Tigers fall in 9th to A's

6/3/2008

PHILADELPHIA - Ken Griffey Jr., one shy of 600 homers, wasn't in the starting lineup last night when the Cincinnati Reds opened a four-game series at Philadelphia.

Griffey played in 54 of Cincinnati's first 57 games, so he got the night off because of general soreness. He could be back in the lineup tonight.

The only others to hit 600 homers are Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Sammy Sosa.

RED SOX/ORTIZ: Designated hitter David Ortiz will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a partially torn tendon in his left wrist, manager Terry Francona said.

Ortiz hurt his wrist while swinging at a pitch Saturday night in a game against the Baltimore Orioles. He underwent an MRI yesterday.

YANKEES/POSADA: Catcher Jorge Posada went 1-for-3 with a walk in an extended spring training game and remains on schedule to rejoin the team this week.

Posada has been sidelined since April 27 by a sore right shoulder.

BRAVES/SMOLTZ: John Smoltz returned to the Atlanta Braves as a reliever, hoping the role he had from 2001-04 will help him cope with an aching right shoulder and extend his career.

The 41-year-old Smoltz was activated before the start of a four-game series against the Florida Marlins. He ended up blowing his first save chance in the Braves' win last night.