MLB Recent Player News

Date	Player	News
5/16/2012	Chris Nelson, 3B (Col)	Nelson was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a swollen left wrist. Analysis: Nelson, who is hitting .219, has been bothered by a sore and swollen left wrist for a while and manager Jim Tracy said shutting him down was the best way to get him healthy. The move was retroactive to Tuesday.
5/16/2012	Carlos Beltran, RF (StL)	Beltran is missing his third straight start with a sore right knee, though he and manager Mike Matheny believe he will avoid a stint on the disabled list. Analysis: Matheny says Beltran could have played in Wednesday night's series opener with the San Francisco Giants, but with the cool Bay Area weather it wasn't worth risking further problems. Beltran is likely to start Thursday afternoon's finale at AT&T Park against his former club with which he finished the 2011 season. Beltran batted .360 with an NL-best six home runs, 13 RBIs and eight runs scored last week to earn NL Player of the Week honors.
5/16/2012	Lendy Castillo, P (ChC)	The Cubs placed Castillo on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain and recalled left-hander Scott Maine from Triple-A Iowa. Analysis: Manager Dale Sveum says Castillo tweaked his groin Sunday. The right-hander, who was obtained in the Rule 5 draft, is 0-1 with a 7.04 ERA in seven games this season.
5/16/2012	Ian Kinsler, 2B (Tex)	Kinsler was scratched from the lineup Wednesday night in the opener of a two-game set against Oakland because of a stomach virus. Analysis: Kinsler, batting .275 with five homers and 18 RBIs, was replaced by Alberto Gonzalez.
5/16/2012	Rich Thompson, RF (TB)	The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired outfielder Rich Thompson from the Philadelphia Phillies for minor league outfielder Kyle Hudson. Analysis: Thompson has spent 13 seasons in the minor leagues. He has not appeared in the majors since 2004, when he was with the Kansas City Royals for six games. He was batting .307 with no homers and 11 RBIs in 29 games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season.
5/16/2012	Jose Valverde, P (Det)	Detroit manager Jim Leyland says Valverde is day to day with a strained lower back. Analysis: Valverde was taken out of Detroit's victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, and Leyland says if Valverde is unable to pitch, Joaquin Benoit would probably be the primary candidate to close games. Valverde converted all 49 of his save chances last year but has struggled in 2012. He's 2-1 with a 5.51 ERA this year, and he's already blown two saves in nine chances.
5/16/2012	Chien-Ming Wang, P (Was)	Wang says he's willing to pitch in relief - as unlikely as it seems the team would ask him to - when he joins the Washington Nationals after what should be one more start in the minors. Analysis: Wang missed the start of the season after hurting his left hamstring during a spring training appearance March 15. He was in Washington on Wednesday to throw a bullpen session in front of coaches but will return to Triple-A Syracuse.
5/16/2012	Michael Bourn, CF (Atl)	Fredi Gonzalez has juggled his lineup for Wednesday night's game against the Miami Marlins, giving Bourn his first day off this season. Analysis: With the Braves in the middle of a stretch when they play 33 games in 34 days, Gonzalez says he chose Wednesday to give Bourn and third baseman Chipper Jones a break.
5/16/2012	Justin Morneau, 1B (Min)	Morneau is coming off the 15-day disabled list and is hitting fifth for the Twins on Wednesday night against the Detroit Tigers. Analysis: Morneau is set to play first base after telling Twins manager Ron Gardenhire he wanted to play there, rather than be the designated hitter. Morneau has been on the DL since May 1 with a sore left wrist. In 20 games this season, he is batting .230 with five doubles, four home runs and nine RBIs.
5/16/2012	Brett Lawrie, 3B (Tor)	Lawrie of the Toronto Blue Jays has been suspended for four games by Major League Baseball after he threw his batting helmet and it bounced off an umpire. The penalty was imposed Wednesday and included an undisclosed fine. Analysis: Lawrie is appealing and can playing until there is a decision. He was in the starting lineup Wednesday night against the Yankees.
5/16/2012	Alex Presley, LF (Pit)	The Pittsburgh Pirates have optioned the slumping Presley to the minors. Analysis: Presley will go to Indianapolis, mired in a 3-for-42 slump over his last 15 games. He's batting .220 with 2 homers and six RBIs this season. Says manager Clint Hurdle: ``His game hasn't been in place.''
5/16/2012	Evan Meek, P (Pit)	The Pittsburgh Pirates have recalled Meek from Triple-A Indianapolis before Wednesday's game against the Washington Nationals. Analysis: Meek, an NL All-Star in 2010, was sent to Indianapolis on May 1 with a 5.59 ERA in nine games with Pittsburgh. He allowed just two hits in six scoreless innings at Indianapolis.
5/16/2012	Brian Schneider, C (Phi)	Schneider hit his first homer and had two hits Tuesday in a 4-3, 10-inning victory over the Astros. Analysis: Schneider last went deep April 21, 2011.
5/16/2012	Placido Polanco, 3B (Phi)	Polanco had two hits Tuesday in a 4-3, 10-inning victory over the Astros. Analysis: Polanco is 13 for 33 in his last nine games.
5/16/2012	Jimmy Rollins, SS (Phi)	Rollins had two hits Tuesday in a 4-3, 10-inning victory over the Astros. Analysis: Rollins continues to fail to produce with a .231 average.
5/16/2012	Hunter Pence, RF (Phi)	Pence homered twice Tuesday in a 4-3, 10-inning victory over the Astros. Analysis: Pence had no RBIs over his previous four games before these solo jacks. He also committed an error.
5/16/2012	Cliff Lee, P (Phi)	Lee saw the bullpen blew his first win Tuesday in a 4-3, 10-inning victory over the Astros. Analysis: Lee allowed one run and struck out 10 over eight strong innings.
5/16/2012	Jordan Lyles, P (Hou)	Lyles pitched six innings Tuesday in a 4-3, 10-inning loss at Philly. Analysis: Lyles was charged with three runs - one earned - and six hits. He struck out four and walked one.
5/16/2012	Carlos Lee, 1B (Hou)	Lee had two hits Tuesday in a 4-3, 10-inning loss at Philly. Analysis: Lee is 8 for 17 over his last four games.
5/16/2012	J.D. Martinez, LF (Hou)	Martinez had two hits Tuesday in a 4-3, 10-inning loss at Philly. Analysis: Martinez broke out of a 0-for-23 slump.
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