Rangers’ Hamilton activated from DL
Josh Hamilton is back on the Texas Rangers’ 25-man roster, eager to jump-start a season that has been marred by injury.
The 34-year-old slugger was activated from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and put in the starting lineup against the Baltimore Orioles. He went 2 for 4 and scored a run in his first game back.
Hamilton was sidelined since May 31 with a strained left hamstring.
He has played in only seven games this season, batting .273 with two homers and five RBIs.
“I feel good,” Hamilton said. “I’m excited about playing today. I took early BP to knock some of the dust off. It felt good. I’m just trying to get back into a routine.”
Texas made room for Hamilton on the 25-man roster by optioning rookie Joey Gallo to Triple-A Round Rock.
MacPhail joins Phillies
Andy MacPhail is the new man in charge of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The veteran baseball executive joined the Phillies on Monday with plans to take over as team president after this season. He’ll eventually replace Pat Gillick, who helped choose his successor. MacPhail will serve as a special assistant to Gillick for the rest of this season, then take over all business and baseball operations.
The 62-year-old MacPhail won two World Series as general manager of the Minnesota Twins in 1987 and 1991 and later served as president of the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles.
Additionally, the Phillies say Pete Mackanin will stay as their manager for the rest of the season. Mackanin took over on an interim basis last Friday after manager Ryne Sandberg resigned.
Cruz ahead in all-star voting
Toronto third baseman Josh Donaldson and Seattle designated hitter Nelson Cruz have moved ahead in fan voting for starting spots in the All-Star Game, leaving five Kansas City Royals still in the lead.
Major League Baseball released the results Monday, and voting continues through Thursday night. MLB said more than 500 million votes had been cast.
The starters will be announced Sunday, with the pitchers, reserves and candidates for the final spot to be presented Monday. The game is July 14 in Cincinnati.
Royals outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon, catcher Salvador Perez, shortstop Alcides Escobar and second baseman Omar Infante hold leads.
Clearing the bases
Outfielder Hanley Ramirez could return to the Red Sox lineup this week after an MRI on his injured left hand confirmed no structural damage. He’s missed the past four games after being hit by teammate Xander Bogaerts’ line drive in last Wednesday’s win over Baltimore. … The New York Mets activated infielder Daniel Murphy from the 15-day disabled list and put him in the cleanup spot, hoping he will bring a much-needed jolt to an offense that has had major difficulties scoring runs. … The Tampa Bay Rays signed first-round pick Garrett Whitley, the 13th overall selection in this year’s baseball draft. … The Oakland Athletics scratched starter Sonny Gray because of an illness and brought up right-hander Chris Bassitt from Triple-A Nashville to face Colorado.