Neagle Will Skip Next Assignment

Colorado left-hander Denny Neagle will have to skip his scheduled start Thursday against the Seattle Mariners because of an injured right hamstring, but should be able to pitch by the weekend.

“Denny said that he didn’t think it’s as bad as he first thought,” Colorado Manager Buddy Bell said. “Those things usually take a day or two to really tell us what the extent of the injury is.”

He was hurt running the bases during Friday night’s game at Coors Field against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Pedro Astacio will take Neagle’s start against the Mariners. The Rockies are hopeful that Neagle will be ready for a Saturday start at Cincinnati.

“This will allow him seven days of rest,” Bell said. “He was still favoring his leg when he threw on the side.”

The Boston Red Sox made a series of player moves. They optioned pitcher Tomo Ohka to Pawtucket, their triple-A affiliate in the International League, sent infielder Lou Merloni there on a rehabilitation assignment, moved pitcher Bret Saberhagen from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list and recalled shortstop Jon Shave from Pawtucket.

St. Louis left-hander Rick Ankiel, still trying to overcome control problems, pitched four innings of no-hit ball at Jupiter, Fla., in his first appearance against opposing batters in more than two weeks.

In his best performance since May 29, Ankiel shut out the Montreal Expos in a mini-camp game between young players who will be assigned to teams in short season rookie leagues, which start June 19.