Reds shelve Acevedo, activate Sullivan

Los Angeles — Cincinnati pitcher Jose Acevedo was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday after spraining his left ankle the previous night on a slip down the dugout steps at Dodger Stadium.

“That’s a first for me,” Reds trainer Mark Mann said.

Acevedo started Wednesday night’s 2-1 loss to Los Angeles. He finished the third inning and returned to the dugout, where his spike got caught in the rubberized padding.

Acevedo missed the bottom step and landed awkwardly.

X-rays taken at the stadium were inconclusive and the team sent him back to Cincinnati to get an MRI exam — the results of which showed no fracture.

No timetable has been set for Acevedo’s return. He is to wear a walking boot for a week and use crutches, then begin strength and flexibility exercises.

Reliever Scott Sullivan was activated from the disabled list. He’d been out since July 18 because of tendinitis in his right shoulder.

Mets activate Roberts

Houston — The New York Mets activated right-hander Grant Roberts prior to Thursday night’s game against the Houston Astros and returned catcher Joe DePastino to Triple-A Norfolk. Roberts was 3-1 with a 2.20 ERA with the Mets last season in 34 appearances. He has not pitched for the Mets this season while recovering from tendinitis in his right shoulder. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list March 28.

Brewers’ Helms on DL

Milwaukee — The Milwaukee Brewers placed third baseman Wes Helms on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of a strained right hamstring, retroactive to Aug. 6. The Brewers purchased the contract of outfielder Mark Smith from Triple-A Indianapolis, where he was hitting .298 with 15 home runs and 62 RBIs.

Contreras sharp

Tampa, Fla. — New York Yankees pitcher Jose Contreras threw three scoreless innings in a simulated game Thursday, his first game-type outing in two months. The former standout on the Cuban national team has been on the 15-day disabled list because of a right shoulder strain since June 7. Contreras was scheduled to pitch against the Phillies in a Gulf Coast League game, but the contest was rained out. Between two thunderstorms, Contreras struck out five and allowed two hits against players from the Yankees’ GCL club. The right-hander is scheduled to throw five innings in a Gulf Coast League game against the Tigers Monday. He should rejoin the Yankees later this month.

Mariners recall Putz

Cleveland — The Seattle Mariners recalled right-hander J.J. Putz from Triple-A Tacoma Thursday to ensure they’d have a full bullpen until Armando Benitez joins the team. Benitez, acquired Wednesday from the Yankees for Jeff Nelson in an exchange of right-handed relievers, remained in New York. Benitez will meet his new team today when the Mariners open a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. The Mariners also remained without closer Kazuhiro Sasaki, who threw a bullpen session in Cleveland and then said he would go to Tacoma for another rehab assignment this weekend.