News briefs: Boston's Buchholz to test ailing back Friday

BALTIMORE -- Boston Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since June 19 with a lower back strain, is scheduled to have his first throwing session off a mound Friday.

Buchholz was 6-3 with a 3.48 ERA before being sidelined. He has been throwing off flat ground and gradually increased his workout totals from 60 to 120 pitches this week.

Manager Terry Francona said the pitcher's most recent stint went well, and the team will use this week's session to determine the next course of action. If the mound work goes well, the Red Sox likely would send Buchholz on a rehab assignment.

Buchholz, who has made 14 starts, said his back feels better. He says arm strength is not an issue, but he needs to regain strength in his lower body. Full Story

Blue Jays to retire Alomar's No. 12

TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays are retiring former second baseman Roberto Alomar's No. 12 before their game against the Texas Rangers on July 31.

It will be the first time the Blue Jays have retired a number worn by one of the team's players in the club's 35-year history. Jackie Robinson's No. 42 was retired by Major League Baseball in 1997.

Team President and CEO Paul Beeston said that Alomar is "arguably the best second baseman of all time."

In five years with the Blue Jays, he helped them win the World Series in 1992 and 1993.

Cards' Theriot suspended for spat with ump

NEW YORK -- St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Ryan Theriot has been suspended two games and fined an undisclosed amount for his actions in Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds.

Joe Garagiola Jr., the senior vice president of standards and on-field operations for Major League Baseball, made the announcement.

During the sixth inning Sunday, Theriot was involved in a play at second base that pulled him off the bag, resulting in a safe call for the runner by umpire Mike Muchlinski. Theriot ran to Muchlinski and pointed in his face while screaming. Theriot made contact with the umpire, who quickly ejected him, and first base umpire Chris Guccione had to step between the two.

Theriot's suspension is scheduled to begin against the New York Mets. It's unknown if Theriot plans to file an appeal.

MRI reveals Sizemore has bruised knee

MINNEAPOLIS -- Cleveland Indians manager Manny Acta says an MRI on Grady Sizemore's injured right knee only revealed the bone bruise that has been there all along.

Acta says there is no timetable for the outfielder's return.

Sizemore was injured while running the bases against Baltimore and was placed on the disabled list on Monday. Acta says "it doesn't appear to be anything as serious as we might fear."

Sizemore is hitting .237 with 10 homers and 29 RBI in 61 games this season. Acta says the injuries to team leaders Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo increase the need for the team to make a trade as it fights to stay in first place in the AL Central.

Marlins reliever upset with McKeon

MIAMI -- Manager Jack McKeon has the Florida Marlins winning with the help of some unorthodox moves, and the latest one left reliever Randy Choate miffed.

McKeon stopped by Choate's locker to discuss the matter, and they agreed to disagree.

"It's disappointing," Choate said. "But it's his prerogative and his call. He's the manager and I'm the player."

Choate was surprised to be lifted in the ninth inning of Monday's game against the New York Mets with a count of 2-0 against Lucas Duda. It's the second time McKeon has yanked Choate in the middle of an at-bat.

Ripken's son follows dad's big footsteps

BALTIMORE -- Cal Ripken Jr. was never pushed to play baseball by his father. The Iron Man adopted that same philosophy when bringing up his own son.

Turns out that Ryan Ripken, like his dad, grew to love baseball. And, just like his father, he's pretty darn good at the game.

Ryan Ripken has been selected to play in the 2011 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game, which will be held next month at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Over the first three years of the game, 88 of the 103 draft-eligible players who competed in the game were selected in the Major League Baseball amateur draft -- including 18 first round picks.

Ryan batted .353 as a junior at Gilman High School and is already fielding scholarship offers from several college baseball coaches.

Astros trade 2B Keppinger to Giants

HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros have traded second baseman Jeff Keppinger to the San Francisco Giants for two Double-A pitchers.

Houston also purchased the contract of infielder Jose Altuve from Double-A Corpus Christi.

Keppinger is batting .307 with four homers and 20 RBI in 43 games this season since his return from foot surgery.

The Giants have had injury problems at second base this season with Freddy Sanchez out since June 10 with a dislocated right shoulder. They signed former Houston second baseman Bill Hall after Sanchez was injured, but he is on the disabled list because of with a leg laceration.

Blue Jays activate P Janssen from DL

TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays have activated reliever Casey Janssen from the 15-day disabled list.

To make room for Janssen, the club optioned left-hander Luis Perez to triple-A Las Vegas.

The 29-year-old Janssen was placed on the 15-day DL on June 17 with a right forearm strain. The right-hander has appeared in 28 games for the Blue Jays this season, going 2-0 with one save and a 2.93 earned-run average.

In five rehab appearances for double-A New Hampshire, Janssen didn't allow a run in five innings of work.

Reds prospect fails drug test, to miss 50 games

NEW YORK -- A minor league pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization has been suspended 50 games after a second violation of baseball's drug policy.

Right-hander Daniel Tuttle's suspension is effective immediately, the office of Commissioner Bud Selig announced. It is unknown what substance caused the violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Tuttle made five appearances, including three starts, for the Reds in the rookie Arizona League, going 3-1 with a 3.91 ERA. He also has started 11 games this season for Dayton in the Class A Midwest League, compiling a 4-3 record with a 4.87 ERA.

Royals recall LHP Duffy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals have recalled left-hander Danny Duffy from Triple-A Omaha to start against the Chicago White Sox.

Duffy (1-4, 4.85 ERA) was sent back to the minor leagues before the All-Star break so he could pitch on regular rest. He allowed four runs in six innings for the Storm Chasers last Thursday.

The 22-year-old rookie, who is winless in his last four starts, has nonetheless established himself as one of the most promising pitchers in the Royals' beleaguered starting rotation. He allowed just two earned runs in four of his last five starts at the major league level.

The Royals sent reliever Everett Teaford back to Triple-A after Monday night's game to clear space for Duffy, who manager Ned Yost has said could stay in the rotation the rest of the season.

A's designate Blevins for assignment

DETROIT -- The Oakland Athletics have designated left-hander Jerry Blevins for assignment and recalled right-hander Guillermo Moscoso from Triple-A Sacramento to start against the Detroit Tigers.

Moscoso makes his ninth start of the season. He's 3-4 with a 2.16 ERA. He was sent to Sacramento on July 7 because the A's didn't need a fifth starter for the time being because of the All-Star break.

Blevins was recalled from Sacramento following the first game of a doubleheader Saturday and pitched Sunday. He is 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA in 16 games with the A's this year.

The A's said Blevins remains on their 40-man roster.