Player Notes

Kevin Jepsen (triceps) is nearing a rehab assignment.
Advice: Jepsen resumed throwing from a mound last weekend and hasn't had any setbacks. He could conceivably be ready for activation in a week or so.
More: Jeff Fletcher on Twitter

Travis Hafner will undergo an MRI on his right shoulder.
Advice: Hafner has been experiencing shoulder soreness recently, so he's going to rest for a few days and try to get some answers. The 35-year-old has a lengthy injury history, so the Yankees will be cautious. Fortunately, the Yankees can plug Vernon Wells in at DH now that Curtis Granderson (forearm) is back from the disabled list.
More: Andy Martino on Twitter

Marco Scutaro will serve as the designated hitter for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays.
Advice: It's a way to give him a bit of a breather. Nick Noonan will start at second base and bat eighth.
More: San Francisco Chronicle

Chris Perez felt some soreness in his right shoulder while throwing warmup pitches on Sunday.
Advice: Perez alerted bullpen coach Kevin Cash and was not brought into the game. "Missing a day here is better than missing two months," Perez told reporters on Sunday evening. "I might've pitched in the past. ... I always want to pitch." The right-handed closer expects to be available for Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees.
More: Indians.mlb.com

Mitchell Boggs has tossed five scoreless innings since his demotion to Triple-A Memphis.
Advice: Boggs has permitted three hits, walked two and struck out four. Three of his five innings have required at least 20 pitches, but the Cardinals have been pleased with his progress beyond some efficiency issues. "It sounds like he has made a couple of good mechanical adjustments," manager Mike Matheny said. "The reports from the people who have been seeing him is that it looks like he is in a real good spot. He's an established major league player, so it's not an easy assignment. It seems like he is happy with how he's progressed. It's still yet to be seen how this all plays out, but he's going about this the right way."
More: Cardinals.mlb.com

Joe Mauer is out of Friday's lineup due to back stiffness.
Advice: It isn't a major concern, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire didn't want take any chances. Consider him day-to-day.
More: Rhett Bollinger on Twitter

Carlos Zambrano threw for potentially interested teams in Miami on Monday.
Advice: The Phillies, Orioles, Blue Jays, Yankees and Reds were reportedly in attendance for the throwing session. Big Z recently agreed to terms with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League, but he's yet to ink his name to a contract because the right-hander believes he can net a minor league deal with someone. Zambrano posted a 4.49 ERA and 95/75 K/BB ratio over 132 1/3 innings with the Marlins last season.
More: CBSSports.com

Josh Hamilton said after Monday's game that he has been playing through an illness for 10 days to two weeks.
Advice: Hamilton left Monday's game with what was originally described as "lightheadedness," but he's actually been fighting it for a while and began taking antibiotics on Saturday to battle what he suspects is a respiratory infection. The struggling outfielder hasn't considered asking for a day off.
More: Los Angeles Times

Drew Storen allowed a run in the eighth inning Sunday, blowing the Nationals' 1-0 lead over the Cubs.
Advice: Chicago went on to win it 2-1 after scoring off Rafael Soriano in the ninth. Storen has posted a disappointing 4.73 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 13 1/3 frames this season.

Jake Arrieta (shoulder) threw a successful 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday.
Advice: Arrieta was scratched from a start at Triple-A Norfolk over the weekend with a right shoulder strain. He'll be re-evaluated on Wednesday before it's determined whether he can rejoin Norfolk's rotation.
More: Roch Kubatko on Twitter

Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) remains limited to running in a pool.
Advice: There's no timetable for when he might be ready to resume baseball activities. "No baseball activity but he's running in the pool," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "I just go by what they tell me. From what I've heard, it's a similar type of strain from what (Casey) Kotchman has. It's taken a while for him. We really don't have a time frame. It just depends on how fast he heals and how fast he feels like he can get back on the field."
More: Palm Beach Post

Tony Cingrani said Monday that he "wouldn't be surprised" if he gets sent back to Triple-A Louisville.
Advice: The 23-year-old left-hander has registered a stellar 2.89 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 37/7 K/BB over 28 innings this season for the Reds, but Johnny Cueto (lat, oblique) is just about ready to return from the disabled list. It will either be Cingrani or Leake leaving the Cincy starting rotation to make room. "Whatever they tell me to do, I will do," Cingrani said. "Leake has been here for four years, and I wouldn't be surprised if I go back down."
More: Reds.mlb.com

Brian Roberts (hamstring) has begun riding a stationary bike at the Orioles' spring training complex.
Advice: Roberts underwent surgery last Thursday to repair a ruptured tendon in the back of his right knee. He is expected to be on the shelf for at least the next six weeks.
More: Dan Connolly on Twitter

Carlos Villanueva allowed seven runs over five innings as the Cubs lost to the Rockies on Tuesday.
Advice: Villanueva was consistently bad Tuesday, allowing runs in four of his five innings of work. In total, Rockies hitters got to him for 12 hits, including two home runs. After starting the season on a roll, Villanueva now owns a 3.93 ERA and has just one win to show for his efforts. He should be better his next time out against the Pirates.

Yankees designated INF Chris Nelson for assignment.
Advice: He was cleared to make room for David Adams on the active roster. Nelson was acquired from the Rockies two weeks ago and batted .222 (8-for-36) with two doubles and two RBI in 10 games with the club. He should draw some interest on waivers.

Rockies recalled RHP Rob Scahill from Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Advice: Scahill tossed three scoreless innings in his lone appearance earlier this season with the Rockies. His stay could be short again, as the Rox will need to call a starter up Sunday.