PHILADELPHIA — The Blue Jays plan to put ace Roy Halladay and closer Scott Downs on the disabled list today.
Right-hander Casey Janssen (shoulder) was placed on the DL before Wednesday night’s game against the Phillies.
Left-hander Brad Mills was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas to take Janssen’s spot, and he is slated to make his major- league debut today at Philadelphia.
The team will replace Halladay and Downs today. Halladay strained his right groin last Friday. Downs strained his big left toe during Tuesday’s 8-3 victory. He was injured while swinging at a pitch.
Former player Hall sentenced
FORT WORTH, Texas — Former major-league outfielder Mel Hall was sentenced to 45 years in prison after being convicted of raping a 12-year- old girl he coached on an elite basketball team.
Hall was convicted on three counts of aggravated sexual assault and two counts of indecency with a child. Among his accusers during sentencing were others who said he carried on inappropriate relationships with them. Hall, 48, must serve about 22 1/2 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.
Footnotes.
Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez appears to be a week away from beginning a minor-league assignment as he nears the end of his 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s substance- abuse policy.
• A congressional committee will look into former baseball slugger Sammy Sosa’s denial that he used illegal performance-enhancing drugs in light of a report that he tested positive for a performance- enhancing drug in 2003.
• Right-hander Pedro Martinez said he has had talks with the Cubs and Rays and hopes to sign a contract soon.
• The Mariners placed left- hander Erik Bedard (shoulder) on the 15-day DL.
• The Astros placed left- hander Mike Hampton (groin) on the DL.
• The Reds placed Mike Lincoln (neck) on the DL and recalled fellow right-hander Josh Roenicke from Triple-A Louisville (Ky.).
• Angels right fielder Bobby Abreu (neck) is day to day.
• John Smoltz (shoulder) finished his last scheduled rehab outing before joining the Red Sox, allowing one run in four innings for Triple-A Pawtucket (R.I.). The Associated Press
