Briefs: Cardinals' Lohse suspended five games for throwing at Volquez

ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals pitcher Kyle Lohse was suspended five games Wednesday for throwing a fastball past the head of Cincinnati pitcher Edinson Volquez last weekend.

Lohse appealed the penalty, and can continue to play until a hearing is held.

Major League Baseball disciplinarian Bob Watson also fined Lohse an undisclosed amount.

St. Louis is second in the NL wild card race. The Cardinals played Pittsburgh at home on Wednesday night.

Trouble between Lohse and Volquez started in the fifth inning of the Reds' 7-3 win Sunday at Cincinnati.

Lohse batted in the top half with two runners on base, and Volquez threw up-and-in to the Cardinals pitcher. Volquez led the bottom half and Lohse's first pitch was high-and-tight, leading plate umpire Greg Gibson to warn both teams.

"Same spot," Lohse said after the game. "Wasn't trying to hit him, though." Full story

St. Louis will start Wainwright Friday

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals decided to plug Adam Wainwright into their rotation instead of as the fill-in closer, and will give him a start on Friday against the Atlanta Braves.

Wainwright, the opening-day starter, has been on the 15-day disabled list since early June with a ruptured tendon on the middle finger of his right hand. He threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings in his third rehab start last week and on Monday said he was ready to pitch in the majors.

Wainwright bumps Joel Pineiro, who had been on track to make the start on Friday. Manager Tony La Russa said Pineiro, who is 3-0 in August and 6-5 overall with a 4.80 ERA, would be used in long relief if necessary on Friday.

The Cardinals are expected to place Jason Isringhausen, who twice lost the closer job, on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow injury but had not yet done so. Wainwright could take that spot on the roster.

Orioles purchase contract of RHP Mickolio

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles filled out their bullpen, replacing injured closer George Sherrill by purchasing the contract of right-hander Kam Mickolio from Triple-A Norfolk.

The 24-year-old Mickolio was obtained in the February trade that sent pitcher Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners. He had a 1.50 ERA with two saves in 15 games at Norfolk after being promoted from Double-A Bowie on July 7.

Mickolio learned of the promotion Tuesday night and arrived before the Orioles faced the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. He was justifiably excited about his pending major league debut.

"I'm still trying to figure out how to control my emotions right now," he said. "I was fairly surprised when I got the call."

Reds place Hairston Jr. on DL

CINCINNATI -- Infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring, costing the Cincinnati Reds one of their most effective leadoff hitters.

The Reds called up infielder Adam Rosales from Triple-A Louisville to take Hairston's roster spot. They also released catcher David Ross, who cleared waivers. Ross batted .231 in 52 games with three homers and 13 RBI.

Hairston was on the disabled list from July 17 to Aug. 1 with a pulled hamstring. He aggravated it in his first game back, and it has bothered him since. Hairston is batting .338 with two homers, 22 RBI and 15 steals, second on the team.

Morales spent last week with the Reds while first baseman Joey Votto was on the bereavement list following the death of his father. Rosales went 1-for-5 as a pinch hitter.

Mets sign Al Reyes to minor league contract

NEW YORK -- Seeking another option for their suspect bullpen, the New York Mets agreed with right-hander Al Reyes on a minor league contract.

Reyes closed games for Tampa Bay last year, earning a career-high 26 saves in 30 chances. He was 2-4 with a 4.90 ERA in 61 appearances.

This season, the 38-year-old Reyes was on the disabled list twice with shoulder injuries, and Troy Percival served as Tampa Bay's primary closer before getting hurt.

Reyes went 2-2 with a 4.37 ERA in 26 outings before the Rays designated him for assignment Aug. 9. He was released on Monday after rejecting a minor league assignment.

Rockies put Herges on DL

DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies placed reliever Matt Herges on the 15-day disabled list because of lower back stiffness.

The move was retroactive to Aug. 18.

The Rockies recalled Ryan Speier from Triple-A Colorado Springs. The right-hander will be available for the Rockies' game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night.

Herges, also a right-hander, was 3-4 with an ERA of 5.09 this season.

Astros claim Castillo

MILWAUKEE -- The Houston Astros claimed infielder Jose Castillo on outright waivers from the San Francisco Giants.

Castillo, designated for assignment by the Giants last Wednesday, is expected to report Friday when the Astros start a four-game series at the New York Mets. The Astros said they would make a corresponding roster move before he joins the team.

Castillo hit .244 with six home runs, 35 RBI and a career-high 28 doubles for the Giants this season. The 27-year-old has played in 577 career games in five seasons with Pittsburgh (2004-07) and San Francisco.