The Bum's Sports Page For Monday July 20th Best Bets-Trends-News !

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Pirates SS Jordy Mercer out 6 weeks

July 20, 2015

PITTSBURGH (AP) Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer is expected to miss six weeks because of a knee injury.

The Pirates put Mercer on the 15-day disabled list Monday, a day after he was hurt in a collision with Carlos Gomez in Milwaukee.

Jung Ho Kang replaced Mercer on Sunday and will likely take over in the interim. Pittsburgh also is missing third baseman Josh Harrison, out until the end of August with a thumb injury.

The Pirates began the day 4 1/2 games behind St. Louis in the NL Central.

Mercer was taken back to Pittsburgh on Sunday night and evaluated by team doctors on Monday. They recommended rest and rehabilitation, but no surgery.

The Pirates promoted infielder Brent Morel from Triple-A Indianapolis and transferred first baseman Corey Hart to the 60-day DL.

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Giants place Susac on DL, call up Sanchez

July 19, 2015

PHOENIX (AP) The San Francisco Giants put catcher Andrew Susac on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right thumb before Sunday's game against Arizona.

Susac left Saturday's game before the bottom of the fourth inning. The Giants called up catcher Hector Sanchez from Triple-A Sacramento, and he was expected to arrive in time for Sunday's game.

Susac had been All-Star Buster Posey's backup and had allowed the Giants to use Posey at first base to give him a periodic break from catching. Susac was batting .241 in 41 games this season.

''It looks like it's going to be 10 days to two weeks on Andrew,'' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.

Sanchez spent the past three seasons in the majors with the Giants as Posey's main backup, but was optioned to Sacramento in May after hitting .194 in 31 at-bats this season. Bochy hopes to continue to use the backup catcher to spell Posey while Susac is out.

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Yankees activate Beltran from DL

July 19, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) The New York Yankees have activated Carlos Beltran from the 15-day disabled list and inserted him into the starting lineup Sunday against Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners.

In somewhat of a surprise move, the Yankees optioned second baseman Rob Refsnyder to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre a day after manager Joe Girardi said the touted prospect would get more playing time.

Beltran last played June 30 because of an oblique strain. He set to play right field and bat seventh Sunday.

''I did everything they asked me to,'' Beltran said. ''Everything went well.''

Refsnyder was 2 for 12 with a homer in four games with the Yankees, who also have veterans Brendan Ryan and Stephen Drew to play the infield.

''I wasn't expecting this,'' the Korean-born 24-year-old said. ''I'm the low man on the totem pole.''

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Cashman says Yanks may not make deadline deal

Jul 20, 2015

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman likes the makeup of the team and isn't looking to make any specific deals as the July 31 trade deadline nears.

"There is a strong possibility that there might not be anything that makes sense for us," Cashman told ESPNNewYork.com on Monday.

The Yankees own a four-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East with a 50-41 record.

Cashman said he is hesitant to trade his top prospects, especially Triple-A outfielder Aaron Judge or starter Luis Severino.

Cashman admits he is concerned that second baseman Stephen Drew is hitting only .181 in 80 games.

"On the position player side, people would want to point to second base, and understandably so," Cashman told ESPN. "But then if you look at the marketplace of available players, it is not a great market.

"We do have an internal candidate (Rob Refsnyder) who is trying to push his way into the mix. So I don't know what is going to happen. There is a strong chance that we won't do anything because of what is coming in the near term and the far term. At the same time, I am engaging all clubs to see what is available."

The Yankees sent down Refsnyder on Sunday after he started four games in a row, wanting him to continue to develop at Triple-A. The Yankees kept reserve infielder Brendan Ryan, whom they would have had to designate for assignment.

"We were faced with the decision of having to vote someone officially off the island and chose to keep all assets in place for us until we get to the deadline," Cashman said. "I can get Refsnyder back. I can't get somebody back if I have to designate them for assignment.

"There is a strong possibility that there might not be anything that makes sense for us. I do like the chemistry in this clubhouse. I do like the personnel that we have. I recognized that we all have our flaws and defects and areas that could be better, but in some cases, you might not be able to address them because of availability just doesn't exist."

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MONDAY, JULY 20

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Pittsburgh - 8:10 PM ET Kansas City -133 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Kansas City - Under 7 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Texas - 8:40 PM ET Texas +132 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Colorado - Over 10.5 500

Miami - 9:40 PM ET Arizona -160 500 *****
Arizona - Over 8 500 *****

Boston - 10:05 PM ET LA Angels -170 500 GRAND SLAM
LA Angels - Under 7.5 500

San Francisco - 10:10 PM ET San Diego +109 500 GRAND SLAM
San Diego - Under 7 500 DOUBLE PLAY