Reds Get Larkin Back, Lose Morris

The Cincinnati Reds had one starter come off the disabled list and another go on.

Shortstop Barry Larkin returned to the starting lineup after spending six weeks on the disabled list because of an injured left calf. But the Reds were forced to put first baseman Hal Morris on the disabled list.

Morris will have arthroscopic surgery Monday on his right shoulder, which he hurt diving for a grounder on May 11. It has bothered him ever since.

Morris is batting .276 with only one home run and 33 RBIs.

Larkin has been out since he severely pulled his left calf while running the bases in Cleveland on June 16. Larkin has sat out 49 games because of the calf injury and a sore Achilles’ tendon.

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New York Met pitcher Bobby Jones has been suffering back pains for the last two months and will see a team physician on Monday.

Jones (12-7) gave up five runs, seven hits and two walks in four innings during the Mets’ 6-0 loss to the Houston Astros. He has lost his last four decisions and hasn’t won since June 20, when he shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates for 8 2/3 innings.

Jones, 27, won’t use his troublesome back as an excuse. He has experienced pain in his lower back and spine. He will see team physician David Altchek on Monday in New York.

“Sitting here right now, it’s worse than it was,” Jones said.

“That’s not to say it’s going to be like that from here on out. It could rebound and go back to a very slight discomfort.”