Phillies Lose Schilling

Philadelphia placed pitcher Curt Schilling on the 15-day disabled list Friday after he again had problems with his shoulder when he tried to throw.

The loss is a blow to the Phillies, who are third in line for a National League wild-card playoff berth but will have to make a run without their top starter. The move was retroactive to Aug. 8, so Schilling will be eligible to be activated on Aug. 23.

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Colorado pitcher Pedro Astacio pinch-hit for the Rockies in the first game of their doubleheader Friday, less than 24 hours after turning himself in to police after an alleged altercation with his estranged wife at Greenwood Village, Colo.

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Jim “Catfish” Hunter, diagnosed last year with Lou Gehrig’s disease, is still listed as critical but doctors say he’s improving slowly five days after he hit his head on concrete steps at his home in Greenville, N.C.

Hunter, 53, remained in the intensive care unit, officials at Pitt County Memorial Hospital said. The Hall of Fame pitcher was conscious and responding to doctors and relatives, his family said in a statement.

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Cleveland activated center fielder Kenny Lofton, sidelined since Aug. 7 because of a hamstring injury, from the 15-day disabled list. . . . San Diego placed second baseman Quilvio Veras on the 15-day disabled list because of strained right quadriceps. . . . Houston placed outfielder Richard Hidalgo on the 15-day disabled list because of a knee injury.