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Touch 'Em All: Mets demote Lannan, promote Matsuzaka

The New York Mets are bringing up pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka to replace John Lannan. Matsuzaka's contract was selected Wednesday from Las Vegas, and New York sent Lannan outright to the triple-A team.

The New York Mets are bringing up pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka to replace John Lannan. Matsuzaka's contract was selected Wednesday from Las Vegas, and New York sent Lannan outright to the triple-A team.

Matsuzaka, a 33-year-old righthander, was 3-3 with a 4.42 ERA in seven starts for the Mets last year and 0-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two starts for Las Vegas this year.

Lannan, 32, a lefthander, who pitched for the Phillies last season, was 1-0 with a 15.25 ERA in five relief appearances for the Mets this year. He has the choice to refuse the outright assignment and elect to become a free agent.

Pirates' Tabata injured

Pittsburgh leftfielder Jose Tabata was helped off the field during the Pirates' 4-0 loss in Cincinnati after he slammed into the outfield wall while making a catch in the fifth inning.

Tabata caught up with Brayan Pena's fly ball just in front of the wall and turned at the last moment, hitting the wall hard with his left side. He fell to the ground, held up his glove to show he had the ball, and remained down for several minutes. A trainer examined his neck, jaw, and head. The Pirates said he appeared to have a mild concussion.

Tabata walked off the field slowly and had to be helped down the steps to the clubhouse.

Twins-Jays postponed

The Minnesota Twins' game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Minneapolis was postponed because of expected wintry weather.

The Twins announced the postponement with rain and snow in the forecast for Wednesday night.

It will be made up Thursday as the second game of a day-night doubleheader.

Marlins to start Slowey

Righthander Kevin Slowey will move into the Miami Marlins rotation to replace struggling lefthander Brad Hand and start Sunday against Seattle. The start will be the first for Slowey since July 8. He started 14 games for Miami last year and went 3-6 overall with a 4.11 ERA. Hand fell to 1-11 as a starter when he lost Monday to Washington. He'll return to a long-relief role, manager Mike Redmond said. - Associated Press