Gordon willing to keep driving for Dale Jr.

Hendrick has yet to name replacement beyond Pocono race.

LONG POND, PA. — Six-time Pocono winner Jeff Gordon qualified 24th Friday for his second Sprint Cup race in place of the injured Dale Earnhardt Jr. and said his commitment to the Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet is open-ended.

Earnhardt warned this week that his return from concussion symptoms could take longer than planned. Sunday’s 400-miler at Pocono Raceway will mark his third missed race.

“I wish Dale a speedy recovery. I’d like him to be back in the car,” Gordon said. “But if he’s not, I feel like each time I’m in the car I’ll be more confident and comfortable to get better results.”

Gordon was vacationing in France when team owner Rick Hendrick asked him to come out of retirement. He returned to racing last Sunday at Indianapolis and finished 13th. Then it was off to a sponsorship commitment in Mexico. This weekend, he looks to extend his Pocono record with a seventh win.

Hendrick has made no decision on a driver for next week’s road race at Watkins Glen. With an off week following that, the smart move could involve benching Earnhardt at least one more race.

Truex on pole: Martin Truex Jr. extended Toyota’s hot streak, turning a lap of 179.244 mph on the 2.5-mile trioval to win the pole.

Carl Edwards of Joe Gibbs Racing made it a 1-2 Toyota front row. Toyota has 10 wins in 20 races this season and nine in the past 15, including wins from Gibbs drivers Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch the past two weeks.

Keselowski crash: Brad Keselowski qualified seventh, three days after he was involved in a brutal wreck during a test session at Watkins Glen. He slammed nosefirst into a protective tire barrier coming out of the first turn in his Penske Ford. He was uninjured and blamed the crash on an improperly installed brake line.

Keselowski said road courses are more dangerous than even superspeedways because the run-offs are at such harsh angles and the courses lack containment.

“There’s only so many of those hits you’re gonna take before someone gets killed,” Keselowski said. “It’s just the way it is. It’s not something I’m comfortable with . ... Odds are if 100 people take that hit, one or two are not going to be standing here anymore.”

The Chicago Cubs optioned infielder Tommy La Stella, who was hitting .295 in 105 at-bats with a .388 on-base percentage, to Triple-A Iowa on Friday to make room for outfielder Chris Coghlan, who was activated off the disabled list.

La Stella didn’t take the news well, according to Cubs manager Joe Maddon.

“And he shouldn’t take it well,” Maddon said. “Honestly, it’s just an unusual moment we’re in right now where we have so many guys. This is definitely an advocacy for a 27- or 28-man roster.”

La Stella had options remaining, which left him vulnerable in a crowded infield.

Coghlan, who was on the DL for sore ribs, started in left field and the leadoff spot and opened the scoring Friday with a two-run single in the second inning.

Mets: Outfielder Juan Lagares is expected to miss six weeks because of a sprained left thumb that needs surgery. New York put the former Gold Glove winner on the 15-day disabled list and called up outfielder Brandon Nimmo from Triple-A Las Vegas. Lagares first hurt his thumb making a diving catch on June 4 in Miami. He played through the injury until going on the DL on June 16. Lagares returned on July 2, batting just .160 with two RBIs in 22 games. He is hitting .243 overall with three home runs and eight RBIs.

Indians: Reliever Jeff Manship (1-1 with a 3.38 ERA) was put on the 15-day DL with tendinitis in his right wrist. Right-hander Zach McAllister (sore right hip) was activated from the DL.

Marlins: Miami acquired right-handers Andrew Cashner and Colin Rea from the Padres in a seven-player deal. The Marlins also received pitching prospect Tayron Guerrero for right-handers Jarred Cosart and Carter Capps and two minor leaguers, pitching prospect Luis Castillo and first baseman Josh Naylor.

Giants: Manager Bruce Bochy said outfielder Hunter Pence (hamstring) could be back in the lineup today.

■ Second baseman Joe Panik was activated from the disabled list. Panik missed 23 games with concussion.

Royals: Center fielder Lorenzo Cain (left hamstring strain) was reinstated from the disabled list. Cain hit .290 with eight homers and 39 RBIs in 73 games before missing 25 games.

Orioles: Baltimore signed former Reds right-hander Logan Ondrusek, who has returned from playing in Japan and gives the AL East leaders another option in their bullpen. Ondrusek, 31, went 21-11 with a 3.89 ERA and two saves in 281 games with Cincinnati from 2010-14. Also, right-hander Chaz Roe was designated for assignment.

Rangers: Reliever Shawn Tolleson (2-2 with 11 saves and 7.68 ERA) was sent to Triple-A Round Rock to make room for pitcher Lucas Harrell.

Nationals: Jayson Werth singled Thursday to extend his on-base streak to a careerhigh 31 games, the longest active streak in the majors.

Yankees: Alex Rodriguez expects to get some playing time at first base during the final two months of the season. Rodriguez, 41, is hitting .206 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in 58 games as a DH and pinch-hitter.