Rangers’ Hamels scratched with tightness in oblique
HOUSTON >> The Texas Rangers have scratched ace Cole Hamels from his scheduled start against the Houston Astros because of tightness in his right oblique.
Hamels will return to Arlington on Wednesday to be examined by team physician Keith Meister.
The Rangers said Hamels felt discomfort in his right side while warming up Tuesday. The left-hander was shut down and getting treatment during the game.
The four-time All-Star is 2-0 ERA in five starts this season.
Nationals option Ross
with a 3.03 WASHINGTON >> The Washington Nationals optioned Joe Ross to Syracuse on Tuesday after the right-hander struggled in three straight starts.
Washington filled the roster spot by recalling righty A.J. Cole from the Triple-A team.
Ross gave up 15 runs and 20 hits in 15.2 innings since his recall from the minors on April 19. He yielded five runs and seven hits over four innings to the Mets on Sunday.
“Joe wasn’t Joe. That was it in a nutshell,” Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. “His usually hard sinker wasn’t sinking, and his usually sharp slider wasn’t sliding.”
Ross went 7-5 with a 3.43 ERA with Washington last season. He was on the disabled list from July 3-Sept. 18 with right shoulder inflammation.
Jeb Bush optimistic he and Jeter can close deal for Marlins
MIAMI >> Jeb Bush says he is optimistic he can close a deal to buy the Miami Marlins despite stiff competition, and partner Derek Jeter would take charge of baseball operations.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says two groups remain in the mix. The second bid is led by Tagg Romney, son of former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
Bush spoke publicly Tuesday for the first time about his efforts to purchase the team from Jeffrey Loria. “Given the interest we have inside Miami and among people that are potential partners, I’m really excited about it,” Bush said. “It’s a sport that has huge potential in Miami. I’m excited about the community aspects of this.”
The former Florida governor, who lives in Miami, made his comments during a discussion at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles.
Romney has yet to speak publicly about the bid by his group, which includes Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine.
Jeter and Bush were part of rival efforts to buy the Marlins before joining forces. Jeter was a 14-time All-Star shortstop who retired in 2014 after 20 seasons with the Yankees.
“Derek Jeter is a phenomenal guy, a person of incredible integrity,” Bush said. “I get to meet famous people all the time, and sometimes they don’t match up to what their reputation is. Jeter is the exact opposite. He has this incredible, impeccable reputation he earned, and in person he’s maybe even better. He’s humble, really smart and totally focused on this.
Yanks put slumping Bird on DL
NEW YORK >> Slumping first baseman Greg Bird was placed on the 10-day disabled list by the New York Yankees on Tuesday because of a bruised right ankle.
Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury also was out of the lineup against Toronto with an injury to his left elbow. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said an MRI revealed a bruised nerve, and the team will wait a couple of days before making a decision about whether Ellsbury needs to go on the DL.
Bird has been playing with a sore ankle off and on since fouling a ball off his foot during one of the final few games of his outstanding spring training.