Closer Kolb Is Demoted by Braves

Dan Kolb was moved out of the closer’s role by Atlanta Brave Manager Bobby Cox on Wednesday, a day after the right-hander was charged with his third blown save and his fourth loss.

“We’re going to put Kolb in the middle somewhere for a while and let him work on some stuff,” Cox said. “We’ll do the closing by matchups and whoever’s rested and things like that.”

Kolb (1-4) blew a save for the third time in 13 chances Tuesday night by giving up three hits and two walks in the ninth as the San Diego Padres rallied from a 2-1 deficit to a 3-2 win.

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Pedro Martinez had a cortisone shot in his right hip and was pushed back in the New York Met rotation to Sunday’s Subway Series finale against the New York Yankees.

Martinez, who had been scheduled to pitch Friday’s opener, felt soreness in the hip during his last two starts. He was given the shot Tuesday.

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Cleveland Indian outfielder Coco Crisp was put on the 15-day disabled list after spraining his right thumb while sliding into third base.

Jody Gerut, who hasn’t played in the majors since tearing a knee ligament in September, was recalled from triple-A Buffalo to replace Crisp, who may need three weeks to recover.

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Seattle third baseman Adrian Beltre sat out the Mariners’ game against the Yankees on Wednesday night because of tightness in his left hamstring. Beltre left Tuesday’s game after five innings.

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Colorado closer Chin-hui Tsao’s return date from the disabled list is in doubt after an MRI revealed a possible tear in his right shoulder. Tsao started the season on the disabled list because of a sore shoulder and went back on the 15-day DL on Friday with the same problem.