National League notes
Arizona:
LF Jason Kubel was placed on the paternity list, and OF
A.J. Pollock was recalled from Class AAA Reno. Kubel returned to Phoenix on Wednesday to be with his wife, Blake, for the birth of their second child.
Atlanta:
The Braves optioned rookie SS Tyler Pastornicky to Class AAA Gwinnett (Lawrenceville, Ga). Andrelton Simmons, who is hitting .292 at Class AA (Jackson) Mississippi, was called up and is expected to take over the starting job. Simmons almost beat out Pastornicky in spring training. Simmons will join the team for Friday’s first game of a weekend series at Washington.
Chicago:
LH reliever James Russell picked up the victory one day after earning his first career save. Russell’s father, Jeff, had 186 bigleague saves. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the Russells are the fourth father and son who each saved at least one game in the majors. The others: Julio and Jaime Navarro, Pedro Borbon Sr. and Jr., and Steve and Jason Grilli.
Cincinnati:
1B Joey Votto was out of the lineup for the first time since Aug. 9. With today’s off day, Votto will get two days of rest. Votto had played in 176 consecutive games.
Colorado:
LHP Jamie Moyer was designated for assignment, about six weeks after he became the oldest starter to win a game in major league history. Moyer, 49, said he hoped to continue his career elsewhere, but his immediate plan was to return home and attend his son’s high school graduation. After missing the 2011 season recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery, Moyer signed with the Rockies and made the team with an impressive spring training. He became the oldest to win as a starter April 17, when he led the Rockies to a 5-3 win vs. San Diego. Moyer was 2-5 with a 5.70 ERA in 10 starts.
Houston:
J.R. Richard, whose career was cut short when he suffered a stroke during the 1980 season, will be inducted into the Astros Walk of Fame on Friday. The team will play in 1980s-style rainbow jerseys in the game that night.
Los Angeles:
CF Matt Kemp left Wednesday’s game against Milwaukee after apparently reinjuring the left hamstring that kept him out of the lineup for two weeks. Playing his second game since coming off the disabled list, Kemp walked in the first and came around on a two-out
double to left-center by Andre
Ethier.
Miami:
Batting practice at Marlins Park was canceled because the field was drenched by a flash storm that hit while the roof was open. The roof usually stays open on game days until 4 p.m. because officials want the grass to get sufficient sunlight. Rain started falling lightly about 3:15 p.m. and quickly intensified. Grounds crews covered the infield with a tarp within 15 minutes, but the retractable roof didn’t start to close until about 3:25. It takes about 14 minutes for the roof to completely shut.
Milwaukee:
RHP Michael Fiers and C Martin Maldonado on Tuesday became the first in franchise history to form a battery in their first major league starts.
New York:
SS Ronny Cedeno (left calf) was placed on the disabled list, and IF-OF Jordany Valdespin was recalled from Class AAA Buffalo.
Philadelphia:
1B Ryan Howard (left Achilles tendon) probably won’t return before July, general manager
Ruben Amaro Jr. said. Howard is rehabbing in Clearwater, Fla.
Pittsburgh:
SS Jordy Mercer, promoted from Class AAA Indianapolis, made his first major league start Wednesday and batted second.
St. Louis:
Through Tuesday, the Cardinals were 3-9 in one-run games.
San Diego:
RH closer Huston
Street (shoulder) is scheduled to make his first rehab appearance Friday for high-A Lake Elsinore (Calif.).
San Francisco:
Team President
Larry Baer said the Giants had no plans to bring back Barry Bonds in some capacity.
Washington:
C Jesus Flores (right hamstring) was out of the lineup but said he could have played. He’s expected to return Friday.