NEW YORK – The New York Daily News reported that Alex Rodriguez sought advice on legal nutritional supplements from the founder of the company at the center of the largest federal criminal investigation into sports doping.

Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative Victor Conte told the newspaper that Rodriguez did not ask him for illegal drugs and they mostly talked about legal products. The 38-year-old slugger and Conte spoke at a meeting in May 2012.

A-Rod recently rejoined the Yankees after spending the first four months of the season finishing rehab from January hip surgery. He is playing while he appeals the 211-game doping suspension he received last week.

BALCO was the clinic involved in a federal investigation that ultimately led to Barry Bonds’ conviction on obstruction of justice charges.

BRAVES: Outfielder Justin Upton left Sunday’s game against the Marlins because of cramping in his left hamstring.

Upton flexed his left leg after running to first base on an unsuccessful sacrifice bunt attempt in the fifth inning. Marlins catcher Koyie Hill threw out Mike Minor at third base as Upton reached on the fielder’s choice.

Upton was removed from the game. His older brother, B.J. Upton, entered the game as a pinch runner.

There were no immediate details provided on the severity of the injury.

• Atlanta activated catcher Gerald Laird from the 15-day disabled list and optioned outfielder Todd Cunningham to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Laird was placed on the disabled list on Aug. 3, retroactive to July 26, after having kidney stones removed. He was with the Braves for Sunday’s game.

ROYALS: Kansas City placed Miguel Tejada on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quadriceps.

Tejada was injured while diving for a ball in the seventh inning of Saturday’s game against Boston. The 39-year-old was hitting .288 in 53 games and had won the starting second-base job.

The Royals also activated All-Star catcher Salvador Perez from the concussion list after he missed seven games.

DIAMONDBACKS: Arizona placed third baseman Eric Chavez on the 15-day disabled list with a left knee strain.

It’s the second stint on the DL for Chavez, who was sidelined from May 31 to June 27 with a strained right side.

Following Saturday’s loss to the New York Mets, the Diamondbacks optioned struggling right-handed reliever David Hernandez to Triple-A Reno.

The Diamondbacks called up third baseman Matt Davidson and left-handed reliever Eury De la Rosa from Reno.

Davidson entered Sunday’s game against the Mets in the second inning when Cody Ross was injured. It was the major league debut for Davidson, the most valuable player in this year’s Futures Game during the All-Star break.

Ross was carted off the field in the first inning with what was later diagnosed as a dislocated right hip.

Ross stumbled as he approached first base on a groundout, then fell to the field and grabbed his right leg.

He was grimacing in pain as he was loaded on the cart and taken off the field.

METS: New York optioned Jeremy Hefner to Triple-A Las Vegas, but the right-hander could be headed to the 15-day disabled list instead.

Hefner said he has been dealing with a sore elbow all season but it had worsened recently. He will go to New York for further examination, and a decision on whether he goes to the minors or the DL will be made after that.

The move cleared the way for the Mets to activate right-hander Jon Niese to start Sunday’s game against Arizona.