Thursday, August 7, 2008

The Rangers' new closer is old-timer Eddie Guardado, still getting hitters out at the age of 37.

Guardado, who's been most consistent setup man for Texas this season, takes over for C.J. Wilson, who was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with bone spurs in his left elbow.

Wilson had an MRI exam earlier in the day and will fly to Los Angeles today to be examined by Lewis Yocum, who performed Wilson's elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2004.

"It's not new to me," Guardado said. "If it's the ninth inning, so be it. I like being in that situation. You've got a young guy in C.J. who got an opportunity and came down with some problems."

Guardado entered last night's game against the Yankees perfect in three save chances this season and with 186 saves for his career. He hasn't allowed a run in 23 of his previous 25 outings to lower his ERA from 4.03 to 3.02.

· AILING: Yankees RHP Joba Chamberlain was placed on the 15-day disabled list with rotator cuff tendinitis in his pitching shoulder.

The club said Chamberlain will rest for about a week before beginning a throwing program. He was removed from Monday night's start against the Rangers in the fifth inning with stiffness in his shoulder.

· MURCER TRIBUTE: Hundreds filled an Oklahoma City area church for a stirring and often humorous tribute to former Yankee Bobby Murcer, a five-time all-star outfielder who died of brain cancer on July 12.

He was remembered in words by his son, astronaut Doug Wheelock, and a 13-year-old cancer survivor, and in video messages from Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, Rich"Goose" Gossage and comedians Billy Crystal and Ray Romano.

· BENCHED: Rays CF B.J. Upton was benched against the Indians for failing to run out a grounder the previous night.

Manager Joe Maddon took the one-game action, saying the topic of running hard on grounders was discussed at a team meeting in Kansas City two weeks ago.

Asked about the benching, Upton said, "I just work here."

· OBITUARY: Karl Kuehl, a scout, coach, author and player development specialist known for his contributions to the Athletics teams that won three pennants, died yesterday. He was 70.

Kuehl managed the Expos in 1976 before being fired with two months left in the season.

-- From News Services