Baseball notes: Cubs’ Contreras could be headed to DL – STLtoday.com

The reigning World Series champion Chicago Cubs have meandered this season, and though they lead the weak National League Central Division they lost Wednesday for the sixth time in their last eight games. And now they might be without one of their key young players for a considerable period.

Catcher Willson Contreras left in the eighth inning of the team’s 3-1 loss to San Francisco after suffering a right hamstring injury while running out a ground ball. He couldn’t put much pressure on that leg and walked slowly off the field, with help from others. He is to have an MRI on Thursday.

“He’s a DL candidate,” manager Joe Maddon said.

Contreras, 25, is having an outstanding season. From behind the plate he has gunned down 17 would-be base stealers, in 66 attempts. And he has picked five men off base. At the plate, he is hitting .270 with 21 home runs and 70 RBIs.

Recently-acquired veteran Alex Avila is expected to take over the majority of the catching duties, with rookie Victor Caratini likely to be called up from Triple-A Iowa.

Also, the Cubs put pitcher Koji Uehara on the 10-day disabled list because of a strained neck and promoted fellow reliever Justin Grimm from Triple-A Iowa.

Indians obtain Bruce • The New York Mets traded outfielder Jay Bruce to the Cleveland Indians for minor-league pitcher Ryder Ryan. Bruce, who cleared revocable waivers last week, is hitting .258 with 29 homers and 75 RBIs. Cleveland will pay the $3,765,027 remaining of Bruce’s salary.

The Indians are thin in outfield depth. Michael Brantley was placed on the disabled Wednesday because of a sprained ankle. He is hitting .299 with nine home runs, 20 doubles, 52 RBIs and 11 steals. And Lonnie Chisenhall has a calf injury that has had him the DL since last month. He was leading the team in RBIs (51) before that.

While Major League Baseball’s trade deadline was July 31, a player can be dealt if he goes through waivers unclaimed.

Sabathia’s status unknown • A scan showed no new damage to CC Sabathia’s arthritic right knee, but the status of the Yankees pitcher for Sunday night’s start against Boston remains unclear. Manager Joe Girardi said rookie Jordan Montgomery is “probably the leading choice” to return from Triple-A if Sabathia is unavailable to face the Red Sox.

Meanwhile, Girardi said outfielder Aaron Hicks (strained abdomen) is expected to come off the disabled list Friday. Hicks, who is batting .290 with 10 homers and 29 RBIs, has been out since June 25.

Girardi also confirmed that first baseman Greg Bird (bruised right ankle) and second baseman Starlin Castro (strained right hamstring) should be ready to begin rehab assignments next week, with Bird’s schedule slightly ahead of Castro’s.

Bid for Marlins reportedly is off • A person familiar with the negotiations said a group led by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Quogue Capital investment fund founder Wayne Rothbaum has halted its efforts to buy the Miami Marlins. The source told The Associated Press that Massachusetts businessman Tagg Romney was part of the Bush-Rothbaum group before pulling out more than a month ago. The latest twists in the Marlins sale saga leave groups led by former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and by South Florida businessman Jorge Mas still in contention to buy the franchise. Jeter’s group bid about $1.3 billion to buy the team from Jeffrey Loria but has not yet raised the money needed. Loria bought the Marlins for $158.5 million in 2002 from John Henry.

Odorizzi injured • Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi (Highland High) left in the fifth inning after being struck squarely on his right foot by a line drive hit by the Red Sox’s Eduardo Nunez. Odorizzi, pitching for the first time since July 23 after missing two starts because of a sore back, remained face down on the mound for several seconds before being helped to his feet. X-rays were negative and the Rays called the injury a bruise.

“I was kind of expecting the worst, but we got the best news,” Odorizzi said. “I should be good to go for my next start. … It will be nice to avoid some baseballs moving forward. It’s been a tough year for getting them hit back at me.”

Elsewhere • The Rangers’ Arian Beltre had two hits, raising his total to 3,008 and passing Al Kaline for sole possession of 29th place on the career hits list. Also, Texas second baseman Rougned Odor did not start, a day after being hit on the left foot by a pitch. But he came in as a pinch-hitter and then played at second base.

• The Orioles activated DH Mark Trumbo (strained right rib cage) from the DL and he went 0 for three, with two strikeouts, against the Angels. Also, Baltimore outfielder Joey Rickard left after being hit in the helmet by a pitch in the sixth inning.

• Giants closer Mark Melancon, on the DL with right forearm strain, is expected to either be activated or go to Double-A Richmond on a rehab assignment later this week, according to manager Bruce Bochy.

• Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (hip) did not start for a second consecutive game but might play Thursday.

• The Braves put Johan Camargo (knee) on the DL and promoted fellow shortstop Dansby Swanson from Triple-A Gwinnett.