• Yoshida (thumb) could start rehab assignment soon
    Masataka Yoshida (thumb) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment near the end of this week.

    Advice: Red Sox’ manager Alex Cora told reporters on Sunday that Yoshida has seen considerable improvement and will “hopefully” be ready to begin a minor league rehab assignment before the end of the week. The 30-year-old has been sidelined since the beginning of May due to a strained left thumb. Before landing on the injured list he was hitting .275/.348/.388 with just two homers, 11 RBI and zero stolen bases in 89 plate appearances. Rotoworld 29 minutes ago
  • 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 Today, 6:52 am
  • 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 Today, 6:48 am
    Romy GonzálezBOS - 2B,SS,OF
     
  • 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 Today, 6:41 am
     
  • 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 Today, 6:16 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
  • Consecutive starts behind plate
    Caratini went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday against the Twins.

    Advice: Caratini drew consecutive starts behind the plate for the first time this season and has now started three of Houston's last four games. He has only two hits in that span, though both have left the yard. It's unlikely that Caratini's playing time outlook will change in the long term, though Yainer Diaz hit just .200/.213/.259 across 88 plate appearances in May. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:06 pm
  • Delivers game-winning hit
    Siri went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI on Sunday against the Orioles.

    Advice: Siri made his lone hit of the day count, as he delivered a two-RBI double in the eighth inning to account for the game-winning runs. He briefly lost playing time when Josh Lowe (oblique) was on the field, but Siri has now started eight of the Rays' last nine games and has gone 7-for-27 with seven RBI, four runs scored, two home runs and a stolen base in that span. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:35 pm
  • Another two-hit day
    Vogelbach went 2-for-4 with a two-RBI double during Sunday's 5-4 win over the Pirates.

    Advice: Vogelbach generated his second consecutive multi-hit game Sunday and logged his first game of the season driving in more than one batter. Since starting the season 4-for-37 at the dish, Vogelbach is 9-for-20 (.450) with three doubles, a solo homer and five total RBI. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:17 pm