BOSTON -- The slumping Red Sox began to overhaul their roster on Tuesday night, acquiring infielder Tony Graffanino from the Kansas City Royals and outfielder Adam Hyzdu from the San Diego Padres.
Boston also designated left-handed reliever Alan Embree for assignment.
The Red Sox, who lost six of seven heading into Tuesday night's game against Tampa Bay, sent Class-A left-hander Juan Cedeno and Triple-A outfielder Chip Ambres to Kansas City.
Boston, which has wasted a four-game lead in the AL East and fallen a half-game behind the New York Yankees in the division, sent right-hander Scott Cassidy to San Diego for Hyzdu, who joins the Red Sox organization for the fourth time.
Graffanino, who played all four infield positions for the Royals, was batting .298 with three homers and 18 RBI playing part time for the Royals. The Red Sox have needed a second baseman since Mark Bellhorn sprained his thumb over the weekend, leaving them with just Alex Cora there; they've needed an outfielder since Jay Payton was exiled for a tantrum in the dugout. Full story
Season-ending surgery slated for A's Durazo
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Oakland Athletics designated hitter Erubiel Durazo will undergo season-ending surgery on his left elbow, and is expected to be sidelined an additional nine to 12 months.
The procedure, known as Tommy John surgery, will be performed on Friday by Angels team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles. Durazo underwent an MRI that revealed the damage, which was initially diagnosed as tendinitis.
Durazo, 30, has been out of the lineup since May 25. He was hitting .237 with four homers and 16 RBI in 41 games before going on the disabled list for the seventh time in his career. Last season, his second with the A's, he had 22 homers, 88 RBI and a career-best .321 average -- the fifth-highest ever by a DH with a minimum of 500 at-bats.
Durazo played four seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, including 2001 when they won the World Series.
Hamstring lands Yanks' Sierra on disabled list
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Yankees outfielder Ruben Sierra was put on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Sierra was hurt while running to first base on his two-run single in the eighth inning Monday night that gave the Yankees a wild 11-10 victory over the Texas Rangers.
Even though Sierra said he felt better, the Yankees put him on the DL for the second time this season. Infielder Andy Phillips was recalled from Triple-A Columbus.
Sierra missed 24 games after going on the disabled list in April for a partial tear in the biceps muscle in his right arm. He is hitting .286 with three homers and 25 RBI in 41 games after going 15-for-32 (.469) his last 10 games. He has started 20 games, 11 as a designated hitter and the others in the outfield, and often is used a pinch hitter.
The Yankees also activated right-hander Felix Rodriguez from the disabled list and sent left-hander Darrell May outright to Columbus. May gave up 13 runs and 14 hits over seven innings in his two appearances for New York.
Yanks' Pavano aiming for July 30 start
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Right-hander Carl Pavano could return to New York's starting rotation next week when the Yankees return home.
Manager Joe Torre said that he was hopeful "that first week when we get home that (Pavano) is a possibility."
Pavano, 4-6 with a 4.77 ERA, was put on the disabled list July 7 with right shoulder tendinitis. He has been at the team's complex in Tampa, Fla., where the right-hander threw a 45-pitch bullpen session and two 20-pitch simulated innings Monday without any problems.
After playing their first 11 games following the All-Star break on the road, the Yankees return home July 26 for a pair of three-game series against Minnesota and the Los Angeles Angels. The way New York's rotation is aligned, the July 30 game against the Angels would be his likely slot.
Twins' Gardenhire regrets postgame rip of ump
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire had a discussion with baseball's head disciplinarian, Bob Watson, regarding his postgame tirade about umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.
Gardenhire said he was sorry for the way he handled the situation, which began with an ejection for arguing Wendelstedt's high strike call and ended with a profanity-filled rant to reporters in his office following Minnesota's loss to Baltimore on Monday.
"That's the wrong thing to do," Gardenhire said. "No matter how frustrated you get, you should never let it get to that point. ... When he threw me out of the game, he told me I was looking for show time," Gardenhire said Monday. "That's very unprofessional."
Matt McKendry, Watson's assistant, said his office was conducting the standard investigation for any ejection or warning. Fines or suspensions are typically announced within a week.
Cubs send down OF Grieve
CINCINNATI -- The Chicago Cubs optioned outfielder Ben Grieve to Triple-A Iowa to make room for outfielder Jody Gerut.
Grieve went 5-for-14 with one RBI in two stints with the Cubs, appearing in 17 games with one start. He was called up on July 15 when Adam Greenberg went on the disabled list with a concussion.
The Cubs acquired Gerut from the Cleveland Indians on Monday night for minor-league outfielder Jason Dubois. Gerut joined the Cubs in Cincinnati for the second game of their series.
Dodgers activate pitcher Alvarez
PHILADELPHIA -- The Los Angeles Dodgers activated left-hander Wilson Alvarez from the disabled list and sent outfielder Jason Grabowski to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Alvarez has made two starts and eight relief appearances this year, and is 1-3 with a 5.79 ERA. His stint on the disabled was his second this year caused by tendinitis in his shoulder.
Alvarez, a 14-year veteran, pitched a no-hitter for the Chicago White Sox in 1991. He is in his third season with the Dodgers.
Grabowski hit .163 in 104 at-bats this season.
D-Backs place C Stinnett on DL, call up Hill
PHOENIX -- Arizona catcher Kelly Stinnett was placed on the 15-day disabled list -- a day after scoring the winning run in the 11th inning against Florida -- and recalled Koyie Hill from Triple-A Tucson to replace him.
Stinnett singled in the 11th inning and scored on Quinton McCracken's triple. He had strained a tendon in his left wrist on a checked swing in the eighth. Hand specialist Dr. Donald Sheridan examined Stinnett and said he should rest at least five days -- too long for the club to go with only Chris Snyder behind the plate.
Hill, who had played only 16 major-league games before this year, was impressive enough in spring training to be the opening day catcher. But the 26-year-old switch-hitter slumped early, batting .212 (11-for-52) in 23 games before he was optioned to Tucson on May 28.
Hill, who had one extra-base hit before his demotion, had seven doubles, a triple and four homers in 36 games at Triple A.
Rangers call up lefty Wilson
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers recalled left-hander C.J. Wilson from Double-A Frisco and optioned outfielder Jason Botts to Triple-A Oklahoma.
Wilson started three games and made three relief appearances for the Rangers before being sent back to the minors July 7. He was 0-2 with an 8.78 ERA. Botts was recalled Sunday, but didn't appear in a game for the Rangers.
Wilson is expected to be available for long relief and could be a starting option when left-hander Kenny Rogers serves his suspension for shoving two cameramen last month.
The appeal of Rogers' 20-game suspension is expected to be heard Friday, the day after he's scheduled to start against Oakland. Manager Buck Showalter said he expects the All-Star to be available for the start Thursday night.
Rockies' Holliday comes off DL
WASHINGTON -- The Colorado Rockies activated outfielder Matt Holliday from the 15-day disabled list and optioned outfielder Ryan Spilborghs to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Holliday, who missed 33 games with a broken right pinkie finger, started Tuesday's game against the Washington Nationals in left field. He batted sixth.
He was hitting .291 with four homers and 23 RBI before being sidelined June 9.
Spilborghs was called up Friday from Colorado Springs and went 2-for-4 with the Rockies.
Marlins reliever Bump lands on DL
PHOENIX -- The Florida Marlins placed right-hander Nate Bump on the 15-day disabled list and recalled right-hander Travis Smith from Triple-A Albuquerque to take his place in the bullpen.
Bump, who was 0-3 with a 4.03 ERA in 31 games, has inflammation in his throwing shoulder. The move was retroactive to Sunday.
The Marlins used five relievers in Monday night's 8-7, 11-inning loss to Arizona.
Smith, who will pitch out of the bullpen, was 0-0 with a 7.20 ERA in 11 games before he was optioned on June 24. Albuquerque used him in the rotation, where he was 3-4 with a 5.44 ERA in eight starts.
Reds' Romano opts for free agency
CINCINNATI -- Reds outfielder Jason Romano refused an outright assignment to the minor leagues and elected to become a free agent.
Romano hit .267 with a homer and three RBI in 19 games for Cincinnati before he was sent to the minors over the All-Star break.
The Reds claimed Romano off waivers last year from Tampa Bay. He hit .154 with a homer and three RBI in 22 games before tearing his right hamstring in July.
