MLB roundup: Nationals designate Lidge for assignment
The Washington Nationals have designated right-handed relief pitcher Brad Lidge for assignment, the team announced Sunday.
Lidge, who started the season as the team's closer, has struggled this season. He left Saturday's game with a 9.64 ERA in 11 games this season. Since coming off the disabled list last month, he has allowed six earned runs in 2 1/3 innings pitched.
"Brad wasn't performing very well." Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. "(Lidge took the news) like the professional that he is"
The move gives the Nationals 10 days to place Lidge on waivers, trade him or release him.
Lidge has a career ERA of 3.54 in 11 major-league seasons. He has 225 career saves with his best seasons in 2005 with as the Houston closer (42 saves) and 2008 with the Philadelphia (41 saves)
Right-handed reliever Ryan Mattheus took Lidge's roster spot after being activated from the disabled list. He has a 2.25 ERA in 20 innings pitched this season.
--- The Atlanta Braves have placed Brandon Beachy on the 15-day disabled list with elbow soreness, the team announced Sunday.
The team is expected to call up Jair Jurrjens this week to take Beachy's spot in the starting rotation Friday.
Beachy, who left after 3 2/3 innings Saturday during his start against the Baltimore Orioles, suffered the same elbow problems that he has pitched through this season. He is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday.
---- The Houston Astros have activated first baseman Carlos Lee from the 15-day disabled list, the team announced Sunday.
To make room on the 25-man roster, the Astros have optioned first baseman Brett Wallace to Class AAA Oklahoma City.
Lee, who has struggled to produce with power this season, was placed on DL with a strained hamstring two weeks ago. He was hitting .297 with four home runs and 23 RBIs. He went 5 for 10 in a three-game rehab assignment with Class AA Corpus Christi last week.
--- The Houston Astros placed right-handed pitcher Bud Norris on the 15-day disabled list Sunday because of a sprained left knee. The move is retroactive to June 12.
Norris sprained his knee pitching against the Giants on Tuesday in San Francisco.
Norris, who is 5-4 with a 4.31 earned-run average in 13 starts, has not been the same since he injured his hip flexor May 31 against the Rockies. He was 5-1 with a 3.34 ERA in his first 10 starts, but was 0-3 with a 13.09 ERA in his next three starts.
