Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen has a fractured rib and
not an oblique muscle injury, but the team has yet to place him on the
disabled list.
The Pirates announced Tuesday that McCutchen has an avulsion
fracture involving the costochondral cartilage of the left 11th rib.
"We continue to evaluate Andrew's progress and he will remain on the
active roster," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said.
With McCutchen out of the lineup, the Pirates activated outfielder
Sterling Marte from the concussion disabled list.
It was initially reported that McCutchen's oblique injury could
sideline the reigning National League Most Valuable Player for up to
a month, but he told reporters Tuesday that he is hoping for a quick
recovery and to avoid a stint on the DL.
---Anthony Bosch, the founder of Biogenesis of America, and 10
associates were booked by federal Drug Enforcement Administration
agents near Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where Bosch masqueraded as a
physician and wellness expert providing illegal supplements
including human growth hormone to athletes.
Bosch testified as the star witness against New York Yankees third
baseman Alex Rodriguez in Major League Baseball's investigation into
the anti-aging clinic that Rodriguez and several others purchased
for use HGH and other banned substances such as testosterone.
One of the Bosch associates arrested Tuesday was Yuri Sucart,
Rodriguez's cousin. When Rodriguez told MLB Sucart provided him with
performance-enhancing drugs, his cousin filed a $5 million civil
suit for damages. Sucart traveled with Rodgriguez as a do-all gopher
for more than 15 years but was banned from charter flights and the
clubhouse by the Yankees.
---It wasn't a good day on the medical front for the Boston Red Sox.
An injury-plagued season officially ended Tuesday for outfielder
Shane Victorino with the announcement that he will undergo lower
back surgery. Meanwhile, newly acquired Allen Craig was placed on
the 15-day disabled list with a sprained ankle.
Dr. Robert Watkins, a spine specialist, will perform the back
procedure on Victorino next Tuesday in Los Angeles. An MRI showed
that Victorino might be in need of back surgery and Watkins
confirmed the test findings.
---The Milwaukee Brewers sent right-hander Matt Garza to the
disabled list Tuesday with a strained oblique muscle.
To take his place on the roster, the Brewers recalled right-hander
Rob Wooten form Triple-A Nashville. It's unknown how long Garza will
be sidelined.
Garza was injured during Monday's start against the St. Louis
Cardinals. He had a one-hit shutout through six innings when he left
the game after just 71 pitches. In his first season with the
Brewers, Garza has started 23 games and has a 7-7 record with a 3.58
ERA, 43 walks and 104 strikeouts spanning145 2/3 innings.
---The Detroit Tigers signed struggling reliever Jim Johnson to a
minor-league contract on Tuesday in an attempt to beef up their
bullpen.
The Oakland Athletics released Johnson last week after he posted a
4-2 record, two saves and a 7.14 ERA with 24 walks and 28 strikeouts
in 38 outings covering 40 1/3 innings this season.
The former All-Star closer saved 101 games in 2012-13 for the Baltimore
Orioles before he went into the tailspin. According to FOX Sports,
Johnson worked out for the Orioles after he was released by the A's and
was thought to be returning to Baltimore before the Tigers claimed him.
---The Washington Nationals claimed left-handed reliever Matt Thornton
off recocable waivers on Tuesday from the New York Yankees.
The 37-year-old Thornton appeared in 46 games for the Yankees this year
and posted an 0-3 record with a 2.55 ERA in 24 2/3 innings.
---The Cleveland Indians recalled right-hander Josh Tomlin from Triple-A
Columbus, optioned outfielder Tyler Holt to Columbus and activated
outfielder outfielder Nyger Morgan from the 60-day disabled list and
then released him.
Tomlin was scheduled to start Tuesday night's game against the
Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field. He was part of the Indians'
rotation from May 6 to July 25 and posted a 5-7 record with a 4.47 ERA
in 15 games (14 starts).
---New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka threw again Tuesday with
increased intensity from flat ground as he attempts to work his way back
from a small ligament tear in his right elbow.
Tanaka, the Japanese sensation who was 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA before he
was injured last month, made 50 throws from 60 feet before the Yankees'
game against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.
A day earlier, Tanaka made 25 light tosses on flat ground. The
25-year-old will rest the arm Wednesday before throwing again Thursday.
The team also made a roster move Tuesday, promoting reliever 34-year-old
Rich Hill from Triple-A after reliever Matt Thorton was picked up by the
Washington Nationals on a waiver claim.
---Toronto Blue Jays infielder Brett Lawrie was activated from the
15-day disabled list ahead of Tuesday's series opener against the
Baltimore Orioles.
Lawrie, who went 4-for-10 in a three-game rehab assignment, was placed
on the DL on June 23 with a fractured right index finger after getting
hit by a pitch. The 24-year-old hit in the No. 6 spot in the lineup and
played third base in his return.
Toronto placed infielder Steve Tolleson on the paternity list to make
room for Lawrie on the roster.
