The Blue Jays sent A.J. Burnett back to the 15-day disabled list on Sunday with a right shoulder strain, three days after he was activated and briefly returned to the rotation. The former Marlin surrendered five runs and six hits in four-plus innings Thursday at Minnesota, his first appearances since leaving a June 12 start in San Francisco with a shoulder strain. "He's going to get checked out. We don't know anything until he sees the doctor," manager John Gibbons said. "We'll let you know." Burnett is on the DL for the 10th time since 2000. Toronto recalled Jesse Litsch from Triple-A Syracuse. The 22-year-old right-hander is to start Tuesday at Oakland. It will be Litsch's fifth start this season for the Blue Jays - he is 1-2 with a 6.62 ERA. It’s unknown when Burnett will be back, but the Blue Jays deserve to get some flack the way they’ve overworked their pitching staff this season. Burnett will join starters Gustavo Chacin (elbow, return mid-July), Victor Zambrano (arm, return mid-June) and closer B.J. Ryan (elbow, out for the season).
Milton Bradley was acquired by the Padres from Oakland for pitcher Andrew Brown on Friday. On Sunday, the Padres placed the disgruntled outfielder on the 15-day DL, a move retroactive to June 21. Bradley, who has a strained left oblique muscle, has now been on the DL (four times) more times than home runs (two HR) hit this season. He’s been limited to 65 at-bats in 19 games this season, while hitting .292 with seven RBI. After being designated for assignment on June 21, Bradley spent the last week getting treatment from a friend who is a chiropractor. He arrived at Dodger Stadium on Sunday and took some swings in the batting cage before the Padres put him on the DL. "It's definitely better," he said. "I feel good swinging from the right side, left side bothers me. I just want to get healthy and help this ballclub out. It's already a great team, so I'm just going to come in and add what I can and finish up the season strong." San Diego expects to activate him right after the All-Star break. Jose Cruz Jr. will continue to be the Padres everyday leftfielder in the interim.
Zach Duke (elbow) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday after skipping a planned throwing session Sunday. Duke has been bothered by tightness in the elbow that was apparently caused by tendinitis. Upcoming tests will determine whether there is any structural damage inside Duke's elbow. "I still felt the same, so there wasn't any reason for me to throw today," Duke said. "It's scary to have to miss time in the rotation like this. This is my first time with something like this. I've never gone through this before." Duke (3-7, 5.79 ERA) will be replaced in the starting rotation Tuesday against Milwaukee by Shane Youman, who is 4-6 with a 4.70 ERA in 15 starts at Triple-A Indianapolis. Youman was 0-2 with a 2.91 ERA in five Pirates games late last season. Duke has allowed 141 hits already this year, easily the most in the majors. Opposing hitters are batting .364 against him, including 10 homers. The southpaw started out 8-2 with a 1.81 ERA following a midseason call-up in 2005, but is just 13-22 since then, giving up a major-league high 396 hits in 308 2/3 innings
Jorge Sosa was placed on the shelf Sunday, and Mike Pelfrey was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans to replace him in the rotation. Pelfrey, who entered the contest 0-5 with a 6.53 ERA, started Sunday's game against Philadelphia in place of Oliver Perez, who was scratched because of a stiff back. Pelfrey allowed four hits and two earned runs in five innings, dropping his sixth straight start – spanning over 2 ½ months. Perez, who is 7-3 with a 3.92 ERA, is scheduled to return on Tuesday at Colorado.
The Giants activated Fred Lewis from the DL Saturday, clearing roster room by designating Luis Figueroa for assignment. Lewis played in seven games for Triple-A Fresno in a rehab assignment as he recovered from a strained a muscle in his right side, going 13-for-34 (.382) with two home runs, 12 RBIs, a triple and a double. Meanwhile, veteran Rich Aurilia was set to begin a rehab assignment with Fresno at Las Vegas on Saturday and then play again Sunday. He's slated to get at least three at-bats each game, then will meet the Giants in Cincinnati on Tuesday if everything goes well.
Steve Trachsel was placed on the shelf Saturday, less than a day after he struggled in his shortest outing in four years. Trachsel has a strained muscle below his lower back. He could miss only one start, because part of his stint on the DL will come during the All-Star break. "I know Steve has been in some discomfort. He felt like it affected the way he threw last night and his preparation in between starts," interim manager Dave Trembley said. "He's a very regimented, routine-oriented type guy. He gets one more start before the break, and I think everyone's feeling was to back away from that, let him get a chance to get some treatment." In 17 starts this season he's 5-6 with a 4.95 ERA. Trachsel gave up nine hits in just 1 2/3 innings Friday night against the Angels. It was his shortest outing since July 10, 2003. Left-hander Kurt Birkins was called up from Triple-A Norfolk to replace Trachsel on the roster. Birkins will pitch long relief.
Oakland placed Travis Buck on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a sprained right thumb and optioned right-hander Ruddy Lugo to Triple-A Sacramento. Buck is hitting .283 with six homers and 20 RBIs in 54 games this season.
Jayson Werth was placed on the DL because of a sprained left wrist after Thursday night's win against Cincinnati. Werth said he injured the wrist playing catch during the Phillies series in Cleveland from June 18-20. He was hitting .235 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 85 at-bats.
David Dellucci had successful surgery to remove a torn tendon from his left hamstring on Thursday. The surgery was performed at the Cleveland Clinic. Dellucci, who was injured running out a ground ball against Philadelphia on June 19, is expected to return this season. Dellucci is hitting .234 with four home runs and 20 RBIs in 54 games.
Curt Schilling is out through at least the All-Star break because of a sore right shoulder. "He can throw now, but I think they want him to reach certain levels with the testing," manager Terry Francona said. "We want him to finish the season in good condition. That's why we're trying to be safe. Sometimes it's tough to be safe." Schilling is 6-4 with a 4.20 ERA in 15 starts this season. His replacement, Kason Gabbard, walked six and allowed four runs Tuesday night in 3 1/3 innings.
Miguel Tejada won't be able to resume baseball activities for at least a month because of a fractured left wrist, and could be sidelined well into August. Tejada played in 1,152 straight games - the fifth-longest streak in baseball history - before being placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday. The injury occurred on June 20, when he was hit by a pitch thrown by San Diego's Doug Brocail. "There's nothing I can do," Tejada said Tuesday. "I don't want to be out. It's tough for me because I like to play baseball. I just hope I heal pretty good and can be back before (August)." Tejada is batting .306 with seven homers. He ranks second on the team with 41 RBIs. Reserves Freddie Bynum and Chris Gomez will share time at shortstop until Tejada returns, and interim manager Dave Trembley has been shuffling players at the cleanup spot.
The Cubs put closer Ryan Dempster on the DL with a strained left oblique muscle, and transferred Wade Miller to the 60-day disabled list. Dempster's move was retroactive to June 23. He is 1-3 with a 3.38 ERA and 16 saves. Miller went on the DL on April 23 with back spasms after his third start. He is 0-1 with a 10.54 ERA. To fill the roster spot, the Cubs called up right-hander Billy Petrick from Double-A Tennessee. He is 1-2 with two saves and a 2.57 ERA in 24 minor-league games this season. Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry will probably compete for saves in his absence.
Ian Kinsler was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday because of a stress fracture in his left foot. He underwent an MRI on Sunday and that confirmed the diagnosis. He’s expected at least three weeks and possibly up to six to eight weeks with the injury. Ramon Vazquez will man the second base position while Travis Metcalf plays third with Hank Blalock also stashed on the shelf. Jerry Hairston Jr. will back up both players in the infield.