Padres fire Booker as pitching coach

San Diego — The San Diego Padres fired pitching coach Greg Booker before Saturday night’s game and replaced him with Darren Balsley, the pitching coach of Mobile in the Double-A Southern League.

“We just felt it was time for a change,” general manager Kevin Towers said in a statement.

Towers was not immediately available for comment during the Padres’ game against Atlanta.

Booker, 42, was beginning his second full season as the Padres’ pitching coach. After four-plus seasons as the bullpen coach, Booker became interim pitching coach June 17, 2001, when Dave Smith underwent treatment for alcoholism. When Smith decided not to return, Booker got the job.

In 2002, Booker’s first full season as pitching coach, The Padres set major-league records when they used 37 pitchers, including 23 who got at least one win.

The Padres rank at or near the bottom in the NL in many pitching categories.

Braves activate Holmes

San Diego — Atlanta Braves right-hander Darren Holmes was activated from the 15-day disabled list Saturday. Holmes was put on the disabled list May 7, a move retroactive to May 2, because of an inflamed nerve in his right shoulder. He is 1-0 with a 6.23 ERA in 12 games. Right-handed pitcher Joe Dawley was optioned to Triple-A Richmond to make room for Holmes.

Dodgers activate Shuey

Los Angeles — Center fielder and leadoff hitter Dave Roberts was put on the 15-day disabled list Saturday by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who activated reliever Paul Shuey. Roberts, bothered by a sore right hamstring, was getting his first chance to be everyday player since breaking into the majors with Cleveland in 1999.

Padres demote Gonzalez

San Diego — The San Diego Padres outrighted catcher Wiki Gonzalez to Triple-A Portland Saturday. Catcher Miguel Ojeda was signed from the Mexico City Red Devils, a team San Diego has a working agreement with, to replace Gonzalez.

Piazza has groin strain

San Francisco — New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza has a severe right groin strain and will spend a “significant” amount of time on the disabled list. An MRI performed Saturday revealed the severity of the injury. Piazza hurt himself Friday injury trying to avoid an inside pitch from San Francisco’s Jason Schmidt.