Giants activate Martinez, demote Goodwin

San Francisco The San Francisco Giants activated utility infielder Ramon Martinez from the 15-day disabled list Sunday and designated veteran outfielder Tom Goodwin for assignment.

Martinez is batting .301 with two homers and 10 RBIs, but he sustained a concussion this month when he was accidentally hit by a throw from teammate J.T. Snow.

Goodwin, the majors’ leader in stolen bases since 1995, signed a minor league deal with the Giants on April 17 after he was waived by the Dodgers in spring training. He was recalled from Triple-A Fresno on May 7 by the Giants, and hit .242 with five RBIs and five stolen bases in 24 games with the Giants.

Astros activate reliever, purchase utility player

Houston The Houston Astros activated righty reliever Scott Linebrink from the 15-day disabled list and purchased the contract of infielder/catcher Alan Zinter on Sunday.

Linebrink had been out since May 20 with a strained elbow capsule. He had struck out 10 batters in 131/3 innings and had a 6.08 ERA when he was injured.

Zinter started 57 games at first base at Triple-A New Orleans and batted .230. He led the team with 11 home runs and was second with 39 RBI.

Rockies put Ortiz on DL with strained hamstring

Denver The Colorado Rockies placed second basemen Jose Ortiz on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained left hamstring.

Ortiz was injured in the first inning of Colorado’s 7-5 loss to Boston on Wednesday.

The Rockies also recalled infielder Brent Butler, who was 11-for-33 in an earlier stint with the Rockies this year, from Triple-A Colorado Springs, where he hit .333.

Furcal hit in elbow, later leaves game

Atlanta Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal left Sunday’s game against the Boston Red Sox after getting hit in the elbow by a pitch from Derek Lowe in the third inning.

Furcal, who is day-to-day stayed in the game but was replaced by Jesse Garcia after the Braves batted in the fourth. X-rays were negative.