Covering the bases

Astros' Chacon relieved

Houston Astros pitcher Shawn Chacon was dropped from the starting rotation Sunday and will be used in the bullpen.

The right-hander is 2-3 with a 5.04 ERA in 15 starts this season.

"We think he's going to help us more there right now," Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. "A little bit of inconsistency the last month or so. We think we have some other options to try."

Right-hander Runelvys Hernandez, currently with Triple-A Round Rock, could replace Chacon in the rotation.

Chacon is no stranger to shifting roles. Out of his 269 career appearances, 134 have been starts and 135 have been in relief.

Tar Heels lose recruit to Phillies

University of North Carolina baseball signee Jason Knapp, the Philadelphia Phillies' second-round selection in the draft, agreed to a contract on Sunday. The 17-year-old Knapp, a right-handed pitcher, was the 71st overall pick.

Knapp, of North Hunterdon High School in Annandale, N.J., went 6-1 with a 1.37 ERA as a senior. He struck out 79 and walked 16 in 51 innings. He also hit .456 and had seven home runs.

The Phillies have signed 24 of their 53 drafted players.

Royals pick up pitching help

The Kansas City Royals purchased the contract of Horacio Ramirez from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday, adding the veteran left-hander to their bullpen. Ramirez went 8-7 with a 7.16 ERA in 20 starts last season with Seattle, which released him in spring training. He has a 38-29 record with a 4.61 ERA in 106 career games.

SHORT HOPS: The Minnesota Twins will activate utility man Nick Punto from the disabled list in time for him to join the team in San Diego on Tuesday. Punto has spent a total of 40 days during two stints on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Infielder Matt Macri will be optioned to Triple-A Rochester to make room for Punto.

* The Pittsburgh Pirates placed rookie starter Phil Dumatrait on the 15-day disabled list with left rotator cuff tendinitis before their game Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays.

* The Florida Marlins called up outfielder Jai Miller from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday to provide some depth after center fielder Alfredo Amezaga injured his left groin while running the bases Saturday.

* Milwuakee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks was activated from the disabled list Sunday and started against the Baltimore Orioles. Weeks had been out since spraining his left knee trying to turn a double play in Colorado on June 6.

* The Baltimore Orioles designated infielder Freddie Bynum for assignment Sunday, and manager Dave Trembley said Alex Cintron will be the team's third starting shortstop this season. Bynum hit .192 with five RBIs in 34 games.

* The St. Louis Cardinals placed shortstop Cesar Izturis on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained right hamstring.