Sprague Joins Padres After Stint in Boston

The San Diego Padres purchased the contract of infielder Ed Sprague from Rancho Cucamonga of the Class-A California League and moved right-hander Stan Spencer from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list because of a strained right elbow.

Sprague will begin his second stint with the Padres this year. The 33-year-old hit .274 with 10 home runs and 25 RBIs in 53 games this season with San Diego before being traded to the Boston Red Sox June 30. He batted .216 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 33 games for the Red Sox in the last two months.

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Cleveland Indian pitcher Bartolo Colon, who left Saturday’s game against Baltimore after five innings because of tightness in his right shoulder, had an MRI exam. The club said his shoulder is inflamed and a decision will be made by Tuesday night on his next start.

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Catcher Eddie Taubensee of the Cincinnati Reds will be examined by a neurosurgeon this week to see if back surgery is necessary. He has been on the disabled list since Aug. 1 because of a bulging disk.

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The Toronto Blue Jays announced that ace David Wells (19-5), who left his last start Wednesday against the Angels because of tendinitis in his left shoulder, will make his scheduled start tonight against Oakland.

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Left-hander Ozwaldo Mairena’s contract was purchased by the Chicago Cubs from Iowa of the Pacific Coast League. Mairena, 25, was acquired in the deal that sent outfielder Glenallen Hill from the Cubs to the New York Yankees. He was 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA in 11 games for Iowa.