Tigers Put Gonzalez on Disabled List

Juan Gonzalez, out because a sore left ankle, was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, retroactive to July 6.

Gonzalez, batting .284 with 13 homers and 35 runs batted in, has missed 24 of Detroit’s 90 games because of a variety of injuries, but this is the first time he has gone on the disabled list since 1997 when he played for the Texas Rangers.

Gonzalez, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, has missed 11 of the Tigers last 12 games.

A CT scan Monday on the ankle failed to disclose the problem. Gonzalez underwent a bone scan Tuesday, but results of that test weren’t immediately known.

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Just when the Yankees’ pitching staff was starting to get back in order, Orlando Hernandez went on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained right elbow.

Hernandez, who missed a start last month because of the elbow, was bothered again in his start Thursday.

“I just know he doesn’t feel right. He doesn’t feel 100%,” General Manager Brian Cashman said. “His velocity was down the last outing and we saw the results. We need to step back and shut him down.”

Hernandez, 8-7 with a 4.57 earned-run average, will undergo an MRI today in Tampa, Fla.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates, desperate to keep Jason Kendall when they move to their new ballpark next season, have offered the All-Star catcher a six-year contract worth as much as $60 million.

Kendall has not accepted the proposal and his agent, Dan Lozano, told the Pirates that both sides must be “creative” to get a deal done.

Kendall, who is making $2.25 million this season, is signed through next season. If the Pirates decide they can’t go any higher with their offer, they may have to trade Kendall before next season to avoid losing him to free agency.

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The Tampa Bay Devil Rays activated designated hitter Jose Canseco from the 15-day disabled list.

Canseco had been disabled since May 25 because of a strained left heel.

The Devil Rays cleared room on the roster by optioning outfielder Randy Winn to triple-A Durham.

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Boston Red Sox pitcher Brett Saberhagen pitched three scoreless innings for the class-A affiliate in Lowell, Mass. The two-time Cy Young Award winner had shoulder surgery in November and hadn’t pitch since May, when he lasted only one inning of his first rehab start. Tuesday night, Saberhagen gave up one hit and struck out five for the Lowell Spinners. He threw 28 of his 36 pitches for strikes and said he felt no soreness in his arm or shoulder. . . . Detroit, desperate for help at first base since Tony Clark went out with a bulging disc in his back, acquired Hal Morris from Cincinnati for cash. Morris, who has started only five games this season, was hitting .222 with two homers and six RBIs for the Reds. . . . The White Sox recalled pitcher Lorenzo Barcelo from triple-A Charlotte to take the roster spot of Cal Eldred, who was put on the disabled list Monday.