BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Slumping Johnson Benched by Rockies

Switch-hitter Howard Johnson has been pulled from the Colorado Rockies’ starting lineup until he adjusts his hitting style, coach Don Baylor said. Johnson has struck out in six of his last nine plate appearances. Johnson, who signed with Colorado as a free agent for $1.7 million this season, is batting .175 with 24 strikeouts in 63 at-bats. . . . The Rockies activated Kent Bottenfield from the disabled list and optioned infielder Vinny Castilla to triple-A Colorado Springs. Bottenfield, a right-hander who had been expected to be Colorado’s fifth starter, has been with the Sky Sox on a rehabilitation assignment since the start of the season. He was 1-2 with a 4.94 ERA with the Sky Sox.

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Florida Marlin reliever Bryan Harvey, who had been expected to come off of the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, removed himself from a rehabilitation assignment after throwing only four pitches because of continued soreness in his right elbow.

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Center fielder Ryan Thompson was to rejoin the New York Mets after an MRI examination showed no further damage to his bruised right index finger. . . . The Philadelphia Phillies put starter Ben Rivera (2-2, 6.67 ERA) on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained shoulder and recalled Mike Williams (0-2, 6.60 ERA) from triple-A Scranton-Wilkes-Barre. . . . Mike Ignasiak (0-0, 4.15 ERA) was recalled by the Milwaukee Brewers from triple-A New Orleans. . . . Jose Martinez (3-1, 3.76 ERA) was called up by the San Diego Padres from double-A Wichita.