Associated Press
NEW YORK ó The banged-up Mets put All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes and outfielder Ryan Church on the disabled list.
The Mets also said All-Star center fielder Carlos Beltran would sit out until the weekend because of a bone bruise below his right knee.
To fill the spots, the Mets promoted highly touted outfielder Fernando Martinez from Triple-A Buffalo and acquired journeyman infielder Wilson Valdez from Cleveland for cash.
New York has managed to stay close to Philadelphia despite a string of injuries ó first baseman Carlos Delgado, catcher Brian Schneider, pitcher Oliver Perez and infielder Alex Cora already were on the DL.
The 20-year-old Martinez is considered the jewel of the Mets’ farm system. He was batting .291 and leading the International League with 25 extra-base hits when the Mets selected his contract from Buffalo.
BREWERS
MILWAUKEE ó Outfielder Ryan Braun left Tuesday’s game against St. Louis after being hit on the right wrist by a pitch in the third inning.
MARLINS
PHILADELPHIA ó Hanley Ramirez left Florida’s game against Philadelphia with tightness in his right groin on Tuesday night.
BRAVES
Pitcher Tim Hudson threw off a mound for the first time since spring training ó a significant step in his recovery from elbow ligament replacement surgery last year.
ASTROS
GALVESTON, Texas ó A Galveston County grand jury didn’t indict Houston pitcher Brandon Backe and three others on misdemeanor charges stemming from a fight with police that broke out at a post-wedding party in October.
Backe, 31, and 12 other people were arrested after the Oct. 5, 2008, altercation at the San Luis Resort swimming pool bar in Galveston. Backe was charged with interfering with a police officer and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors, and he was released on $1,500 bond.
The incident was reportedly touched off when an off-duty officer working security at the bar tried to arrest Daniel O’Balle, the brother of the bride, for allegedly entering a pool bar area with an open liquor container. During a struggle, O’Balle allegedly hit one officer in the chest and another in the face.
RED SOX
MANCHESTER, N.H. ó Rehabbing pitcher John Smoltz took another step toward returning to the Boston Red Sox.
The 42-year-old reliever tossed 31/3 innings for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs on Tuesday, allowing one run and three hits while striking out two and throwing 60 pitches.
“Another rung in the ladder,” he told nearly 30 reporters ó many of them from Boston ó in a cramped interview room under the stands. “My radar screen has Boston on it. As long as that’s the carrot dancing in front of you, you just keep doing what you’re doing.”
MARINERS
OAKLAND, Calif. ó Seattle placed Kenji Johjima on the 15-day disabled list with a broken big toe, an injury that could sideline the Japanese catcher for two months.
The Mariners surprisingly selected catcher Guillermo Quiroz from Double-A West Tennessee to back up Rob Johnson.
n Designated hitter Mike Sweeney left Seattle’s game against Oakland on Tuesday with back spasms.
WHITE SOX
ANAHEIM, Calif. ó Outfielder Carlos Quentin is being sent back to Chicago for tests on his left foot, manager Ozzie Guillen said.
Quentin left Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning because of aggravation in the foot, a recurrence of plantar fasciitis.
Quentin was in a walking boot in the clubhouse before the White Sox played the Angels in the second game of their series and will not rejoin the team until Monday.
YANKEES
ARLINGTON, Texas ó Catcher Jorge Posada played three innings of defense during a simulated game at the team’s facility in Florida.
Sidelined since straining his right hamstring while sliding in a game against Boston on May 4, Posada also batted in the simulated game. He threw to second from behind the plate and ran the bases after the game.
* Reliever Brian Bruney will have his troublesome elbow examined by orthopedist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., today.
* Yankees center fielder Melky Cabrera left Tuesday night’s game against Texas flexing his right shoulder after running into the wall while trying to make a catch in the first inning.
RAYS
CLEVELAND ó Injuries are mounting for the defending American League champs.
Tampa Bay placed shortstop and leading hitter Jason Bartlett on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left ankle, giving the team five injured regulars.
Bartlett was replaced on the roster by infielder Joe Dillon, who was called up from Triple-A Durham.
It’s another blow to a team already playing without second baseman Akinori Iwamura, closer Troy Percival, designated hitter Pat Burrell and staff ace Scott Kazmir.
ROYALS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. ó Center fielder Coco Crisp was removed from the game in the fifth inning Tuesday with what the team said was soreness in the right shoulder.