MLB Player News

Sunday, May 19

• 05/19/13 - 2:45PM ETRyan Howard : MRI on Tap

  Howard will have a precautionary MRI on his left knee Monday, MLB.com reports.

  Howard missed Sunday's game due to the injury and will likely sit out again Monday against Miami. A stay on the disabled list may be in his future, which would result in Michael Young and Kevin Frandsen getting most of the reps in the corner infield slots.

• 05/19/13 - 2:02PM ETJurickson Profar : Called Up Sunday

  Profar was called up from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday, the Rangers' Executive Vice President of Communications reports.

  The move was made following the placement of Ian Kinsler on the disabled list due to a rib injury. Profar's second stint in the big leagues follows a great line at Round Rock to begin the season: he's batting .278/.370/.438 with four homers, 19 RBI, 27 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 144 at-bats. However, it's unclear exactly how much time he'll see, as Leury Garcia is manning second base for the second consecutive day.

• 05/19/13 - 1:55PM ETIan Kinsler : Lands on DL

  Kinsler was placed on the 15-day DL on Sunday due to a right intercostal strain, the Rangers' Executive Vice President of Communications reports.

  Kinsler tested out his bruised ribs in the batting cage Sunday, during which he still felt pain in the region. As a corresponding move, Jurickson Profar has been called up to provide depth as a middle infielder, but Leury Garcia will get the nod at second base for the second day in a row.

• 05/19/13 - 12:14PM ETJurickson Profar : Summoned to Arlington

  Profar has been summoned to Arlington in case he might be needed, ESPN's Buster Olney reports.

  The Rangers are still deciding whether to put Ian Kinsler on the DL. If they do, Profar would get the nod.

• 05/19/13 - 11:37AM ETAramis Ramirez : Sitting Out Sunday

  Ramirez is sitting Sunday, and there's some speculation that his right knee is still giving him problems.

  If his knee is indeed an issue, we could see Ramirez rested more frequently in the near future. This is the second time in four games that Ramirez is not in the starting lineup. While is annoying to have Ramirez missing games, in the games that he has played this season, Ramirez has hit .352 with three home runs and 12 RBI in 54 at-bats.

• 05/19/13 - 10:39AM ETAndrew Bailey : Returning Monday

  Bailey (biceps) will be activated from the disabled list Monday, the Boston Globe reports.

  Bailey last pitched on April 28, but it is unclear if he'll immediately take over as the Red Sox's closer. Meanwhile, he allowed two hits, including a homer, to go with two strikeouts in one inning during his rehab assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket, which doesn't bode well for his immediate prospects.

• 05/19/13 - 9:28AM ETAndrew McCutchen : Out Sunday With Sore Right Knee

  McCutchen is a late scratch from Sunday's lineup with a sore right knee.

  McCutchen was in the Pirates' original lineup, but with him sitting now, Starling Marte has been re-inserted into the lineup and will start in center. Since McCutchen was in the original lineup, we're thinking the injury isn't likely too serious.

• 05/19/13 - 9:26AM ETStarling Marte : Will Start Sunday

  Marte will start Sunday after the Pirates decided to shuffle their lineup. Andrew McCutchen is getting the day off.

  Marte was originally supposed to sit to clear his head, but the Bucs have decided to put him back in the lineup with McCutchen sitting.

• 05/19/13 - 8:53AM ETZack Cozart : Scratched Sunday With Illness

  Cozart has been scratched from Sunday's lineup with an illness.

  The seriousness of the illness is unknown at this time, but he was in the original lineup, so we doubt it'll keep him out for long. Cesar Izturis is starting in his place.

• 05/19/13 - 7:39AM ETJason Kubel : (Quad) Starting Sunday

  Kubel (quadriceps) is back in the lineup Sunday.

  Kubel missed the last five games with an aggravated left quad. Depending on how well he plays and how well the quad holds up, managers in weekly leagues will need to gauge whether it's worth risking the games he might miss this week before putting him into lineups. Daily leaguers should feel comfortable rolling Kubel out there Sunday.

Saturday, May 18

• 05/18/13 - 2:13PM ETJaime Garcia : Shoulder Injury

  Garcia will be placed on the disabled list with a left shoulder injury, mlb.com's Jenifer Langosch reports.

  Garcia's 2012 campaign was largely spoiled by a shoulder injury, so the level of concern is even higher than it would be for most pitchers. The Cardinals have yet to name a replacement starter or comment on the extent and exact nature of Garcia's injury, but hopefully we will know more soon. Fantasy owners should at least be prepared for the possibility that this could be serious.

• 05/18/13 - 10:15AM ETTony Cingrani : Optioned to Louisville

  Cingrani was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

  Although he pitched very well, with a 41:9 K:BB over six starts, Mike Leake held his own since Cingrani's promotion and the young lefty is simply the odd-man out for now until the Reds have another opening in their rotation later this season.

• 05/18/13 - 7:53AM ETMatt Garza : Returning Tuesday

  Garza (arm) will join the Cubs' rotation Tuesday against the Pirates, Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald reports.

  Carlos Villanueva has been sent to the bullpen to make room in the rotation for Garza. As it lines up, Garza will make two road starts in his first week back with a second outing coming Sunday at Cincinnati.

Friday, May 17

• 05/17/13 - 2:56PM ETMike Morse : Scratched with Eye Irritation

  Morse has been scratched from the lineup Friday with eye irritation, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

  While Morse is forced to sit, Endy Chavez will draw into the lineup to play right field Friday night.

• 05/17/13 - 2:54PM ETAndy Pettitte : Lands on DL

  Pettitte (back) has been placed on the 15-day DL with a sprained trapezuis, Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News reports.

  Vidal Nuno will return to take his place on the roster, while the Yankees will be without Pettitte for at least three starts.

• 05/17/13 - 2:25PM ETJoe Mauer : Out Friday with Back Stiffness

  Mauer was held out of Friday's lineup against the Red Sox due to back stiffness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

  As a result, consider him day-to-day. Ryan Doumit is catching Friday for the Twins, while Chris Parmelee is moving up to the No. 2 spot in the Minnesota batting order.

• 05/17/13 - 1:55PM ETIan Kinsler : Scratched with Bruised Ribs Friday

  Kinsler was scratched from Friday's lineup with bruised ribs, Anthony Andro of Fox Sports Southwest reports.

  Leury Garcia will play second base for the Rangers, while Elvis Andrus is moving into the leadoff role Friday night. Consider Kinsler day-to-day until the team offers more details regarding the ailment.

• 05/17/13 - 12:32PM ETJason Heyward : Returning Friday

  Heyward (abdomen) has been activated from the 15-day DL and is in Friday's lineup against the Dodgers.

  Heyward will return to the Braves' lineup Friday for the first time since April 20. He will man right field and bat second.

• 05/17/13 - 8:37AM ETJayson Werth : Return Pushed Back

  Werth's (hamstring) return from the disabled list is likely to be pushed back a few days, The Washington Post reports.

  Werth was expected to return Saturday, but tightness in his strained right hamstring forced him to miss Thursday's rehab game and is likely to consequently push back his return date. The exact amount of time Werth's return will be pushed back is unknown, but it should not be much longer, as his setback is not considered overly serious.