MLB News and Notes August - 2

Wood could return to Cubs on Friday
August 1, 2007

CHICAGO (AP) -Kerry Wood's long path back to the majors will reach Wrigley Field this week when he's activated by the Chicago Cubs, probably on Friday.

``I got back in the big leagues. The work hasn't even begun,'' Wood said Wednesday, the day after his final minor league rehab stint in which he pitched 1 2-3 hitless innings for Double-A Tennessee.

``I have hopefully two-plus months of hard work left and hopefully I'm prepared for it.''

Eight rehab outings at different levels and a bullpen session in Cincinnati with pitching coach Larry Rothschild revealed that Wood can pitch effectively and without the pain in his shoulder that has bothered him since the 2005 season. The next time he pitches for the Cubs, it will be his first major league assignment since June 6, 2006.

A year ago Wood made only four starts. This spring his comeback was sidelined by more discomfort and there was a time during his rehab that it appeared another surgery was inevitable. But then remarkably, and inexplicably, the pain subsided.

Now the Cubs have sort of a new relief pitcher - one who will work in the middle innings - who can throw in the mid 90s.

``Keeping him healthy is what we have to concern ourselves with,'' manager Lou Piniella said, adding that the Cubs are happy with Wood's velocity, spin on his pitches and release.

``We won't overuse him. He'll help our bullpen out. ... We'll limit his pitches initially and probably pitch him an inning as opposed to an inning-plus. And as we build some stamina and see how he's feeling and see how he's bouncing back, we can change how we use him a little bit. But we're not going to use him long. To me two innings would be long.''

In 1998 as a rookie, Wood struck out 20 Houston Astros in his fifth major league start, vaulting him into national prominence with his tons of promise.

After a long run of injuries and seemingly endless stints of rehab sessions, Wood always hoped to get back to the only team he's ever pitched for and make a contribution. Now at age 30, he has that chance again.

``This is what I do. I play baseball. I was taken away from it for a while,'' he said.

Asked if he felt like patting himself on the back for not giving up, Wood said: ``I think when the season's over I can do that. But I'm not going to do that right now. I'm not going to be thinking of it that way. I felt like I should have been here all season. I'm going to go out and do the best I can for the last couple months.''

Wood has long been a fan favorite at Wrigley Field and with the Cubs chasing first place in the NL Central, his return will make it more manic than ever.

``They've supported me through the whole thing. A lot of times fans don't stick with a guy that long,'' Wood said. ``I appreciate it.''

Piniella can't wait to use Wood or watch him get back on the mound.

``He's a battler and worked hard to get where he's at right now,'' Piniella said. ``I think it will be electric here when he steps on the mound. I look forward to seeing that myself.''

Schilling to return this weekend
August 1st, 2007

Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Curt Schilling will return to the Boston Red Sox rotation on Sunday when he's activated from the disabled list for a start at Seattle.

Schilling has been sidelined since mid-June with tendinitis in his right shoulder, but now he's set to come back for the AL East-leading Red Sox. He threw seven shutout innings in his last start for Triple-A Pawtucket Tuesday night and in 15 innings during his rehabilitation stint he allowed no runs, no walks and fanned 18 batters.

Schilling is 6-4 with a 4.20 ERA in 15 games this season.

Notes from Wednesday's AL games
August 1, 2007

TORONTO: DH Frank Thomas was out of the starting lineup for the second straight day Wednesday. Manager John Gibbons said he wanted to get OF/DH Matt Stairs in the line up and get Thomas three days rest. The Blue Jays have Thursday off before playing Texas at home. ... RHP A.J. Burnett (right shoulder) threw a four-inning, 61 pitch simulated game at Tropicana Field before Wednesday's game. Burnett was placed on the 15-day on June 29.

TAMPA BAY: RHP Jeff Niemann, who left his start at Triple-A Durham Monday with right shoulder fatigue, was scheduled to be examined by team doctors in North Carolina Wednesday night. The team expected to have more information about the injury Thursday. ... 3B Evan Longoria was promoted to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday. Longoria, the third-overall pick in the 2006 draft, was batting .307, with 21 home runs 76 RBI and 117 hits at Double-A Montgomery. ... RHP Grant Balfour was unavailble for Wednesday's game. Manager Joe Maddon wanted to give Balfour two days rest before the Rays host Baltimore on Friday.

DETROIT: 2B Placido Polanco's double in the sixth inning gave the Tigers at least one extra-base hit in each of their last 68 games. It's the fourth-longest streak by the Tigers since 1957. The Tigers lead the majors with 393 extra-base hits. ... LHP Andrew Miller, Friday's starter, allowed a season-high 10 hits the last time he faced the White Sox in Chicago. He's 3-1 in four starts at Comerica. Opponents hit .208 against him in Detroit, and .283 elsewhere. ... RHP Fernando Rodney, on the DL with right shoulder tendinitis, could be activated as early as Friday.

OAKLAND: 3B Eric Chavez remained on the A's bench for the 13th time in the last 16 days. Manager Bob Geren insists it's merely a chance for Chavez to rest his and he's unlikely to be placed on the disabled list. ... RHP Chad Gaudin, Thursday's starter, is 2-5 with a 5.57 ERA over his last nine starts after going 5-1 with a 2.43 ERA over his first 13 starts. He's 2-0 in 10 appearances (three starts) against the Los Angeles Angels. ... RHP Esteban Loaiza was scheduled for a rehab start with Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday night.

BALTIMORE: SS Miguel Tejada's wild throw in the third inning was his second error in as many games in the series. ... The first two Orioles batters in each of the first three innings were retired by RHP Julian Tavarez. But the next batter in each inning reached base and they led 3-1 after three. ... 1B Kevin Millar doubled off the left field wall, easily beating Manny Ramirez's wide throw. Millar, a slow runner and one of Ramirez's closest friends when they were both with Boston from 2003 to 2005, stood on second base and stared out at Ramirez.

BOSTON: RF J.D. Drew missed his second consecutive game because his son had ``some pretty extensive surgery'' Tuesday night, manager Terry Francona said. Wily Mo Pena started for Drew and batted ninth. ... RHP Curt Schilling will start Sunday at Seattle after making three rehab appearances with Triple-A Pawtucket after hurting his throwing shoulder. ``We'll be thrilled to have him back,'' Francona said. ...2B Dustin Pedroia went from first to third on a walk to David Ortiz in the third inning because Baltimore's overshift on the lefty hitting Ortiz left third base uncovered.

TEXAS: LHP Kason Gabbard, acquired from Boston in the Eric Gagne deal on Tuesday, will start Thursday against Cleveland. Gabbard was 4-0 with a 3.73 ERA in seven starts for Boston. ``It's simple,'' manager Ron Washington said. ``We traded him to be in our rotation.'' Gabbard's final start with the Red Sox came in Cleveland on July 26. He was given a 9-1 lead, but didn't get through the fifth, allowing four runs, five hits and three walks in 4 2-3 innings ... Gabbard takes the rotation spot of RHP Jamey Wright, who will work in long relief after going 3-3 with a 4.57 ERA in eight starts. ... RHP Kevin Millwood, who has been bothered for several days with a head and chest cold, was sent to the team hotel before Wednesday night's game. Washington said he Millwood should make his scheduled start Friday in Toronto. ... C-1B Jarrod Saltalamacchia, acquired from Atlanta on Tuesday in the Mark Teixeira trade, started at first base. Washington said Saltalamacchia will catch a couple of times a week.

CLEVELAND: DH Travis Hafner was dropped to No. 5 in the batting order, with SS Jhonny Peralta moving up to No. 3 and 1B Ryan Garko to No. 4. ``For us to go where we need to go, Travis has to be close to his normal self,'' manager Eric Wedge said. Since going 4-for-4 April 23 to put his average at .390, Hafner hit only .230 (71-for-309) entering Wednesday for season totals of .255 with 17 homers and 68 RBIs. ``I don't care where I hit,'' Hafner said. ``Shaking things up could help us.'' ... LHP Aaron Fultz was activated from the disabled list and RHP Fernando Cabrera designated for assignment. ... SS Asdrubal Cabrera, one of the Indians' top prospects, has gone 5-for-10 in two games since being promoted to Triple-A Buffalo. ... Entering Wednesday, the Indians had lost eight of 11 games at Jacobs Field, where they opened the season 33-13.

CHICAGO: RHP Gavin Floyd will start in place of RHP Jose Contreras on Sunday against Detroit. Contreras allowed seven runs and eight hits in 2 2-3 innings against the Yankees on Tuesday night. He has lost his last seven starts and nine of his last 10. ``Right now, we're going to skip him one start, putting him in the bullpen,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. Guillen said they're trying to figure out what is wrong with Contreras and if Floyd pitches well their plans could change. ... Guillen was still fired up about being ejected by umpire Phil Cuzzi during the first inning of Tuesday night's game. He urged Major League Baseball to examine Cuzzi's actions. ``The umpires have the right to get mad,'' he said. ``The umpires don't have the right to challenge players and coaches. That's what my point was.''

NEW YORK: The Yankees reinstated RHP Jeff Karstens from the DL and optioned INF Chris Basak to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. ... Manager Joe Torre said if everything goes well with DH Jason Giambi's rehab stint he could join the team on its next road trip. Giambi has been sidelined since May 30 after tearing tissue in his left foot. ... 1B Doug Mientkiewicz was scheduled to get his broken right wrist checked out on Thursday. ... Hard-throwing prospect Joba Chamberlain was sent down from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to Double-A Trenton. ... Torre was a little sheepish about sending rookie Shelley Duncan out for a curtain call Tuesday night. Duncan homered in the seventh inning and Torre told him to go ahead and acknowledge the crowd - but the applause was in anticipation of Alex Rodriguez taking another shot at his 500th homer. ``I was completely oblivious to Alex,'' a smiling Torre said Wednesday. Duncan stayed in the dugout when he homered in the fourth inning Wednesday night.

KANSAS CITY: SP Kyle Davies, acquired in a trade with Atlanta on Tuesday, arrived in the Royals' clubhouse about two hours before gametime. CF David DeJesus immediately halted a card game he was conducting with several teammates to welcome his new teammate. SS Tony Pena Jr., followed with a handshake and a ``welcome to the team'' greeting. Davies is scheduled to make his Royals debut on Friday against the Yankees. ... DeJesus has sought out Twins All-Star Torii Hunter several times over the past few years for tips on how to play CF. DeJesus made a leaping catch to take away a home run from Hunter in Tuesday's game at the Metrodome. ``I grew up watching him do that to everybody in the league,'' DeJesus said, ``and now I got the chance to do it.''

MINNESOTA: DH Rondell White was not at the stadium for batting practice due to a family emergency. Manager Ron Gardenhire was unsure if White would be on the bench for the game. ... Closer Joe Nathan informed Gardenhire that he was ready to pitch Wednesday despite appearing in the team's previous four games. ``I told him tomorrow will be an off day for him, and he said, 'no, no, I want to pitch,''' Gardenhire said. ``Saves. That's what he does.''

LOS ANGELES: The Angels are one of three teams under consideration to open next season in Japan against the Boston Red Sox, the No. 2 official at the players' association told The Associated Press. But not all Angels would welcome the honor. RHP John Lackey, the team's player representative, said ``It'd be a long trip, man. I think we'd rather just stay here.'' Lackey and teammates Chone Figgins and Scot Shields were on the major league team that toured Japan after last season. Figgins and Shields said they'd like to open next season there. ... OF Juan Rivera is running in 90-foot intervals while recovering from a broken left leg. ``But he's not quite ready to go out and play,'' Scioscia said. ... Scioscia said IF Dallas McPherson, who had back surgery Jan. 22, will soon begin to do baseball activities, but the Angels do not expect McPherson to play for them this season.

SEATTLE: Ben Broussard replaced slumping Richie Sexson at 1B in the starting lineup, but manager John McLaren strongly hinted that Sexson, a right-handed hitter, would be back starting on Friday against Boston LHP Jon Lester. Sexson entered Wednesday with a team-leading 17 homers but was batting .200. And he was 0-for-9 against Jered Weaver, Wednesday's starter. Broussard was 5-for-11 against Weaver. ``I'm not going to say Richie's a platoon player, in any stretch of the imagination,'' McLaren said. ``But it's been four months. He needs to get going ... we need him to pick it up. He's disappointed. We've had some talks.'' ... Seattle entered Wednesday with 32 come-from-behind wins, the most in the major leagues.

Notes from Wednesday's NL games
August 1, 2007

COLORADO: The Rockies have won a club-record eight consecutive home series, but they have been struggling on the road. They won Tuesday at Florida to start a six-game swing, and lost Game 2 on Wednesday. ``It's a big trip for us, because everybody knows the frustrations we've had on the road,'' said RHP Aaron Cook, the winning pitcher Tuesday. ... Top pitching prospect Franklin Morales has been promoted to Colorado Springs from Double-A Tulsa and is scheduled to make his Triple-A debut Friday. He went 3-0 in his final four starts for Tulsa.

FLORIDA: RHP Jorge Julio made a successful return to Miami on Tuesday, striking out the only batter he faced to strand a runner in scoring position in the eighth inning for the Colorado Rockies. Julio was a flop as Florida's closer early this season and was traded to Colorado, but he has only good things to say about the Marlins. ``I like that team. I like the people over there,'' he said. ``I couldn't close games, and that was a problem.'' ... RHP Justin Miller has bolstered the Florida bullpen with an ERA of 2.02 in 35 games through Tuesday. ``He's durable,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ``There have been times this year when we have plain abused him, and he has said, `Give me the ball.''' ... The Marlins hit 39 homers in July, most in the NL.

CARDINALS: OF Skip Schumaker was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday despite having a .304 average. The Cardinals needed a roster spot for RHP Joel Pineiro, who was activated even though he isn't expected to pitch until Saturday against Washington. ... The Cardinals were interested in getting RHP Matt Morris back from the Giants - he spent his first eight seasons in the majors with St. Louis - and were as surprised as anyone when the last-place Pirates got him instead. ... RHP Anthony Reyes will start Thursday against the Pirates after stopping his 12-game, two-season losing streak with a 5-2 victory Saturday over Milwaukee. Reyes was 0-10 this season before winning.

PIRATES: RHP Matt Morris, acquired from the Giants, will make his Pirates debut Saturday night against Cincinnati. Morris was 0-4 in his final eight starts for San Francisco. LHP Tom Gorzelanny's next start was pushed back to Sunday. ... SS Cesar Izturis is back to wearing No. 3, the number he wore previously in the majors. When he arrived in Pittsburgh, OF Nate McLouth had No. 3, but he agreed to take the No. 13 that Izturis had been wearing. ... OF Xavier Nady should be ready to play this weekend after feeling pain in his left hamstring while running the bases Tuesday night. He was removed in the fourth inning after getting hits in his first two at_bats. Manager Jim Tracy plans to hold him out until Friday or Saturday.

CINCINNATI: LHP Phil Dumatrait will be recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Thursday so he can start that night's game. He'll be the seventh player to make his major league debut with the Reds in 2007. Dumatrait is 10-5 with a 3.49 ERA at Louisville. ... Dumatrait is starting in place of RHP Aaron Harang, who left Saturday's game with a sore lower back after facing five batters. Harang could be available this weekend; the Reds haven't announced who will start Saturday at Pittsburgh. ... LHP Eddie Guardado, coming back from reconstructive elbow surgery, threw 21 pitches in a rehab outing at Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday night. He got two outs, allowed one hit - a homer - walked a batter and struck out a batter. Guardado is slated to take two days off and pitch again Friday.

WASHINGTON: RHP Jason Simontacchi, on the 15-day DL retroactive to July 16 with elbow tendinitis, will fly to Alabama on Thursday to be examined by Dr. James Andrews. ``It scares you, because I've never had a problem with my elbow before. So I don't know what to expect,'' said Simontacchi, 6-7 with a 6.37 ERA in 13 starts this season, his first in the majors since 2004. ... RHP Jason Bergmann (15-day DL, left hamstring) isn't yet ready to resume throwing, manager Manny Acta said. ... Single-A Potomac OF Chris Marrero was rated as the best batting prospect in the two Single-A leagues in which he's played in 2007 in Baseball America's ``Best Tools'' survey of managers.

HOUSTON: Manager Phil Garner moved his full starting rotation back one day following an off day on Monday. The Astros' next off day is next Thursday, and then every starter but Roy Oswalt will have an extra day rest, Garner said. Oswalt will remain on his normal schedule. ... With his three errors on Tuesday night, including two in the eighth, SS Eric Bruntlett became one of seven major league players to commit three or more errors in a game this season.

ATLANTA: The Braves released first baseman Julio Franco and optioned RHP Jose Ascanio, clearing roster spots for new relievers Octavio Dotel and Ron Mahay. ... Through Tuesday, SS Edgar Renteria was tied for the NL lead with 140 hits. He has lifted his batting average from .319 to .337 since the break and is on pace for 216 hits. The last Atlanta player with 200 hits was Marquis Grissom, with 207 in 1996. The franchise record is 224 hits by Tommy Holmes for the Boston Braves in 1945. The Atlanta record is 219 by Ralph Garr in 1971.

NEW YORK: Right-hander Pedro Martinez was scheduled to being his rehabilitation assignment Wednesday night for St. Lucie of the Florida State League, but the game against Brevard County was rained out. Martinez instead will throw a 45-pitch simulated game against hitters from the Mets' Gulf Coast League team on Thursday morning. ... Despite losing to Milwaukee on Tuesday, New York's 23-12 record in the first game of a series remains the best in the major leagues. ... Marlon Anderson made his first start of the season in center field and became the fourth Met to play the position. ... Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said RHP Jon Adkins and C Sandy Alomar Jr. had cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans.

MILWAUKEE: The team optioned 2B Rickie Weeks to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday and placed RHP Scott Linebrink on the bereavement list after the birth of his first child. Right-hander Elmer Dessens was recalled from his rehab assignment in Nashville and reinstated from the 15-day disabled list. Infielder/outfielder Joe Dillon was also recalled from Nashville. ... RHP Claudio Vargas started on Wednesday in place of Dave Bush, who was the winning pitcher in relief of the Brewers' 4-2 13-inning victory on Tuesday. ... 1B Prince Fielder was back in the lineup on Wednesday night despite being hit hard in the elbow by a pitch Tuesday night. ``He got smoked,'' Brewers manager Ned Yost said.

PHILADELPHIA: 2B Chase Utley, on the 15-day DL since July 27 with a broken right hand, said he will see a doctor on Tuesday to evaluate his progress. In the meantime, Utley said he is icing his hand ``every few hours to keep the swelling down'' and is doing everything he can to stay in game shape. ``I'm trying to stay loose, trying to keep my legs in shape,'' Utley said. ``Anything I can do to stay prepared.'' ... OF Chris Roberson was called up from Triple-A Ottawa on Tuesday and went 4-for-4 that night. Roberson's performance convinced manager Charlie Manuel to bat him leadoff Wednesday. Roberson, who batted .195 in 41 at_bats as a rookie last year, believes he will have more success at the plate in his second go-around. ``I think I'm a little more prepared this time than I was last time,'' he said. ... When Kyle Lohse starts Thursday's series finale he will be the 26th different pitcher used by the club this season, one shy of the record set in 2000. Seven of those 26 pitchers have made their major league debuts this season.

CHICAGO: OF Jacque Jones lost a ball in the lights but later had a key double to spark a Cubs victory on Tuesday, turning the boos to cheers. Jones is used to hearing it from the fans, especially the ones in the bleachers at Wrigley Field. ``I know I'm not everyone's favorite,'' Jones said. Jones was nearly traded away earlier this season as he was languishing on the bench, but is now the Cubs' starting center fielder. ``I never gave up on myself. ... I never doubted myself,'' Jones said. ... 3B Aramis Ramirez was out of the starting lineup Wednesday night to rest his sore knee, but the team's RBI leader will be back for Thursday afternoon's series finale. ... The Cubs' 17 wins in July were their most in that month since going 17-9 in 2000. ... Manager Lou Piniella said he'll use Kerry Wood right away Friday if he's needed. ``Why not?'' he said. Piniella said eventually Wood will be able to pitch in back-to-back games, but it's not necessary until he builds stamina.

ARIZONA: CF Chris Young entered Wednesday with a team-leading 19 home runs, but manager Bob Melvin likes what he sees from Young in the leadoff spot. ``He's more aware of what the task is as a leadoff hitter,'' Melvin said. Young began Wednesday batting .291 with 10 home runs batting first and .200 with nine homers in 50 games elsewhere in the lineup. ... Thursday's starter, RHP Yusmeiro Petit, will be facing San Diego for the first time.

SAN DIEGO: RHP Chris Young, on the disabled list because of a strained left oblique muscle, played catch on the outfield grass for eight minutes. It was the first time he threw since he was injured July 24 in a game at Colorado. Manager Bud Black said it's too early to know if Young will be activated when he becomes eligible Aug. 8. ... RHP Clay Hensley will step into the rotation Saturday versus San Francisco. He has pitched six scoreless innings of relief since returning to the majors from Triple-A Portland. ... Black said RHP Justin Germano will make his next scheduled start Sunday against the Giants. Germano is 1-6 with a 6.29 ERA in his past eight starts.

SAN FRANCISCO: New Giants OF Rajai Davis, a rookie acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh on Tuesday that sent righty starter Matt Morris to the Pirates, arrived two hours before game time and was greeted by a frenzy in the clubhouse - as in more than 50 reporters packed into the cramped quarters hanging on Barry Bonds' every breath. Davis got to start in center field alongside Bonds. ``That's really an honor to be on the same field as a man of his status,'' Davis said. ``I definitely wasn't picturing this.'' Manager Bruce Bochy said he would tell his speedy new player - who batted leadoff - to ``go out there and be yourself.'' ... The Giants plan to announce their starter for Saturday's game at San Diego on Thursday. ... Bonds batted .186 in July (11-for-59).

LOS ANGELES: RHP Derek Lowe threw a 65-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and said he experienced no pain. He said he was tentative through the first 30 pitches before stretching out toward the end. ``It's been a long six days of sitting around waiting to pitch and seeing if it's going to hurt,'' he said. ``I don't have any type of discomfort. I'm on track to pitch Saturday.'' Lowe said he needs to be better about doing stretching exercises between starts because he frequently has stiffness in his hip area. He left last week's game at Colorado because of an irritated hip. ... RHP Scott Proctor (2-5, 3.81 ERA) arrived Wednesday after being acquired from the Yankees in exchange for INF Wilson Betemit a day earlier. ``I'm just ready to get in the game and help this team win,'' he said, adding that he doesn't care about how he's used. ``I'm just glad to be on a winning team and with a good group of guys.'' ... Donald Fehr, executive director of the players' association, was a pre-game clubhouse visitor.

ChiSox reinstate MacDougal from rehab assignment
August 2nd, 2007

Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - The Chicago White Sox reinstated relief pitcher Mike MacDougal on Thursday from his rehab assignment in the minors.

MacDougal, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 6 with right shoulder inflammation, went 2-0 with Triple-A Charlotte while not allowing a run in five innings.

The 30-year-old MacDougal is 1-3 with a 6.23 ERA in 31 relief appearances this season for the White Sox.

In a corresponding move, the White Sox optioned pitcher Charlie Haeger to Charlotte following Wednesday's loss to the New York Yankees.

Blue Jays to designate shortstop Clayton for assignment
August 2, 2007

TORONTO (AP) -The Toronto Blue Jays said on Thursday that they will designate shortstop Royce Clayton for assignment before Friday's game against the Texas Rangers.

Toronto must decide within 10 days whether to release Clayton, trade him or send him to the minor leagues.

The 37-year-old Clayton signed a one-year, $1 million free agent contract with Toronto last November. He appeared in 69 games with the Blue Jays this season, batting .254 with one home run and 12 RBIs.

A first-round pick by San Francisco in the 1988 draft, Clayton made his major league debut with the Giants in 1991. The Blue Jays were his 10th major league team. He also played for Arizona, Cincinnati, the Chicago Cubs, Colorado, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Texas and Washington.

An All-Star in 1997, Clayton has played in 2,100 games over 17 seasons, batting .254 with 110 home runs and 723 RBIs.

Pirates designate infielder Matt Kata for assignment
August 2, 2007

PITTSBURGH (AP) -The Pittsburgh Pirates designated infielder Matt Kata for assignment before Thursday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals to make room on the 25-man roster for the newly acquired Matt Morris.

Kata, who began the season with the Texas Rangers before being released and signing with the Pirates as a minor league free agent, had his contract purchased by Pittsburgh on June 30.

He appeared in 16 games for the Pirates - four starts - hitting .214 with two RBIs. The five-year veteran hit .186 in 31 games for Texas.

The Pirates traded outfielder Rajai Davis and a player to be named. Morris reported to Pittsburgh on Thursday morning.

D-Backs' Quentin goes on DL
August 2nd, 2007

Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - The Arizona Diamondbacks placed outfielder Carlos Quentin on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a right hamstring strain.

Quentin batted just .208 with five home runs and 28 RBI in 71 games this season.

To fill the roster spot, Arizona selected the contract of outfielder Justin Upton from Double-A Mobile. Upton was the first-overall choice in the 2005 draft, and hit .310 in 70 games with the D-Backs' Southern League affiliate.

Rockies place Lopez on DL, activate Hirsh
August 2nd, 2007

Miami, FL (Sports Network) - The Colorado Rockies officially placed pitcher Rodrigo Lopez on the disabled list Thursday with a torn flexor tendon in his right arm.

Lopez was acquired from Baltimore during the offseason, and is making his second trip to the DL after having missed more than a month earlier in the season with right elbow inflammation.

After striking out James Loney in the seventh inning of last Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers, Lopez left with what was announced as a forearm strain.

Lopez underwent an MRI on Monday, and will be replaced by rookie right-hander Jason Hirsh, who was activated from the 15-day DL and will start Thursday's contest against the Florida Marlins.

Hirsh, who is 4-7 with a 4.90 ERA, has been out since suffering a sprained right ankle on July 2 during a home victory over the Mets. He made three injury rehab starts for Triple-A Colorado Springs, the last of which he went 6 1/3 scoreless innings.