MLB Player News

Friday, May 24

• 05/24/13 - 8:11AM ETJ.A. Happ : (Head) Moved to 60-Day DL

  The Blue Jays transferred Happ (head) to the 60-day disabled list Friday.

  Happ was expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks after being struck by a line drive May 7, but with a return nowhere in sight, and the Blue Jays in need of a 40-man roster spot, they decided to move him to the longer DL option. Happ will be eligible to be activated July 7.

• 05/24/13 - 7:55AM ETCorey Hart : (Knee) On Track For Mid-June Return

  Hart (knee) could begin a rehab assignment the first week of June, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

  Hart was able to run and take batting practice earlier this week, and he is hoping to increase his participation in pregame workouts over the next week or so. While he will not be ready to come off the disabled list when first eligible May 30, it is possible he could head out on a rehab assignment shortly after that. Hart is anticipating a 10-day minor league stint before being ready for big league action, so if all goes according to plan, he is on track to join the Brewers sometime in mid June.

Thursday, May 23

• 05/23/13 - 5:09PM ETChase Utley : Hits DL With Mild Oblique Strain

  Utley was placed on the 15-day DL on Thursday with an oblique strain, MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports.

  The Phillies characterized the injury as a "very mild Grade 1" strain rather than the intercostal or rib cage injury the team had feared, indicating Utley's stay on the DL should be rather brief. Freddy Galvis figures to be the top candidate to assume most of the starts at second base in Utley's stead.

• 05/23/13 - 3:39PM ETJered Weaver : On Track To Return Next Week

  Manager Mike Scioscia said Weaver (elbow) will rejoin the rotation next week barring a setback during his weekend bullpen session, the Orange County Register reports.

  Scioscia didn't say where exactly Weaver would slot into the rotation, but there would appear to be a vacancy Thursday against the Dodgers that he could fill. Weaver completed a successful outing at extended spring training Wednesday, surrendering one run and no walks over 5.2 innings.

• 05/23/13 - 2:55PM ETJason Grilli : Notches Another Save

  Grilli notched his MLB-leading 19th save of the season with a perfect ninth inning against the Cubs on Thursday.

  Manager Clint Hurdle suggested after Grilli's 34-pitch outing Tuesday that the right-hander may be unavailable through Thursday, but Hurdle turned to his end-gamer to slam the door on Thursday's 4-2 win over Chicago. Grilli struck out the final two batters looking, and in the process extended his National League saves lead over Atlanta's Craig Kimbrel to five.

• 05/23/13 - 2:37PM ETColby Lewis : (Forearm) Progresses in Rehab

  As expected, Lewis (forearm) will move his rehab to Triple-A Round Rock, where he'll start Saturday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

  Lewis came through his bullpen session unscathed and will advance to Triple-A. He may require multiple starts with Round Rock after showing diminished velocity during his most recent rehab appearance at Double-A Frisco.

• 05/23/13 - 2:18PM ETHiroki Kuroda : On Track For Next Start

  Kuroda felt fine Thursday despite leaving Wednesday's game early with a bruised calf, The Star-Ledger reports.

  While Kuroda could not finish Wednesday's outing, it's a good sign for his status moving forward that he was not feeling any abnormal soreness Thursday. Consider Kuroda on track to make his next scheduled start Tuesday against the Mets.

• 05/23/13 - 2:08PM ETMark Teixeira : Making Progress

  Teixeira (wrist) took batting practice at the team's extended spring training facility Friday and could begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Trenton on Tuesday, New York Newsday reports.

  Teixeira, who has been hitting in simulated games for the last week, seems primed to advance his rehab to the next stage at this point. He'll probably be limited to DH duty in his first couple of games at Trenton or Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before eventually returning to first base duty.

• 05/23/13 - 1:57PM ETKevin Gausman : Called Up By Orioles

  The Orioles recalled Gausman from Double-A Bowie on Thursday.

  Gausman earned his first call to the bigs by posting a 3.11 ERA and 49:5 K:BB ratio in 46.1 innings over eight starts with Bowie. The talented youngster will jump right into the rotation and start Thursday night against the Blue Jays.

• 05/23/13 - 1:17PM ETJesus Montero : Sent Down By M's

  Montero was officially demoted to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday, the Seattle Times reports.

  With Montero not hitting well enough to mask his defensive deficiencies, it appears the Mariners might take the time to experiment with Montero at a different position with top prospect Mike Zunino expected to handle the bulk of the duties behind the plate at Triple-A. No matter what the case may be, Montero's value has always derived almost exclusively from his bat. He'll need to rediscover the power stroke he showed as a young prospect in the Yankees organization in order to re-establish himself as a useful commodity for the future.

• 05/23/13 - 12:16PM ETKevin Youkilis : Nears Return

  Youkilis (back) could be back with the team in about a week, according to ESPN.com.

  At this point it doesn't look like the Yankees will be sending Youk out on a rehab assignment, but this could change, especially with how well David Adams has played of late.

• 05/23/13 - 10:27AM ETAdam Eaton : Potential Return Pushed Back

  An MRI taken on Eaton's injured elbow has revealed no structural damage, but his recent setback will delay his return several weeks, MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports.

  Eaton is fortunate to have avoided a season-ending setback, but he will do two-to-three weeks of strengthening before beginning a throwing program -- and will likely head out on another rehab assignment after that -- so he won't rejoin the big club anytime soon. With Eaton out awhile longer, A.J. Pollock will continue seeing most of the action in center field for the Diamondbacks.

• 05/23/13 - 8:09AM ETJesus Montero : Headed To Triple-A

  Montero will be optioned to Triple-A Tacoma sometime Thursday, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

  The move is not official yet, but it appears Montero, who owns just a .590 OPS on the season, is on his way back to the minors. Top prospect Mike Zunino would have been an option to replace Montero, but with him struggling to hit himself at Triple-A, the Mariners will bring up Jesus Sucre to serve as the backup to Kelly Shoppach.

Wednesday, May 22

• 05/22/13 - 6:33PM ETJosh Rutledge : Sent Back To Minors

  Rutledge was sent down to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Wednesday, the Denver Post reports.

  Though on pace for a 15 HR/15 SB season, Rutledge had struggled mightily with plate discipline, getting on-base at a .298 clip and showing occasional lapses in the field. The Rockies will likely turn to D.J. LeMahieu for regular duty at second base until Rutledge gets on track in the minors.

• 05/22/13 - 6:15PM ETHiroki Kuroda : Bruised Right Calf

  The Yankees have officially announced Kuroda's injury as a bruised right calf, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.

  It looks like Kuroda was able to avoid a more serious strain to the calf, though there's no guarantee he'll be able to make his next start. The team will monitor the injury more closely over the next couple of days before making a more accurate estimate on when Kuroda will be able to return to the mound.

• 05/22/13 - 5:36PM ETHiroki Kuroda : Exits With Apparent Calf Injury

  Kuroda was removed from Wednesday's start against the Orioles in the third inning with an apparent calf injury, MLB.com reports.

  Kuroda first sustained the injury in the second inning after his calf was at the receiving end of a Manny Machado liner. He was able to finish out the inning but noticed a decline in his command when he came out in the third inning, resulting in his removal from the game. Statistically the Yankees' best starter coming into the game, Kuroda finished with his worst line of the season, as he was charged with five runs on eight hits over 2.0 innings.

• 05/22/13 - 4:22PM ETCarlos Quentin : (Knee) Out Wednesday

  Updating a previous report, Quentin is out of the lineup Wednesday after receiving an injection in his left knee, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

  Quentin felt some light pain in his knee after sliding into home plate Monday, so he received a precautionary checkup. He's still expected to return to the lineup when the team heads to Arizona on Friday.

• 05/22/13 - 4:15PM ETChris Carpenter : (Shoulder) Could Be Rotation Option

  The Cardinals are hopeful that Carpenter (shoulder) will join the team's rotation in late June or early July, CBS Sports' Scott Miller reports.

  It was initially believed that Carpenter's best case scenario was to return in a late-season relief role, but he's been stretching out as a starter during his throwing sessions, moving up to about 80 pitches in his workouts. With the recent news that Jaime Garcia would require season-ending shoulder surgery, Carpenter would provide a natural replacement and wouldn't force the team to call up one of its high-profile prospects and allow his arbitration clock to begin ticking. Carpenter is expected to begin facing hitters in his rehab next week if he checks out OK following an extended bullpen session Thursday.

• 05/22/13 - 3:04PM ETErick Aybar : (Knee) In Wednesday's Lineup

  Aybar (knee) is back in the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners.

  Though he exited Tuesday's win with right knee soreness, Aybar will slot back in at shortstop and bat leadoff for the Angels. It doesn't look like the knee will be an issue for him going forward.

• 05/22/13 - 2:53PM ETDavid Freese : (Thumb) Sits Again

  Freese (thumb) will miss his third straight game Wednesday against the Padres, FOX Sports Midwest reports.

  With Freese still troubled by a lingering thumb issue, Matt Carpenter will move over to third base in his stead. Freese is still expected to avoid a lengthy absence, and with a team off day Thursday, he may be able to make his return to the lineup during the weekend series against the Dodgers.

• 05/22/13 - 2:41PM ETChris Sale : On Track to Make Next Start

  Manager Robin Ventura confirmed that Sale (shoulder) is on track to make his next start Tuesday against the Cubs.

  Sale downplayed the tendinitis issue after it forced him to miss Wednesday's start, so it appears the team is simply taking a precautionary approach with their talented young hurler. He could throw a bullpen session over the weekend just to ensure that he'll be fully ready to go Tuesday.

• 05/22/13 - 2:35PM ETJered Weaver : Looks Sharp Wednesday

  Weaver (elbow) looked good in an extended spring training outing Wednesday, allowing one run over 5.2 innings, striking out nine batters and walking none.

  Although we shouldn't make too much of the numbers he put up, the fact that 62 of Weaver's 75 pitches registered as strikes seemed to indicate how well he felt on the mound. The Angels had previously entertained the idea of bringing back Weaver right after Wednesday's outing, and the encouraging performance only makes that more likely now.

• 05/22/13 - 2:24PM ETJonathan Schoop : Back Issue

  Schoop has developed a stress fracture in his lower back and could require six-to-eight weeks of rest, MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli reports.

  Schoop will receive a second opinion from a doctor in California before heeding the advice on resting, but either way, it's looking like he'll miss all of June at least. The 21-year-old infielder was viewed as a candidate to fill the team's void at second base at some point this season, but a lengthy stint on the minor league DL figures to prompt the Orioles to look at other options.

• 05/22/13 - 2:19PM ETRyan Madson : (Elbow) Experiences Another Setback

  Madson (elbow) felt arm soreness while throwing and will have his rehab program shut down for an indefinite period of time, the Los Angeles Times reports.

  Owners who had been hanging on to Madson with the hope that he was finally nearing a return to the bullpen (and potentially, the closer's role) may have finally reached their breaking point. Madson hopes to resume his rehab next week, but he may have to start the entire process over again. There doesn't seem to be much use in stashing him outside of deep AL-only leagues at this point.

• 05/22/13 - 12:26PM ETChase Utley : MRI on Tap

  Utley (oblique) is not in the lineup Wednesday, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

  With an MRI on tap for Thursday, it's not a huge surprise that Utley is sitting Wednesday. Freddy Galvis is starting at second base in Utley's place.

• 05/22/13 - 11:17AM ETRafael Betancourt : (Groin) Avoids DL

  Betancourt, who has inflammation around scar tissue in his right groin, will not be placed on the DL and should be ready to resume closing duty by Friday, the Denver Post reports.

  Betancourt made just two pitches before he was removed from Tuesday's game with the concern. The MRI revealed the true nature of the injury, which will require a brief rest to get past. While the issue may linger, it has not affected his performance this season, considering his 1.56 ERA, 1.096 WHIP, and 10 saves in 19 appearances.

• 05/22/13 - 10:24AM ETAdam Eaton : Experiences Elbow Soreness

  Eaton has returned to Arizona from his rehab assignment after experiencing soreness in his elbow, MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports.

  It's too early to classify this as a setback in Eaton's recovery, but it will put his rehab work on pause until he visits a team doctor. Expect an update on Eaton's status as more details become available.

• 05/22/13 - 9:52AM ETKenley Jansen : Closer Situation Unclear

  Manager Don Mattingly was unwilling to anoint Jansen or Brandon League as the permanent closer, saying that "we'll see" when asked who is closer was, the Dodgers' official site reports.

  The Dodger bullpen has been a mess lately, so there is a clear opportunity for someone to step up, whether it be Jansen, League, Ronald Belisario, or even Javy Guerra.

• 05/22/13 - 9:37AM ETJaime Garcia : Will Need Shoulder Surgery

  Garcia will require surgery on his injured left shoulder, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports.

  It's not initially clear how much time Garcia will miss after undergoing the procedure, but he is facing a lengthy absence for the second straight season. With Garcia on the shelf for a while, John Gast could get an extended run in the Cardinals' rotation.

• 05/22/13 - 8:38AM ETKyle Lohse : Will Not Make Next Start

  Lohse will miss his next scheduled start due to irritation in his elbow, MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports.

  Both the nature and extent of the injury are unknown, but it will be Mike Fiers who starts Saturday, and not Lohse. Expect an update on Lohse's status as more details become available.

• 05/22/13 - 6:30AM ETTrevor Plouffe : Placed on 7-Day DL

  Plouffe was placed on the 7-day DL with a concussion, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

  Plouffe was hit in the head with a knee during Tuesday's game and while he walked off the field under his own power, he was still woozy. He'll take the mandatory seven days to make sure he is properly healed.

• 05/22/13 - 5:56AM ETTroy Tulowitzki : Not In Wednesday's Lineup

  Tulowitzki went 2-for-4 with a double and his ninth home run of the season in Tuesday's win over the Diamondbacks.

  With the two extra-base hits, Tulowitzki now has an OPS of 1.014 on the season, second in the National League to the Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt. Though the fact that he's stopped stealing bases has made him a four-category player, he's hitting better than ever and should remain an MVP candidate if the Rockies can stay competitive in the NL West standings.