MIAMI — Phillies all-star first baseman Ryan Howard, who was leading the NL with 81 RBIs, went on the disabled list Tuesday because of a sprained left ankle. The Phillies said the sprain was moderate.
“We’re hopeful he’ll be back in two weeks,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. “It may be longer than that.”
Howard was hurt Sunday while sliding into second base at Washington.
Youkilis may be out for season
BOSTON — The Red Sox placed first baseman Kevin Youkilis on the 15-day DL with a thumb injury and acknowledged his season could be over.
Youkilis tore a muscle in his right thumb during Monday night’s 6-5 loss to Cleveland.
The Red Sox activated third baseball Mike Lowell (hip).
Ryan, Cuban face bidding war
FORT WORTH, Texas — Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban will go head-to-head with Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan in bidding for the Rangers.
Cuban’s group was the only bid submitted and approved by Tuesday night’s deadline. The amount of the Cuban-Crane bid will be released at today’s auction. The bidding procedures require that it be at least $321.7 million.
Ryan and Pittsburgh sports attorney Chuck Greenberg are the bidders favored by Major League Baseball.
Footnotes.
Nationals right- hander Stephen Strasburg (shoulder) threw a bullpen session and is scheduled to throw a simulated game Thursday.
• The Angels shifted nine- time Gold Glove winner Torii Hunter from center field to right to accommodate recently promoted Peter Bourjos in center.
• Mariners left-hander Erik Bedard will undergo shoulder surgery this week.
• The Indians put catcher Carlos Santana (knee) and designated hitter Travis Hafner (shoulder) on the 15-day DL.
• Cardinals rookie third baseman David Freese will miss the rest of the season with a tendon injury in his right leg that will require surgery.
• The Reds put shortstop Orlando Cabrera on the 15-day DL with a strain in his left side and recalled infielder Juan Francisco from Triple-A Louisville.
• Former NL all-star Mark Prior signed with the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League, then pitched a scoreless sixth inning of relief in his debut, a 6-0 win over the Victoria Seals.
• Outfielder Andrew McCutchen left Pittsburgh’s game against Cincinnati after he was hit in the neck by a pitch in the second inning. The Pirates said preliminary X-rays came back normal, and McCutchen does not have any concussionlike symptoms.
The Associated Press
