Baseball
Pittsburgh placed shortstop Ronny Cedeno on the seven-day concussion disabled list before yesterday’s first game of a doubleheader with the Nationals. Cedeno was hit on the back of his head while attempting to break up a double play in the fourth inning of Friday’s loss to Washington. “He had limited symptoms initially, but got worse as the night progressed - even after leaving the ballpark,’’ Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. Cedeno was replaced on the roster by infielder Pedro Ciriaco, who was recalled from Triple A Indianapolis … Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols has shown “significant improvement’’ in recovering from a broken left wrist and could return as early as the All-Star break, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. “He got the [CT] test and he’s working,’’ St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. “I’m just really pleased with a lot of good news on that front.’’ The Cardinals had said that Pujols wasn’t expected back until late July. Pujols was hurt June 19 trying to make a tag after taking an offline throw from second baseman Pete Kozma and the Royals’ Wilson Betemit collided with the glove hand … Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon doesn’t expect any of his players will be suspended after he and three others were ejected for arguing balls and strikes Friday. Reliever J.P. Howell, pitcher David Price, and infielder Elliot Johnson were all tossed in the eighth inning … Padres second baseman Orlando Hudson likely will be out for a few games after fouling a pitch off his left knee Friday … The Marlins designated Jose Lopez for assignment after the utility infielder went 3 for 29 in 12 games.
