Minor Leaguer Suspended 100 Games

Tampa Bay Devil Ray minor league pitcher Matt Rico was suspended for 100 games Tuesday after testing positive for a drug of abuse.

Rico is in extended spring training and hadn’t played for a team yet this season. He was Tampa Bay’s sixth-round draft pick in 2001 as an outfielder but was converted to a pitcher last year.

He had no record in eight games with short-season Class-A Hudson Valley last year, finishing with a 2.53 earned-run average.

*

New York Yankee starter Carl Pavano gave up one unearned run and two hits over five innings in an extended spring training game at Tampa, Fla.

General Manager Brian Cashman said Pavano would make another start Sunday in the Class-A Florida State League.

*

The Cincinnati Reds put outfielder Cody Ross on the 15-day disabled list because of a bruised finger and recalled outfielder Chris Denorfia from triple-A Louisville.... Arizona put right-hander Russ Ortiz on the 15-day disabled list because of a calf injury and recalled right-hander Casey Daigle from triple-A Tucson.... Baltimore recalled left-hander Kurt Birkins and right-hander Julio Manon from triple-A Ottawa. They will replace Jim Brower, who was designated for assignment, and Eddy Rodriguez, who was optioned to Ottawa.... Texas recalled right-hander Robinson Tejeda from triple-A Oklahoma and put left-hander Fabio Castro on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left groin.