YANKEES: The New York Yankees added a fresh arm to their bullpen Saturday, purchasing right-hander Dave Robertson’s contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. New York also optioned lefty Kei Igawa back to Triple-A, one day after he was called up.
In other news, the Yankees acknowledged that Hideki Matsui may need surgery on his ailing left knee. The slugger was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday. “Hopefully, this is a 15-day thing and we get him healthy and get him better,” manager Joe Girardi said. “Could it be more? Yes.”
INDIANS: Fausto Carmona and Travis Hafner won’t be back with the Cleveland Indians until after the All-Star break. Both are progressing from injuries, Indians trainer Lonnie Soloff said Saturday before the Indians played the Cincinnati Reds. Carmona, a 19-game winner a year ago, has been sidelined since May 24 with a strained left hip. Hafner, the team’s main power source, has been on the disabled list since May 30 with a weak right shoulder.
ROYALS: Alberto Callaspo was placed on the disabled list for undisclosed reasons by the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, one day after being arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. To take his place on the roster, Kansas City recalled first baseman-designated hitter Billy Butler, a top prospect who was sent down to Triple-A Omaha a month ago to work on his attitude and game.
Callaspo, a utility infielder who has appeared in 42 games, was arrested early Friday morning and spent about seven hours in jail before being released on a signature bond.
RANGERS: Kason Gabbard was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow inflammation Saturday, a day after pitching just 31/3 innings in his latest start. It is the second DL stint this season for Gabbard, and the ninth disabled list move involving seven different Texas starting pitchers. The Rangers called up right-hander Warner Madrigal from Triple-A Oklahoma. Madrigal, a converted outfielder looking to make his major league debut, was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 14 saves in 31 relief appearances for Oklahoma and Double-A Frisco. Rookie Luis Mendoza, who began the season as the Rangers’ fifth starter but also has had two DL stints, will take Gabbard’s place in the rotation.
TWINS: Minnesota right fielder Michael Cuddyer missed the Twins’ game against Milwaukee on Saturday night because of an inflamed tendon in his left index finger. Cuddyer said the injury has been bothering him off and on for the past two weeks. Cuddyer was expected to see a team orthopedist before the game Saturday to determine the next step. Minnesota second baseman Alexi Casilla also did not start Saturday. He sprained his left middle finger sliding into first base on Friday. Manager Ron Gardenhire said Casilla should be back today.
TIGERS: Detroit right fielder Magglio Ordonez left the game Saturday night against Colorado because of spasms in his side. Ordonez appeared to pull up as he went after Troy Tulowitzki’s leadoff double off the right-field wall in the top of the third inning. After Ordonez threw the ball back in, Detroit trainer Kevin Rand came out, talked to him for a minute and escorted him off the field.
CUBS: Injuries continue to mount for the Chicago Cubs, who put reliever Scott Eyre on the 15-day disabled list Saturday because of a left groin strain. Pitcher Carlos Zambrano (shoulder) and outfielders Alfonso Soriano (broken hand) and Reed Johnson (back) are already on the DL. The starting lineup isn’t healthy, either; starting shortstop Ryan Theriot was out of the lineup against the White Sox for a second straight game Saturday with a bruised hand. Center Fielder Jim Edmonds is playing with a sore foot and right fielder Kosuke Fukudome missed two games earlier this week with a tight calf muscle. The Cubs recalled right-hander Jose Ascanio from Triple-A Iowa to take Eyre’s place on the roster. Ascanio made four relief appearances for the Cubs earlier this year with no record and a 1.80 ERA.
PHILLIES: Struggling pitcher Brett Myers could soon be out of Philadelphia’s starting rotation and back in the bullpen. Since winning consecutive decisions in mid-April, Myers (3-9, 5.84 ERA in 17 starts) is 1-8 in 13 starts. The NL East-leading Phillies have won just two of those games. Manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee met with Myers before the game Saturday night in Texas, a night after Myers gave up five runs and was pulled without recording an out in the third inning of an 8-7 loss to the Rangers. While Manuel didn’t announce any changes, it was clear he and Dubee aren’t pleased with how things are going in Myers’ return to the rotation after spending last season as the team’s closer.
PIRATES: Pittsburgh recalled right-handed pitchers John Van Benschoten and T.J. Beam from Triple-A Indianapolis before its game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. Pittsburgh also placed right-handed reliever Franquelis Osoria on the 15-day disabled list with bursitis in his right ankle and optioned outfielder Nyjer Morgan back to Triple-A. Osoria is the third Pirates pitcher to land on the disabled list in the past week, joining starters Phil Dumatrait and Ian Snell. Osoria is 3-2 with a 6.02 ERA in 36 games this season.
NATIONALS: Washington outfielder Lastings Milledge left Saturday night’s game against Baltimore in the third inning with an injured right groin. Milledge was chasing a liner hit in the gap by Alex Cintron when he went to one knee, hoping to stop the ball from hitting the wall. Milledge scraped his leg and was in obvious pain before finally reaching for the ball and throwing it back to the infield. After being examined by trainer Michael McGowan, Milledge was removed from the game and replaced by Willie Harris.
MARLINS: Florida Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla left Saturday night’s game against Arizona after suffering a left ankle sprain. Uggla tried to stretch a single into a double in the fourth inning and appeared to injure himself as he pulled up to go back to first base. He was tagged out hobbling in the baseline and limped back to the dugout. X-rays were negative, the team said. It was unclear how long he would be sidelined. Uggla began Saturday leading the majors with 23 home runs. He was replaced by Robert Andino.
PADRES: Padres right-hander Chris Young threw a simulated game on Saturday, the latest step in his comeback from a broken nose and fractured skull sustained when he was hit in the face by Albert Pujols’ line drive on May 21.
“It went well. I felt good,” said Young, who hopes to return to the rotation sometime after the All-Star break.
The 6-foot-10 Young, who was an All-Star last year, threw about 45 pitches over three innings.
“I’ve been pleasantly surprised the whole time about where I’ve been,” Young said. “I think I’ve been a little bit sharper than I thought I would be.”
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