Yanks activate Aardsma, Gardner
MINNEAPOLIS — The Yankees have activated right-hander David Aardsma and outfielder Brett Gardner from the disabled list.
The Yankees announced the moves on Tuesday before they played the Minnesota Twins. Aardsma has not pitched since 2010 with Seattle. He had Tommy John surgery last year. Manager Joe Girardi says he will be cautious with how he uses Aardsma out of the bullpen with the Yankees in a tight division race.
Gardner has been on the 60day DL since April 17 after having surgery on his right elbow. Girardi says it will be difficult to find many at-bats for Gardner down the stretch, but he can use the speedy outfielder as a pinch runner and defensive replacement.
Utility player Steve Pearce and LHP Justin Thomas were designated for assignment to make room for Gardner and Aardsma.
Guillen ignores Bell ATLANTA — Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen is brushing off criticism from reliever Heath Bell.
Speaking about the team’s latest ordeal, Guillen said Bell is entitled to his opinion. But the manager added that he has received about 30 supportive messages from current players and those he managed with the Chicago White Sox from 2004-2011.
Guillen indicated that Bell has not fully accepted blame for his struggles this year.
Bell, who signed a three-year, $27 million contract with Miami to leave San Diego as a free agent last winter, lost his job as the Marlins’ closer after posting an 8.47 ERA in his first 21 appearances.
During a radio interview Monday with Miami station WQAM, Bell said the Marlins need a manager “that everybody respects and looks up to.”
Bell said before Tuesday’s game against Atlanta that he did not intend to disrespect Guillen.
Peavy pushed back CHICAGO — White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy has been pushed back a day and will start Thursday’s series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Chicago manager Robin Ventura will start left-hander Hector Santiago in Wednesday’s series finale against the Cleveland Indians.
Santiago is 3-1 with a 3.45 ERA in two starts and 38 relief appearances this season.
Ventura said Tuesday morning that lefty Chris Sale would get an extra day of rest, but the team announced after a 4-3 loss to the Indians on Tuesday that Sale would start Saturday on regular rest instead.
Righty Gavin Floyd was moved up to Friday, replacing Jose Quintana, who pitched two-thirds of an inning of relief Tuesday, throwing four pitches.
Chicago began Tuesday with a one-game lead over Detroit in the AL Central.
Darvish scratched ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas right-hander Yu Darvish was scratched from his start Tuesday night against the Oakland Athletics because of neck stiffness.
Rangers manager Ron Washington said Darvish came in Tuesday for treatment and the team determined he wasn’t ready to pitch.
The Rangers announced about 2 1/2 hours before first pitch Darvish was scratched and it is not known when he will make his next start.
“I woke up with a stiff neck,” Darvish said in a statement. “I really wanted to throw tonight. It is just unfortunate I can’t.”
Scott Feldman (6-11) will make Darvish’s start Tuesday night against the A’s, who entered the day five games behind the first-place Rangers.
The right-hander is 0-5 in his past seven starts and hasn’t won since Aug. 4.
Darvish is 16-9 with a 3.90 ERA and has 214 strikeouts, which is third in the AL.
Darvish missed a start Aug. 23 with right quadriceps tightness. Since then, the Japanese rookie is 4-0 with a 1.46 ERA in five starts.
Baker still out CINCINNATI — Reds manager Dusty Baker had a mini-stroke in addition to his irregular heartbeat last week and will need another week of rest before he’s able to rejoin the team for the final regular season series and the playoffs.
The 63-year-old manager disclosed his condition to his players on Tuesday before the start of a series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Bench coach Chris Speier and players said Baker was upbeat and visibly thinner.
“He’s lost a lot of water weight,” Speier said. “He was anxious (to get back). It was great to see him. Again, he looks really, really good. We’re all anxious to get him back in charge.”
Speier will manage the three-game series against the Brewers and a three-game series in Pittsburgh over the weekend. Baker could return for the final three games in St. Louis starting Monday, followed by the playoffs.
The Reds clinched their second NL Central title in the last three years while Baker was still in a Chicago hospital on Saturday night.
“I’m feeling much better, and it’s great being back here in Cincinnati,” Baker said, in a statement released after he met with owner Bob Castellini and his players. “Chris Speier and my staff are doing a terrific job, and I look forward to getting back to the dugout.”
Baker’s had an irregular heartbeat for some time. He felt sick while the team was in Chicago for a series last Wednesday and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Baker revealed that when he was being released from the hospital on Friday, he suffered a mini-stroke.
“He had some slurred speech,” pitcher Bronson Arroyo said, describing the symptoms Baker experienced on Friday. “The diagnosis was a slight stroke. The stroke team was right there and got after it. He said they said they see it all the time. They took care of it.”
Baker said the immediate treatment “minimized the effects of the stroke.” His cardiologists said in the statement that his condition has “improved dramatically” and a full recovery is expected.
The Reds beat the Dodgers 6-0 to clinch their second title under Baker on Saturday night. He was released on Sunday and went to the clubhouse briefly after batting practice to talk to his players.
He had more appointments with doctors in Cincinnati on Monday, the team’s day off. They developed the plan for his return to managing.