Struggling Rocker Sent Back to Minors

Reliever John Rocker was sent back to the minor leagues after two poor outings, with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays optioning the left-hander to double-A Orlando to clear a roster spot for shortstop Julio Lugo, who was signed Thursday after being released by the Houston Astros.

Rocker was called up from Orlando on May 9.

He faced eight batters and six of them reached base, three on walks. Overall, he gave up one run in one inning.

Lugo was Houston’s opening day shortstop and batted .246 with no home runs and two runs batted in in 21 games before being released May 9.

Tampa Bay also recalled right-hander Brandon Backe from triple-A Durham and sent shortstop Antonio Perez to Orlando.

Backe was 1-0 with a 3.86 earned-run average with Durham. Perez was one for three in two games with Tampa Bay.

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Montreal Expo right-hander Tony Armas Jr. will have surgery Friday in Los Angeles to repair slight tears in his rotator cuff and shoulder. No timetable for his return will be set until after doctors can evaluate the extent of the damage.

The San Diego Padres promoted pitcher Charles Nagy to the majors, two months after he accepted assignment to triple-A Portland after being injured in spring training.

The Detroit Tigers put Dean Palmer on the 15-day disabled list because of recurring neck and shoulder injuries.

The Pittsburgh Pirates called up right-hander Pat Mahomes from triple-A Nashville and designated left-hander Dennys Reyes for outright assignment.

New York Met right-hander David Cone, on the disabled list because of an arthritic hip, gave up three runs and five hits over five innings in his second rehabilitation start for Class-A St. Lucie.