White Sox crush the cards, 20-6
howard gets all 7 of phillies RBIs
howard gets all 7 of phillies RBIs
Notes from Tuesday's games
June 20, 2006
ARIZONA: OF Luis Gonzalez, who is from nearby Tampa, Fla., played at Tropicana Field for the first time since the initial series at the stadium in 1998. There is a possibility Gonzalez could become a free agent next season, and he didn't rule out exploring the possibility of playing in his hometown area if that occurs. ``You never close a door to an opportunity,'' Gonzalez said. ... OF Scott Hairston was out of the lineup, one day after hurting his right shoulder when he ran into the left-field wall trying to catch a flyball. ``The preliminary report, there's nothing structurally wrong,'' manager Bob Melvin said. ``I think we caught a break on that. We'll see how he is tomorrow.'' ... RHP Juan Cruz (right shoulder) is scheduled for a bullpen session Wednesday.
TAMPA BAY: RHP Tyler Walker (right elbow tendinitis) hopes to resume throwing later this week. ``It feels much better,'' Walker said. ``When I straighten it out, it doesn't lock up.'' Walker has been out since June 13. ... RHP Jeff Niemann (shoulder surgery), taken fourth overall in the 2004 draft, allowed one run, four hits, one walk and struck out eight over 4 1-3 innings in his first start of the season at Double-A Montgomery on Monday.
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OAKLAND: The A's placed OF Milton Bradley (strained left shoulder) on the 15-day DL retroactive to June 15. ``We won't let him swing a bat until the weekend,'' manager Ken Macha said. ... The team purchased the contract of OF Doug Clark from Triple-A Sacramento and cleared a spot on the 40-man roster by designating RHP Kazuhito Tadano for assignment. ``We asked our people in Sacramento to send the guy playing the best,'' Macha said. ``They sent us Clark.''
COLORADO: Coaches worked with C J.D. Closser on his throws to second base before early batting practice. Closser is 3-for-10 throwing out baserunners. ... The Rockies were already thinking about LHP Barry Zito's curveballs. ``They break from the head to the ankles and we'll see in Wednesday,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ``Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins are our best breaking ball hitters.'' ... With 37 appearances, RHP Jose Mesa is on pace to get into 90 games. ``I promise you he won't reach 90,'' Hurdle said. ``I'd rather he didn't get to 70.'' ... Hurdle left SS Clint Barmes and his slumping bat, 1-for-17 over his last five games, out of the starting lineup.
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WASHINGTON: The Nationals/Montreal Expos franchise is 0-7 all-time in Boston. Washington is 4-2 in interleague play this season after posting an NL-best 12-6 record in 2005. ... Nick Johnson (back) missed his third consecutive game and is still day to day.
BOSTON: The Red Sox have won 10 of their last 11 and 15 of 17 in interleague play since June 12, 2005. ... Boston has gone eight games without an error. ... RHP Craig Hansen was recalled from Pawtucket. Hansen was the 26th overall pick in the 2005 draft.
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NEW YORK: LF Kevin Reese was recalled from Triple-A Columbus and batted eighth against Philadelphia. RHP Jose Veras was sent down to make room for Reese. ... RHP Octavio Dotel, who had elbow ligament replacement surgery a year ago, will now throw in New York on Thursday and stay with the team through the weekend before rehabbing in Columbus. ... LHP Randy Johnson dropped his appeal of a five-game suspension for throwing at a batter last week, pushing his next start back a few days until next Monday. ... Manager Joe Torre did not start slumping OF Melky Cabrera (1-for-19). Torre said Cabrera started putting too much pressure on himself to come out of his slump and was feeling fatigued.
PHILADELPHIA: RHP Jon Lieber, on the DL with a groin injury, will head to Florida for a rehab assignment on Wednesday. Lieber still is at least two weeks away from returning. ... Manager Charlie Manuel said he wouldn't mind if Bobby Abreu swung at more pitches in RBI opportunities, but he doesn't want Abreu to change his hitting philosophy. Abreu leads the majors with 70 walks. ``A walk is like a single, but if he gets a good pitch with runners in scoring position, I'd like to see him swing,'' Manuel said. ``He has great plate discipline. He really works the count.'' ... Cole Hamels (1-2) tries to bounce back from two poor outings on Wednesday.
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FLORIDA: OF Joe Borchard was a logical choice as the designated hitter when the Marlins opened a three-game interleague series at Camden Yards on Tuesday. ``He's been an American League player and he's used to pinch hitting for us,'' Florida manager Joe Girardi said. ``To me, DH is like pinch hitting four times.'' ... RHP Jeff Fulchino's contract was purchased from Triple-A Albuquerque and he joined the Marlins in Baltimore. Girardi said Fulchino would be used in long relief. RHP Yusmeiro Petit, who was optioned to Albuquerque after Sunday's game, impressed Girardi but needs more work. Petit pitched 11 innings in seven outings, going 0-1 with a 7.36 ERA. ``You need the innings,'' Girardi said. ``You need to pitch.''
BALTIMORE: Manager Sam Perlozzo has not yet decided whether to give rookie LHP Adam Loewen another start. Loewen is 0-2 in four starts, has not yet made it out of the sixth inning and yielded at least four runs in each outing. ... C Ramon Hernandez handed out cigars in the clubhouse Tuesday, one day after his wife gave birth to the couple's third child, a daughter named Genesis. The birth came on an off day for Baltimore. Hernandez, meanwhile, entered Tuesday's game mired in an 0-for-16 streak. ... RHP Daniel Cabrera gave up his third homer of the season in the first inning, a solo shot to Dan Uggla. Until his last start, Cabrera hadn't yielded a home run since April 28.
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DETROIT: Rookie right-handed reliever Joel Zumaya (3-0, 2.29 ERA in 28 games) had his fastball clocked as high as 100 mph during Monday's game against the Brewers. ``He's got no fear,'' manager Jim Leyland said. ``When you're not afraid that's a big part of the battle.'' Zumaya's effortless consistency impressed Brewers manager Ned Yost. ``He could throw 97, 97 and then come back and throw 100,'' he said. ... According to the Elias Sports Bureau, when RHP Jeremy Bonderman struck out six consecutive Brewers on Monday night, he became the first pitcher in the majors to fan that many in a row this season and the third since the start of the 2005 season, joining John Lackey and Brandon Webb.
MILWAUKEE: RHP Allan Simpson (0-0, 3.38 ERA in two games) was designated for assignment when the Brewers activated RHP Rick Helling off the 60-day DL. The team also outrighted RHP Joe Winkelsas (0-1, 7.71 ERA in seven games) to Nashville and filled his spot by purchasing the contract of INF Chris Barnwell from that club. ... With Helling filling the fourth spot in the rotation, manager Ned Yost plans to alternate between RHP Carlos Villanueva and LHP Zach Jackson as the fifth starter depending on the matchup.
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SAN DIEGO: Geoff Blum started at second base because he had four hits in nine at-bats (.444), including two home runs, against Rangers RHP Vicente Padilla. ... Ben Johnson, called up Tuesday from Triple A when OF Dave Roberts went on the DL, started in left field and batted ninth. Manager Bruce Bochy said Eric Young would start Wednesday. ... With Mike Piazza, a .340 hitter in interleague games, including 10 home runs as a designated hitter, Bochy said, ``We're a little more suited to playing with a DH than we were in the past.''
TEXAS: Three of the Rangers' five injured pitchers (RHPs Adam Eaton, Ryan Rupe and Frankie Francisco) threw on the side before Tuesday's game. ``Everything went well,'' manager Buck Showalter said. Francisco has been taken off the DL and optioned to Double-A Frisco, but could be returning to the Rangers when he is eligible June 29. He'll pitch in back-to-back games at Wichita on Wednesday and Thursday. ... Eaton, RHP Akinori Otsuka and newly recalled OF Freddy Guzman all played for San Diego last season. ... Showalter said he hopes to keep Guzman on the roster even when Texas adds a pitcher to start Saturday's game at Colorado. ``We'll see how our pitching is before we decide,'' Showalter said.
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CHICAGO: 1B Derek Lee (broken right wrist) took batting practice on the field for the first time Tuesday. He has been on the DL since April 21. ``It's great to see him out there,'' manager Dusty Baker said. Baker isn't sure when Lee, who has been taking groundballs and throwing without a problem, will be ready to return to the lineup. ... RHP Scott Williamson (sore forearm muscle) pitched a scoreless inning on a rehab assignment for Triple-A Iowa against New Orleans on Monday night. He has been on the DL since June 4 and is scheduled to pitch again for Iowa on Thursday. ... INF Angel Pagan (strained left hamstring) played five innings for Class-A Mesa at extended spring training Monday. His workload will be increased in the ensuing days before he goes on a rehab assignment.
CLEVELAND: RHP Edward Mujica will wear No. 49 for the Indians. The 22-year-old right-hander didn't give up an earned run in 38 2-3 innings over 24 appearance for Double-A Akron and the Triple-A Bisons. ``I've done good,'' he said with a big smile. Mujica impressed the Indians during spring training with his stuff and his ability to learn a split-finger fastball, which bullpen coach Luis Isaac taught him. He's added the splitter to his repertoire. ... OF Jason Michaels missed his fourth straight game since injuring his ankle trying to make a catch at Yankee Stadium. The injury has improved but there's a chance he could go on the 15-day DL. ... The Indians signed INF Adam Davis, their third-round selection (No. 101 overall). Davis played three seasons at Florida, where he was named first-team All-SEC in 2005 and was named to the U.S. national team.
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TORONTO: Manager John Gibbons isn't holding back when he talks about the importance of RHP A.J. Burnett's return to the rotation Thursday. Burnett (0-1, 6.30 ERA) is scheduled to make his first start since he was placed on the DL on April 22 with an elbow injury. When asked if the Blue Jays have the personnel to compete in the AL East, Gibbons said: ``I think everything is kind of riding on how Burnett does. If he comes through for us we'll be in good shape.''
ATLANTA: RHP Kyle Davies continued his return from surgery to repair a torn right groin muscle when he threw in the bullpen Tuesday. It was his second time throwing off a mound, but he threw only lightly. ``He's getting there,'' manager Bobby Cox said. ... LF Scott Thorman received his second straight start, batting eighth. Thorman, who has spent the majority of his career at first base, was called up from Triple-A Richmond on Sunday. LF Ryan Langerhans has a hip flexor.
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PITTSBURGH: The Pirates figured on paper to have a power advantage over Kansas City in their three-game interleague series. Coming in, KC was last in the AL with 50 home runs while Pittsburgh was No. 6 in the NL with 82. ... The series will be a homecoming for Pirates 3B Joe Randa, who had two stints with Kansas City after being an 11th-round draft choice of the Royals in 1991. Randa was a very popular player in Kansas City and still makes his home in KC. ... 1B Sean Casey was not in the lineup Tuesday after getting hit just above the right elbow by a pitch on Sunday. He was day to day.
KANSAS CITY: The Royals sent LHP J.P. Howell to Tampa Bay on Tuesday for outfielder Joey Gathright and infielder Fernando Cortez in the first deal by Dayton Moore as KC's general manager. Gathright could be in the lineup in center field as soon as Wednesday. ... RHP Zack Greinke, who has been on a rehab assignment in Double-A Wichita after being on the DL to deal with emotional issues, had a meeting with Moore on Tuesday in Kansas City. The Royals said it was just a get-acquainted session and no decision had been made on when Greinke will be brought up.
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MINNESOTA: OF Shannon Stewart, who has been on the DL with a left foot injury since May 20, did some simulated base running on Tuesday before the game. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Stewart is close to making a rehab start in the minors. ``His foot feels better,'' Gardenhire said. Gardenhire said he would likely be the designated hitter when he first returns. ... Gardenhire said he doesn't expect 22-year-old Francisco Liriano to get caught up in the excitement on Thursday when he takes the mound against Roger Clemens. ``He's pretty calm about everything,'' Gardenhire said. ``This will be another nice test for him. I think he'll do fine.''
HOUSTON: Roger Clemens was at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday to work out and talk with some of his teammates. He is scheduled to make his first start of the season on Thursday. He stood behind the batting cage chatting with Astros manager Phil Garner for part of Houston's batting practice before the game. ... Astros RHP Brandon Backe, who has been on the DL with an injured right elbow since April 13, pitched a simulated game for three innings on Tuesday. Backe, who threw 55 pitches, will pitch one more simulated game before heading to the minors for a rehab assignment. Garner said he doesn't plan on Backe pitching for the Astros until after the All-Star break. ``To be honest, I'm pretty bored,'' Backe said. ``I'm anxious to get out there and pitch.''
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ST. LOUIS: Albert Pujols took batting practice, fielded grounders and ran hard in the outfield Tuesday. The Cardinals' star is getting closer to returning as he recovers from a strained oblique muscle suffered June 3. Pujols might be able to come off the DL in time for the Cardinals' weekend interleague series in Detroit. ``He's stepping up the program. Everything so far, he's feeling good,'' manager Tony La Russa said, adding that Pujols was not in any pain. ``He'll keep stepping it up until he's game-ready. But there is a conditioning factor now, too. It's not just getting his legs in shape and his arm in shape, there is a lot to get ready.'' ... SS David Eckstein returned to the lineup after missing three games with a mild concussion. ... Twenty years ago on June 20, 1986, La Russa was fired as manager of the White Sox. La Russa, fired by then GM Ken ``Hawk'' Harrelson, remains close friends with White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf. Before Tuesday's game, La Russa had an extended meeting with White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen - La Russa was Guillen's first major league manager when Guillen won the AL Rookie of the Year honors in 1985. Later, Guillen, La Russa, Reinsdorf and vice chairman Eddie Einhorn talked for nearly 30 minutes around home plate.
CHICAGO: Manager Ozzie Guillen said he would have no hesitation in recalling rookie pitcher Sean Tracey from the minors. Tracey was sent down after the White Sox traded for David Riske. His demotion came just after a game in which he sat despondent in the dugout in Texas last week when Guillen went on a tirade. The White Sox manager was upset that his team, most notably Tracey, failed to hit a Rangers batter in retaliation for Chicago catcher A.J. Pierzynski twice being plunked by pitches. ``I hope we don't need him. If we need him, we will call him up,'' Guillen said. ... The White Sox signed first-round pick Kyle McCulloch, a 6-foot-3 right-hander from the University of Texas. McCulloch, who led the Longhorns to the College World Series title in 2005, will report to rookie league ball in Great Falls, Mont.
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SEATTLE: 3B Adrian Beltre played his first game at Dodger Stadium since 2004. He left after that season, signing a five-year, $64 million contract with the Mariners. He said before the game it felt weird being back, but added: ``I don't have any different emotions yet. I haven't been on the field yet. We'll see what happens when they say, `Play Ball.''' Beltre hit .334 with 48 homers and 121 RBIs in 2004, but has struggled with the Mariners. ``He's trying too hard,'' said Manny Mota, a coach with the Dodgers who was close to Beltre. ``He needs to relax. He's putting pressure on himself. He's a hard worker - he's going to be all right.'' ... 2B Jose Lopez didn't start for the second straight game because of a sore left thumb. ... The Mariners entered with a 6-0 interleague record - the best in baseball. They were 90-74 against NL teams since interleague play began in 1997.
LOS ANGELES: The Dodgers activated Cesar Izturis. Manager Grady Little said Izturis will be the team's everyday third baseman - at least for now - starting Thursday night. Rafael Furcal will remain at shortstop. Izturis was an NL All-Star for the first time last year before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery in September to repair degenerative arthritis in his right elbow. He won a Gold Glove at shortstop in 2004. ... The Dodgers signed LHP Clayton Kershaw, their first-round pick in this month's draft. ``It's surreal. I mean, just coming here and being down on the field and meeting all these great ballplayers, it makes you realize that if you work as hard as they did, you can maybe be here someday,'' Kershaw said. ``So it's pretty exciting. Hopefully, I can be up here sooner rather than later. That's what you're working for.'' ... OF Ricky Ledee and OF Jason Repko, both on the disabled list, took batting practice for the first time since being injured last month. Little said Ledee might be ready for a minor league rehab assignment next week. Repko is still unable to run.
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LOS ANGELES: OF Darin Erstad, on the disabled list for more than a month with irritation in his right ankle, is not making ``much progress,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``We'll take a look at it and see if this thing is moving in the right direction or not.'' ... Scioscia isn't worried about slumping slugger Vladimir Guerrero, who entered the game in an 0-for-14 funk. ``At times he's gotten even more aggressive than we've seen Vlad,'' Scioscia said. ``He's just trying a little too hard. He'll be fine.'' ... Owner Arte Moreno watched the teams warm up from the dugout steps. ... Kendry Morales was in a 4-for-36 skid. ``We're just not creating enough early in innings,'' Scioscia said. ``We have some guys in pretty significant soft periods.''
SAN FRANCISCO: RF Moises Alou, scratched before Sunday's game at Seattle with back spasms, was held out of the lineup for a third straight day and said his back is still bothering him and hurts when he bends over. He was scheduled for an MRI exam Tuesday. ``I have done treatment and it's not getting better,'' he said. ``I didn't do anything wrong. It's not like dove.'' For the 39-year-old Alou, it's been a frustrating setback considering how well he played early in the year batting behind Barry Bonds. ``I'm in the last year of my contract and I want to play next year,'' he said. ``If you want to play next year, you've got to stay healthy.'' Is retirement in his thoughts? ``It's not out of my vocabulary,'' Alou said. ... Bonds is likely to get Wednesday's day game off after playing Tuesday night. ... C Mike Matheny, on the disabled list with a concussion, rejoined the team after being seen by specialists at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. His recovery is taking longer than expected and he said he still feels ``foggy.'' ``I'm a little anxious to see what will happen once we get it healed up,'' said Matheny, who did some light baseball activity before the game. ``It's something I have to get completely healed.''
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CINCINNATI: Manager Jerry Narron thinks 2B Brandon Phillips and C David Ross deserve consideration for the All-Star game despite neither being on the ballot. ``Phillips' numbers match up with anybody's at second base and Ross is leading all catchers in homers,'' Narron said. Phillips is batting .308 with 40 RBIs and Ross is third in the NL in hitting at .337 with 10 home runs. ... Reds have played better on the road (21-19) than they have at home (17-19).
NEW YORK: Carlos Beltran's ninth-inning home run Monday night snapped an 0-for-15 streak. ... Manager Willie Randolph sees an up side to the team's batting slump since returning from a 9-1 road trip. ``If we kept swinging the way we were swinging, they'd say we were using corked bats,'' he said. The Mets are hitting .289 with 100 runs scored over the last 15 games ... Mets lead majors with 77 stolen bases, 30 by SS Jose Reyes, who also leads majors.
June 20, 2006
ARIZONA: OF Luis Gonzalez, who is from nearby Tampa, Fla., played at Tropicana Field for the first time since the initial series at the stadium in 1998. There is a possibility Gonzalez could become a free agent next season, and he didn't rule out exploring the possibility of playing in his hometown area if that occurs. ``You never close a door to an opportunity,'' Gonzalez said. ... OF Scott Hairston was out of the lineup, one day after hurting his right shoulder when he ran into the left-field wall trying to catch a flyball. ``The preliminary report, there's nothing structurally wrong,'' manager Bob Melvin said. ``I think we caught a break on that. We'll see how he is tomorrow.'' ... RHP Juan Cruz (right shoulder) is scheduled for a bullpen session Wednesday.
TAMPA BAY: RHP Tyler Walker (right elbow tendinitis) hopes to resume throwing later this week. ``It feels much better,'' Walker said. ``When I straighten it out, it doesn't lock up.'' Walker has been out since June 13. ... RHP Jeff Niemann (shoulder surgery), taken fourth overall in the 2004 draft, allowed one run, four hits, one walk and struck out eight over 4 1-3 innings in his first start of the season at Double-A Montgomery on Monday.
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OAKLAND: The A's placed OF Milton Bradley (strained left shoulder) on the 15-day DL retroactive to June 15. ``We won't let him swing a bat until the weekend,'' manager Ken Macha said. ... The team purchased the contract of OF Doug Clark from Triple-A Sacramento and cleared a spot on the 40-man roster by designating RHP Kazuhito Tadano for assignment. ``We asked our people in Sacramento to send the guy playing the best,'' Macha said. ``They sent us Clark.''
COLORADO: Coaches worked with C J.D. Closser on his throws to second base before early batting practice. Closser is 3-for-10 throwing out baserunners. ... The Rockies were already thinking about LHP Barry Zito's curveballs. ``They break from the head to the ankles and we'll see in Wednesday,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ``Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins are our best breaking ball hitters.'' ... With 37 appearances, RHP Jose Mesa is on pace to get into 90 games. ``I promise you he won't reach 90,'' Hurdle said. ``I'd rather he didn't get to 70.'' ... Hurdle left SS Clint Barmes and his slumping bat, 1-for-17 over his last five games, out of the starting lineup.
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WASHINGTON: The Nationals/Montreal Expos franchise is 0-7 all-time in Boston. Washington is 4-2 in interleague play this season after posting an NL-best 12-6 record in 2005. ... Nick Johnson (back) missed his third consecutive game and is still day to day.
BOSTON: The Red Sox have won 10 of their last 11 and 15 of 17 in interleague play since June 12, 2005. ... Boston has gone eight games without an error. ... RHP Craig Hansen was recalled from Pawtucket. Hansen was the 26th overall pick in the 2005 draft.
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NEW YORK: LF Kevin Reese was recalled from Triple-A Columbus and batted eighth against Philadelphia. RHP Jose Veras was sent down to make room for Reese. ... RHP Octavio Dotel, who had elbow ligament replacement surgery a year ago, will now throw in New York on Thursday and stay with the team through the weekend before rehabbing in Columbus. ... LHP Randy Johnson dropped his appeal of a five-game suspension for throwing at a batter last week, pushing his next start back a few days until next Monday. ... Manager Joe Torre did not start slumping OF Melky Cabrera (1-for-19). Torre said Cabrera started putting too much pressure on himself to come out of his slump and was feeling fatigued.
PHILADELPHIA: RHP Jon Lieber, on the DL with a groin injury, will head to Florida for a rehab assignment on Wednesday. Lieber still is at least two weeks away from returning. ... Manager Charlie Manuel said he wouldn't mind if Bobby Abreu swung at more pitches in RBI opportunities, but he doesn't want Abreu to change his hitting philosophy. Abreu leads the majors with 70 walks. ``A walk is like a single, but if he gets a good pitch with runners in scoring position, I'd like to see him swing,'' Manuel said. ``He has great plate discipline. He really works the count.'' ... Cole Hamels (1-2) tries to bounce back from two poor outings on Wednesday.
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FLORIDA: OF Joe Borchard was a logical choice as the designated hitter when the Marlins opened a three-game interleague series at Camden Yards on Tuesday. ``He's been an American League player and he's used to pinch hitting for us,'' Florida manager Joe Girardi said. ``To me, DH is like pinch hitting four times.'' ... RHP Jeff Fulchino's contract was purchased from Triple-A Albuquerque and he joined the Marlins in Baltimore. Girardi said Fulchino would be used in long relief. RHP Yusmeiro Petit, who was optioned to Albuquerque after Sunday's game, impressed Girardi but needs more work. Petit pitched 11 innings in seven outings, going 0-1 with a 7.36 ERA. ``You need the innings,'' Girardi said. ``You need to pitch.''
BALTIMORE: Manager Sam Perlozzo has not yet decided whether to give rookie LHP Adam Loewen another start. Loewen is 0-2 in four starts, has not yet made it out of the sixth inning and yielded at least four runs in each outing. ... C Ramon Hernandez handed out cigars in the clubhouse Tuesday, one day after his wife gave birth to the couple's third child, a daughter named Genesis. The birth came on an off day for Baltimore. Hernandez, meanwhile, entered Tuesday's game mired in an 0-for-16 streak. ... RHP Daniel Cabrera gave up his third homer of the season in the first inning, a solo shot to Dan Uggla. Until his last start, Cabrera hadn't yielded a home run since April 28.
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DETROIT: Rookie right-handed reliever Joel Zumaya (3-0, 2.29 ERA in 28 games) had his fastball clocked as high as 100 mph during Monday's game against the Brewers. ``He's got no fear,'' manager Jim Leyland said. ``When you're not afraid that's a big part of the battle.'' Zumaya's effortless consistency impressed Brewers manager Ned Yost. ``He could throw 97, 97 and then come back and throw 100,'' he said. ... According to the Elias Sports Bureau, when RHP Jeremy Bonderman struck out six consecutive Brewers on Monday night, he became the first pitcher in the majors to fan that many in a row this season and the third since the start of the 2005 season, joining John Lackey and Brandon Webb.
MILWAUKEE: RHP Allan Simpson (0-0, 3.38 ERA in two games) was designated for assignment when the Brewers activated RHP Rick Helling off the 60-day DL. The team also outrighted RHP Joe Winkelsas (0-1, 7.71 ERA in seven games) to Nashville and filled his spot by purchasing the contract of INF Chris Barnwell from that club. ... With Helling filling the fourth spot in the rotation, manager Ned Yost plans to alternate between RHP Carlos Villanueva and LHP Zach Jackson as the fifth starter depending on the matchup.
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SAN DIEGO: Geoff Blum started at second base because he had four hits in nine at-bats (.444), including two home runs, against Rangers RHP Vicente Padilla. ... Ben Johnson, called up Tuesday from Triple A when OF Dave Roberts went on the DL, started in left field and batted ninth. Manager Bruce Bochy said Eric Young would start Wednesday. ... With Mike Piazza, a .340 hitter in interleague games, including 10 home runs as a designated hitter, Bochy said, ``We're a little more suited to playing with a DH than we were in the past.''
TEXAS: Three of the Rangers' five injured pitchers (RHPs Adam Eaton, Ryan Rupe and Frankie Francisco) threw on the side before Tuesday's game. ``Everything went well,'' manager Buck Showalter said. Francisco has been taken off the DL and optioned to Double-A Frisco, but could be returning to the Rangers when he is eligible June 29. He'll pitch in back-to-back games at Wichita on Wednesday and Thursday. ... Eaton, RHP Akinori Otsuka and newly recalled OF Freddy Guzman all played for San Diego last season. ... Showalter said he hopes to keep Guzman on the roster even when Texas adds a pitcher to start Saturday's game at Colorado. ``We'll see how our pitching is before we decide,'' Showalter said.
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CHICAGO: 1B Derek Lee (broken right wrist) took batting practice on the field for the first time Tuesday. He has been on the DL since April 21. ``It's great to see him out there,'' manager Dusty Baker said. Baker isn't sure when Lee, who has been taking groundballs and throwing without a problem, will be ready to return to the lineup. ... RHP Scott Williamson (sore forearm muscle) pitched a scoreless inning on a rehab assignment for Triple-A Iowa against New Orleans on Monday night. He has been on the DL since June 4 and is scheduled to pitch again for Iowa on Thursday. ... INF Angel Pagan (strained left hamstring) played five innings for Class-A Mesa at extended spring training Monday. His workload will be increased in the ensuing days before he goes on a rehab assignment.
CLEVELAND: RHP Edward Mujica will wear No. 49 for the Indians. The 22-year-old right-hander didn't give up an earned run in 38 2-3 innings over 24 appearance for Double-A Akron and the Triple-A Bisons. ``I've done good,'' he said with a big smile. Mujica impressed the Indians during spring training with his stuff and his ability to learn a split-finger fastball, which bullpen coach Luis Isaac taught him. He's added the splitter to his repertoire. ... OF Jason Michaels missed his fourth straight game since injuring his ankle trying to make a catch at Yankee Stadium. The injury has improved but there's a chance he could go on the 15-day DL. ... The Indians signed INF Adam Davis, their third-round selection (No. 101 overall). Davis played three seasons at Florida, where he was named first-team All-SEC in 2005 and was named to the U.S. national team.
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TORONTO: Manager John Gibbons isn't holding back when he talks about the importance of RHP A.J. Burnett's return to the rotation Thursday. Burnett (0-1, 6.30 ERA) is scheduled to make his first start since he was placed on the DL on April 22 with an elbow injury. When asked if the Blue Jays have the personnel to compete in the AL East, Gibbons said: ``I think everything is kind of riding on how Burnett does. If he comes through for us we'll be in good shape.''
ATLANTA: RHP Kyle Davies continued his return from surgery to repair a torn right groin muscle when he threw in the bullpen Tuesday. It was his second time throwing off a mound, but he threw only lightly. ``He's getting there,'' manager Bobby Cox said. ... LF Scott Thorman received his second straight start, batting eighth. Thorman, who has spent the majority of his career at first base, was called up from Triple-A Richmond on Sunday. LF Ryan Langerhans has a hip flexor.
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PITTSBURGH: The Pirates figured on paper to have a power advantage over Kansas City in their three-game interleague series. Coming in, KC was last in the AL with 50 home runs while Pittsburgh was No. 6 in the NL with 82. ... The series will be a homecoming for Pirates 3B Joe Randa, who had two stints with Kansas City after being an 11th-round draft choice of the Royals in 1991. Randa was a very popular player in Kansas City and still makes his home in KC. ... 1B Sean Casey was not in the lineup Tuesday after getting hit just above the right elbow by a pitch on Sunday. He was day to day.
KANSAS CITY: The Royals sent LHP J.P. Howell to Tampa Bay on Tuesday for outfielder Joey Gathright and infielder Fernando Cortez in the first deal by Dayton Moore as KC's general manager. Gathright could be in the lineup in center field as soon as Wednesday. ... RHP Zack Greinke, who has been on a rehab assignment in Double-A Wichita after being on the DL to deal with emotional issues, had a meeting with Moore on Tuesday in Kansas City. The Royals said it was just a get-acquainted session and no decision had been made on when Greinke will be brought up.
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MINNESOTA: OF Shannon Stewart, who has been on the DL with a left foot injury since May 20, did some simulated base running on Tuesday before the game. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Stewart is close to making a rehab start in the minors. ``His foot feels better,'' Gardenhire said. Gardenhire said he would likely be the designated hitter when he first returns. ... Gardenhire said he doesn't expect 22-year-old Francisco Liriano to get caught up in the excitement on Thursday when he takes the mound against Roger Clemens. ``He's pretty calm about everything,'' Gardenhire said. ``This will be another nice test for him. I think he'll do fine.''
HOUSTON: Roger Clemens was at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday to work out and talk with some of his teammates. He is scheduled to make his first start of the season on Thursday. He stood behind the batting cage chatting with Astros manager Phil Garner for part of Houston's batting practice before the game. ... Astros RHP Brandon Backe, who has been on the DL with an injured right elbow since April 13, pitched a simulated game for three innings on Tuesday. Backe, who threw 55 pitches, will pitch one more simulated game before heading to the minors for a rehab assignment. Garner said he doesn't plan on Backe pitching for the Astros until after the All-Star break. ``To be honest, I'm pretty bored,'' Backe said. ``I'm anxious to get out there and pitch.''
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ST. LOUIS: Albert Pujols took batting practice, fielded grounders and ran hard in the outfield Tuesday. The Cardinals' star is getting closer to returning as he recovers from a strained oblique muscle suffered June 3. Pujols might be able to come off the DL in time for the Cardinals' weekend interleague series in Detroit. ``He's stepping up the program. Everything so far, he's feeling good,'' manager Tony La Russa said, adding that Pujols was not in any pain. ``He'll keep stepping it up until he's game-ready. But there is a conditioning factor now, too. It's not just getting his legs in shape and his arm in shape, there is a lot to get ready.'' ... SS David Eckstein returned to the lineup after missing three games with a mild concussion. ... Twenty years ago on June 20, 1986, La Russa was fired as manager of the White Sox. La Russa, fired by then GM Ken ``Hawk'' Harrelson, remains close friends with White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf. Before Tuesday's game, La Russa had an extended meeting with White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen - La Russa was Guillen's first major league manager when Guillen won the AL Rookie of the Year honors in 1985. Later, Guillen, La Russa, Reinsdorf and vice chairman Eddie Einhorn talked for nearly 30 minutes around home plate.
CHICAGO: Manager Ozzie Guillen said he would have no hesitation in recalling rookie pitcher Sean Tracey from the minors. Tracey was sent down after the White Sox traded for David Riske. His demotion came just after a game in which he sat despondent in the dugout in Texas last week when Guillen went on a tirade. The White Sox manager was upset that his team, most notably Tracey, failed to hit a Rangers batter in retaliation for Chicago catcher A.J. Pierzynski twice being plunked by pitches. ``I hope we don't need him. If we need him, we will call him up,'' Guillen said. ... The White Sox signed first-round pick Kyle McCulloch, a 6-foot-3 right-hander from the University of Texas. McCulloch, who led the Longhorns to the College World Series title in 2005, will report to rookie league ball in Great Falls, Mont.
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SEATTLE: 3B Adrian Beltre played his first game at Dodger Stadium since 2004. He left after that season, signing a five-year, $64 million contract with the Mariners. He said before the game it felt weird being back, but added: ``I don't have any different emotions yet. I haven't been on the field yet. We'll see what happens when they say, `Play Ball.''' Beltre hit .334 with 48 homers and 121 RBIs in 2004, but has struggled with the Mariners. ``He's trying too hard,'' said Manny Mota, a coach with the Dodgers who was close to Beltre. ``He needs to relax. He's putting pressure on himself. He's a hard worker - he's going to be all right.'' ... 2B Jose Lopez didn't start for the second straight game because of a sore left thumb. ... The Mariners entered with a 6-0 interleague record - the best in baseball. They were 90-74 against NL teams since interleague play began in 1997.
LOS ANGELES: The Dodgers activated Cesar Izturis. Manager Grady Little said Izturis will be the team's everyday third baseman - at least for now - starting Thursday night. Rafael Furcal will remain at shortstop. Izturis was an NL All-Star for the first time last year before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery in September to repair degenerative arthritis in his right elbow. He won a Gold Glove at shortstop in 2004. ... The Dodgers signed LHP Clayton Kershaw, their first-round pick in this month's draft. ``It's surreal. I mean, just coming here and being down on the field and meeting all these great ballplayers, it makes you realize that if you work as hard as they did, you can maybe be here someday,'' Kershaw said. ``So it's pretty exciting. Hopefully, I can be up here sooner rather than later. That's what you're working for.'' ... OF Ricky Ledee and OF Jason Repko, both on the disabled list, took batting practice for the first time since being injured last month. Little said Ledee might be ready for a minor league rehab assignment next week. Repko is still unable to run.
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LOS ANGELES: OF Darin Erstad, on the disabled list for more than a month with irritation in his right ankle, is not making ``much progress,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``We'll take a look at it and see if this thing is moving in the right direction or not.'' ... Scioscia isn't worried about slumping slugger Vladimir Guerrero, who entered the game in an 0-for-14 funk. ``At times he's gotten even more aggressive than we've seen Vlad,'' Scioscia said. ``He's just trying a little too hard. He'll be fine.'' ... Owner Arte Moreno watched the teams warm up from the dugout steps. ... Kendry Morales was in a 4-for-36 skid. ``We're just not creating enough early in innings,'' Scioscia said. ``We have some guys in pretty significant soft periods.''
SAN FRANCISCO: RF Moises Alou, scratched before Sunday's game at Seattle with back spasms, was held out of the lineup for a third straight day and said his back is still bothering him and hurts when he bends over. He was scheduled for an MRI exam Tuesday. ``I have done treatment and it's not getting better,'' he said. ``I didn't do anything wrong. It's not like dove.'' For the 39-year-old Alou, it's been a frustrating setback considering how well he played early in the year batting behind Barry Bonds. ``I'm in the last year of my contract and I want to play next year,'' he said. ``If you want to play next year, you've got to stay healthy.'' Is retirement in his thoughts? ``It's not out of my vocabulary,'' Alou said. ... Bonds is likely to get Wednesday's day game off after playing Tuesday night. ... C Mike Matheny, on the disabled list with a concussion, rejoined the team after being seen by specialists at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. His recovery is taking longer than expected and he said he still feels ``foggy.'' ``I'm a little anxious to see what will happen once we get it healed up,'' said Matheny, who did some light baseball activity before the game. ``It's something I have to get completely healed.''
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CINCINNATI: Manager Jerry Narron thinks 2B Brandon Phillips and C David Ross deserve consideration for the All-Star game despite neither being on the ballot. ``Phillips' numbers match up with anybody's at second base and Ross is leading all catchers in homers,'' Narron said. Phillips is batting .308 with 40 RBIs and Ross is third in the NL in hitting at .337 with 10 home runs. ... Reds have played better on the road (21-19) than they have at home (17-19).
NEW YORK: Carlos Beltran's ninth-inning home run Monday night snapped an 0-for-15 streak. ... Manager Willie Randolph sees an up side to the team's batting slump since returning from a 9-1 road trip. ``If we kept swinging the way we were swinging, they'd say we were using corked bats,'' he said. The Mets are hitting .289 with 100 runs scored over the last 15 games ... Mets lead majors with 77 stolen bases, 30 by SS Jose Reyes, who also leads majors.
