Harnisch Suffering from Depression

Pete Harnisch, who left the New York Mets this month under puzzling circumstances, is being treated for depression and is not sure when he will return to the team.

“I’ve been diagnosed with depression,” the pitcher said Friday in his first public comment on his condition. “It’s being treated medicinally and with therapy.”

Harnisch, who started on opening day for the Mets, said doctors told him that his problem was caused by a chemical imbalance. He said there was “some family history” of depression, but declined to give details.

Harnisch said his withdrawal from using chewing tobacco “possibly precipitated it or brought it on.”

“They tell me it’s hard to pinpoint why it happened,” he said.

As for when he would pitch again, Harnisch was uncertain.

“It’s hard to say,” he said. “At this point, there’s no calendar.”

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The San Diego Padres put outfielder Steve Finley on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 20, because of a sore left elbow.

Finley has not started the last six games and last appeared as a pinch-hitter in the first game of a doubleheader last Saturday against St. Louis.

The Padres purchased the contract of outfielder Phil Plantier from triple-A Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League to replace Finley on the roster.

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The Cincinnati Reds put outfielder Reggie Sanders on the 15-day disabled list after an MRI found he had re-injured a disk in his lower back. It is the same disk that Sanders tore last season, forcing him on the disabled list for five weeks. This injury is not considered to be as serious.

The Reds called up outfielder Curtis Goodwin to take his place.

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Colorado pitchers Bill Swift and Mark Thompson are scheduled to return to the starting rotation this weekend in St. Louis. . . . The Cardinals activated catcher Tom Pagnozzi and reliever Rick Honeycutt from the 15-day disabled list. To make room on the roster, the Cardinals optioned infielder Steve Scarsone to triple-A Louisville, and designated catcher Danny Sheaffer for assignment.