MLB Player News

Sunday, May 27

• 05/27/12 - 12:40PM ETRoy Halladay : (Shoulder) Leaves Sunday's Game

  Halladay left Sunday's game with right shoulder soreness, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

  The Phillies are calling Halladay's departure precautionary. He left after just two innings of work.

• 05/27/12 - 12:11PM ETYoenis Cespedes : (Hand) To Begin Rehab Assignment

  Cespedes (hand) will head to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday to begin his rehab assignment, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

  Everything reportedly went well during Cespedes' batting practice session Sunday, so off he goes on what is believed to be a short rehab assignment. The 26-year-old hit five homers and drove in 21 runs in the first 28 games of the season, but he's now missed 19 straight games with the injury. Still, his return appears to be around the corner.

• 05/27/12 - 9:53AM ETMike Napoli : Returns to Lineup

  Napoli (illness) is back in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Rangers Executive VP of Communications John Blake reports.

  Napoli missed his second straight start Saturday, but he came off the bench and went 0-for-2 in the contest. It's now safe for owners to insert Napoli, who has seven homers and 18 RBI on the year, back into fantasy lineups.

• 05/27/12 - 9:38AM ETRafael Dolis : Officially Out As Cubs Closer

  Dolis will be moved to middle relief after walking two and hitting a batter to let in the winning run Saturday, the Chicago Tribune reports. Shawn Camp and James Russell will split the closing duties.

  Carlos Marmol will also be off the DL next week and could be part of the picture, though manager Dale Sveum made this latest move because of Dolis' lack of control. "If something happens, it's going to be because (the opposition) hit the ball, not losing the back end of these games because of walks," Sveum said. "That's the most frustrating thing about this. ... Nobody is really hitting the ball or doing things. We're imploding by walking guys and hitting guys."

• 05/27/12 - 9:08AM ETA.J. Pierzynski : Out of Sunday's Lineup

  Pierzynski is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Indians, the White Sox's official Twitter page reports.

  Pierzynski has caught the team's last five contests, so he's likely just getting a day to rest up. Tyler Flowers will replace him behind the plate and bat eighth against right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, but it's possible Pierzynski will be available off the bench if necessary.

• 05/27/12 - 8:49AM ETHeath Bell : Still Miami's Closer

  Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said Sunday that he's sticking with Bell as the team's closer, Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reports.

  Bell is coming off back-to-back outings in which he was unable to close out the opponents, and he already has four blown saves on the season. He did however convert four saves in five days recently, the last of which came just Tuesday. Guillen is being patient with Bell, but if he struggles again in the coming days, it's possible he'll be supplanted as closer by Steve Cishek.

• 05/27/12 - 8:26AM ETRoss Detwiler : Bumped from Rotation

  Detwiler has lost his rotation spot, and will pitch in long relief going forward, the Washington Post reports.

  Chien-Ming Wang will take over as the fifth starter. Detwiler's recent struggles gave the Nationals little choice, and if Detwiler doesn't turn things around in the bullpen a demotion to Triple-A could even be possible.

Saturday, May 26

• 05/26/12 - 3:59PM ETJordan Schafer : (Toe) Back in Lineup Saturday

  Schafer (toe) is back in the lineup and batting leadoff Saturday, MLB.com reports.

  Schaffer missed four of the last five games, but he appears good to go. Most of his value comes from his speed, so it's a tad worrisome that he's dealing with a toe injury and also had a strained muscle in his lower leg this week.

• 05/26/12 - 3:08PM ETYoenis Cespedes : (Hand) Could Return by End of Week

  Cespedes said his injured hand felt fine during Saturday' batting practice session, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

  Though Cespedes felt good Saturday, he will take batting practice again Sunday before heading out on a short rehab assignment. Cespedes believes he will only need a few minor league at-bats before ready for major league duty again, but with the A's playing a day game Wednesday before a team off day Thursday, don't be surprised if Cespedes' return does not come until Friday.

• 05/26/12 - 2:39PM ETMiguel Montero : (Groin) Remains Out Saturday

  Montero (groin) remains out of the lineup Saturday, according to the Diamondbacks' official Twitter page.

  Montero, the owner of a new five-year extension, will sit out for the fourth consecutive game Saturday. Konrad Schmidt will get the start behind the plate in Montero's place.

• 05/26/12 - 2:24PM ETBrandon League : Out As Closer for Now

  League will be removed from the closer's role for the time being, MLB.com's Josh Liebeskind reports.

  Manager Eric Wedge's decision to take League out of the ninth inning comes on the heels of his fourth blown save of the season in Friday's game. Wedge said the Mariners will decide on the closer on a game-by-game basis based on matchups, but Tom Wilhelmsen seems to be the likely top option for the time being. League will work in non-save situations for now, but given the lack of other established relievers in the Mariners' bullpen, he should regain the closer's job after stringing together several successful appearances.

• 05/26/12 - 12:19PM ETCameron Maybin : Leaves Saturday's Game With Wrist Injury

  Maybin was removed from Saturday's game with a sprained right wrist, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

  The extent of the injury is unknown, but expect an update on Maybin's status as more details become available. Maybin was replaced in the game by Blake Tekotte.

• 05/26/12 - 11:14AM ETCarlos Santana : (Head) Lands on Concussion DL

  The Indians placed Santana (head) on the 7-day concussion DL on Saturday, Nick Camino of WTAM 1100 reports.

  Santana got his bell rung when he took a foul ball off his catcher's mask in Friday's game, so the Indians will give him at least a week to recover. With Santana out, expect Lou Marson to see the majority of the starts behind the plate. Keep tabs on Santana's status in the coming days to see if he will return after seven days, or if his absence will stretch further.

• 05/26/12 - 10:18AM ETJosh Hamilton : Starting Saturday

  Hamilton, who left Friday's game with a cold, is in the lineup for Saturday's game, Rangers VP of Communications John Blake reports.

  Hamilton's removal likely had as much to do with the lopsided score as it did with the illness, so don't hesitate to stick him in your lineup as usual Saturday.

• 05/26/12 - 9:36AM ETCarlos Santana : (Head) Not In Saturday's Lineup

  Santana (head) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the White Sox, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports.

  Santana took a foul ball to the mask in Friday's game, so it's likely that he still has a pretty good headache. Consider Santana day-to-day for now.

• 05/26/12 - 9:35AM ETAsdrubal Cabrera : (Hamstring) Out Saturday

  Cabrera (hamstring) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the White Sox, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports.

  Cabrera will get at least one day off after exiting Friday's game with a sore hamstring. Consider him day-to-day going forward.

• 05/26/12 - 8:57AM ETFrancisco Liriano : Will Rejoin Rotation Next Week

  Liriano will rejoin the Twins' rotation Wednesday against the A's, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

  Liriano made five appearances out of the bullpen for the Twins, and while he walked seven batters over 7.1 innings and gave up four earned runs in 2.2 innings his last time out, the Twins will give him the opportunity to work as a starter again. Liriano owns an unimpressive 30:26 K:BB ratio in 34 innings this season, so while he will be starting again, don't count on him for much more than the innings at this point.

• 05/26/12 - 8:36AM ETMike Napoli : (Illness) Out Saturday

  Napoli (illness) will sit out his second straight game Saturday, FSN's Anthony Andro reports.

  Napoli is still under the weather, so Yorvit Torrealba will get another start behind the plate Saturday afternoon. Napoli remains day-to-day.

• 05/26/12 - 7:30AM ETJon Jay : (Shoulder) Steady Progress

  Jay (shoulder) hit off the tee and soft toss Friday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

  Jay is easing into his baseball activities. He'll probably return to action during the first week or two of June.

• 05/26/12 - 6:54AM ETYoenis Cespedes : (Hand) Return Delayed

  Cespedes (hand) now isn't expected back until next weekend as the A's would like him to go on a brief rehab assignment beginning Monday, the team's web site reports.

  Earlier reports had Cespedes joining the A's lineup Monday but those plans appear to have been put on hold.

• 05/26/12 - 6:51AM ETBrandon Inge : (Groin) Activation Nearing

  Inge (groin) began a two-game rehab stint at Triple-A Sacramento on Friday and remains on track to return from the DL when first eligible Monday, the team's web site reports.

  Inge was red hot at the plate prior to getting injured, though one can expect some rust upon his initial return to the lineup.

Friday, May 25

• 05/25/12 - 8:40PM ETCesar Izturis : Strained Left Hamstring

  Izturis left Friday's game against the Diamondbacks with a strained left hamstring.

  Injuries are hitting the Brewers in near-epidemic proportions. The recently acquired Cody Ransom was inserted in his place.

• 05/25/12 - 10:30AM ETAroldis Chapman : Still Closer

  Logan Ondrusek got the save Thursday against the Braves because Chapman was unavailable after working six of the last eight days, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

  Don't worry, the Reds haven't changed back their minds about the closer's job. Chapman should be available for any save chance that arises this weekend.

• 05/25/12 - 9:55AM ETBen Francisco : (Hamstring) Placed on DL

  Francisco (hamstring) was placed on the disabled list Friday, Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com reports.

  The 30-year-old was batting just .206/.270/.265 in 34 at-bats before exiting Sunday's game with hamstring tightness, and it looks like the newly recalled David Cooper will see some time while Francisco's shelved.

• 05/25/12 - 9:05AM ETLance Berkman : (Knee) Expected To Miss 8-to-10 Weeks

  Berkman (knee) had his torn meniscus surgically repaired Friday and is expected to miss 8-to-10 weeks, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

  The team said Berkman's meniscus was repaired and his cartilage tear was shaved down but neglected to mention his ACL. It looks like Berkman will be back again this season, but the 8-to-10 week approximation still puts him out until nearly the end of July at the earliest.

• 05/25/12 - 8:33AM ETRuben Tejada : (Hamstring) Minor League Games Around the Corner

  Tejada (strained right hamstring) will run the bases on Friday, and manager Terry Collins hopes Tejada will be playing in minor-league rehab games by Monday, ESPN New York reports.

  Tejada, out since May 6 with the injury, likely will only need a few rehab games and should be back in the majors by next weekend at the latest.

• 05/25/12 - 8:28AM ETErick Aybar : (Knee) Back in Action

  Aybar (knee) returned to the starting lineup Thursday.

  Aybar did not start Wednesday's game after bruising his knee Tuesday, but it appears his omission from the lineup was only precautionary. Aybar was on a 10-for-21 hot streak prior to suffering the injury, so hopefully that's a sign he is getting back on track at the plate after owning a .189 batting average as recently as May 17.

• 05/25/12 - 8:22AM ETJoel Hanrahan : Hamstring Finally Healthy

  Hanrahan has fully recovered from a sore right hamstring that affected his control for nearly a month, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

  Hanrahan originally injured his hammy in a game against the Giants on April 15, took five days off and then pitched through the pain. "I kind of pitched with a bum leg for about a month there," he said. "It was something that I was kind of dealing with, but it wasn't going to stop me from going out on the field. I feel like I've got two healthy legs [now], so it definitely makes a big difference." Hanrahan has converted 10 of 11 save opportunities. He's allowed only seven hits in 15.2 frames but has surrendered 11 walks.

• 05/25/12 - 4:32AM ETAllen Craig : (Hamstring) Likely To Play First Upon Return

  Although Craig (hamstring) is taking grounders at second base during his time on the DL, he'll mostly be playing first base upon his return, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

  It makes sense, with Lance Berkman and Matt Carpenter on the shelf, for Craig to be playing primarily at first base. Many fantasy owners are hopeful that Craig will move over to second base, but it's not likely to happen, especially if he keeps getting hurt.

• 05/25/12 - 3:04AM ETDaisuke Matsuzaka : (Neck) Will Make Rehab Start Saturday

  Matsuzaka (shoulder/neck) has been cleared to resume throwing and will start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday, the Boston Globe reports.

  Now that Boston has maneuvered him off of his first rehabilitation assignment, a new 30-day clock can start for Matsuzaka, who received a cortisone shot in his neck for a strained trapezius muscle. In theory, Matsuzaka could pitch for Boston at any time because he's been stretched out -- he pitched 6.2 innings in his final rehab start before the neck injury shut him down.