MLB | Hip, back injuries put Oswalt on DL

HOUSTON — Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a strained hip and a herniated disk in his back.

Oswalt (7-8, 4.56 earned-run average) underwent an MRI exam that confirmed a strained left hip abductor and also revealed the disk problem.

Manager Cecil Cooper said Oswalt, who was put on the DL retroactive to last weekend, should be ready to start again on July 28, the first day he is eligible to return.

"It just got to the point where he couldn't really throw off a mound," Cooper said.

The Astros will recall Runelvys Hernandez from AAA Round Rock to fill Oswalt's roster spot.

Injured pitcher to try

comeback as outfielder

BALTIMORE — Orioles left-hander Adam Loewen has abandoned his career as a pitcher because of a stress fracture in his left elbow.

Loewen, 24, a native of Surrey, B.C., intends to return as an outfielder.

The fourth overall pick in the 2002 amateur draft, the 6-foot-6 Loewen played first base for Chipola Junior College in Florida, where he batted .353.

Loewen hopes to duplicate the success of Rick Ankiel of the St. Louis Cardinals, who revived his career in the field after struggling with his control as a pitcher.

"It's going to take time and it's going to be a real challenge. But Rick Ankiel did it, so I have someone before me that I can relate to," Loewen said.

Notes

• Angels outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. has a slight tear in his left knee, but there are no plans to perform surgery or place him on the DL.

• Baltimore addressed its shaky shortstop situation by acquiring Juan Castro from Colorado in a trade of minor-league infielders. Castro was batting .300 for AAA Colorado Springs. The Orioles sent Mike McCoy to the Rockies.

• Daric Barton smacked his head on the bottom of a pool during the All-Star break, requiring six staples to close the gash and leaving the Oakland first baseman with a neck strain that put him on the DL.

• Right-hander Brett Myers rejoined Philadelphia after starting four games in the minor leagues trying to shake a seasonlong slump.

• Jared Burton, who developed into one of Cincinnati's most dependable setup relievers, went on the 15-day DL with a strained muscle in his right side.

• St. Louis right-hander Chris Carpenter, sidelined since opening day in 2007 because of an elbow injury, will begin a minor-league rehab assignment today with hopes of joining the rotation in August.

• Mets right-hander Pedro Martinez, who has a strained groin, might miss his scheduled Tuesday start, manager Jerry Manuel said.