Cards activate Grichuk

The St. Louis Cardinals activated outfielder Randal Grichuk from the 15-day disabled list Saturday. Manager Mike Matheny hinted lefty Jaime Garcia may be close to joining the team, too. Garcia, who has yet to play after aggravating a shoulder injury in spring training, threw a six-inning rehab start Friday for Class AA Springfield. Xavier Scruggs was optioned to Class AAA Memphis before Saturday’s game against the Detroit Tigers. Grichuk was on the opening day roster and had been on the DL since April 17 with a lower back strain. He was 2 for 10 with a home run and two RBI in six games.

The Kansas City Royals selected the contract of veteran righthander Joe Blanton from Class AAA Omaha and optioned reliever Aaron Brooks to the same club before Saturday night’s game against the Yankees. To make room on the roster, the Royals also recalled lefthander Brian Flynn from Omaha and placed him on the 60-day disabled list with a torn muscle in the back of his shoulder.

The Chicago Cubs bolstered their depleted bullpen before Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh, recalling right-hander Brian Schlitter from Class AAA Iowa. Outfielder Matt Szczur was sent down one day after he had a bizarre, game-ending hit in an 11-10 victory when Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco slipped and fell while trying to track down his fly ball in the 12th inning. The move left only 11 position players on Chicago’s roster. Schlitter, 29, is 0-2 with a 9.53 ERA in 7 appearances with the Cubs this season. Szczur, 25, hit .172 (5 for 29) with 5 RBI in 18 games with the Cubs.