Astros’ Reynolds Out for the Season

Houston Astro pitcher Shane Reynolds underwent surgery Thursday to repair a pinched nerve in his lower back, and will sit out the rest of this season.

Doctors are optimistic that the right-hander will be able to return next season, General Manager Gerry Hunsicker said.

Houston put Reynolds on the 15-day disabled list and recalled right-hander Brandon Puffer from triple-A New Orleans.

Reynolds, 34, was 3-6 with a 4.86 ERA in 13 starts.

Puffer, 26, is 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA in 15 appearances for the Astros. In six games with New Orleans, he is 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA.

The Astros plan to purchase the contract of former Cal State Fullerton right-hander Kirk Saarloos from double-A Round Rock to start in Milwaukee on Tuesday night.

Saarloos would be the second player from the 2001 draft to appear in a major league game. Chicago Cub right-hander Mark Prior was the first, making his debut May 22.

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Chris Chambliss, a former player and coach with the New York Yankees, was hired as the New York Mets’ batting coach.

Chambliss, who had been minor league hitting coordinator for the Pittsburgh Pirates, replaces Dave Engle, who was fired by the Mets on Monday.

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Seattle Mariner shortstop Carlos Guillen was arrested for investigation of drunken driving early Thursday, police said.

Guillen, 26, was stopped by police in suburban Clyde Hill for allegedly speeding. The police said he then refused to take a Breathalyzer test when he was taken to the police station.

That refusal will mean automatic suspension of his driver’s license.

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Paul Shuey, Cleveland’s top setup reliever, was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a groin injury.

The club said Shuey was hurt during a pregame, on-field workout on Tuesday. The Indians made the move retroactive to Monday and recalled reliever Jerrod Riggan from triple-A Buffalo.

Riggan got the win on Thursday as the Indians beat the Baltimore Orioles, 2-1, in 10 innings.