Houston Astros: Astros second baseman Jeff Kent returned to Houston on Sunday to have his sore left wrist examined, and then had a cortisone shot before rejoining the team.

Kent was back at The Ballpark in Arlington for the finale of a three-game series against Texas on Sunday night, but was out of the lineup for the fourth straight game. He is also expected to miss at least the first game of a series at Arizona that begins Monday.

Jose Vizcaino again started at second base in place of Kent, the 2000 NL MVP who is the Astros' RBI leader (51) in his first season with the team. Kent started 68 of the first 71 games, and is hitting .313 with 11 home runs.

Kent was initially in the lineup Saturday night, but was scratched just before the game after his wrist started bothering him again during batting practice.

Texas Rangers: Right-hander Joaquin Benoit was activated from the 15-day disabled list Sunday and started for the Texas Rangers in their series finale against Houston.

Left-hander Erasmo Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma. Ramirez has a 6.52 ERA in eight appearances during two stints with Texas this season.

Benoit was placed on the DL on June 5, retroactive to June 1, with inflammation of the right elbow. He made his seventh start for Texas on Sunday night.

Detroit Tigers: The Tigers optioned right-hander Gary Knotts to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday and recalled righty Fernando Rodney.

"We decided to let Gary go down to Triple-A and be a starter,'' Detroit manager Alan Trammell said. "Right now I just don't feel confident with him out in the 'pen.''

Knotts was 2-5 with a 5.04 ERA in 15 games, including 13 starts. Knotts was demoted to the bullpen and he allowed six runs in two appearances.

"With Gary it's been inconsistency,'' Trammell said. "Going into Boston, I thought I needed a consistent arm.''

Trammell said Knotts wasn't happy with the news.

"I asked for an extra day and he wouldn't give it to me,'' Knotts said. "I even asked for my release."