The San Diego Padres have called up right-hander Cesar Carrillo to make his first major league start against the Milwaukee Brewers. Carrillo started Thursday. To make room for him, the Padres sent right-hander Mike Ekstrom to Triple-A Portland. Carrillo was a first-round draft pick of the Padres in 2005, but needed elbow reconstruction surgery in 2007 and missed part of last season.
August 13, 2009
Cubs option Samardzija after poor start (AP)
Jeff Samardzija, hit hard in his first major league start a night earlier for the Cubs, has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Chicago also recalled right-hander Justin Berg from Iowa on Thursday. Samardzija is 1-2 with a 7.81 ERA in 17 appearances with the Cubs this season. He lasted 3 1-3 innings Wednesday night in a 12-5 loss to the Phillies, allowing seven runs and eight hits.
Royals activate, start RHP Meche (AP)
The Kansas City Royals have activated right-hander Gil Meche from the 15-day disabled list to start Thursday's game against the Minnesota Twins. Meche was placed on the disabled list July 18 with a lower back strain. He was 4-9 with a 4.50 ERA in his first 19 starts of the season. Kansas City's opening day starter is making his first start since July 11.
August 12, 2009
Nats RHP Zimmermann out at least 1 year (AP)
Nationals rookie right-hander Jordan Zimmermann will have reconstructive elbow surgery and is expected to miss at least a year. Washington acting general manager Mike Rizzo said Zimmermann will have surgery Wednesday after Dr. Lewis Yocum, an expert in Tommy John surgery, had a look at his MRI exam. The Nationals had been expecting the news, which means the 23-year-old Zimmermann will miss at least…
Pedro faces Cubs in Phillies debut (AP)
The Philadelphia Phillies finally feel Pedro Martinez is ready to return to the majors. The 37-year-old right-hander makes his Phillies debut and his first appearance in almost a year Wednesday night against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The last time Martinez took the mound in the majors, he allowed five runs and struck out nine in six innings, but didn't receive a decision in a 7-6 win…
Angels release erratic reliever Speier (AP)
The Los Angeles Angels unconditionally released right-hander Justin Speier on Tuesday night, finally tired of waiting for the veteran reliever to regain his form. Speier was 4-2 with a 5.18 ERA in 41 appearances for the Angels, whose historically reliable bullpen has struggled this season. He is due $4.75 million this season and $5.25 million in 2010.
Cardinals put RHP Wellemeyer on DL (AP)
Cardinals pitcher Todd Wellemeyer has been put on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow. St. Louis made the move Tuesday, a day after Wellemeyer was scratched from a scheduled return to the rotation. He has been told to rest the elbow for five days. The Cardinals recalled rookie right-hander Mitchell Boggs from Triple-A Memphis to start against the Cincinnati Reds.
August 11, 2009
Nats' Zimmermann probably needs surgery (AP)
Nationals acting general manager Mike Rizzo says rookie right-hander Jordan Zimmermann probably needs reconstructive elbow surgery. Rizzo says Monday that Dr. James Andrews reviewed an MRI exam done on Zimmermann's right elbow and agreed with a Nationals team doctor that the pitcher should have an operation to repair a ligament.
Cards' Wellemeyer may be headed for DL (AP)
Todd Wellemeyer's return to the St. Louis Cardinals' rotation might have to wait indefinitely after the right-hander complained of a sore elbow following a bullpen session. Manager Tony La Russa said Wellemeyer, 7-9 with a 5.67 ERA for the NL Central leaders, could be headed for the 15-day disabled list.
August 10, 2009
Yanks activate Gaudin, start A-Rod at DH (AP)
The New York Yankees activated right-hander Chad Gaudin before Sunday night's game against the Boston Red Sox, giving them an extra arm in the bullpen and someone who could make a spot start if necessary. The Yankees acquired Gaudin from the San Diego Padres last week for cash or a player to be named later.