BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Lansford Is Working Toward August Return

When Carney Lansford injured his left knee in a New Year’s Eve snowmobile accident, there was speculation that his baseball career might be finished.

But the Oakland Athletics third baseman has made such a dramatic recovery that he’ll be in Arizona next week to continue his rehabilitation and could be activated by Aug. 1.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am,” said Lansford, 34. “I’ve worked so hard. I just kept in my mind that if I want to get back by the All-Star break, And I’m right on time.”

Lansford’s injury required surgery to repair knee ligaments.

“Until a few weeks ago, even the guys on the team didn’t expect me to come back and play,” Lansford said. “But after a period of time I noticed players watching me run in the outfield. And they’d make comments like, ‘You are going to be back this year, aren’t you?’ And I said, ‘I told you. I’m coming back --this year.’ ”

The St. Louis Cardinals claimed right-handed relief pitcher Willie Fraser on waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. Fraser (0-2, 6.15 ERA) had previously pitched five years for the Angels. . . . The Chicago Cubs put pitcher Danny Jackson (1-2, 5.67 ERA) on the disabled list for the second time this season and recalled right-hander Frank Castillo from their triple-A Iowa team. It was the seventh time in three seasons Jackson has been on the disabled list.