Brantley Gets Operation After Third Opinion

Philadelphia reliever Jeff Brantley, who tried to ignore the advice of two doctors who recommended season ending shoulder surgery, will be operated on Wednesday and will miss the rest of the season.

The loss of Brantley, who converted his first four save opportunities this season, then sat out 11 days because of a sore shoulder before coming back for one more save, leaves the Phillies without a proven closer.

“My concern is to come back and be ready for spring training next year,” he said.

The Phillies recalled right-hander Steve Montgomery from triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre. Wayne Gomes, a 26-year-old right-hander, will probably replace Brantley as closer.

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Left-hander Denny Neagle, who is 0-3 with an 8.17 earned-run average in six starts, was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Cincinnati Reds, retroactive to May 20.

General Manager Jim Bowden said Neagle, who was obtained from the Atlanta Braves during the off-season, has tendinitis in his left shoulder.

The Cincinnati Post reported that an MRI showed Neagle probably has a slight tear in the underside of his rotator cuff, and minor fraying of cartilage in the shoulder.

Neagle had won at least 16 games in each of the past three seasons and was expected to be the Reds’ ace.

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Colorado second baseman Mike Lansing was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left groin.

Lenny Harris will replace Lansing in the Rockies’ lineup. Colorado recalled outfielder Edgar Clemente from triple-A Colorado Springs to replace Lansing on the roster.

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Right-handed reliever Orber Moreno was called up from triple-A Omaha by the Kansas City Royals to take the roster spot left empty by the surprise retirement of first baseman Jeff King.

Moreno was 3-1 with four saves and a 2.10 ERA in 16 appearances at Omaha.

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Cleveland Indians’ right-handed reliever Steve Reed, second on the team with 20 appearances, was hospitalized because of an infection in his left elbow. . . . The Minnesota Twins put left-handed pitcher Eddie Guardado on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained ligament in his left elbow and called up right-hander Rob Radlosky from Salt Lake City of the Pacific Coast League.