A’s Hudson on Disabled List

The Oakland Athletics put right-hander Tim Hudson on the 15-day disabled list Saturday because of a strained left stomach muscle, an injury that isn’t considered serious.

In fact, Hudson, Oakland’s opening day starter the last two seasons, said he could have pitched through it, but the team had to make a move to clear a roster spot for new closer Octavio Dotel, acquired Thursday from Houston in a three-team trade.

“It’s not bad at all, a little mild strain,” Hudson said before the A’s played the San Francisco Giants. “The only reason I’m going on the DL is so we can get it right and take care of it so it doesn’t linger. Obviously, it’s disappointing it came back up.... Probably the trade for Dotel -- they’ve got to make a spot.”

Hudson expects to miss two starts in his first stint on the disabled list in five major league seasons.

“We’re on the very cautious side,” Manager Ken Macha said.

Hudson (7-3) was scheduled to pitch today against the Giants, but Mark Redman will go instead on three days’ rest.

Dotel joined his new teammates Saturday afternoon, receiving hugs and high fives as he made his way to his new locker. Dotel blew a save later Saturday but got the credit for an extra-inning victory over the Giants.

The 30-year-old right-hander acknowledged it was difficult leaving Houston, where he had played five of his six major league seasons.

“My first day I was talking about the trade, I was thinking about coming over here after five years with my team,” he said. “It’s kind of sad.”

*

Ray Miller returned to the Baltimore Orioles as their pitching coach. He replaces Mark Wiley, who was reassigned after his beleaguered staff compiled the worst earned-run average in the American League.

Miller has been out of baseball since the end of the 1999 season. He was in uniform for Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Braves.

Miller was Baltimore’s pitching coach from 1978 to ’85 and in 1997 before being hired as manager in 1998. He lasted two seasons, going 157-167 before being replaced by Mike Hargrove.

Under Wiley, the Orioles led the league with 323 walks and ranked last with a 5.34 ERA. He will serve as a scout.

Wiley left the clubhouse early Saturday before talking to reporters.

“I don’t think anybody knew. We’re all pretty shocked,” rookie pitcher Matt Riley said. “Mark had a tough job this year. There were lots of young pitchers. With three rookies in the rotation, that’s tough.”

*

The Texas Rangers put right-hander R.A. Dickey on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained back.

The move was retroactive to Friday, a day after he pitched 1 2/3 innings in relief. Dickey was first bothered by soreness during the team’s last trip.

Dickey is 5-6 with a 5.90 ERA.

Right-hander Ricardo Rodriguez was recalled from triple-A Oklahoma to take Dickey’s spot. Rodriguez, who had an appendectomy April 17, made six starts in the minors but will work out of the bullpen for the Rangers.