Still searching for a reliable fifth starter, the New York Yankees acquired right-hander Tanyon Sturtze from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday for a player to be named.
Sturtze has pitched for five teams during eight big league seasons, going 29-39 with a 5.20 ERA in 159 games. He was 3-0 with a 2.50 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Las Vegas this year.
With struggling right-hander Jose Contreras in the minors working on his mechanics, the Yankees have turned to Donovan Osborne as their No. 5 starter. But few expected the 34-year-old left-hander to be more than a short-term fill-in.
Osborne lasted just 1 1-3 innings last Sunday in Seattle. He pitched better Saturday against the Mariners, allowing six runs — four earned — and eight hits in five-plus innings, but hasn't won as a starter since May 1, 1999, with St. Louis.
Even before the trade for Sturtze was completed, manager Joe Torre was vague about whether Osborne would get another start. He's 2-0 with a 7.13 ERA in nine appearances this season.
"We would not be afraid to put him out there," Torre said after Saturday's game.
Sturtze's best season came with Tampa Bay in 2001, when he went 11-12 with a 4.42 ERA. The next season he was 4-18 in 33 starts, throwing 224 innings.
The 33-year-old Sturtze has also pitched for Texas, Toronto, the Cubs and White Sox.
The Yankees didn't say whether Sturtze would be added to their major league roster or report to the minors.
LEITER REJOINS METS: Al Leiter rejoined the Mets before Saturday's game against the Houston Astros after undergoing an MRI on his ailing left shoulder the previous day in New York. Doctors confirmed that the left-hander has tendinitis in the shoulder, and he won't pitch his scheduled start today.
ROCKIE SENT DOWN: The Colorado Rockies designated right-hander Scott Elarton for assignment following a 16-5 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. Elarton (0-6) allowed seven runs and nine hits in the loss, his sixth consecutive losing decision to start a season — a franchise record. He had a 9.80 ERA in eight starts.
"It's not from lack of effort, but he hasn't been able to go out and pitch effectively and get anybody out with any consistency," Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said. "It is time for us to change lanes and move on."
The Rockies also placed right-hander Turk Wendell on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with stiffness in his right shoulder.
ORIOLES MOVES: The Baltimore Orioles optioned right-hander Kurt Ainsworth to Triple-A Ottawa on Saturday, a day after he allowed nine runs in 1 1-3 innings.
Ainsworth, acquired from San Francisco in a July 31 trade for Sidney Ponson, was 0-1 with a 9.68 ERA in seven starts.
To replace Ainsworth on the roster, the Orioles purchased the contract of right-hander Darwin Cubillan from Ottawa, where he was 0-1 with a 4.02 ERA and eight saves. In 49 games with Toronto, Texas and Montreal, Cubillan is 1-0 with a 7.09 ERA.