Baseball Atlanta Braves -- Placed P Kent Mercker (4-3, 6...

Baseball Atlanta Braves -- Placed P Kent Mercker (4-3, 6 saves, 2.77 ERA) on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right side muscle. Recalled P Tony Castillo (5-6, 2.90 ERA) from Class AAA Richmond. Placed 1B Sid Bream (.285, 9 HR, 34 RBI in 61 games) on the 15-day disabled list and replaced him on the roster with C Jerry Willard (.306, 6 HR, 30 HR), who was called up from Richmond.

Chicago White Sox -- Optioned P Ramon Garcia (4-3, 5.07) to Class AAA Vancouver to make room for P Wilson Alvarez on the roster.

Pittsburgh Pirates -- Designated OF Jose Gonzalez for assignment.

San Diego Padres -- Assigned P Pat Clements to Class AAA Las Vegas on a rehabilitation assignment.

Colleges

Southern Cal -- Signed football coach Larry Smith to a multiyear contract extension.

Football

Dallas Cowboys -- Waived WR John Javis, WR Ricky Martin, OT Duane Miller, OG Lance Zeno and OG Sean Love.

Kansas City Chiefs -- Announced that LT John Alt has ended his holdout and agreed to a 3-year contract.