Notes

REDS Mesoraco placed on DL

ATLANTA - The Cincinnati Reds placed catcher Devin Mesoraco on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a strained left hamstring, and injured closer Aroldis Chapman made a “big step” in his recovery from facial fractures.

Mesoraco hurt his hamstring while scoring from second in Friday night’s 5-4 loss at Atlanta.

Chapman was hit by Kansas City’s Salvador Perez line drive during a March 19 exhibition game, breaking his nose and a bone above his left eye. The left-hander looked strong while throwing 43 pitches in batting practice before Saturday night’s game against the Braves.

The session was divided into two “innings,” separated by a five-minute break.

It was Chapman’s second time throwing batting practice and his first without a protective screen in front of the mound. He is scheduled to throw another simulated game Tuesday in Cincinnati before beginning a minor-league rehab stint.

ORIOLES Davis has MRI

BALTIMORE - Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis was held out of Saturday’s game against Kansas City with a strained left oblique, but the slugger expects to avoid a trip to the disabled list.

Davis left Friday night’s game against Kansas City after four innings. He received an MRI and treatment Saturday and said he felt much better.

Nick Markakis was in the starting lineup at first base Saturday. The Orioles recalled infielder Jemile Weeks from Class AAA Norfolk to provide an extra bat after optioning reliever T.J. McFarland to Norfolk late Friday night.

Davis led the majors last season with 53 home runs and 138 RBI.

ODDS & ENDS

The Chicago Cubs have placed struggling reliever Jose Veras on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique. Right-handed reliever Brian Schlitter was recalled from Class AAA Iowa to take Veras’ spot in an inconsistent bullpen, and arrived in Milwaukee in time for Saturday night’s game against the Brewers. Veras had a 15.88 ERA over six games, blowing both his save opportunities. … Detroit Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez left in the third inning of Saturday’s game at Minnesota with a right middle-finger blister. Sanchez (0-2) had thrown 53 pitches through 2 2/3 innings without allowing a hit. He was in the middle of Brian Dozier’s at-bat when catcher Bryan Holaday, head trainer Kevin Rand and pitching coach Jeff Jones visited the mound.Shortly after being joined by Manager Brad Ausmus, Rand and Sanchez walked off the field with the Tigers leading 2-0. … Pittsburgh Pirates starter Francisco Liriano left Saturday’s game in the third inning after walking Cardinals pitcher Tyler Lyons and going to a 3-0 count on Matt Carpenter. Liriano, who is 0-3 in six starts, left in a scoreless game.

Sports, Pages 29 on 04/27/2014

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