Baseball Briefs

Gonzalez won’t return for at least 7-10 days

Arlington, Texas Texas slugger Juan Gonzalez is still more than a week away from being able to swing a bat. Rangers manager Jerry Narron said Friday that it would be another 7-to-10 days before Gonzalez, who has torn muscle fiber between the thumb and index finger on his right hand, would be able to resume batting practice.

Gonzalez has been on the disabled list since April 10. After another examination Thursday night by Dr. Bobby Roten, the hand specialist recommended at least another week of rest. Gonzalez is limited to running, conditioning and one-handed drills.

The two-time AL MVP while in Texas from 1989-99, Gonzalez returned to the Rangers as a free agent during the offseason. In seven games before going on the DL, he hit .250 (6-for-24), with one double and no RBIs.

Gonzalez was hurt when he got jammed while swinging at a pitch at Oakland in the opening series of the season.

Padres’ Gant, Jarvis placed on disabled list

San Diego The San Diego Padres placed right-hander Kevin Jarvis and pinch-hitter Ron Gant on the 15-day disabled list Friday. Jarvis, placed on the disabled list retroactive to April 18, has a strain in his right elbow. Gant, placed on the list retroactive to April 24, has a fractured right pinky finger.

The Padres recalled right-hander Ben Howard from Double-A Mobile and infielder/outfieler Cesar Crespo from Triple-A Portland.

Oakland activates Dye, sends Ellis to minors

Oakland, Calif. The Oakland Athletics activated outfielder Jermaine Dye from the 15-day disabled list Friday and optioned infielder Mark Ellis to Triple-A Sacramento. Dye opened the season on the disabled list after breaking his left leg with a foul ball in Game 4 of last season’s AL division series against the New York Yankees.

Dye hit .292 with three RBIs in six rehab games at Sacramento and Class-A Modesto. Dye, acquired from Kansas City last, hit .297 with 13 homers and 59 RBIs in 61 games with the A’s last season. In January, he signed a $32 million, three-year contract.

Mets’ Piazza sidelined for third straight game

New York Mike Piazza, out of the New York Mets’ starting lineup for a third straight game Friday, has seen enough cold wraps on his strained left hamstring.

“I kind of feel like a shrimp cocktail I’ve been under ice so much,” the All-Star catcher said before Friday’s series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Canseco delivers in Knights’ victory

Fort Mill, S.C. Jose Canseco gave the fans what they came for Friday night. Canseco, owner of 462 major-league home runs, hit his first as a Knight in Charlotte’s 3-1 International League victory over Columbus at Knights Stadium. Fittingly, Canseco’s first hit with the Knights was that homer.