Notebook: Mariners’ Marte diagnosed with mono
Seattle Mariners shortstop Ketel Marte has been diagnosed with mononucleosis and placed on the 15-day disabled list.
The Mariners recalled infielder Luis Sardinas from Triple-A Tacoma. He replaces left-hander Mike Montgomery, who was traded to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.
Marte complained of a sore throat following Sunday’s loss to Houston and didn’t play in the series against the White Sox that followed. Marte didn’t travel with the team for an eight-game road road trip that begins Friday at Toronto.
Manager Scott Servais said there is no timetable for Marte’s return. The second-year player is batting .273 with one homer and 19 RBIs.
Sardinas hit .190 with two homers and five RBIs in 25 games with the Mariners earlier this season. He will split time at shortstop with Shawn O’Malley, who is starting Friday.
Seattle is expected to recall a pitcher from Tacoma before Saturday’s game.
Martin out after shower mishap
An off-day trip to the health club knocked out Toronto catcher Russell Martin.
Feeling “woozy” following an extended spell in the sauna at his Toronto residence Thursday, Martin injured his left knee when he passed out and fell while taking a cold shower. He is expected to miss at least two games.
“I woke up and I had the shower curtain half on my body and the rest of my head was kind of sticking outside the shower,” Martin said. “It’s a weird feeling.”
An MRI on Martin’s knee Friday showed no structural damage, and the four-time All-Star said he may have aggravated an old injury.
Brantley hopes to return soon
The Cleveland Indians and outfielder Michael Brantley finally have reason to be optimistic about his return this season.
Brantley has responded favorably to a medical procedure on his ailing shoulder and expects to resume baseball activities next week.
Brantley was placed on the 15-day disabled list in the middle of May with right shoulder inflammation. He had played in only 11 games this season, going 9 for 39 (.231) with two doubles and seven RBIs.
He recently experienced soreness in front of his shoulder and was shut down in the middle of a rehabilitation assignment.
Clearing the bases
The Los Angeles Dodgers have recalled infielder Austin Barnes and optioned pitcher Julio Urias to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Urias was sent down after making a spot start in the Dodgers’ 6-3 win at Washington on Thursday. … The Chicago Cubs have activated Dexter Fowler from the 15-day disabled list after the outfielder missed a month with a strained right hamstring. The NL Central leading Cubs also added pitcher Mike Montgomery to the 25-man roster. The left-hander was acquired in a deal with the Seattle Mariners. Outfielder Albert Almora Jr. and right-hander Spencer Patton were optioned to Triple-A Iowa to make room.