Mendoza set to rejoin Yankees bullpen

Tampa, Fla. Â Ramiro Mendoza is ready to rejoin the Yankees’ bullpen.

Mendoza threw a scoreless inning in an extended spring training game Saturday, and was to travel to New York later in the day. Yankees manager Joe Torre said the reliever probably would be activated Monday at Toronto.

Mendoza, bothered by a stiff neck, appeared in just one major league spring training game and remained in Florida when the Yankees broke camp.

“Everything feels good,” said Mendoza, who threw seven of nine pitches for strikes against the Phillies.

Mendoza worked three innings in an extended spring game last Thursday. He went 8-4 with a 3.75 ERA in 56 games last season and allowed one run over 121¼3 innings during the postseason.

Jays purchase contract of right-handed pitcher

Toronto  Toronto purchased the contract of right-hander Brian Cooper from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday. Cooper will start today’s game against Minnesota.

The move came a day after the Blue Jays put opening day starter Chris Carpenter on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his pitching shoulder.

Scott Eyre, originally scheduled to start today, was moved up in the rotation to fill in for Carpenter on Saturday.

Cooper went 12-8 with a 4.63 ERA in 28 starts for Triple-A Salt Lake last season. He was acquired from Anaheim for Brad Fullmer in the offseason.

Lefty placed on DL; Rangers recall rookie

Arlington, Texas  The Texas Rangers placed left-hander Rich Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list Saturday and recalled outfielder Kevin Mench from Triple-A Oklahoma to replace him. Rodriguez (0-1) was put on the DL retroactive April 4 after tests performed Friday found a circulation problem in his left index finger.

Mench hit .321 with six homers and 16 RBIs in 27 games this spring.

Twins place Rivas, Buchanan on DL

Toronto  The Minnesota Twins placed second baseman Luis Rivas and outfielder Brian Buchanan on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday.

Rivas hasn’t played since leaving Wednesday’s game with a left forearm contusion after being hit by a pitch.

Buchanan has missed three games with a bruised lower back.

The Twins recalled catcher Matthew LeCroy and outfielder Bobby Kielty from Triple-A Edmonton to take their place.