Phillies promote Maikel Franco to Double-A
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com
(1:35 pm ET) The Phillies have
promoted third base prospect
Maikel Franco to Double-A Reading,
Baseball America reports.
Franco, 20, dominated at high Class A Clearwater, where he hit .299/.349/.576 with 16 home runs in just 65 games. With the Phillies lacking an obvious long-term third baseman -- Michael Young is 36 years old and on an expiring contract -- Franco's stock will be worth watching closely as the Phillies look to fill the hot corner.
Jake Arrieta will work as starter in minors
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(1:30 pm ET) Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Wednesday pitcher
Jake Arrieta will
work as a starter at Triple-A Norfolk. Arrieta was optioned to Norfolk after losing in a spot start Monday against the Tigers.
"We constantly look at things with guys with really good arms like Jake," Showalter said, per The Baltimore Sun. "If he gets the ball down, he’s effective. How do you do it? Is it delivery? Is it a mentality? We’ve talked about all those things and we will continue. Let him get there. I know he’s going to start his next outing and at some point we will probably step back and see where we are with it. I want to get him back on good ground."
Padres to place Everth Cabrera on disabled list
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com
(1:11 pm ET) The Padres will place
Everth Cabrera on the
disabled list before Wednesday's game, MLB.com reports. Cabrera strained his hamstring in a stolen base attempt Sunday. It's unclear how long the speedy shortstop will be shut down, but a hamstring injury of any severity is concerning over the short and long term for any player so reliant on his speed.
Padres to recall Jaff Decker
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com
(1:06 pm ET) The Padres will recall outfielder
Jaff Decker from
Triple-A Tucson on Wednesday, MLB.com reports. Decker owns a .260/.379/.398 line with five home runs in 196 at-bats at Tucson. Expect the lefty to get at-bats off the bench and perhaps some starts against right-handed pitching.
Manager 'not ready' to increase Matt Tuiasosopo's PT
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(12:57 pm ET) While Tigers manager Jim Leyland continues to be impressed with the play of outfielder
Matt Tuiasosopo, who is batting .333 and slugging .551 through 36 games, an
increase in playing time isn't in Tuiasosopo's future.
"I’m not ready to do that just yet," Leyland said, per the Detroit Free Press. "If someone doesn’t get going, then you either play (Tuiasosopo) a little bit more or do something else, and I’m not talking about anyone in particular. That’s a situation with any player."
Fernando Martinez joining Yankees' Triple-A team
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(12:43 pm ET) Yankees outfielder
Fernando Martinez, who was acquired in a Tuesday trade from the Astros, will report to
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, according to
The New York Times. Martinez has been toiling in the minors since being designated for assignment in early May.
Nick Franklin pushes batting average higher
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(12:39 pm ET) Mariners second baseman
Nick Franklin extended his hitting streak to seven games Tuesday against the Angels with a 1-for-4 performance. Franklin is batting .370 (10 for 27) with one home run, one stolen base, three doubles, three RBI, three walks and three runs in his last seven games.
Franklin's batting average has gone from .250 to .296 during his recent seven-game surge.
Daniel Nava connects for 10th home run
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(12:34 pm ET) Red Sox outfielder
Daniel Nava connected for his 10th home run in the nightcap of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Rays. It was his third home run in June.
Nava is batting .297 (19 for 64) with three doubles, eight walks, 12 RBI and 13 runs in 16 June games.
Bryce Harper to resume baseball activities in 'next day or two'
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com
(12:31 pm ET) Nationals outfielder
Bryce Harper will resume baseball activities
within the next day or two,
The Washington Post reports. Harper has been suffering from left knee bursitis since May 20.
There is still no timetable for his return to game action. He will still need a rehab assignment, so he's likely at least two weeks away from a return, if not longer.
Erick Aybar's RBI production on the rise
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(12:30 pm ET) Angels shortstop
Erick Aybar collected two hits for the fourth time in six games and for the eighth time in June during Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Mariners. Aybar is batting .360 (9 for 25) in his last six games and .277 (18 for 65) in 16 June games.
Aybar also has seven RBI in his last six games after managing just two RBI in his previous 10 games.