MLB News and Notes July - 31

Phillies acquire RHP Lohse from Cincinnati
July 30th, 2007

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Phillies acquired right-hander Kyle Lohse from the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, in exchange for minor league pitcher Matt Maloney.

Lohse went 6-12 with a 4.58 ERA in 21 starts for the Reds this season, behind the fifth-worst run support in the National League at 3.69 runs per game. He has pitched at least six innings in 15 of his 21 starts, including seven of his 12 losses.

"Kyle is a durable right-handed starter who has postseason experience," said Phillies general manager Pat Gillick. "We feel that with our offense and his ability to keep us in games, he will add pitching depth to our rotation."

In his seventh major league season, Lohse holds a 60-74 record and a 4.83 ERA. He has pitched in the postseason with Minnesota in three consecutive years (2002-04) and went 0-2 with a 3.00 ERA in five games (one start).

Philadelphia currently sits 3 1/2 games behind the New York Mets in the National League East Division, and 1 1/2 games back in the NL Wild Card race entering Monday night's game in Chicago.

Maloney, 23, went 9-7 with a 3.94 ERA for Double-A Reading.

Baseball Today - July 31
By Associated Press
SCOREBOARD Tuesday, July 31

Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees (7:05 p.m. EDT).

Alex Rodriguez continues his pursuit of his 500th homer, facing Jose Contreras (5-13, 6.22 ERA).

STARS

Monday

-Cole Hamels, Phillies, allowed one run and three hits with eight strikeouts in eight innings of a 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs.

-Carl Crawford, Devil Rays, hit a game-ending homer in the 11th inning to lift Tampa Bay over Toronto 5-4.

-Miguel Batista, Mariners, allowed four singles in seven innings of a 2-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

-Scott Baker, Twins, gave up one run and two hits with seven strikeouts in eight innings of Minnesota's 3-1 victory over Kansas City.

TRADES

Mark Teixeira could be Atlanta's new cleanup hitter as early as Tuesday night. The Braves reached an agreement on Monday to send rookie catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and three minor leaguers to Texas for the powerful, switch-hitting Teixeira. The official announcement of the deal is expected to come on Tuesday. ... The New York Mets acquired three-time All-Star Luis Castillo from Minnesota for a pair of prospects. ... Philadelphia acquired right-hander Kyle Lohse from Cincinnati for minor league lefty Matt Maloney.

HEROICS

Carl Crawford, who scored the tying run as a pinch runner in the ninth inning, led off the bottom of the 11th with a homer to give Tampa Bay a 5-4 victory over Toronto on Monday. Crawford, who was out of the starting lineup for three games with a sprained right wrist, hit a 3-2 pitch from Brian Wolfe (2-1) over the wall in center field for Tampa Bay, which had lost eight of nine.

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS

Detroit beat Oakland 5-2 on Monday in a matchup of teams headed in opposite directions. Both teams figured to challenge for division titles and on June 15 they were within a game of each other. The A's were at their season high of 37-29, while the Tigers were a game better at 38-28. Detroit has won 23 of 39 games since then, while the A's have lost 28 of 40.

STRAIGHT A'S

Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco both had three hits and an RBI as Detroit beat Oakland 5-2 on Monday. Granderson's .353 career average (18-for-51) against the A's is his best against any team except St. Louis, while Polanco's .500 mark (36-for-72) is his best against any team.

SNAPPED

Ted Lilly had won six straight decisions before allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings and taking the loss in the Chicago Cubs' 4-1 defeat at the hands of Philadelphia on Monday. ... Minnesota topped Kansas City 3-1 to end the Royals' four-game winning streak. ... Detroit snapped a four-game slide with a 5-2 win over Oakland.

SPEAKING

''You ask yourself, 'When is it going to end?' We just have to keep our fingers crossed and pray that neither of them are out for an extended period of time. That puts a serious dent in what we're trying to accomplish when you lose two guys like that.'' - Philadelphia's Aaron Rowand, on Shane Victorino and Michael Bourn departing a 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Monday with injuries. Philadelphia already has All-Star Chase Utley and five others on the disabled list.

Notes from Monday's games
July 30, 2007

TORONTO: RHP Jesse Litsch, Tuesday's scheduled starter, is a former Tampa Bay bat boy. He expects 40 to 50 family members and friends to be in attendance. ... The Blue Jays voided Friday's option of LHP Gustavo Chacin to Syracuse and put him back on a major league rehab assignment. He will remain with Syracuse to continue a rehab program for a left shoulder strain. ... RHP A.J. Burnett (right shoulder) remains scheduled to make a rehab start Wednesday for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays. Barring any setback, he is expected to make a second rehab start Monday with Syracuse.

TAMPA BAY: With the trade of Ty Wigginton to Houston, Brendan Harris has been moved from shortstop to second base. Josh Wilson and Ben Zobrist will both see time at shortstop. ``A shortstop by committee,'' manager Joe Maddon said. ... Maddon said there is still ``no finish line in sight'' for injured CF Rocco Baldelli, who has been sidelined since May 17 by a strained left hamstring.

KANSAS CITY: Manager Buddy Bell said there was ``nothing new'' to report on the Royals' trade front, with the non-waiver deadline approaching Tuesday afternoon. Speculation has been swirling around veteran closer Octavio Dotel. ... With Sunday's win over Texas, the Royals secured their 47th victory. It took the team until Aug. 26 last season to win 47 games. Bell said the main reason for the upgrade is starting pitching. ``That's the most important part of the team,'' Bell said. ``Guys have pitched well here lately. If we can get innings out of our starters, we'll win.''

MINNESOTA: Though the Twins haven't acquired any hitters this summer and they've now traded 2B Luis Castillo, they should be getting one back on Friday when RF Michael Cuddyer is eligible to come off the DL. He's been out with a sprained right thumb, but he took batting practice before Monday's game. His hand even survived a broken bat, even though he's not facing full-speed pitches. ``He honestly looks pretty good,'' manager Ron Gardenhire said. ... Before the Castillo trade was finalized, Gardenhire acknowledged the days leading up to the non-waiver deadline have been tough - especially with the possibility of trading away important players. ``It's frustrating, because you can't control it. That's the hardest part for me,'' Gardenhire said.

DETROIT: RHP Jordan Tata was recalled from Triple-A Toledo to take Kenny Rogers' spot in the rotation. He made his first major league start, following eight relief appearances with the Tigers last year. Tata allowed 10 earned runs and 14 hits in 14 2-3 innings while with the Tigers last year during April, and then again in September. Rogers went on the DL on Sunday with left elbow inflammation. Oakland is one of Rogers' favorite places to pitch. He owns a 25-4 career mark in the Coliseum, his most wins in any stadium outside of Arlington. ... OF Curtis Granderson entered play needing one double to become the second Tiger to collect at least 30 doubles, 15 triples, 15 home runs and 10 stolen bases. Charlie Gehringer (1930) is the only Tiger to accomplish the feat. ... RHP Justin Verlander has never won in Oakland despite a 2.57 ERA. The only other AL park in which he is winless is Chicago.

OAKLAND: RHP Esteban Loaiza is headed to Triple-A Sacramento for a rehab start. Loaiza traveled to Arizona to throw in minor league games while the A's were on the road last week. He was back in town, tossing underhand to his son during batting practice. ... There are no plans to place 3B Eric Chavez on the DL, although he has started just three games in the last 13, and none since Thursday. He missed his fourth straight game with back problems. ``He's better today but he's not ready,'' manager Bob Geren said. ``The plan was to give him a few days.'' ... SS Donnie Murphy has hit safely in all four games he's started since being recalled on July 25. ``I'm happy with what I've seen from him,'' Geren said. ``He has good range; he's impressive.''

LOS ANGELES: The Angels have apparently missed out on acquiring 1B Mark Teixeira, who is about to go from Texas to Atlanta in a trade. But not for lack of trying by Bill Stoneman, according to manager Mike Scioscia. ``I know Bill made a terrific pitch,'' Scioscia said. ``Unfortunately, it didn't work out.'' Scioscia said he wasn't disappointed on not getting the slugger, because of the prospects the Angels will keep. ``On some of the names being bandied about with our side, I wouldn't say I'm disappointed, because it would have created a huge hole in what we need to do.'' ... The reason the Angels were seeking Teixeira: They entered Monday with just four home runs in their last 21 games. And two of those came in one game, Saturday. RF Vladimir Guerrero hadn't homered since June 23, a span of 27 games. But he was still wearing his blue, ``Superman'' S T-shirt under his uniform while heading out to batting practice.

SEATTLE: RHP Chris Reitsma will have arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow Thursday, his fifth surgery on the joint. The 29-year-old thinks his season is over, saying ``I'm done,'' after he met with team medical director Dr. Edward Khalfayan. But the Mariners say Reitsma is only out a minimum of six weeks. With Reitsma out, rookie RHP Brandon Morrow and RHPs Sean Green and Mark Lowe will ``mix and match'' as eighth-inning setup men, manager John McLaren said. ... The Mariners know this series with the Angels, whom they trailed by four games for the AL West lead entering Monday, is their prime chance to put heat back into the race. But McLaren didn't want to think about what could be after possibly sweeping or being swept by Wednesday night. ``I'm not looking at seven (games back). I'm not looking at one (game back). I'm looking at tonight,'' he said. ``We know what's at stake. ... I think they know we're right there with them, you know what I mean?''

PHILADELPHIA: Reliever Ryan Madson, who had an MRI exam on his strained right shoulder Monday, will be out an extended time, but it is not as severe as Brett Myers's strain he had earlier in the season. ``He will be probably be down for about two or three weeks from throwing at all,'' assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. ``At least a month without being able to participate at the major league level then we will see what happens after that. Again, we can't break out the crystal ball until he's actually up and throwing and progressing.'' Amaro is holding out hope that Madson will be able to return this season. ... 2B Tadahito Iguchi was 3-for-7 in his first two games with the Phillies since being traded from the White Sox on Friday. Iguchi was glad to be back in Chicago, even if it's just for a four-game series. ``I have my home here, my family here it's not strange at all,'' Iguchi said through a translator. ... Phillies general manager Pat Gillick expects to be able make moves after the non-waiver deadline on Tuesday. ``There is always possibilities after the deadline'' Gillick said.

CHICAGO: RHP Kerry Wood is scheduled to pitch in relief on Tuesday with Double-A Tennessee. If Wood, who has missed the first four months of the season with tendinitis in his surgically repaired right shoulder, suffers no setbacks, he will likely be activated either Thursday or Friday, according to general manager Jim Hendry. ``I would think that after tomorrow, I don't think there are any more trials,'' manager Lou Piniella said. ``(If we) get him on the roster and keep him healthy, it's like trading for a good reliever.'' ... With the non-waiver trade deadline less than 24 hours away, OF Felix Pie's name has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate. Hendry rebuffed that rumor with a very clear message. ``Felix Pie isn't going anywhere and has never been talked about,'' Hendry said. ``It's really unfair to the young man to hear about that on television or to read about that in the papers that he's being shopped around. That couldn't be further from the truth.''

St. Louis Cardinals acquire pitcher Joel Pineiro and cash for minor league player
July 31, 2007

ST. LOUIS (AP) -The pitching-starved St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday acquired right-hander Joel Pineiro, optioned to the minors last week by the Boston Red Sox, and cash for a minor league player to be named.

Pineiro, 28, was a 16-game winner in 2003. He was used exclusively in relief this year by the Red Sox before being sent to Triple-A Pawtucket on July 25.

Pineiro played seven seasons with the Seattle Mariners before signing a free agent deal with the Red Sox in January. He was 1-1 with a 5.03 ERA in 31 relief appearances for the Red Sox, but had a 3.60 ERA in 16 road appearances covering 15 innings.

The Cardinals' rotation has a 5.50 ERA and is without Mark Mulder and ace Chris Carpenter, who had reconstructive elbow surgery earlier this month. The rotation has included three former relievers, Braden Looper (4.85), Adam Wainwright (4.45) and Brad Thompson (5.15). It also includes Anthony Reyes, Kip Wells and Mike Maroth, who have ERAs above 5.00.

Reyes ended a 12-game losing streak on Saturday and will get at least one more start, probably bumping Maroth later this week.

Pineiro has a career record of 59-56 with a 4.50 ERA in 26 games, including 148 starts. He was 14-7 in 2002 and 16-11 in 2003.

Angels recall IF/OF Brown, option 3B Wood
July 30, 2007

SEATTLE (AP) -The Los Angeles Angels recalled infielder-outfielder Matt Brown from Salt Lake on Monday and optioned third baseman Brandon Wood to the Triple-A team so he can get regular playing time.

``Matt can play first base, outfield or second base. He gives us versatility,'' manager Mike Scioscia before Los Angeles' game against Seattle, for which Brown was in uniform.

The 24-year-old Brown was originally recalled from Salt Lake on May 9 and stayed six days. He had one at-bat with the Angels in that span.

Wood appeared in only eight games, six of them starts at third base, and was 3-for-21 (.143) in two stints with the Angels. They promoted their first-round draft pick from 2003 for the first time April 26 while starter Chone Figgins was healing two broken fingers. Wood went back to Salt Lake on May 9 but returned to the Angels on July 14.

``Brandon needs to play,'' Scioscia said of the 22-year-old. ``He is still developing.''

Braves beef up pen with Octavio Dotel
July 31st, 2007

Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Braves continued to add pieces on Tuesday, as they acquired right-handed reliever Octavio Dotel from the Kansas City Royals for right-hander Kyle Davies.

Atlanta, which enters play tonight 4 1/2 games back of the New York Mets in the National League East and 2 1/2 games back of Arizona in the wild card race, has also acquired power-hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira and lefty reliever Ron Mahay from Texas.

Outside of Rangers' closer Eric Gagne, Dotel was probably the best reliever on the market. In his first season with the Royals, Dotel recorded a 2-1 mark to go along with 11 saves and a 3.91 earned run average.

Dotel, who now joins a bullpen that already boasts Bob Wickman and Rafael Soriano, has enjoyed a bit of a resurgence this season after spending much of 2006 recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The 33-year-old hurler has a career record of 39-32 with 82 saves and a 3.75 ERA in nine seasons with the Mets, Houston Astros, Oakland A's and Yankees and Royals.

Davies, meanwhile, was 4-8 this season with a 5.76 ERA in 17 starts for the Braves, but lost five of his last six decisions. He hasn't pitched since July 16 against Cincinnati when he was lifted before recording an out, allowing two runs, two hits and walked three.

Padres get Ensberg from Houston
July 31st, 2007

San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - The San Diego Padres acquired third baseman Morgan Ensberg from the Houston Astros before the trade deadline on Tuesday.

Ensberg had been designated for assignment by the Astros over the weekend after they obtained infielder Ty Wigginton from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He was hitting just .232 with eight home runs and 31 RBI in 85 games this season

The 31-year-old Ensberg hit .283 with 36 home runs and 101 RBI in 2005, but hit just .235 with 23 homers and 58 RBI a year ago and was struggling again this

Ensberg's 105 career homers rank second all-time among Astros third basemen.

Yanks move Proctor for Betemit
July 31st, 2007

Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - The New York Yankees traded relief pitcher Scott Proctor to the Los Angeles Dodgers for utilityman Wilson Betemit Tuesday.

The 30-year old Proctor was 2-5 with a 3.81 earned run average in 52 games this season as one of Mariano Rivera's prime setup men with the Yankees.

Although Proctor was one of Yankees manager Joe Torre's favorite options the past two seasons, the hard-throwing right-hander was very inconsistent this year and deemed expendable by the New York front office.

In 190 career games Proctor is 11-10 with a 4.29 ERA in 190 games -- all with New York. He was originally acquired by the Yankees from the Dodgers in 2003, along with outfielder Bubba Crosby, for third baseman Robin Ventura.

"Scott has a record of durability and success in one of the major markets in the country," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti. "We see him as a solid addition to our bullpen down the stretch."

Betemit, who can play anywhere on the infield, is hitting .231 with 10 homers and 26 RBI in 84 games with the Dodgers.

For his career, the Dominican is a .263 hitter with 32 home runs and 102 RBI in 372 games with Atlanta and the Dodgers.

Athletics release OF Kielty
July 31st, 2007

Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - The Oakland Athletics released outfielder Bobby Kielty on Tuesday.

Kielty, who was designated for assignment on July 23, hit .200 with three RBI in just 13 games this season for the A's.

In 293 games with Oakland, the 30-year-old Kielty hit .250 with 25 home runs and 127 RBI.

Rangers activate Kinsler off DL
July 31st, 2007

Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - The Texas Rangers activated second baseman Ian Kinsler from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday.

Kinsler has missed the last 26 games due to a stress fracture in his left foot. In 74 games this season, he has 14 home runs and 35 RBI while batting .241. He hit .385 with three RBI in three games in a rehab stint with Oklahoma.

Also, the Rangers have recalled pitcher A.J. Murray from Oklahoma and designated infielder Desi Relaford for assignment. Murray appeared in one game for Texas this year, while Relaford batted just .115 in 14 games for the club in 2007.

Boston's Donnelly to have season-ending surgery
July 31st, 2007

Boston, MA (Sports Network) - The Boston Red Sox announced on Tuesday that relief pitcher Brendan Donnelly will undergo season-ending surgery on his right arm.

The procedure, known as ligament replacement, or "Tommy John" surgery, is expected to take place within the next 7-10 days, and will be performed by noted surgeon Dr. Lewis Yocum.

Boston originally placed Donnelly on the 15-day disabled list on June 17 retroactive to June 11, with what was termed a right forearm muscle strain. However, after consulting with Yocum earlier in July, it was determined that the injury was more serious and required the procedure.

The right-hander made 27 relief appearances this season, posting a 2-1 record with a 3.05 ERA. Over a six-year career with the Angels and Red Sox, Donnelly is 25-9 with a 2.88 ERA in 303 games.

Reds recall IN Bellhorn
July 31st, 2007

Washington, DC (Sports Network) - The Cincinnati Reds selected the contract of veteran infielder Mark Bellhorn from Triple-A Louisville.

The 32-year-old Bellhorn spent last season with the Padres and posted a .190 batting average with eight home runs and 27 RBI.

The Reds signed him to a minor league contract in January and Bellhorn hit .234 with 18 doubles, 11 home runs and 53 RBI in 88 games for Louisville this season.

In nine seasons in the big leagues, which also included stints with Oakland, the Cubs, Colorado, Boston and the Yankees, Bellhorn is a career .231 hitter with 69 home runs and 245 RBI.

To make room for him on the roster, the Reds outrighted catcher Chad Moeller to Louisville.

Erstad activated from DL
July 31st, 2007

Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Chicago White Sox outfielder Darin Erstad was activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to Tuesday's game against the New York Yankees.

Erstad had been on the DL since June 23 with a sprained left ankle. He was also on the DL from June 1-22 with the same injury, and he's batting .264 with a pair of homers and 21 RBI in 48 games this year.

Erstad was put on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte, but had a hard time in the minors, hitting .128 (6-for-47) in 12 games.

Giants trade Morris, pick up outfielder Davis
July 31st, 2007

San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - The San Francisco Giants traded right- handed pitcher Matt Morris and a player to be named to the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday in exchange for minor league outfielder Rajai Davis.

Morris, a ten-year big league veteran, has gone 7-7 with a 4.35 ERA with the Giants this year. In just over a season and a half in San Francisco, Morris went 17-22 with a 4.73 ERA in 54 starts. For his career, the former St. Louis Cardinal has compiled a 118-84 record and a 3.83 ERA.

Davis, a 26-year old outfielder, was hitting .271 with two doubles, two RBI and five stolen bases in 24 games since being recalled by the Pirates from Triple-A Indianapolis of the International League. Originally a 38th round selection of Pittsburgh in 2001 out of the University of Connecticut-Avery Point, Davis made twelve starts in center field for the Bucs.

In 53 games with Indianapolis prior to his call-up, Davis hit .318 with 31 runs scored, 12 doubles, four triples, four home runs and 30 RBI.