Mesa Is Suspended for Two Games

Philadelphia Phillie closer Jose Mesa was suspended two games on Monday for throwing at St. Louis’ Jim Edmonds last week.

Mesa will miss games against the New York Mets today and Wednesday but was eligible to play Monday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Mesa, who got his 34th save Monday, would not comment on the suspension.

He was ejected in the eighth inning of a 9-0 loss at St. Louis on Aug. 19, after throwing a pitch behind Edmonds’ head and then hitting Edmonds in the back on a 1-and-2 pitch after a warning.

Mesa, signed as a free agent from Seattle, hasn’t given up an earned run since June 28.

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X-rays taken of the left big toe of Jorge Posada were negative and the New York Yankees said their starting catcher was day-to-day.

Posada’s toe was injured in the fourth inning of Sunday’s 7-6 loss at Anaheim when it was hit by a pitch from Scott Schoeneweis. A ball was also fouled off the same foot in the bottom of the inning.

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An MRI exam on Pedro Astacio’s pitching shoulder revealed no structural damage, and the Houston Astros hope to have him back in the starting rotation early next month.

Astacio, 2-1 with a 3.14 ERA in four starts for Houston, missed Sunday’s scheduled start against the Pittsburgh Pirates because of stiffness in his right shoulder.

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Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher Francisco Cordova, on the disabled list for more than a year, won’t make a scheduled rehabilitation trip to the minors because of recurring elbow pain. The Pirates wanted Cordova to have surgery during spring training, but Cordova’s doctors have told him the surgery isn’t necessary. The ligament has not responded to rest and therapy.

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Pitcher Kevin Foster became a free agent after refusing a demotion by the Texas Rangers .... The Seattle Mariners acquired catcher Pat Borders from the Durham Bulls, Tampa Bay’s triple-A affiliate. Borders, 38, will play at triple-A Tacoma.