MLB Player News

Wednesday, May 22

• 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 - 9:37AM 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 With Concussion

  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.

Tuesday, May 21

• 05/21/13 - 7:56PM ETKevin Gausman : Called Up By Baltimore

  Baltimore is expected to call up Gausman to start Thursday against Toronto, FoxSports.com reports.

  Gausman is one of Baltimore's top prospects and had a 3.13 ERA and 49:5 K:BB ratio in 46.1 innings at Double-A Bowie.

• 05/21/13 - 5:30PM ETChris Sale : (Shoulder) Scratched From Wednesday's Start

  Sale has been scratched from Wednesday's start against the Red Sox with mild tendonitis in his posterior shoulder muscle, the Chicago Tribune reports.

  The decision to scratch Sale has been described as a precautionary measure. Hector Santiago will start Wednesday instead of Sale. Despite the optimism from the team, the setback is clearly unsettling for fantasy owners given Sale's massive jump in workload from 2011 (71 IP) to 2012 (192 IP). Be sure to keep a close eye on his status over the next few days.

• 05/21/13 - 5:22PM ETJered Weaver : (Elbow) Could Return Next Week

  Manager Mike Scioscia believes Weaver (elbow) could be ready to rejoin the Angels after pitching in extended spring training Wednesday, Bill Shaikin of the LA Times reports.

  The Angels are in desperate need of their ace, with a 4.77 team ERA, so it would not be surprising to see him return to the big club after Wednesday's outing. Assuming Weaver pitches on normal rest moving forward, he could be activated from the disabled list as soon as Monday if all goes well in Wednesday's outing.

• 05/21/13 - 4:50PM ETGiancarlo Stanton : (Hamstring) Will Run Wednesday

  Stanton (hamstring) will begin running and hitting on the field Wednesday, Juan Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel reports.

  Stanton began light workouts a few days ago, and it appears he is ready to move on to the next step in his recovery. Stanton still has a way to go in the process, but it appears things are continuing to move in the right direction.

• 05/21/13 - 3:42PM ETChase Utley : Scratched With Sore Side

  Utley was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to discomfort in his side, reports.

  The nature of Utley's injury is unknown, but he will be reevaluated Wednesday after sitting out Tuesday night. Expect an update on Utley's status after he is checked out by team doctors.

• 05/21/13 - 12:44PM ETMatt Garza : Activated From DL

  Garza (arm) was activated from the disabled list to start Tuesday's game against the Pirates, MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports.

  Garza will return to the mound for the first time since July 21, 2012. Assuming he avoids any setbacks Tuesday, he is scheduled to make another start Sunday against the Reds.

• 05/21/13 - 12:38PM ETRyan Howard : (Knee) Starting Tuesday

  Howard (knee) will start Tuesday's game in Miami, CSN Philly reports.

  Howard was feared to have sustained a small tear in the meniscus in his left knee, but a cortisone shot given Sunday has improved his health enough to return to the lineup Tuesday. He'll presumably play through the ailment, though it remains to be seen how effective he'll be at the plate.

• 05/21/13 - 12:21PM ETAndrew McCutchen : Back In The Lineup

  McCutchen (knee) is back in the lineup Tuesday against the Cubs.

  McCutchen will return after being a late scratch from Sunday's game due to a sore right knee. No structural damage was revealed in the knee, so it was just a minor setback that should not affect him going forward.

• 05/21/13 - 10:15AM ETRyan Vogelsong : (Hand) Lands on DL

  Vogelsong (hand) was placed on the 15-day DL on Tuesday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

  Vogelsong was hit on the right hand while swinging at a pitch Tuesday, which prompted his removal from the game. His season has been a nightmare so far, as he's posted a 7.19 ERA, 1.727 WHIP,and 40:18 K:BB in 46.1 innings. Nevertheless, a prognosis of 6-8 weeks on the sideline may help him work out the kinks from the first seven weeks of the season.

• 05/21/13 - 7:21AM ETA.J. Pierzynski : (Oblique) Activated from DL

  Pierzynski (oblique) will return from the DL on Tuesday, the Dallas Morning News reports.

  During his recent rehab assignment, Pierzynski notched one hit in six at-bats, which shouldn't stop him from immediately helping out the Rangers, either at catcher or as the DH. He'll be making his first appearance since May 6.

Monday, May 20

• 05/20/13 - 8:09PM ETSteve Cishek : Sharing Closer Role

  Cishek, who pitched Saturday and Sunday, was not warming up during the eighth inning when the Marlins had a one-run lead Monday night, the Palm Beach Post reports. Marlins manager Mike Redmond told reporters after the game that he intends to use all of his relievers -- including Cishek -- to close out games in the near future.

  In Monday's game, the Marlins opened up a four-read lead before the ninth inning began, but it was Chad Qualls who finished the game in a non-save opportunity. Ultimately, the Marlins may simply look to avoid having Cishek face lefties, but even a committee arrangement could end up favoring him over the likes of Qualls, Mike Dunn, A.J. Ramos and any of the Marlins' other relievers.

• 05/20/13 - 5:40PM ETJayson Werth : (Hamstring) Could Be Out Two More Weeks

  Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Monday that he received "an alarming report" about Werth (hamstring) following an MRI, and it could be two more weeks before Werth's ready to return, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports.

  While nothing's completely set in stone just yet, it sounds like Werth will not make his target return date of Friday. Johnson didn't elaborate on the results of the MRI, but he indicated there's a chance Werth's out through the rest of May.

• 05/20/13 - 5:33PM ETDavid Freese : (Thumb) Scratched Monday

  Freese (thumb) has been scratched from Monday's lineup against the Padres, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

  Initially, the Cardinals' lineup included Freese, but apparently he's dealing with some inflammation near the thumb that was cut by a spike and required stitches Sunday. He was able to stay in Sunday's game and indicated afterward that he did not expect to miss any time, but consider Freese day-to-day until he returns to the field.

• 05/20/13 - 5:23PM ETJurickson Profar : To Split Time At Second

  Rangers manager Ron Washington said Monday that Profar will split time at second base with Leury Garcia while Ian Kinsler (ribs) is out, ESPNDallas.com reports.

  Washington wants to keep Garcia fresh as the team's utility man, so he'll give him regular starts alongside Profar for the time being. The 20-year-old Profar is making his fifth career start, and first of 2013, Monday against the A's.

• 05/20/13 - 3:40PM ETBryce Harper : Back In The Lineup

  Harper (knee) will return to the lineup Monday against the Giants.

  Harper will start at right field after missing the last two games with swelling in his left leg. Make sure to get him back in your lineup.

• 05/20/13 - 3:28PM ET :

  Ruiz (hamstring) will be placed on the 15-day DL on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

  Ruiz is expected to miss three-to-four weeks due to a Grade 2 strained hamstring. Taking Ruiz's spot on the Phillies' roster will be catcher Humberto Quintero, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

• 05/20/13 - 2:58PM ETMichael Cuddyer : (Neck) On Track To Return Friday

  Cuddyer (neck) is on pace to return to the Rockies on Friday, Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports.

  Cuddyer is scheduled to play two extended spring training games Wednesday and Thursday, and if all goes well, he will rejoin the team Friday in San Francisco. Expect him to resume his role as the Rockies' regular right fielder upon his return.

• 05/20/13 - 2:51PM ETJohnny Cueto : Activated From Disabled List

  The Reds activated Cueto (oblique) from the disabled list Monday.

  Cueto will rejoin the big club after missing the last five weeks with his oblique injury. He will jump right back into the rotation and start Monday against Shaun Marcum and the Mets.

• 05/20/13 - 12:47PM ETAndrew Bailey : (Biceps) Activated From DL

  Bailey (biceps) was activated from the disabled list Monday.

  As expected, Bailey will join the Red Sox's bullpen and immediately take over as the closer, with Junichi Tazawa earning spot save chances on occasion. He made just one rehab appearance, allowing one run (via a homer) with two strikeouts in one frame, but that was likely just a blip on the radar.