Giants claim new, steroid-free Sanchez

Outfielder Alex Sanchez was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants on Thursday from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Sanchez, the first player suspended for failing a test under major league baseball’s new steroids policy, was designated for assignment by the Devil Rays on June 13. He is expected to add depth to the Giants’ bench and gives the club some much-needed speed, a talented bunter and left-handed bat.

San Francisco manager Felipe Alou said he isn’t worried about Sanchez’s positive drug test.

“It doesn’t concern me, because he wasn’t the last,” Alou said. “He has plenty of company. The fact that he’s clean now puts him in big company, too.”

West receives All-Star assignment

Joe West was selected to umpire behind the plate in next month’s All-Star game. West was among 22 umpires who lost their jobs as part of a failed mass resignation strategy in September 1999, then was rehired in February 2002.

Clearing the bases

Randy Wolf will have season-ending elbow surgery that could sideline the Philadelphia left-hander until next July. … Cincinnati outfielder Kenny Kelly had arthroscopic knee surgery to repair the torn meniscus he damaged this week in a game against St. Louis. … Tampa Bay purchased the contract of infielder Eric Munson from Triple-A Durham and designated outfielder Reggie Taylor for assignment. … St. Louis outfielder Larry Walker had an MRI exam of his ailing neck and left shoulder. … Pittsburgh placed left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.