League Suspends Estrada

Atlanta Brave catcher Johnny Estrada was suspended three games by Major League Baseball on Friday for making contact with umpire Doug Eddings.

Estrada was ejected from a game against the Marlins on June 30 shortly after Paul Lo Duca backed out of the batter’s box, then returned and got set for a pitch.

Estrada stood, turned around and appeared to bump Eddings, who quickly threw him out. Television cameras showed Estrada making an obscene gesture in Eddings’ direction after he went to the dugout.

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Cincinnati Red reliever Ryan Wagner went on the 15-day disabled list because of a sore shoulder.

The Reds activated left-hander Randy Keisler, who was recovering from a sore left elbow.

The Reds also reinstated outfielder Kenny Kelly from the 15-day disabled list and returned him from a rehabilitation assignment. Kelly had surgery on June 23 for torn cartilage in his left knee.

Kelly takes the spot of outfielder Jason Romano, who was assigned outright to the minors Thursday.

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The Braves purchased the contract of veteran right-hander Jay Powell from double-A Mississippi and optioned right-handed pitcher Adam Bernero to triple-A Richmond.

Powell, 33, a 10-year major league veteran was 2-0 with an 0.64 earned-run average with Mississippi.

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Chicago Cub outfielder Adam Greenberg, struck in the head last week on the first pitch he faced in the major leagues, was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a concussion.

The Cubs recalled outfielder Ben Grieve from triple-A Iowa.

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Three minor leaguers were suspended for 15 games by the commissioner’s office for violating baseball’s minor league drug policy.

Those suspended were: Carlos Bohorquez, a pitcher in the Cincinnati Red organization; Alexandre Santos, a pitcher in the Oakland Athletic organization; and Matt Whiteside, a pitcher in the Toronto Blue Jay organization.