Finally, Alou Gets to Play

The Chicago Cubs activated outfielder Moises Alou from the disabled list after their 5-1 victory Sunday in Pittsburgh.

To make room for Alou, the Cubs sent outfielder Mario Encarnacion to triple-A Iowa of the Pacific Coast League.

Encarnacion went hitless in two at-bats Sunday and is 0 for 7 with the Cubs.

Alou, one of Chicago’s major off-season additions, has not played yet this season because of a strained right calf.

He spent the weekend on a rehabilitation assignment at Class-A Daytona of the Florida State League, going five for eight, including four singles, a double and two RBIs.

Alou, who played for Houston last year, went on the disabled list April 5, retroactive to March 31.

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Outfielder Matt Stairs of the Milwaukee Brewers will see a heart specialist in Milwaukee today as a precautionary measure.

Stairs, who experienced chest pains and an accelerated heartbeat before Friday’s game in San Francisco, has been getting chest pains since his early 20s, but hadn’t had a problem for more than a year.

“I just don’t like waking up at 4 or 5 o’clock in the morning with my chest getting tight, and my heart going 100 mph,” said Stairs, who doubled in a run as a pinch-hitter in Sunday’s 4-3 victory over the Giants.

Stairs said he has been examined in the past and pronounced fit.

Friday’s pain was described as an anxiety attack by Giants’ team doctors.

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Seattle third baseman Jeff Cirillo was struck by a batted ball during batting practice before the Mariners’ game against the Texas Rangers at Arlington, Texas, and was scratched from the lineup. The injury was not considered to be serious.

Cirillo was standing to the left of the batting cage when he was hit in the head by a ball that ricocheted off the pitchers’ protective screen.

He was on the ground for several minutes before being helped to his feet.

He walked wobbly-legged to the clubhouse, where team medical personnel treated a cut above his left ear.

The Mariners said Cirillo--who has gone 96 games without an error, two short of the major league record for third basemen--was scratched as a precautionary measure, but probably would be available to play if needed.

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Catcher Michael Barrett and second baseman Jose Vidro of the Montreal Expos did not play because of injuries.

Barrett left Saturday’s game because of a strained right hip and Vidro left with a strained left groin. Both players are listed as day-to-day.