Mets acquire Conine
The New York Mets got Jeff Conine from the Cincinnati Reds for two minor leaguers on Monday, adding a 41-year-old player who has two World Series rings and knows how to contribute off the bench.
Conine can play first base or outfield and is adept at pinch-hitting – he led the Reds with nine hits in that role. Conine is batting .265 overall with six homers and 32 RBIs.
“We’ve had our eyes on him for a while,” Mets general manager Omar Minaya said.
The move came one day after the Mets put infielder Damion Easley on the 15-day disabled list with a severely sprained left ankle, the latest blow to the N.L. East leaders.
Tigers call up Zumaya
The Detroit Tigers recalled Joel Zumaya from his rehabilitation assignment and optioned Aquilino Lopez to Triple-A Toledo, making the hard-throwing reliever available for tonight’s game against the Cleveland Indians.
Zumaya, whose fastball regularly tops 100 mph, had surgery three months ago to repair a ruptured tendon in his right middle finger. He was put on the disabled list May 3 with a 1-1 record, 3.63 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 13 appearances this season.
Utley getting healthy
All-Star second baseman Chase Utley has been cleared to begin swinging a bat for the first time since he broke his hand in late July.
A timetable for Utley’s return will be set later in the week.
Clearing the bases
The Los Angeles Angels activated infielder Howie Kendrick from the 15-day disabled list, making room by placing infielder Erick Aybar on the 15-day DL. He was placed on the disabled list July 14 because of a broken left index finger and missed 35 games. … The Oakland Athletics placed outfielder Travis Buck on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring and recalled infielder J.J. Furmaniak from Triple-A Sacramento. … Reliever Mike Myers and the Chicago White Sox reached agreement on a contract, two weeks after the New York Yankees cut the submarining lefty. The 38-year-old Myers will get the prorated minimum salary for the rest of this season. … Giants’ pitcher Russ Ortiz left the game against the Florida Marlins in the fifth inning with a strained elbow, and he’s scheduled to undergo an MRI exam today.