Right-hander Jason Simontacchi is the latest minor leaguer to get a chance with the St. Louis Cardinals.

        Simontacchi, 28, was recalled from Triple-A Memphis and will start today against the Atlanta Braves. He replaces another minor leaguer, Josh Pearce, who gave up four runs in 4 1/3 innings in a 9-6 loss to the Marlins on Thursday and was sent back to Memphis on Friday after three unsuccessful starts and a 7.62 ERA.

        Simontacchi, who signed a minor league free agent deal with the Cardinals in January, is 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA in five starts at Memphis with 24 strikeouts and only five walks in 36 innings.

        The Cardinals have six pitchers on the disabled list, five of them starters.

        PHILLIES: Starter Robert Person was put on the 15-day disabled list Friday because of a strained right elbow.

        The move was made retroactive to April 30. Lefty reliever Hector Mercado was recalled from Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes-Barre.

        Person, who was Philadelphia's No.1 starter coming out of spring training, struggled to an 0-3 mark in his first six starts with a 5.45 ERA.

        ASTROS; Houston placed right-hander T.J. Mathews on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a strained right arm.

        Mathews left in the ninth inning of Thursday's 8-2 victory over Montreal. Tests on Friday revealed the strain.

        MUD HENS: The Toledo Mud Hens have topped last year's attendance just a month into their first season at Fifth Third Field.

        The new $39 million ballpark is next to the city's convention center and has a view of downtown.

        SHORT HOPS: Toronto claimed right-hander Pete Walker on waivers from the New York Mets on Friday. Walker, 33, appeared in one game for the Mets this season, allowing one run in an inning against Montreal on April 20. He had been designated for assignment on April 29. In parts of five major league seasons, Walker has made 20 relief appearances for the Mets, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies.

        • Colorado set a team pitching record with 24 consecutive scoreless innings before Jason Kendall's RBI single in the seventh Thursday, as the Rockies beat Pittsburgh 7-2. Colorado won its sixth straight, its longest winning streak since May 27-June 2, 2000.

        • Joe Torre became the fifth manager to win 600 games with the Yankees Thursday night, joining Joe McCarthy, Casey Stengel, Miller Huggins and Ralph Houk.

Giants 6, Reds 1 Reds box, runs Reds notes: Pineda was too pumped to pitch Struggling offense doesn't keep Reds from win column Cameron's big night marked by class Under Hurdle, Rockies' road has become suddenly smooth MLB: Cardinals to start another rookie pitcher AL roundup NL Roundup Notes from Friday's games

SULLIVAN: From Buddha to Burner
Surprise expected today
2nd choice is a late scratch
A dream called the Derby
Derby day arrives
Local jockey gets a surprise Oaks gig
Locals saddle up for Derby day fun
McGaughey back to Derby with 'right horse'
More than just a race
Oaks: Farda Amiga full of kick at the finish
Security measures don't bother Derby fans
Kentucky Derby facts and figures
Bogans back to UK, but not Carruth
Boston blows out Philly, will face Detroit
Duncan returns, San Antonio advances
Mavericks, Kings set to light up scoreboard
Canada's McDonald stars at World Championships
Carolina shuts out Montreal
Choi leads by 1 in New Orleans
Flying Pig event schedule
Notre Dame players accused in rape being expelled
Some aim to finish, others aim to finish fast
Tyson admits biting Lewis
Ward Burton wins pole for Pontiac 400
Coming up this week
Rackers faces winds of change
Bengals notes: Annual quarterback battle begins
49ers' Owens scores seven points in USBL debut
NFL notebook
Ohio prep roundup
Kentucky prep roundup
Tristate high school results
Baseball tournament schedule
Softball tournament schedule

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