Reds Put Sanders on Disabled List

The Cincinnati Reds put right fielder Reggie Sanders on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, concluding a week in which they lost their closer, their manager and their leading home run hitter.

Sanders severely sprained his right ankle while sliding into second base Friday night during a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. He’s expected to be sidelined for several weeks.

The Reds brought up outfielder Mike Kelly from triple-A Indianapolis and put him in the starting lineup Saturday. Kelly was the starting center fielder last season before losing his job because of a batting slump.

X-rays revealed a bone chip in Sanders’ ankle. Sanders also is bothered by a sore right knee.

Sanders joins closer Jeff Brantley, who went back on the disabled list with inflammation in his right-shoulder after Monday’s game.

Reds Manager Ray Knight also had been suspended for three games because of his outburst with umpire Jerry Layne. Knight returned as the manager Saturday and made Barry Larkin the cleanup hitter for the first time since 1990.

*

Rickey Henderson was activated from the 15-day disabled list by San Diego before Saturday night’s game against Florida.

Henderson, baseball’s career steals leader, was placed on the DL May 9 because of a right calf strain. He was batting .158 with one home run, five RBIs and three steals.

The Padres put outfielder Chris Jones on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Thursday, because of a muscle strain, Jones is batting .203 with four home runs and nine RBIs.

*

Florida outfielder Cliff Floyd, who suffered from a strained hamstring, was activated from the 15-day disabled list and the Marlins optioned the contract of outfielder Billy McMillon to triple-A Charlotte of the International League.