NEW YORK — Johan Santana is taking a break, whether he wants to or not.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a sprained right ankle, the latest setback for the fading New York Mets since the All-Star break.
Santana has struggled mightily since Reed Johnson of the Chicago Cubs stepped on his foot July 6 on a play at first base. The left-hander was hit hard for the third straight start Friday night in a 7-6 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and manager Terry Collins said afterward the team was looking for a way to get some “energy” back in his arm.
Santana missed last season following major shoulder surgery. He is 6-7 with a 3.98 ERA in 19 starts covering 110 2⁄3 innings.
“We knew in spring training that there might be a time this summer when he has to get shut down,” Collins said. “Well, now is going to be that time.”
General manager Sandy Alderson said Santana probably won’t pitch again until at least Aug. 7, when the Mets return home from an 11-game road trip out West.
“Definitely, it’s tough. I didn’t want to go on the DL. I want to keep pitching and competing,” Santana said. “They decided it’s better for me to take some time off, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
New York is also missing starter Dillon Gee, who had surgery last week on an artery in his pitching shoulder after a blood clot had formed there. Gee will be sidelined for at least a couple of months, and there’s a good chance he’ll miss the rest of the season.
Miguel Batista (1-3), a 41-year-old journeyman who has pitched mostly in relief this season, started in Gee’s place Saturday.
He lasted only three innings in an 8-5 loss to ex-Met Chris Capuano (10-5) and the Dodgers.
White Sox acquire
Myers from Houston
DETROIT — The Chicago White Sox acquired Houston reliever Brett Myers on Saturday for two minor league pitchers and a player to be named.
Myers had 19 saves and a 3.52 ERA for the Astros this season and will try to bolster an inexperienced Chicago bullpen. Addison Reed, Chicago’s 23-year-old closer, has 15 saves but a 4.24 ERA. Rookie Nate Jones has a 3.57 ERA in 35 appearances.
White Sox general manager Kenny Williams said Myers would not be Chicago’s closer.
The White Sox entered Saturday’s game at Detroit with a half-game lead on the Tigers atop the AL Central.
The Astros are in last place in the NL Central and had little need to keep Myers, a 31-year-old right-hander. Houston receives right-hander Matt Heidenreich and left-hander Blair Walters. Chicago also receives cash considerations from Houston in the deal.
Myers signed with the Astros as a free agent in January 2010 and made 33 starts in each of the last two seasons. He’s been used exclusively in relief this year, and Chicago plans to put him in the bullpen, too.
In Phoenix, Astros manager Brad Mills said right-hander Francisco Cordero would replace Myers as closer. Cordero was acquired Friday in a 10-player trade with Toronto. He was 3-5 with two saves and a 5.77 ERA in 41 relief appearances with the Blue Jays this season.
The Astros assigned Heidenreich to Double-A Corpus Christi and Waltker to Class A Lancaster.
Indians Hernandez gets visa, suspended 3 weeks
CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians pitcher Roberto Hernandez was suspended Saturday for three weeks by Major League Baseball for age and identity fraud.
Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said Hernandez, formerly known as Fausto Carmona, has received a visa to return to the United States and that he would be eligible to rejoin the team Aug. 11.
Hernandez will address the media Sunday at Progressive Field.
MLB said in a release that Hernandez will be allowed to participate in a minor league rehabilitation assignment during his suspension.
His rehab will include three or four starts. The right-hander will throw for manager Manny Acta and the coaching staff Sunday.
“We’re looking forward to having Roberto back in the organization,” Antonetti said. “He has put in a lot of work at our academy in the Dominican. I know he’s eager to get going. He’s very remorseful.”
Antonetti said Hernandez has thrown in the bullpen and simulated games while throwing 70 to 75 pitches in each outing.
Pirates recall 2010
All-Star Evan Meek
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have recalled right-handed reliever Evan Meek from Triple-A, placing reliever Juan Cruz on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.
The 29-year-old Meek went 3-2 with one save, a 2.27 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 27 appearances over two stints with Indianapolis. Meek most recently pitched for Pittsburgh on May 16.
He had a 2.14 ERA for the 105-loss Pirates in 2010 to make the All-Star team but battled injuries much of last season.
Cruz was 1-1 with three saves and a 2.61 ERA in 31 innings over 37 appearances. He began the season as the primary setup man for closer Joel Hanrahan but mostly has been used in a seventh-inning role.
Cruz’s shoulder has bothered him after recent appearances and rest was recommended.
Pittsburgh’s 2.64 bullpen ERA ranks second in the majors.
