Cards place Gyorko on IL. Keuchel is ready, eager to begin pitching games for Braves
MIAMI» Left-hander Dallas Keuchel says he doesn’t expect to need much time tuning up in the minors before he joins his new team, the Braves.
The team confirmed Friday night that the 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner had agreed to a one-year contract. He’s scheduled to pitch Saturday for Triple-a Gwinnett.
During a conference call, Keuchel said he has been pitching seven innings in simulated games in Southern California, and he’s eager to start pitching for the Braves.
“I’m built up to go five or six innings at least,” he said.
Keuchel’s contract pays him $13 million, a prorated share for 114 days of the contract’s salary of $21,210,527. He went 12-11 with a 3.74 ERA in 34 starts last season for Houston and turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer in November.
The two-time all-star didn’t voice any regrets about how things turned out. He joins a Braves team that won the NL East last year and is in the thick of the division race this season.
CHICAGO» The Louis Cardinals placed infielder Jedd Gyorko on the 10-day injured list with a strained lower back and purchased the contract of infielder Tommy Edman from Triple-a Memphis.
The Cardinals also designated right-handed reliever Merandy Gonzalez for assignment.
The 30-year-old Gyorko said he first felt his back spasm in the third inning of Friday’s 3-1 loss to the Cubs when he fielded Anthony Rizzo’s grounder at third base. Gyorko grounded into a force to end the fourth, then left the game in the fifth.
“I responded well to the treatment yesterday,” Gyorko said. “Felt good this morning, felt like I could go, but they decided I can’t.”
Gyorko, in his seventh major league season, is batting .194 with two home runs and seven RBIS in 38 games this season. The 24year-old Edman hit .306 with seven homers and 28 RBIS in 48 games at Memphis and has yet to make his major-league debut.
Yanks’ Tanaka to start Monday.
CLEVELAND»THE Yankees placed right-hander Masahiro Tanaka on the paternity leave list. But it will be a short stay, with his next start Monday against the Mets.
Tanaka was scheduled to start against the Indians on Sunday, but returned to New York for the birth of his baby girl Friday.
Manager Aaron Boone said Tanaka threw a bullpen session at Yankee Stadium on Saturday and will start Monday. He’s 3-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 13 starts.
Boone said no decision has been made on the Yankees’ pitching plan for Sunday, the finale of a three-game series.
James Paxton will start Tuesday against the Mets.
Rays prospect out for season. BOSTON» Rays pitching prospect Brent Honeywell fractured a bone in his right elbow throwing a pitch during a bullpen session and will miss another season.
Dr. James Andrews is scheduled to perform surgery on the bone Monday.