Mets Send Crawford Back to Minors

New York Met pitcher Joe Crawford, who shut down the Dodgers last week in his first major-league start, was sent back to the minor leagues Sunday.

“I’m disappointed, but I understand how it works,” the rookie left-hander said. “Who else is going to go down? I’m the most untested guy.”

New York, which had 12 pitchers before the move, recalled infielder Jason Hardtke from triple-A Norfolk of the International League. Hardtke is a switch-hitter and Carlos Baerga is batting only left-handed these days.

Crawford, 27, will make at least one start with Norfolk.

“He’ll come back in 10 days, if not sooner,” Met Manager Bobby Valentine said, referring to Sept. 1, when active rosters expand from 25 to 40.

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The Philadelphia Phillies placed outfielder Gregg Jefferies on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained hamstring. . . . The San Francisco Giants’ Jacob Cruz, who went two for five with an RBI while batting third in a 9-6 loss to Pittsburgh, received a post-game demotion to triple-A Phoenix. Outfielder Marvin Benard will join the Giants today. . . . The Chicago Cubs placed pitcher Kevin Foster on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder. Center fielder Lance Johnson remains sidelined with a rib-cage injury suffered during batting practice Friday. . . . The Cincinnati Reds will recall pitchers Danny Graves and Giovanni Carrara from triple-A Indianapolis. Graves, who was born in Vietnam, comes up today in time for a doubleheader against Colorado, while Carrara will join the Reds on Tuesday to make a one-time start, returning to the minors after the game.