Ford Heads Back to the Farm

The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned pitcher Ben Ford to triple-A Tucson and brought up pitcher Chris Michalak. Ford made his major league debut on Thursday, pitching 1 2/3 innings and giving up five hits and four earned runs.

*

Philadelphia Phillies starter Matt Beech will undergo exploratory surgery on his left elbow on Sept. 11. The left-hander, on the disabled list since Aug. 10, was 3-9 with a 5.15 earned-run average.

*

The Braves activated relief pitcher Russ Springer from the 15-day disabled list and optioned reliever Adam Butler to triple-A Richmond of the International League. Springer, 1-1 with a 6.08 ERA since being traded from Arizona, was suffering from bone spurs in his right elbow.