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| Wilson Betemit, who homered Thursday in his first start since coming off the disabled list, is starting ahead of Morgan Ensberg for the second straight game.
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| Brad Wilkerson, who was acquired by the Blue Jays today, is in the starting lineup tonight against Cleveland. He is playing left field, replacing normal starter Shannon Stewart. It's worth noting that Toronto is desperately searching for a lineup that can produce. In the last 30 games, the Jays have sported the same lineup only twice. |
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| After serving as the designated hitter on Wednesday, Victor Martinez got Thursday completely off because of his stiff beck. Martinez is back in the starting lineup on Friday versus Toronto in his normal catcher role. |
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| Kevin Mench, OF, Toronto Blue Jays | Friday 5/9, 5:29 PM CT |
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| Kevin Mench , who was acquired for cash from the Texas Rangers today, is in the Jays starting lineup Friday night against the Indians. |
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| Kerry Wood earned his sixth save of the year in Friday's 3-1 win over the Diamondbacks. |
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| Derrek Lee, 1B, Chicago Cubs | Friday 5/9, 4:57 PM CT |
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| Derrek Lee, who entered play today in a 4-for-28 slump, homered off reliever Juan Cruz to give the Cubs a comfortable 3-1 lead in the eighth inning of Friday's win over the Diamondbacks. |
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| Dan Haren, P, Arizona Diamondbacks | Friday 5/9, 4:54 PM CT |
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| Dan Haren allowed two runs on five hits, walked two and struck out five over seven innings, but suffered his second loss of the season to an even better Ted Lilly and the Cubs on Friday afternoon. |
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| Ted Lilly, P, Chicago Cubs | Friday 5/9, 4:49 PM CT |
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| Ted Lilly surrendered a first-inning solo homer to Arizona's Chris Young, then gave up just two hits over the next six innings in a Friday day game at Wrigley. The left-hander allowed one run on three hits, walked two and struck out 10. |
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| Chris Snyder went 2-for-4 with a double and run batted in on Thursday. The Arizona catcher also scored in the game. |
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| According to the Jays' team website, neither David Eckstein nor John McDonald much wanted to go on the disabled list. But with both players still dealing with the lingering effects of injuries suffered earlier this week, the Blue Jays couldn't afford to wait any longer for the pair to get healthy. |
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| Elijah Dukes, LF, Washington Nationals | Friday 5/9, 4:26 PM CT |
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| According to the Washington Post, the Nationals will activate outfielder Elijah Dukes on Friday, who strained his right hamstring on opening day. Dukes hit .211 in a 13-game rehabilitation stint with Single-A Potomac and Triple-A Columbus. |
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| Sean Henn, P, San Diego Padres | Friday 5/9, 3:56 PM CT |
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| The Padres have claimed reliever Sean Henn off waivers from the Yankees, according to the AP. |
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| Richie Sexson has been suspended for six games by the MLB, according to the AP. He charged the mound and threw his helmet at Rangers' pitcher Kason Gabbard the previous night. The incident happened after the left-hander threw an eye-high pitch to Sexson in the fourth inning of Seattle’s 5-0 loss. Bob Watson, baseball’s vice president in charge of discipline, cited Sexson for "violent and aggressive actions."
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| Jody Gerut, RF, San Diego Padres | Friday 5/9, 3:47 PM CT |
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| Jody Gerut has been recalled from Triple-A Portland, according to the AP. The team released Jim Edmonds, and Gerut will cover his spot on the roster. |
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| Jim Edmonds, CF, San Diego Padres | Friday 5/9, 3:43 PM CT |
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| Jim Edmonds has been released by the Padres, according to the AP. The team recalled outfielder Jody Gerut from Triple-A Portland to cover the open spot on the roster. |
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| Infielder Sergio Santos has been designated for assignment, according to MLB.com. The team acquired outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Kevin Mench, and Santos was moved to free up roster space. |
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| Gustavo Chacin has been designated for assignment, according to MLB.com. The team needed to make room on the roster for new outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Kevin Mench. |
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| Joe Inglett, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays | Friday 5/9, 3:27 PM CT |
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| Joe Inglett has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, according to MLB.com. The team needed to free up a roster spot for newly acquired outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Kevin Mench. |
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| Kevin Mench, OF, Toronto Blue Jays | Friday 5/9, 3:17 PM CT |
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| Kevin Mench has landed in Toronto, according to Fox Sports. He was acquired for cash from the Texas Rangers.
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| Brad Wilkerson has been acquired by the Blue Jays, according to Fox Sports. He was recently cut by the Mariners. |
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| Brian McCann has a good track record against Ian Snell, tonight's opposing hurler for Pittsburgh, according to MLB.com. McCann is 7-for-12 with three homers over his career versus Snell. |
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| Tom Glavine will be shooting for his first win of the season when he takes the mound against the Pirates tonight, according to MLB.com. Glavine is 0-1 over five starts, with a 4.50 ERA and 1.73 WHIP. |
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| Keith Foulke has been activated from the 15-day DL, according to the Sports Network. He has recovered from neck stiffness. |
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| C.C. Sabathia will be looking for his second win of the season when the Indians host the Blue Jays tonight, according to MLB.com. The former Cy Young Award winner is 1-5 with a 7.51 ERA and 1.77 WHIP over 38.1 innings, with 18 walks and 37 strikeouts. He has already allowed six home runs. |
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| Scott Rolen, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays | Friday 5/9, 2:33 PM CT |
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| Scott Rolen has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games, according to MLB.com. He has five hits over his last two outings. |
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| Roy Halladay will aim to even up his record to 4-4 when he takes the hill against the Indians tonight, according to MLB.com. Halladay is 3-4 with a 3.00 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over 57 innings, with only seven walks allowed. |
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| Placido Polanco is batting .404 (23-for-57) with six doubles, two home runs and eight RBI over his last 13 games, according to MLB.com. |
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| Kei Igawa, P, New York Yankees | Friday 5/9, 2:02 PM CT |
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| Kei Igawa will make his season debut when he takes the diamond against the Tigers at Comerica Park tonight, according to MLB.com. Manager Joe Girardi said, "I thought as spring went on, Igawa got better and better. He got better pitching down with his fastball. I thought he got better at attacking the zone. He has the ability to strike out people because he has some deception. He can elevate his fastball, which hitters will chase at times. But most of the time you have to pitch down in the zone." He will duel with veteran Kenny Rogers.
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| Jeff Karstens could pitch in an extended spring training game Saturday, according to the AP. He has been on the shelf since straining his right groin March 27. |
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| Alex Rodriguez took 57 swings in batting practice and fielded 31 grounders at third base during his first injury rehab workout on Friday at the Yankees' minor league complex, according to the AP. A-Rod hit several long homers, including a pair that went over the center-field back drop. He also ran in the outfield, and said his session went good.
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| Carlos Muniz fired a perfect ninth inning for Triple-A New Orleans on Thursday, and collected his fifth save of the season, according to MetsBlog. |
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| Derrick Turnbow has accepted a Triple-A assignment with the Brewers, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He will report on Monday. |
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| Kosuke Fukudome is hitting .448 over 16 games at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field this season, but is only hitting .209 on the road, according to MLB.com. |
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| Dan Haren, P, Arizona Diamondbacks | Friday 5/9, 1:23 PM CT |
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| Dan Haren will be targeting his fifth win of the season when the Diamondbacks battle the Cubs in Chicago today, according to MLB.com. Haren is 4-1 this season, with a 3.12 ERA and stellar 0.99 WHIP over 43.1 innings, with only eight walks and 36 strikeouts. |
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| Jorge Posada took batting practice for the first time on Thursday since landing on the DL with right shoulder tendinitis, according to CBSsports. He took 28 swings right-handed, and 26 from the left side. |
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| Kyle Farnsworth's suspension has been cut from three games to one on Friday, according to the AP. John McHale Jr., executive VP for administration in the commissioner’s office, heard Farnsworth’s appeal Tuesday. Farnsworth was to serve the suspension Friday, baseball spokesman Rich Levin said.
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| Sean Marshall has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa, according to the Sports Network. The team needed to make room for pitcher Scott Eyre (activated from DL), and Marshall was seen as expendable. |
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| Scott Eyre, P, Chicago Cubs | Friday 5/9, 11:40 AM CT |
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| Scott Eyre has been activated from the 15-day DL, according to the Sports Network. To make room, they also optioned lefty Sean Marshall to Triple-A Iowa. |
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| Johnny Estrada has been placed on the 15-day DL, according to the AP. He is dealing with ulnar neuritis in his right elbow. The team activated outfielder Elijah Dukes from the DL to fill his spot on the roster. |
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| Paul Lo Duca, C, Washington Nationals | Friday 5/9, 11:28 AM CT |
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| Paul Lo Duca has officially been placed on the 15-day DL due to his hand injury, according to the AP. Catcher Jesus Flores has been called up from Triple-A to cover his roster spot. Backup Johnny Estrada has also been placed on the DL, so the team activated outfielder Elijah Dukes. |
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| Bill Bray, P, Cincinnati Reds | Friday 5/9, 11:10 AM CT |
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| Bill Bray has been recalled from Triple-A Louisville, according to the AP. He will fill the roster spot vacated by lefty Kent Mercker, who landed on the DL due to lower back pain. |
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| Kent Mercker has been placed on the 15-day DL due to lower back pain, according to the AP. The move is retroactive to Tuesday. Bill Bray has been recalled from Triple-A Louisville to fill Mercker's spot on the roster. |
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| Hernan Iribarren went 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored for Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, according to BrewCrewBall.com. He raised his season average to .294. |
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| Jesus Flores, C, Washington Nationals | Friday 5/9, 10:50 AM CT |
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| Jesus Flores is expected to get called up from Triple-A Columbus today, according to CBSsports. The team will make the move with both Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada on the shelf due to injuries. |
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| Alex Rodriguez isn't expected to get a second MRI on his strained right quad until Tuesday, according to the NY Daily News. Rodriguez could get the MRI on Tuesday, which might clear him to play in extended spring training games on Wednesday and Thursday in Tampa Bay. A-Rod worked out for a second straight day on Thursday, taking grounders at third base and taking batting practice. He also did several sprints in the outfield, reporting no problems with his injured leg. Team-mate Johnny Damon said, "We're expecting to get Alex back soon. Morgan Ensberg and Wilson Betemit have filled in nicely, but Alex very well could be the best player we've ever seen. Hopefully he goes down to Tampa and gets ready."
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| Nyjer Morgan has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The team made the move when they acquired Jason Michaels from the Indians. GM Neal Huntington said, "We felt this was the best thing for Nyjer's continued development. He's played an important role for us, but we want him to be an everyday major-leaguer. He needs to be on the field."
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| Juan Mateo, P, Pittsburgh Pirates | Friday 5/9, 10:28 AM CT |
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| Juan Mateo has been signed to a minor league contract with the Pirates, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He spent half of the 2006 season in the Cubs' rotation, but shoulder trouble shipped him back down to Class-A last year. |
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| Xavier Nady, RF, Pittsburgh Pirates | Friday 5/9, 10:23 AM CT |
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| Xavier Nady has been battling a mildly strained groin over his last two games, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He said he will be fine, but Manager John Russell might rest him soon. |
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| Miguel Batista is being hindered by pain in his push-off foot that dates back to last season, according to the Seattle Times. The ailment relates to a tendon in his foot that becomes inflamed if he leans too far forward on his toes and causes them to rub together. The pain becomes so intense that Batista will often take his shoes off in the dugout between innings and walk around barefoot because it puts less pressure on his toes than when he's wearing shoes. Batista has also often been spotted limping around the clubhouse after he pitches. He is battling a groin problem as well.
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| Jimmy Rollins remains on target to rejoin the Phillies in San Francisco tonight, according to MetsBlog. He missed a month due to his sprained ankle. |
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| John Lackey, P, Los Angeles Angels | Friday 5/9, 9:33 AM CT |
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| John Lackey hopes to make his final rehab start today in Tempe, Arizona, according to the LA Times. He is recovering from a strained triceps. |
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| Howie Kendrick sat out a second straight game for Class-A after tweaking his already tender hamstring Tuesday, according to the LA Times. |
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| Wandy Rodriguez threw a successful bullpen session on Thursday, according to the Houston Chronicle. GM Ed Wade said Rodriguez would throw another bullpen Saturday in Los Angeles and a simulated game next week in San Francisco. Then the team will start talking about sending him out on rehab. He is recovering from a strained left groin. |
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| A judge in Pinellas County dismissed a domestic violence allegation against Jorge Cantu, according to the Palm Beach Post. Nanci Michelle Ikerd was denied a request for a protection order against Cantu on April 23 before a second request was dismissed Wednesday. She claimed she sustained bruises to her left biceps and was verbally threatened by Cantu on February 8. Steve Canter (Cantu's agent) said, "The charges were false. The court not once, but twice rejected her claims."
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| Mike Jacobs' ailing left quad felt better than expected Thursday, but the Marlins were taking no chances on losing their top run producer for an extended time and went with Wes Helms at first base, according to the Palm Beach Post. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said, "He wants to play but we've got to make sure he's OK. We don't want to make it worse and all of a sudden he's sitting for two weeks." Jacobs said he is 95 percent sure he will be back in action tonight against Washington.
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| David Wells, P, Los Angeles Dodgers | Friday 5/9, 8:57 AM CT |
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| Free agent lefty David Wells said he wants to join the Yankees, according to FanNation. He will turn 45 in 11 days, but stated that he has been working out near his home in San Diego and believes he could balance a New York rotation, suddenly besieged by question marks. |
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| A.J. Murray has been sent back to Triple-A Oklahoma, according to the Star Telegram. The team made the move to free up a roster spot for Kason Gabbard, who was activated from the DL and started Thursday. |
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| Brad Wilkerson is on the Jays' radar, according to Globeandmail.com. Wilkerson is a left-handed batter who is statistically better against lefties than righties, and was recently designated for assignment by Seattle. The Blue Jays will open a four-game set on Friday against the Indians, and Jays' GM J.P. Ricciardi made clear Thursday that the team would likely add another bat before Friday night's game. Wilkerson has been pursued by the Jays at earlier times in his career, and Manager John Gibbons said, "We're facing three lefties in Cleveland, so we'd like a right-handed type bat, by that I mean a guy who can hit lefties."
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| Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen praised rising star Carlos Gomez, according to the Star Tribune. Guillen said, "He's not too far away from people saying, 'Torii Hunter who?' I'm telling you, I saw Kirby Puckett play. They're not going to forget Kirby Puckett. But this kid can bring a lot of good things to baseball. We need that. Baseball needs that. I love the way he plays."
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| Pat Neshek, P, Minnesota Twins | Friday 5/9, 8:31 AM CT |
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| Pat Neshek will have his injured elbow examined by team orthopedist Dan Buss today, according to the Star Tribune. Neshek said he hadn't experienced any pain in the elbow before he threw a slider to Joe Crede of the White Sox in the eighth inning. Neshek said, "I just felt something tweak. The trainers came out, and we wanted to just play it safe and make sure nothing bad happened."
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| John Smoltz has said that the pain in his shoulder has mostly subsided following 10 days of rest, and after a couple days more he will be able to pick up a baseball again by Sunday in Pittsburgh, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He will start by playing catch and work his way up to a rehab assignment. He is targeting a return to the Braves by the end of May. He mentioned May 20 against the Mets, but admitted that may be pushing it. |
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| Scott Eyre remains on pace to be activated from the DL before Saturday's game against the D-Backs, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He is recovering from left elbow inflammation. |
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| Justin Upton, RF, Arizona Diamondbacks | Friday 5/9, 8:11 AM CT |
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| Justin Upton batted in the cleanup spot for the first time in his Major League career on Thursday, and registered a solo homer, according to the East Valley Tribune. Conor Jackson's absence from the lineup led to the move. |
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| Orlando Hudson will be available to pinch-hit today if needed, according to the East Valley Tribune. Manager Bob Melvin also noted that Hudson could start on Saturday against the Cubs.
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| Conor Jackson is expected to return to the Diamondbacks' lineup today, following a brutal collision at first base with Shane Victorino in the eighth inning Wednesday, according to the East Valley Tribune. Jackson said, "I never lost consciousness, but I was definitely seeing stars."
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| Andy Phillips hit a home run for the third straight day in Triple-A, according to RedReporter.com. Thursday's homer went for a grand slam, and he now has 11 RBI on the season. |
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| Chase Headley went 5-for-5 on Thursday for Triple-A Portland against Omaha, according to Ducksnorts.com. He collected his 11th double of the season, and raised his batting average to .304. |
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| Omar Vizquel, SS, San Francisco Giants | Friday 5/9, 7:32 AM CT |
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| Omar Vizquel could be activated from the DL as soon as today, according to the Mercury News. The team will have to make a cut to open up a roster spot, unless Ray Durham goes on the DL. Brian Bocock or Emmanuel Burriss probably will be sent to the minors if Durham remains active. Demoting Eugenio Velez is not an option, according to Manager Bruce Bochy. |
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| Daniel Moskos improved to 3-1 for High-A Lynchburg after throwing 6.2 scoreless innings on Thursday. He allowed six hits and struck out three batters. |
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| Kila Kaaihue went 2-for-4 with his 10th home run of the season for Double-A NW Arkansas on Thursday. |
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| Mat Gamel, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers | Friday 5/9, 12:38 AM CT |
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| Mat Gamel went 2-for-4 with his sixth home run of the season for Double-A Huntsville on Friday. |
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| Fernando Martinez went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs for Double-A Binghamton on Thursday. |
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| Josh Whitesell hit his seventh home run of the season for Triple-A Tucson on Thursday. |
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| Claudio Vargas threw seven scoreless innings for Triple-A New Orleans, allowing only four hits and fanning seven on Thursday. |
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| John Mayberry hit his second home run for Triple-A Oklahoma on Thursday. He is hitting .472-2-8 in 36 at-bats since being promoted from Double-A this season. |
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| Collin Balester allowed one unearned run in six innings to improve his record to 3-2 for Triple-A Columbus. |
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| Neftali Feliz won his third game of the year for Low-A Clinton after throwing 5.1 scoreless innings. |
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| Kenji Johjima went 0-for-3 on Thursday night to drop his average down to .184 on the season for the Mariners. Over the last 13 games, Johjima is 6-for-40 (.150). |
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| Ramon Vazquez had a big night as he went 4-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI from the second hole in the order for the Rangers. |
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| Felix Hernandez had a third straight rough start as he allowed four runs in five innings against the Rangers. Felix struggled to find the strike zone all night taking 112 pitches to record 15 outs as he walked three batters and allowed six hits on his way to his third loss. |
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| Kason Gabbard returned to the big leagues for the start tonight and he was able to last 3.2 innings before having to leave the game after allowing two hits and four walks, though the Mariners failed to push a run across the plate. In truth, Gabbard was removed from the game because he injured his leg when Richie Sexson charged the mound after Gabbard threw one up an in. |
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