Reds bolster bench with Hollandsworth
Looking for another left-handed pinch hitter, the Cincinnati Reds acquired outfielder Todd Hollandsworth from the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday for a player to be named.
The bench has been one of the Reds’ strengths this season. Their pinch hitters lead the National League with seven homers and 30 RBIs, and are third in the league at .279. Switch-hitter Javier Valentin was the only left-hander regularly available off the bench, when he wasn’t catching.
“We played the other night and didn’t even have a left-hander on our bench,” manager Jerry Narron said.
Hollandsworth hit .237 with six home runs and 27 RBIs in 56 games for the Indians. He is expected to join the Reds for their final game of a series against St. Louis today, when the club will make a roster move to open a spot.
Cheers turn to boos for Piazza
Always a fan favorite at Shea Stadium, Mike Piazza drew an extremely rare curtain call on the road when he homered against the New York Mets on Wednesday night.
When he connected in his next at-bat, too, Mets fans responded a little differently, mixing in a smattering of boos.
A day after he was showered with ovations in his return to Shea, Piazza drew another big cheer when he came to bat in the second inning for the San Diego Padres. Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez tipped his hat, and Piazza responded with a similar gesture.
Twins put Liriano on shelf
The Minnesota Twins will place ailing left-hander Francisco Liriano on the 15-day disabled list today.
The Twins recalled right-hander Boof Bonser from Triple-A Rochester to take Liriano’s place in the rotation. Bonser, beginning his third stint in the majors this season, is scheduled to start on Saturday against Toronto.
Liriano is bothered by what the team is calling muscular inflammation in his throwing elbow.
Clearing the bases
After contact with Major League Baseball, the New York Mets have cleared Paul Lo Duca of reported allegations of gambling improprieties, general manager Omar Minaya said. Furthermore, Minaya said he wasn’t concerned about the continued tabloid treatment of Lo Duca’s divorce. … Mets outfielder Cliff Floyd went on the disabled list for the 10th time in his major league career, sidelined because of tendinitis in his left Achilles tendon. The Mets purchased the contract of outfielder Michael Tucker from Triple-A Norfolk. … The Los Angeles Dodgers activated first baseman Nomar Garciaparra from the 15-day disabled list before their game against Colorado. … Washington hired career pinch-hits record holder Lenny Harris as its minor league roving infield instructor. … Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks is scheduled to have season-ending surgery on his right wrist next week.