Reese Returns to Second for Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates activated second baseman Pokey Reese from the 15-day disabled list Sunday and scratched left-hander Dave Williams from his scheduled start against the San Diego Padres.

Reese, who went 0 for 3, had been sidelined since April 20 because of a strained right hamstring. To make room on the roster, the Pirates put right-hander Josias Manzanillo, who has a bone chip in his right elbow, on the 15-day disabled list. Manzanillo had made one appearance.

Reliever Sean Lowe made the start--his first this season--in place of Williams, who was hit on the right shin by a batted ball in his last start, a 10-0 loss at Colorado on Tuesday.

Williams, who gave up seven hits and eight runs in 31/3 innings at Colorado, is expected to be sidelined for only one start.

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Outfielder Juan Gonzalez of the Texas Rangers, sidelined since April 11 because of torn muscle fibers between the thumb and index finger of his right hand, will see hand specialist Dr. Bobby Wroten today at Fort Worth.

Gonzalez, who has played in only seven games, still can’t swing a bat.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks purchased the contract of right-hander Erik Sabel from Tucson, their triple-A affilliate in the Pacific Coast League, and assigned infielder Danny Klassen to Tucson.

The move was made to bolster a bullpen depleted by extensive use in recent games. The Diamondbacks used all six relievers in a 6-5, 11-inning victory over Montreal on Saturday night.

“This gives us another serviceable arm,” Manager Bob Brenly said.

Right-hander Jose Parra, recalled from Tucson early last week, pitched in his fifth consecutive game without giving up a run Saturday.

Closer Byung-Hyun has pitched in five consecutive games, the first time he has done it in his major league career.

Klassen was activated from the 15-day disabled list Friday and cleared waivers that day. He had a pinch-hit single Saturday night in the only at-bat of his brief stint.

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Milwaukee starter Jamey Wright, who has been on the disabled list since April 11 because of tendinitis in his right shoulder, will go to triple-A Indianapolis of the International League for a rehabilitation assignment.

Wright’s first outing will be Thursday against Pawtucket.

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Cleveland outfielder Brady Anderson was scratched from the starting lineup for Sunday’s game against Texas because of lower-back spasms.

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Right-hander Jason Marquis of the Atlanta Braves gave up two runs in five innings in a rehabilitation start Saturday night for triple-A Richmond of the International League, with six strikeouts and one walk.

Marquis is expected to rejoin the rotation Saturday at Atlanta.