MLB Player News

Tuesday, June 18

• 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 everyday 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 everyday. In any case, the 2012 Minor League Play 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.

Sunday, June 16

• 06/16/13 - 5:05PM ETEverth Cabrera : Hamstring Injury

  Cabrera suffered a hamstring injury Sunday, MLB.com's Scott Bair reports.

  Cabrera was evidently hurt on a stolen base attempt in the seventh inning of Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks. More will be known about the shortstop's status Monday, but Bair did note that Cabrera "was pretty upset" about the injury, which is not an especially good sign.

• 06/16/13 - 4:24PM ETAngel Pagan : Hamstring Woes

  Pagan (hamstring) still isn't out of the woods in possibly needing surgery to repair his hamstring, CSN Bay Area reports.

  Thus, reports about him possibly returning this week might end up being overly optimistic. "In terms of when I'm going to play, it's too early," Pagan said. "But it's better than I thought. ... I'm very optimistic I'll be in the lineup soon. That's what I'm working for. When, I don't know."

• 06/16/13 - 3:25PM ETWil Myers : Gets Call To Big Leagues

  Myers' contract was purchased from Triple-A Durham on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

  In a move that many have been waiting for, Myers is set to make his major league debut in either game of Tuesday's doubleheader and figures to see regular duty in the outfield. Myers has followed up last year's 2012 Minor League Player of the Year campaign with only slightly less impressive numbers, boasting excellent power and a good batting eye at the plate. His addition could be exactly what the Rays need to make a run at the AL East crown.

• 06/16/13 - 2:01PM ETMike Napoli : (Illness) Hopes To Play Tuesday

  Napoli (illness) reported improvement Sunday and is hopeful he can play Tuesday, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.

  Sunday marked Napoli's third straight day out of the lineup with what has been deemed a "general illness," but he's reportedly improving. The 31-year-old is hopeful he can kick the illness and return Tuesday, but it will all depend on how Napoli feels after Monday's off day.

• 06/16/13 - 11:20AM ETDexter Fowler : (Finger) Returns To Lineup

  Fowler (finger) is back in the lineup Sunday against the Phillies.

  Beyond Troy Tulowitzki suffering broken ribs and requiring a DL stint, Thursday's game against the Nationals doesn't look quite as bad for the Rockies as it once did, as Carlos Gonzalez and Fowler were both able to return to the lineup in relatively short order. Fowler even contributed a bit despite being out of the lineup the last two games, managing to steal a base as a pinch-runner Friday night.

• 06/16/13 - 9:10AM ETJohnny Cueto : (Shoulder) Returns From DL

  Cueto (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day disabled list Sunday.

  As expected, Cueto will be on the mound Sunday to make the start against the Brewers after checking out fine during Friday's bullpen session. Expect the Reds to cap him around 100 pitches so he doesn't overexert himself in his first start since May 31.

• 06/16/13 - 9:01AM ETAlex Cobb : Hits 7-Day DL With Mild Concussion

  Cobb (head) will be placed on the 7-day concussion DL on Sunday after he was hit be a line drive Saturday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.

  While it was widely assumed after Saturday's incident, Cobb will now definitely miss at least one start while on the 7-day DL. He's expected to be released from the hospital Sunday following his diagnosis of a mild concussion, but it's uncertain how long he may need to recover. Josh Lueke will be up to help out in the bullpen for the time being.

• 06/16/13 - 8:40AM ETYasiel Puig : In Majors For The Long Haul

  Manager Don Mattingly said Puig would remain in the major leagues even after Matt Kemp and Carl Crawford return from the DL, the Los Angeles Times reports.

  Considering Andre Ethier's deep struggles at the plate and the underachievement of the offense as a whole, it's probably an easy decision for the Dodgers to stick with Puig, who has been stellar since his call-up and has boosted the team's attendance and television ratings. Mattingly said that he'd find a way for Puig, Ethier, Kemp and Crawford to all receive at-bats, but Ethier figures to get the shorted more than anyone else and could even be traded if the Dodgers are willing to absorb the vast majority of his five-year, $85 million contract.

• 06/16/13 - 7:38AM ETDustin Pedroia : Getting A Rest Sunday

  Pedroia is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Orioles, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

  It's a well-deserved day off for Pedroia, who will be out of the lineup Sunday for the first time all season. The 29-year-old has reportedly been playing through a thumb injury since the first game of the year, which makes his .319/.401/.436 slash line all the more admirable. Jose Iglesias will man second and bat second in Pedroia's absence Sunday.

• 06/16/13 - 6:53AM ETStephen Strasburg : (Oblique) Back in Action

  Strasburg (oblique) was activated from the 15-day DL on Sunday, MLB.com reports.

  After checking out fine during Thursday's bullpen session, Strasburg received clearance to start Sunday against the Indians. The Nationals may not allow him to work especially deep in the game in his first start back, but he still figures to be a worthy start with the Indians struggling to put up runs at their early-season levels.