Aaron Hicks to need rehab assignment
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com
(6:15 pm ET) Twins rookie center fielder
Aaron Hicks is
feeling better after straining his left hamstring, the
Minneapolis Star Tribune reports Tuesday.
Hicks, who has been on the disabled list since June 10, took early batting practice Tuesday and also shagged fly balls in the outfield for manager Ron Gardenhire.
"He's doing fine," Gardenhire said. "Says his leg feels better." That said, Hicks will likely need a rehab assignment before he returns to the team.
"We can't just stick him right back in and say his hammy's OK. There will probably be a rehab somewhere in there. He's not quite there, but hopefully he's getting closer."
Anthony Rizzo earns first day off of season
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com
(6:14 pm ET) Cubs manager Dale Sveum held first baseman
Anthony Rizzo out of the lineup for the first time this season Tuesday night against the Cardinals.
Rizzo had played the team's first 68 games before taking Tuesday off. He is hitting .157 over his first 15 June games. He has a .241/.327/.444 slash line with 10 homers and 39 RBI this season.
Don't underestimate Josh Johnson
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer
(6:13 pm ET) Josh Johnson has good stuff. That's not even open for debate. In his last start Monday against the Rockies, the Blue Jays right-hander was right around 94 mph with his fastball. For the season, he's averaging 92.6, which would rank him among the 20 hardest-throwing starting pitchers, alongside Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw, if he had the innings to qualify.
And that's just pure heat. You could argue he's done even more damage with his secondary arsenal, which he uses 40 percent of the time, over the course of his career.
He's had injury problems over the years that have made him inconsistent and frustrating to own in Fantasy, but when he's right, the stuff still holds up, as he showed by striking out 10 Rockies over 7 1/3 scoreless innings in that start Monday. And judging by his comments after that start, he's feeling right again.
"Definitely the most comfortable I've been," Johnson said. "Just being able to get extension on all my pitches, not have to worry about the triceps or anything like that. It's definitely nice."
If he has another good start Sunday against the Orioles, he's back to must-start status.
Randall Delgado gets call for Tuesday's start
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com
(6:12 pm ET) The Diamondbacks recalled pitcher
Randall Delgado from Triple-A Reno Tuesday to start Tuesday against the Marlins.
Delgado has made just one appearance for the Diamondbacks this season, allowing two runs in two innings.
Joakim Soria ready for rehab
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com
(6:06 pm ET) Rangers reliever
Joakim Soria will
begin his minor-league rehab assignment Thursday for Double-A Frisco, according to Fox Sports Southwest.
Soria, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, has not appeared in the majors since September 2011. He is on track to return in July.
Matt Harrison making slight progress
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com
(5:59 pm ET) Rangers pitcher
Matt Harrison is
scheduled to throw from 60 feet this week before extending his distance next week, Fox Sports Southwest reports.
Harrison is expected to throw off flat ground for at least another four weeks before he begins throwing off a mound. He has been sidelined since April 6 with a back injury and is hoping to return in mid-August.
Edgar Gonzalez ready for rehab assignment
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com
(5:51 pm ET) Astros manager Bo Porter said Tuesday reliever
Edgar Gonzalez (shoulder)
will begin his minor-league rehab assignment Friday with the Gulf Coast League affiliate, according to the team's color analyst. Barring any setbacks, he will be moved to Double-A Corpus Christi for his second appearance.
Roy Oswalt to join rotation Thursday
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com
(5:50 pm ET) The Rockies officially announced that
Roy Oswalt will
start Thursday against the Nationals, according to the
Denver Post.
Oswalt, who signed with the Rockies in May, made five starts at Double-A Tulsa, posting a 2.16 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 33 1/3 innings of work. This will be his first start since Sept. 9 for the Rangers.
Orioles pencil in Jason Hammel, Miguel Gonzalez
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com
(5:49 pm ET) Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Tuesday that
Jason Hammel (illness) and
Miguel Gonzalez (paternity leave) will
likely start Friday and Saturday, MLB.com reports. The order is not set in stone, but Gonzalez is currently scheduled for Saturday's game at Toronto.
Hammel has been pushed back due to a stomach illness. He was originally expected to pitch Monday against Detroit and has already been pushed back twice. Gonzalez left the team late Monday night to go on paternity leave.
Colby Lewis will throw bullpen session Thursday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com
(5:41 pm ET) Rangers starter
Colby Lewis is scheduled to
throw a bullpen session Thursday, according to Fox Sports Southwest.
Lewis threw off a mound Monday for the first time since he was shut down with soreness in the back of his right elbow. The 33-year-old would like to throw a live batting practice before he restarts his minor-league rehab assignment.
