Notebook : Royals back out of Bradley deal

Kansas City’s deal to acquire volatile outfielder Milton Bradley from Oakland fell through because the Royals were concerned about Bradley’s health.

The Royals had agreed to send minor league pitcher Leo Nunez to Oakland for Bradley, who was designated for assignment on Thursday. Dean Taylor, Kansas City’s assistant general manager said the deal was scuttled because Bradley hurt his oblique during his last game with the Athletics.

“There was a health concern on our part concerning Milton, and at this point the trade is dead,” Taylor said before Kansas City’s game against Milwaukee on Saturday night.

The Royals said Bradley informed them of the injury.

The A’s have eight days left to trade or release Bradley. Because he has more than three years of major league service time, Bradley can refuse an assignment to the minor leagues.

Morneau, more tests

Minnesota Twins slugger Justin Morneau is scheduled to undergo another round of X-rays and blood tests as a precaution today before being released from the hospital following treatment for a bruised right lung sustained in a collision with Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo.

He left the stadium on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask and was taken to the hospital by ambulance Friday night. A CT scan was normal, and X-rays were negative.

Ex-big leaguer charged

Former major league outfielder Mel Hall has been charged with sexually assaulting two girls in 1998 and 1999 when he was coaching them on a select basketball team.

The 46-year-old Hall was released from jail Friday on $35,000 bail. He was arrested in North Richland Hills, Texas, the previous day on charges of sexual assault of a child under 17 and aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, police said. The second charge carries a possible life sentence because of the age of the alleged victim.

Chipper reluctant

Chipper Jones was back in the Atlanta Braves’ lineup for the game against the Detroit Tigers, saying he felt pressured to return from a groin injury.

When asked if he is rushing his return, Jones said: “Probably. But I feel a little backed into a corner.”

Asked to elaborate, Jones indicated some doubted he was injured enough to miss games.

Erstad back on DL

The Chicago White Sox put center fielder Darin Erstad back on the 15-day disabled list and activated Scott Podsednik from the DL.

Erstad re-injured his left ankle Friday, the same day he ended a stay on the DL that began June 1.

Podsednik had been on the DL since April 16 with a right adductor strain.