MLB Player News

Monday, September 20

• 09/20/10 - 2:44PM ETJair Jurrjens : (Knee) Scratched from Start

  Jurrjens will head back to Atlanta on Monday night for a precautionary MRI on his knee, MLB Network's Trenni Kusnierek reports.

  Jurrjens was scratched from Monday's start against the Phillies because his knee was too sore in warmups. Unless the MRI unexpectedly reveals something more serious, manager Bobby Cox expects Jurrjens to pitch again in five days.

• 09/20/10 - 1:38PM ETJay Bruce : Not in Monday's Lineup

  Bruce is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers, the Cincinnati Enquirer's John Fay reports.

  Bruce is raking in September so this seems like a strange time to give him a day off, but fantasy owners will have to deal with hit. He should be back Tuesday.

• 09/20/10 - 1:32PM ETAlex Rodriguez : Back in the Lineup

  Rodriguez is back in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays, the New York Times' Ben Shpigel reports.

  Rodriguez was held out of Sunday's lineup to give him some rest. He's 9-for-20 (.450) in his career against Monday's starter Matt Garza, including two home runs.

• 09/20/10 - 1:27PM ETMark Teixeira : Returns from Thumb Injury

  Teixeira (thumb) is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays, the New York Times' Ben Shpigel reports.

  Teixeira sat out the Yankees' last two games to rest a deep bone bruise in his right thumb. The Yankees have little incentive to rush him back before they think he's ready, so his presence in Monday's lineup is a pretty strong endorsement of his health.

• 09/20/10 - 12:14PM ETJair Jurrjens : Scratched With Knee Injury

  Jurrjens has been scratched from Monday's start against Philadelphia after his knee was too sore in warmups, GM Frank Wren announced on MLB Network Radio.

  Brandon Beachy will make his first career start against the Phillies in a key game in the division race. No word how long Jurrjens may be out.

• 09/20/10 - 11:48AM ETMichael Bourn : (Oblique) Not in Monday's Lineup

  Bourn (oblique) is not in the lineup on Monday, Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports.

  Jason Bourgeois will get the start in center field, while Bourn will continue to carry the day-to-day tag.

• 09/20/10 - 7:31AM ETDan Schlereth : Picks Up Save Sunday

  Schlereth picked up the save in the Tigers' extra-inning win over the White Sox on Sunday night.

  Although in the long run Schlereth might profile as a closer, this wasn't a case of him taking over the role. Instead, both Ryan Perry and Phil Coke had pitched earlier in the game. For that matter, Schlereth didn't start the 11th inning, instead coming on for the final two outs after Eddie Bonine began the inning.

• 09/20/10 - 6:47AM ETCarlos Lee : Gets Another Start at First Base

  Lee made his 10th start of the season at first base Sunday, the Houston Chronicle reports.

  Most of Lee's starts thus far have come against lefties, primarily as a way to get Jason Michaels some at-bats in left. It's no secret that Lee has little (if any) range in the outfield and has an untradeable contract. With Lance Berkman gone, the Astros are likely exploring whether playing him at first is an answer to both of their problems.

• 09/20/10 - 6:45AM ETBobby Jenks : Could be Shut Down

  Manager Ozzie Guillen speculated Jenks (forearm) might miss the rest of the regular season, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

  "Why go if you can't throw. I don't like to shut anyone down, but the only one might have to be Bobby. If he doesn't pitch on this trip, I don't think he'll be ready for the last homestand," Guillen said. The White Sox have not have only provided the bullpen with two save chances since Jenks went down Sept. 4, but Matt Thornton, J.J. Putz and Chris Sale should be the likely candidates once a save situation does arise.

• 09/20/10 - 6:41AM ETGordon Beckham : Hand Still Sore

  Beckham could miss the rest of the season if his bruised right hand does not show improvement Monday, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

  "Honestly, it's still sore," Beckham said Sunday. "When I wake up, I feel it. It's probably not a good thing." His prolonged absence could force Brent Lillibridge and Omar Vizquel to cover second base for the remaining two weeks, which would allow Brent Morel to play third every day.

• 09/20/10 - 5:45AM ETJosh Hamilton : Shoots for Weekend Return

  Hamilton (ribs) hopes to return to the lineup for a weekend series against the A's, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

  The exact nature of the treatment that Hamilton is set to receive Monday isn't known, but it's expected to be some sort of nerve-deadening shot that Hamilton hopes will allow him to resume baseball-related activities in advance of rejoining the lineup later in the week. There's still a lot of uncertainty surrounding Hamilton's possible return later this week, so those in weekly leagues will want to guage the strength of your reserves when making a decision here.

• 09/20/10 - 3:48AM ETJayson Werth : Boras on Board

  Werth hired Scott Boras as his agent Sunday, CSNPhilly.com reports.

  Werth figures to be one of the most sought after free agents on the market this winter. Boras will likely seek a contract similar to the seven-year, $120 million deal that Matt Holiday received last winter. The high price tag will make it difficult for the Phillies to retain Werth.

• 09/20/10 - 1:05AM ETJason Hammel : Dead-Arm Period

  Hammel couldn't make it out of the fifth inning on Sunday, suffering from a "dead-arm" period, the Denver Post reports.

  Hammel's next start isn't guaranteed. The Rockies are already short a starter thanks to Aaron Cook's injury, and are dealing with having Jeff Francis in their rotation too.

Sunday, September 19

• 09/19/10 - 11:13AM ETTyler Colvin : Struck By Shattered Bat

  Colvin has been removed from Sunday's game after getting hit with a shattered bat while running from third to home, reports Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.

  The exact injury is unknown, so consider him day-to-day for now and keep an eye out for further updates.

• 09/19/10 - 10:57AM ETCarlos Guillen : (Knee) Six-Month Recovery

  Guillen's status for Opening Day next season is in question after the 34-year-old needed more extension knee surgery than expected Friday, the Detroit Free Press reports.

  Guillen's recovery period is now slated at six months, putting his likely return at mid-March. With Guillen missing at least the first half of spring training, there's a good chance he won't be ready for the Tigers' opener on March 31, 2011. Scott Sizemore and Will Rhymes are the top two candidates to man second base if Guillen isn't ready by Opening Day.

• 09/19/10 - 10:26AM ETCoco Crisp : Fractured Left Pinkie Finger

  Crisp, who is not in the lineup Sunday, has been diagnosed with a fractured left pinky finger, reports Jane Lee of MLB.com.

  Crisp is having the injury looked at by a hand specialist in the hopes that he could play through the injury. Consider him day-to-day until there are more updates on his situation.

• 09/19/10 - 9:46AM ETJustin Maxwell : Right Thumb Injury

  Maxwell injured his right thumb in his final at-bat Saturday and will miss a few games, reports Bill Ladson of MLB.com.

  Maxwell is only hitting .141 in 85 at-bats, so it's hard to justify much playing time for him anyway. Consider him day-to-day.

• 09/19/10 - 9:09AM ETDenard Span : (Shoulder) Sitting Out Again

  Span (shoulder) is not in Sunday's starting lineup, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

  Span missed Saturday's game, but says he was available off the bench. This doesn't look like a serious injury, but more a case of the Twins resting players with the AL Central title almost clinched.

• 09/19/10 - 8:14AM ETGeovany Soto : Set For Shoulder Surgery

  Soto will have arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder on Monday, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

  It looks like his season will be ending early as he prepares for 2011.

• 09/19/10 - 8:02AM ETMark Teixeira : (Thumb) Resting Again Sunday

  Teixeira (thumb) is not in the lineup on Sunday, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.

  The Yankees have little reason to go overboard pushing Tex right now, so Lance Berkman is getting another start at first base on Sunday afternoon.

Saturday, September 18

• 09/18/10 - 6:05PM ETTroy Tulowitzki : Two More Homers

  Tulowitzki went 3-for-5 with two home runs, a double and four RBI in Saturday's romp over the Dodgers.

  Are you kidding? Tulowitzki now has 14 homers in his last 15 games, leaving manager Jim Tracy at a loss for words in his post-game press conference. With 35 RBI in his last 16 games, Tulowitzki has launched the Rockies back into playoff contention, and may have even burst into the MVP debate.

• 09/18/10 - 12:14AM ETPhil Coke : Temporary Closer

  Coke will close for the Tigers while Jose Valverde is unavailable, the Associated Press reports.

  Coke previously had a sore heel and hasn't pitched since Sept. 12, but apparently he's available if needed now.

• 09/18/10 - 12:10AM ETJose Valverde : Temporarily Removed From Closing Duties

  Valverde has been taken out of the closer's role for now and will be replaced by Phil Coke, the Associated Press reports.

  Valverde earlier was dealing with elbow problems, but manager Jim Leyland didn't disclose if that was the issue this time. "He's not right. He's not available until I say he can pitch," Leyland said.