Baseball notes: Blue Jays release closer Ryan

Blue Jays release Ryan

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Toronto Blue Jays have released one-time closer B.J. Ryan and activated current closer Scott Downs from the 15-day disabled list.

Ryan has struggled this season, going 1-1 with a 6.53 ERA in 25 relief appearances. The left-hander allowed 22 hits, including five homers, and 17 walks in 202/3 innings.

Ryan had mainly been used recently in blowout games. The 33-year old is in the fourth year of a $47 million, five-year contract.

Ryan wasn't the same after undergoing left elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2007. He did have 32 saves last year with a 2.95 ERA.

NATIONALS: Left-hander Matt Chico, in the midst of a comeback from Tommy John surgery, was reinstated from the disabled list and then optioned to Double-A Harrisburg.

BREWERS: Bench coach Willie Randolph has been suspended one game and fined after being ejected from Milwaukee's 5-0 loss to St. Louis on Tuesday.

Randolph was tossed by plate umpire Bill Hohn after he protested a check-swing call on an 0-2 pitch to Albert Pujols from the dugout in the third inning.

BREWERS: Left-hander Manny Parra will return to the starting rotation today after being demoted to work on control issues.

Manager Ken Macha said yesterday that Parra, who is 3-8 with a 7.52 ERA in 13 starts this season, will start against St. Louis in the series finale.

Parra was 1-2 with a 2.92 ERA in four starts with Triple-A Nashville.

WHITE SOX: Right-hander Bartolo Colon is expected to join the Chicago White Sox's Triple-A team in Charlotte and make his scheduled injury rehab start today.

YANKEES: New York has activated backup catcher Jose Molina from the disabled list.

Molina has not played since May 7 because of a quadriceps injury. He is hitting .273 with one home run and six RBI in 16 games as Jorge Posada's backup. In five rehab games, Molina went 1 for 11 with a double and three walks.

MLBPA: Michael Weiner has been approved unanimously by the Major League Baseball Players Association executive board to succeed Donald Fehr as the union's head.

- From Wire Reports