opportunities. Romero hit .268 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 51 games since being acquired from the Cleveland Indians on April 30.
-- Howard Ulman
Athletics' Braden to miss start against Indians
CLEVELAND (AP) — Oakland Athletics left-hander Dallas Braden has been scratched from Saturday night's start against Cleveland because of elbow stiffness.
Braden, who also was scratched from his start Tuesday night in Baltimore, threw 30 pitches in the bullpen Thursday in hopes of starting against the Indians. Instead, the A's made the decision Friday to push him back again.
"We have decided to give Dallas more time to get himself feeling better," said Oakland manager Bob Geren, who gave no indication on when Braden would start again or whether the pitcher would be placed on the diasbled list.
Braden is 0-5 in eight starts since pitching a perfect game on May 9 against Tampa Bay. His last start was against Cincinnati on June 22. Braden is 4-7 with a 3.83 ERA in 15 starts.
Right-hander Clayton Mortensen, acquired in the trade that sent outfielder Matt Holliday to St. Louis last July, will be called up from Triple-A Sacramento to start Saturday. He was scheduled to start Thursday, but was held back in case Braden was unable to pitch.
Mortensen is 10-2 with a 3.58 ERA in 15 starts at Sacramento. He leads the Pacific Coast League in wins, is second in innings (98) and is third in strikeouts (77).
Mortensen is 2-4 with a 7.63 ERA in seven major league appearances, all coming last season. He made one relief appearance with St. Louis and six starts with Oakland.
Oakland is also dealing with other injuries.
Outfielder Coco Crisp returned to the lineup Friday after not playing Thursday in order to rest his legs, Connor Jackson was out of the lineup for the second straight game because of a sore hamstring, and first baseman Daric Barton was a late addition to the lineup after leaving Thursday's game after bruising his left shin and right knee trying to break up a double play.
The A's will make a roster move before Saturday's game.
Yankees promote RHP Moseley, send down LHP Logan
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees have promoted right-hander Dustin Moseley from Triple-A and sent down lefty reliever Boone Logan.
The 28-year-old Moseley pitched in parts of the last four seasons with the Angels. He was limited last year by forearm and hip trouble.
A clause in Moseley’s contract would’ve let him become a free agent if the Yankees hadn’t told him by July 1 that he was coming to the majors.
Moseley was 4-4 with a 4.21 ERA in 12 starts this year at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He joined the Yankees for Friday’s game against Toronto. Yankees manager Joe Girardi says he likes Moseley’s ability to pitch a lot of innings.
Logan was 0-0 with a 3.93 ERA in 17 games. He was optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Tigers call up LHP Schlereth for series vs Mariners
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers have recalled left-hander Daniel Schlereth from Toledo on Friday to be available for the home series with the Seattle Mariners.
He had a 1-2 record with a 2.83 ERA in 28 games for the Triple-A Mud Hens.
Schlereth, the 26th pick two years ago, made his major league debut last season and was 1-4 with a 5.89 ERA in 21 relief appearances. He is the son of former NFL offensive lineman Mark Schlereth.
Detroit acquired Schlereth from Arizona in December as part of the three-team trade that sent Curtis Granderson to the New York Yankees and Edwin Jackson to the Diamondbacks. The Tigers also added Austin Jackson, Max Scherzer, Friday night's starter, and Phil Coke in the deal.
Twins to activate Hardy on Saturday
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins plan to activate shortstop J.J. Hardy from the disabled list on Saturday.
Hardy has not started a game since June 4 because of a wrist injury that has bothered him for most the season. He's already been on the DL twice this season because of the injury, which first happened in early May.
Hardy went on a three-game rehab assignment with Class-A Beloit. He went 1 for 3 on Friday night in the final test and manager Ron Gardenhire expects him to be ready for the game Saturday against Tampa.
In his first season in Minnesota since being acquired in a trade with Milwaukee, Hardy is hitting .217 with three homers and 13 RBIs.
White Sox closer Bobby Jenks returns to team
ARLINGTON (AP) — White Sox closer Bobby Jenks has rejoined the team after five days on the family medical emergency list.
Jenks was in Texas on Friday night for the start of Chicago's weekend series against the Rangers after spending time dealing with a family illness. He had left the team Sunday.
The White Sox had optioned left-hander Randy Williams to Triple-A Charlotte after Wednesday night's game since they didn't play Thursday.
Jenks, who has converted 17 of 18 save opportunities, says pitching is "like riding a bike" and that he feels like he can "go out there and start popping wheelies right away."
Tigers 1B Cabrera a late scratch
DETROIT (AP) — Miguel Cabrera was scratched from the Detroit Tigers' lineup for their game against the Seattle Mariners because of lower back pain.
The team announced the move shortly after batting practice Friday.
Cabrera is tied for the major league lead with 20 homers and 68 RBIs. He was replaced at first by Don Kelly.
International
Utah catcher invited to national trials
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah catcher C.J. Cron has been invited to USA Baseball's trials for this summer's World University Championships.
Cron is one of 39 players invited to compete for 22 spots on the U.S. team to play in the tournament, which runs July 30 through Aug. 7 in Tokyo. Training is July 6-11 in Cary, N.C.
Cron batted .418 in the regular season and led the Mountain West Conference with 18 home runs and 72 RBIs. He was named the league's player of the year.
Utah coach Bill Kinneberg is coaching the national team. He says it will be a good challenge for Cron to see how he measures up against other top U.S. college players.
