BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Orioles’ Hammonds Sent to Double-A

Teams are required to cut down from 28 to 25 players by midnight tonight, and the Baltimore Orioles started working in that direction by sending outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds to double-A Bowie and putting outfielder Andy Van Slyke on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left forearm. . . . The Kansas City Royals waived third baseman Keith Miller, outfielder Felix Jose and catcher Russ McGuinnis. . . . The Chicago Cubs put pitcher Chris Nabholz on the 15-day disabled list because of a lower back strain and sent pitchers Tom Edens and Tanyon Sturtze to triple-A Iowa. . . . The Boston Red Sox activated pitcher Zane Smith from the 15-day disabled list and he started Sunday’s game. They also designated pitcher Joel Johnston for reassignment and sent pitchers Mike Hartley and Frankie Rodriguez and infielder Steve Rodriguez to triple-A Pawtucket.