Hamstring Strain

The Orioles will start the second half of the season Friday without one of their prized young players. Switch-hitting catcher Matt Wieters was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, a move that will keep him out of the lineup until July 25 at the earliest. Wieters suffered a strained right hamstring running the bases last Friday in the Orioles' 7-6 victory over the Texas Rangers. He had missed the previous night's game with tightness in his hamstring, but he aggravated the injury when he rounded second base in the fifth inning and fell awkwardly.

The Orioles have been pretty pleased with Larry Bigbie's development this season. The key now is keeping him healthy. Bigbie, who has been on the disabled list since May 23 with a strained right shoulder, suffered another setback Sunday when he strained his right hamstring. The Orioles recalled Bigbie from his rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Ottawa. He tested the hamstring with some running exercises Monday. "He was doing pretty good," Orioles manager Mike Hargrove sad. "But [the strained hamstring]

Concerned that a mild injury could linger and leave them without an extra reliever, the Orioles placed right-hander Alfredo Simon on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday afternoon and recalled Jason Berken . Simon said he strained his right hamstring while running before Tuesday's game. He had a similar situation last season when he injured his left hamstring and ended up on the DL. "I was doing my work, working out and doing my sprints, and I felt a little pop in there," said Simon, who is 1-1 with a 3.14 ERA in five relief appearances this season.

Baseball Angels: Moved former Orioles minor-league OF Kimera Bartee from 15-day to 60-day DL; he has bulging disc in back. Marlins: Optioned P Jason Grilli to Triple-A Calgary. Activated P Chuck Smith. Pirates: Optioned SS Jack Wilson to Triple-A Nashville. Placed C Keith Osik on 15-day disabled list with left hamstring strain. Purchased contract of P Don Wengert from Triple-A Nashville. Recalled OF Tike Redman from Nashville. Reds: Recalled P Rob Bell from Triple-A Louisville. Twins: Recalled P Jack Cressend.

Athletics: After trailing the majors in attendance last year, Oakland drew 36,915 to Wednesday night's season opener, the smallest opening day crowd in the majors so far this season. The crowd dipped to 7,313 for yesterday's game. The A's began the season 0-2 in four of the last five years.Blue Jays: The heart of Toronto's order -- Jose Canseco, Mike Stanley and Darrin Fletcher -- is 2-for-21. Outfielder Shannon Stewart, who suffered a minor left hamstring strain Wednesday, did not play and is listed as day-to-day.

Thumbs up: To all the receivers, especially Travis Taylor, who continues to shine in practice. Taylor ran a perfect post-corner route during the Ravens' two-minute offense for a 20-yard completion. Thumbs down: Chris Barnes may be losing ground to Jason Brookins for the backup running back spot to Jamal Lewis. Brian Billick gave Barnes an earful after the player misread an assignment during team drills. Trainer's room: Defensive back James Trapp is out two to three weeks with a dislocated shoulder.

Moves Baseball CARDINALS -- Placed OF Preston Wilson on 15-day DL with inflammation in right knee. Purchased contract of OF Ryan Ludwick and P Brian Falkenborg from Triple-A Memphis. Optioned P Dennis Dove to Memphis. CUBS -- Recalled P Angel Guzman from Triple-A Iowa. Optioned IF Ronny Cedeno to Iowa. DODGERS -- Placed IF-OF Marlon Anderson on 15-day DL, retroactive to Saturday, with sore right elbow. Recalled IF Andy LaRoche for Triple-A Las Vegas. MARINERS -- Suspended P Julio Mateo for 10 games without pay for missing Saturday's game without permission.

JONES LAUNCHES ONE Center fielder Adam Jones hit a tremendous two-run home run off Cardinals pitcher Todd Wellemeyer. The ball landed on the second-story roof of the Florida Marlins' clubhouse behind left field and bounced over the building. There was a breeze blowing in that direction, but it was a legitimate moon shot - the kind Mark McGwire used to hit here during batting practice. ZAUN SCRATCHED Catcher Gregg Zaun was scratched from the starting lineup with tightness in his elbow.

Caught after catch Rays first baseman Carlos Pena doubled twice to start rallies and scored each time to help pace Tampa Bay. But his most impressive play happened in the Orioles' dugout. Melvin Mora hit a pop-up in the first inning, and Pena and Rays catcher Dioner Navarro gave chase. Navarro stopped at the rail of the home dugout, but Pena continued, making a lunging catch and then flipping over the rail. He was head over heels when he was caught by several Orioles, including starter Brad Bergesen.