Disabled List

The New York Yankees placed pitcher Jimmy Key on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with inflammation of the rotator cuff tendon in his left shoulder. Key, 1-2 with a 5.64 ERA, has pitched 30 1/3 innings in his five starts this season since returning from shoulder surgery in October. Key was placed on the disabled list retroactive to May 17, the day after his appearance against the Indians in which he allowed seven runs. Yankees pitcher Scott Kamieniecki also is on the disabled list.

The Phillies' disabled list could end up being more crowded than a Schuylkill Expressway exit ramp. Tests yesterday revealed that outfielder Chris James suffered a broken left ankle in Saturday's game against Atlanta and would be sidelined for six to eight weeks. Team officials said the rookie would be placed on the disabled list today. James thus will become the sixth Phillie put on the disabled list this season. The Phils' brain trust met after last night's game to discuss the team's options.

The Baltimore Orioles, eager to right a pitching staff that has struggled in the last two weeks, yesterday activated staff ace Mike Mussina, who had been on the disabled list. Mussina, who owns the best winning percentage among active pitchers, will start today against the Minnesota Twins. The righthander had been sidelined since April 17 with a wart on his right index finger. To make room for Mussina, the Orioles placed righthanded reliever Terry Mathews on the 15-day disabled list retroactive from April 30. Mathews has been battling inflammation in his right wrist.

The Cincinnati Reds put righthander Mark Wohlers on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with an anxiety disorder. The Reds, who obtained Wohlers from the Atlanta Braves on Friday for righthander John Hudek, will call up righthander Rick Greene from triple-A Indianapolis today. Boston Red Sox relief ace Tom Gordon walked off the mound with a strained right elbow in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Gordon was trying to extend his major-league record of 46 straight save conversions when he left the game.

Fortunately for the Phillies, it's April and not October. But if it were October and the Phillies were in the postseason, second baseman Placido Polanco would have an easy solution, albeit painful and permanent, for his bruised right ring finger. "I'd probably just cut it off," he said. That won't be necessary. The Phillies placed Polanco on the 15-day disabled list last night, retroactive to April 16, and recalled infielder Chase Utley from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Polanco took batting practice for the first time Tuesday, but said yesterday that his finger felt worse because of it. He also could not throw without discomfort.

Think about what has happened to the Phillies this season and try to figure out what these 10 players have in common: Antonio Alfonseca, Pat Burrell, Greg Dobbs, Cole Hamels, Wes Helms, Jamie Moyer, Abraham Nunez, Jimmy Rollins, Aaron Rowand and Carlos Ruiz. Think hard. Ready? They're the only players who have been with the team since opening day and have not been on the disabled list. Mike Zagurski and Yoel Hernandez became the 15th and 16th players, respectively, to be placed on the disabled list.

The Baltimore Orioles are leaning toward putting Brady Anderson on the disabled list, even though the outfielder insists he will be able to play on opening day with a cracked rib. Anderson has a crack in the fifth rib on his left side, an injury that occurred last Sunday when he dived back to first base on a pickoff throw in an exhibition game against the Atlanta Braves. Anderson, who has not played since, said he will attempt to play Tuesday against Kansas City. The Orioles plan to make a decision on his status Monday, but manager Davey Johnson made his intention known yesterday.

Just when you thought offense was the Phillies' biggest problem, Curt Schilling winds up on the disabled list. The Phillies yesterday placed their No. 1 starter on the DL with shoulder pain that a few days' rest hasn't helped. The move was backdated to Wednesday, the day after his most recent start, so the earliest the righthander could return is Aug. 4. "It hasn't gotten any better," said team physician Phillip Marone. "In fact, while I wouldn't say it's worse, the problem is that every time he tries to throw, it hurts.