MLB Notebook
Published 11:47 pm Monday, May 3, 2010
Yankees push Vazquez back, A-Rod returns to lineup
NEW YORK — Yankees manager Joe Girardi is hoping a little rest will cure whatever is wrong with Alex Rodriguez’s right leg and help struggling starter Javier Vazquez return to form.
Rodriguez was back in the lineup for Monday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, and Girardi said Vazquez’s next start has been pushed back to next Monday at Detroit to give him more time to find a way to snap out of his funk.
“We’re just going to move him back a few days,” Girardi said, “give him a couple bullpen sessions, see where we’re at. … He wants to get back out there and pitch, and that’s how I would expect him to be. But I just thought he could use a little time to catch his breath.”
Vazquez, who was in line to start Friday night at Boston, was acquired from the Atlanta Braves over the winter to strengthen the rotation. But the right-hander is off to a rough start in his second stint with New York.
Wagner to retire after season
ATLANTA — Billy Wagner has given the Atlanta Braves early notice he plans to retire after the season to spend more time with his family.
Wagner said he is making his plans known early this season so the Braves can have time to prepare for 2011.
Wagner, 38, plans to retire even though he has a $6.5 million option to play in 2011.
He said the extra time he spent with his wife and four children while recovering from elbow ligament-replacement surgery in 2008 made it more difficult to be away from his Virginia home.
“I think when I was home with the kids I just enjoyed it, probably too much,” Wagner said. “It’s where I want to be and I think it’s something else the Lord has got for me to do and I’m going to go that way.”
Royals move Gordon to outfield
CHICAGO — Hoping to revitalize Alex Gordon’s offense, the Kansas City Royals are moving him on defense.
One day after the Royals optioned Gordon to Class AAA Omaha, Kansas City manager Trey Hillman said Gordon will shift from third base to left field in the minors.
“He’s played it before, a long time ago. It’s been a while,” Hillman said Monday. “If I had to guess, as long as it goes OK, the majority of it would be in left.”
Gordon, selected second overall in the 2005 amateur draft by the Royals, batted .194 with one homer and one RBI in 12 big league games this season. Hillman said he hopes changing positions will help Gordon at the plate.
Pelfrey has MRI; Escobar done
CINCINNATI — New York Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey has undergone a precautionary MRI on his right shoulder but expects to make his next scheduled start.
In other news, right-hander Kelvim Escobar will have shoulder surgery Wednesday and miss the entire season.
Pelfrey reported stiffness in the shoulder during his start Saturday in Philadelphia, where he lost 10-0 to Roy Halladay. Mets manager Jerry Manuel said Monday that Pelfrey is expected to follow his normal between-starts routine and pitch again next weekend at home against San Francisco.
Dickerson has surgery
CINCINNATI — Reds outfielder Chris Dickerson will be out four to six weeks following surgery on his right hand and wrist.
Dickerson had part of the hamate bone in his hand removed on Monday. Doctors also cleaned out his wrist, which has been bothering him for a while.
Dickerson aggravated the wrist on a swing and went on the 15-day disabled list Friday. He batted .227 with no homers or RBI during nine games this season.
Madson needs toe surgery
PHILADELPHIA — Phillies reliever Ryan Madson will have surgery Tuesday on the broken right toe he injured when he kicked a chair after blowing a save.
Philadelphia trainer Scott Sheridan said before Monday night’s game against St. Louis that there will be a better timetable for Madson’s return following the surgery.
Madson had a CT scan Monday and it revealed further damage to his foot.
Mauer improving, but still out
MINNEAPOLIS — Joe Mauer’s bruised left heel is improving, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire says he isn’t ready to put the AL MVP back in the lineup just yet.
Mauer was not in the lineup for the third straight game, missing the series opener against the Detroit Tigers on Monday night. He was injured on Friday and has what the team is calling a deep bone bruise.
Mauer was not available for comment before the game. Gardenhire says Mauer is still sore, “but he’s better than yesterday.” Mauer is listed as day-to-day.
Posada leaves with sore calf
NEW YORK — Jorge Posada has left the New York Yankees’ game against the Baltimore Orioles with tightness in his right calf.
It was unclear when Posada was injured, but the Yankees announced he would have an MRI on Monday night. Francisco Cervelli replaced him behind the plate before the start of the sixth inning.
Posada missed two straight starts last week with a swollen right knee after he was plunked by a pitch from Baltimore pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, who also started Monday night’s game.
Associated Press
