GIANTS
Pence activated
SAN FRANCISCO -- Right fielder Hunter Pence was activated Saturday and in the starting lineup for the Giants in their 5-3 victory over the Nationals. Pence had missed 48 games with a strained right hamstring that required surgery.
San Francisco hopes Pence will bring some much-needed life to a club that has lost 11 of 14 since the All-Star break.
Newly acquired infielder Eduardo Nunez made his first start since joining the team in a trade from Minnesota on Thursday and having his first at-bat Friday. Nunez played shortstop Saturday because Brandon Crawford, who lined into a bases-loaded triple play during Friday's 4-1 loss, had a sore left hand from a swing early in the game.
Center fielder Denard Span also was out of the lineup because of a tender quadriceps from a collision at home plate Friday.
The Giants designated for assignment infielder Ramiro Pena to clear roster room for Pence's return.
METS
Reyes on 15-day DL
NEW YORK -- The New York Mets have put infielder Jose Reyes on the 15-day disabled list because of a strain in his left ribcage and signed free agent Justin Ruggiano.
Ruggiano was in the starting lineup in center field Saturday night against Colorado. He was released by Texas earlier this week.
Reyes hurt himself taking a swing during the first game of a doubleheader Tuesday against St. Louis. The third baseman has missed four consecutive games since the injury.
Reyes, 33, was hitting .239 with 3 home runs, 8 RBI and 3 stolen bases in 16 games for the Mets. He signed a minor league contract last month after being cut by Colorado.
Ruggiano, 34, started the season with Texas and was sent to Class AAA after one game. He was told Tuesday that he'd been released.
Ruggiano has hit .256 with 49 home runs and 153 RBI in parts of eight seasons with Texas, the Chicago Cubs, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami, Seattle and Tampa Bay.
The Mets transferred pitcher Matt Harvey to the 60-day DL.
MARINERS
Karns has back strain
CHICAGO -- The Seattle Mariners have placed right-hander Nathan Karns on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain a day after he was roughed up in a relief appearance.
Right-hander Cody Martin was recalled from Class AAA Tacoma before Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs.
Chicago scored five runs in two innings off Karns in Friday's 12-1 romp. He gave up three hits, walked three and allowed a home run to David Ross.
Karns began the season as a starter, but was moved to the bullpen in June. He has a 5.15 ERA.
Martin has appeared in two games and thrown four innings for Seattle this season, allowing one run and five hits.
BREWERS
Lucroy trade considered
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee catcher Jonathan Lucroy was not in the starting lineup for Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates as the Brewers considered trade possibilities.
General Manager David Stearns and Manager Craig Counsell met before the game and decided not to start Lucroy.
"He's progressing on something," Counsell said of Stearns. "We thought it best that he not be in the lineup today.
A two-time All-Star, Lucroy, 30, is batting .300 with 13 home runs and 50 RBI. He has a $4 million salary this year as part of a contract that includes a $5.25 million team option for 2017.
"He has not been traded," Counsell said. "He's available to us today. I'll use him if something comes up and I have to use him. But, he's making progress, so we thought it best to not play him."
Lucroy was in the clubhouse and dressed for batting practice.
"I'm not playing today," he said. "I'm sure it has something to do with things that are going on."
Sports on 07/31/2016