Delgado put on disabled list by Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays put slugger Carlos Delgado on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday because of a strained right rib cage, making the move retroactive to May 30.

“We’ve already lost him for 10 days and if this thing pulls again we could lose him for 30 days,” Toronto manager Carlos Tosca said.

“It’s only a precaution. Hopefully, he’ll be able to swing pain free by the weekend,” he said.

Delgado was second in A.L. MVP voting last year after hitting .302 with 42 homers and a major league-leading 145 RBIs.

The first baseman is hitting .227 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs this season.

Recovering Sosa takes batting practice

Sammy Sosa’s back passed the ultimate test: the Wrigley Field fences.

Sosa took batting practice for the first time since going on the disabled list and hit seven home runs, including a monster shot that cleared the fence in left field and was last seen bouncing on Waveland Avenue. Sosa also hit off a tee before batting practice.

“Everything feels good,” he said after batting practice, banging his elbow three times on a clubhouse table. “But we have to wait until tomorrow.”

If there are no setbacks, Sosa hopes to return to the Chicago Cubs in a week to 10 days.

Pujols makes progress with injured hamstring

Albert Pujols is making “good improvement” with his sore left hamstring, but the St. Louis Cardinals said it’s still too early to tell when their star slugger will return.

Pujols will begin resistance exercises, and if the first baseman doesn’t have any problems with those, Pujols can progress to playing catch and taking some swings off the tee.

Pujols missed his first game of the season Monday after injuring his hamstring running the bases Sunday. It’s unlikely he’ll start today or Thursday against the Cubs, but it’s possible he could pinch-hit if he feels better.

Reds put Kearns on 15-day disabled list

Cincinnati put Austin Kearns on the 15-day disabled list with a sore thumb, the second time this season the Reds outfielder has been sidelined. The Reds called up left-hander Jung Keun Bong from Triple-A Louisville to start against Oakland on Tuesday night.

Kearns was out of the lineup for nine consecutive games after developing a sore on his right thumb. His move to the DL was made retroactive to June 2.

Red Sox still waiting on Garciaparra

Red Sox star Nomar Garciaparra will play at least one more minor league game before Boston decides when he can make his 2004 debut. The All-Star shortstop was scheduled to play for Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday.

“We won’t know anything until we speak with him (today),” manager Terry Francona said before Boston played San Diego on Tuesday night. “I think he’s been anxious (to return) the whole time. It could be tomorrow, it could be next week. When he tells me he’s ready to play for us, that will be good enough for me.”

•The Philadelphia Phillies placed starter Randy Wolf on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his left elbow and activated closer Billy Wagner.

•Right-hander Joe Dawley was put on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right elbow and the Cleveland Indians recalled righty Kazuhito Tadano from Triple-A Buffalo.

•Right-hander Rick Helling signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, returning to the organization that he won 20 games with in 1998. Helling is expected to report to Triple-A Oklahoma this weekend.

•Bob Goughan, president and general manager of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, resigned, saying he wanted to spent more time with his family. Goughan held the job for the Colorado Rockies Triple-A affiliate since 1991. self end