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DENVER - Expos pitcher Zach Day was ejected in the third inning against the Rockies on Saturday after the umpiring crew determined he had an illegal substance on his fingers.
Day was tossed after the umpires learned he put glue on his right middle finger to cover up a blister.
Under rule 8.02 (b), a pitcher is ejected if he is found with any foreign substance on his fingers.
"We don't really believe the kid thought he was cheating, but that has nothing to do with it," home plate umpire Bill Miller said. "He had a foreign substance on his person, and that means he is in violation of this rule."
Day had trouble with the blister in the first two innings, so he tried to cover it with glue before the third. He walked Ronnie Belliard to open the inning and tried to peel off the glue because it was bothering him.
Trainer Ron McClain came out to help him scrape it off, leading Miller to walk to the mound. Miller and second base umpire Joe West told manager Frank Robinson they would have to report Day to the league and ejected him after meeting with the other two umps.
ASTROS: Right-hander Roy Oswalt was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right groin. The move was made retroactive to Friday. Oswalt was injured running the bases Thursday against Pittsburgh. He left after six innings but got the win and was 3-4 with a 3.68 ERA in nine starts.
BRAVES: Right-hander Darren Holmes was activated from the 15-day disabled list. Holmes was placed on the list May 7 with an inflamed nerve in his right shoulder.
CUBS: Left-hander Mark Guthrie was placed on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his left elbow.
DODGERS: Centerfielder Dave Roberts was put on the 15-day disabled list, and reliever Paul Shuey was activated. Roberts has been bothered by a sore right hamstring, and Shuey had a sprained right knee.
INDIANS: Right-hander Jason Bere struck out 11 in 62/3 innings during his final rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo. Bere, sidelined all season with a strained shoulder, is expected to join the rotation this week.
METS: Catcher Mike Piazza has a severe right groin strain and will spend a "significant" amount of time on the disabled list. An MRI revealed the severity of the injury. Piazza was hurt Friday trying to avoid an inside pitch from San Francisco's Jason Schmidt. "He will miss a significant period of time," assistant general manager Jim Duquette said.
PADRES: Pitching coach Greg Booker was fired before Saturday night's game and replaced with Darren Balsley, the pitching coach of Mobile in the Double-A Southern League. ... Catcher Wiki Gonzalez was outrighted to Triple-A Portland, and catcher Miguel Ojeda was signed from the Mexico City Red Devils.
RANGERS: Former Rays closer Esteban Yan was designated for assignment when the team activated right-hander Ismael Valdes. The Rangers have 10 days to trade Yan, send him outright to the minor leagues or place him on waivers for the purpose of his unconditional release.
ROYALS: Right-hander Kris Wilson was recalled a day after he was sent to the minors. He replaces former Rays right-hander Albie Lopez, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a pulled right groin.
YANKEES: Right-hander Jason Anderson pitched two hitless innings against the Rangers after being called up from Triple-A Columbus when first baseman Nick Johnson was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
UMPIRE DISPUTE: The National Labor Relations Board decided not to file a complaint against owners over their use of a computerized system that evaluates umpires. The decision means the World Umpires Association's fight will shift to a grievance that is to be heard by an arbitrator in July.