News briefs: Beckett likely headed to DL with back injury - MLB

MIAMI -- Florida Marlins ace Josh Beckett is probably headed back to the disabled list.

Beckett, trying to recover from a strained back muscle, felt pain while throwing for a second consecutive day Wednesday.

He was hoping to start Saturday at Tampa Bay, but a team spokesman said Beckett's latest setback likely will land the World Series MVP on the 15-day DL for the second time in less than a month.

The Marlins were not sure who would replace Beckett in the rotation, but left-hander Darren Oliver is an obvious choice. He started eight games this season before moving to the bullpen.

Beckett (4-4, 3.86 ERA) threw about five minutes Tuesday before feeling some pain and stopping. He felt more discomfort Wednesday while throwing from about 90 feet.

Beckett left last Thursday's game against the Chicago White Sox in the fourth inning after feeling a "pop" in his back. It was his first start since returning from the 15-day disabled list because of a blister on his right middle finger.

Beckett said he's never had any back problems, calling the injury "a freak deal."

All-Star managers name coaching staffs

NEW YORK -- Yankees manager Joe Torre and Marlins manager Jack McKeon filled out their coaching staffs for next month's All-Star Game in Houston.

Torre selected Royals manager Tony Pena and Blue Jays manager Carlos Tosca as the two AL coaches. McKeon picked Astros manager Jimy Williams and Rockies manager Clint Hurdle for the NL team.

McKeon said he chose Williams because his team is hosting the event and picked Hurdle because he hasn't coached in an All-Star game.

"I wanted to give somebody a chance who hadn't been there," McKeon said. "He was very excited. He couldn't thank me enough for the opportunity."

The All-Star Game is July 13.

Contreras family nearly set to go north

MIAMI -- The family of New York Yankees pitcher Jose Contreras resolved a paperwork issue Wednesday and was preparing to leave South Florida.

Contreras' wife, Miriam Murillo, and the couple's two daughters, Naylan, 11, and Naylenis, 3, defected to the United States from Cuba on Monday. The group was given immigration forms that should expire June 22, 2005, but a clerical error listed the expiration date as June 22, 2004, said the family's lawyer, Jaime Torres.

The matter was cleared up and new documents were issued late Wednesday afternoon, Torres said.

"All the paperwork is done," said Torres, also Contreras' agent. "They're OK, they're excited and they're trying to get to New York as soon as possible."

Boston 2B Reese injures thumb, day to day

BOSTON -- Boston Red Sox second baseman Pokey Reese left Wednesday night's game after he partially tore a ligament in his left thumb diving for a grounder in the second inning.

But Red Sox team doctor Dr. Bill Morgan said Reese won't need surgery and could play again by the weekend.

Phillies OF Ledee faces hemorrhoid surgery

MONTREAL -- Phillies center fielder Ricky Ledee returned to Philadelphia on Wednesday to have hemorrhoid surgery.

Ledee had been scheduled to make his second straight start in center after Marlon Byrd was sent to the minors Sunday. Ledee aggravated his condition in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to Montreal.

Philadelphia manager Larry Bowa, who put Jason Michaels in the lineup to replace Ledee, was left with a 23-man roster. Right-hander Elizardo Ramirez was not able to fly to Montreal with the team Monday because of visa problems.

Dodgers OF Bradley sits with stiff shoulder

SAN FRANCISCO -- Center fielder Milton Bradley was scratched from the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup Wednesday night with stiffness in his right shoulder.

Bradley, hitting .281 with seven homers and 31 RBIs, was dropped 20 minutes before the first pitch in the third game of the Dodgers' four-game series with the San Francisco Giants. He is hitting .387 (12-of-31) in his last 10 games.

The Dodgers shuffled their lineup in Bradley's absence, moving catcher Paul Lo Duca into the No. 3 spot. Dave Roberts moved from left field to center, and Jason Grabowski started in left.

Padres top pick Bush escapes felony rap

PHOENIX -- Maricopa County prosecutors will not pursue a felony charge against San Diego Padres prospect Matt Bush, who was arrested for allegedly biting a bouncer escorting him out of a bar.

Bill FitzGerald, a spokesman for the County Attorney's Office, said Wednesday that the case was sent back to the city of Peoria, meaning no felony charges would be filed. The shortstop, the No. 1 pick in this month's amateur draft, could face misdemeanor counts.

Bush, 18, was suspended by the Padres after the arrest became public. Bush, who received a $3.15 million signing bonus, was arrested Sunday at a bar across the street from the Peoria Sports Complex, where the Padres train and sponsor a rookie-level team, on suspicion of aggravated assault, trespass, disorderly conduct and underage drinking.

Cardinals recall OF Taguchi, farm out C McKay

ST. LOUIS -- A minor groin injury to outfielder Jim Edmonds prompted the St. Louis Cardinals to recall outfielder So Taguchi from Triple-A Memphis.

Taguchi was in the starting lineup, playing center field and batting eighth against the Chicago Cubs.

To make room for Taguchi on the roster, the Cardinals optioned catcher Cody McKay to Memphis. McKay became the third catcher when Mike Matheny returned from a ribcage injury last week.

Braves lose another to DL, outfielder Wise

MIAMI -- The Atlanta Braves placed outfielder Dewayne Wise on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left elbow and recalled Charles Thomas from Triple-A Richmond.

Wise's elbow started bothering him Saturday and became progressively worse Tuesday night. He left the game against the Florida Marlins in the seventh inning.

Thomas was scheduled to make his major league debut Wednesday night in left field. But his flight landed about an hour before the game and he couldn't get to the ballpark in time. Eli Marrero started.

Thomas, a 19th-round draft pick in 2000, was batting .358 with four homers and 32 RBI in 61 games with Richmond.

Padres activate OF Buchanan from DL

SAN DIEGO -- Padres outfielder Brian Buchanan was activated from the 15-day disabled list Wednesday in time to face Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

To make room on the 25-man roster, right-hander Ricky Stone was optioned to Triple-A Portland. Stone was claimed off waivers from the Houston Astros on June 18. He didn't make any appearances with the Padres.