Marlins Take Mota Off DL

Florida Marlin closer Guillermo Mota was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Friday.

Mota, a former Dodger, was 0-1 with a 1.86 earned-run average and two saves before right elbow inflammation resulted in his being put on the disabled list May 1.

Florida Manager Jack McKeon said Mota probably would assume a middle relief or set-up role to get comfortable before resuming his closing duties. Todd Jones has replaced Mota as the closer.

Mota gave up one unearned run in two rehabilitation appearances with Class-A Jupiter this week.

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Triple-A Nashville Sounds pitcher Rick Helling was impaled in his left arm by a piece of a broken bat and taken to a Nashville hospital.

Helling, who pitched in the major leagues for 10 seasons, was facing New Orleans’ Craig Kuzmic in the seventh inning when the bat shattered and struck his non-pitching arm.

“Kuzmic fouled off a pitch, the bat shattered and it ended up in three or four shards,” Nashville team spokesman Doug Scopel said. “One of the shards ended up in Helling’s left forearm.”

Scopel said the injury was not life threatening, but gave no other details.

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Colorado Rocky right-hander Shawn Chacon will skip his scheduled start today against the Chicago Cubs because of a sprained right ankle. Byung-Hyun Kim, who is 0-3 with a 6.75 earned-run average in 15 relief appearances and one start, will pitch in place of Chacon.

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The Oakland Athletics put designated hitter Erubiel Durazo, who has tendinitis in his left elbow, on the 15-day disabled list.... Cleveland Indian Manager Eric Wedge left the club to attend to a personal family emergency and skipped the series opener against the Oakland A’s at Cleveland. General Manager Mark Shapiro said Wedge should be back tonight. Bench coach Buddy Bell filled in for Wedge.