Angels
Jared Weaver is one of five active pitchers with at least 100 victories who have spent their entire career with one team. The others are Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels, Detroit’s Justin Verlander, Seattle’s Felix Hernandez and Boston’s Jon Lester. … Matt Shoemaker is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in six career relief appearances, and 6-1 with a 3.79 ERA in his 10 big league starts. … CF Mike Trout, heading to his third straight All-Star game, said he will not participate in the All-Star Home Run Derby.
Astros
Jose Altuve set the Astros franchise record with 124 hits before the all-star break. Bob Watson set the franchise record in 1973. … OF Alex Presley (strained right oblique) was put on the 15-day DL. Outfielder Robbie Grossman was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City. This is his third stint in the majors this season. … Jon Singleton, the 22-year-old rookie, ended an 0-for-10 slump that had dropped his average to .168.
Athletics
LHP Brad Mills was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot for recently acquired pitcher Jason Hammel. Mills went 1-1 with a 4.41 ERA in three starts for Oakland this season. … Josh Reddick, who said his knee was feeling better after having had a cortisone shot a month ago, was fired up for batting practice in a way that only players on the DL can be. He was anxious to test the knee, which has put him on the DL twice already this season. “It feels good,” Reddick told the Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Calif.). “I’m looking forward to this.”
Mariners
3B Kyle Seager had a baby in one arm, diapers in the other when he learned he had accomplished a childhood dream via a call from manager Lloyd McClendon. As Seager explained it, his phone rang as he was leaving Babies R Us doing some shopping for newborn son Crue. “I put the diapers down and answered the phone,” he said. “It was pretty cool.” … Backup catcher John Buck, 34, was designated for assignment. Buck, 34, signed a one-year contract with Seattle in the offseason. He was hitting .226 with one home run and six RBIs in 27 games. He hit 63 homers over the last four seasons, fifth-most among catchers. He also played for Miami, Toronto, Kansas City, the New York Mets and Pittsburgh.
Rangers
The Rangers want struggling rookie outfielder Michael Choice to work on his game in the minor leagues while they replace yet another pitcher in their injury-riddled rotation. Choice was demoted to Triple-A Round Rock with his average at .177 after just six hits in the past month. “He needed to go get himself together,” manager Ron Washington said. “We have a lot of faith in him. It’s just that you don’t need the struggles to become mental.”
Compiled by Rick Crotts from wire reports.
