Arizona ace Randy Johnson threw a bullpen session Friday and appears ready to start against last-place San Diego on Sunday, his first action since having knee surgery 2 1/2 months ago.
The five-time Cy Young winner made three rehab starts in the minor leagues.
“Since his last rehab outing he’s been really encouraged,” manager Bob Brenly said.
“His knee has responded very well; the swelling is not really a factor anymore. Mechanically, he felt like he threw the ball well in his last start. Barring some kind of a relapse, he should be good to go Sunday.”
Rockies acquire Womack
The Colorado Rockies acquired infielder Tony Womack from the Arizona Diamondbacks for a minor-league pitcher.
Womack hit .237 with two homers, 15 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 61 games for the Diamondbacks this season. He has been on the 15-day disabled list since spraining his right knee on June 28.
The Diamondbacks acquired right-hander Mike Watson, who was 1-3 with a 5.02 ERA for Class-A Asheville.
Reds promote two
The Cincinnati Reds purchased outfielder Ruben Mateo’s contact from Triple-A Louisville to replace injured star Ken Griffey Jr. Griffey had surgery Friday to repair a ruptured tendon in his right ankle and will be out for the season.
The Reds also recalled right-hander Jose Acevedo from Louisville. Acevedo was 6-2 with a 3.43 ERA in 29 games at Louisville.
Marlins sign top pick
Right-hander Jeff Allison agreed to contract terms with the Florida Marlins and will turn pro rather than attend the University of Arizona. Allison went 8-0 and didn’t allow an earned run in 63 1/3 innings this season as a high school senior in Peabody, Mass.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
Milwaukee 2 at Pittsburgh 7
W: Suppan (9-7)
L: Rusch (1-12)
Aramis Ramirez went 4-for-4 and drove in three runs to support Jeff Suppan’s fourth straight victory. Reggie Sanders had a two-run triple with two outs in the fifth inning.
Montreal 3 at Philadelphia 1
W: Vazquez (7-6)
L: Wolf (10-5)
Javier Vazquez scattered nine hits for his 13th career complete game. Michael Barrett hit a go-ahead RBI double in the sixth and Jose Vidro had three hits for the Expos.
Houston 5 at Cincinnati 3
W: Oswalt (6-5)
L: Dempster (3-7)
S: Wagner (27)
The Astros are 8-1 against the Reds this season. Since June 23, 2001, the Astros have gone 26-8 against the Reds. Craig Biggio singled in the third for his 2,399th career hit.
N.Y. Mets 4 at Atlanta 11
W: Hampton (6-5)
L: Seo (5-6)
Gary Sheffield went 5-for-5 with 2 homers and Mike Hampton won his 3rd straight start. Sheffield broke a 1-for-14 slump by tying a career high for hits. The homer was his 1st since June 27.
Arizona at San Diego, late
Starters
Batista (6-4) vs. Lawrence (5-10)
D’backs Mgr. Bob Brenly was suspended for 2 games and fined for throwing a ball into the stands after being ejected last week for arguing balls and strikes. The suspension began Friday.
St. Louis at Los Angeles, late
Starters
Tomko (5-6) vs. Ishii (8-3)
St. Louis’ Matt Morris is scheduled to make his next start Monday–exactly two weeks after his last start. Pitching coach Dave Duncan said, “Physically, he’s fine, he’s just fatigued.”
Colorado at San Francisco, late
Starters
Oliver (7-5) vs. Brower (5-2)
Rockies Shawn Chacon comes off DL from elbow injury to start Saturday. Mgr. Clint Hurdle said it would be much like a normal start, but once he gets to 75 pitches they’ll see how he’s feeling.
