BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Boston Pitcher Gray ‘About the Same’

The condition of Boston relief pitcher Jeff Gray, who collapsed in the Red Sox’ clubhouse Tuesday, was reported “about the same” by Arthur Pappas, the team physician.

In just the third report since Gray was stricken, the Red Sox said in a brief update that “it will be approximately 10-14 days before any prognosis and outcome will be made.”

Pappas said that Gary’s speech was “a little better” and results of another Magnetic Resonance Imaging test will not be available until today.

“Jeff will remain in the Beth Israel and more studies will be conducted after the MRI report is examined,” the statement added.

The San Francisco Giants activated outfielder Willie McGee from the disabled list before their game against the Cincinnati Reds and called up infielder Mike Benjamin from triple-A Phoenix.

McGee pulled muscles in his rib cage while taking batting practice July 2, sat out the next seven games, then had one at-bat July 11 before going on the disabled list. He completed a four-game rehabilitation assignment Wednesday night with Phoenix.

Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher Rick Reed, who gave up the home run that keyed Atlanta’s six-run fifth inning the night before, was sent to triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.

Reed was called up from the minors Wednesday to pitch against the Braves, who came from behind on Deion Sanders’ home run to defeat Pittsburgh, 8-6.

The Pirates also purchased the contract of former Dodger Cecil Espy from Buffalo.

The Milwaukee Brewers placed infielder Gary Sheffield (.194, two homers and 22 runs batted in in 175 at-bats) on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 26 and activated relief pitcher Edwin Nunez.

Sheffield, who last played July 24 in Kansas City is suffering from an impingement in his left shoulder, which he originally injured April 28 in Baltimore.

New York Yankee right-hander Pascual Perez will start Sunday for the team’s double-A Albany affiliate as part of his rehabilitation from shoulder injury.

Perez, who has been on the disabled list for most of the past two seasons, will throw 45 pitches in Albany’s Eastern League game against the Red Sox in New Britain, Conn.