Covering the bases

Volstad called up, wins game

The Florida Marlins called up right-hander Chris Volstad from Double-A Carolina before their game against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday.

"He is here and available today," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He will be in the bullpen."

Volstad pitched two innings in relief against the Rockies on Sunday, giving up just two hits, two walks and no runs, and earned the victory.

Volstad was 4-4 with a 3.36 ERA in 15 starts for the Mudcats. The 21-year-old was the 16th overall selection taken in the 2005 draft.

Volstad takes the roster spot of left-hander Taylor Tankersley, another former Mudcat who was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque after Florida's 12-6 loss to Colorado on Saturday night.

Yankees' Damon put on DL for first time

Johnny Damon went on the disabled list for the first time in his major league career Sunday after 13 1/2 seasons and 1,927 regular-season games.

The New York Yankees outfielder sprained and bruised his left shoulder when he crashed into the left-field fence trying for a leaping catch against Boston on Friday.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said it was "50-50" whether Damon would be able to return after two weeks but that the injury will not require surgery. With Hideki Matsui (sore left knee) also on the DL, rookie Brett Gardner will become the Yankees' regular left fielder.

To fill Damon's roster spot, New York recalled outfielder Justin Christian from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Phillies' Lidge earns $37.5 million extension

Brad Lidge's perfect first half earned him a fat new contract.

Lidge signed a $37.5 million, three-year extension with the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.

SHORT HOPS: Washington Nationals outfielder Elijah Dukes will be sidelined for four to six weeks because of a knee injury suffered during a 3-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night. Dukes tore cartilage and partially tore a tendon in his right knee when he slammed into the left-field wall after catching a ball in the seventh inning.

* Roy Oswalt returned from Houston on Sunday after having his strained left hip examined, but the Astros told their ace to wait at the Atlanta airport for the team's flight to Pittsburgh.

* Seattle Mariners starter Erik Bedard will have his next start pushed back a couple of days after experiencing tightness in his throwing shoulder, and there is a chance the Seattle left-hander might not throw again until after the All-Star break. Meanwhile, the Mariners could get Felix Hernandez back in the rotation either Thursday or Friday.

* Lance Berkman was held out of the Houston Astros' lineup Sunday with a sore left eye.

* The Arizona Diamondbacks placed right-hander Juan Cruz on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained left oblique muscle. Arizona recalled right-hander Connor Robertson from Triple-A Tucson to take Cruz's roster spot.

* St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Mark Mulder will make his first start since September on Wednesday at Philadelphia.