CINCINNATI - Reds third baseman Brandon Larson went back on the disabled list Sunday with a strained thigh, the latest in a series of setbacks for Cincinnati's former No. 1 draft pick.
Larson aggravated his left thigh while sliding hard into home plate on Friday night in a 6-1 loss to San Francisco. He sat out the next game.
Doctors decided it could develop into a season-long problem if it's not allowed to heal now, general manager Dan O'Brien said.
Larson said the thigh has been sore for some time. A medical test found a small tear in the muscle, and the team decided to be cautious.
The Reds called up infielder Tim Hummel to take his spot.
Juan Castro filled in for Larson and had two errors.
ASTROS: Centerfielder Craig Biggio didn't play, following his normal routine of taking off when a day game follows a night game.
ATHLETICS: Left-handed closer Arthur Rhodes tweaked his non-throwing shoulder while playing catch and didn't expect to pitch again until midweek. ... Second baseman Mark Ellis (shoulder) will not have surgery, but he still is not expected to return in 2004. ... Shortstop Bobby Crosby (left knee) was a late scratch. Centerfielder Mark Kotsay (right knee tendinitis) was held out.
BLUE JAYS: Shortstop Chris Woodward missed his seventh straight game with a strained right hamstring but said he would be ready to play today.
BRAVES: Leftfielder Chipper Jones is 0-for-6 with four strikeouts since coming off the DL.
BREWERS: Outfielder Scott Podsednik's stolen base made him 18-for-18 this season, extending his club record.
CUBS: Damian Jackson matched his homer total of each of the past two seasons. He hit one in 109 games (161 at-bats) with the Red Sox last year and one in 81 games (245 at-bats) with the Tigers in 2002.
DODGERS: Third baseman Adrian Beltre extended his hitting streak to 13 games. He is 24-for-57 (.421) during the streak. ... Reliever Brian Falkenborg pitched two scoreless innings for his first career win.
GIANTS: Catcher A.J. Pierzynski (sore left ankle) was a late scratch.
INDIANS: Lou Merloni hit his first homer since July 20, 1993.
MARINERS: Starting pitcher Jamie Moyer surrendered his eighth and ninth homers of the season, the most in the AL.
MARLINS: Third baseman Mike Lowell was out of the lineup a day after fouling a ball off the inside of his left shin.
METS: Right-hander James Baldwin was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and Tyler Yates optioned. Right-hander Scott Erickson was moved from the 15- to the 60-day disabled list.
... John Franco's relief appearance gave him l,050, tying him with Kent Tekulve for fifth place on the career list.
ORIOLES: Outfielder Darnell McDonald was optioned to Triple-A Ottawa, and second baseman Jerry Hairston will be activated from the DL Tuesday.
PIRATES: Manager Lloyd McClendon was ejected in the 10th for arguing balls and strikes.
RED SOX: Outfielder Manny Ramirez has 119 career homers for the team, tying him with Joe Cronin for 20th.
ROCKIES: Reliever Tim Harikkala pitched two hitless innings and has not allowed a hit or a run in 10 innings.
ROYALS: First baseman Mike Sweeney's three intentional walks tied an AL record for a nine-inning game. He's the first Royal to do so since George Brett on July 27, 1985. ... Catcher Kelly Stinnett came in to replace Benito Santiago, who was thrown out for arguing a called third strike.
TWINS: Catcher Rob Bowen was optioned to Double-A New Britain, and the team plans to activate injured catcher Matthew LeCroy today. ... Infielder Nick Punto (ribs) might have to go on the DL.
YANKEES: Outfielder Bernie Williams tied Frank Crosetti (1932-1948) for 10th place in games played at 1,683 with the team - 11 behind bench coach Willie Randolph. Mickey Mantle is first with 2,401.
