Notes

CARDINALS Lyons promoted

NEW YORK - The St. Louis Cardinals promoted left-hander Tyler Lyons from Class AAA Memphis and started him in Monday’s 2-0 loss against the New York Mets.

Lyons took the loss, allowing two earned runs in six innings.

Right-handed reliever Jorge Rondon was optioned to Class AAA.

Lyons, 26, will take the rotation spot held by Joe Kelly, who was put on the 15-disabled list last week. Kelly strained his left hamstring trying to beat out a bunt.

Lyons went 2-4 with a 4.75 ERA in 12 games for St. Louis last year, including eight starts for the NL champions. He made his major league debut last season and was with the Cardinals during four separate stints.

Lyons was 2-0 with a 3.32 ERA in three starts at Memphis this year. He last pitched on Wednesday.

METS Abreu, 40, called up

NEW YORK - The New York Mets have called up 40-year-old outfielder Bobby Abreu from the minors, hoping he can still provide a few big hits.

The Mets promoted Abreu from Class AAA Las Vegas before Monday night’s game against St. Louis and optioned outfielder Andrew Brown to the same minor league club. Abreu wasn’t in the starting lineup against the Cardinals.

Abreu has not been in the majors since 2012, when he played a combined 100 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels. He began spring training this year with the Philadelphia Phillies, was released in late March and signed a few days later with the Mets.

Abreu hit .395 with 1 home run and 9 RBI in 15 games at Las Vegas. He is a two-time All-Star and a Gold Glove winner.

Mets Manager Terry Collins said Abreu will mostly come off the bench. Abreu will likely get some starts soon in outfield to keep his swing fresh.

With the callup to the majors, Abreu’s salary increases from $108,000 to $800,000.

ROCKIES Cuddyer to DL

DENVER - Colorado Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer will go on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.

The reigning NL batting champ said Monday before a game with San Francisco that the injury is “extremely frustrating” and more “nagging than anything else.” He said he can only run at about 70 percent. The move is retroactive to April 18.

Cuddyer is hitting .317 with 3 home runs and 10 RBI this season. A season ago, Cuddyer led the league with a .331 average.

Colorado recalled infielder Charlie Culberson from Class AAA Colorado Springs to fill Cuddyer’s spot on the roster.

Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was in the lineup a day after leaving the game with pain in his left knee.

PIRATES Rodriguez sidelined

PITTSBURGH - Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Pittsburgh Pirates because of right knee inflammation,

Reliever Jared Hughes was recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis before Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds.

Rodriguez was 0-2 with a 7.65 ERA in four starts. He did not pitch after June 5 last season because of tightness in his forearm but has said since the start of spring training his arm feels fine.

Rodriguez was scheduled to start Thursday against the Reds. The Pirates did not announce a replacement.

Hughes did not allow a run in five appearances and six innings at Indianapolis, going 1-0 with three saves.

WHITE SOX Sale injured

DETROIT - Chicago White Sox left-hander Chris Sale headed to the 15-day disabled list with what the team believes is a strained muscle in his throwing arm.

General Manager Rick Hahn says the White Sox are erring on the side of caution, and that an MRI suggests no ligament damage.

Chicago will be without its ace. Charlie Leesman is expected to start today’s game instead, going against Tigers ace Justin Verlander.

Sale, 25, threw 127 pitches while getting a no-decision to Boston on Thursday. He’s 3-0 with a 2.30 ERA on the season.

Sale went 11-14 with a 3.07 ERA in 30 starts last season, emerging as one of the American League’s top pitchers amid a dismal season for the White Sox.

TIGERS Martinez called up

DETROIT - Outfielder J.D. Martinez has been brought up by the Detroit Tigers after a torrid stretch at Class AAA Toledo.

Detroit selected the contract of the 26-year-old outfielder from Toledo before Monday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox and put right-hander Luke Putkonen on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation, a move retroactive to Saturday.