Player Notes

Jonathan Herrera is batting .283/.327/.370 through 49 plate appearances.
Advice: If his slash numbers hold, Herrera will finish with the best offensive season of his career, topping the .694 OPS he mustered in 2010. Unfortunately, the utility infielder has scuffled in the field recently, recording three errors in his last 12 games.

According to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, the Mets have discussed demoting Ike Davis, Ruben Tejada, and Jordany Valdespin.
Advice: Davis doesn't come as a big surprise given his miserable slump, but Tejada has also been a major disappointment while Valdespin hasn't produced enough to be worth the distraction his presence causes on the roster. The Mets still see Davis and Tejada as potential long-term pieces, so any decision will be made with careful consideration about their development.
More: New York Daily News

Jose Iglesias has been taking ground balls at second and third base at Triple-A Pawtucket.
Advice: Iglesias' defense at shortstop is by far his best asset, but the Red Sox want him to be prepared if he's needed in a utility role at some point. "He's a shortstop," Pawtucket manager Gary DiSarcina said. "He's going to be a major-league shortstop. But the goal is just to give him a tool -- not just for himself, but for the organization."
More: Providence Journal

Brian Dozier went 0-for-4 as the Twins' leadoff man on Monday, dropping his average to .205.
Advice: Dozier started off well after replacing Aaron Hicks in the leadoff spot, but now he's hitting .154 with two walks in 52 at-bats this month. The Twins should consider sending him down, but none of their minor league options are better bets.

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.

Yunel Escobar smacked a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Monday.
Advice: It was his only hit in four at-bats. Escobar has been a disappointment for the Rays so far, but he's hitting .312 (15-for-49) with two home runs, five doubles and 10 RBI over his last 13 games. Still, he shouldn't be a consideration outside of AL-only leagues and deeper mixed formats.

Willie Bloomquist (oblique) could begin a rehab assignment midway through the week.
Advice: Bloomquist has been playing games at extended spring training and hasn't had any recent setbacks. He should be ready for activation before the end of the month.
More: Arizona Republic

Luis Cruz is nursing a sore throwing elbow.
Advice: He could be placed on the disabled list, as Mark Ellis (quad) is ready to be activated. Cruz is hitting a pathetic .096/.118/.096 this season and has seen his playing time dwindle of late.
More: Ken Gurnick on Twitter

Ronny Cedeno was scratched from Sunday's lineup due to a sinus infection.
Advice: He should be OK in a day or two. Marwin Gonzalez is taking Cedeno's spot at shortstop.
More: Brian T. Smith on Twitter

Ian Desmond is not in the Nationals' lineup Sunday.
Advice: It's a planned day off for Desmond. Danny Espinosa is covering shortstop Sunday, while Steve Lombardozzi is at second.
More: Adam Kilgore on Twitter

John McDonald (back) is also dealing with a right elbow injury.
Advice: McDonald landed on the DL last week with a lower back strain, but his elbow has also been an issue. The infielder is eligible to return from the DL on May 30, but it's not clear if he'll be ready at that time.
More: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Maicer Izturis went 1-for-4 with a single in Saturday's loss to the Yankees.
Advice: Izturis isn't walking or making contact this season, and you already know his swing is punchless. Toronto was hoping for more than a .218/.242/.331 slash line when they signed Izturis from the Angels over the winter to a three-year, $9 million deal and the Jays recently sat him in three of four games.

Troy Tulowitzki does roughly two hours of pregame and postgame maintenance on his left leg every day.
Advice: The maintenance includes massages and strengthening exercises before the game and sitting in the ice tub and a routine with exercise bands after the game. Tulo admits that his nagging left groin ailment leaves him "not capable" of playing every day. The injury bothers the shortstop most when he's running, particularly when he lunges to first base and sometimes when he breaks out of the batter's box. The Rockies are doing their best to manage the condition, and assistant general manager Bill Geivett admits that the club is "being overly cautious." Tulo has started 34 of the team's first 42 games and will probably continue to play at a similar pace. He's been awfully productive, hitting .341/.413/.605 with eight homers and 35 RBI, but obviously the groin issue remains a long-term concern.
More: Denver Post

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.