Padres call up top prospect

Prized prospect Chase Headley was recalled from the minors Tuesday by the San Diego Padres, who sent outfielder Justin Huber outright to Triple-A Portland.

Headley started in left field and batted sixth against New York Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte.

The 23-year-old Headley was hitting .305 with 13 homers, 40 RBIs and 24 doubles in 65 games for the Portland Beavers. He made his major league debut last season, going 4 for 18 over two stints with San Diego.

Headley was converted from third base to left field in spring training. He was the Texas League player of the year in 2007 after batting .330 for Double-A San Antonio.

Carpenter has hope

A second opinion backed up the St. Louis Cardinals’ hope that ace pitcher Chris Carpenter, whose surgically repaired elbow has bothered him the last few weeks, might still be able to join the rotation this year.

Carpenter, the N.L. Cy Young Award winner in 2005, was examined in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday by Dr. James Andrews. That exam confirmed the Cardinals’ diagnosis that Carpenter, who made only one start last season before undergoing reconstructive surgery in July, was just working through typical rehab pains.

Clearing the bases

Chicago Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano will have his broken left hand re-examined Friday and hopes to return before the All-Star break next month. … The Los Angeles Dodgers put right-hander Brad Penny on the 15-day disabled list with a sore shoulder that has bothered him for much of the season. Left-hander Eric Stults was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas to take his spot in the rotation. … Red Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a stiff lower back, and injured right-hander Curt Schilling was sent back to Boston for an examination with team doctors. Boston recalled righty Chris Smith from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Colon’s spot. … Former All-Star third baseman Morgan Ensberg signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians after getting cut by the New York Yankees earlier this month. … Cleveland infielder Josh Barfield underwent surgery to repair an injured ligament on the left middle finger and the team said he will be out six to eight weeks. … Johnny Buzhardt, who pitched for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox during 11 seasons in the major leagues from 1958-68, died at his home in Prosperity, S.C. He was 71 and had been in declining health.