NEW YORK — Felix Hernandez hobbled around the Mariners’ clubhouse Tuesday with a walking boot protecting his injured left ankle, and manager Jim Riggleman said the ace right-hander still hopes to make his next start.
Hernandez sprained his ankle covering home plate on a wild pitch in the fifth inning of the Mariners’ 5-2 win over the Mets on Monday night.
“Felix is OK,” Riggleman said. “He thinks he’ll pitch Sunday and that’s his scheduled day, but I don’t know that he will. Certainly, I’m going to be a little more conservative than that. If we get him back a couple days after Sunday, I’d be really happy.”
Footnotes.
Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis has been sent to an eye specialist after getting hit in the face by a one-hop throw in practice and is day to day.
• The Astros placed second baseman Kaz Matsui on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right hamstring and purchased the contract of David New-han from Triple-A Round Rock (Texas).
• Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton was replaced in the fifth inning of Texas’ 4-3 loss to the Astros because of left knee inflammation. He is day to day.
• Infielder Hank Blalock’s return to the Rangers has been delayed by a bruised right hand, while an MRI done on catcher Gerald Laird confirmed a pulled right hamstring muscle. Laird is expected to be out four to six weeks.
• Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his wrist and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
• The Cubs recalled left-hander Sean Marshall from Triple-A Iowa, put outfielder Reed Johnson (back spasms) on the DL and activated pinch-hitter Daryle Ward (back).
The Associated Press
