Hamilton
ARLINGTON, Texas – Josh Hamilton expects to remain out of the Texas Rangers lineup until at least next week even though the slugger’s strained left rib cage muscle is feeling better after medication and treatment.
While Hamilton felt better, he cautioned that he had not yet resumed baseball activity.
“I’m good, better,” Hamilton said while his teammates took batting practice before Thursday’s game against Oakland. “That doesn’t mean that if I got in here and swung that I wouldn’t be right back to where I was.”
Hamilton has been out of the starting lineup since Sunday and hasn’t played since pinch-hitting that day. The All-Star center fielder got hurt April 21 when he ran into the outfield wall in Toronto and his elbow folded into the left side of his body.
Weaver joining Dodgers staff
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers purchased the contract of right-hander Jeff Weaver from Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday, optioned infielder Blake DeWitt to their Pacific Coast League club and activated right-hander Cory Wade from the 15-day disabled list.
This is Weaver’s second stint with the Dodgers. He pitched for them during the 2004 and 2005 seasons, going 27-24 with a 4.11 ERA in 68 starts. He will be reunited with Joe Torre, who was his manager with the New York Yankees in 2002-03.
To make room for Weaver on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers transferred first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz from the 15-day to the 60-day DL.
Cardinals place Ryan on DL
WASHINGTON – The St. Louis Cardinals have placed infielder Brendan Ryan on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.
The Cardinals also recalled infielder Tyler Greene from Triple-A Memphis before their game against the Washington Nationals on Thursday night.
Ryan was hitting .250 with three RBIs in 19 games.
Chavez’s return to lineup delayed
ARLINGTON, Texas – Eric Chavez was scratched from his return to the field for the Oakland Athletics on Thursday because of a strained right forearm.
Chavez had been in the starting lineup for the first time since last Friday. But Chavez didn’t bat in the first inning or take the field. Chavez played in only three of the previous 12 games because of a sore right elbow.
He was initially listed in the lineup against Texas at first base in place of Jason Giambi, who was out because both of his hamstrings are sore.