CHICAGO — Veteran Matt Stairs joined the Phillies on Saturday, eager to fill whatever role needed as the defending NL East champs try to make a push back to the playoffs.
Stairs was acquired from the Blue Jays in a trade that was completed Saturday. The Blue Jays will receive a player to be named later.
With Geoff Jenkins on the disabled list with a strained hip flexor, the Phillies needed a left-handed bat.
Footnotes.
Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora is expected to be sidelined about a week with a strained left hamstring.
Mora left Friday’s game against the Rays in the third inning after he was hurt trying to beat out a groundball. Mora is hitting .393 with 12 homers and 49 RBIs since the all-star break.
To replace him, the Orioles recalled infielder Oscar Salazar from Norfolk and optioned pitcher Radhames Liz to the Triple-A club.
• Joba Chamberlain breezed through 35 pitches while facing batters in a simulated game, saying he’s ready to rejoin the Yankees for the stretch run.
• Struggling Marlins closer Kevin Gregg says he’s taking a break to rest a sore left knee that has bothered him the past three or four weeks.
• The Reds recalled right-hander Ramon Ramirez from Triple-A Louisville to get the start against the Giants in his major-league debut.
• Athletics designated hitter Frank Thomas was placed on the 15-day DL because of a strained right quadriceps.
The Associated Press
