Times wires
Sunday, April 17, 2011
ST. PETERSBURG — Matt Capps is taking over as the Twins' closer so Joe Nathan can work on regaining his form in non-save situations as he comes back from elbow surgery.
The change was made before Sunday's game against the Rays, when Capps got his first save with a scoreless ninth.
Nathan blew save opportunities Thursday and Saturday in games won by the Rays. The right-hander missed last season after having right elbow ligament replacement surgery and has been inconsistent this year.
"Until I start getting that back, and I know I will at some time, I don't want to put this team at any risk and cost them ballgames right now," Nathan said. "I just thought it was the right thing to do for the ballclub and myself. Give myself a chance to get out there and still pitch on a consistent basis. Getting away from where every pitch could cost us a game."
Nathan has an 8.44 ERA in six games. He had converted all three save chances before his last two outings against Tampa Bay.
"It's one thing to go through his process of coming back from Tommy John surgery and trying to finish ballgames," Nathan said. "Hopefully this move will help me get some consistency, get comfortable. I have to be fair to this team, to the staff, to myself."
ZITO TO DL: The Giants placed LHP Barry Zito on the 15-day disabled list a day after he sprained his right foot attempting to field a bunt. An MRI exam confirmed that Zito had a sprain of his right mid foot. He's scheduled to meet with a podiatrist today in San Francisco. The Giants purchased the contract of RHP Ryan Vogelsong from Triple-A Fresno to take Zito's spot.
VICTIM REGRESSES: The Giants fan who was assaulted March 31 at Dodger Stadium was placed back into a medically induced coma Saturday because of a recurrence of seizures related to his head trauma. Bryan Stow, 42, remained in critical condition, according to Rosa Saca, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County & University of Southern California Medical Center.
REDS STARTERS CLOSE: RHP Johnny Cueto, who opened the season on the disabled list with shoulder problems, threw 55 pitches for Triple-A Louisville on Saturday, showing good control in his first game since spring training. RHP Homer Bailey, also on the DL with a shoulder injury, pitched five shutout innings for Louisville on Sunday.
BLUE JAYS: RHP Frank Francisco, a candidate to close before arm problems derailed him in spring training, is expected to be activated from the disabled list Tuesday.
DODGERS: An MRI exam on setup man Hong-Chih Kuo revealed a strained muscle in his lower back, and the left-hander was put on the 15-day disabled list. Kuo hurt himself in March and tried to pitch through it but struggled.
MARINERS: Closer David Aardsma is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. The left-hander, who had left hip surgery Jan. 3 on a torn labrum, is scheduled to pitch Tuesday for Triple-A Tacoma.
NATIONALS: RH reliever Todd Coffey went on the 15-day disabled list with a left calf strain. RHP Collin Balester was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.
ORIOLES: LHP Brian Matusz, on the disabled list all season with an intercostal muscle strain, has not been cleared and appears to still be at least three weeks away from returning to the mound, the Baltimore Sun reported.
YANKEES: 3B Alex Rodriguez was out of the lineup because of stiffness in his lower back and on his side. Rodriguez still felt sore a day after having trouble getting loose in the cold weather and leaving in the seventh.