TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays have put second baseman Aaron Hill on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury.

Manager Cito Gaston says the team wants to be cautious with the All-Star infielder. John McDonald and Mike McCoy will share duties at second until Hill returns.

Outfielder Jeremy Reed was brought up from Triple-A Las Vegas prior to Monday night’s home opener against the Chicago White Sox.

Orioles place 2B Roberts on DL

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles placed second baseman Brian Roberts on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a strained abdominal muscle and to enable the two-time All-Star to receive further treatment on his ailing back.

The move is retroactive to April 10.

Advertisement

An MRI on Monday showed no unexpected damage. But manager Dave Trembley said Roberts will probably be on the DL longer than 15 days after receiving an epidural injection — the second in four weeks — in his lower back.

Roberts hasn’t played since Friday, when he hurt himself while stealing second base in the first inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. He also missed most of spring training with a herniated disk in his back.

Trembley said the team doctor told him it’s possible that Roberts aggravated his back injury on the same play in which he hurt his abdomen.

Roberts has to rest four to five days to let the epidural take hold. He will then resume athletic activity before working himself into baseball shape and going on a rehabilitative stint.

The Orioles filled Roberts’ spot on the roster by recalling infielder Justin Turner from Triple-A Norfolk. Turner hit .344 in 16 spring training games with Baltimore.

“I had just gotten unpacked in my apartment in Norfolk. Then I had to pack it all back up and head out,” Turner said. “But it’s always nice to be up here.”

Advertisement

Turner made his debut with the Orioles last Sept. 8. He went 3 for 18 in 12 games.

Roberts played in Baltimore’s first four games this season and is batting .143. He has long been a key contributor at the top of the lineup.

“Obviously, it is a major loss. We’re going to have to pick up the pieces and fill in as best we can,” Trembley said. “He’s very valuable to the club. The guy that sets the tone for us offensively. You can’t replace it.”

The Orioles began a three-game series against Tampa Bay on Monday with Julio Lugo playing second base and Felix Pie occupying the leadoff spot.

“He is one of the better leadoff hitters in all of baseball. He sets it up for the whole team,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “I am sure it will make it more difficult for them; it’s going to have an effect.”

Padres starter Young sidelined

Advertisement

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Padres starter Chris Young has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Wednesday, with a strained right shoulder.

Young, who had surgery on his shoulder in the offseason, said Monday that he should be good to go once his DL stint ends. He had been scheduled to start Monday’s home opener against the Atlanta Braves, but the Padres announced during the weekend that his start was being pushed back. They put Young on the DL a few hours before the game.

“There’s no doubt that Chris was feeling something, enough of a discomfort for us to come to this decision,” manager Bud Black said. “He had a healthy spring, coming back from his surgery, but these things happen to pitchers, guys who are coming off surgery.

“It’s a combination of us realizing where we are in the season and the flexibility of the schedule that allows us to do this with Chris.”

Young said it was the right move.

“I’m disappointed I’m not out there today or when my next start would have been. But I see the big picture,” Young said. “I was getting pushed back a few days anyway. It makes sense to give it a little bit extra rest to make sure it doesn’t linger.

“Given what I went through last summer, I didn’t want to pitch through it,” he said. “I learned the hard way last year when I pushed through it and ended up needing surgery. It’s not worth risking.”

Young won his season debut Tuesday at Arizona, pitching six scoreless, one-hit innings at Arizona.

The Padres recalled right-hander Adam Russell from Triple-A Portland to take Young’s spot on the roster.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.