Player Notes

Orioles transferred 2B Brian Roberts from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.
Advice: It's just a procedural move to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. Roberts underwent surgery last Thursday to repair a ruptured tendon in his right knee and is expected to be sidelined for at least the next six weeks.

Yoenis Cespedes went 0-for-4 on Friday to drop under the Mendoza Line at .198.
Advice: Cespedes has just four hits and one RBI in his last 10 games. His slump hasn't included many strikeouts -- in fact, he's gone six straight games without one -- but he might be fighting some lingering weakness from his illness earlier this week.

Josh Johnson (triceps) will begin a rehab assignment Monday with High-A Dunedin.
Advice: Johnson has been on the DL since April 29, but he hasn't had any issues during his throwing program. He'll likely need 2-3 games before he's cleared to rejoin the Blue Jays' rotation. Johnson is on track for a return in the early part of June.
More: Shi Davidi on Twitter

The Cubs are moving Carlos Villanueva to the bullpen.
Advice: Villanueva held his own as a starter, but he's no longer needed in the rotation with Matt Garza returning from the disabled list. The Cubs were considering going with a six-man rotation, but decided against it after Villanueva allowed seven runs over five innings in his last outing. Villanueva has a 3.93 ERA and 1.14 WHIP this season and will now be used as long reliever.
More: Bruce Miles on Twitter

Angels claimed INF Chris Nelson off waivers from the Yankees.
Advice: Nelson was DFA'd by the Yankees earlier this week and batted just .222 (8-for-36) with two doubles and two RBI in 10 games since being traded. He should provide depth at third base behind Alberto Callaspo with the Angels. Scott Cousins has been dropped from the 40-man roster in a corresponding move.

Carlos Zambrano threw two scoreless innings and had five strikeouts Saturday in extended spring training.
Advice: The Phillies' current plan calls for Zambrano to pitch in another extended spring game next week before possibly sending him to a minor league affiliate. He was able to throw 44 pitches Saturday and will continue to be stretched out as a starter. Zambrano will be an option for the Phillies' rotation at some point this season.

Travis Hafner (shoulder) returned to the Yankees' lineup Saturday.
Advice: Hafner was available to pinch-hit Friday, but didn't start against left-hander Mark Buehrle. He returns after missing the last four games with shoulder tendinitis. With Curtis Granderson now healthy, the Yankees will go with a committee of Hafner and Vernon Wells at designated hitter. Hafner is batting .260/.383/.510 this season.
More: Andy McCullough on Twitter

Matt Garza (lat) will return from the disabled list to start Tuesday's game against the Pirates.
Advice: Garza threw six scoreless innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Iowa earlier this week, so he shouldn't be on a strict pitch count in his season debut and will provide an immediate upgrade to the Cubs' rotation. His return means Carlos Villanueva will be relegated to a bullpen role.
More: Bruce Miles on Twitter

Mets GM Sandy Alderson confirmed Friday that Travis d'Arnaud (foot) should be ready to play in minor league games by the end of June.
Advice: D'Arnaud is still in a walking boot, but he's hoping to be cleared for weight-bearing activities in two weeks. The 24-year-old suffered a non-displaced fracture of the first metatarsal in his left foot during a mid-April game at Triple-A Las Vegas and will continue to be moved along slowly. D'Arnaud won't be a candidate for a promotion to majors until well into the second half of the season.
More: Newsday

Erick Aybar went 0-for-4 in Friday's loss and is just 11-for-51 this month.
Advice: That .216 average is also his on-base percentage for the month, since his one walk this season came on April 30. He's also 0-for-1 stealing bases this month. Aybar is only back in the leadoff spot because Peter Bourjos is hurt. He'll probably be dropped to seventh or lower once Bourjos is activated.

Reds optioned LHP Tony Cingrani to Triple-A Louisville.
Advice: The Reds need to clear a rotation spot with Johnny Cueto returning from the disabled list Monday, so Cingrani will officially be sent down. He was mostly impressive over his first six major league starts, posting a 3.27 ERA, nine walks and 41 strikeouts over 33 innings. Neftali Soto has been called up to replace Cingrani on the active roster, while Mike Leake will remain the Reds' fifth starter.

Despite taking a comebacker off his pitching hand, Drew Storen pitched a scoreless 10th inning Friday against the Padres for his first save.
Advice: Aided by a Ryan Zimmerman throwing error, Rafael Soriano took a blown save in the ninth. Storen got his chance in the 10th after a Chad Tracy homer and got the job done, though not before allowing a couple of singles. The first of those was a hard shot up the middle that deflected off his pitching hand. Storen, though, remained in after a couple of warmups. His ERA sits at 4.41 currently, and he's no threat to Soriano's job as is.

Chris Sale struck out 12 in 7 2/3 scoreless innings Friday in the White Sox's 3-0 win over the Angels.
Advice: Poor C.J. Wilson got matched up with Sale for the second time in six days and took another tough loss. Sale allowed just four hits and struck out 19 while pitching 16 2/3 scoreless innings over the course of the two outings. He's allowed one run in 24 career innings against the Angels.

ESPN New York reports that the Mets have "intensified" discussions about potentially demoting Ike Davis.
Advice: Davis was able to snap a six game hitless streak Friday, but he may not have more than this weekend's series against the Cubs to prove he deserves to avoid a demotion. If Davis is sent down, the Mets are expected to call up Andrew Brown from Triple-A Las Vegas to replace him on the active roster. Davis is batting .160/.245/.267 with four home runs in 38 games this season.
More: ESPN New York

Orioles optioned RHP Alex Burnett to Triple-A Norfolk.
Advice: Burnett lasted just three days on the Orioles' roster. He'll return to a 1.50 ERA in the minors.

Astros optioned INF Jacob Elmore to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Advice: Elmore appeared in three games during his brief callup. He's no longer needed with Jose Altuve returning from the disabled list.