Baseball

Ex-Cat Erickson could be called up

NEW YORK - The New York Mets are leaning toward calling up right-hander and former UA All-American Scott Erickson to start tonight against the Philadelphia Phillies. It would be Erickson's first major-league appearance since Aug. 31, 2002, with Baltimore. He was scheduled to start for the Mets on April 8 at Atlanta, but strained his right hamstring while warming up in the bullpen. Erickson pitched in the minors while rehabilitating his injury, and he's excelled of late. He went 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA in his last three starts for Triple-A Norfolk, spanning 21 innings. Inside pitch

● Chicago Cubs right-hander Mark Prior left Thursday night's game against the Brewers in the second inning with discomfort in his right elbow. Prior, who missed the first two months of the season with a sore right Achilles' tendon and sore right elbow, was making just his eighth start of the season. He came off the disabled list June 4. ● The last-place Seattle Mariners continued to cut costs for the remainder of the season, removing first baseman John Olerud and catcher Pat Borders from their active roster. ● Reds first baseman Sean Casey was activated from the 15-day disabled list Thursday after straining his right calf June 27. ● The Boston Red Sox activated right-hander Ramiro Mendoza on Thursday from the 15-day DL, where he has been since the first week of the season. ● The Twins activated outfielder Shannon Stewart on Thursday and placed first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz on the 15-day DL. ● Yankees RHP Kevin Brown allowed five runs and seven hits in two innings Thursday night in a minor-league rehab start with Double-A Trenton. Brown had been sidelined by a strained back and an intestinal parasite since June 9.