Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios remained in the hospital on Friday because of a serious infection in his lower left leg.
Rios fouled a ball off his leg during Tuesday's 6-0 victory over the Washington Nationals and the area swelled. He sat out Wednesday's game as a precaution but the pain got worse Thursday, causing the team to send him to the hospital.
Rios' leg was drained on Friday, and manager John Gibbons didn't know yet whether the outfielder would be placed on the disabled list.
"It will probably be a few days before he can even get on it," Gibbons said.
TWINS ACTIVATE STEWART: The Minnesota Twins activated outfielder Shannon Stewart from the disabled list on Friday and sent struggling Rondell White to the DL so he can start a minor league rehab assignment. Stewart has missed the past six weeks with a painful plantar fascia problem in his left foot, an injury that can linger for a long time in athletes without proper rest. He played in five games this week for Triple-A Rochester. Rookie Jason Kubel has been playing well as the regular left fielder, so Stewart will likely spend most of his time as the designated hitter.
HAMILTON CLEARED TO PLAY: Troubled Tampa Bay prospect Josh Hamilton, on the restricted list the last two seasons, received permission from Major League Baseball on Friday to play in minor league games the rest of the year. The Devil Rays were expected to announce later in the day where Hamilton will be assigned. The 25-year-old Hamilton, the overall No. 1 pick in the 1999 draft, was suspended in February 2004 for violating baseball's drug policy. The outfielder hasn't played since July 2002 because of injuries and unspecified personal issues.
PEREZ SENT TO MARINERS: The Cleveland Indians traded first baseman Eduardo Perez to the Seattle Mariners on Friday for a minor league infielder. Dealing Perez could be the first of many upcoming moves by the Indians, who coming off a 93-win season were expected to contend in the AL Central. In exchange for Perez, who was platooning at first with Ben Broussard, the Indians got infielder Asdrubal Cabrera. He has been assigned to Triple-A Buffalo.
REDS DUMP HAMMOND: Left-hander Chris Hammond was designated for assignment on Friday, the Cincinnati Reds' latest move to try to fix the National League's worst bullpen.
Former general manager Dan O'Brien signed Hammond in December to an $800,000, one-year deal that included an option for 2007. The left-hander has struggled for most of the season, going 1-1 in 29 appearances with a 6.91 earned run average.
The Reds called up left-hander Brian Shackelford from Triple-A Louisville to fill his spot.
ELLIS, THOMAS ACTIVATED: Designated hitter Frank Thomas and second baseman Mark Ellis were activated from the disabled list by the Oakland Athletics on Friday, and both were in the starting lineup against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The A's made roster room by optioning infielder Mike Rouse and outfielder Doug Clark to Triple-A Sacramento.
PADRES HIRE DePODESTA: The San Diego Padres added another former general manager to their front office on Friday, hiring Paul DePodesta as special assistant for baseball operations. DePodesta was fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Oct. 29, a month after they finished a 91-loss season. He will report to CEO Sandy Alderson and work with all members of the baseball operations department, including general manager Kevin Towers.