NEW YORK - Still searching for a reliable fifth starter, the Yankees acquired former Devil Rays pitcher Tanyon Sturtze from the Dodgers on Saturday for a player to be named.
Sturtze, a right-hander, has pitched for five teams during eight big-league seasons, going 29-39 with a 5.20 earned-run average in 159 games.
He was 3-0 with a 2.50 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Las Vegas this year. The 33-year-old Sturtze also has pitched for Texas, Toronto, the Cubs and the White Sox.
With right-hander Jose Contreras in the minors working on his mechanics, the Yankees have turned to Donovan Osborne as their No. 5 starter, but he hasn't won as a starter since May 1, 1999, with St. Louis.
ASTROS: Right-hander Wade Miller (stiff neck) threw a bullpen and said he expects to throw his regular turn Tuesday.
BRAVES: Second baseman Marcus Giles will be out six to eight weeks after breaking his collarbone in a collision with teammate Andruw Jones. They were chasing a popup in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers. Giles was racing back and Jones running in for Wes Helms ' short fly. When they collided, the ball bounced away. Helms was credited with a double and two runs scored. Giles also suffered a mild concussion and a bruised right hand. An All-Star last season, Giles was batting .339.
Nick Green , making his major-league debut, replaced Giles. Green was called up Thursday from Triple-A Richmond.
CUBS: Sammy Sosa hit his 549th career home run, moving out of a tie with Mike Schmidt and taking sole possession of ninth on the all-time list.
EXPOS: Second baseman Jose Vidro signed his four-year contract extension. Vidro, a three-time All-Star, is hitting .262 with four homers.
GIANTS: Closer Robb Nen is trying something new in an effort to solve his troublesome right shoulder: extended rest. Nen is headed home for a month off from throwing and rehabilitation.
INDIANS: Shortstop Omar Vizquel (flulike symptoms) was scratched from the lineup.
MARINERS: Ichiro Suzuki had three hits, extending his hitting streak to 14 games.
METS: Al Leiter rejoined the club after an MRI on his ailing left shoulder. Doctors confirmed he has tendinitis and won't pitch his scheduled start today.
ORIOLES: Pitcher Kurt Ainsworth was optioned to Triple A a day after he allowed nine runs in 11/3 innings. Ainsworth, acquired from San Francisco in a July 31 trade for Sidney Ponson , was 0-1 with a 9.68 ERA. Baltimore purchased the contract of right-hander Darwin Cubillan. Right-hander Rodrigo Lopez, 3-1 with a 0.33 ERA in 12 appearances, will move into the rotation, manager Lee Mazzilli said.
PHILLIES: Injured second baseman Placido Polanco took batting practice and ran in the outfield. Polanco (strained left quad muscle) is due off the disabled list May 23.
RED SOX: Third baseman Bill Mueller (sore right knee) missed his third game. Minor-league outfielder Henri Stanley was acquired in a trade from the Padres for a player to be named and cash.
ROCKIES: Scott Elarton was designated for assignment after his 0-6 start. Right-hander Jason Young will be called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs to start today. Reliever Turk Wendell (right shoulder stiffness) was placed on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Thursday. RHP Scott Dohmann was recalled from Triple A.
TIGERS: Outfielder Alex Sanchez (groin) missed his second straight game.
TWINS: Leftfielder Shannon Stewart (bruised heel) didn't start.
MINOR MARK: Brad Thompson, a pitcher in the Cardinals organization, tied a Southern League record Friday for consecutive scoreless innings pitched and kept alive his pursuit of the minor-league mark. His 431/3 scoreless innings this season tied the Double-A Southern League mark set by Carolina's Bobby Hunter in 1993. Dating to last season in Class A, Thompson has pitched 52 consecutive scoreless innings. The record is 56 by Birmingham's Irvin Wilhelm in 1907.
NEGRO LEAGUES: More than two dozen players will receive pensions from a charitable fund. The 27 players played part of at least four seasons after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947. Under the agreement, first reported by the Washington Post, players have the option of getting $833.33 per month for four years or $375 a month for life.
