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  • May begin rehab assignment this week
    Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday that he's hopeful Yoshida (thumb) could begin a minor-league rehab assignment later this week, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

    Advice: Cora's comments came one day after Yoshida took live batting practice on the field and reported no issues with his strained left thumb, which has kept him out of action since April 28. Though the skipper didn't offer up a firm timeline for when Yoshida might be activated from the 10-day injured list, the 30-year-old may only need a handful of games in the minors this weekend before he's deemed ready to rejoin the Red Sox. Once activated, Yoshida should settle in as Boston's primary designated hitter, though he's likely to sit frequently against left-handed pitching. Rotowire.com 19 minutes ago
     
  • Tracking toward brief IL stint
    Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday that he's hopeful Gonzalez will be ready to return from the 10-day injured list around when he's first eligible to be activated, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

    Advice: Gonzalez was joined on the IL on Sunday by fellow infielder Vaughn Grissom, who is recovering from a right hamstring strain. Grissom's injury is believed to be the more significant of the two, as he'll be sent in for an MRI, whereas Gonzalez won't be subject to any further imaging. Assuming the tightness in his left leg subsides in the coming days and he's able to resume baseball activities, Gonzalez could be ready to return from the IL for the Red Sox's three-game series with the Phillies that begins June 11. In the meantime, the Red Sox are likely to lean on Enmanuel Valdez and Jamie Westbrook as the main options at second base, with the former occupying the strong side of a platoon. Rotowire.com 23 minutes ago
    Romy GonzálezBOS - 2B,SS,OF
    New Player Note
    IL10
     
  • Headed for MRI
    Grissom, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a right hamstring strain, is slated to undergo an MRI, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports. "We're not there yet," manager Alex Cora said, when asked about a timeline for Grissom's return. "He feels like it wasn't as bad as in spring training. But he's getting imaging so we'll know."

    Advice: Grissom's upcoming MRI should shed light on the severity of the hamstring strain he sustained in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Tigers. As Cora notes, Grissom was previously slowed by a left groin/hamstring injury in spring training, which prevented the 23-year-old from making his Red Sox debut until May 3. For whatever length of time Grissom is sidelined this time around, Enmanuel Valdez is likely to serve as the Red Sox's primary second baseman against right-handed pitching, while Jamie Westbrook should be the main option at the keystone versus lefties. Rotowire.com 30 minutes ago
     
  • Officially demoted to Triple-A
    The Twins optioned Julien to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday.

    Advice: Julien put up a 132 OPS+ last season as a rookie and opened this year as the Twins' leadoff man against right-handed pitching. While he started off with an .830 OPS in April this season, he posted a .482 OPS with a 36.5 percent strikeout rate since May 1. While Julien could regain a regular role with Minnesota later this season, he'll head to St. Paul for now as he looks to get back on track. Willi Castro will likely be the Twins' primary second baseman now, with Kyle Farmer being mixed in against lefties. Rotowire.com 31 minutes ago
     
  • Braves option Chadwick Tromp to Triple-A
    Braves optioned C Chadwick Tromp to Triple-A Gwinnett.

    Advice: With Travis d’Arnaud and Sean Murphy both healthy, there’s simply no room for Tromp on the big league roster at the moment. Tromp has hit .250/.259/.365 with zero homers and six RBI in 54 plate appearances with the Braves this season. He’ll continue to bide his time at the Triple-A level until he’s needed once more. Rotoworld 55 minutes ago
     
  • Twins option Edouard Julien to Triple-A St. Paul
    Twins optioned INF Edouard Julien to Triple-A St. Paul.

    Advice: As anticipated, the 25-year-old infielder is sent out to make room on the active roster for the return of Royce Lewis on Tuesday. Julien had been mired in quite the slump — slashing just .169/.274/.181 with zero homers, five RBI and a 36/12 K/BB ratio over 95 plate appearances over his last 32 games dating back to April 28. Hopefully playing every day at the Triple-A level is enough to cure what ails him. We haven’t seen the last of Julien in the big leagues this season. Rotoworld 57 minutes ago
     
  • Will play against lefties
    Westbrook is expected to start at second base against lefties, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

    Advice: The Red Sox placed a pair of infielders on the injured list Sunday -- Vaughn Grissom and Romy Gonzalez each hit the IL with hamstring injuries. That opens a path to playing time for Westbrook (against lefties) and Enmanuel Valdez (righties). Westbrook, 28, made his MLB debut Sunday as a pinch hitter -- he walked for Wilyer Abreu. After a day off Monday, Boston resumes its scheduled Tuesday against Atlanta, which is scheduled to throw left-hander Max Fried. Rotowire.com Today, 6:09 am
     
  • Will be primary second baseman
    Valdez started at second base and went 1-for-5 with an RBI in Sunday's 8-4 extra-inning loss to Detroit.

    Advice: After serving as Boston's designated hitter Saturday, Valdez made a second consecutive start Sunday. He's expected to serve as the primary second baseman against right-handers while Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) and Romy Gonzalez (hamstring) are on the 10-day injured list, per Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe. Valdez will share the position with Jamie Westbrook, who should get the majority of the starts against left-handed pitching. Rotowire.com Today, 6:03 am
     
  • Josh Lowe (oblique) likely to rejoin Rays Tuesday
    Josh Lowe (oblique) is expected to rejoin the Rays for Tuesday’s series opener against the Marlins in Miami.

    Advice: The dynamic 26-year-old outfielder played three games with Triple-A Durham over the weekend and Rays’ skipper Kevin Cash was “very encouraged” by how he looked. Lowe has been sidelined since May 23 due to a right oblique strain. Before he was shelved, he had been hitting .240/.296/.440 with a pair of homers and three RBI in his first 50 at-bats on the season. Rotoworld Today, 5:39 am
    Josh LoweTB - CF,RF
    New Player Note
    IL10