MLB notes

ROYALS

Chen out, Coleman in

KANSAS CITY, Mo.-- The Kansas City Royals have designated left-hander Bruce Chen for assignment after six seasons with the team. Friday's move came one day after he gave up six runs in the 10th inning of an 11-5 loss to Minnesota.

Chen, 37, is 2-4 with a 7.45 ERA in 13 games this season. He was in the Royals' rotation when the season began, but went on the 60-day disabled list with a back injury.

The Royals recalled right-hander Louis Coleman from Class AAA Omaha to take Chen's spot in the bullpen.

Chen won 35 games from 2010-12 and had a 47-43 record with a 4.53 ERA in six seasons with Kansas City.

Chen is being paid $3.25 million this season, with an option of $5.5 million for next year and a $1 million buyout.

CARDINALS

Molina returns from DL

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals have activated All-Star catcher Yadier Molina from the 15-day disabled list in time for a weekend series against the Chicago Cubs.

Molina, 32, tore a ligament in his right thumb sliding into third base July 9 and he underwent surgery July 11.

Catcher Tony Cruz was optioned to Class AA Springfield.

Molina was batting .287 with seven home runs and 30 RBI in 83 games and was voted the starting catcher on the NL All-Star team. He was 5 for 6 with three doubles and two RBI in two rehab games at Springfield.

The Cardinals also plan to recall left-hander Marco Gonzalez, 22, from Class AAA Memphis and add him as the 26th man for today's day-night doubleheader. The first-round draft pick in 2013 is scheduled to start the second game.

YANKEES

Tanaka has setback

TORONTO -- Injured New York Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka is being sent back to New York because of general soreness in his right arm.

Tanaka said before Friday night's game in Toronto that he wanted to be cautious. He hasn't pitched in a game since July 8 as he recovers from a partial tear in his elbow.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said it would be "maybe a week" before Tanaka throws his next bullpen session. Tanaka is 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA in his first season in the majors.

LHP Outman added

The New York Yankees have added left-hander Josh Outman to their roster and designated left-hander Rich Hill for assignment.

Outman was acquired from Cleveland on Thursday and his contract was selected from Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before Friday night's game at Toronto.

Outman went 4-0 with a 3.28 ERA in 31 relief appearances with the Indians this season, but was sent to the minors in June. The six-year veteran also has pitched for Oakland and Colorado.

Hill, who began the season with the Los Angeles Angels, had no record and did not allow a run in six games with the Yankees.

The Yankees have used 52 players this season, the second-highest total in team history. They used 56 last year.

RANGERS

Adduci has concussion

HOUSTON -- The Texas Rangers have placed first baseman/outfielder Jim Adduci on the seven-day concussion list and purchased the contract of infielder/outfielder Ryan Rua from Class AAA Round Rock.

When Rua started at first base Friday night at Houston, he was the 59th player the Rangers have used this season, tying the major league record set by the Padres in 2002 and 2008 and Indians in 2002.

Rua hit .306 with 18 home runs and 74 RBI combined in Class AA and Class AAA this season.

Adduci was injured Thursday after hitting his head on the warning track and wall making a catch in foul territory. Right-hander Phil Irwin was released to make room on the 40-man roster for Rua.

INDIANS

Gomes activated

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Cleveland Indians activated catcher Yan Gomes from the seven-day concussion list and put him in the lineup Friday for the opener of a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals.

Gomes suffered concussion symptoms after taking a baseball off his mask Aug. 21 at Minnesota. Gomes is hitting .284 with 21 doubles, 17 home runs and 53 RBI in 109 games. His .477 slugging percentage ranks 12th in the AL.

The Indians placed infielder-catcher Chris Gimenez on the three-day paternity list.

Branyan back in fold

Cleveland has reunited with slugger Russell Branyan, signing him to a minor league deal for the remainder of the season.

Branyan, 38, spent part of six seasons (1998-2002, 2010) with Cleveland. He's played for Tijuana in the Mexican League this season, hitting 19 home runs with 59 RBI.

The Indians have assigned Branyan to Class AAA Columbus for the remainder of 2014.

A seventh-round pick by Cleveland in 1994, the free-swinging Branyan has hit 194 career home runs -- 55 with Cleveland -- in the majors.

Branyan, who hit 20 home runs for the Indians in 2001, has been with 10 different teams, but was once considered one of the top prospects in the Indians' organization.

ORIOLES

Cruz, team in talks

While Nelson Cruz has previously made it clear that he would like to make Baltimore his long-term home, Cruz said for the first time Friday that he and the Orioles have had preliminary discussions about keeping him in an Orioles uniform beyond 2014.

Cruz, 34, said his representatives have had discussions with the Orioles about a possible long-term deal since the All-Star break, but he didn't describe the talks as anything serious.

The Orioles might have made the savviest free-agent signing in February when they inked Cruz to a one-year, $8-million contract. Cruz didn't receive the multi-year deal he was seeking this offseason, partially because he was coming off a 50-game suspension from involvement in the BioGenesis scandal and he was tied to draft-pick compensation.

He leads the majors with 34 home runs and figures to make a healthy payday this offseason when he can test the free-agent waters again. While Cruz said he'd like to remain with the Orioles, he said he's in "no rush" to get a deal done and would prefer to concentrate on the field for now.

Sports on 08/30/2014

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