CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called Armando Galarraga a "tremendous pitcher" Sunday and praised him for his sportsmanship after an umpire's blown call kept him from pitching a perfect game.
Chavez called for a round of applause for the Venezuelan pitcher during his weekly TV and radio program, saying "everyone knows he pitched a perfect game."
"From here we salute Armando," Chavez said.
The Tigers pitcher has won wide praise for his grace following the botched call Wednesday with two outs in the ninth against Cleveland.
Chavez added that first base umpire Jim Joyce was "noble" for having apologized to the pitcher in tears.
"The umpire was wrong … but, well, the umpire is the umpire," the president said.
Marlins getting help
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Highly touted slugger Mike Stanton will make his major-league debut Tuesday night in Philadelphia, part of a roster shakeup designed to spark the slumping Marlins.
Stanton wowed the Marlins during spring training with his power but the 20-year-old outfielder was sent to Double-A for seasoning. He responded by dominating the Southern League, hitting .311 with 21 homers and 52 RBIs in 52 games to earn the promotion to the majors.
"I think he's going to be fine," second baseman Dan Uggla said. "He's a very humble kid with a huge amount of talent and I think he's going to continue to work hard. Hopefully, he's going to be able to help us out."
Inside pitch
• Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, limited to a DH role since coming off the DL last week, could begin catching drills this week. Posada made his fifth straight appearance at DH on Sunday since returning June 2 from a fractured right foot.
• Twins second baseman Orlando Hudson is likely headed for the DL with his surgically repaired left wrist healing slowly following a collision with teammate Denard Span.
The team was still working to finalize its plan, but told Hudson of the impending move Sunday.
• Twins shortstop J.J. Hardy from Tucson also could go on the DL as soon as Tuesday. He, too, has an injured left wrist and isn't swinging the bat, but has started taking a new medication.
• Mariners starter Doug Fister was placed on the 15-day DL Sunday with a sore shoulder.
