Hampton goes back on DL

NOTES

Atlanta Braves left-hander Mike Hampton returned to the 15-day disabled list Saturday with tightness in his left forearm, five days after he lasted only four innings in his first start since missing more than two weeks with the same problem.

Hampton threw before Friday night’s game in Pittsburgh after lasting just 58 pitches Tuesday in Washington. He left with a 1-0 lead but the Braves went on to lose 5-3.

“Yesterday he threw great, but it hurts on every pitch he threw,” manager Bobby Cox said Saturday. “His fastball, curveball, changeup, everything was there. But it’s tight on every pitch and we’re just going to shut him down.”

Byrd knocks down ump

Nationals outfielder Marlon Byrd knocked down umpire Joe Brinkman during an argument between innings of a game against the Florida Marlins in Washington.

Byrd was called out on strikes to end the sixth and began arguing with umpire Bill Miller. As Byrd headed to his spot in left field he took a detour toward Miller and second-base umpire Brinkman tried to get in the player’s way. They collided, sending Brinkman tumbling to his back on the infield dirt. He was attended to by a Nationals trainer.

Clearing the bases

The Pirates optioned former starting third baseman Ty Wigginton to Triple-A Indianapolis and recalled catcher-outfielder Ryan Doumit from their top farm club. … The Royals activated left-hander Jeremy Affeldt from the disabled list. … The Rockies placed right-hander Shawn Chacon on the 15-day DL retroactive to Friday. Byung-Hyun Kim will take Chacon’s place in the rotation. … Former Giants second baseman Robby Thompson was hired as Indians interim bench coach. … Padres ace Jake Peavy will miss his scheduled start today against the Cubs because of an upper respiratory infection that’s been making its way through the clubhouse.

Associated Press