Notes

CUBS Cubs, Marmol part ways

CHICAGO - The Chicago Cubs designated former All-Star Carlos Marmol for assignment Tuesday, parting ways with the struggling reliever.

Chicago has 10 days to trade or release him or send him outright to the minors if he clears waivers. Marmol, 30, was 2-4 with 2 saves and a 5.86 ERA in 31 appearances this season, striking out 32 while walking 21 batters.

An All-Star as a setup man in 2008, Marmol became the team’s closer in late 2009 and compiled 117 saves, third on the Cubs’ all-time list. He was 23-32 with a 3.50 ERA in 483 appearances in parts of eight seasons with Chicago and is just the fifth player in franchise history with 20 or more saves in three consecutive seasons, along with Ryan Dempster, Randy Myers, Lee Smith and Bruce Sutter.

His best year as closer was 2010, when he finished with 38 saves in 43 chances. He posted a 2.55 ERA with 138 strikeouts and 52 walks that season and followed that up with 34 saves in 2011. But he blew 10 chances that year and posted a 4.01 ERA.

The Cubs had a deal in place that would have sent Marmol to the Los Angeles Angels for Dan Haren last winter but that fell through. They also signed Kyuji Fujikawa, a longtime closer in Japan, but like Marmol he struggled. He also suffered a season-ending elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery.

The Cubs’ closer now is Kevin Gregg, the man Marmol replaced in 2009. He has converted all 11 save opportunities after signing a minor league deal with Chicago in April.

NATIONALS Harper to begin rehab

WASHINGTON - Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was set to begin a rehabilitation assignment Tuesday night as he recovers from left knee bursitis that has sidelined him for nearly a month.

Manager Davey Johnson said that Harper, who hasn’t played since May 26, likely won’t rejoin the Nationals this weekend when they travel to New York. Harper was scheduled to start the assignment at Class A Potomac.

“I doubt if he’ll be able to make it that quick,” Johnson said, pointing to a series starting Monday in Washington against Milwaukee for Harper’s likely return. “He’ll probably do three or four innings tonight, and then, if there’s no problem, gradually up it.”

Outfielder Jayson Werth, who left Sunday’s game with a strained left groin, was in the Nationals’ starting lineup Tuesday against Arizona.

The Nationals also placed pitcher Dan Haren on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Sunday, with right shoulder inflammation. They also recalled first baseman-outfielder Tyler Moore from Class AAA Syracuse.

Haren underwent an MRI exam Monday, which he said revealed no structural damage, and he received a cortisone shot.

ROYALS Smith recalled, Herrera optioned

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Royals recalled left-hander Will Smith and optioned struggling right-hander Kelvin Herrera to Class AAA Omaha in a series of moves before Tuesday night’s game against Atlanta.

Left-hander Danny Duffy, who has been recovering from Tommy John surgery, was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list and optioned to Omaha. Left-hander Francisley Bueno was designated for assignment to clear roster space.

Smith allowed four earned runs in four innings in his only appearance with the Royals earlier this season, but he was 5-3 with a 2.88 ERA at Omaha.

Herrera, who’s just 3-5 with a 5.20 ERA, is headed to Omaha for the second time this season.

The Royals also announced that outfielder Quintin Berry, who was designated for assignment Sunday, had accepted an outright assignment to Omaha.

Sports, Pages 22 on 06/26/2013

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