Player Notes

Miguel Cabrera went 4-for-4 with three home runs and five RBI in Sunday night's loss to the Rangers.
Advice: Cabrera launched a three-run homer in the third inning and a solo shot in the fifth off Derek Holland before he added a third home run late off Tanner Scheppers. The weather conditions at Arlington obviously played a factor, but it was a monster of a performance. Cabrera is currently on track to have a better season than his Triple Crown winning campaign in 2012. He has 11 home runs and leads the American League in batting average (.387), runs (34), and slugging-percentage (.659).

Kevin Youkilis (back) took three at-bats in an extended spring training game on Tuesday.
Advice: It was his first bit of game action since landing on the disabled list with a lumbar spine sprain. Youkilis' recovery has gone slower than expected, but he's finally made some strides. The Yankees haven't revealed a timetable for his return, but early June seems about right.
More: Yankees.mlb.com

Pablo Sandoval is out of Wednesday's lineup against the Nationals due to illness.
Advice: Tuesday's hero should be back in there following Thursday's scheduled off-day. Joaquin Arias will make the start at the hot corner.
More: Andrew Baggarly on Twitter

Hanley Ramirez (hamstring) has been taking ground balls and hitting recently.
Advice: He's yet to test out his hamstring by running, which is no surprise since he's barely over two weeks into his 4-6 week timetable. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly stressed that the club will make sure Hanley's hamstring is fully healed before bringing him back.
More: Dodgers.mlb.com

Trevor Plouffe left Tuesday's game in the 10th inning after taking a knee to the head.
Advice: Plouffe was sliding into second base to break up a double play when Dan Uggla's knee caught him in the head. The third baseman was able to walk off the field without assistance but appeared to be a little woozy. He'll no doubt undergo concussion tests.
More: Rhett Bollinger on Twitter

Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon started at second base Monday night for Double-A Harrisburg.
Advice: It's interesting given Danny Espinosa's struggles, but Nationals manager Davey Johnson doesn't think Rendon is ready to play second base at the major league level yet. "We like him - we like him a lot," said Johnson. "But putting him at second at the major-league level, he's not there yet. He's not (playing second) specifically. He's just occasionally going over there." Rendon is hitting .390 (23-for-59) with four home runs and 16 RBI since his demotion earlier this month. Nothing appears imminent, but it would be a good idea to continue to monitor his progress in fantasy leagues.
More: FOX Sports

An MRI on Jerry Hairston Jr.'s knee has revealed tendinitis.
Advice: Hairston is on the DL with a left groin strain, but it appears that the knee might be a bigger issue at the moment. However, he still played in an extended spring training game Monday, so it appears that it's not a significant setback. He could still be ready to return before the end of the month.
More: Dylan Hernandez on Twitter

Miguel Tejada's first homer since July 16, 2011 was a three-run shot off the Astros' Dallas Keuchel on Monday.
Advice: Tejada has started just seven games this season, even though the Royals have gotten terrible production at third base, second base and first base. What's the harm in giving him an expanded role for a bit? For what it's worth, he's gone 9-for-27 with six RBI in his limited action.

David Adams went 2-for-4 and hit his first major league homer Monday off the Orioles' Freddy Garcia.
Advice: Adams is 6-for-18 in five games since being called up Wednesday. It looks like he'll get the nod over Jayson Nix at third base until Kevin Youkilis returns. Nix will still play shortstop against left-handers.

Will Middlebrooks is considered day-to-day with lower back spasms.
Advice: Middlebrooks initially hurt his back Wednesday, and the ailment forced him from Thursday's game after it acted up again. It sounds like he'll be fine in a day or two.
More: Alex Speier on Twitter

Matt Dominguez went 2-for-4 and hit a three-run homer off Jeremy Guthrie as the Astros topped the Royals 6-5 on Monday.
Advice: Dominguez has four homers in 10 days after going his first 33 games without one. Unfortunately, that is all he's done in the 10 days; he has just two other hits and no walks besides the homers, and his average has dipped to .239. Still, it's a whole lot better than no homers.

Yankees sent INF Alberto Gonzalez outright to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Advice: Gonzalez passed through waivers unclaimed after he was designated for assignment over the weekend following the acquisition of Reid Brignac. The 30-year-old will function as organizational depth for New York.

David Freese was scratched from Monday's lineup due to inflammation near his right thumb.
Advice: Freese was spiked during Sunday's game and required three stitches. He'll be available off the bench and could be ready to return to action on Tuesday. Ty Wigginton is getting the start at third base Monday.
More: Jenifer Langosch on Twitter