Big-name pitchers fall by wayside

On a day of bad health news for some big-name pitchers, the Arizona Diamondbacks said Randy Johnson has a herniated disk in his surgically repaired back and the Red Sox sent Curt Schilling back to Boston to have a shoulder scan.

Dodgers pitcher Jason Schmidt, a big-money free-agent signing, will have shoulder surgery today in Los Angeles. And the Toronto Blue Jays put A.J. Burnett, one of their big acquisitions before the 2006 season, on the disabled list because of shoulder pain.

Johnson visited with Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles on Monday, seven days after he went on the 15-day DL with a tight glute.

Schilling, 40, hasn’t looked the same in his last two outings, surrendering 11 earned runs in 9 1/3 innings.

Clearing the bases

Lawyers for Jason Giambi and Major League Baseball spent the day trying to put together an agreement that would lead to a meeting between the New York Yankees star and steroids investigator George Mitchell. … Joe Girardi was interviewed by the Baltimore Orioles, a day after the team fired manager Sam Perlozzo. … Tomo Ohka signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, one day after being released by the Toronto Blue Jays. … Kansas City Royals DH Mike Sweeney, hampered by a right knee injury, was placed on the 15-day DL. … The Washington Nationals will call up outfielder Brandon Watson from Triple-A Columbus, just days after he had a 43-game hitting streak snapped. … Florida Marlins starter Dontrelle Willis left Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox with a tight left forearm after pitching one inning. … Mark Teixiera isn’t likely to be back in the Texas Rangers lineup until after the All-Star break because of his strained left quadriceps. … The Baltimore Orioles purchased the contracts of right-handed pitchers Rob Bell and Paul Shuey from Triple-A Norfolk. … Rangers GM Jon Daniels was given a one-year contract extension.