The Arizona Diamondbacks plan to recall reliever Byung-Hyun Kim and first baseman Erubiel Durazo from Class AAA Tucson on Thursday in hopes of bolstering their bullpen and offense.
The Diamondbacks also hope for a healthier Steve Finley. The Gold Glove center-fielder received an epidural injection Wednesday to relieve chronic pain in his lower back.
He was out of the lineup for Wednesday’s series finale against Montreal but could be back Friday when Arizona begins a six-game trip at Pittsburgh. Finley had two such injections last season.
Arizona also will be without catcher Damian Miller until Friday. Miller was scratched from Tuesday’s starting lineup against Montreal at the last minute after he rolled an ankle while playing table tennis in the clubhouse.
The best news for the Diamondbacks on Wednesday was that right-hander Todd Stottlemyre threw off the mound for the first time since he went on the disabled list June 26 with tendinitis in his right elbow. Stottlemyre threw 40-45 pitches without pain and pronounced himself on target for a return to the rotation Sept. 3.
Banged-up Braves: A biopsy on a cyst in Andres Galarraga’s broken thumb found no trace of cancer, leaving the Atlanta Braves’ first baseman relieved.
Atlanta also welcomed back pitching coach Leo Mazzone, who fainted in the dugout during Tuesday night’s game. Mazzone, 51, was released from a hospital Wednesday morning after test results came back normal.
“I’m all right, just a little tired,” said Mazzone, who had scrapes on his forehead, nose and the left side of his face. “They did everything from A to Z and couldn’t find anything.”
Galarraga, 39, cracked the bone at the tip of his left thumb on July 22 and X-rays found a cyst by the hairline fracture. He flew to Chicago for body scans on Monday that came back normal.
Canseco OK, by George: George Steinbrenner said he fully supports the New York Yankees’ acquisition of slugger Jose Canseco, despite the uncertainty of manager Joe Torre.
“I want to make it clear that I support the decision of [General Manager] Brian Cashman 100 percent and I am surprised that anyone would be surprised by his aggressiveness,” Steinbrenner said.
Rueter’s new deal: The San Francisco Giants signed left-hander Kirk Rueter to a three-year contract extension for a reported $15.6 million.
“I love it here,” he said. “My family is comfortable here.”
