Millwood return abbreviated

Texas Rangers pitcher Kevin Millwood aggravated his strained left hamstring and lasted just five outs Monday against the Los Angeles Angels in his return from the disabled list.

Pitching for the first time since April 28, Millwood gave up Casey Kotchman’s first-inning grand slam. He walked Reggie Willits with two outs and none on in the second, and Willie Eyre began warming up hurriedly in Texas’ bullpen. After Orlando Cabrera singled, Texas manager Ron Washington and trainer Jamie Reed went to the mound and removed Millwood.

Millwood threw just 45 pitches, 24 for strikes.

Smoltz injures hand

Atlanta right-hander John Smoltz left the Braves’ game against the Washington Nationals in the bottom of the seventh inning after injuring his pitching hand while making a tag.

Not on holiday

Roy Halladay is already plotting his return to the Toronto Blue Jays’ rotation.

Halladay, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday after an appendectomy, is one of nine Blue Jays players on the DL.

Doctors have told the former Cy Young Award winner to take it easy for two weeks, limiting himself to playing catch and riding a bicycle. Halladay hopes to be pitching again within four weeks.

Clearing the bases

Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee missed Chicago’s game against the New York Mets because of neck spasms. … Florida Marlins right fielder Jeremy Hermida, out all season with a deep bone bruise on his right knee, was reinstated from the disabled list and started against the Pirates in Pittsburgh. … The Detroit Tigers called up left-hander Tim Byrdak from Triple-A Toledo. … The Washington Nationals placed right-hander Shawn Hill (left shoulder) on the 15-day disabled list.