AILING BLUE JAYS LOSE STARTER ROMERO, CLOSER TO INJURIES
TORONTO — The Blue Jays put closer B.J. Ryan and starter Ricky Romero on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, the latest setbacks for a team with an already thin pitching staff.
The two left-handers joined four Toronto right-handers on the DL. The Blue Jays recalled right-hander Brian Bullington from Triple-A Las Vegas and will add another pitcher before tonight’s game against the White Sox.
Ryan was put on the DL with soreness between his shoulder and back.
Manager Cito Gaston said it was “more than likely” that left-hander Scott Downs will close in Ryan’s absence.
Romero was put on the DL with a strained muscle in his right side, retroactive to April 20. Romero said he first felt sore after sneezing before his start at Minnesota on April 14.
“It’s crazy,” Romero said. “Even now I’m afraid to sneeze.”
Hamels leaves game after being hit by line drive
PHILADELPHIA — Pitcher Cole Hamels left Philadelphia’s loss to the Brewers after being struck in the shoulder by a line drive.
One pitch after giving up a two-run homer to Ryan Braun in the fourth inning, Prince Fielder laced an infield single that hit Hamels in the front of his left shoulder. He was replaced by J.A. Happ.
“I have a temporary tattoo of a baseball that will be going away,” Hamels said. “I’ll be fine.”
Footnotes.
Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley is day to day because of a lingering groin injury.
• The Rangers traded Kason Gabbard to Boston for cash, put reliever Willie Eyre (groin) on the 15-day DL and recalled Luis Mendoza from the minors.
• Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang threw 70-of-91 pitches for strikes over seven innings in an extended spring training game in Tampa, Fla. The right-hander is flying to Boston today to rejoin the Yankees for a weekend series with the Red Sox. The Associated Press
