MLB notes

NATIONALS Hustle-less Harper pulled

WASHINGTON - Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper was pulled early from a game after Manager Matt Williams said the young outfielder didn’t hustle.

Harper was taken out after six innings in Saturday’s 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Harper, 21, is a two-time All-Star known for his aggressive play.

But in the sixth inning, he hit the ball to the mound, jogged to first and took a right turn to the dugout before getting halfway down the base path.

Asked why Harper was removed, Williams said: “Lack of hustle. That’s why he came out of the game.

“He and I made an agreement, this team made an agreement, that when we play the game, that we hustle at all times.”

Harper said he understood the decision.

“I respect what he did,” Harper said. “That’s part of the game.”

Span OK to play

WASHINGTON - The Washington Nationals have activated outfielder Denard Span off the seven-day disabled list after he showed no lingering effects from a concussion.

Span was in the lead off spot in a 4-3 loss to St. Louis on Saturday.

Manager Matt Williams said, “Hopefully, he just doesn’t get hit in the head. He’s passed all the tests, done his rehab, he’s been cleared to go. He’s ready.”

Span was placed on the DL last weekend after he collided with Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla. Three years ago, Span missed half a season with Minnesota because of a concussion.

To make room for Span on the roster, the Nationals optioned outfielder Steven Souza Jr. to Class AAA Syracuse.

PIRATES Stewart returns from DL

PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Pirates have activated catcher Chris Stewart from the 15-day disabled list and cut first baseman Travis Ishikawa.

The Pirates also optioned catcher Tony Sanchez to Class AAA Indianapolis and cleared roster space for first baseman Ike Davis.

Davis was acquired from the New York Mets in a trade Friday night and joined the Pirates for Saturday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Stewart had surgery on his right knee on March 19. He played six rehab games in the minors. The Pirates got him in a November trade with the New York Yankees to serve as Russell Martin’s backup.

Sanchez hit .333 with 4 RBI in 6 games, going 6 for 18. The 30-yearold Ishikawa hit .206 with 1 home run and 3 RBI in 15 games.

YANKEES Closer back on Tuesday

TAMPA, Fla. - New York Yankees closer David Robertson pitched in an extended spring training game for the first time since being sidelined by a groin strain and expects to rejoin the team Tuesday.

The right-hander allowed 1 hit and struck out 1 in 1 1/3 innings of an intrasquad game Saturday.

“I think I’m ready to go pitch,” Robertson said. “Groin felt fine.”

Robertson felt discomfort April 6 in the ninth inning of a 6-4 victory over Toronto and was placed on the disabled list. He is replacing major league saves leader Mariano Rivera, who retired after last season.

First baseman Mark Teixeira went 2 for 4 with a walk in his third extended spring training game since injuring his right leg. He said he is ready to return today, the first day he’s eligible to be activated from the DL.

“We kind of tested it in a lot of different ways,” Teixeira said. “I’ve had a lot of good work, so there’s really nothing else for me to do.”

The switch-hitter doubled to deep left right-handed and lined an RBI single to center from the left side. Teixeira played seven innings of defense and made a diving catch to his left on a third-inning grounder.

Teixeira hurt an adductor muscle that runs alongside the hamstring trying to make a play on a foul grounder April 4 against Toronto.

REDS Marshall activated

CHICAGO - The Cincinnati Reds have activated left-handed reliever Sean Marshall from the 15-day disabled list and optioned the contract of right-hander Curtis Partch to Class AAA Louisville.

Marshall had soreness in his throwing shoulder in spring training. He remained at extended spring training before two rehab appearances in Louisville. He pitched a scoreless inning Tuesday, allowing 1 hit, 1 walk and striking out 2. On Wednesday, he allowed a home run in one inning of work.

Marshall is 37-46 with a 3.77 ERA in his eight-year career.

Partch didn’t allow a run in 4 1/3 innings of relief for the Reds before he was sent down Saturday. He allowed one hit and three walks.

BLUE JAYS

Reyes in lineup again

CLEVELAND - Toronto shortstop Jose Reyes has been activated from the 15-day disabled list and batted leadoff Saturday against Cleveland.

Reyes strained his left hamstring during his first at-bat in the season opener March 31 against Tampa Bay. The switch-hitter initially was injured during spring training. He aggravated the leg running to first base after lining out to center and was removed from the Rays game.

Reyes has been rehabbing his leg in Florida and missed 16 games. He batted .296 last season for Toronto, but missed 66 games with a sprained left ankle.

The Blue Jays placed designated hitter Adam Lind on the 15-day DL after Friday’s game because of a sore back.

RANGERS Adduci fractures finger

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Texas Rangers have put outfielder Jim Adduci on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured left little finger.

Texas made the move before Saturday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, when infielder Luis Sardinas was recalled from Class AA Frisco.

Adduci was injured when he slid headfirst into second base Friday night. He stayed in the game and added two hits after that in his first start of the season.

The earliest Adduci could return to the active roster is May 4. He is hitting .462 (6 of 13) in his nine games this season.

Sardinas, who is looking to make his major league debut, is 20 years old. He would be the youngest player to appear in the majors this season.

Sports, Pages 27 on 04/20/2014

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