Sunday, April 27, 2008

Ump with broken jaw released from hospital

LOS ANGELES (AP) An umpire who took a 96 mph fastball to the right side of his jaw was released from a hospital, hours after briefly losing consciousness when the pitch slammed into his face mask. Plate umpire Kerwin Danley was carried off the field in the fourth inning after a pitch from Dodgers right-hander Brad Penny knocked the crew chief to the ground. The game was stopped for 18 minutes while Danley was put into an ambulance and driven out through the center-field gate. The crowd of 50,469 applauded as Danley was placed into the ambulance. With Colorado's Garrett Atkins at bat, catcher Russell Martin said he missed the pitch because of a miscommunication with Penny. Martin said he apologized to Danley a couple of times, But I don't know if he heard me. Dodgers spokesman Josh Rawitch said Danley lost consciousness briefly, but was conscious, coherent and breathing when he was placed into the ambulance. Dodgers medical personnel accompanied him to Good Samaritan Hospital, where officials said Sunday that Danley was treated in the emergency room and released.

Giants could be without starting pitcher

The San Francisco Giants could be without starting pitcher Kevin Correia for a month after the right-hander was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a left oblique strain.

Correia was injured while making his fifth start of the season against Cincinnati on Saturday. He faced only three batters and threw nine pitches before feeling pain in his left side. Trainer Dave Groeschner, pitching coach Dave Righetti and manager Bruce Bochy rushed to the mound and checked on the pitcher, who was removed from the game.

An MRI exam later revealed Correia (1-3, 4.50 ERA) suffered an oblique strain that could keep him sidelined up to a month.

"He's got a pretty good strain in there so it's going to be awhile,'' Bochy said. "They just seem like they take forever to get rid of. You have to get rid of it completely before you can resume playing. That's a blow because our starters have been doing so well and Kevin's been throwing the ball well.''

Left-hander Pat Misch was recalled from Triple-A Fresno to take Correia's roster spot. Misch, who was scheduled to start for Fresno on Sunday, will initially work out of the Giants bullpen and could also be used as the team's fifth starter.

White Sox recall RHP Wassermann

The Chicago White Sox recalled right-handed reliever Ehren Wassermann from Triple-A on Sunday to replace reliever Mike McDougal.

McDougal was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday. The right-hander gave up a hit and a walk in 1-3 inning in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, a 5-1 loss to Baltimore.

McDougal has a 2.08 ERA this season, with seven walks and seven strikeouts in 8 2-3 innings. He had a 6.80 ERA in 54 appearances with Chicago last season.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he wants the erratic McDougal to work on his fastball in the minors.

Wassermann hadn't allowed a run in eight appearances at Charlotte, picking up six saves and 10 strikeouts.

Baseball Calendar

May 14-15 - Owners' meeting, Milwaukee.

June 5-6 - Amateur draft, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

July 15 - All-Star game, New York.

July 27 - Hall of Fame inductions, Cooperstown, N.Y.

July 31 - Last day to trade a player without securing waivers.

Sept. 1 - Active rosters expand to 40 players.

October/November - Free agent filing period, first 15 days after World Series ends.

Nov. 3-6 - General managers' meetings, Dana Point, Calif.

Dec. 1 - Last day for teams to offer salary arbitration to their former players who became free agents.

Dec. 7 - Last day for free agents offered salary arbitration to accept the offers.

Dec. 8-11 - Winter meetings, Las Vegas.

Dec. 12 - Last day for teams to offer 2009 contracts to unsigned players.