EDS: UPDATES with Johnson placed on disabled list.
By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
BALTIMORE (AP) -Randy Johnson was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night with muscle tightness.
It is the second time this season the 43-year-old Johnson has been on the disabled list. He started the year on the DL while recovering from offseason back surgery.
He will be replaced on the roster by right-hander Enrique Gonzalez.
Johnson felt tightness in his buttocks muscle while playing catch, Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. He was scheduled to pitch against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, but was scratched before the game Friday night.
The left-hander was acquired with cash consderations from the New York Yankees in January for pitchers Luis Vizcaino, Steven Jackson and Ross Ohlendorf, and infielder Alberto Gonzalez.
Johnson is 4-2 with a 3.52 ERA and 70 strikeouts in nine starts this season. In his last outing, he allowed one run and four hits in six innings in a win over Boston.
Edgar Gonzalez will start for Arizona on Saturday. He pitched three innings of relief on Wednesday against the Yankees.
“We’ll run a 65-, 70-, 75-pitch count for him depending on how he feels when he goes out there tomorrow,” Melvin said.
Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks optioned outfielder Alberto Callaspo to Triple-A Tucson and purchased the contract of infielder Augie Ojeda from Tucson. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club designated pitcher Mike Schultz for assignment.
Ojeda was batting .323 in 32 games with Tucson.
“He had a great spring for us. He’ll play any position; he’s always prepared to play,” Melvin said. “He’s one of those guys on the bench, especially on a National League team, that’s invaluable.
“It’s nice to have a guy like Augie here. You reward a guy for not only playing well, but for preparing and working hard.”
Ojeda homered and made two fine plays at second base in Arizona’s 7-3 win over Baltimore on Friday night.
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