MLB Player News

Wednesday, June 19

• 06/19/13 - 3:14PM ETDerek Jeter : (Ankle) Takes BP Wednesday

  Jeter (ankle) took batting practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering his second fractured ankle in mid-April, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.

  Jeter was cleared to begin baseball activities last Thursday, and his first appearance at the plate, even in the cage, is a welcome and encouraging sign. The development adds to last week's fielding of groundballs, but he is looking increasingly unlikely to join the Yankees before the All-Star break. Expect his recovery to include an excess of caution in order to prevent a setback.

• 06/19/13 - 3:03PM ETJosh Hamilton : Drops To No. 7 Hole In Lineup

  Hamilton will be dropped to the No. 7 hole Wednesday against the Mariners.

  Hamilton had been spending some time in the two-hole in an attempt by manager Mike Scioscia to jumpstart the slugger, but it mostly failed to take root, as he's batted just .190 in June. The Angels appear to already be having buyer's remorse after signing Hamilton to a five-year, $125 million deal in the offseason.

• 06/19/13 - 2:55PM ETDavid Price : (Triceps) To Make Rehab Start Friday

  Price (triceps) will make a rehab start Friday at High-A Charlotte, the Tampa Tribune reports.

  Manager Joe Maddon relayed that Price's schedule will be determined depending on how his left triceps progresses, so his appearances could be irregular. In any case, Maddon expects Price to return to the Rays' rotation by the All-Star break.

• 06/19/13 - 2:30PM ETTrevor Cahill : Suffers Bruised Hip

  Cahill, who was struck in the leg by a line drive in Wednesday's game, has been diagnosed with a right hip contusion, MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports.

  Cahill's injury does not sound serious, but it remains to be seen if he will make his next scheduled start, so those that own him should be sure to keep tabs on his status over the next few days.

• 06/19/13 - 1:50PM ETChris Perez : (Shoulder) Will Not Return Friday

  Perez (shoulder) will not be activated from the disabled list Friday, WTAM 1100 AM reports.

  The Indians' initial plan of activation has been delayed to an undetermined day, as Perez had an unsteady rehab appearance Tuesday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. A new date has not been established for his first game back as the team's closer, but he'll likely be available in the very near future, barring a setback of course.

• 06/19/13 - 1:41PM ETJose Reyes : Nears Return

  Reyes' (ankle) rehab assignment will be transferred to Triple-A Buffalo, where he will play this weekend, Mike Wilner of 590 AM in Toronto reports.

  So far, Reyes has taken part in two games at High-A Dunedin, where he collected three singles and two runs scored in eight at-bats. Now that he has reached the highest minor league level, he is clearly primed for his first major league plate appearances since April 12, when he sustained the high ankle sprain that has held him out in the meantime.

• 06/19/13 - 1:18PM ETScott Atchison : Lands on DL

  The Mets placed Atchison (hamstring) on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, Newsday's Marc Carig reports.

  Bad luck has found Atchison, who landed back on the disabled list just one day after he was activated after overcoming an elbow injury. The extent of his injury has not been revealed, so it remains to be seen if he will return when first eligible July 4.

• 06/19/13 - 11:01AM ETMark Appel : Agrees To Deal With Astros

  Appel has agreed to a deal with the Astros, the Houston Chronicle's Brian T. Smith reports.

  The No. 1 overall selection comes with a $7.79 million slot allotment, but details of the deal are not publicly available at the moment. Appel is a polished prospect after a four-year career at Stanford, and will thus be expected to progress through the organization at a rapid pace. Owners in dynasty leagues should consider that the Astros don't have any delusions about competing before 2015 or 2016 and Appel's arbitration status will likely be managed closely until the Astros have a respectable team.

• 06/19/13 - 9:19AM ETDanny Espinosa : Optioned To Triple-A

  The Nationals activated Espinosa (wrist) from the disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, Amanda Comak of the Washington Times reports.

  Espinosa appears to have recovered from his injury, but he did not find his swing during his rehab assignment -- going just 2-for-17 in six games -- so he will remain with Syracuse to continue searching for it while working in a low-pressure environment. Meanwhile, Anthony Rendon is hitting .338 with the Nationals, and .395 since being recalled in early June, so even if Espinosa is able to get in a groove with Syracuse, he could have a difficult time getting his regular second base job back.

• 06/19/13 - 8:53AM ETBryce Harper : (Knee) Making Progress

  Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Harper (knee) will resume baseball activities in "the next day or two," Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports.

  Harper is nearing the next step in his recovery as he works his way back from a lingering knee injury. He remains without a return timetable, but he continues to make progress, and his recovery process could speed up once he demonstrates he can hit, run, and field without issue.

• 06/19/13 - 8:46AM ETBrian Roberts : (Hamstring) Hopes To Rehab Next Week

  Roberts (hamstring) is hoping to begin a rehab assignment next week, MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli reports.

  Roberts resumed hitting last week, and has run sprints the last couple days, so he is making good progress and should be ready to begin a rehab assignment soon. It's not clear how many minor league games Roberts will appear in before he is activated from the disabled list, but he is on pace to be back with the Orioles before the All-Star break.

• 06/19/13 - 8:39AM ETEverth Cabrera : (Hamstring) Headed For DL

  Cabrera (hamstring) will be placed on the disabled list Wednesday, MLB.com's Corey Brock reports.

  Cabrera sat out the last two games and was likely to miss at least a few more, so the Padres decided they would be better off placing him on the disabled list and opening up a roster spot. Expect Cabrera to officially be placed on the disabled list when the Padres announce who will be called up to take his place.

• 06/19/13 - 7:22AM ETRyan Braun : (Thumb) Visits Specialist

  Braun (thumb) visited a hand specialist Tuesday, according to the Brewers' official website.

  Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash termed the visit "a due diligence second opinion," but it is mildly concerning that the Brewers sent him on the trip at all considering Braun has already been sidelined for over a week, and should theoretically be feeling better. Braun was expected to rejoin his teammates Wednesday in Houston, but it remains to be seen if will be activated from the disabled list when first eligible June 25.

• 06/19/13 - 7:09AM ETChase Utley : (Oblique) Set To Begin Rehab

  The Phillies announced that Utley (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Reading on Wednesday.

  Utley could have played a day earlier, but weather concerns in Reading led the Phillies to hold him out one more day. Utley has been out nearly a month, but he likely won't need more than two or three minor league games before returning to the big club.

Tuesday, June 18

• 06/18/13 - 5:28PM ETDavid Ross : (Concussion) Headed To 7-Day DL

  Ross was placed on the 7-day DL with recurrent concussion issues on Tuesday, WEEI.com reports.

  Ross took a pitch off of his helmet during his last start and is reportedly experiencing headaches. The team called up Ryan Lavarnway from Triple-A Pawtucket to replace him on the roster.

• 06/18/13 - 5:24PM ETClay Buchholz : (Neck) Heading To DL

  Buchholz (neck) was placed on the 15-day DL on Tuesday, WEEI.com reports.

  Buchholz threw a bullpen session between doubleheader games today and apparently is still experiencing issues with his neck. He was scheduled to make his next start on June 22, and the team called up Alex Wilson to take his roster spot. Buchholz was placed on the DL retroactive to June 9, so he'll be eligible to return early next week.

• 06/18/13 - 4:11PM ETMarco Scutaro : (Finger) Returns To Action

  Scutaro (finger) is back in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Padres, Alex Pavlovic of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

  Scutaro has sat out since injuring his finger last Tuesday, and it's unlikely that he is 100 percent, but he will return to action after missing the last six games. Scutaro will play second and bat second against Padres starter Andrew Cashner.

• 06/18/13 - 4:03PM ETJ.J. Putz : (Elbow) Set For Rehab Work

  Putz (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno on Thursday, FSN's Jack Magruder reports.

  Putz has thrown a few times over the last couple weeks and has avoided a setback, so he will return to game action Thursday. He will throw at least three additional times before returning to the big club, but he could be back with the Diamondbacks by late next week.

• 06/18/13 - 2:36PM ETRoy Oswalt : Will Be Called Up Thursday

  The Rockies announced that Oswalt will be called up to start Thursday, Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports.

  Oswalt posted a 2.16 ERA in five starts with Double-A Tulsa and likely would have exercised the out clause in his contract had he not been added to the Rockies' rotation, so the team decided to do just that in order to keep him around. Oswalt posted a 5.80 ERA in the majors last year, but he could be worth grabbing in deeper formats in case his minor league success carries over to the big league level.

• 06/18/13 - 1:39PM ETAnthony Rizzo : Not in Tuesday's Lineup

  Rizzo is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cardinals, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.

  Rizzo has started every game for the Cubs up to this point, but with him hitting just .157 this month, and the Cubs facing Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright on Tuesday, manager Dale Sveum decided to give Rizzo his first day off of the season. Cody Ransom will get the start at first base Tuesday night.

• 06/18/13 - 1:26PM ETKevin Youkilis : (Back) Out 10-To-12 Weeks

  Youkilis has a herniated disc, which will require back surgery Thursday and hold him out for 10-to-12 weeks, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.

  After an examination Monday, Youkilis' back concern received a dire diagnosis, at least regarding his prospects for the remainder of the season. The best-case scenario will see him return to the Yankees' lineup by the end of August, but considering his age (34), he could miss much more time (and potentially the remainder of the season). Jayson Nix and David Adams figure to man third base, as long as Youkilis remains away from the team.

• 06/18/13 - 11:10AM ETMark Teixeira : (Wrist) Lands on DL

  Teixeira (wrist) landed on the disabled list Tuesday, Sportsradio 66 WFAN reports.

  During the weekend, an MRI revealed inflammation in Teixeira's right wrist, which was treated with a cortisone shot. However, he was unable to avoid another stay on the DL, thereby allowing Lyle Overbay to start every day at first base, as he did earlier this season with Teixeira away from the Yankees.

• 06/18/13 - 10:33AM ETCarlos Ruiz : Activated From Disabled List

  The Phillies activated Ruiz (hamstring) from the disabled list Tuesday.

  Ruiz was not expected to return until later in the week, but he is apparently feeling better than anticipated, and the Phillies decided he was ready for big league action. Expect Ruiz to be in the lineup Tuesday night and resume his role as the Phillies' regular catcher moving forward.

• 06/18/13 - 9:10AM ETZack Wheeler : MLB Debut Tuesday

  Wheeler has been called up from Triple-A Las Vegas and will start Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader in Atlanta, New York Newsday reports.

  Wheeler was slated to make his MLB debut last Friday, but the event was delayed to Tuesday, with a doubleheader on the docket. In 13 starts at Las Vegas in 2013, he went 4-2 with a 3.93 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 73:27 K:BB ratio in 68.2 innings. Because the Mets are currently on an 11-game road trip, Wheeler will remain with the Mets in case he is needed once again.

• 06/18/13 - 8:05AM ETWil Myers : MLB Debut Tuesday

  Myers will make his MLB debut in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader at Boston, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

  As expected, Myers will start in right field and bat sixth in the order, despite reports that he would slot in at a lower spot. Considering the flexibility afforded manager Joe Maddon with Ben Zobrist, Matt Joyce, and Kelly Johnson at his disposal, Myers will likely be able to play nearly every day. In any case, the 2012 Minor League Player of the Year may be in the majors to stay, as long as his success at the plate translates to the highest level of baseball.

• 06/18/13 - 7:47AM ETEvan Gattis : (Oblique) Placed on DL

  Gattis was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday due to a strained right oblique, ESPN New York reports.

  According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Gattis injured his right side while attempting to check his bat on his third at-bat Monday night. He has gone cold in June, with his only two hits leaving the park among 24 at-bats. The severity of the injury is currently unknown, but as long as he's sidelined, Brian McCann should start most days behind the plate, with Gerald Laird providing support in the backstop.

Monday, June 17

• 06/17/13 - 7:44PM ETShelby Miller : Leaves Monday With Leg Cramp

  Miller left Monday's game after five innings with cramping in his right leg, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

  Prior to exiting, Miller allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out five over five scoreless innings. The Cardinals are saying the ailment is just a cramp, but consider the right-hander day-to-day and questionable to make his next start until more information becomes available.

• 06/17/13 - 4:02PM ETEverth Cabrera : (Hamstring) Out Of Monday's Lineup

  Cabrera (hamstring) is not in the starting lineup Monday against the Giants.

  A hamstring injury, suffered late in Sunday's game, will prevent Cabrera from making the start Monday, but he should be considered day-to-day for the time being. The 26-year-old is tied with Jacoby Ellsbury for the most steals in baseball (31), and he's slashing a ridiculous .459/.507/.525 so far in June.

• 06/17/13 - 1:27PM ETAlex Avila : (Forearm) Lands on DL

  Avila (forearm) landed on the disabled list Monday, MLive reports.

  After getting beaned on the left forearm Sunday, Avila was not in the Tigers' lineup Monday, as the injury was severe enough to require a DL stint. X-rays were scheduled for Monday, but the results have not yet emerged. In his stead, Brayan Pena will start at catcher, with a imminent call-up likely to provide depth.

• 06/17/13 - 1:23PM ETAnibal Sanchez : (Shoulder) Placed on DL

  Sanchez (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday, MLive.com reports.

  Sanchez's shoulder clearly aided in a poor performance during Saturday's start at Minnesota, during which he yielded two runs on five hits and four walks, while striking out three in 3.2 innings. The ailment is likely the shoulder stiffness that wiped out his previous nod, but the exact nature is currently unknown. Moreover, it is also not clear who will take Sanchez's spot in the rotation.

• 06/17/13 - 10:56AM ETJose Valverde : Closing Committee on Tap?

  Valverde was passed over in favor of Joaquin Benoit for Sunday's save chance against the Twins.

  Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he was more comfortable going with Benoit because the Twins had two lefties and one switch hitter due up in the bottom of the ninth. If three right-handed hitters were due up, Leyland may have went with Valverde or another option. Leyland doesn't plan to anoint a new closer and sounded ready to go with a closer-by-committee approach after Sunday's win. Look for Valverde, Benoit and possibly others to receive save chances for the Tigers in the short term.

• 06/17/13 - 9:30AM ETClayton Kershaw : Nearing Big Deal With Dodgers?

  Kershaw and the Dodgers are reportedly making progress on a seven-year contract extension worth more than $180 million, the Los Angeles Times reports.

  Not exactly a huge surprise that the deep-pocketed Dodgers would want to lock up their best player. Look for this to get done soon so that it doesn't become even more of a distraction for the last-place Dodgers.

• 06/17/13 - 9:14AM ETWil Myers : Joins Rays

  Myers is expected to play mostly in right field and start out hitting lower in the batting order for the Rays, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

  The main emphasis for Myers is that he will see regular playing time for the Rays right away. The Rays have many versatile players that play all over the lineup and it would work well to have Ben Zobrist at second base, Myers in right, and Matt Joyce in left field against right-handers. The team plans to let him adjust to the pitching by having him hit lower in the order to start out. He also could play some in left field and DH if needed too. He will definitely look to provide a boost for the Rays in the race for the AL East.