Yankees’ Brown Put on 15-Day DL

Pitcher Kevin Brown was put on the 15-day disabled list by the New York Yankees on Tuesday because of a strained lower back.

The move was made retroactive to Thursday, a day after Brown was forced to leave a start against Colorado after two innings. Outfielder Bubba Crosby was recalled from triple-A Columbus.

The Yankees have the best record in the major leagues, but the health and depth of their rotation has been their top concern. Mike Mussina left his start Friday night against San Diego after three innings when he felt tightness in his right groin.

Brown, 39, is 7-1 with a 4.13 earned-run average in 13 starts this season since being traded by the Dodgers to the Yankees.

The right-hander had an MRI exam, CT scan and X-rays on Thursday. He was initially listed as day to day.

Brown had surgery to repair a disk in 2002, and this marked his seventh time on the DL in the last six seasons.

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Trot Nixon will be activated from the disabled list and make his 2004 debut for the Boston Red Sox tonight when they play the Colorado Rockies.

The right fielder has been on the DL since the start of the season with a slight herniated disk and a strained left quadriceps.

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Florida Marlin ace Josh Beckett, on the 15-day disabled list because of a blister on the middle finger of his right hand, will start Thursday night against the Chicago White Sox.

Beckett threw another bullpen session Tuesday and reported no problems. He was put on the DL on May 31 after lasting only 2 2/3 innings against the Mets.

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New York Yankee reliever Steve Karsay will shut down his throwing program for a few days after canceling a scheduled rehabilitation start because of shoulder trouble.

Karsay did not pitch as planned for Class-A Tampa against Clearwater on Monday after feeling discomfort in his right shoulder.

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The Minnesota Twins put outfielder Michael Ryan on the 15-day disabled list because of a stretched nerve in his left shoulder. Ryan injured his shoulder Sunday while making a headfirst slide into first base in a 2-1 loss in Philadelphia. The move was retroactive to Monday.

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Florida utility player Wil Cordero had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will be sidelined at least six more weeks.

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Frustrated by a season-long struggle to score runs, the New York Mets fired batting coach Denny Walling and replaced him on an interim basis with bench coach Don Baylor.