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Oscar Taveras hoping to return Sunday

Curtis Granderson exits game after being hit by pitch

Granderson seems likely to get x-rays on the hand. He was 0 for 2 before exiting.

Scott Elbert to pitch on back-to-back days

Elbert is expected to face one batter in each outing, according to trubluela.com. The left-hander, who is working his way back from two elbow operations, is expected to be activated next week.

Pedro Florimon held out of lineup for precautionary reasons

"He had a little bit of swelling but he was throwing last night," Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony told MLB.com Friday. "He basically just jammed it, which caused a little bit of swelling. We did X-rays and they were negative. So he should be fine."

"He'll be available off the bench," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I'm just happy he came in here saying he feels good and is ready to go."

Florimon has hit .250/.318/.354 with two home runs and six stolen bases in 96 at-bats this year.

Report: Twins and Justin Morneau have yet to discuss new contract

Morneau is making $14 million this season, the last year of a six-year, $80 million deal. Despite hitting two home runs in 173 at-bats this season, he has a .312 batting average and 31 RBI.

Alexi Ogando to throw Monday bullpen

Ogando is on the 15-day disabled list with biceps tendinitis.

Jake Westbrook plays catch Friday

Westbrook told MLB.com afterwards that he felt fine but does not have a set throwing schedule, after cutting a bullpen session short Wednesday. He said he is taking his recovery day-to-day until the team can determine the next step to take.

Joe Mahoney dealing with soreness after rehab opener

Jerry Hairston ready to rehab

Hairston will play third base and bat second. It is not known how long he will stay on his rehab assignment, after being on the disabled list since May 6 and already suffering a setback in his recovery last week.  

Casey Kotchman begins rehab stint

Chris Narveson to work as starter in rehab

"Definitely,” Narveson told MLB.com. "That's what [I] want to do, but you also want to help the team win any way you can."

Narveson faced live hitters Friday in batting practice, the same day the Brewers placed starter Hiram Burgos on the disabled list. It is not clear whether he will have a spot available for him in the rotation when he returns, but his presence will give the team another option.

Narveson has pitched just 11 innings over the last two seasons, as he underwent surgery on his pitching shoulder early in 2012. 

Hanley Ramirez feeling better

"I've been trying to come back. They won't let me," he said. He later clarified that he understands the team's position, saying, "I don’t want to come back early and then go back on the DL for two months."

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Ramirez will likely need four or five rehab games before returning from his injury, though a schedule has not been set.

"I don’t think he’s quite as close as it may look," said Mattingly. 

Ryan Ludwick not ready for baseball activities

Jeff Francis throws another bullpen session

The next step would likely include an outing in extended spring training, according to the Denver Post. Francis would then be re-evaluated to determine his next step. 

Friday make or break day for Rafael Betancourt

If Betancourt's bullpen session does not go well, the team might opt to put him on the disabled list in order let the injury heal completely. 

Tommy Hanson scheduled for 75 pitches Saturday

Hanson is on the restricted list and hasn't started for the Angels since May 4.

Michael Cuddyer in Friday's lineup

He had 15 plate appearances in two days at extended spring training and should be up to speed after facing Angels starter Jered Weaver in his own rehab start, according to the Denver Post.

Peter Bourjos jogging this week, taking batting practice

Bourjos has missed all of May after suffering the injury during the team's 19-inning game last month.

Owning Francisco Liriano a priority now

It seems like an eternity ago, but in 2010, Liriano was back on the upswing in Fantasy, with 201 strikeouts in a 14-win season for the Twins. Since then, injuries and his usual control problems have derailed him. But at age 29, his stuff is still exceptional. Who's to say he can't recapture his prior form?

Obviously, control will be the key, but after three starts in which it hasn't come back to bite him, he's worth the benefit of the doubt over a struggling Dan Haren or middling Jeremy Guthrie. Maybe the move to the NL will do for him what it did for A.J. Burnett.

Yan Gomes worth monitoring after all

Now, part of the reason was because Nick Swisher missed three games for the birth of his daughter. But Gomes clearly made an impression in Swisher's absence, and manager Terry Francona was singing his praises even before then.

Given the versatility up and down their lineup -- from Swisher to Carlos Santana to Mark Reynolds to Gomes himself -- the Indians could find creative ways to keep giving Gomes at-bats, perhaps sitting Drew Stubbs or Michael Brantley occasionally for him. He's most likely looking at no more than 3-4 starts per week, but as a poor man's Evan Gattis, he could factor in leagues that require starting two catchers.

Michael Cuddyer active, available vs. Giants

Cuddyer will be available for the game, but it is not yet clear whether he will be in the starting lineup. 

Jeff Karstens might start rehab at Triple-A Saturday

Carlos Quentin overcomes knee injury

Quentin is in the lineup batting fourth and in his usual spot in left field.

Chase d'Arnaud moves rehab to Triple-A

Jayson Werth less than two weeks away

"The doctor said it was two weeks,” manager Davey Johnson said. "He told me that four days ago, so he’s probably got close to two weeks."

Time to pick up Zack Wheeler

Even before Wheeler's return from shoulder inflammation Wednesday, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said he hoped to see the top prospect in the big leagues 2-3 starts after that. A Mets official confirmed that timetable Thursday, not that he needed to. Alderson is the one and only person who gets to decide when Wheeler arrives. Rarely is there so much clarity for a prospect with so much upside.

That's why you shouldn't hesitate to act. Wheeler has an ace pedigree and would be the highest-profile pitching prospect to reach the majors this year. Plus, the Mets wouldn't be calling him up as an injury fill-in or spot starter. Once he's here, he's here for good.

Wilson Ramos making progress

James McDonald throws side session

Billy Buckner to start Saturday

Buckner has a 4.56 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 40 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings over eight Triple-A starts this season.

Daniel Klein placed on voluntary retirement list

A third-round pick of the Orioles in 2010, Klein made just 21 minor-league appearances before shutting it down.

Paul Konerko acting his age

Looks like it may have finally caught up to the White Sox first baseman. Nearly one-third of the way into the season, he's batting .224 with a .642 OPS.

Maybe for a player on the right side of 35, you'd assume he was due for a correction and destined to finish with his usual numbers. But one way Konerko has shown his age over the last couple years is by slowing down in the second half, unable to withstand the wear and tear of a 162-game season. At this stage of his career, his body likely won't let him make up for lost stats with a herculean two-month stretch.

I now rank Konerko 32nd among first basemen, behind even Corey Hart and Ike Davis.

Slump costs Darin Ruf opportunity

The fact that Ruf can only play in the outfield or first base also hurt his chances.

"I think the better fit was someone who could play all over the field," assistant GM Scott Proefrock told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "We’ve got two (interleague) games. It would be hard to find (Ruf) a place to play, and it probably wouldn’t be the right fit."

Ruf has a .772 on-base plus slugging percent at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, with a .262 batting average, a career-worst mark. 

Chase Utley taking long view with injury

"We really won't know for another week or so how it's recovering," Utley told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "Obviously, I'd like to be back in 15 days. But I don’t think it's smart to come back if it's not ready."

The team hopes he will only need the minimum amount of time, but Utley will receive several updates throughout his stay on the DL. 

"I feel a little better today than I felt two days ago," Utley said, "so that’s a good sign."

Jackie Bradley likely to be called up soon

Bradley could be an option once the team's pitching gets through the next few days. "I think we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves because of the need for a pitcher right now," manager John Farrell told WEEI. "So as we reshuffle or maybe rebalance our roster, other names will start to come into the mix."

Bradley has hit .322/.420/.458 in 59 at-bats at Triple-A this season.

Brandon Morrow drops in the rankings

We know the Blue Jays' right-hander has great stuff, and we've seen him put it to good use at times. But that stuff, while as good as ever, isn't getting the same results this year. And because he has never maintained his best self over a full season before, we can't assume he'll eventually come around.

Obviously, you can't start him right now, which is why I've dropped him to 46th in my starting pitcher rankings, but as much as you have invested in him and as good as you know he can be, I wouldn't recommend dropping him. You'd hate to have him rebound with ace numbers for somebody else.

Mike Adams ready to go after throwing batting practice

Adams threw live batting practice Friday and had no problems with his back, so the team will have him skip the minors.

"While he was a little rusty at not having thrown in several days, he physically felt fine," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.  

Andre Ethier back in the lineup

Steve Johnson scratched from Triple-A start, could be recalled

Johnson is 1-2 with a 5.49 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 24 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings at Triple-A.

Josh Fields could return in 7 to 10 days

Dylan Bundy tests full range of motion with no pain

Bundy is not expected to begin throwing until mid-June because his arm needs six weeks of rest after the injection, which he received April 29.

Jose Valverde's latest outing notable

Soon after the Tigers called up Valverde from his hurried minor-league tuneup in April, manager Jim Leyland said he wouldn't use him three days in a row, but apparently Valverde has received enough work that it won't be a problem.

True, the Tigers have already said Valverde won't pitch Friday, but few closers get to work four days in a row. At least now you don't have to worry about him missing save opportunities that most every other closer would likely get. Pitching for a competitive Tigers team, Valverde is looking more and more like a true No. 2 reliever in Fantasy.

Kevin Youkilis to play in extended spring

Youkilis has been out for about a month with a back injury. If his back holds up, he is expected to return to the Yankees in about a week.

Rickie Weeks takes another day off

Jed Lowrie out Friday with foot soreness

Lowrie has missed three-straight games with the injury, but he said the swelling has subsided considerably since he was hit by a Yu Darvish pitch Tuesday. He expects to return to action soon, although he is unsure of the exact date.

Alfredo Figaro to get starting chance

Figaro has a 3.24 ERA in 14 relief appearances, and has made four starts at the major-league level. He has an 8.31 ERA in 17 1/3 innings as a starter. 

Kevin Gausman's debut more encouraging than not

Really, no pitcher should be judged by his major-league debut. The culmination of a lifelong dream is such an emotional experience that you can't expect anyone to have his usual composure on the mound. Gausman even talked about how he wasn't able to sleep leading up to it. Plus, thinking more practically, he's facing the best hitters he's ever faced, one right after the other, so he's allowed an adjustment period.

He still has a killer arsenal and an ace pedigree, getting selected first among all pitchers in last year's draft. If you don't mind settling for middle-of-the-road, feel free to drop him for Jose Quintana or whomever else. But if you want a shot at a real difference-maker, stick with Gausman.

Robert Andino outrighted by Mariners

The move opens a 40-man roster spot for catcher Jesus Sucre, who replaces Jesus Montero. Andino hit .184/.253/.237 in 76 at-bats with Seattle.

Mariners recall Carlos Triunfel

Triunfel had been playing for Triple-A Tacoma, hitting .300/.351/.476 with four home runs and four stolen bases in 170 at-bats. He made his major-league debut last season, going 5 for 22 with two doubles, two runs and three RBI while with the Mariners.

Justin Maxwell ready for rehab assignment

Maxwell suffered a broken hand April 23. He took 20 batting practice swings Friday and says he feels good. He's looking at an early June return.

Pablo Sandoval back in lineup

Brandon Belt returns to starting lineup

Roy Halladay moved to 60-day DL

Gordon Beckham feels soreness, will sit a few days

Earlier this week, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Beckham could return this weekend, but that's a long shot with the second baseman experiencing soreness. Provided the soreness isn't a major setback, Beckham could return next week.

Orioles release Zach Braddock

Is Mark Reynolds back where he should be?

So ... is that the end of the regression?

Hitting .260 wouldn't be entirely unprecedented for him. He did it in 2009, which was by far the best season of his career. He's a bit healthier now than he was for much of his Orioles career, making that mark a bit more feasible, but I think it's the absolute high point for a player who strikes out as often as he does.

Any way you look at it, the 2013 season will be a roller-coaster ride for Reynolds, but at least you can trust him to be an elite source of power again after nearly slumping his way out of a job last year. That alone makes him a top-15 third baseman in Fantasy. Keep that in mind when you're tempted to sell him short during the down times.

Danny Espinosa makes no excuses for poor hitting

"I won't ever use this as an excuse," he told reporters after the injury was announced. "I haven't hit lately."

Espinosa is batting .150 in May and has three hits in his last 10 games. He will be shut down for a few days to rest before a determination on his long-term availability is made. Surgery is not currently being considered. 

Twins to start P.J. Walters Saturday

Walters has a 3.31 ERA and 2.8 K/BB in nine starts (54 1/3 innings) at Triple-A Rochester. The Twins will have to make a roster move to activate him but likely won't come until Saturday.

Padres add Tommy Layne to bullpen

Layne pitched in 26 games for the Padres last season, with a 3.24 ERA in 16 2/3 innings. He had a 4.00 ERA at Triple-A before being called up.  

Andy Pettitte progressing through trapezius injury

Pettitte is expected to throw a bullpen Saturday and could throw a simulated game if all goes well. He is on track to return around his first eligible date of June 1.

Jeurys Familia to begin rehab Saturday

Familia has been out since May 12 with biceps tendinitis. 

Trevor Plouffe passes concussion test

Plouffe also did cardio work Friday without issue. He is expected to return from the seven-day concussion disabled list soon.

Mark Teixeira may return next weekend

Lyle Overbay has served as the regular first baseman in Teixeira's absence.

Home runs won't ruin Ervin Santana

Yet even with that sudden course correction, he still had halfway decent numbers, pitching beyond seven innings with a 1.04 WHIP and more than a strikeout per inning. Plus, now that he's on pace for a believable number of home runs -- more than usual, even, if you compare this year to his career norms and not the excessive 2012 -- he no longer has the sword of Damocles hanging over him. The disaster came, and it wasn't nearly as disastrous as most people thought it would be.

Long story short, you still have every reason to believe Santana is in the midst of a rebound season, and I wouldn't be afraid to activate him for a two-start Fantasy Week 9 (May 27-June 2).

Mike Olt cleared to return to action

Olt has been dealing with a vision issue and has not played since April 25. He was prescribed eyedrops and other medication and his condition has improved. Olt will go to extended spring training to work his swing back into form and then return to Triple-A Round Rock. There is no firm timetable for his return.

Stephen Lombardozzi gets the call at second

Lombardozzi is hitting .220 in 91 at-bats. 

Chris Stewart returns to lineup

Nats not looking Anthony Rendon's way

Rendon hit .240 in an eight-game call this season and is hitting .330 at Double-A Harrisburg. 

'No discussion' of removing Fernando Rodney as closer

Rodney has blown four saves in 13 opportunities and has a 5.40 ERA in 19 innings after setting an MLB record with a 0.60 mark in 2012. His walk rate has ballooned to 8.4 per nine innings. Apparently, his success last season has earned him some leeway in the early going this season.

Ross Detwiler set for bullpen session Saturday

Jose Bautista proving his elite status

Yet I'm sure if he gets off to another slow start next year, as he did this year and last year, we'll again hear tales of want and worry, of him wrecking one's draft and killing one's Fantasy team. Such is the nature of things.

Maybe hundreds of years from now, when mankind has taken on a reptilian form and migrated to the moon on unobtainium shuttles funded by the altruism of our utopian society, we'll have grown comfortable with the ways of Bautista and those like him. But by then, he'll have long retired, and those same fears will have manifested for the premier slugger of that time, Gjyek P'tan.

Such is the nature of things.

Adam Jones returns to center field

Jones did not miss any time as a result of the injury. He is hitting .315/.348/.497 and has played in all 47 of Baltimore's games.

Danny Espinosa dealing with bone chips

Espinosa is expected to spend the next two or three days resting, before a decision is made on his long-term prognosis. He was not in the lineup Friday against the Phillies. 

Initial x-rays taken in April did not show a break, but additional testing on Friday confirmed the injury. If he can play with the pain, he might avoid the disabled list, but they will give him a few days off to rest. Surgery could be an option, though the team hopes to avoid it, according to The Washington Post. 

Espinosa is hitting .163, including .150 in May. 

Desmond Jennings out of Friday's lineup

Jennings missed three games in mid-May with a groin injury and Friday marks his first day off since the return. He is hitting .236/.297/.397 in 43 games.

Brewers activate Tom Gorzelanny

Gorzelanny will pitch out of the bullpen, where he has a 2.30 ERA in 15 2/3 innings. 

Hiram Burgos hits the DL

Burgos was initially expected to be optioned to Triple-A, but the team apparently found an issue in his shoulder before making the move. Tom Gorzelanny was activated from the DL to take Burgos' place on the active roster. 

Inconsistency why Twins' decide to keep Kyle Gibson down

Gibson has a 3.25 ERA and 3.3 K/BB over nine starts (52 2/3 innings) at Triple-A Rochester. But he has yet to have consecutive quality starts. His last three starts have seen a complete game shutout, a three-inning disaster (seven hits, four earned runs) and another complete game shutout. 

"Every start for him is important, and so far he’s been good, bad, good, bad, good, bad. He’s close, but he’s not quite there yet. We’re looking for him to string together four or five of those good one. That would give us confidence that it’s time for him to come up here," Ryan said.

Gibson can pitch well enough to make his way to Minnesota this season, but if he needs to make three or four consecutive sharp starts, he's at least a few weeks away.

Jose Valverde unavailable Friday, Joaquin Benoit likely to close

Valverde has thrown a full inning each of the last three days. Joaquin Benoit is expected to be first in line to close Friday.

Brewers to activate Tom Gorzelanny on Friday

Gorzelanny has been on the disabled list since May 11 (backdated to May 7) with shoulder tendinitis. He has a 2.30 ERA in 15 2/3 relief innings for Milwaukee.

Brewers expected to option Hiram Burgos

No move has officially been made, but Gorzelanny is expected to be activated before Friday's game. Burgos had a 6.44 ERA over 29 innings (six starts), with 10 of his 21 earned runs coming in a May 11 disaster against Cincinnati. It is unclear who will take his spot in the rotation.

Not feeling any better about Adam Eaton

Yeah, OK.

I'm no doctor, but I am something of a historian. This whole rigmarole sounds an awful lot like what Carl Crawford went through -- starting up, sitting down, starting up, sitting down -- before eventually submitting to Tommy John surgery last year. The Diamondbacks aren't completely convinced either. They're sending him to Dr. James Andrews.

All is not well with Eaton's elbow. If it was, he'd be hitting more than .200 at the level where he hit nearly .400 last year. I'm not saying you should drop him in Fantasy, but if a Brandon Beachy or Michael Pineda type is still available, you might want to switch out your DL stash.

Yankees option Dellin Betances

Betances did not appear with the Yankees. He has a 5.40 ERA in eight appearances (six starts) at Scranton-Wilkes Barre.

Yankees activate Ivan Nova

Nova hasn't pitched since April 26 due to a triceps injury. Although the club has not announced anything regarding his role, it's likely he replaces Vidal Nuno as the fifth starter in the rotation. Nova had a 6.48 ERA in four starts prior to the injury.

Pedro Ciriaco is AL-only worthy

Ciriaco will likely play third base full-time, but already has the all-important shortstop eligibility, which gives him a bump in value when plugged in at the weaker position with his everyday at-bats.

While Ciriaco is hitting just .175 in spotty playing time this year, he hit .293 last season, and should see his average improve with regular at-bats. He also had 16 steals in 2012, and showed off some speed in the minors, with two seasons of 35 or more steals. He won't put up eye-popping stats, but Ciriaco has a nice chance to fill your stat sheet with average and speed for as long as Middlebrooks is out. 

Mike Adams to return Sunday

The team was originally planning on having Adams face live hitters in a rehab game Monday, but apparently has decided that facing hitters in batting practice Friday is enough. Adams has been on the disabled list since May 10 due to a back strain. 

Jose Iglesias called up to play third

Middlebrooks was placed on the disabled list due to back spasm. Iglesias is expected to play third base Friday against the Indians, according to The Boston Globe. 

Red Sox recall Alfredo Aceves

Aceves has been successful in four starts at Triple-A Pawtucket, as he owns a 3.13 ERA and 1.9 K/BB over 23 innings. Look for him to act as a long reliever for Boston.

Will Middlebrooks hits the shelf

Middlebrooks was initially listed as day to day with the injury, but appears to have suffered a setback prior to Friday's game. 

Mariners keeping Robert Andino for now

Red Sox place Shane Victorino on 15-day DL

Victorino has not played since Monday. He ran sprints and other drills Thursday, but apparently his response to the workout wasn't positive enough to avoid the disabled list. He will be eligible to return June 4.

Indians option Cord Phelps

Phelps was up while Nick Swisher was on paternity leave. He is 0 for 9 in four games this season. 

Jaime Garcia undergoes surgery

"Overall, it went very well," general manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Garcia will rehabilitate and recover over the offseason, and is expected to be ready for the start of training camp next season. Garcia was found to have these injuries last season, but opted to avoid surgery in favor of rehabilitation and strengthening, but the issue came back last weekend.

He finished the season with a 3.58 ERA in 55 1/3 innings. He went 2-5 in nine starts. 

Indians activate Nick Swisher from paternity list

Swisher last played on Monday. Expect him to jump right back into Friday's lineup. He's hitting .274/.382/.493 in 146 at-bats.

Giants find silver lining in Ryan Vogelsong's injury

As pitching coach Dave Righetti told the San Jose Mercury News, shutting Vogelsong down might be a blessing in disguise, after he struggled to a 7.19 ERA in his first nine starts.

"It’s a hell of a way to get rest," Righetti joked. "We didn’t know if the WBC was going to hurt him or help him. But at his age, we also knew there weren’t a lot of opportunities for him to get that shot at doing that. It’s a hell of an honor for a guy who missed out on a lot in his career."

Righetti also said that it appeared as if Vogelsong was on the verge of turning things around, before suffering the injury that will require surgery. He also noted that the team has not decided who will take Vogelsong's place in the rotation. 

Mariners waive Robert Andino

Andino was hitting a brutal .184/.253/.237 (41 OPS+) in 76 at-bats. The move opens up a 40-man roster spot for new catcher callup Jesus Sucre.

Santiago Casilla likely needs surgery

"I think we’re going to lose Casilla for an extended amount of time," Sabean said. "I would anticipate there’s some form of surgery coming."

Casilla was placed on the disabled list earlier in the week, after trying to pitch through the cyst for most of the month. The team has not confirmed that he will need surgery, but this report makes that seem likely. 

Ryan Zimmerman hitting well since return

In 18 games since his return, Zimmerman is hitting .313 with two home runs and 12 RBI, along with a .421 on-base percentage.

Zimmerman was hitting just .226 with one home run in 15 games prior to his injury. He has raised his average for the season to .274. 

Red Sox option Ryan Lavarnway

Lavarnway went 1 for 7 in two games while reserve catcher David Ross was on the seven-day concussion disabled list. Ross' return Friday means Lavarnway heads back to the minors.

Evan Gattis lapping the rookie field

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Gattis leads rookies in extra-base hits (20), home runs, RBI (27) and slugging percentage (.587), while ranking second in on-base plus slugging percentage (.895).

Gattis has started just one of the team's last five games, despite hitting three home runs in that span. 

Red Sox activate David Ross

Ross has been out since May 11. He will return to a backup role behind Jarrod Saltalamacchia. He's hitting .209/.320/.512 in 43 at-bats, including four home runs.

Manny Parra returns from the DL

The Reds placed Sean Marshall on the 15-day disabled list to make room for Parra on the active roster. 

Sean Marshall hits the shelf

Torii Hunter out of Friday's lineup

Although Hunter's season line is still a sharp .313/.360/.412, he has been slumping for a bit over a month. His OPS peaked at 1.048 on April 19, and since then he's hitting just .252/.310/.304. The 37-year-old has had just two days off in that span, so maybe the Tigers hope another will give him a nice reboot heading into the weekend.

J.C. Romero dealing with shoulder injury as opt-out date looms

Romero has begun a throwing program, but has yet to take the mound again. Prior to the injury, he posted a 2.84 ERA for Triple-A Syracuse, but has a 9.00 ERA in 12 innings in the majors last year. 

White Sox activate John Danks from disabled list

Danks will be making his season debut after spending most of the first two months rehabilitating from a shoulder injury. He managed a 3.18 ERA through 22 2/3 innings of rehab starts, including a 3.45 ERA in three starts at Triple-A Charlotte.

Bill Bray dealing with shoulder woes in minors

Bray, who was battling for a roster spot in spring training, has an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract by June 1, and it is not clear whether he will choose to stay with the team. 

Brandon Crawford finding ways to contribute

Crawford has just one extra-base hits in his last seven games, but he is hitting .346 in that span to raise his batting average from .270 to .282 for the season. Crawford also has six RBI in that span, with one stolen base, three walks and just two strikeouts.

Crawford has five home runs and 23 RBI for the season, though he has not homered since the start of May. 

David Phelps not getting the proper respect

Phelps' overall 3.83 ERA is high because of the 10 runs he gave up in April as a reliever. But Phelps came up through the Yankees' system as a starter, putting together a 2.51 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 515 1/3 innings pitched. Of his 91 minor league appearances, 90 were starts. It's tough to put this out there without sounding hyperbolic, but if you liked Kris Medlen last year, it's hard to see why you wouldn't like Phelps. 

You won't get a ton of strikeouts, but Phelps should provide some low ratios, and gives Points leaguers a starter all dressed up as an RP. 

Twins transfer Tim Wood to 60-day disabled list

The club needed his roster spot to call up Samuel Deduno to pitch Friday's game against Detroit. Wood has been dealing with a shoulder and back injury all season. He is expected to go on a rehab assignment sometime in the next week. Wood will be eligible to return May 30.

Twins officially add Samuel Deduno

Deduno has been slated to start the game since Tuesday, but the Twins had to make a 40-man roster move to call him up. The Twins moved Tim Wood to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Deduno.

Deduno was sidelined by a groin injury for much of April, but he owns a 2.70 ERA through three starts at Triple-A Rochester.

Martin Prado stuck in a rut again

Prado is hitting just .232 on the season entering play Friday, thanks to a 2-for-19 slide. He has just three extra-base hits in the month of May, all doubles, and none in his last eight games.

Skip Schumaker, Dodgers struggling

"From experience it takes awhile for everyone to come together and to have chemistry. Once that happens and everyone can trust each other, we'll be all right," Schumaker told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

For his part, Schumaker is showing signs of life recently, despite not playing every day. He has started six of the last 10 games, and is batting .304 in that span. 

Yuniesky Betancourt showing signs of life

Betancourt, who had just one hit in his previous six games, is batting .308 with two RBI and as many walks as strikeouts (two) in his last four.

Betancourt is hitting .232 on the season, but just .178 overall in the month of May, with two home runs. 

Joba Chamberlain to throw two innings in extended spring game

Chamberlain said his injured oblique felt good after he threw Wednesday. The Yankees will wait to make their next move with Chamberlain until they see how the oblique reacts to Saturday's workload. He could be ready to return in about a week.

Ivan Nova says he's ready to pitch

Nova threw a bullpen session without issue Wednesday. The Yankees are planning to meet and decide if he will return to the rotation Friday. General manager Brian Cashman previously said "we'll just wait and see," so Nova's return to the rotation shouldn't be considered a guarantee.

Mark Teixeira slated to begin rehab Wednesday

Teixeira, who is rehabbing an injured wrist, said he will need 50 at-bats at rehab, or likely between 10 and 15 games. He took six at-bats in a simulated game Friday and told reporters he felt "really good." Once he begins a rehab assignment, the Yankees must bring him back to the majors within 20 days barring another injury, so he should be back within about three weeks.

Ryan Mattheus out 4-6 weeks with broken hand

Mattheus slammed his right (pitching) hand into his locker after Sunday's game against San Diego. The fracture will not require surgery but because he won't be able to move his pitching hand, the work required to get his arm back in shape will force him to miss at least a month.

Danny Duffy scheduled for 60 pitches in Sunday's rehab start

Duffy's return comes a bit earlier than expected, as the one-year anniversary of his surgery approaches June 13. The club was hoping for Duffy to go on a rehab assignment around that date, so his progress should be seen as positive. He will likely use most of the 30 days allowed for pitcher rehab assignments before he returns to the major leagues.

Blue Jays move J.A. Happ to 60-day DL

Happ suffered a nasty head injury in his last start May 7 against Tampa Bay, but his knee, tweaked as a result of the subsequent fall, continues to bother him. Happ won't be available until mid-July as a result of the move.

Blue Jays call up Sean Nolin for Friday's start

Nolin was scratched from Thursday's start at Buffalo in order to make Friday's game. The Blue Jays placed Darren Oliver on the 15-day disabled list and moved J.A. Happ to the 60-day disabled list to make room on the roster.

Nolin allowed just three runs (two earned) over 15 1/3 innings in his first three starts at Buffalo. He struck out 16 against just five walks. 

Blue Jays place Darren Oliver on 15-day disabled list

Oliver, 42, accrued a 3.18 ERA and 1.8 K/BB over 17 innings in the Blue Jays' bullpen. Oliver's disabled list stint can be backdated to May 18, and he's eligible to return by June 2.

Jake Westbrook's snag appears minor

Westbrook felt right elbow pain during a bullpen session Wednesday. The issue will keep him from coming back next week as originally planned, but it appears the issue will only push him back about a week at this point. Westbrook compiled a 1.62 ERA in 39 innings prior to the injury.

Indians considering recalling Carlos Carrasco

Carrasco has been dominant at Triple-A Columbus, as he owns a 1.36 ERA and 4.6 K/BB over seven starts (39 2/3 innings). The only hitch for the Indians is the eight-game suspension he was tagged with in April for hitting Kevin Youkilis with a pitch in his only major-league start of the year.

Carrasco has appealed the suspension. He may be able to come up for a start while MLB rules on the appeal -- likely July 10 against Toronto -- and then serve his appeal around the All-Star break, giving the Indians a chance to rearrange their rotation in such a way that Carrasco isn't just dead weight on the 25-man roster. 

However they decide to solve it, the Indians have been impressed with Carrasco's performance in the minor leagues, and they expect to find some way to bring him up this season.

Miguel Cabrera homers in fourth straight game

Cabrera's .391 batting average and .701 slugging percentage lead all major-league players, and his .467 on-base percentage ranks second to Joey Votto. He's been hitless just twice in his last 34 games. He's the early favorite for 2013 AL MVP.

Josh Willingham connects for two homers in loss

Willingham has hit .212/.368/.453 with eight home runs and 23 RBI in 171 plate appearances. His multi-homer performance was his first since July 24.

Salvador Perez has three hits in return

Mark Trumbo extends hitting streak to eight games

Trumbo's line has climbed to .284/.339/.532 in 209 plate appearances, and he's one of two Angels with a slugging percentage over .500 this season.

Mike Trout first to 10/10 this season

Trout is 8 for 13 with two home runs, six runs scored, six RBI and two stolen bases in his past three games. He's hitting .302/.378/.582 in 217 plate appearances.

Jose Valverde perfect in earning fifth save

Valverde has been a stabilizing force at the back end of the bullpen since joining the team in late April.

Rick Porcello struggles against Twins

Porcello had been on a roll in his last four starts, but the poor outing Thursday raised his ERA to 6.28. It was also the first time in five starts that he struck out fewer than five batters. He next faces the Pirates at home Tuesday.

Scott Diamond falls an out short of quality start

Diamond hasn't had a quality start in any of his last three games. His next chance is against the Brewers in Milwaukee Tuesday.

Ervin Santana allows four home runs in loss

Home runs were a problem for Santana with the Angels last season, when he allowed 39 in 30 starts. He had allowed six homers in eight starts heading into Thursday. The poor performance gives Santana a 3.14 ERA going into a matchup against the Cardinals Tuesday.

Ernesto Frieri removed from save opportunity

It was Frieri's third straight appearance allowing at least one earned run, though he earned saves in each of his previous two games.

Robert Coello earns first career save

Coello has not allowed an earned run in 7 1/3 innings this season.

Joe Blanton earns first win

Blanton's rotation spot will be in jeopardy when Tommy Hanson returns, but Thursday's start was a good way to stop the bleeding after allowing 23 hits in nine innings over his previous two starts. He'll face the Dodgers Tuesday with a 6.19 ERA.

David Ortiz homers vs. Indians

Will Middlebrooks listed as day-to-day

Octavio Dotel throws bullpen session

It was Dotel's first session on the mound since being shut down after experiencing a setback last week. He hasn't pitched for the Tigers since April 19.

Christian Garcia feels '100 percent'

Ryan Dempster gets rocked again

Darren Oliver could land on DL

"I'm sure we'll talk about it at some point," Oliver said.

Oliver has not pitched since May 18 and has allowed three runs -- two earned -- in his last two innings. He has a 3.18 ERA in 17 appearances.

Drew Stubbs has three extra-base hits

Stubbs's third three-hit game of the season bumped his batting average to .255. His triple was his first of the year.

Phillies bring up Michael Martinez

Zach McAllister rides to fourth win

McAllister hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in a start this season and has a 2.89 ERA in 56 innings over nine starts. He'll take on the Reds in Cincinnati Tuesday.

Manny Machado has three doubles

Nick Markakis extends hitting streak with home run

Adam Jones homers vs. Blue Jays

P.J. Walters to start for Twins this weekend

Walters is 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 46:16 K:BB ratio in 54 1/3 innings at Triple-A this season.

Chris Davis hits sixth home run of May

J.P. Arencibia has four RBI vs. O's

A grand day for Edwin Encarnacion

Encarnacion finished 1 for 4 with a walk, two runs scored and four RBI. He is hitting .382 with three home runs and 13 RBI in his last nine games. He has a .250/.333/.500 line in 176 at-bats.

Kevin Gausman has debut spoiled by Blue Jays

He allowed an RBI double to J.P. Arencibia and a sacrifice fly in the fourth. He then gave up a two-run home run to Arencibia in the fifth. The right-hander was charged with four runs and seven hits over five innings as he took the loss. He struck out five and walked two on 89 pitches.

Gausman, who went 2-4 with a 3.11 ERA at Double-A, is scheduled to start Tuesday at Washington.

Brandon Morrow roughed up again

Morrow has allowed 11 runs and struck out six over his last 12 innings. He is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday at home against Atlanta. He is 2-1 with a 4.88 ERA in five starts at home.

Kevin Jepsen 'close' to returning

"He's close," manager Mike Scioscia told MLB.com

Scioscia also said Jepsen will make another rehab appearance this week. The reliever has allowed four earned runs in 3 2/3 innings this season.

Freddy Galvis taking over hot corner

"He's going to be an everyday guy in the big leagues," manager Charlie Manuel told The Inquirer. "It's just a matter of time."

Galvis is hitting .226 with three home runs and 24 RBI in 69 at-bats. He has gone 4 for 16 with a home run and two RBI in his last four games as a starter.

Pedro Florimon exits game with sprained finger

Florimon has made nine-straight starts at shortstop. He was replaced by Eduardo Escobar.

Will Middlebrooks exits with back spasms

Aaron Miller moves from mound to outfield

Chase Utley lands on DL

Tommy Hanson's return 'could be weeks away'

The timetable may be speculation by the reporter but is notable, as the door was slightly open for Hanson to return this weekend. He is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 28 innings over five starts this season.

Neil Walker in 1-for-16 slump

Walker has watched his line slip to .228/.338/.298 during the slump. He'll try to turn things around when the Pirates face the Brewers this weekend.

Trevor Plouffe feeling 'a lot better' Thursday

"No headaches or anything," Plouffe told the Pioneer Press. "I pretty much feel normal. As far as any timelines, it's still one step at a time."

Plouffe was scheduled to undergo a full-impact test Thursday to determine whether his injury was a concussion.

Anthony Rizzo hitless in last four games

Rizzo's line has fallen to .256/.320/.489 with the slump, but he does have 10 home runs on the year. He'll try to stop his skid this weekend against the Reds.

Shane Victorino making progress

Lyle Overbay hoping to stick around

Starling Marte holding steady above .300

Marte reached on an infield single in the first inning and promptly stole second, his 11th steal of the season. He came around to score on a single by Andrew McCutchen, the first of two runs he would score in the first two innings.

He finished 2 for 3 with a walk, two runs scored and a stolen base, as the Pirates won, 4-2. He is hitting .310 on the season.   

Jered Weaver to return next week if bullpen session goes well

Weaver struck out nine while allowing one run in a start during extended spring training Wednesday. He's made just two starts for the Angels this season, allowing six earned runs in 11 innings.

Andrew McCutchen racking up multi-hit games

McCutchen went 3 for 4 with two runs driven in and one run scored, in a 4-2 win. All three of his hits were singles, but he added a pair of stolen bases, giving him 12 on the season on 13 attempts.

McCutchen has batting .462 over the last six days, raising his batting average from .260 to .291. 

Jason Grilli perfect for save No. 19

Grilli induced a fly ball out on the first batter he faced, and then set down the next two on strikes to preserve a 4-2 win. Grilli needed just 14 pitches to end his outing and lower his ERA to 1.25.

Grilli has a league-leading 19 saves in 19 appearances, to go along with his sterling ERA. He has struck out 34 batters and walked just five in 21 2/3 innings. 

Taylor Teagarden to begin live BP

Rain shortens Jeanmar Gomez's solid start

Gomez held the Cubs to just one run on three hits, but his outing ended after just 56 pitches, thanks to a one hour, 47-minute rain delay. The Pirates won, 4-2.

Gomez struck out two batters and walked none, while racking up nine groundball outs and just one fly ball in 3 2/3 innings. Gomez has a 2.75 ERA in 36 innings, and is expected to make his next start Tuesday against the Tigers. 

Velocity down for Brett Myers in rehab start

Myers is 0-3 with an 8.02 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings this season.

Wilson Betemit will resume baseball activities next week

Edwin Jackson roughed up again

Jackson surrendered six hits in the outing in just three innings, and ran into trouble in each of his first two innings. He allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in the first inning, and then gave up two more runs on three more hits in the second.

Jackson settled down in the third inning with a pair of strikeouts, but the rain opened up and he had no chance to continue his outing. He finished with four runs allowed on six hits in three innings of work, with three strikeouts and one walk, while taking the loss in a 4-2 final.

Jackson's ERA rose to 6.11 in the start, while his record dropped to 1-7. Jackson is set to take the mound Tuesday against the White Sox. 

Salvador Perez's hip is only bothersome when running

"It doesn’t bother him to catch, block balls in the dirt, throw or hit," Yost told the Star. "It does bother him to run a little bit."

Perez has hit .308/.324/.413 with one home run in 148 plate appearances, going 13 for 31 in his last nine games.

Christian Garcia to join Double-A Harrisburg this weekend

Zack Wheeler will make 2-3 starts before MLB debut

Boston signs Rafael Perez to minor-league deal

Nick Tepesch should be good to go for Sunday

Tepesch has made eight starts for the Rangers this season, going 3-4 with a 3.98 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 43 innings.

Adam Eaton expected to seek second opinion

Austin Jackson not likely to return when first eligible

"I want it right," Tigers manager Jim Leyland told MLive.com. "We talked about that today: 'Get it right.' I don't want him to come back 85 percent and try to play and then do it again. Try to get it as close to 100 percent as you can. You might not get it to 100 percent. Who knows."

Jackson strained his left hamstring nearly two weeks ago and last week seemed to be on track to make it back when first eligible. He has .272/.333/.371 with two home runs and five stolen bases in 16 plate appearances this season.

Jesus Montero officially optioned to minors

Oswaldo Arcia expected to start Friday

Arcia delivered a pinch-hit home run Wednesday against the Braves, but he is mired in a 3-for-26 slump (.115) in his last 10 games (seven starts).

Mark Teixeira could begin rehab stint Tuesday

Darin Mastroianni to miss six more weeks post-surgery

Adam Jones to return to center field Friday

Jones is batting .300 (24 for 80) with two home runs, five doubles, seven stolen bases, 10 RBI and 11 runs in 19 May games.

Alex Burnett taken off 40-man roster

Jake Arrieta headed back to Triple-A rotation

Brett Cecil could be a sneaky backup closer add

In four seasons, he compiled a 4.79 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, with a K/9 of 6.5. In 2013, however, working exclusively out of the bullpen, Cecil has been golden, sporting a 2.35 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 9.4 K/9. 

Cecil is throwing his fastball above his career rate (93 m.p.h. vs 90.5) and has lowered his walk rate significantly. While Casey Janssen has been great as the team's closer, he is coming back from shoulder surgery and admitted this week that his arm isn't exactly back to where it should be. 

There's no indication that Janssen won't pitch the entire season, nor is there any guarantee that Cecil would get any save opportunities ahead of Steve Delabar or Esmil Rogers. But he has been dominant as a reliever and seems to be thriving in this new role. at the very least, AL-only owners may want to consider Cecil just for the low ratios and K potential he offers as a middle reliever. Anything else would just be gravy on top. 

Jesus Montero worth a hold in deep leagues

This was coming on the heels of an encouraging 2012 in which he hit .260 with 15 home runs and 20 doubles. And all of that came off a minor-league career which saw the 23-year-old hit .308, with four 17-plus home run campaigns over five seasons. 

Montero can hit, but he has proven to be a pretty bad catcher. So he'll learn first base down on the farm, a process that may not take too long considering this is not a foreign idea to him. We know Montero can hit -- his 2013 line was doomed thanks to spotty playing time and repeated failures and stresses behind the plate. With the burden of having to call games and handle a staff now gone, Montero has been freed to simply take grounders and regain his offensive potential. 

Granted, Montero doesn't even have a spot at DH or first base open for him once he does come around. But injuries (and slumps) can change things on a daily basis. If you absolutely need a replacement, we offered up some suggestions on Fantasy Baseball Today. I am holding Montero in 14-team-and-deeper Roto formats. I may even trade for him or scoop him off the discard pile in some leagues. Montero can hit, and it shouldn't be too long (mid-July?) until he pops back up with a far sunnier outlook. 

Hiroki Kuroda doing OK day after getting hurt

Salvador Perez rejoins Royals' lineup

Louis Coleman recalled for first time in 2013

Royals demote struggling reliever

Herrera, however, has been struggling since mid-April. He is 1-4 with a 6.60 ERA and eight home runs allowed in his last 13 appearances (15 innings).

Patrick Corbin's hot start turns heads

"It's impressive," D-backs Opening Day starter Ian Kennedy told MLB.com Thursday. "You're talking about a guy that people said might barely make the team in the fifth spot. He pitches well in Spring Training, but it's Spring Training. Then the season starts and he's doing pretty good now. He's on a roll now. I'm impressed."

Corbin is coming off his best start of the season, a complete-game three-hitter in a win over the Rockies that pushed him into the NL lead in wins. He also ranks second in ERA, eighth in WHIP (0.98) and has a miniscule .196 batting average allowed. 

White Sox place Angel Sanchez on waivers

Sanchez played in one game for Chicago this season before being placed on the disabled list with a strained lower back.

Colby Lewis ready for Triple-A rehab start

Josh Johnson expected to make three rehab starts

Chris Carpenter continues to progress

"It was a positive step," general manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "We're still approaching this one day at a time."

Carpenter told reporters he felt good after the workout, and is expected to face live hitters next week barring any setbacks. 

Ramon Ortiz expected to be designated for assignment

Ortiz is 1-2 with a 4.08 ERA through four outings (three starts). He lasted just 2 1/3 innings in his latest start Tuesday against the Rays.

Shin-Soo Choo's free agency a hot topic

"I get asked the question a lot: 'Choo, where do you want to go and where do you want to play?'" Choo said to MLB.com Thursday.

Thanks to a hot start, Choo looks likely to be one of the top free agents in the league next offseason, and with Scott Boras representing him, he will likely get a big pay day. Choo is hitting .300 with a .984 on-base plus slugging percentage through the first 45 games of the season, while serving as the team's leadoff man. For their part, the Reds would like to extend Choo, but general manager Walt Jocketty realizes that might not be the best option.

"I hate to even address it," Jocketty told MLB.com. "We got him with the idea we would get him for the year and then try to develop [Billy] Hamilton to play next year. If we're in a position where we think we can sign Choo, it's a big bonus for us. Would we love to? Absolutely. But we have to really look and see where our financial revenues and financial projections of future revenues are. It's still a little early to do that."

Chad Jenkins to start Sunday

Yankees not close to promoting Chien-Ming Wang

Wang can opt out of his contract June 1, if he isn't promoted to the majors by then. It's expected Wang will exercise the clause in his contract.

Cesar Cabral must be activated by June 15

He must be activated by June 15 or put on waivers, according to ESPN.

Joba Chamberlain might be week away from returning

Kevin Youkilis might be back next week

Ivan Nova could be back after Tampa Bay series

As far as Nova returning to the rotation, general manager Brian Cashman said, "We'll just wait and see," according to the New York Daily News.

Phillies recall Michael Stutes

Stutes posted a 6.35 ERA in six games for the Phillies earlier in the season. 

Pedro Florimon earns spot in everyday lineup

Florimon has totaled five multi-hit games in 15 May starts. He's batting .250 (13 for 52) with two doubles, two home runs, five stolen bases, nine runs, 10 RBI and 12 strikeouts in that span.

David Huff placed on waivers

Scott Barnes added back to Indians' bullpen

Yankees' execs happy with Michael Pineda's progress

The plan is for Pineda to make one more extended spring appearance before a 30-day rehab assignment. The Yankees will then decide to add Pineda to the major-league roster or option him to Triple-A for more refinement.

Mark Melancon ready to step up if needed

"It's so much fun to be out there, closing out the game," Melancon said. "It's my favorite thing."

Melancon has been lights-out as a set up man this season, allowing just one run in his last 17 appearances, and the team clearly feels comfortable with him as a possible backup in case Jason Grilli falters.

"I love the fact that Mark's been battle tested," Hurdle said. "He's had some good opportunities, including some that have not worked out well. He's dealt with adversity. Those have become strengths for him. He is in a good place, personally and professionally. He's taking care of today and what opportunities he has today. Who knows what the rest of this season will provide?"

Melancon had 20 saves in 2011 for the Astros, but just one in each of the last two seasons. 

Shane Victorino misses a third straight game

Albert Pujols heating up, still not quite right

On the season, Pujols has been a massive disappointment, hitting .253 with a .743 OPS (both career lows, by far). Pujols had a truncated spring training as he recovered from offseason knee surgery and has done battle with plantar fasciitis since April, so the dip in numbers is somewhat understandable. The logical question now is: what do I do with him?

The best answer is "hold." In a worst-case scenario, Pujols goes on the DL for a few weeks to heal his foot and rest his knee. But he's almost guaranteed to return with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. In a best-case scenario, Pujols simply goes back to being the Fantasy stud that he is, after playing through the injuries. Either way, all roads should eventually lead to Pujols improving, so selling him may lead to little more than regret. 

Franklin Morales makes another rehab start

Since restarting his rehab assignment May 8, Morales has made two starts for Portland and two starts for Pawtucket. He is 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in two starts for Pawtucket and 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two starts for Portland.

Marlins don't plan to demote Ozuna

"If [Ozuna] wants to make the decision difficult for us, have at it," 'President of Baseball Operations  Larry Beinfest told the Sun-Sentinel Thursday. "If you're productive and doing the job, I don't see any reason why people can't stay. Now, people are going to say, 'Well, he's going to be Super Two.' Sure, we look at all that. I'm not going to say we don't because it matters. The other 29 teams do as well. If a player is doing it, he's going to make the decision tough for you.

Ozuna is currently playing right field, the position that injured slugger Giancarlo Stanton will fill when he gets healthy. With top prospect Christian Yelich pushing for a promotion from Double-A Jacksonville, the Marlins will have a crowded outfield on their hands sometime in June. According to two scouts, the Marlins' best defensive alignment in the outfield would include Ozuna in center field, a position he has yet to man in the majors after 38 games in the minors. 

David Ross doubles in rehab game

Jarrod Saltalamacchia quietly raising Fantasy value

Saltalamacchia's average hasn't been this high since his rookie year, when he hit .266. But you don't add him for his average -- you chase his power. Last year, Saltalamacchia hit 25 home runs in 405 at-bats, which followed a 16-homer season (over 358 at-bats) in 2011. His five this year put him on pace for about 20 home runs, but for Points league players, Saltalamacchia could also be a nice source of doubles, with 10 so far (good for sixth among catchers). 

His ugly April may have turned some owners off to adding him, but Saltalamacchia's strong May should open some eyes. Owned in 39 percent of leagues, he could make for a nice power source in deeper one-catcher formats. 

Manager pushing Leonys Martin to be better

"Martin is a very good baseball player and he certainly has the ceiling to get better," Washington said. "How good? I think we'll just have to wait and see."

Martin continues to split playing time in center field with Craig Gentry as he learns how to adjust to a 162-game schedule. However, his playing time has been on the rise lately because his offensive production has taken off. Martin has started eight of the last 10 games through Wednesday and has hit safely in seven straight (.381).

Still, Washington feels Martin has plenty of room to improve offensively.

"I think he's still trying to find that," Washington said. "The thing is he's getting comfortable and getting his confidence together, and that's the key."

Demotion still not an option for Ike Davis

Davis is batting just .147 with a .482 on-base plus slugging percentage through the season's first 42 games, and rumbles about a possible demotion are growing louder by the day. He is 1 for his last 38 to drop him to last among qualified hitters in batting average. 

Tigers keep hot-hitting Brayan Pena in lineup

Pena has been on a roll offensively, hitting safely in four straight games and six of seven. He's batting .423 (11 for 26) with one double, two home runs and seven RBI in his last seven games.

'No other options' keep Fernando Rodney in closer's role

"There's no other options," Maddon said, per The Tampa Tribune.

DJ LeMahieu is a nice deep league add

LeMahieu has never hit below .314 in any of his five minor league campaigns (he has a .321 career minor league BA). In 306 major league at-bats, he has a .294 average. I wouldn't expect much in the way of power or speed from LeMahieu, but 20 doubles the rest of the way (assuming he gets regular at-bats) wouldn't be out of the question, and you can pretty much bank on the average to be there. 

In NL-only, he's a must-add. But I would consider adding him in formats as shallow as 15-team Roto leagues (at MI or UT), based on his promise in batting average. 

Carlos Santana has weak May batting average

Santana had just his third multi-hit game in May Wednesday. He's batting .200 (14 for 70) with three home runs, four doubles, six RBI, 12 runs and 13 walks in 20 May games.

Asdrubal Cabrera racking up doubles in May

Cabrera is batting .273 (21 for 77) with a .506 slugging percentage, a triple, two home runs, 10 RBI and 11 runs in 20 May games.

Michael Brantley beginning to pile up RBI

Brantley is having a productive May, batting .338 (25 for 74) with a home run, a double, 10 runs and 15 RBI in 21 games (18 starts).

Zack Wheeler discusses return

"Honestly, nothing was working real well for me today," he said to the New York Post. "Taking 10 days off and missing a start this late in the season and coming back as sharp as you were is tough."

Wheeler hit 100 mph on the radar gun, but reportedly saw his velocity dip as the start went on. He allowed two home runs among his five hits, surrendering three runs in five innings of work.

Wheeler expects to be fine for his next turn in the rotation. 

Paul Konerko ends long HR drought

Konerko isn't having a very productive May, batting .212 (14 for 66) with one home run, two doubles, three RBI, seven runs, seven walks and 10 strikeouts.

Rangers give Mark Teahen minor-league deal

Teahen had been playing for Arizona's Triple-A team prior to his release. Teahen hit .211 with three doubles and five RBI in 22 games for Reno.

Rangers release veteran Derek Lowe

Tanner Scheppers not changing approach

"That’s part of the game," Scheppers said, per The Dallas Morning News. "Some guys hang over the plate, and it just happens. As a pitcher, you have to go inside. You can’t stick in one spot."

No structural damage for Adam Eaton

Eaton will stop throwing for two to three weeks to strengthen his left elbow before resuming his throwing program. He has been diagnosed with irritation of his left UCL, but there is no structural damage at this point. 

The team has yet to establish a concrete timeline for his possible return after this latest setback. 

Ross Wolf might not get another start

"We’ll make a decision on that as we move forward," Washington said, per The Dallas Morning News.

Yankees manager wants to settle on three outfielders

"At some point you will probably get to where you will try and put out the same lineup every day," Girardi said. 

Girardi has a simple message for his outfielders.

"Just go out and play, that’s all you can do," Girardi said. "As we have seen there are so many things that can happen in this game that we might need to play all four of them."

Hiroki Kuroda expected to make next start

"I would be shocked if he couldn’t make his next start,’’ Girardi said, per the New York Post.

Kuroda also seems confident he will be back on the hill Tuesday.

"It will depend on how it feels [Thursday], but for me I will make the next start,’’ Kuroda said.

Results finally starting to appear for Josh Hamilton

Hamilton will tell you, however, nothing in his approach has changed. 

"The ball is finding holes," Hamilton said, per the Los Angeles Times. "It's irritating for me to try to explain. Before … the results weren't there. So when the results finally get there, it's like something different happened. But it really hasn't. That's irritating."

Orioles' prospect out 6-8 weeks after surgery

The 2012 second-round pick was injured during conditioning drills. It adds further insult to an already disappointing year for the right-handed pitcher. Kline is 1-2 with a 5.86 ERA and .289 opponents' batting average in seven starts for Class A Delmarva. Kline entered the season as the Orioles' eighth-best prospect, according to MLB.com.

James Shields upbeat despite lack of wins

Still, Shields is hardly discouraged by his lack of wins.

"We are going to get some wins," Shields said, per MLB.com. "I feel that is my job here is to get wins. It's just not happening right now. These guys are going to pick me up. These guys are great. They are grinding every day. We are going through a little struggle right now. Our heads are high, and we are staying positive. It's a long season. By no means are we out of it. We are going to keep putting in a good effort and grind it out."

Curtis Granderson working on 'feel' at the plate

Granderson was batting just .174 entering Wednesday's game.

"It’s just a matter of getting comfortable and getting timing right and getting in a rhythm and going from there," Granderson said, per The Journal News. "It’s one of those baseball things. You can’t really pinpoint it exactly. It’s just going to end up happening one day. Could be one swing. Could be one at-bat. Could be one day."

Granderson certainly was encouraged by his performance Wednesday.

"It’s a result-oriented game, so you always want to see that stuff," Granderson said. "At the same time, the feel is the most important thing. Whenever you do get the feel, then you’re in a better situation to get the results that you want. That’s what I’m still working on right now, just getting that feel."

Brewers' 2012 first-rounder already on the move

Haniger, who is considered the Brewers' 10th-best prospect by MLB.com, also had more walks (25) than strikeouts (24), while adding seven stolen bases. 

Hiroyuki Nakajima optioned after activation

Chad Jenkins being passed over for start

Sean Nolin to start for Blue Jays Friday

Nolin, who missed the first month of the season with a groin injury, is 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA and a .250 opponents' batting average in three starts for New Hampshire. He has 16 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings. The left-hander was 10-0 with a 2.04 ERA and .218 opponents' batting average in 20 starts (18 outings) between Class A and Double-A last season. He struck out 108 batters in 101 1/3 innings.

J.D. Martinez 'feeling good' at the plate

"I'm feeling good," he said, per MLB.com. "I feel like I've been hitting the ball hard, not just (Wednesday) but the last couple of series. I feel like I'm going up there with my plan and approach and I'm not changing it within my at-bat and constantly changing plans like I feel like I have in the past."

Mike Zunino to continue to toil at Tacoma

Following a torrid start, Zunino has cooled off considerably for Tacoma, seeing his batting average plummet to .220. The News Tribune said Zunino is no longer seeing a steady diet of fastballs inside the strike zone and has struggled with breaking and offspeed pitches, as well elevated fastballs with two strikes. It signals Zunino isn't ready to play regularly at the major-league level yet.

Kelly Shoppach moves into starting role

Shoppach, who has started the last three games at catcher, is batting .229 through 23 games. In fact, he's batting .163 (7 for 43) in his last 13 games.

Mariners to promote Jesus Sucre

Sucre, who has been backing up prospect Mike Zunino at Tacoma, is batting .302 with one double and five RBI in 14 games.

Sucre is expected to back up catcher Kelly Shoppach for the Mariners.

Report: Jesus Montero being demoted

Montero is batting .208 with three home runs and nine RBI in 29 games. He hasn't started since Sunday, with Kelly Shoppach taking over behind the plate.

Miguel Cabrera gets assist on latest home run

"It's one of those freak things that happens," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said, per MLive.com. "You see it now and then. You don't see it that often."

Cabrera has hit safely in eight straight games and all but one of 19 May games. His slash line in May is .418/.489/.848/1.337. He also has seven doubles, nine home runs, 10 walks, 16 runs and 24 RBI.

Kevin Gausman needs to 'harness' adrenaline

"It's kind of my job every night, to try to get those pitchers in the mindset to where they can have the most success, especially with a young guy coming up," Wieters said. "Just make him feel like, don't worry about the results at the end of the game. Just go about your business and go pitch by pitch, and that's the best way to get through the game. And then you can sit down and think about it after the game's over."

Wieters also provided a scouting report on Gausman, who is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball.

"He's a kid who's got great stuff," Wieters said. "He's able to mix in his offspeed stuff, which, for a young guy to have secondary pitches he can throw for strikes is big for him. On top of that, being able to locate his fastball is going to be key. He'll have adrenaline going, but the big thing is just being able to harness it. And once you get through that first inning, it's just back to settling down and pitching."

Red Sox won't negotiate with Jacoby Ellsbury until offseason

"It’s just, in this case, we agreed before the season that we would defer (contract negotiations) until the end of the season," Cherington said. "That’s our expectation right now. You never say never. Things can change. But our expectation is we pick up the conversation after the season.”

Joe Mahoney to begin rehab assignment Sunday

Logan Morrison to move rehab to Double-A Monday

David Price unlikely to be activated May 31

While Price hasn't had any setbacks, it doesn't appear he will come off the disabled list when eligible May 31.

"He's probably at the backside of three starts, I would say, at least," Maddon said Wednesday. "We're going to be real careful with this one."

Maddon added Price is likely to get one minor-league rehab start before returning.

Jeremy Hellickson happy with fastball command

"My fastball command was probably the best it's been," he said, per the Tampa Bay Times. "I think if I can command that, everything else is a little bit better."

Evan Longoria puts worry behind him

"I felt pretty bad after the first week of the season, like 10 games in. I was kind of scared," Longoria said, per the Tampa Bay Times. "Because in spring training, you probably don't play three-four games in a row at the most toward the end of spring. Once we got like a week, 10 days into the season, I was feeling like, man, my legs were tired. And thoughts started to creep in about how you're going to do it for 162 days."

The Rays made the decision to use Longoria as the DH in an April 10 game against Texas and the slugger said he has felt better ever since. The Rays continue to use Longoria at DH every now and then, and it seems to be the formula to ease the 27-year-old's mind and keep him fresh. Longoria extended his career-best hitting streak to 16 games Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

"I haven't felt that fatigue," he said. "I feel like my legs are getting stronger and feeling better as the season goes on. And with that worry behind me, I can be focused on other things."

Stealing third a strong indication of David Ortiz's health

"Just felt like it was a chance to gain 90 feet if we have a hard-hit basehit," manager John Farrell said, per the Boston Herald. "We felt like it was an opportunity to move up. I don't know if we'll make a habit of it."

It was still an encouraging sign about Ortiz's health. The slugger began the season on the disabled list because of lingering problems with his Achilles.

"I've been running well lately. I've been feeling better," Ortiz said. "If I feel well I'm going to run. I mean not steal bases, but try to take advantage of whatever's happening, whenever a guy hits the ball or whatever. ... Momentum in the game, it happens. And I don’t have a zero in that category anymore."

Tyler Skaggs finally rounding into form

The left-hander struck out a season-high 10 in 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits. 

"I just felt like I had everything working -- fastball, changeup, curve -- and my catcher Ed Easley was calling a great game," Skaggs said, per MLB.com. "By far, it was easily my best start of the year. I didn't feel great in the bullpen [before the game] but got out there, started bearing down and got going."

Skaggs is 4-5 with a 5.23 ERA in nine starts. However, he's won his last two starts and has posted 2.66 ERA in his last three outings. He's managed 54 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings this season.

"I feel like my mechanics are getting better, hitting that groove, throwing the ball well," Skaggs said. "But I wouldn't say I'm at the peak yet. I've still got things to work out, but I feel pretty good, and the numbers are starting to show that."

Albert Almora 'super excited' to start season

"I just went in there like any other game," Almora said, per MLB.com. "It's the same game, just a different atmosphere. I saw some pitches I liked. I saw good pitches and they happened to find the hole. Everything went good."

The 2012 first-round pick (sixth overall) is "super excited" to start playing in games after being sidelined since mid-March. Almora is considered a top 40 prospect by Baseball America (No. 33) and MLB.com (No. 39).

"To be honest, I worked my butt off," he said. "I worked all morning and whatever I could do baseball-wise, I did it. I just didn't stop. They told me not to rush it, and that was the best advice that anyone's ever given me. But you still, as a baseball player, you want to get out there as soon as possible to help your team hard. It was super-hard to control my emotions."

Jose Molina battles through injury

Molina has multiple hits in three of his last four games to raise his batting average to .235. 

Brett Myers struggles with control in rehab start

Myers struggled, allowing three runs in 4 1/3 innings on two hits and four walks. He struck out two, while throwing 74 pitches. He is expected to make at least one more rehab start before potentially being activated from the disabled list. 

Padres send Burch Smith down

Smith had an 18.41 ERA in three starts, after failing to get out of the second inning for the second time Wednesday against the Cardinals. 

Giancarlo Stanton begins swinging

Jedd Gyorko continues to heat up

Gyorko had a solo homer off Cardinals starting pitcher Tyler Lyons in the seventh inning for the first Padres' run. He added a single and a run scored in the ninth inning of a 5-3 loss. He finished with an RBI and two runs scored, while raising his batting average to .284.

Gyorko is hitting .424 with two home runs and four RBI over the last nine games. 

Yadier Molina strings together four singles

Molina hit four singles to left field, one of which accounted for an RBI. He raised his batting average 14 points, to .333, after going 1 for 11 in his previous three games.

Molina is batting .360 in May with six RBI, but he has no home runs in 20 games. 

Burch Smith struggles again

He surrendered three runs in the first inning on three hits and three walks, then gave up singles to the first two hitters in the second before being pulled. One of those runners would score, leaving Smith with four earned runs on five hits and three walks in one inning.

This is the second time in three starts Smith has been unable to get out of the second inning. He threw 42 pitches as his ERA rose to 18.41. Smith took the loss in the 5-3 defeat.

Smith is not assured another turn in the rotation with how poorly he has pitched, although he is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Mariners. 

Tyler Lyons silences Padres in major-league debut

He held the Padres to a run on a Jedd Gyorko solo home run in the seventh inning, while scattering four hits and a walk. He struck out four and needed just 81 pitches to finish his seven innings of a 5-3 win.

Lyons' win was the 11th by a Cardinals' rookie pitcher this season. He is expected to make his second start Tuesday against the Royals in Kansas City. 

Jason Castro gets three hits

Castro went 3 for 4 with an RBI double and a run scored in a 3-1 victory. He is hitting .252 with two multi-hit games in his last four.

J.D. Martinez powers Astros to win

Martinez went 2 for 4 with a two-run home run in the first-inning for his second multi-hit game in as many nights. He finished with two RBI and a run scored.

He is batting .255 since being recalled from Triple-A at the beginning of May, with two home runs and seven RBI in 13 games. 

Delmon Young still going deep

Young opened the scoring with a solo home run to left center in the fourth inning, providing the winning run in a 3-0 final. He ended up going 2 for 4 with two runs scored and one driven in.

Young is hitting just .233 on the season, but has raised his average 41 points in the last 24 hours. 

Jose Valverde throws in non-save situation

Valverde went 1-2-3 with a strikeout and his ERA is at 0.90. He's gone 4 for 5 in save situations thus far for Detroit.

Ubaldo Jimenez hit hard by Tigers

Jimenez (3-3) took the loss as he allowed six earned runs on seven hits and three walks. He threw 96 pitches, 58 for strikes, and struck out three. His ERA is 6.04.

He had given up two or fewer runs in four-straight outings, winning three of them, before Wednesday. He does have 47 Ks over 44 2/3 innings. He'll look to bounce back Monday at Cincinnati.

Justin Verlander wins despite rough outing, rain delay

Delmon Young provides power again

Young opened the scoring with a solo home run to left center in the fourth inning, providing the winning run in a 3-0 final. He went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Young is hitting .233 but has raised his average 41 points in the last 24 hours. 

Josh Phegley making noise at Triple-A

Still, Chicago is OK with what they have at the major league level right now. 

"When you make a switch at an integral position like that, you have to look at sort of the potential of the unintended consequences," general manager Rich Hahn told MLB.com Wednesday. "It's not just an offensive change. There's also a very important defensive component. We are on a good roll right now from what our pitchers are doing. Nor is it reasonable to say, 'All right, Josh is hitting (.333) in Triple-A so come up here and do the same thing in his major-league debut and then take over this pitching staff and let's go. That being said, I do think that Josh is showing himself capable of potentially being an impact catcher at the major-league level."

Donnie Veal optioned to Triple-A

Veal has made 14 appearances for the White Sox with a 8.59 ERA. He had a scoreless performance over 2/3 of an inning with a walk Wednesday. 

John Danks confirmed for Friday

Andrew Bailey back on mound for Boston

Bailey, who was making his first appearance since returning from the disabled list, gave up a run on Paul Konerko's solo homer. He threw 11 pitches and struck out one.

The Red Sox do not want to use Bailey, who has a 2.03 ERA, on back-to-back nights this early in his return from a biceps injury. 

Hector Santiago Ks 9 in defeat

Santiago struck out nine but wasn't efficient, throwing 107 pitches over six innings. 

He gave up two runs on three hits and four walks. His ERA is 2.81. Santiago hasn't won a game since May 2 at Texas. He has 42 strikeouts over 41 2/3 innings. 

Bryce Harper provides big boost in win

Harper went the other way with a solo home run in the sixth inning to open the scoring. He added a double in the 10th and came around to score the winning run in a 2-1 game.

Harper went 2 for 5 with an RBI and two runs scored. He struck out once. He's hitting .288 with 12 home runs, 23 RBI and a .994 on-base plus slugging percentage. 

Clay Buchholz improves to 7-0

The win ended a streak of three-straight no-decisions. Buchholz's next start is Monday against Philadelphia. 

Curtis Granderson back in a big way

With manager Joe Girardi starting him in the leadoff spot, Granderson immediately got things going with a single off Jason Hammel. He followed with his first extra-base hit of the year, a double.

Granderson then really started to sizzle with a solo homer off Hammel in the fifth inning. He walked in his last plate appearance. Granderson went 3 for 3 with a walk and a run scored with his first HR of the year and improved his average to .269.

Carlos Gonzalez carries the offense in win

Gonzalez had a solo home run in the first inning and added an RBI triple in the third. He then scored on a wild pitch for the Rockies' final run. He went 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Gonzalez is hitting .302 with a .977 on-base plus slugging percentage. 

Matt Wieters has three-run homer

The switch-hitter went 2 for 4 with the three RBI. He's batting .230. Wieters has three homers and eight RBI over his last nine games. He 26 RBI this season.  

Chris Davis homers among four hits

The performance raises Davis' average to .329, which ranks among the top 10 in the AL. His 43 RBI are second. He's also ninth in walks (24) and leading in slugging percentage (.690). 

Davis has homers in three of his last five games, has multiple hits in four of his last six and has 10 RBI over his last 10. 

Mark Melancon gets rare save

Melancon, who entered the game with 16 holds, earned his first save despite allowing the winning run to reach base with one out. But two pop flies to second base to end the threat and the game.

Melancon allowed a hit and struck out one batter, who reached based on a wild pitch. He needed 22 pitches to finish the save.

Melancon has an 0.72 ERA in 25 appearances, with 26 strikeouts and a walk in 25 innings.

Nick Markakis homers Wednesday

The No. 3 hitter, who sometimes leads off, went 1 for 4 and is batting .292. Markakis has hit in nine of his last 10 games and has five multiple-hit games over that span with six RBI. He has 23 RBI and 26 runs scored on the season. 

Ronny Cedeno still out for Houston

He is day-to-day and isn't a regular for the Astros when healthy. He's batting .281 over 57 at-bats. 

Cliff Lee dominates Marlins in complete game

Lee worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the second inning behind a double play and pop fly. He held the Marlins to three hits, walked two and struck out five. Lee (5-2) got the win in the 3-0 victory.

Lee next faces the Red Sox Tuesday in Boston.

Jose Veras on a roll

He had a 1-2-3 ninth to secure a 3-1 win. He threw 13 pitches and his ERA is 3.32. 

Veras has saves in four-straight appearances and hasn't allowed a hit or run in seven-consecutive outings. 

James Shields getting little support

But Shields (2-5) continued to receive little run support in the 3-1 loss. He has allowed two or fewer runs in five-straight outings but is 1-3 over that stretch. Shields, who has a 2.47 ERA, leads the American League in innings pitched and complete games.

His next start is Monday against the Cardinals in interleague action. 

Jeff Samardzija gets no support in loss

Samardzija allowed the run and two hits in the first but settled down to hold the Pirates to a hit in his final six innings. But the Cubs' offense was held to four hits in the 1-0 loss.

Samardzija (2-6) struck out eight and walked one. He has a 3.25 ERA, but the Cubs are averaging 2.8 runs per game in his 10 starts.

His next start is Monday against the White Sox. 

Jordan Lyles shuts down Royals

Lyles (2-1) has had back-to-back solid outings to lower his ERA to 5.40. He's allowed two runs over his last two starts spanning 11 innings with seven Ks. His next start is Tuesday against Colorado. 

Francisco Liriano has best start yet

Liriano held the Cubs scoreless over seven innings on 91 pitches, 59 for strikes. He struck out nine, a season-high, and his best total since Sept. 15, 2012. He walked one, a season-low, and allowed two hits.

Liriano pitched out of a jam in the top of the third with bases loaded and no outs. But he retired the next three batters  and it was the only time the Cubs reached second base against Liriano.

He has a 1.00 ERA in 18 innings, with 25 strikeouts and six walks since returning from a broken arm. Liriano will try to keep his strong start going Monday, when he faces the Tigers in Detroit. 

Kevin Slowey's injury not considered serious

"I felt it the first couple of warm-ups and made the call," said Slowey. "Our doc already got his hands on me and felt it's not severe. It's not something he's worried about. Hopefully, it's more of a cramp than a strain."

Slowey is considered day-to-day but will likely receive further examination Thursday with the team off. 

Shawn Camp hid toe injury

Camp had a 7.56 ERA and three blown saves before the injury, and it appears as if he might require a lengthy stay on the DL. He has been told to stay off his foot until the pain and swelling subsides. 

Phillippe Aummont sent back down

Aumont had a 4.15 ERA in 16 appearances for the Phillies. He struck out 15 in 13 innings, while walking 10 and allowing 17 hits.  

Brandon Belt makes late appearance

The Giants are off Thursday, so Belt could be back in the lineup Friday against the Rockies. 

Pablo Sandoval appears despite illness

Sandoval is expected to be fine, especially with an off-day Thursday. 

Carlos Quentin has cortisone shot

Clayton Richard working on arm slot

"Lots of ground-ball outs yesterday, and he held his velocity into the seventh inning," manager Bud Black told MLB.com. "Our reports from the Triple-A staff and from [assistant general manager] A.J. Hinch, who was there, was that the arm slot looked a bit higher than what we saw through April and the early part of May. So that's a good thing."

The fact that Richard is not dealing with a structural issue gives the team the opportunity to work on some issues at Triple-A Tucson before activating him. Richard is 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings on his rehab assignment, after having an 8.54 ERA in six major-league starts.

Richard is expected to join the team Wednesday in San Diego, but it is not clear whether he is set to be activated from the DL. 

Loss follows Hiroki Kuroda's injury

Kuroda (6-3), who has a 2.67 ERA, was losing 3-1 when he left in the third.

Jason Hammel with best outing to date

Hammel (6-2) allowed two earned runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out six, to get the win Wednesday. He threw 109 pitches and was removed with two outs in the seventh inning with the only Yankees' player to do anything against him coming up. Curtis Granderson was 3 for 3 with a homer for the Yankees with Hammel in the game, so manager Buck Showalter removed him just before Granderson's fourth at-bat.

Hammel, who's ERA is 5.37, will make his next scheduled start Monday at Washington.

Jeff Karstens' plans possibly changing

Karstens last pitched Saturday in Altoona, throwing 60 pitches as he recovers from right shoulder inflammation. 

Michael Cuddyer expected back Friday

Cuddyer is recovering from an inflamed disk in his neck but should be in the starting lineup Friday against the Giants. 

Mark Trumbo has three-hit night

Trumbo doubled and singled twice as he went 3 for 4 with a run scored. He's batting .280. 

The 27-year-old Trumbo has hit in seven-straight games with five doubles, a homer and two RBI over that span. He has 10 homers, 29 RBI and 25 runs scored on the year. 

Erick Aybar has RBI single

Aybar, who is hitting .260, had an RBI single in the third inning and added a walk. He was also thrown out attempting to steal second.

Brandon Maurer roughed up in Anaheim

C.J. Wilson Ks 10 in eight innings

Tom Wilhelmsen gets some work

Wilhelmsen walked a batter in an otherwise perfect inning. He threw 12 pitches, five for strikes, and his ERA 0.45. Wilhelmsen blew his first save Monday at Cleveland but has allowed one earned run over 20 innings with 15 Ks. He has 11 saves. 

DJ LeMahieu looking at increased playing time

LeMahieu has started four of seven games since being called up May 16, and he is hitting .412 with two extra-base hits and two RBI in 17 at-bats. He will likely be the full-time starter at second base with Rutledge gone. 

Josh Rutledge heading down to Triple-A

Rutledge is batting .242 with a .655 OPS. He has yet to play in Triple-A after making the jump from Double-A last season. DJ LeMahieu is expected to take Rutledge's place in the starting lineup. 

Rutledge has five home runs and 13 RBI in 43 games. 

Fernando Salas to see specialist Thursday

Rafael Soriano settles down

Soriano needed 17 pitches for a perfect 10th inning, a night after he blew a save chance. He retired all three batters he faced on fly balls for his 13th save of the season.

Soriano has 13 saves in 16 opportunities with a 3.00 ERA in 21 innings. 

Bud Norris expects to make next start

Norris left each of his last two starts with lower-back spasms, but both times his removal was considered precautionary. He received a massage treatment Wednesday.

Rex Brothers fills in for ninth

Brothers lowered his ERA to 0.42, with 21 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings. He has a 1.13 WHIP and six holds working mostly in middle relief. 

Kevin Slowey leaves with lat injury

He was replaced by Wade LeBlanc. Slowey held the Phillies to a run on six hits in five innings. He threw 69 pitches, 50 for strikes, while striking out six and walking none.

Slowey is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Rays, but that depends on the seriousness of the injury. He is listed as day-to-day.

Slowey lowered his ERA to 3.30 but left the game down 1-0.  

James McDonald throws bullpen session

"So far so good," manager Clint Hurdle told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Wednesday. "There were no repercussions from (Tuesday). He didn't feel anything."

McDonald is set to begin his rehab assignment Monday for Double-A Altoona. He has not pitched since April 30 due to a shoulder injury. 

Hiroki Kuroda suffers bruised right calf

When asked if the injury had anything to do with his back, Kuroda said it did not. He is day-to-day and questionable for his next scheduled start Monday in New York against the Mets. 

Kuroda had his worst outing of the season before leaving Wednesday. He had not allowed a home run in his previous two starts and had allowed one over his last four outings, but surrendered two Wednesday. In fact, entering the start he'd given up three homers all year over 58 2/3 innings. 

Kuroda also allowed the first stolen base against him this season when Nate McLouth took second. Kuroda was 6-2 with a 1.99 ERA entering Wednesday. 

Jeanmar Gomez the likely odd man out

"We won't have to worry about that for another 10 days," Hurdle said. "We all believe that starting is Charlie's niche right now."

Gomez has a 2.78 ERA and has allowed six runs in 18 2/3 innings in four starts. 

Andre Ethier unhappy with manager's criticism

"I take offense to that," Ethier said.

Specifically, Ethier was unhappy that Mattingly did not say anything to him personally about the perceived issue with his work ethic.

"But other than that, it's one where I feel like every day I show up and I'm trying to figure out ways to compete," Ethier said. "I work hard. Whether I'm going good or going bad, I work just as hard, both sides. Obviously, when things are going bad, I'm trying even harder to figure out how to make things go right."

Ethier is batting .264 with a .758 on-base percentage, both career lows. 

Jake Westbrook's rehab hits a snag

Westbrook is dealing with inflammation in his elbow and had been limited to long toss before Wednesday. The next step is not known after this setback. 

Cameron Maybin to begin rehab assignment Friday

Logan Forsythe nearing a return

Padres manager Bud Black told MLB.com that Forsythe will begin his rehab assignment Friday in Arizona, playing in extended spring training games. Forsythe has been out since spring training with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. 

Hiroki Kuroda injured in poor outing

Kuroda was hit in the calf by a line drive but remained in the game. Following Davis' single, Kuroda appeared to touch his back in discomfort. His next start is supposed to be Monday at the Mets. 

Kuroda allowed two homers in his two innings. Preston Claiborne's first pitch to Matt Wieters after Kuroda departed was a three-run homer to complete the starter's line. Kuroda allowed five runs on eight hits and no walks with no strikeouts.

The 38-year-old had been New York's best starter entering Wednesday with a 1.99 ERA and 6-2 record over his first nine outings. 

Alex Gordon has 10-game hit streak

Gordon, following his first at-bat Wednesday, is 19 for 36 (.528) over his streak, with four doubles and two RBI. 

Adam Dunn playing through back issue

Dunn, who said his problem is more related to fielding, was the DH Wednesday against Boston. 

"It takes so long to get loose," Dunn said. "I have to probably go two or three batters before I normally do just to go and get loose again. Other than that, it’s pretty much the same."

Chicago is off Thursday before opening a three-game series against Miami Friday. 

"Laying down, that hurts it worse and sitting down makes it stiff," Dunn said. "So, I’m sure I’ll be walking around doing some stuff. Again, I never had any back problems. I don’t consider this a back problem really. But I don’t know. I guess it just has to run its course."

Dunn hit his 11th home run of the year Monday. With two on, Dunn sent a first-inning fastball from Jon Lester to right field. Dunn finished 1 for 3 with a walk. Dunn is hitting .172/.268/.428 in 145 at-bats.

John Lannan making progress

Lannan has been on the disabled list since April 18 with a strained quadriceps tendon and has been limited to bullpen sessions.

Roy Halladay begins rehab program

Halladay is expected to be out until at least late August. 

Chase Utley might end up on DL

Utley iwill have an MRI Thursday when the team returns to Philadelphia. Utley suffered the injury during batting practice Tuesday.

"It definitely scared me a little bit," he said Wednesday. "My first swing I took in BP, I felt something. My second swing, I felt it again. My third swing, I felt it again. After the fourth swing, I realized something wasn't right. That's when I told Charlie [Manuel] I have some pain in my side. He told me to go see [head athletic trainer] Scott [Sheridan]. He took me out of the game."

If Utley has a strained oblique, that could require a DL trip, and the team should know Thursday. He said he felt OK Wednesday, but not much better than he did the day before. Utley has missed 256 games over the last three seasons.

"You want to be careful with these things, because they could linger and get worse if you try to play through it," Utley said. "I think we caught it early enough, but it's hard to know until we have some imaging on it."

Curtis Granderson has first extra-base hit

Granderson's second hit was his first extra-base hit of the season, a double, since returning from the disabled list. 

Earlier Wednesday, Granderson and Joe Girardi discussed his struggles at the plate and said he was on the verge of getting hot. It appears they were correct. 

Madison Bumgarner excellent in no-decision

Bumgarner went seven innings, allowing four hits and two walks. The run came on a solo home run by Bryce Harper that opened the scoring in the sixth inning. Bumgarner struck out five on 115 pitches but earned a no-decision.

Bumgarner's ERA dropped to 2.89 as he bounced back from his worst start of the season. Bumgarner (4-2) will go for his fifth win Tuesday against the Athletics. 

Jose Bautista single-handedly beats Rays

Casey Janssen allows Tampa to tie game

Janssen has allowed three earned runs on five hits and a walk in his last two appearances to raise his ERA to 2.40 from 0.69. 

Marcus Stroman becomes option for Friday

The other options appear to be Chad Jenkins and prospect Sean Nolin, which have been previously reported. 

Stroman's next scheduled start is Friday after making an appearance with Double-A New Hampshire. He struck out six over five scoreless innings in that outing. 

"Stroman, Nolin, you got those guys that we're high on," manager John Gibbons said Wednesday. "Those are guys we're going to count on down the road."

Carlos Quentin remains sidelined

Quentin has played in two games over the last week.  

Ryan Dempster changes routine

Dempster flew to Boston to get a full night of sleep in advance of his start Thursday against the Indians. He skipped his normal bullpen session Tuesday and made throws from flat ground. 

"Talking with him as far as how his arm felt coming out of his last start, he didn't feel like there was any changes or lingering effect from the pitches he did throw," Sox manager John Farrell said.

Gio Gonzalez effective in no-decision

Gonzalez held the Giants to a run in 7 1/3 innings. He walked Angel Pagan with one out in the eighth inning then was pulled for reliever Drew Storen. He allowed four hits and two walks, while striking out five. He threw a season-high 116 pitches.

Gonzalez, who has lowered his ERA to 3.66 with four quality starts in a row, will next start Tuesday against the Orioles. 

Franklin Morales without rotation spot

Morales has allowed six runs over 12 innings through four minor league rehab appearances. Boston is stretching him out to start but doesn't have an opening in the rotation. 

"The fact is, he’s getting up and down multiple times with the innings pitched and coming out of each start with no issues," manager John Farrell said. "Everything is moving according to what our initial thoughts were with him. Once we get through tomorrow, we’ll re-evaluate that and see what the needs are here and certainly where he fits in."

Fernando Rodney blows another save

Rodney walked Adam Lind with one out in the inning and was pulled by manager Joe Maddon. Joel Peralta finished the inning to send the game into extra innings. 

Rodney has allowed runs in three of his last four appearances and has blown three of his four saves over his last nine outings. His ERA is 5.40. 

Zack Wheeler solid in return

Wheeler pitched five innings against the Iowa Cubs, allowing three earned runs on five hits and two walks. He hit a batter and struck out two, while being held to 67 pitches. 

Jeremy Hellickson victim of blown save

Hellickson surrendered the two runs on four hits and a walk over eight innings. James Loney's RBI single in the top of the ninth put Hellickson in line for the win. But Rodney allowed a home run to Jose Bautista. Hellickson gave up a homer and RBI single to Bautista. 

Hellickson struck out four and pitched much better than his last outing when he won despite allowing eight runs in 7 2/3 innings. 

Hellickson (2-2) makes his next start Tuesday against Miami in an interleague series. 

Jorge De La Rose wins fourth straight

De La Rosa (6-3) has won four in a row and has a 3.40 ERA in 10 starts, while averaging a little more than 5.5 innings per start. His next start is Tuesday against the Astros. 

Rockies get to Trevor Cahill early

Cahill allowed a two-out homer and two doubles in a two-run first inning. He also gave up two runs in the third and finished allowing the four runs on seven hits in six innings.

Cahill did not walk a batter and struck out one, his lowest total of the season. Cahill is 3-5 with a 2.81 ERA. Before Wednesday, he had allowed fewer than four earned runs in seven-straight starts.

Cahill is scheduled to make his next start Monday against the Rangers. 

Mark Buehrle keeps Blue Jays in game

Buehrle and Hellickson were deadlocked 2-2 when Buehrle left the game after 109 pitches and seven innings. Buehrle allowed four hits and two walks with six strikeouts. Both Rays' runs came on RBI singles in the third inning. 

Buehrle (1-3), who has a 5.90 ERA, hasn't had a win since April 15 against the White Sox but has been solid in two of his last three outings. Buehrle's next start is Monday against Atlanta. 

Freddy Garcia starting Saturday in Toronto

Garcia took a no-decision against the Yankees Monday as he left the game at 2-2 after six innings. Garcia is 0-2 with a 4.84 ERA after four starts with eight strikeouts over 22 1/3 innings. 

Mike Adams will need rehab

"He's throwing fine," Dubee told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "But he needs to see some hitters."

Adams is set to go to extended spring training in Clearwater, Fla., to face hitters in batting practice Friday then in a rehab game Monday. Assuming everything goes well in his recovery from a back strain, he is likely to be activated no sooner than Tuesday. 

Manny Parra moving up to Triple-A

Parra has made three starts at Double-A Pensacola, pitching five combined scoreless innings. Parra has been out since the end of April.

Eduardo Nunez takes BP

Nunez, who has been out since early May, is likely at least a week from activation. 

Matt Harvey disappointed with no-decision

"It was one of those days. I didn't execute," he told ESPN.com. "I didn't do a good job. I've got to be a lot better than that. Nine hits is unacceptable for me. Obviously, I wasn't happy giving up any runs. Today we needed a big win, and I wasn't able to do that." 

Harvey's first mistake was falling behind Reds' first baseman Joey Votto in the third inning. Votto homered on a 3-0 pitch to give the Reds their first lead. Despite the mistake, Harvey did not apologize for challenging the National League's leader in batting average and OPS.

"I'm not going to give in to anybody, regardless," Harvey said. "That's not really who I am. I'm not afraid to throw to anybody. I just didn't make my pitch. I need to be better."

Harvey struck out six and walked three; his ERA rose to 1.93, dropping him to fifth in the National League.

Kevin Youkilis 'getting closer'

"I can't tell you," manager Joe Girardi said. "I think you have to give him a few days in a row before you evaluate to make sure that his back is healed and it doesn’t come back. The last two days have been pretty good, so he’s getting closer."

Joba Chamberlain throws in extended spring training

"Felt good," manager Joe Girardi said. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow." 

Chamberlain will make at least two rehab outings and won't come off the DL until next week at the earliest. 

Andy Pettitte has rehab mapped out

"We have it mapped or semi-mapped out," Girardi said. "I don’t know if it will be the first day, but it will be shortly after that."

Pettitte will complete long toss following playing catch. That will be followed by a bullpen session and then a simulated game. Pettitte will do his work with the Yankees and not at the minor-league complex. 

Yankees being patient with Ivan Nova

"We’re able to be patient because we want to make sure he’s healthy when he comes back," manager Joe Girardi said. "Then you get in the problem of, he pitches a game and then you’ve got to put him back on the DL. We don’t want to do that."

David Freese remains sidelined

Freese, who is day-to-day, was spiked in Sunday's game. 

Sean Marshall unavailable with shoulder inflammation

"A little bit," he told the Cincinnati Enquirer . "I'm getting a little better understanding of when it feels good and when it needs a little more rest. Today, when I was warming up as normally do to get my shoulder loose, I felt little bit of crankiness. I threw some balls and felt a little bit of crankiness."

Marshall does not seem to think this will also require a trip to the DL, but they are being extra careful with him.

"We're erring on the side of caution," Marshall said. "I told them I was little sore. We have some very capable arms come out of the bullpen a time or two season so far. I needed this extra day of rest. I'll be back to the way I’ve been feeling."

Nick Punto stays hot with two hits

Ryan Braun hits ninth home run

Alex Avila sitting amid struggles at plate

That said, Tigers skipper Jim Leyland backed the slumping Avila as the team's everyday catcher. They are not yet ready to annoint Brayan Pena into that role. 

"I don't want to indicate that Alex isn't our catcher," said Leyland. "He is our catcher."

Avila hasn't hit higher than .227 all season and his average hasn't been above .200 since April 11 except for one day. He's hitting just .155 since April 11 with two homers and eight RBI over 84 at-bats. Avila is hitting .053 against lefties but just .198 against righties. 

"I did this with Pudge (Rodriguez) toward the end," said Leyland. "I played him, then sat him out, played him, then sat him out. He didn't particularly like it, but it actually worked pretty good. I'm not saying I'm trying that with Alex, but I have to do something. We'll get through it together, but right now you have to go with your gut. There's no magic formula. I've talked to him, but if one nice conversation could solve all the problems, it would have been solved a while back. But I don't have the answer. The kid is struggling — and as the manager, you feel sorry for him. Trust me."

Carl Crawford knocks in two, steals a base

Ramon Hernandez gets on the home run board

Scott Van Slyke doubles twice against Milwaukee

Matt Kemp fills up box score against Milwaukee

Hyun-jin Ryu shuts down Brewers

Kyle Lohse not concerned about elbow

"He could go out and pitch," manager Ron Roenicke said. "But because he didn't have a spring training, we would rather try to get rid of this, so we're going to bump him a start."

Lohse is expected to return to the mound at some point in the team's series in Minnesota next week, which runs from Monday through Thursday. The elbow is not expected to require a disabled list trip.

Lohse is 1-5 with a 3.79 ERA since joining the team.  

Rick Ankiel stays hot in Mets uniform

Daniel Murphy notches three hits against Reds

Matt Harvey dinged up against Cincinnati

Aroldis Chapman locks down 10th save

Timeline coming clear for Jeff Francis

Francis will accompany the team on it's road trip to San Francisco this weekend, where he will do long toss Friday and another bullpen session Saturday. Assuming all goes well, he should go on a rehab assignment, though it is not clear if he will be sent to the minors or extended spring training for his next step. 

Still reasons to worry about Adam LaRoche

With a batting average that still stands at just .219, LaRoche could still improve, yet he may actually be overowned right now.

Owners in 70 percent of our leagues are rostering LaRoche, and while he should be due for more hits in general and more doubles in particular, when the dust settles, he could easily remain outside the top 25 first basemen. LaRoche has been limited to three doubles in part because of apparent bad luck (1 for 31 on flyballs in play), but he is also striking out far too often. Even as he has heated up in May, LaRoche has 20 strikeouts in 65 at-bats this month.

Power binges come and go, but unless LaRoche starts making contact more often, the Nationals' first baseman may not help much beyond home runs and walks.

Brandon Phillips knocks in two against Mets

Adrian Beltre puts end to HR drought

Vidal Nuno to start Saturday against Rays

Adam Eaton set for MRI Wednesday

Eaton was shut down from his rehab assignment after experiencing discomfort in his left elbow Monday at Triple-A Round Rock.

"Everything was going really well," Eaton said. "Made a couple of strong throws in Visalia and then got to Round Rock, and the first one there, I felt a little discomfort. Then I felt it again, and I just knew this isn't right. Against my better judgment -- because I usually try to play through stuff like that -- I told the trainer, and they got me right out of the game."

Eaton had treatment on the elbow Tuesday but said it did not seem to have much of a positive impact. Eaton was expected to join the team by the end of the month, but this setback complicates his possible return. 

Wilson Betemit goes to the doctor

Betemit still has not been cleared for baseball activities, though he has increased his exercises of late. 

Zack Cozart has big game against Mets

Joey Votto mashes seventh homer in big game

Jered Weaver strikes out nine in extended spring start

Manager Mike Scioscia said Tuesday it was possible Weaver could be ready to come off the 15-day disabled list after making his extended spring start Wednesday.

Brett Gardner gets some rest

The 29-year-old Gardner went 1 for 4 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's loss. He's performed fairly well in May with a .261 average, nine runs scored, four RBI and seven stolen bases over 19 games. 

Mat Latos takes no decision against Mets

Latos struck out four and walked one but eight hits were too many for him to weather. His ERA rose to 3.17 as a result.

David Murphy has four HRs in last 17 games

Murphy is batting .314 (16 for 51) with three doubles, four home runs and 11 RBI in his last 17 games (14 starts).

Derek Norris finally has multi-hit game in May

Coming into Wednesday's game, Norris was batting .135 (7 for 52) with one home run, two doubles, four RBI, five runs and seven walks in 16 May games.

Matt Dominguez sitting with quad tightness

The 23-year-old Dominguez is hitting .245 over 43 games this season and he's been one of the better defensive third baseman in baseball. 

Joe Nathan secures 14th save

Don't forget about John Danks

Even with the majors' most coveted matchup on hand, it's too risky to start Danks in most leagues right now, but with a 16 percent ownership rate, he is being overlooked in many deeper mixed leagues. A healthy Danks is a good bet to provide a sub-4.00 ERA. a WHIP below 1.30 and a decent strikeout rate. It's not exciting, but those stats can come in handy in a 15-team mixed league.

Though you probably won't use him right away, pick up Danks now in those formats, and you may enjoy some nice production in the not-too-distant future.

Early home runs send Jarrod Parker to loss

The right-hander was charged with six hits and one walk, while strking out five. He actually lowered his ERA from 6.04 to 5.76. Parker has allowed three or more runs in five of his last six starts.

Parker (2-6) is slated to return to action Tuesday against the Giants. Parker is 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA in two career starts against San Francisco.

Adam Jones dealing with sore groin

The Orioles and Jones still believe the injury is not serious, they just want to keep him off his feet as much as possible. Manager Buck Showalter wanted to err on the safe side with the Orioles headed to the turf in Toronto in the upcoming series. 

Ross Wolf wins in first major-league start

The right-hander retired the first nine hitters and gave up one run with three strikeouts and two walks in five innings. If Wolf remains in the rotation, then he could start during Monday's doubleheader at Arizona.

Nolan Reimold has hamstring tear

Reimold is remaining in Baltimore to rehab the injury and will see a local physical therapist. He will not be able to return once his original 15 days on the disabled list are up. 

Mike Adams throws bullpen session

Nick Swisher coming back Friday

Swisher was placed on the paternity list Tuesday and missed the game against the Tigers. He is batting .274 on the season for the Indians with six homers and 16 RBI. 

Oswaldo Arcia delivers pinch-hit home run

Arcia, who didn't start once during the Atlanta series, is batting .115 (3 for 26) with one double, one home run and two RBI in his last 10 games (seven starts).

Cubs recall Rafael Dolis

Jonathan Schoop may have stress fracture in back

Schoop saw a spine specialist and was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back. Unless the second opinion disagrees, he's looking at 6-8 weeks of rest. 

Salvador Perez still sitting out

The Royals have not discussed a possible disabled list stint for Perez as of yet. He is day to day for now and manager Ned Yost believes he'll start Thursday against the Angels, the Kansas City Star reports. 

Twins hope demotion is right move for Vance Worley

"We're looking for performance here," Gardenhire said, per the Pioneer Press. "We got him in a trade. We need performance. You've seen what's happened here in a row with our starters. We needed him to step up, and it didn't work out."

Gardenhire hopes the demotion will get the right-hander on track.

"He needs to go down and get going," Gardenhire said. "I think we're just searching for the guy that we got in the trade. He's got the stuff. Now he's got to put it out on the field."

Cubs place Shawn Camp on disabled list

Ramiro Pena homers in win over Minnesota

Alexi Ogando scheduled for bullpen

Ogando said Monday that he's only throwing at around 40 percent until the Rangers allow him to amp it up. He's making slow progress and doesn't have a timetable to return. 

Colby Lewis hoping to start rehab Saturday

Lewis was pulled from a previous rehab assignment due to triceps inflammation. He's over that now and is nearing the continuation of that rehab for his original elbow injury. 

Aaron Hicks connects for fourth May home run

Hicks homered and had a career-high three hits against Atlanta. It was just the second multi-hit game of his career, with the other coming May 13 when he hit two home runs against the White Sox. Hicks is batting .206 (13 for 63) with one triple, two doubles, four home runs and eight RBI in 18 May games.

Jason Heyward manages another two-hit game

B.J. Upton hits fourth home run

CC Sabathia getting an extra day of rest

Justin Morneau averaging RBI per game in May

Evan Gattis mashes grand slam against Minnesota

Another chance for Kyle Gibson?

Like Al Melchior said on Wednesday's Fantasy Baseball Today, Gibson doesn't have much left to prove in the minors. He's no Kevin Gausman or even Zack Wheeler, but in leagues where the next big thing is inevitably the next hot claim, perhaps now is the time to make a move for him.

Is there hope for Vance Worley?

The key to Worley's success the previous two years had been a high called strikes rate, but only 18 percent of his pitches were strikes looking as compared to 22 percent in both 2011 and 2012. According to BrooksBaseball.net, he's been getting less horizontal movement on both his four-seamer and his sinker, and accordingly, batters have been swinging at those offerings more often.

Worley hasn't gotten wild or lost velocity; he just hasn't been deceptive. He's probably never going to dominate hitters, but if he can work out his issues in the minors, Worley can still be a pitcher who is viable in standard mixed leagues.

Derek Lowe clears waivers

Carlos Gomez regressing to mean

How far he'll fall remains to be seen since he's clearly still progressing as a player, but judging from his lack of plate discipline, I'd say he profiles as about a .280 hitter. With his combination of power and speed, that's enough to keep him a regular starter in most Fantasy leagues, but he could have some rough patches ahead.

During these times when he tests your patience, just remember your enthusiasm when he was carrying your Fantasy team in early May. It's not like he's a different player now. He's just streaking a different way.

Ryan Madson taking break on rehab assignment

Madson, who tossed a scoreless innings and recorded a save for Inland Empire May 13, believes he is close to returning, but acknowledges he might have been overly aggressive in his comeback attempt. Madson will still join Salt Lake for a rehab assignment, but no date has been set for when he will take the hill.

Matt Kemp tops most-traded list

Al Melchior and Scott White agreed on Wednesday’s episode of Fantasy Baseball Today that they’d give up Kemp in a deal for Ryan Braun, but wouldn’t for guys like Joe Mauer and David Price.

Paul Maholm picks up win with sharp start against Minnesota

David Ross might be back this weekend

“David Ross, we’re hopeful he will be in Portland (Thursday) to get some at-bats," Farrell said. "We’ll just have to go through the normal protocol with MLB when it comes to concussions. So there’s some lengthy paperwork as you might expect to get that taken care of. But we’re hopeful that he’ll be back for us during the Cleveland series (May 23-26)."

Last call for Kenley Jansen

That's what he said in between segments on Wednesday's Fantasy Baseball Today -- referring, of course, to Kenley Jansen -- and I can't disagree.

If Mattingly is declaring an open competition for the role, which is how I read it, then Jansen shouldn't have much trouble delivering the decisive blow to Brandon League. His meltdowns over the weekend have created some suspense, but in the end, he'll prove to be the more effective reliever.

And if his performance as a closer last year counts for anything, he might end up being a top-five reliever the rest of the way.

Cardinals place Fernando Salas on disabled list

Mike Leake not out of the woods yet

Two numbers in Leake's stat line look a little out of place, though. Specifically, he has stranded 79 percent of his baserunners, while his previous career high was 76 percent, and he has allowed only five home runs over 55 1/3 innings. For someone with a career 1.2 HR/9 ratio, that smells of good fortune.

Look no further than Leake's game log to see why he's having more success than usual. His career HR/9 jumps to 1.4 for home starts, and he didn't fare especially well at Great American Ball Park in outings against the Braves and Nationals. Leake did do well against the Cubs and power-poor Phillies, and he's had largely favorable matchups and venues on the road.

The sledding gets tougher for Leake in the next few weeks, so not only is he a sell-high candidate in deeper mixed leagues, but the door could re-open for Cingrani in the near future.

Vance Worley sent packing to minors after loss

Worley struggled from the get-go Wednesday. He allowed the first three runners to reach base and surprisingly escaped the first inning having allowed just one run. He tossed a scoreless second inning before the Braves added two more runs in the third inning, including one on Ramiro Pena's home run. But Worley fell apart in the fourth inning. Justin Upton led off with a home run and six batters later Evan Gattis parked his first career grand slam.

Worley allowed eight runs on 10 hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out three, as his ERA jumped from 6.20 to 7.21. The Twins have yet to name Worley's replacement. His next turn through the rotation would have been Monday at Milwaukee.

Still high on Jose Fernandez

It's not like Fernandez was pitching poorly. He had allowed just one run in five innings. But as colleague Al Melchior pointed out on Wednesday's Fantasy Baseball Today podcast, there were some extenuating circumstances. The Marlins sent in a pinch hitter for Fernandez with the tying run at third base in the bottom of the fifth inning. Most likely, if the bases were empty, they would have allowed Fernandez to pitch an extra inning.

Either way, I'm more encouraged by Fernandez's workload last time out than discouraged by his workload in this one. At least now we know the Marlins are willing to him push 100 pitches. If 85 pitches was a hard cutoff, he'd have a hard time making a signifiant Fantasy contribution.

Wily Peralta roughed up by Dodgers

Adam Jones at DH again to rest sore legs

Jones added he's fine to play center field, but he appreciates manager Buck Showalter being careful with him. Jones is batting .289 (22 for 76) with two home runs, four doubles and 10 RBI in 18 May games.

Ben Revere making contact again

Owners won't likely expect Revere to maintain an average much over .300 going forward, and his recent exploits have been fueled by an unsustainably high BABIP. However, he has struck out only four times in 41 at-bats this month, which is more typical for Revere than the 16 percent strikeout-per-at bat rate he put up last month.

Revere is still batting just .260 for the season, as his numbers are weighed down by his poor April. Forget the year-to-date stats and look for Revere to help with batting average, steals and runs in most mixed Rotisserie leagues over the remainder of the season. 

Erick Aybar doesn't miss a game

Jake Odorizzi pushed back to Monday

Odorizzi made his season debut Monday against the Blue Jays, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out six.

Alex Cobb moved up to Sunday

Cobb won for the second time in May Tuesday against the Blue Jays, allowing one run on three hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings. Cobb has posted a 3.00 ERA and .207 opponents' batting average in four May starts. He also has struck out 27 batters in 24 innings this month.

Setback for Adam Eaton a major concern

That's not the prognosis for the Diamondbacks' Adam Eaton just yet -- in fact, he's hopeful he can get back to playing in a few days -- but with these latest reports of him feeling something in his elbow, it's what I'm expecting. And as mentioned on the latest Fantasy Baseball Today podcast, it wouldn't be out of left field. On a rehab assignment between the California and Pacific Coast leagues, where he was practically a .400 hitter during his minor-league career, he was struggling .200. Check out the numbers for Kelly Johnson, Mike Aviles, Kyle Blanks and Carl Crawford in the weeks leading up to their Tommy John surgeries. They couldn't buy a hit either.

If I've been stashing Eaton all this time, I'm obviously waiting around for the final word, but I'm also preparing to go without him the rest of the way.

Shane Victorino improving, not ready to play

"Shane is not in the lineup again tonight, but he’s gaining mobility," Farrell said. "The soreness that he felt the other night after he came out of the game continues to subside, so he’s moving in the right direction, and hopefully, he’s back in our lineup soon. My view is it’s always going to be a game or two, and hopefully, that will be the case."

Ian Kinsler aims to be back June 2

Leury Garcia fine 'for now' with utility role

"Now the opportunity is here, I have to take advantage of it," Garcia said. "I never thought about being a utility player in the minor leagues. When they asked me to do it, I decided to take my chances and see what happens. For now it's fine."

Josh Reddick might be back next week

Reddick could be reinstated from the disabled list next week. Reddick, who was hitting .152 before going on the disabled list, believes his hitting woes could be strongly connected to his wrist discomfort.

Dan Straily the man again

"The best pitching performance we've seen out of him to date," manager Bob Melvin said. "I think he just gained confidence as the game went along."

"I think this can be a jumping off point for him," reliever Sean Doolittle said. "That was pretty impressive."

It's not like Straily was doubting himself after a series of rocky starts since returning from the minors. He only backs up what the numbers say. "The last few times out, I walked people, hit people, hurt myself. I wasn't getting hit hard. I was hurting myself. The whole goal today was go out and fill up the strike zone."

Like I said on Wednesday's Fantasy Baseball Today, this is the real Dan Straily. He isn't the first high-upside hurler to have a rocky transition to the majors. He also wouldn't be the first to take off once he found his groove. With Brett Anderson potentially out another two months, I'm willing to ride the wave.

Andre Ethier going nowhere fast

There has been a little power in Ethier's recent run, which has included four extra-base hits, but that alone shouldn't be enough to raise expectations for a significant rebound. Ethier has hit 30 home runs just once in his career, and that is now four season ago. While he is hitting flyballs at his highest rate since then, he's not hitting many of them particularly deep.

Ethier is just going through a stretch where he is getting a few additional base hits on balls in play, and eventually his luck will taper off. Then owners will be left with an outfielder who provides a decent batting average and on-base percentage but little else of use outside of deeper leagues. If the Dodgers get desperate to recall Yasiel Puig in an attempt to revive their moribund offense, Ethier would be the most likely outfielder to lose playing time, so there's that to consider as well.

Confidence key to Dan Straily's success

"I was really myself out there," Straily said, per the San Francisco Chronicle. "It felt different. I had confidence to start the game. I was not going to let 'hurting myself' be what happened in the ballgame. The last few times out, I walked people, hit people. I wasn't getting hit hard. I was hurting myself. Tonight, my goal was to fill up the strike zone."

Straily didn't issue a walk and allowed just two hits, and afterward said he's never been more confident in his big-league career.

"Any time you're a young player and not having the type of success you would like to have, yeah, you want to have one of these games where you go out and believe," manager Bob Melvin said. "It would've been nice to give him three, four, five runs for a little breathing room. But who knows? Maybe that's what he needed, an outing where he had to be borderline perfect."

Orioles acquired minor-league infielder from A's

Horton hit .224 with one triple, two doubles, two home runs and eight RBI in 16 games for Triple-A Sacramento.

Brandon Belt out with back soreness

Yes, you should pick up Kevin Gausman

He was the fourth overall pick in last year's draft, so you know his talent is off the charts, and unlike Trevor Bauer, whose quick ascension to the majors last year was marred by terrible control, Gausman knows how to locate his high-90s fastball, issuing 1.0 walks per nine innings in his eight starts at Double-A Bowie this year.

Most likely, it's not just a one-and-done scenario either. The Orioles have struggled to fill the fifth spot in their rotation since Wei-Yin Chen went on the DL with an oblique injury, and even after Chen returns, Gausman will likely stick over Freddy Garcia, provided he meets his end of the bargain.

No one can say for sure if Gausman will live up to his potential right away, but the chances of him emerging as an out-of-nowhere ace make him well worth the gamble in all leagues. He now ranks 62nd at starting pitcher for me (and 44th for Al).

Evan Gattis has to get more at-bats

Making his first start at catcher since Brian McCann returned from the DL May 6, Gattis hit a grand slam Wednesday against the Twins -- this coming on the heels of a pinch-hit go-ahead home run in the bottom of the ninth Tuesday, which itself came on the heels of a pinch-hit go-ahead home run in the bottom the eighth Saturday.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez has said he'll look for ways to get Gattis' bat in the lineup, and with this most recent surge, I'm guessing he'll be even more invested in the idea going forward, giving occasional days off to each of the Braves' starting outfielders, as well as Freddie Freeman. Gattis won't play every day, but in leagues that require the use of two catchers, he'll remain valuable all year.

Rafael Betancourt will avoid DL

Pablo Sandoval out of Wednesday's lineup with illness

Sandoval is expected to return soon. Joaquin Arias gets the spot start at third base.

Ramon Ortiz expected to start Sunday

Chad Jenkins not yet named Friday's starter

Matt Joyce expects to return Friday

Mike Pelfrey might pitch before Sunday's start

"We wouldn't want to do that with him, but we've talked about different scenarios," Gardenhire said of Pelfrey starting Friday, per MLB.com. "Maybe sling him in the middle before somebody else starts. But we'll talk about that and straighten that out as we go along here."

Troy Tulowitzki out of Wednesday lineup

The Rockies have said on record they want to go easy on Tulowitzki's legs. As such, it seems reasonable to expect they will have Tulowitzki sit most, if not all day games after night games, as Wednesday's tilt is.

Jason Hammel trying to fix pitching woes

"It's not mechanical at all," Hammel said, per MASNsports.com. "You try to mess with things that are pretty sound, you'll get yourself in even more trouble."

Hammel, who will be on the mound Wednesday against the Yankees, said in a recent side session he worked on his fastball command and keeping his pitches down in the strike zone to induce more groundball outs.

"This last (side session), all I did was throw fastballs, because that is what I've been struggling with, the fastball. Sometimes you have to go back to basics," he said. "It is not necessarily the (lack of) sink, but my pitches are up in the zone. Two-seamer has been good at times, but the misses overall with all pitches have just been too hittable up in the zone and badly executed. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with my pitches, but they've just been too hittable right now."

Martin Perez unlikely to be recalled for doubleheader

Perez, who began the season on the disabled list after fracturing his left wrist in spring training, is in line to be considered to start during Monday's doubleheader against the Diamondbacks. However, manager Ron Washington said Wednesday the team hasn't discussed Perez as an option, according to The Dallas Morning News.

Washington added the team wants to be certain Perez has built up his stamina to pitch a full game without limitations. Tuesday was the first time he surpassed 70 pitches in a start this season.

"He just started throwing and had a good game (Tuesday) night," Washington said. "We’re not going to take one game and all of the sudden he’s ready to pitch. We’ll make that determination when we feel we need to make that determination."

Matt Joyce held out of lineup Wednesday

Jose Molina returns to lineup Wednesday

'Fatigued' Mitch Moreland gets time to rest

Coupled with Thursday's day off, it will give Moreland two days of rest. Washington said Moreland will be back in the lineup Friday against the Mariners.

Moreland has been one of the majors' hottest hitters since late May. He's batting .352 with a .694 slugging percentage, 1.088 OPS, eight home runs, 11 doubles and 20 RBI in his last 29 games.

Adam Eaton leaves rehab assignment due to elbow soreness

Eaton began his rehab assignment Monday and hasn't played in 2013 due to the injury. He was expected to be back by mid-June, but this setback could throw a wrench into those plans.

Nick Masset amping up throwing program

Masste had shoulder surgery in September and suffered a setback prior to the season. He still hasn't thrown off a mound and the club has not made any announcements about a rehab assignment or a return date.

Chase Utley slated for rib MRI

Utley is expected to miss Wednesday's game as a result of the injury, the same one that forced him out of Tuesday's lineup. He said he felt pain and a burning sensation during batting practice. His timetable will become clear following the MRI.

Chris Carpenter shooting for late June return to rotation

The Cardinals initially thought a nerve condition in Carpenter's shoulder would cause him to miss the season. Progress in a throwing program allowed Carpenter to speculate on returning in the bullpen. Now, with Jaime Garcia out for the year following shoulder surgery, Carpenter is going to try and join the rotation.

The club has stated nothing is a sure thing, but Carpenter's status is a far sight better now than it was in February, when all bets were on his retirement.

Twins want to give Trevor Plouffe a 'bit of a break'

Plouffe is expected to get a few days off before taking a concussion test. 

"He took a good shot in the head. That's what this rule is for, to protect the player," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Give him a little bit of a break here and do what's right. He was a little woozy and that's why there was concern."

Jaime Garcia to undergo season-ending surgery

Garcia first suffered the shoulder problem May 17 against Milwaukee. He is expected to miss the remainder of the season. Tyler Lyons will take his spot in the rotation for now, but expect that to be in flux with Jake Westbrook's return on the horizon.

Jed Lowrie only available in emergency situation

Lowrie is considered day to day after X-rays came back negative Tuesday.

Dodgers discussed calling up Joc Pederson

Pederson, a left-handed outfielder, is hitting .327/.400/.554 in Double-A. However, the Dodgers' personnel issues aren't in the outfield. Matt Kemp is struggling but not the type of player the Dodgers will nor should give up on. Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford are both having above-average seasons at the plate. As such, it's difficult to imagine these discussions going anywhere at this point, unless the Dodgers have a major injury or two in the outfield.

Chris Sale should only miss one start

Dodgers discussed calling up Yasiel Puig

The Dodgers have struggled this season and Puig's talent has made him a much-discussed commodity outside the front office as well. However, it doesn't appear as if there's a place to play him -- Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier have both been above-average hitters this year and the club is not going to give up on Matt Kemp as he works through his slump. At this point, it seems unlikely the club will call up Puig unless there's a major injury in the outfield.

Mike Fiers to get spot start

Fiers will get the nod with starter Kyle Lohse out due to elbow irritation. Fiers has a 5.93 ERA in eight appearances; he allowed six runs on nine hits over five innings against Arizona in his only start of the year.

Kyle Lohse will miss a start with elbow irritation

It's unclear if Lohse's injury will require a disabled list trip at this time. Mike Fiers will take the start Saturday against Pittsburgh in his place.

Tim Byrdak throws another bullpen session

Byrdak underwent surgery last September. He's still likely a month or two away from returning to the Mets.

Justin Upton out of Braves lineup

Upton has started 44 of 45 games for Atlanta. He gets a rest day with Wednesday's day game coming after a night game.

Andrelton Simmons out of the lineup

Simmons has played in every game since April 8 and has started all but three. Ramiro Pena gets the start at shortstop for Atlanta.

Rangers option reliever Cory Burns to Triple-A

Jimmy Paredes nets three hits, three RBI

Paredes is batting .268 (11 for 41) with one home run, four doubles and seven RBI in his last 14 games.

Andre Ethier out of the lineup against Milwaukee

Ethier will get the rest with a day game after a night game. Scott Van Slyke gets the start against Brewers righty Wily Peralta.

John Jaso collects two hits in return

Jaso has four multi-hit games in May, but he's batting .243 (9 for 37) with one double, one RBI and six walks in 15 games this month.

Jed Lowrie gets day to rest foot injury

Todd Frazier out of Reds lineup

Frazier is hitting just .217 in May but appears to be breaking out of the slump, as he has six hits in his last eight games. He'll get a chance to stay fresh Wednesday as Jack Hannahan gets a start at third base.

Aramis Ramirez out of the lineup

The Brewers continue to take it easy on Ramirez and his balky knee. Ramirez may start playing more consecutive games soon, but it seems safe to assume he'll sit every day game after a night game for the near future.

Josh Hamilton's slugging percentage on the rise

Hamilton is batting .277 (13 for 47) with a .638 slugging percentage, .984 OPS, one triple, three doubles, five RBI and nine runs in his last 13 games. Hamilton's slugging percentage has risen from .287 to .381 in that span.

Jonathan Lucroy gets three much-needed hits

Lucroy finished with a run and an RBI. All three hits were singles. Lucroy had been in a terrible slump since his OPS peaked at .768 on April 20. From then until Tuesday night, he was hitting an atrocious .169/.241/.225 without a home run.

Howie Kendrick locked in at plate

Kendrick is batting .500 (14 for 28) with a .517 on-base percentage, .821 slugging percentage, 1.339 OPS, two home runs, three doubles and eight RBI during his hitting streak.

Carlos Beltran knocks in two

Beltran finished 2 for 5 with two singles and a run scored as well. Beltran is hitting .296/.329/.516 on the season.

Albert Pujols picks up two more RBI

Ben Revere continues red-hot May

Revere doubled once and singled twice. Revere has been on fire in May, as he is 16 for 41 (.390) with a .908 OPS. However, his cold April has his overall line at just .260/.302/.398.

Alex Gordon continues impressive May run

Gordon has 10 multi-hit games in May, which has helped result in a .400 average (30 for 75) in 18 games. He also has a .432 on-base percentage, .587 slugging percentage, 1.019 OPS, three home runs, five doubles, 12 runs and 12 RBI this month.

Aaron Hicks to remain low in batting order

Hicks is batting .125 (2 for 16) with one double and two RBI in five games batting seventh. His best numbers come from the eighth spot in the lineup, where Hicks is batting .197 (14 for 71) with a .310 on-base percentage, three home runs and 10 RBI in 23 games.

Jason Heyward scores twice against Twins

Heyward doubled as well. He's now 5 for 19 with two doubles since returning from the disabled list. Although he hasn't homered since his return, a .263 average and .391 on-base percentage are a far sight better than the respective .121 and .261 marks he carried into his DL stint.

Andy Dirks becoming steady offensive contributor

Dirks is batting .302 (19 for 63) with a .556 slugging percentage, one triple, two doubles, two stolen bases, four walks, 10 RBI and 11 runs in his last 16 games. His average has gone from .200 to .252 in that span.

Miguel Cabrera having ridiculous May

Cabrera is batting .464 (13 for 28) with a 1.107 slugging percentage, three doubles, five home runs and nine RBI during his hitting streak. For the month of May, Cabrera is batting .413 with a .813 slugging percentage, 1.296 OPS, six doubles, eight home runs and 21 RBI in 18 games.

Freddie Freeman knocks in two

Freeman's RBI single in the 10th inning won it for Atlanta. He also doubled in a run and scored a run. His line is up to .293/.365/.407.

Curtis Granderson 'ready to take off'?

"The swing is getting there," Granderson said, per the New York Post. "No matter what, you’re going to run through tough at-bats. No matter what you do in extended spring training or in the minors, there’s nothing that can replicate what you find here. Physically, I’m ready."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi is confident Granderson is about to hit his stride.

"He’s starting to drive some balls," Girardi said. "I think he’s getting closer and about ready to take off."

Rafael Montero on radar for promotion

Montero, who was recently promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas from Double-A Binghamton, is 4-4 with a 3.38 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in nine starts. He also has struck out 59 batters and walked just seven in 53 1/3 innings.

Mets GM expects Travis d'Arnaud in majors this year

d'Arnaud is currently recovering from a fractured right foot and Alderson hopes he's playing in games again by July 1.

3 hits for Jedd Gyorko

Gyorko went 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored. The Padres managed just seven hits against St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright and reliever Carlos Martinez, and Gyorko's double was the only extra-base hit. Gyorko is hitting a robust .278/.347/.430.

Mets GM expecting Zack Wheeler promotion shortly?

DJ Lemahieu records 3 hits

Lemahieu doubled twice and knocked in two runs. He's 6 for 13 to open 2013 for the Rockies and is proving to be a solid backup to primary second baseman Josh Rutledge.

Erick Aybar might play Wednesday