BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Key’s Comeback Halted by Relapse

After showing minor progress in Tampa, Fla., left-hander Jimmy Key suffered a major setback at the New York Yankees’ complex. Key was scheduled to throw three simulated innings of 20 pitches each, and did not even make it through the first frame before pain in his shoulder forced him to stop. He slammed down his glove in frustration after throwing only five pitches.

Key was put on the disabled list May 20 after he experienced pain from inflammation and rotator tendinitis in his left shoulder, the same injury for which he had arthroscopic surgery during the off-season.

Also in Tampa, Darryl Strawberry faced live pitching for the first time since signing with the Yankees and hit a 400-foot homer. Strawberry finished four for 11 against teammate Scott Kamieniecki, who is in Tampa to rehabilitate the elbow he injured in May.

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Team doctors discovered a blocked vein in the right arm of Houston Astro right-hander John Hudek during an examination at Houston Methodist Hospital.

“That has led to swelling and an inability to continue pitching,” said Bill Bryan, the Astro orthopedic surgeon. “We have placed John on total throwing rest and suggested he get a second opinion.”

Hudek will be examined by Dr. David Roos in Denver on July 3. Bryan said there is no timetable on Hudek’s return and emphasized this was an unusual case.

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Greg W. Harris was called up from Class-A Fort Myers by the Minnesota Twins. Harris, signed as a free agent in April, has been on a rehabilitation assignment since the season began. He broke a finger on his first day of spring training and developed a sore shoulder while with Fort Myers.

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The Marlins put pitcher Dave Weathers on the 15-day disabled list and called up outfielder Jesus Tavarez. Weathers was cruising along with a no-hitter through five innings Sunday when he was struck on the right pinky finger while squaring to bunt. The wound required seven stitches on Sunday. However, Dr. Roberto Palmer, removed the old stitches and inserted eight fresh ones on Monday.