Rays/MLB

Wells traded back to hometown Padres

By TIMES WIRES
Published September 1, 2006

SAN DIEGO - Left-hander David Wells was traded Thursday from the Boston Red Sox to his hometown Padres, seeking pitching as they contend for a playoff spot. The Red Sox are to receive a player to be announced or cash. Wells, who battled knee problems most of the season, is 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA. He was expected to be in uniform tonight when the Padres open a home series against Cincinnati.

PAUSING FOR PATRIOTISM: Jim Leyland put his argument with umpires on pause for a moment of patriotism. The Tigers manager was ejected in the seventh inning of a 6-4 loss to the Yankees and came on the field to argue with plate umpire James Hoye. Leyland got to the plate and started jawing with Hoye when Yankee Stadium public address announcer Bob Sheppard called for a moment of silence followed by the playing of Kate Smith's rendition of God Bless America. Leyland backed off, stood at attention and respected the moment before resuming the argument.

OBITUARY: Charlie Wagner, who pitched for the Red Sox during the 1930s and '40s and worked for the organization for 70 years, died early Thursday of an apparent heart attack. He was 93.

ASTROS: Right-hander Brandon Backe will have a ligament in his right elbow replaced, an operation that could sideline him until 2008. Backe has been on the disabled list since Aug. 18 with a sprained elbow.

CARDINALS: Left-hander Mark Mulder was put back on the 15-day disabled list. He allowed five runs in 1²/₃ innings Tuesday against Florida, his second start since coming off the DL from a shoulder injury.

METS: Left-hander Tom Glavine returns tonight in Houston for the first time in 16 days after being sidelined by a blood clot in his left shoulder.

RED SOX: Left-hander Jon Lester, placed on the disabled list with a strained back Monday, has enlarged lymph nodes.

MORE RED SOX: Boston obtained right-hander Kevin Jarvis from Arizona for a player to be named or cash.

TWINS: First baseman Phil Nevin was acquired along with cash from the Cubs for a player to be named.

YANKEES: Results of an MRI exam on reliever Mariano Rivera's right arm showed only a mild muscle strain at the elbow.

[Last modified September 1, 2006, 02:09:00]