Notes

PHILLIES Ruiz to DL

MIAMI - Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz is headed to the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring and first baseman Ryan Howard is day to day with a sore left knee.

Both players had magnetic resonance imaging scans Monday before Philadelphia’s game against Miami.

Ruiz has a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He has played in 16 games and is hitting .235 with two RBI.

“Right now he’ll probably be out three to four weeks - relative time frame,” Phillies trainer Scott Sheridan said. “That’s kind of what we’re thinking right now based on the size of the tear and location.”

Howard has had symptoms for the past couple of weeks and is hitting .179 in 16 games this month.

“He’s got some changes in his meniscus in his knee and also has some inflammation in his knee that concerns us,” Sheridan said. “We did a cortisone injection with him [Sunday] and he’s not available to play tonight and we will just treat him day to day right now and go from there.”

Howard is batting .245 with 6 home runs and 22 RBI in 41 games. He has been replaced at first base by Michael Young.

“If he doesn’t respond to the treatment we’ve provided so far, you’ve got to re-evaluate what you’re doing,” Sheridan said. “At no point are we going to put Ryan out there to risk it.”

Right-handed pitcher Mike Adams (back strain) was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 11. Catcher Humberto Quintero has been recalled from Class AAA Lehigh Valley.

REDS Cueto activated

NEW YORK - Cincinnati Reds ace Johnny Cueto has been activated from the 15-day disabled list, and he was set to make his first start in more than a month Monday night.

The Reds optioned infielder Neftali Soto to Class AAA Louisville on Monday so Cueto could face the New York Mets.

The right-handed Cueto strained a muscle in his upper back during a start April 13 after opening the season 1-0 with a 2.60 ERA. He made his fourth start of the year.

He was 19-9 with a 2.78 ERA for the Reds last year.

RANGERS Lowe designated

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Texas Rangers have designated right-hander Derek Lowe for assignment to make room for Josh Lindblom, their starter Monday night against Oakland.

Lowe, 39, made the big league roster out of spring training after signing a minor league contract in March, then allowed 13 earned runs in 13 innings.

Lowe gave up 7 hits and 8 runs with 2 home runs in his last 2 2/3 innings.

The Rangers have 10 days to trade or release Lowe or attempt to send him outright to the minors. He has won 176 games in 17 seasons.

Lindblom was to make his first career big league start after coming to Texas as a right-handed reliever in an offseason trade. He struggled out of the bullpen with Texas but was 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA.in seven starts for Class AAA Round Rock.

RED SOX Bailey returns

CHICAGO - The Boston Red Sox activated relief pitcher Andrew Bailey from the 15-day disabled list before their game Monday against the Chicago White Sox.

Bailey had been out since April 29 with right biceps inflammation. He threw 17 pitches in a rehab assignment Saturday at Class AAA Pawtucket.

“Obviously, this is where you want to be,” Bailey said. “Healthy, and with the team. Just looking forward to getting back out there.”

Bailey last pitched April 28 against Houston when he threw a scoreless inning. He’s 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA and 5 saves. His return comes at a good time for the Red Sox, who have lost reliever Joel Hanrahan for the season with an elbow injury. Boston optioned reliever Jose De La Torre to Pawtucket to make room.

“I feel 100 percent, ready to go,” Bailey said. “If there was any issues I wouldn’t be here and that’s behind me. I got my one outing in and I’m ready to go.” TWINS Thielbar called up

ATLANTA - The Minnesota Twins have recalled left-hander Caleb Thielbar and optioned left-hander Pedro Hernandez to Class AAA Rochester.

The move was made Monday before Minnesota’s game at Atlanta. Thielbar, 26, is a native of Randolph, Minn., about 40 miles south of Minneapolis.

Two seasons ago, Thielbar became the first player from the independent league St. Paul Saints to have his contract purchased by the Twins. Thielbar had a 3.76 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings in relief this season for Rochester.

Hernandez had a 5.85 ERA. In four starts this month, he allowed 30 hits, 17 runs and 4 home runs over 17 innings.