It’s Showtime Again for Rickey Henderson

Rickey Henderson is headed back to the major leagues.

The career steals leader was called up by the San Diego Padres Sunday from triple-A Portland of the Pacific Coast League, where he hit .275 with five runs, three RBIs and one walk in nine games for the Beavers.

The 42-year-old Henderson needs three walks to break Babe Ruth’s major league record of 2,062 and 68 runs to break Ty Cobb’s record of 2,245. He also needs 86 hits to become the 25th player in baseball history to reach 3,000.

Henderson is expected to pinch-hit or play the outfield to give Tony Gwynn an occasional rest. By making the Padres, Henderson will see his base salary rise from $250,000 to $300,000.

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The Oakland Athletics put second baseman Jose Ortiz on the 15-day disabled list before Sunday night’s game against the Texas Rangers. Ortiz strained his left calf running out a ground ball in the eighth inning of Saturday’s 9-8 loss to the Rangers. The A’s recalled infielder Mark Bellhorn from triple-A Sacramento to take Ortiz’s place on the roster. . . . Marcus Giles, the brother of Pittsburgh Pirate outfielder Brian Giles, was called up from triple-A Richmond by the Atlanta Braves, who put utility infielder Kurt Abbott on the 15-day disabled list. . . . The Philadelphia Phillies put reserve infielder David Newhan on the 15-day disabled list because of inflammation in his right shoulder. Outfielder Rob Ducey, who just finished a four-game rehabilitation assignment at triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre, will take Newhan’s place on the roster.