http://0rz.net/5c1NG 09/02/2006 1:31 PM ET Notes: New Snakes provide options Third catcher, lefty reliever among Sept. 1 callups By Pete Kerzel / Special to MLB.com WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The large cardboard box beat Miguel Montero to RFK Stadium, and when one of the newest Diamondbacks tore into it, like a kid on Christmas morning, he extracted a sparkling new chest protector that heralded his arrival in the Major Leagues. Montero, 23, who will serve as the team's third catcher for the remainder of the season, was one of five players added to the roster Friday when Major League rosters expanded. Montero and left-hander Doug Slaten were recalled from Triple-A Tucson, left-hander Randy Choate's contract was purchased from Tucson and right-hander Greg Aquino (sore right elbow) and infielder Andy Green (left shoulder inflammation) were activated from the 15-day disabled list. "[You can] pinch-hit earlier with added pitchers," manager Bob Melvin said. "Probably more important for us, we get two left-handed pitchers in the bullpen when for the most part of the year we haven't had any." The arrivals of Choate, who made 21 relief appearances from June 14 to Aug. 5, and Slaten, who is in the Majors for the first time, help to balance out what has been a mostly right-handed bullpen. Though Luis Vizcaino and Brandon Lyon have been effective against left-handed hitters, the presence of two southpaws might force opposing managers to make a move off the bench they would otherwise not make. Melvin is eager to see more of Slaten, who was 2-1 with two saves and a 0.45 ERA in Tucson after going 2-3 with eight saves and a 1.88 ERA for Double-A Tennessee. "A guy that's putting up some unbelievable numbers this year -- it's definitely a reward," Melvin said of Slaten. "He's a guy I'm not going to be afraid to use and use in any situation." Polishing off a pregame omelet that he claimed tasted better than breakfasts in the Minor Leagues, Slaten expressed surprise that he was summoned in the midst of a postseason race. The Diamondbacks entered play Saturday trailing Philadelphia by 3 1/2 games in the National League Wild Card chase. "It feels good that they want me to come up and contribute because they're in a playoff race," said Slaten, 26. "It's great to be here and I'm ready to help out." Ditto Montero, who will back up Johnny Estrada and Chris Snyder. "As long as we're close, the games mean something," said Montero, who hit .321 with seven homers and 29 RBIs with Tucson after a promotion from Tennessee. "We're fighting right now and whatever they need from me, I'm ready to do it." Melvin knows a third catcher is a luxury, particularly with Saturday's doubleheader against Washington and a month's worth of potentially meaningful games looming. "We've had situations where we've played long games ... and when your second catcher enters the game, you don't even want to think of what might happen." More reinforcements will arrive once Tucson's postseason run is over, Melvin said. Heavy hearts: Right-hander Brandon Webb and Green rejoined the Diamondbacks on Friday after attending the funeral of their former University of Kentucky teammate, Jon Hooker, who was killed Aug. 27 in a plane crash in Lexington, Ky. Baseball work was a welcome respite for the ex-Wildcats, who have been on an emotional rollercoaster for the past week. "The daily grind drowns out your sorrow and the pain you feel," Green said. "Now you're just back to your job and you just try to keep going." Webb and Green attended funeral services and spent time with Hooker's family. "Being a starting pitcher allows you a little more freedom," Webb said. "Once you make your start, you have a little more freedom. If you're a position player, it's a little more difficult." Green, an infielder, was on the DL when the tragedy occurred. He praised the Diamondbacks organization for the opportunity to grieve his friend's death. "It speaks volumes of the organization that they'd allow us to go back there," Green said. "To go and get some closure on it ... was good," Webb added. Almost ready: Snyder, who was scratched from Wednesday's starting lineup with a sore right hand, said he felt better Saturday but would wait until receiving treatment for the injury before declaring himself ready to play. "The hand's a little better," the catcher said. "I'll do everything I can [to play]." Snyder sustained the injury when he took a foul tip off the hand. Surgery set: Outfielder Jeff DaVanon will undergo surgery to repair a split tendon in his left ankle in mid-September, Melvin said. Dr. Phil Kwong, who has previously operated on two of DaVanon's former Los Angeles Angels teammates -- Garret Anderson and Tim Salmon -- will perform the surgery. Juggling act: Friday's rainout and Saturday's doubleheader will have a ripple effect on the Diamondbacks' rotation once the team arrives in Florida for a three-game series beginning Monday. Right-handers Enrique Gonzalez and Claudio Vargas will start Monday and Tuesday, respectively. But Wednesday's pitcher has yet to be decided. "We're going to have to do something. I don't know [who], but we'll put somebody in there," Melvin said. Among the options mentioned by Melvin were starting Miguel Batista, who pitched the first game of Saturday's twin bill, on three days' rest or calling on right-hander Dustin Nippert. Coming up: The Diamondbacks close out their weekend in Washington with a 10:15 a.m. MST Sunday game against the Nationals. Webb goes for his 15th victory against Washington right-hander Tony Armas Jr. --- 球团Call up三个人，并把Greg Aquino还有Andy Green active。 被叫上来的三个人分别是， Migual Montero，Randy Choate，Doug Slaten。 Montero被叫上来让我觉得比较讶异一点， 我还以为他会在AAA打完playoff再上来， Montero上来就代表Estrada，Snyder有一个人明年得走路了， Snyder最近打得不错，尤其是先发的时候， 也许球团会趁着Estrada今年打得不错的时候就把他卖掉， 明年就用Montero还有Snyder两个人轮流蹲补。 (我个人认为Snyder还会成长，印像中守备不差，有一点长打能力。) 之前有看到Estrada去A's的rumor， 一方面Estrada本来就是Oakland的fans， 同时也是加州人， 另一方面Kendall实在太令人无言了。 Webb和Green之前离队确定是去参加大学teammate的丧礼， Snyder的小伤也康复了。 DaVanon在九月中将动刀， 修补左膝肌腱的伤。 因为之前的PPD，所以影响到了rotation， 现在对Marlins的最後一场的先发未定。 我猜Edgar或Nippert，不过跟playoff越来越远， 也有可能把Micah Owings叫上来试试， (40-man roster还有空间) --

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