Kansas City Royals left-hander John Bale, already on the disabled list because of a tight shoulder, broke his pitching hand punching a door at the team's hotel in Cleveland.
A club spokesman said Bale, a former Oriole, informed team officials he had pain in his hand after striking the door Friday. X-rays were taken during Saturday night's 4-2 win over the Indians, revealing the fracture on the side of his hand.
Bale returned to Kansas City, Mo., yesterday morning. He will be examined by team doctors, possibly today.
He was making progress with his shoulder problem, and it was hoped he would come off the DL in the next few days. He threw a simulated game Friday and was scheduled to throw live batting practice early in the week. After Friday's throwing session, manager Trey Hillman was optimistic Bale was close to being activated.
Bale, 33, is 0-3 with a 7.63 ERA, allowing 13 earned runs and 25 hits in 15 1/3 innings.
Tigers -- Detroit recalled Dontrelle Willis from his minor league rehabilitation assignment, meaning the injured left-hander - who is recovering from a hyperextended right knee - will stay with the team for now instead of with Triple-A Toledo. In two starts for the Tigers before he got hurt, Willis had a 7.20 ERA in just five innings without receiving a decision.
Angels -- Los Angeles placed pitcher Dustin Moseley on the 15-day DL because of stiffness in his forearm and recalled Sean Rodriguez from Triple-A Salt Lake to start at second base for the injured Chone Figgins. Figgins injured his right hamstring sliding to score the Angels' third run during the eighth inning of a 3-1 victory over the Orioles on Saturday. He will be checked out after resting for a few days. Moseley is 1-3 with a 7.85 ERA.
Yankees -- Struggling pitcher Ian Kennedy was sent to the minor leagues by New York, which purchased pitcher Darrell Rasner's contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Kennedy was optioned after going 0-2 with an 8.37 ERA in six games, including five starts.
Cubs -- The team has settled a dispute with the owner of a trio of nearby rooftop clubs who refused to share profits with the club. Friday's truce between the team and club owner Tom Gramatis ends a legal battle, which included threats from Wrigley officials to erect windscreens that would have blocked views from the rooftop seats. The team is owned by Tribune Co., which also owns The Sun.
Cardinals -- St. Louis optioned reliever Anthony Reyes, who has a 5.27 ERA in nine appearances, to Triple-A Memphis. Right-hander Mike Parisi was recalled from Memphis.
Pirates -- Pittsburgh purchased the contract of left-hander Sean Burnett from Triple-A Indianapolis. The Pirates also designated right-handed reliever Evan Meek for assignment. Meek was 0-1 with a 6.92 ERA in nine relief outings, allowing 11 hits and walking 12 in 13 innings.