Prior to Make First Start of Season

Chicago Cubs right-hander Mark Prior will make his first start of the season today after sitting out the first 2 1/2 months because of a strained shoulder.

“It’s been a long, hard road, but I’m glad that Mark’s getting back on the mound,” Manager Dusty Baker said before Saturday’s game against the Detroit Tigers. “Hopefully, we can keep him on the mound all year long.”

Already on a slower-paced program to avoid the elbow problems he experienced the previous two springs, Prior strained a muscle in his right shoulder in March and began the season on the disabled list for the third straight year.

He made four minor league rehabilitation starts, giving up one unearned run and four hits and striking out 10 in 6 2/3 innings for triple-A Iowa at New Orleans on Tuesday night.

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The New York Mets put left fielder Cliff Floyd on the disabled list because of a sprained left ankle.

Floyd was injured June 6 at Dodger Stadium while running the bases in the top of the second inning and had to be helped off the field. His DL assignment is retroactive to June 7.

Floyd reported soreness in the ankle Friday night, and there was no change on Saturday.

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Cincinnati Reds left-hander Brandon Claussen was put on the 15-day disabled list after being diagnosed with shoulder tendinitis.

Claussen (3-8) struggled in a 12-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox and later told interim pitching coach Tom Hume that he had hurt his shoulder.

Claussen hasn’t won since May 19, going 0-4 in five starts while jeopardizing his spot in the rotation.

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Aaron Small, struggling this season after going 10-0 last year, was designated for assignment by the New York Yankees, who recalled pitcher T.J. Beam from triple-A Columbus.

Small is 0-3 with an 8.46 earned-run average in 11 appearances, including eight in relief.