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Friday, May 23
 
Anaheim closer is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA

ESPN.com news services

Anaheim Angels The Angels placed closer Troy Percivalon the 15-day disabled list Friday night with a hip injury and recalled second baseman Chone Figgins from Triple-A Salt Lake.

Troy Percival
Percival

Percival allowed his first grand slam in 490 career relief appearances Thursday night against Baltimore's Brian Roberts, pitching for the first time in five days despite irritation in his right hip.

The four-time All-Star was tagged with his first blown save of the season in Anaheim's 7-4 loss.

Percival, the Angels' career saves leader with 257, was examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles and underwent an MRI exam that revealed a strain of the gluteus muscle and degenerative changes in the hip joint.

This will be the 33-year-old right-hander's fifth stint on the disabled list and first since last July, when he had a left Achilles' infection.

Percival is 0-2 this season with a 4.50 ERA and seven saves. He is the fifth prominent Angels player to go on the DL this season, including infielder Adam Kennedy, outfielder Darin Erstad and starting pitchers Aaron Sele and Kevin Appier.

Cincinnati Reds: Ryan Dempster went on the 15-day disabled list Friday, a day after the right-hander struck out 10 batters and threw 94 mph fastballs.

The Reds cited an inflamed nerve in Dempster's neck, which caused him to miss a start earlier this month and prompted him to get two cortisone shots. He'll continue to pitch for Triple-A Louisville on a rehabilitation assignment.

The Reds called up infielder Ranier Olmedo from Double-A Chattanooga to fill his spot. Olmedo is expected to be with Cincinnati only until right-hander Jimmy Haynes is activated off the disabled list next week.

Dempster is 1-4 with a 7.62 ERA in nine starts and one relief appearance. He gave up 11 hits and nine runs Thursday night in a 9-4 loss to Atlanta, but drew postgame praise from manager Bob Boone for his control and his fastball.

"Your first time on the DL, that's hard to swallow," Dempster said. ``That's probably been my biggest problem. We probably should have done this when I got the first shot. A denial period sets in. It's finally what's best for the team and my health, and that's getting some rest and letting the medicine work."

Baltimore Orioles: The San Diego Padres claimed outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. on waivers from the Orioles, who also placed outfielder Larry Bigbie on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder.

Gary Matthews Jr.
Matthews Jr.

Baltimore recalled outfielder Luis Matos from Triple-A Ottawa to replace Bigbie on the roster.

Matthews was the Orioles' starting center fielder out of spring training, but a prolonged slump cost him the starting job last week. He was hitting .204 with two homers and 20 RBI.

Bigbie hurt his shoulder diving for a ball Wednesday night in Anaheim. He was expected to return to Baltimore on Friday for an MRI exam and further evaluation.

Matos, who was batting .303 in Ottawa, hit .212 in 120 games with the Orioles over the past three seasons. He was expected to join the Orioles on Friday in Texas.

San Diego Padres: Center fielder Mark Kotsay was placed on the 15-day disabled list and catcher Gary Bennett, who had been out for more than a month with a knee injury, was activated.

Kotsay was placed on the DL retroactive to Monday with a sprained lower back.

To replace Kotsay, outfielder Jason Bay was recalled from Triple-A Portland. Bay was expected to start in center field in Friday night's series opener against Arizona . Bay batted .300 with three doubles, 10 homers and 32 RBI in 46 games for Portland.

Bennett missed 32 games after spraining his right knee April 16 at Los Angeles. To make room for Bennett, catcher Michael Rivera was optioned back to Triple-A Portland. The Padres also designated outfielder Shane Victorino for assignment.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Rookie pitcher Seth McClung was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right elbow and Victor Zambrano was recalled from Triple-A Durham.

McClung gave up six runs, seven hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings in a 10-8 loss at Texas on Thursday, but he ended up with a no-decision. The 22-year-old right-hander is 4-1 with a 5.35 ERA in 13 appearances, including five starts.

The 27-year-old Zambrano was 1-2 with a 6.29 ERA in two starts for the Devil Rays before he was optioned to Durham on May 9. He began the season as the team's No. 2 starter.

Florida Marlins: Right-hander Brad Penny missed his scheduled start Friday night against the Reds after coming down with the flu.

Left-hander Tommy Phelps, who was scheduled to start Saturday, took Penny's place. Phelps hadn't pitched since Tuesday, when he threw two scoreless innings in relief.

Phelps has made 10 relief appearances. He also started for the Marlins on May 12.

New York Mets: Outfielder Jeromy Burnitz, out since breaking his hand April 22 when he was hit by a pitch from Astros closer Billy Wagner, was activated from the disabled list.

The Mets sent Jeff Duncan back to Double-A Binghamton. Burnitz was in the starting lineup against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night. He played center field and batted sixth.

During a three-game rehabilitation stint with Binghamton, Burnitz was 3-for-13 with a home run and one stolen base.

Toronto Blue Jays: Right-hander Pete Walker was activated from the 15-day disabled list and pitcher Brian Bowles was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.

Walker was 1-1 with a 6.31 ERA in nine games (four starts). Walker was out because of right shoulder soreness and made two rehab starts for Double-A New Haven, pitching two innings.

Bowles was 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in two games. The righty pitched a total 1 1/3 innings.

Colorado Rockies: Right-hander Nelson Cruz was placed on the 15-day disabled list and right-hander Jason Young was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

The Rockies also purchased the contract of left-handed reliever Vic Darensbourg and recalled him from Colorado Springs.

Cruz was placed on the DL with right shoulder inflammation retroactive to May 17.

He was part of Colorado's rotation to start the season before being moved to the bullpen last week. He was 3-4 with a 6.92 ERA in nine appearances, with seven starts.

Manager Clint Hurdle said the Rockies will recall right-hander Scott Elarton from Colorado Springs on Saturday so he can start against the Giants. Elarton hasn't pitched in the majors since Oct. 6, 2001 due to shoulder surgery. He was 1-3 with a 3.76 in nine Triple-A starts.




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