News briefs: Braves' McCann ditching contacts for glasses

ATLANTA -- Brian McCann's latest experiment with new contact lenses has ended, and the Atlanta Braves All-Star catcher said Friday he plans to try to resume his season while wearing glasses.

McCann, who said he has never worn glasses while playing, has had difficulty with blurred vision this season. He was placed on the disabled list on April 25, retroactive to April 23, and tried new contact lenses on a minor league rehabilitation assignment with Class A Myrtle Beach.

The new lenses provided only a temporary fix before "it would go right back to being dry again," McCann said while wearing new glasses.

McCann said eye drops didn't help.

"It's just not right on my eye," McCann said of the contacts. "It doesn't feel good."

McCann had laser surgery on his eyes after the 2007 season. He said the procedure changed the shape of his eyes, making contacts more difficult to wear.

He said another surgery is an option he hopes to avoid, at least until after the season.

"I hate being on the DL," McCann said. "I just feel like I'm not here. And I hate that. ... This is probably the toughest thing I've had to go through." Full story

Former player's father kidnapped in Mexico

TIJUANA, Mexico -- Mexican authorities say armed gunmen have kidnapped the father of former major leaguer Oscar Robles.

Robles is an infielder with Mexico City's Red Devils and Mexico's national baseball team. He previously played with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who released him in 2007.

A spokesman for the Baja California Attorney General's office says Robles' father was kidnapped Wednesday in the border city of Tijuana.

Yepiz said Friday that 52-year-old Oscar Manuel Robles Arangure had left a youth baseball practice when he was abducted. Witnesses said six armed and masked men in two SUVs intercepted him.

Tijuana authorities declined to say if there was a ransom demand.

White Sox put Anderson on DL

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Chicago White Sox purchased the contract of center fielder Scott Podsednik from Triple-A Charlotte and placed outfielder Brian Anderson on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained side muscle.

The White Sox also sent outfielder Jerry Owens to Charlotte and activated infielder Jayson Nix from the DL.

Podsednik helped the White Sox win the World Series in 2005, hitting a game-winning homer off Houston closer Brad Lidge in the ninth inning of Game 2.

Podsednik played for Colorado in 2008, then was released by the Rockies on April 1. He signed a minor league deal with the White Sox on April 14.

Anderson, who is batting .288, strained his right oblique on Wednesday against Seattle. The move is retroactive to Thursday.

Jays promote three

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays promoted left-hander Brett Cecil and right-handers Robert Ray and Brian Wolfe from Triple-A Las Vegas.

Left-hander David Purcey and right-handers Brian Burres and Bryan Bullington were optioned to Triple-A.

Ray, who pitched in one game at Class A and one game at Triple-A this season, will make his major league debut Saturday, starting against Baltimore in place of Purcey.

Cecil, 0-3 with an 8.31 ERA in four starts at Triple-A, will also join Toronto's rotation and is scheduled to make his major league debut Tuesday against Cleveland.

Chavez back on DL

SEATTLE -- Oakland Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez is back on the disabled list.

Chavez was placed on the 15-day DL Friday with a strained right forearm. The move was retroactive to April 25. The A's recalled infielder Gregorio Petit from Triple-A Sacramento to take Chavez's roster spot.

Chavez played in just eight games and was hitting only .100 (3-for-30), before landing on the DL for the fourth time in the last three years. Chavez played in just 23 games last year after having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and has appeared in just 121 games in the last three seasons.

Petit was hitting .239 in 19 games at Sacramento. Petit made his major league debut with the A's last season, playing in 14 games during three stints.

Johjima activated from DL

SEATTLE -- Catcher Kenji Johjima was activated from the 15-day disabled list and inserted into the Seattle Mariners lineup.

Johjima rejoined the Mariners before the game against the Oakland Athletics. Johjima was placed on the disabled list April 16 after leaving a game a day earlier with tightness in his right hamstring. Before getting injured, Johjima was hitting .250 with four RBI in seven games.

To make room for Johjima, the Mariners designated catcher Jamie Burke for assignment. Seattle also recalled left-handed pitcher Jason Vargas from Triple-A Tacoma to take the place of reliever Roy Corcoran, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a strained neck.

Minor leaguer suspended 50 games

NEW YORK -- Colorado Rockies minor league outfielder Kevin Clark was suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for an amphetamine.

Clark plays for Class A Modesto of the California League. He is batting .241 with four RBIs in 12 games.