Major League Baseball roundup

[August 10, 2016]  Aug 9 (The Sports Xchange) - Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder is expected to announce on Wednesday that his playing career is over because of medical concerns, according to a report from Fox Sports.

Fielder, 32, recently underwent his second neck surgery in a span of 26-plus months. He was suffering from a herniated disk and underwent a cervical fusion.

Fielder was struggling before the season-ending injury, batting .212 with eight homers and 44 RBIs.

The report said Fielder won't formally retire. Sources told Fox that Fielder is now considered medically disabled and doctors won't clear him to play. He has four seasons remaining on a nine-year, $214 million deal.

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San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy was released from a Miami hospital and is expected to manage Tuesday night's game against the Miami Marlins.

The Giants haven't said why Bochy went to University of Miami Hospital on Monday. The 61-year-old spent the night at the facility with the club releasing in a statement that Bochy was resting comfortably and would be monitored overnight.

Bochy underwent a heart procedure in Feb. 2015 to insert two stents but it isn't known whether or not he is experiencing more heart issues.

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High-priced ace Zack Greinke was activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The right-hander missed more than a month because of an oblique injury. He is slated to start Tuesday against the New York Mets.

Greinke, who signed a six-year, $206.5 million deal with Arizona in the offseason, is 10-3 with a 3.62 ERA. He was injured while batting against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 28 and was placed on the DL on July 3.

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Miami Marlins All-Star closer A.J. Ramos was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured finger on his pitching hand.

The right-hander injured the finger on Aug. 3 while fielding a bunt against the Chicago Cubs. The finger has since bothered Ramos and was affecting his ability to control the baseball.

The 29-year-old Ramos has 32 saves, third most in the National League. Veteran Fernando Rodney likely will replace him in late-game situations.

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The St. Louis Cardinals recalled prized prospect Alex Reyes from Triple-A Memphis and placed fellow right-hander Michael Wacha on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.

Reyes is expected to make his major-league debut in Tuesday's home game against the Cincinnati Reds. The 21-year-old Reyes has posted a 2-3 mark with a 4.96 ERA in 14 starts for the Redbirds this season.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates recalled rookie right-hander Chad Kuhl from Triple-A Indianapolis to make the start against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.

Kuhl will be making his fifth career start and first since July 17, when he blanked the Washington Nationals on one hit and struck out five in six innings.

Kuhl is 1-0 with a 4.19 in four starts with the Pirates. He was dealing with biceps tightness at Indianapolis but pitched six scoreless innings of four-hit ball on Aug. 1.

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The Boston Red Sox did not approve of the David Ortiz bobbleheads and canceled the promotion before Tuesday's game against the rival New York Yankees at Fenway Park.

"The bobbleheads were unacceptable to the club and not appropriate for distribution," the Red Sox said in a statement. "We will be issuing new David Ortiz bobbleheads to all ticketed fans at a later date. ... We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience."

Team president Sam Kennedy elected to scrap the promotion after viewing the finished product. "I thought the bobbleheads were an inaccurate portrayal of David," Kennedy told ESPN. "To go further, I thought the facial features were racially insensitive."

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Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper was out of the lineup Tuesday night for the second straight game because of neck stiffness.

Harper left Saturday's game against the San Francisco Giants early and then sat out Sunday's series finale.

The reigning National League MVP, Harper is hitting .233 with 20 homers and 57 RBIs.

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The Seattle Mariners activated infielder Ketel Marte from the 15-day disabled list before Tuesday's game against the visiting Detroit Tigers.

The 22-year-old Marte, placed on the disabled list July 23 with mononucleosis, is hitting .273 with one homer and 19 RBIs in 74 games with the Mariners.

(Editing by Larry Fine) ))

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