Baseball briefs

TWINS-RED SOX TRADE: The Minnesota Twins traded left-hander Brad Thomas to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday for a player or cash.

Thomas, an Australian, opened this season with the Twins and was 0-0 with a 16.87 ERA in three relief appearances before being designated for assignment April 13.

GIANTS OPTION NO. 1 PICK: The San Francisco Giants optioned right-hander David Aardsma, their No. 1 draft pick last year, to Triple-A Fresno on Wednesday and recalled lefty Noah Lowry.

The 22-year-old Aardsma, the 22nd overall pick in the 2003 draft out of NCAA champion Rice, was 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in seven outings since making his major league debut April 6 at Houston, where he pitched two scoreless innings for the win.

"It was a great experience," said Aardsma, who had moved into an apartment near the ballpark only a couple of days ago. "I got to face some big league hitters. I'll go down, get some innings in and try to get back here."

SURGERY FOR DEPAULA: New York Yankees right-hander Jorge DePaula will have elbow ligament replacement surgery Thursday and miss the remainder of the season.

CROSBY BRUISED: An MRI test on Oakland shortstop Bobby Crosby showed a bone bruise on his left knee, and manager Ken Macha said Wednesday night the rookie should return by the end of the weekend. Crosby left in the fourth inning of Tuesday's loss at Seattle after colliding with left fielder Bobby Kielty while catching a second-inning popup.

JAYS RECALL CLARK: The Toronto Blue Jays recalled infielder Howie Clark from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday and designated outfielder Chad Hermansen. Clark hit .357 in 70 at-bats with Toronto last season. The Blue Jays entered Wednesday night's game against Boston hitting an AL-low .212. Hermansen, Toronto's fourth outfielder, went hitless in seven at-bats this season.