Player Notes

Willits (concussion) is expected to be activated in the next few days, the Angels' official site reports.
Recommendation: He was eligible to be recalled on Sunday, but the Angels preferred that he have one more checkup with the team's physicians.

2B Howie Kendrick snapped a 7-for-37 slump with two hits. Kendrick batted second in the lineup with SS Erick Aybar given the day off. Kendrick leads the Angels with a .385 (30-for-78) average with runners in scoring position.

The chances of Atkins being traded this offseason are increasing, according to the Denver Post.
Recommendation: There won't be many desirable free-agent third basemen and Atkins has proven this season that he can also play first base. The Twins and Angels are two leading candidates for his services. Colorado wants a proven middle-of-the-rotation starter in return and the Rockies have a replacement at third base (Ian Stewart).

MLB.com reports Arizona Diamondbacks SP Dan Haren (14-6, 3.12 ERA) will start Monday, Aug. 25, against the San Diego Padres.

David Singh, of MLB.com, reports Boston Red Sox OF Jason Bay is 8-for-19 (.421) in his career against New York Yankees SP Andy Pettitte.

Webb is expected to make his next scheduled start on Thursday despite a significant bruise near his ribs, the Arizona Republic reports.
Recommendation: Manager Bob Melvin said that the bruise was the result of a comebacker that hit Webb during his last start. We'll keep an eye on him throughout the week in case he experiences tightness or any further issues, but it looks like he'll be just fine.

Ross hit a solo homer, helping the Marlins rally past the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 on Friday night.
Advice: Ross, who tied a season high with three hits and finished with two RBIs, has gone 9-for-27 (.333) with four doubles, a homer and four RBIs during a

David Singh, of MLB.com, reports Boston Red Sox 1B Kevin Youkilis is 8-for-18 (.444) in his career against New York Yankees SP Andy Pettitte.

Howie Rumberg, of The Associated Press, reports New York Mets SS Jose Reyes hit a two-run triple, a double, scored two runs and finished with three hits Monday, Aug. 25.

Putz notched his first save Friday since June 9, pitching a scoreless ninth inning.
Recommendation: It wasn't a clean inning -- Putz gave up a hit and walked a batter -- but it will do. Since his last save, Putz has blown four saves, spent nearly 40 days on the disabled list and given up 18 hits and 10 walks in 15.2 innings.

New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel said he wouldn't be afraid to use RP Luis Ayala in a save situation again, according to the New York Post. Ayala recorded the save Friday, Aug. 22, against the Houston Astros, but there was no opportunity for a save Saturday, Aug. 23. "That opportunity comes up again tonight, I wouldn't hesitate to go with him," Manuel said. "When you come in and throw strikes, attack people, that gives us a chance. I think somebody mentioned he threw 11 pitches (on Friday), 10 of them for strikes. That's impressive to me."

RHP Todd Wellemeyer and RHP Adam Wainwright will pitch the two games of the Milwaukee series, but manager Tony La Russa hasn't announced his plans for the rest of the week. The Cardinals have a three-game series in Houston this weekend. RHPs Kyle Lohse and Braden Looper are expected to pitch two of the games but the order is not certain.

LHP Jorge De La Rosa, who starts against the Giants on Tuesday, has put together quality starts in five of his last six starts, including each of the last three. He is 1-1 with a 2.42 ERA in August, making five appearances, three starts. He is 2-6 with a 6.55 ERA on the road this year, 11 games and nine starts.

The St. Petersburg Times reports Tampa Bay Rays C Dioner Navarro did not start Sunday, Aug. 24, against the Chicago White Sox, because manager Joe Maddon wanted to get Navarro back-to-back days off. C Shawn Riggans started in his place.

Hardy homered and drove in two runs for the second straight game on Friday, helping the host Brewers to a 10-4 win over Pittsburgh.
Advice: Hardy is batting .279 with 20 homers and 61 RBIs this season, and has been particularly hot at the plate lately. The shortstop has gone 12-for-34

1B Prince Fielder batted .158 (3-for-19) on the Brewers' 5-1 home stand against Houston and Pittsburgh. Fielder managed to drive in five runs despite that skid.

Updating previous reports, Toronto Blue Jays 3B Jose Bautista has been added to the 25-man roster, according to USAToday.com.

Lowry said Thursday that he plans on accelerating his comeback from left forearm surgery by playing winter ball, according to the Giants' official Web site.
Advice: Lowry told the team's site that he and the Giants' medical staff haven't yet determined when he'll begin throwing off a mound. However, it's a step he could take soon, as manager Bruce Bochy indicated Tuesday. His chances