MLB roundup: Mets appeal to try to get no-hitter for Dickey
Mets' knuckleballer R.A. Dickey's Wednesday pitching line is about as good as it gets -- CG, 0 ER, 12 K, 1 hit.
It's the last item the Mets want reviewed by MLB, filing an official appeal of a first-inning play ruled an infield hit. Third baseman David Wright tried to bare-hand the ball off the bat of B.J. Upton and was unable to field it cleanly.
Joe Torre, the executive vice-president of on-field operations, said during a conference call Thursday that he hopes to have a ruling on the appeal by Friday.
Mets manager Terry Collins doesn't sound overly optimistic the ruling will give Dickey the Mets' second-no hitter this month -- after not having a no-no in franchise history before Johan Santana did it two weeks ago.
"What have we got to lose?" Collins said rhetorically. "Nothing."
Even if the decision doesn't go the Mets' way, Dickey's run of success has been nothing short of remarkable. The knuckleballer added to it Wednesday against the Rays.
As a result, Dickey not only won his league-leading 10th game, he also broke Jerry Koosman's 39-year-old franchise record with 32 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings -- perhaps putting him in position for bigger and better things to come.
--The Cubs placed infielder Ian Stewart on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 13, and designated catcher Koyie Hill for assignment.
To take their spots on the 25-man roster, Wellington Castillo was activated from the disabled list and Triple-A infielder Luis Valbuena was recalled from Iowa. Both players were available for Thursday's series finale against the Detroit Tigers.
--The Orioles placed outfielder Endy Chavez on the disabled list and recalled Steve Tollefson from Triple-A Norfolk.
Chavez left Tuesday's game with a strained right hamstring. Chavez had legged out a bunt single and hobbled to second base after an errant throw to first base on the same play. Chavez was replaced Wednesday by Ryan Flaherty, who started in right field. He's batting .162 in 32 games this season.
Tollefson, 29, hit .265 at Norfolk with three home runs and 10 RBI. He has played 10 games with the Orioles, batting .237 in 38 at-bats.
--Twins right-handed pitcher P.J. Walters was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation Thursday.
To replace Walters on the active roster, the Twins recalled right-handed pitcher Lester Oliveros from Triple-A Rochester.
Walters was removed from his Wednesday night start after 15 pitches -- yielding four straight singles and two runs -- because of pain and stiffness in his right shoulder. Walters was making his seventh start of the season. He was scheduled for an MRI exam Thursday.
--It's an about-face on a technicality, but Joe Torre plans to manage again.
The former Yankees and Dodgers manager, Torre is currently MLB executive vice president for baseball operations, but he's accepted an appointment to manage Team USA in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Torre last managed in 2010 with the Dodgers.
---New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gradner will be sidelined at least another three to four weeks because of his injured right elbow, the team announced Thursday.
Gardner played in only nine games before being placed on the disabled in April. He has twice tried to come back on minor-league rehab assignments only to be shut down both times.
