Originally Published: July 2, 2004

Beckett's back after second DL tour

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Associated Press

Florida Marlins: Josh Beckett will return from the disabled list and start Monday against the Pirates.

Beckett, the World Series MVP, has made just one start since May 30. He went on the DL the following day because of a blister on his right middle finger. He returned from the DL on June 17, but went back on it after straining a back muscle against the White Sox.

Beckett's back has felt much better in recent days, allowing him to throw consecutive pain-free bullpen sessions.

"I'm jacked up," said Beckett, who is 4-4 with a 3.86 ERA.

The Marlins also made other moves to their rotation Friday.

Right-hander A.J. Burnett will start Sunday against Tampa Bay on three days' rest. Burnett threw just 30 pitches Wednesday in Atlanta because of a 75-minute rain delay.

With Burnett's start moved up and Beckett back, left-hander Dontrelle Willis' next start will be pushed back to Tuesday in hopes that the extra rest will help him regain his early season form.

Toronto Blue Jays: First baseman Carlos Delgado will probably miss his homecoming with the Blue Jays because of a rib injury that has kept him out of the lineup since May 29.

Delgado, a native of Aguadilla, traveled with the team to Puerto Rico and took batting practice Friday.

But manager Carlos Tosca said Delgado probably miss will miss all three games against the Expos and report Sunday to Toronto's Triple-A team in Syracuse.

"He doesn't want to come back and have a setback," Tosca said.

Delgado said it will be hard to watch the game from the dugout, but he will not risk aggravating the injury after five weeks of rehabilitation.

Delgado played Thursday in his second game with Class-A Dunedin, going 2-for-3 with a home run.

Houston Astros: Pitcher Wade Miller has a frayed right rotator cuff and expects to return after resting it for two weeks.

Miller, placed on the 15-day DL on Wednesday, had an MRI Thursday that confirmed the diagnosis. He was placed on the disabled list after feeling soreness in his shoulder while playing catch before Tuesday's loss to the Cubs.

"I got some pain in there,'' Miller (7-7, 3.35 ERA in 15 starts) said Friday. "I'm going to take a few weeks off, get some rest and hopefully come back better."

San Diego Padres: Right-hander Jake Peavy was recalled from his rehabilitation assignment and activated from the 15-day DL in time to start against the Royals.

To make room on the roster, the Padres traded right-hander Brandon Puffer to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later or cash.

Peavy made one start with Double-A Mobile, throwing 4 2/3 innings and allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits while striking out four.

The 22-year-old was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 27, retroactive to May 20, with a strained tendon in his right forearm.

Peavy was 4-2 and leading the NL with a 2.01 ERA when he was put on the DL.

Seattle Mariners: The club signed top draft pick Matt Tuiasosopo, who was selected in the third round of last month's draft, the 93rd overall pick. Seattle was without a selection in first or second round.

Bob Fontaine, Mariners vice president of scouting, said Tuiasosopo will be assigned to the Peoria Mariners of the Arizona League.

The signing is a blow to the University of Washington football program. Tuiasosopo, a quarterback at Woodinville High, had signed a letter-of-intent to play for the Huskies and was considered one of the top players in its recruiting class.

Tuiasosopo's older brother, Marques, was a Rose Bowl-winning quarterback for Washington and plays for the Raiders.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Outfielder Ruben Mateo was traded to the Royals for cash.

Mateo, a one-time top prospect with the Rangers and Reds, hit .242 with three homers and seven RBI in 19 games from May 19 to June 25, when he was designated for assignment. Mateo is a .257 career hitter in six seasons.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Utilityman Damian Rolls was activated from the 15-day DL and outfielder Joey Gathright was optioned to Triple-A Durham.

Rolls was placed on the DL May 24, a day after he bruised his chest when he collided with outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. while chasing a fly ball. Rolls was playing second base.

Gathright hit .273, stole three bases and scored six times in seven games.


Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press