MLB News and Notes May - 16

Yanks-ChiSox to play doubleheader
Tue, May 15, 2007
By Associated Press

CHICAGO -- The game between New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night was postponed by rain and will be made up Wednesday as part of a day-night doubleheader.

The game was called about an hour and 40 minutes after it was supposed to start Tuesday night. The field was still covered by the tarp as a steady rain fell, but scheduled Yankees starter Mike Mussina had gone out in the conditions to play catch in the outfield.

Wednesday's first game will begin at 2:05 EST. The second game is scheduled to start at 8:10.

Mets: Burgos back in New York
Ambiorix Burgos was recalled from Triple-A Tuesday. He'll work in middle relief and in a set-up role, and he replaces Lino Urdaneta on the roster.

Cubs: Lee 50-50 for Wednesday
Derrek Lee remained in Chicago with neck spasms Tuesday, missing his second consecutive game, the Associated Press reports. Lou Piniella says it's 50-50 whether Lee will join the team in New York for Wednesday's game. "He hasn't gotten any worse but he hasn't gotten any better. It might be a few days," Piniella said. "If he doesn't come (Wednesday), we'll just wait until Friday against the White Sox."

Cubs: Cherry back to minors
Rocky Cherry was optioned to Triple-A before Tuesday's game, making room for Mike Fontenot on the big-league roster.

Cubs: Fontenot added for depth
Mike Fontenot was recalled prior to Tuesday's game, merely as a depth option with Mark DeRosa battling a sore hand. Rocky Cherry was sent to Triple-A to make room on the roster.

Marlins: DL trip for Jacobs imminent
Mike Jacobs is expected to go on the disabled list Friday when Byung-Hyun Kim is activated, the Associated Press reports. Jacobs has a fractured thumb.

Nationals 1B Dmitri Young (Achilles' tendon) has been feeling better, but according to the team he will likely remain out of the starting until this weekend.

Devil Rays CF Rocco Baldelli (hamstring) has been downgraded to doubtful for tonight's game.

Rangers LF Brad Wilkerson (hamstring) is not expected to play tonight.

Mets LF Moises Alou (quadricep) is not expected to play tonight.

Braves 3B Chipper Jones (thumb) has been downgraded to doubtful for tonight's game.

D-Backs 3B Chad Tracy could be put on the disabled list due to his nagging rib-cage injury

Twins place Crain on 15-day DL
May 16th, 2007

Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - The Minnesota Twins placed relief pitcher Jesse Crain on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with inflammation in his right shoulder.

In 18 games this season, Crain is 1-2 with a 5.51 earned run average. In four years with Minnesota, the right-hander has a 3.16 ERA to go along with a 20-12 record.

In a corresponding roster move, the Twins recalled pitcher Julio DePaula from Triple-A Rochester.

Notes from Tuesday's games
AP NEWS

DETROIT: Magglio Ordonez hit a three-run homer in the third inning, giving him 13 home runs and 54 RBIs in 68 games against the Red Sox. He entered the night batting .433 against starter Tim Wakefield. ... Brandon Inge's solo homer in the third inning was his sixth of the season and third in his last 14 games.

BOSTON: RHP Josh Beckett threw off a mound before Tuesday night's game, and the Red Sox were encouraged by his progress recovering from a skin flap on his right middle finger. ... The Red Sox entered Tuesday's game with the fewest runs allowed (126) and most runs scored (205) in the majors. ... Wakefield pitched 16 scoreless innings over three starts before allowing Inge's homer in the third. Wakefield allowed four earned runs through three innings, more than he totaled in any of his previous starts. ... Daisuke Matsuzaka's complete game was the first by a Red Sox pitcher since Sept. 22 and the first by a Boston pitcher at Fenway Park since April 15, 2006.

MINNESOTA: Manager Ron Gardenhire walked around a shopping mall, then strolled over to Jacobs Field on Tuesday for the start of a three-game series in Cleveland. For Gardenhire, it was quite a trek since he had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Friday. ``It's sore, but getting better every day,'' he said. ... 1B-OF Garrett Jones made his major league debut as the designated hitter, batting eighth, after being recalled from Triple-A Rochester. He took the roster spot of RHP Sidney Ponson, who was designated for assignment Sunday. Jones hit .305 (36-for-114) with five homers and 23 RBIs in 30 games at Rochester.

CLEVELAND: Manager Eric Wedge remains confident in RHP Fernando Cabrera, who has yielded six runs and 11 hits over his last six innings entering Tuesday. ``He's like any pitcher, you get the ball up and it gets hit,'' Wedge said. ``He's had a couple tough outings, but he has a lot going for him, too. He has the type of stuff that can get the job done.'' Cabrera is 1-2 with a 3.24 WERA over 10 appearances overall. ... A decision is due soon on 3B Andy Marte, on the DL since April 23 with a strained left hamstring. His injury rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo is over Friday and the Indians will have to determine whether to activate him or option him to their farm club. Marte went 4-for-4 Monday night to improve his average to .276 with two homers and three RBIs in nine games at Buffalo.

BALTIMORE: One day after OF Jay Payton and 3B Melvin Mora nearly came to blows, manager Sam Perlozzo played down the altercation. ``You're going to see that a couple of times a year,'' Perlozzo said. ``It's just normal with people being around each other for such long periods of time.'' Payton was upset that Mora distracted him by taking third base on defensive indifference as Payton batted in the ninth inning of Monday's 5-3 defeat. ... Perlozzo said RHP Jaret Wright (sore shoulder) is showing signs of improvement. ``He still has a little bit of soreness but he's getting better,'' Perlozzo said. ... RHP Jon Leicester (posterior deltoid strain) is still hurting and will head to extended spring training in Florida for a rehab assignment.

TORONTO: Closer Jeremy Accardo, who has worked in three of Toronto's past four games, would not pitch Tuesday, manager John Gibbons said. ... IF Jason Smith was placed on waivers after Monday's game. The Blue Jays previously announced that Smith had been designated for assignment. ... Gibbons said he will try to find time in the outfield for Ryan Roberts, who has taken over Smith's role as the utility player.

TEXAS: Manager Ron Washington held a team meeting before batting practice. The Rangers started play last in the AL West with a 15-23 record. ``It was very positive, Washington said. ``I want them to understand we're all in this together.'' ... The Rangers decided not to activate OF Frank Catalanotto (right biceps) from the DL. He is expected to play four games starting Thursday with Triple-A Oklahoma. ... Washington is supportive of Tampa Bay playing the three-game series at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Fla. ``It gives an opportunity for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to develop some fans,'' Washington said. ``They definitely have up and coming players. They have some great youth over there. They've got some kids that in two or three years, they're going to be special.''

TAMPA BAY: Rookie 3B Akinori Iwamura, on the DL since April 24 because of a right oblique strain, took 10 batting practice swings at the team's minor league complex in St. Petersburg. Manager Joe Maddon said the former Japanese League star also has been running, fielding and throwing and ``looks good.'' Barring a setback in the next week, Iwamura might be ready to add game situation-type drills to his workouts. ... Maddon said a definitive decision has not been made on when IF Greg Norton (right knee surgery), who has finished a rehab assignment at Double-A Montgomery, will be activated from the DL. He will continue to receive treatment in St. Petersburg until he's ready to play.

LOS ANGELES: Reggie Willits, batting leadoff and replacing injured left fielder Garret Anderson, was wearing a gauze wrap over his right wrist and thumb Tuesday after colliding with SS Orlando Cabrera under a pop fly in Texas. But the rookie was still in the lineup against the Mariners, after finishing the final seven innings Monday. He said he was dazed for ``probably a half-inning. That little rain delay (soon after the play) probably helped me out.'' He blamed himself for calling for the ball too early and not while Cabrera kept running to the ball. Willits entered Tuesday batting .358 in 28 games. ... Los Angeles is in a stretch of playing 13 of 16 on the road. It entered Tuesday 8-11 overall on the road, but 7-3 in its last 10 away from home.

SEATTLE: Jason Davis, acquired for a player to be named from Cleveland on Sunday, will assume Julio Mateo's former role in the bullpen, manager Mike Hargrove said. That means the hard-throwing Davis will be a right-handed setup option with Chris Reitsma. Mateo was doing that before he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his wife and then optioned to Triple-A Tacoma earlier this month. Hargrove said Davis used to throw as hard as 98 mph but is now routinely in the mid-90s. Davis told his new manager to look past his 4.76 ERA in eight games because it was inflated by two rough outings. He allowed three runs and got just one out against Toronto on May 2 and allowed five hits and two runs in three innings at Baltimore on May 5. The Indians designated Davis for assignment after that. ``His reputation is that he throws strikes. This guy is a very desirable pitcher when he's right,'' Hargrove said. ... DH Jose Vidro, acquired last winter after spending his entire career with Montreal/Washington, had raised his average from .067 to .307 over 28 games entering Tuesday.

KANSAS CITY: RHP Octavio Dotel, who hasn't pitched this season because of a strained muscle in his left side, allowed one earned run and two hits in one inning, with no walks or strikeouts during a rehab outing for Triple-A Wichita at Tulsa. ... OF Reggie Sanders, on the 15-day DL with a torn left hamstring that he hurt last week running the bases, hopes to be doing light on-field work in a week or week-and-a-half. ... Manager Buddy Bell will use recently recalled former AL Rookie of the Year Angel Berroa all over the infield and even as an emergency outfielder. ``I hope he gets to stay,'' Bell said. ``He's going to play a lot of positions. Angel's been great. His attitude has always been good. He's never been a problem.''

OAKLAND: The A's placed closer Huston Street on the DL with nerve irritation in his right elbow. The move is retroactive to May 13 and Oakland called up RHP Connor Robertson from Triple-A Sacramento to take his place on the roster. Street, the 2005 AL Rookie of the Year, is scheduled to get a second opinion from Angels orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum on Wednesday morning along with a second MRI. His initial test Monday showed no structural damage in the elbow. He last pitched Saturday and had a 1-2-3 ninth with two strikeouts against Cleveland, then felt some discomfort Sunday when he tried to play catch. ``The nerve is acting up,'' Street said. ``It happens. It's basically tendinitis in your arm. This is a first for me. I've never had anything lasting. As a pitcher, you have numbness and tingling and it goes away. This has been a week.'' ... Justin Duchscherer will assume the primary closer job, but several others also could be used in ninth-inning situations. ... Manager Bob Geren said Tuesday that right-hander Esteban Loaiza, on the DL recovering from a bulging disk in his neck, complained of soreness in his right knee during a throwing session Monday that could set him back in his schedule.

FLORIDA: With RHP Byung-Hyun Kim scheduled to start Friday against Tampa Bay, the Marlins didn't make a roster move Tuesday with 1B Mike Jacobs (broken right thumb). Jacobs is expected to go on the DL when Kim is activated. Manager Fredi Gonzalez kept Jacobs around, at least for one more night, in case of a long game or an injury. Kim arrived in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, but doesn't have to be placed on the 25-man roster until Friday, if he starts that night. ... With Miguel Cabrera in an 0-for-15 slump, Gonzalez rested him and started Aaron Boone at 3B. Just before he began slumping, Cabrera was 18-for-39 (.462) during a 10-game hitting streak.

PITTSBURGH: 3B Jose Bautista (sprained ankle) hit off a tee Tuesday, two days after getting hurt during a home plate collision. He is expected to be out less than a week. ... After being held to 20 runs over a seven-game span, the Pirates scored a combined 20 Sunday against Atlanta (13-2 victory) and Monday against Florida (7-0 victory). Manager Jim Tracy partially credits a better approach at the plate by nearly every Pirates regular and their 12 walks in the two games. ... Tom Gorzelanny (5-2, 2.36 ERA) and Ian Snell (3-2, 2.38 ERA) had eight of the first 11 victories by the Pirates' rotation. Paul Maholm (2-4) and Zach Duke (1-4) had the others, with Tony Armas (0-3) still winless.

ATLANTA: RHP John Smoltz hopes to make his next start despite dislocating his right pinky Monday while making a tag against Washington. ``I think I'll make my next start unless it acts up,'' said Smoltz, who turned 40 Tuesday. ... INF Chipper Jones was not in the starting lineup Tuesday for the fourth consecutive game. He bruised both of his hands and thumbs Friday in a collision with Pittsburgh's Jose Bautista, and he asked to have his hands X-rayed because the soreness has not dissipated. ``You don't think a bruise would keep you out this long,'' Jones said. ``But if it's bruised, it's bruised in the exact right spot.'' ... The Braves activated RHP Bob Wickman from the 15-day DL and optioned RHP Kevin Barry to Triple-A Richmond.

WASHINGTON: RHP Levale Speigner will be limited to 70-75 pitches when he makes his first start of the season Wednesday. Manager Manny Acta said he'll give Speigner at least a couple of starts before deciding whether to return him to the bullpen. Speigner is getting the start because Shawn Hill is on the DL. ... 1B Dmitri Young was ready to start Tuesday after being limited to spot duty for a week because of a sore left Achilles', but Acta kept him on the bench for another game because the team was riding a four-game winning streak. ``He knows we've got a good thing going,'' Acta said.

MILWAUKEE: Manager Ned Yost was ejected from the game by plate umpire Larry Vanover in the top of the fourth inning after LF Geoff Jenkins was called out on an 0-2 pitch. ... OF Tony Gwynn Jr. got his fifth start of the season. ... SS J.J. Hardy entered with an NL-leading 12 homers. The last time a shortstop led the NL in homers this late in a season was in 1986, when Hubie Brooks had 13 on June 8.

PHILADELPHIA: Jeff Cooper, who retired as head athletic trainer last season after 36 years in the organization, has been hired as a consultant. He'll work with the injured Ryan Howard, who will stay in Philly next week when the team goes on the road. Howard is on the DL with a strained left quadriceps. ... RHP Ryan Madson, out with an oblique strain, will make rehab appearances at Double-A Reading on Friday and Sunday. If all goes well, Madson would join the team for its six-game road trip to Florida and Atlanta. ... Manager Charlie Manuel plans to stick with Jimmy Rollins batting third and Aaron Rowand leading off while Howard is out. Chase Utley hits in Howard's cleanup spot.

CHICAGO: Hoping to improve the bullpen, manager Lou Piniella said the Cubs were looking at the possibility of bringing up LHP Sean Marshall or RHP Carlos Marmol from the minors. ... OF Cliff Floyd got his first start at Shea Stadium since spending the past four seasons with the Mets. He played RF and batted second. Floyd got a nice ovation before his first at-bat, then hit an RBI single in the second inning off RHP John Maine and another single in the fourth. ... 1B Derrek Lee remained in Chicago with neck spasms and sat out his second consecutive game. ``He hasn't gotten any worse but he hasn't gotten any better. It might be a few days,'' Piniella said. Lee, who began the day leading the major leagues with a .390 batting average, could miss the entire four-game series. Piniella said it was ``50-50'' whether Lee would fly to New York in time for Wednesday night's game. ``Obviously, if he doesn't come tomorrow, we'll just wait until Friday against the White Sox,'' Piniella said. ... Mark DeRosa started at 1B on Monday night but strained a ligament in his right hand, so the Cubs purchased the contract of INF Mike Fontenot from Triple-A Iowa for insurance before Tuesday night's game. Fontenot was in uniform and on the bench. Daryle Ward started at 1B, and DeRosa was available only in an emergency. To make room on the roster for Fontenot, the Cubs optioned reliever Rocky Cherry to Iowa.

NEW YORK: RHP Orlando Hernandez, on the DL with bursitis in his right shoulder, threw about 60 pitches in a simulated game at the team's complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla. ``He's making progress,'' manager Willie Randolph said. ``He's coming along nicely.'' Randolph said there was no timetable for when El Duque would return, but he probably won't go on a minor league rehab assignment first. ... The Mets acquired minor league INF Jake Gautreau from Cleveland for a player to be named or cash. Gautreau was picked 14th overall in the 2001 draft out of Tulane. ... LF Moises Alou sat out his third consecutive game with a strained left quadriceps. He said he was feeling better, but the injury was more than a day-to-day situation. Randolph said a decision on whether to put Alou on the DL for the 15th time in his career might come Wednesday.

SAN FRANCISCO: Barry Bonds will likely play all three games in Houston, manager Bruce Bochy said. Bonds has played in 33 of 37 games coming into the series. ``He feels great, he's in great shape,'' Bochy said. ``That's allowed him to play much more this year.'' Bonds skipped Sunday's series finale in Colorado after playing the first three games. ``I was exhausted in Colorado, playing a lot of games,'' he said. But with the outfield thinned by injuries, Bonds might have to play more. The Giants called up OFs Fred Lewis and Dan Ortmeier from Triple-A Fresno on Thursday. The 26-year-old Lewis hit for the cycle Sunday, something Bonds has never done - and never expects to do. ``I don't really care for one,'' Bonds said. ``I probably wouldn't be playing for a month - I'd be on the DL. I can't run that fast anyway, to get a triple.'' ... Bochy said RHP Brad Hennessey was ready to pitch Tuesday after experiencing soreness in his right shoulder. Hennessey was 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA before Tuesday's game. Bochy wasn't worried about a recurrence of the soreness. ``It'll just get better with each outing,'' Bochy said. ... The series featured the two active players closest to 3,000 hits - Bonds and the Astros' Craig Biggio, who was only 34 hits away. ``He's phenomenal,'' Bonds said of Biggio. ``I would love to have the opportunity to play with him. Leadoff hitters like that don't come around that often.''

HOUSTON: Mike Lamb was in the lineup for Morgan Ensberg at third base again on Tuesday. Astros manager Phil Garner has recently been starting Lamb more frequently as Ensberg struggles with his hitting. Lamb was hitting more than .400 entering Tuesday's game and Ensberg was at .217. However, Garner did not call Lamb his new starter and insists he'll make the decision about who'll play at third ``one day at a time.'' ``Morgan has been struggling a bit and we have other guys who are playing good,'' he said. ``I'm trying to take advantage of what some guys are doing right now.'' Garner said having Lamb on the bench available to hit late in games was a ``luxury'' and that not having him there when he starts will ``take some getting used to.'' ... Barry Bonds was back in Houston for the first time since last May, when he needed just one homer to tie Babe Ruth's 714. Garner told television reporters Bonds didn't play in that series, and only remembered he did when reminded of the incident when he was plunked by then-Houston pitcher Russ Springer. ``I can't believe I forgot that,'' Garner said of the hit that resulted in a four-game suspension for Springer and a suspension of one game for the manager.

ARIZONA: 3B Chad Tracy was back in the lineup after missing Sunday's game against Houston. ``He could have played yesterday, he could have played Sunday,'' manager Bob Melvin said of Tracy, who strained his rib cage in Saturday's game. ``It was more of a precaution.'' ... Melvin was reminded that offensive numbers have been down among NL West teams. ``It's a something that goes in cycles, but there is another factor,'' he said. ``We play in big ballparks in Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego.'' ... Melvin saw some value in Colorado's acquisition of RHP Jorge Julio. ``He is a velocity guy with a good slider. When he's throwing a slider for strikes and his mechanics are good, his stuff alone is going to make him good,'' Melvin said. ``He has a great arm with a history to be able to perform.''

COLORADO: RHP Ramon Ramirez (right elbow) was activated from the 15-day DL before the game. ``He and Manuel Corpas will be used in eighth innings,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ... Hurdle defined the role of newly acquired RHP Jorge Julio. ``He will be the first guy out of the bullpen,'' Hurdle said of Julio, who had 16 saves for Arizona in 2006. ``We will use him early and see where it takes us.'' ... RHP Rodrigo Lopez (strained right elbow) allowed two hits, two runs, two strikeouts and no walks while throwing 42 pitches over three innings Tuesday in his first start at extended spring training. ``It was a good outing with a lot of progress made.'' Hurdle said. ``His velocity was in the 90s and his command of the fastball was very good.''

CINCINNATI: CF Ken Griffey Jr. has hit eight home runs off Padres starter David Wells, more than any other pitcher in his career. Griffey is ninth on the career home run list with 570 and has hit those homers off 362 different pitchers. Roger Clemens and Tom Gordon are second on the list with six apiece. ... Brandon Phillips' career-high 17-game hitting streak is the longest by a Red since Sean Casey's 21-game streak in 2000.

SAN DIEGO: RHP Clay Hensley (right groin strain) is scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A Portland against Las Vegas. Hensley has been on the DL since May 4, retroactive to May 3. ... San Diego pitchers have allowed just 18 home runs this season, lowest in the majors. The Padres have not given up a homer in their last nine games, one off the franchise record, and in 11 of 13 games in May. In the last four games, San Diego pitching has allowed just four earned runs in 36 innings, including a pair of shutouts.

ST. LOUIS: The Cardinals claimed RHP Todd Wellemeyer off waivers from Kansas City, and plan to add him to their roster this weekend. The 28-year-old reliever was 0-1 with a 10.34 ERA in 12 games for the Royals this season. ... 3B Scott Rolen was mired in a 3-for-40 slump before going 2-for-3 Monday night, raising his batting average to .216. ``I just put some better swings on the ball. I felt better up there,'' he said. Rolen was hitless in 25 at_bats during one stretch, but struck out only once during that time. ``I'm not saying I was swinging the bat well, but you'd think something would drop somewhere when you're making contact,'' he said. ... 1B Albert Pujols entered Tuesday night's game with only four hits in 34 at_bats, dropping his average to . 239. Manager Tony La Russa noted Pujols hit two liners that were caught Monday night. ``Maybe he'll bloop a couple,'' La Russa said.

LOS ANGELES: SS Rafael Furcal entered Tuesday night's game with 10 hits in 11 at_bats over his previous three games, raising his average from .214 to .276. ``I've been more patient, hitting the ball I want to hit,'' he said. ``Sometimes you're good, sometimes you're struggling.'' Furcal started the season on the DL with a sprained left ankle. ... Despite RHP Brett Tomko's ugly outing Monday night and RHP Chad Billingsley's impressive relief effort, manager Grady Little said he had no immediate plans to move Tomko to the bullpen and Billingsley to the starting rotation. Tomko allowed nine hits and eight runs in 2 1-3 innings and Billingsley worked two perfect innings in relief. ... The Dodgers entered Tuesday night's game having lost 10 straight to the Cardinals - the longest active streak by one team over another in the majors. The longest streak in the series occurred in 1951, when the Brooklyn Dodgers beat the Cardinals 14 straight times.

Braves place Gonzalez on DL
May 16th, 2007

Washington, DC (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Braves have placed pitcher Mike Gonzalez on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left elbow.

Gonzalez, in his first season with the Braves, has been dominant out of the bullpen. The lefty has a record of 2-0 with two saves and a stellar 1.59 earned run average in 18 appearances.

Before allowing a run in Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Gonzalez had posted 14 consecutive scoreless innings.

The Braves acquired Gonzalez in an offseason deal with Pittsburgh. He has converted 30 consecutive save opportunities dating back to August 16, 2004.

Atlanta recalled pitcher Macay McBride from Triple-A Richmond to fill the roster spot. He appeared in five games with the Braves earlier this season, posting a record of 1-0 with a 6.00 ERA.

Rangers place Wilkerson on disabled list
May 16th, 2007

Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - The Texas Rangers placed outfielder Brad Wilkerson on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a pulled right hamstring.

Wilkerson suffered the injury during the fifth inning of Tuesday's loss to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Wilkerson hit a double to right, but he strained his hamstring sliding into second and had to leave the game.

In 28 games this season, Wilkerson is hitting .250 with six home runs and 20 runs batted in.

Texas also purchased the contract of outfielder Kevin Mahar from Triple-A Oklahoma and transferred pitcher John Rheinecker to the 60-day disabled list.

Nats' Williams headed back to DL
May 16th, 2007

Washington, DC (Sports Network) - One day after being activated off the disabled list, Washington Nationals pitcher Jerome Williams was put back on the 15-day DL on Wednesday with a right shoulder strain.

On Tuesday, the Nats activated Williams, who had been on the shelf since late April with a sprained left ankle. He started against Atlanta, but was ineffective in defeat.

Williams lasted just two-plus innings and surrendered five runs on seven hits en route to the loss. During the game, he also suffered a rotator cuff strain which contributed to his poor outing.

The 25-year-old is 0-5 with a 7.20 earned run average in six starts this season.

In other roster moves, Washington selected the contract of pitcher Billy Traber from Triple-A Columbus and transferred first baseman Nick Johnson from the 15-day to the 60-day DL to make room for Traber on the 40-man roster.

Johnson has not played this season while recovering from a broken leg suffered during the final month of the 2006 campaign.

Tigers place Bonderman on DL
May 16th, 2007

Boston, MA (Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers placed pitcher Jeremy Bonderman on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. The move is retroactive to May 9.

Bonderman, who has a blister on his right middle finger, is 2-0 with a 4.20 earned run average in seven starts.

To take Bonderman's place on the roster, Detroit will recall pitcher Andrew Miller from Double-A Erie on Friday and he will start against St. Louis at Comerica Park.

White Sox reinstate Cintron from bereavement list
May 16th, 2007

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - The Chicago White Sox reinstated infielder Alex Cintron from the Major League Bereavement List prior to Wednesday night's game against the New York Yankees.

Also, the club optioned infielder Andy Gonzalez back to Triple-A Charlotte.

Cintron, 28, who has been on the bereavement list since Saturday, has a .128 batting average with one RBI in 14 games this season.

Gonzalez, 25, who is hitless in two at-bats with the Sox this season, hit .259 with 13 RBI in 25 games for the Knights.