Major League Notebook: August 7

Here is what's happening around baseball on Saturday Aug. 7, 2010:

• It's understandable the Angels had some lingering frustration as they took the field Friday night, having just been swept in a three-game set by the lowly Orioles. And even though they ended up beating Detroit to open a three-game series, they did so without Torii Hunter and Mike Scioscia for the last couple of innings after both were tossed following heated eighth-inning confrontations with home plate umpire Ron Kulpa.

Kulpa first tossed Hunter for arguing about a called third strike, which prompted the usually mild-mannered outfielder to fly into a rage -- one that, according to Kulpa, resulted in the umpire getting "beaked" by the bill of Hunter's batting helmet. While Kulpa emphasized that it wasn't a "bump," making contact with the umps is a no-no and Hunter could face additional discipline for his display.

"Crazy," Hunter said. "I'm a competitor, man. I don't want to act like that. I've got kids, and kids are watching. You have to understand this is my passion; I'm a very competitive guy. I felt like it was taken away from me, a chance to compete."

UPDATE: MLB dropped the hammer on Hunter Saturday, suspending him for four games. Hunter doesn't plan to appeal.

• Stephen Strasburg will be limited to 90 pitches Tuesday in his first start off the disabled list, Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said.

Transaction Wire

• The Mets called up two of their top prospects, outfielder Fernando Martinez and infielder Ruben Tejada. They optioned Jesus Feliciano to Triple-A and released veteran Joey Cora, who was 18 games away from having his $2 million option for 2011 vest.

• The Pirates activated Ryan Doumit from the DL and optioned Erik Kratz back to Triple-A.

• The Diamondbacks officially announced they have acquired lefty Tyler Skaggs as the Player to Be Named in the Dan Haren trade with the Angels.

Injury Ward

• Jeff Niemann was scratched from his scheduled Sunday start due to shoulder soreness. The Rays will activate Andy Sonnanstine from the DL to take his turn.

• The Reds put reliever Russ Springer on the DL with a strained left hip and recalled right-hander Carlos Fisher from Triple-A.

• Nationals pitcher J.D. Martin will have season-ending surgery Tuesday to repair a bulging disc in his lower back. He was 1-5 with a 4.13 ERA in nine starts for the Nats this year.