Shoulder trouble lands Smoltz on 15-day DL

The Atlanta Braves put pitcher John Smoltz on the 15-day disabled list on Friday after an MRI found inflammation -- but apparently no structural damage -- in his right shoulder.

The Braves said the MRI also showed a “good” rotator cuff, and as a result Smoltz will not travel to Birmingham, Ala., to meet with Dr. James Andrews, as had been tentatively planned.

The move was retroactive to July 3. Smoltz will be eligible to come off the disabled list July 18. He will skip Tuesday’s All-Star game as well as today’s scheduled start at San Diego.

On Thursday, Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt was named to replace Smoltz on the All-Star team.

Smoltz, 40, who has experienced persistent discomfort in the shoulder, left the team Wednesday in Los Angeles to return to Atlanta for Friday’s examination with team doctors.

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Detroit Tigers reserve infielder Neifi Perez was suspended 25 games, the first player penalized for testing positive for a stimulant under Major League Baseball’s drug program.

Perez is batting .172 with one home run and six RBIs in 64 at-bats in the team’s first 83 games. He is a former Gold Glove shortstop, in 2000 with the Colorado Rockies.

The suspension takes effect immediately. The 34-year-old Perez would be eligible to return Aug. 4 against the Chicago White Sox.

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Kevin McClatchy, a newspaper heir who probably prevented the Pirates from leaving Pittsburgh by assembling an ownership group in 1996, is stepping down as the team’s chief executive at the end of the season.

The Pirates are on pace for a 15th consecutive losing season, one short of the major league record. If they do not have a winning record this season, it will be their 12th consecutive losing record under McClatchy.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned outfielder Carlos Quentin to triple-A Tucson and recalled outfielder Jeff Salazar from the Sidewinders.

Quentin is batting .210 in 66 games with five home runs and 28 RBIs.

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St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Chris Carpenter is scheduled to make his second rehab start on Sunday coming off surgery in May to remove bone chips from his elbow.