D-Backs: Teixeira rumors unfounded

SAN FRANCISCO - Reports linking the Diamondbacks to Atlanta slugger Mark Teixeira are unfounded, a highly placed D-Backs source said Friday.

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Both ESPN and MLB.com have reports that the D-Backs could make a strong play for Teixeira before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline, and both mentioned Conor Jackson as a possible trade partner. Chad Tracy’s name also surfaced.

A D-Backs executive called the speculation “rumors without any real basis.”

An attempt to obtain Teixeira, who is a free agent after 2008, would fly in the face of the D-Backs’ way of operating, which is to build for the future on a conservative, mid-market budget.

Some believe Teixeira will seek a long-term contract worth as much $20 million a year this offseason as perhaps the best bat on the market.

Jackson and Tracy are two of the hottest D-Backs hitters, and neither paid much attention to the rumors.

“None at all. I can’t control it,” Tracy said.

“It’s not even on my agenda,” Jackson said.

Jackson has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games and returned to fourth in the lineup Friday against Giants left-hander Jonathan Sanchez, doubling and homering in his first two at-bats.

“Whether hitting second or fourth, or playing first base or left field, he’s a strength for us,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Every day he has the same look in his eye.”

Entering Friday’s game, Jackson leads the D-Backs in on-base percentage (.399) and on-base plus slugging percentage (.877).

OWINGS BACK IN TURN

Micah Owings will start the first game of the San Diego series Monday, after being pulled out of the rotation for Yusmeiro Petit last week when the bullpen needed a fresh arm.

Owings, 6-8 with a 5.40 ERA, made two scoreless relief appearances before giving up five runs in a third of an inning Wednesday against the Cubs. He has lost his last six decisions as a starter.

“It was a difficult decision,” Melvin said. “We saw Micah have a great second half last year. We expect him to pick it up.

“If he is not going to pitch regularly, it is more difficult for him. He needs to be used more in a significant role.”

UPTON TAKES NEXT STEP

Justin Upton (oblique) hit off a tee for the first time here Friday and is likely to start taking batting practice in San Diego, Melvin said.

If Upton is able to hit in San Diego, he could go out on a rehab assignment while the D-Backs are in Los Angeles for the final four games of this trip next weekend.

“It can be a difficult (injury to gauge), depending on how bad you tweak it,” Melvin said.

SHORT HOPS

Juan Cruz (oblique) was to start for Triple-A Tucson on Friday, but the game was rained out. The D-Backs want him to pitch two rehab games before rejoining the team, perhaps as early as Wednesday in San Diego. …

Orlando Hudson was back in the lineup Friday, three days after taking a fastball off his right ankle. “He could have been used” Wednesday. “With a day off, he was good to go,” Melvin said. …

Jamie D’Antona’s ability to catch — he learned the position in the Arizona Fall League in 2006 and played there some with Tucson in 2007 — is an added plus, Melvin said, because he can use Miguel Montero as a left-handed bat earlier in games. Managers usually use their second catcher late in games, if at all, to guard against injury. …

Boston also was among those interested in new D-Backs reliever Jon Rauch, but Washington’s original asking price was shortstop Jed Lowrie and top pitching prospect Michael Bowden, and the Red Sox balked.