Barnes had his best velocity of the season, hitting 97 mph. Over his last four starts, he now has a 1.96 ERA with 28 strikeouts and seven walks in 23 innings. Barnes has made considerable strides with his changeup this year and should continue to move quickly through Boston's minor league system. Baseball America ranks him as the No. 40 overall prospect.
Barnes has seven strikeouts in latest start
Matt Barnes | BOS
(May 18, 2013 12:15 PM EDT)
Red Sox prospect Matt Barnes allowed three runs on five hits over six innings and had seven strikeouts in his start Friday with Double-A Portland.
Source:
WEEI.com
Yankees acquire Reid Brignac from Rockies
Reid Brignac | NYY
(May 18, 2013 11:50 AM EDT)
Yankees acquired INF Reid Brignac from the Rockies for cash considerations.
Brignac made the Rockies' Opening Day roster, but was designated for assignment on Thursday after he batted just .250/.294/.375 in 53 plate appearances. The former top prospect is capable of playing multiple infield positions and will serve in a utility role with the Yankees.
Yankees acquire Reid Brignac from Rockies
Reid Brignac | NYY
(May 18, 2013 11:31 AM EDT)
CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees have acquired infielder Reid Brignac from the Rockies.
Brignac was designated for assignment on Thursday and has batted only .250/.294/.375 in 29 games this season. The 27-year-old will look to reestablish himself with the Yankees as a utility infielder.
Source:
Jon Heyman on Twitter
Cubs moving Carlos Villanueva to bullpen
Carlos Villanueva | CHC
(May 18, 2013 11:09 AM EDT)
The Cubs are moving Carlos Villanueva to the bullpen.
Villanueva held his own as a starter, but he's no longer needed in the rotation with Matt Garza returning from the disabled list. The Cubs were considering going with a six-man rotation, but decided against it after Villanueva allowed seven runs over five innings in his last outing. Villanueva has a 3.93 ERA and 1.14 WHIP this season and will likely be used as long reliever.
Source:
Bruce Miles on Twitter
Matt Garza (lat) to return from DL on Tuesday
Matt Garza | CHC
(May 18, 2013 10:59 AM EDT)
Matt Garza (lat) will return from the disabled list to start Tuesday's game against the Pirates.
Garza threw six scoreless innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Iowa earlier this week, so he shouldn't be on a strict pitch count in his season debut and will provide an immediate upgrade to the Cubs' rotation. His return means Carlos Villanueva will be relegated to a bullpen role.
Source:
Bruce Miles on Twitter
Granderson starting in right field Saturday
Curtis Granderson | NYY
(May 18, 2013 10:38 AM EDT)
Curtis Granderson is starting in right field Saturday against the Blue Jays.
It's Granderson's first career start in right field. With Ichiro Suzuki struggling, the Yankees are looking for ways to get Granderson, Vernon Wells and Travis Hafner in the lineup against right-handed pitching. Granderson has been playing exclusively in left field since his return from the disabled list, so it's a sign that Ichiro's playing time could be reduced going forward.
Source:
Chad Jennings on Twitter
Hafner (shoulder) returns to Yankees' lineup
Travis Hafner | NYY
(May 18, 2013 10:19 AM EDT)
Travis Hafner (shoulder) returned to the Yankees' lineup Saturday.
Hafner was available to pinch-hit Friday, but didn't start against left-hander Mark Buehrle. He returns after missing the last four games with shoulder tendinitis. With Curtis Granderson now healthy, the Yankees will go with a committee of Hafner and Vernon Wells at designated hitter. Hafner is batting .260/.383/.510 this season.
Source:
Andy McCullough on Twitter
Jepsen (triceps) close to rehab assignment
Kevin Jepsen | ANA
(May 18, 2013 10:14 AM EDT)
Kevin Jepsen (triceps) is expected to begin a rehab assignment early next week.
Jepsen has been sidelined since April 12 with a strained right shoulder, but resumed throwing from a mound last weekend and hasn't had any setbacks. He remains on track to return from the DL sometime later this month.
Source:
Los Angeles Daily News
Mets GM says d'Arnaud to return in late-June
Travis d'Arnaud | NYM
(May 18, 2013 9:59 AM EDT)
Mets GM Sandy Alderson confirmed Friday that Travis d'Arnaud (foot) should be ready to play in minor league games by the end of June.
D'Arnaud is still in a walking boot, but he's hoping to be cleared for weight-bearing activities in two weeks. The 24-year-old suffered a non-displaced fracture of the first metatarsal in his left foot during a mid-April game at Triple-A Las Vegas and will continue to be moved along slowly. D'Arnaud won't be a candidate for a promotion to majors until well into the second half of the season.
Source:
New York Newsday
Chris Stewart (groin) avoids disabled list
Chris Stewart | NYY
(May 18, 2013 9:45 AM EDT)
The New York Post confirms Chris Stewart (groin) will not be placed on the disabled list.
Stewart injured himself when he slid into third base awkwardly during Thursday's game, but he's not expected to miss more than 2-3 days. An MRI on Friday ruled out structural damage and the Yankees are listing him as day-to-day.
Source:
New York Post