Notes

— RANGERS

Dempster to miss start

TORONTO - Ryan Dempster is going to have to wait a little longer to make another start in his native Canada.

The right-hander will miss his scheduled start for the Texas Rangers today at Toronto due to personal reasons.

Dempster, who is from British Columbia, was slated to make his first start in Canada since opening day for the then-Florida Marlins at Montreal on April 2, 2002. He went 5-0 in eight career appearances in Montreal, but has never pitched in Toronto.

Recently demoted starter Roy Oswalt will take Dempster’s place against the Blue Jays.

The Rangers placed Dempster on the restricted list Friday and recalled rookie outfielder Leonys Martin from Class AAA Round Rock. The AL West leaders didn’t offer any further explanation for Dempster’s absence and said he was expected to rejoin the team Monday.

Dempster has struggled since he was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Cubs on July 31. He is 1-1 with an 8.31 ERA in three starts for Texas.

He got a no-decision in his Texas debut when the Rangers beat the Los Angeles Angels 15-9, but was hit hard by the AL East-leading New York Yankees in an 8-2 loss Monday. His only victory with Texas came at Boston on Aug. 7.

Martin has appeared in 15 games this season, batting .189 with no home runs and five RBI.

Oswalt was bumped from the rotation when the Rangers acquired Dempster. A three-time All-Star, Oswalt is 4-2 with a 6.53 ERA since signing with Texas in late May, appearing in relief three times after making six starts.

CARDINALS

Molina out again

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina missed a third start because of midback tightness, but he and Cardinals believe he could return by the end of the weekend.

Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny said before the start of a three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday that Molina was much improved. Matheny was hopeful the four-time All-Star would be ready today, and he added that the team’s medical staff didn’t have longer term concerns.

Tony Cruz made his third consecutive start in place of Molina, who is batting .315 with 16 home runs and 54 RBI, and the Cardinals again had no designated backup catcher. Cruz was batting .226 in 31 games with 1 home run and 8 RBI.

WHITE SOX

Konerko activated

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Chicago White Sox have activated first baseman Paul Konerko from the seven-day concussion disabled list.

The AL Central-leading White Sox also recalled left-hander Hector Santiago from Class AAA Charlotte before Friday night’s game at Kansas City. Infielder Orlando Hudson (bruised left foot) and left-hander Leyson Septimo (left biceps inflammation) were placed on the 15-day DL.

Konerko was the designated hitter and batting cleanup for the series opener against the Royals. He entered with a .316 batting average, 18 home runs and 54 RBI in 101 games.

Konerko was hurt when he was struck by a Jarrod Dyson elbow while covering first base Aug. 7 against the Royals.

Hudson fouled a ball off his foot Wednesday. He is batting .182 in 36 games.

YANKEES

Teixeira scratched

NEW YORK - New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is out of the starting lineup because of a sore left wrist.

Teixeira had an injection about two weeks ago and said the wrist had become sore again in recent days. He said before Friday’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox that he didn’t expect to miss more than a game or two.

Teixeira is hitting .257 with 23 home runs and 78 RBI.

TIGERS

Martinez won’t return

DETROIT - The Detroit Tigers have given up hopes of Victor Martinez coming back this season.

Tigers trainer Kevin Rand said Friday the decision was made earlier in the week to stop Martinez’s running program. Rand said the team is aiming for the 33-year-old Martinez to return for the start of spring training next year.

The designated hitter is recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee. The best-case scenario had him possibly playing in September.

He hit .330 with 103 RBI last season to help Detroit win its first division title since 1987 in the first year of his $50 million, four-year contract.

Martinez tore his left anterior cruciate ligament during off season conditioning in January, leading to the Tigers signing slugger Prince Fielder.

Sports, Pages 24 on 08/18/2012

Upcoming Events