Kent and Houston Get Suspensions

San Francisco second baseman Jeff Kent and Chicago Cub catcher Tyler Houston were suspended for fighting and initiating a bench-clearing brawl Wednesday.

Kent was suspended for three games, beginning Monday, and was fined an undisclosed amount. Houston was suspended for two games, starting Tuesday, and also was fined an undisclosed amount.

The fight began after Kent was hit by a pitch by Jeremi Gonzalez. While arguing with Houston, Kent grabbed the Cub catcher’s mask. The players fell while wrestling and the benches emptied.

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The Florida Marlins put starting pitcher Al Leiter on the 15-day disabled list and are expected to replace him in the rotation with Kirt Ojala, who has been pitching at triple-A Charlotte. Ojala would become the third rookie in the Marlin rotation. Leiter has a groin injury. . . . Cincinnati pitcher Jose Rijo has undergone his fifth operation on his right elbow in two years and General Manager Jim Bowden said Rijo’s career was in jeopardy. Dr. James Andrews performed arthroscopic surgery, reattaching a ligament that had pulled away from the bone because of insufficient blood supply. . . . San Diego Padre catcher Carlos Hernandez was activated from the 15-day disabled list, which he joined July 13 because of a right calf strain, and optioned catcher Mandy Romero to triple-A Las Vegas. . . . The Houston Astros recalled reliever John Hudek from New Orleans of the American Assn., optioned pitcher Jose Cabrera to New Orleans and designated first baseman J.R. Phillips for assignment.