VETERAN BURRELL SET TO RETURN TO RAYS
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Pat Burrell is set to rejoin the team today after missing 29 games with a neck strain.
Burrell was scheduled to be the designated hitter in a rehab game Thursday night with Single-A Charlotte.
“We talked, and he said, ‘I’m ready,’ ” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said before Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels. “For me, getting him back is important.”
Burrell will be a pinch hitter and won’t play in the outfield during a stretch of six interleague road games next week at Colorado and the New York Mets.
Escobar out of rotation.
Angels right- hander Kelvim Escobar has been dropped from the rotation after one start and sent to the bullpen because of a lack of stamina in his surgically repaired throwing shoulder.
Paulino goes on DL.
The Astros placed right-hander Felipe Paulino on the 15-day disabled list with a strained groin.
Minor-leaguer suspended.
Infielder Pablo Ozuna was suspended for 50 games under baseball’s minor-league drug program.
Ozuna was hitting .292 with 15 RBIs for the Phillies’ Triple-A team, Lehigh Valley. He played briefly for the Rockies in 2003.
Red Sox pick Yaz’s grandson.
The Red Sox have drafted the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, the last major leaguer to hit for the Triple Crown.
High school outfielder Michael Yastrzemski was selected in the 36th round.
Held passes away.
Woodie Held, who played 14 years in the majors and was traded by the Kansas City Athletics for future home run king Roger Maris, died of cancer Thursday. He was 77. The Associated Press
