Joyner Sprains Ankle Against Braves

San Diego Padre first baseman Wally Joyner, who sprained his right ankle in the fifth inning on a bunt play, was put on the 15-day disabled list Sunday after a 2-0, rain-shortened loss to Atlanta.

Joyner fielded Kenny Lofton’s bunt and injured the ankle when he lunged to make a tag near the bag. Joyner was taken to Piedmont Hospital for precautionary X-rays, which were negative.

Joyner missed more than a month last season because of a fractured left thumb sustained while breaking up a double play at Philadelphia on June 2.

The Padres promoted first baseman Derrek Lee from triple-A Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League. Lee, a first-round pick in 1993, was the MVP of the Southern League last season for double-A Memphis.

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Montreal rookie Vladimir Guerrero, recovering from a fractured foot suffered in spring training, isn’t expected to join the Expos until mid-May. But he played in the outfield for the first time in an extended spring training squad game in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Saturday.

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New York Met reliever Derek Wallace, who had surgery March 13 to remove an aneurysm below his right shoulder, joined the Mets’ extended spring training squad in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Wallace will begin a throwing program May 1.

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St. Louis’ Andy Benes, an 18-game winner last season, is scheduled to make his first start of the season today against the San Francisco Giants. Benes has been out since straining muscles in his left side in spring training.