Struggling Byrd sent to Triple-A

Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Marlon Byrd was sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Sunday’s victory over Kansas City.

Byrd has struggled so far this season, hitting .224 with only two home runs and 18 RBIs in 58 games. Manager Larry Bowa has shuffled the former leadoff hitter around the lineup while Byrd worked on his swing.

Byrd also got off to a rough start last season before recovering to hit .303 for the year. But Bowa said Byrd’s 45 strikeouts this season have forced the club to send the second-year outfielder to the minors.

“He is our center fielder. We have to get him squared away,” Bowa said. “(Special assistant to the general manager) Charlie Manuel’s going to work with him one-on-one and try to get his swing down to where it should be.”

Byrd said he was surprised by the move, but agreed with the club’s decision to get him away from the spotlight in Philadelphia.

“We have media. We have people booing you,” Byrd said. “It’s tough up here. And right now everybody’s hitting but me. Maybe they just want me to get away from this.”

Bowa lauded Byrd for trying to work out of his slump with extra batting practice, but said he simply isn’t making progress.

“A lot of attention has been given to his at-bats every time he comes to the plate,” Bowa said. “It’s going to be a more relaxed-type atmosphere down there where nobody really cares if you go 0 for 4.”

Infielder Shawn Wooten was recalled to take Byrd’s spot on the roster. Wooten went 7 for 39 in 20 games before being demoted in May.

Walker to be activated Tuesday

Colorado Rockies outfielder Larry Walker will be activated from the disabled list Tuesday after missing the season’s first 67 games with a strained groin.

The five-time All-Star returned to Denver Sunday and was expected to be in the lineup Tuesday against Milwaukee. Utility player Kit Pellow will be optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs to make room on the roster.

“It will be nice to have that opportunity to have a whole lineup and see how it plays out offensively,” Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.

Walker struggled with shoulder and knee injuries last season, leading to some of the lowest numbers of his career – .284 average with 16 homers and 79 RBIs.

The N.L.’s MVP in 1997 had surgery on his shoulder and knee in the offseason and reported to spring training nearly 30 pounds lighter after going through a rigorous weight-training program in the offseason.

Rauch given another chance

Jon Rauch appreciates getting a second chance with the Chicago White Sox.

The right-hander was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday. In his last stint with Chicago, Rauch drew criticism from general manager Kenny Williams and several White Sox teammates after he left the clubhouse before the end of a 5-1 loss to Anaheim on May 29.

The 6-foot-11 Rauch arrived at Olympic Stadium during Chicago’s 4-2 loss to Montreal and threw in the bullpen in the eighth inning.

Rauch was sent back to Charlotte after his dismal start against the Angels when he gave up five runs and 10 hits in 32/3 innings.

Williams went down to the clubhouse in the ninth inning in an attempt to talk to him about his performance, but Rauch had already left.

“He severely hampered his chances of ever pitching for the White Sox again,” Williams said at the time.

Hernandez makes rehab start

New York Yankees right-hander Orlando Hernandez gave up two unearned runs and one hit over seven innings in a rehabilitation start Sunday for Class-A Tampa.

It was Hernandez’s fourth outing – including two in extended spring training – since leaving his first rehab start with Tampa on April 29 because of bursitis in his shoulder.

Hernandez expects to make his next start for Triple-A Columbus.

DuBose placed on disabled list

Baltimore placed left-hander Eric DuBose on the 15-day disabled list with a sore elbow on Sunday, the third straight day the Orioles have put a player on the DL.

DuBose said he’s had three or four bone chips in his elbow for the past six starts, but had been able to play through the pain.

The Orioles decided to place him on the disabled list after he allowed 15 runs in five innings his past two starts, including seven in 31/3 innings in Baltimore’s 11-6 loss to Colorado on Saturday.

Baltimore recalled outfielder Tim Raines Jr. to fill DuBose’s spot on the roster.