The full extent of the injury isn't yet known, but it could provide some context to Howard's early struggles. The Phillies will provide an update on his status following the results of the MRI. Howard is not expected to play in Monday's game against the Marlins.
Howard (knee) to undergo precautionary MRI
Ryan Howard | PHI
(May 19, 2013 5:08 PM EDT)
Ryan Howard will have a precautionary MRI on his left knee Monday.
Source:
Todd Zelecki on Twitter
Luke Scott launches third homer
Luke Scott | TB
(May 19, 2013 5:07 PM EDT)
Luke Scott belted a solo homer in Sunday's win over the Orioles.
Scott's solo blast in the fifth inning put the Rays ahead for good. The bearded designated hitter has spent a significant chunk of the season on the DL, but he's hit when healthy, batting .298 with three homers and 12 RBI.
Mujica earns 13th save, Cards beat Brewers
Edward Mujica | STL
(May 19, 2013 5:04 PM EDT)
Edward Mujica threw a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Sunday in the Cardinals' win over the Brewers.
Mujica got some help from his outfield defense with both Jon Jay and Carlos Beltran contributing diving catches. Mujica now has a 1.42 ERA, 0.53 WHIP and 18/1 K/BB ratio in 19 innings this season, and he's 13-for-13 in save opportunities. He should keep on rolling.
Gast pitches well as Cardinals beat Brewers
John Gast | STL
(May 19, 2013 4:58 PM EDT)
John Gast held the Brewers to two runs over 5 1/3 innings Sunday in the Cardinals' 4-2 victory.
Gast is now 2-0 through his first two major league starts. The right-hander does not have dominant stuff, but he induced eight groundball outs and had good command of his changeup all afternoon. He is likely to take at least one more turn in the Cardinals' rotation while Jake Westbrook nurses a balky elbow.
Rangers call up top prospect Jurickson Profar
Jurickson Profar | TEX
(May 19, 2013 4:56 PM EDT)
Rangers recalled INF Jurickson Profar from Triple-A Round Rock.
Profar will see regular starts at second base while Ian Kinsler (intercostal) is on the disabled list. Baseball's top prospect was batting .278/.370/.438 with four homers and six steals in 37 games at the Triple-A level and is worth an add in fantasy leagues based purely on talent and ceiling. But he won't have a guaranteed role when Kinsler returns.
Rangers place Kinsler on DL, call up Profar
Ian Kinsler | TEX
(May 19, 2013 4:43 PM EDT)
Rangers placed 2B Ian Kinsler on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 18, with an intercoastal strain.
Kinsler hasn't started the last two games with rib soreness and said he still felt discomfort during batting practice on Sunday. The Rangers aren't overly concerned about the injury, but top prospect Jurickson Profar will be called up to replace Kinsler on the active roster. Kinsler is batting .302/.369/.500 with seven home runs through his first 40 games this season.
Kratz hits game-tying homer, Phils come back
Erik Kratz | PHI
(May 19, 2013 4:43 PM EDT)
Erik Kratz hit a game-tying solo home run Sunday as the Phillies came back to beat the Reds 3-2.
Kratz hit his solo shot off Reds closer Aroldis Chapman in the bottom of the ninth, and it was quickly followed by a walkoff solo blast from Freddy Galvis. Talk about unpredictable. Kratz will likely get regular playing time at catcher over the next few weeks while Carlos Ruiz recovers from the right hamstring strain that he suffered earlier in Sunday's game.
Matsuzaka (oblique) could return in 2-4 weeks
Daisuke Matsuzaka | CLE
(May 19, 2013 4:40 PM EDT)
Daisuke Matsuzaka (oblique) is expected to be activated from the disabled list with Triple-A Columbus in 2-4 weeks.
Matsuzaka has been out since April 28, but the Indians believe he'l be pitching again ''in weeks, not months.'' In five Triple-A starts, Matsuzaka has a 24/18 K/BB ratio and 3.92 ERA. If he can show that he's healthy, Matsuzaka could be an option for the Indians' rotation at some point this season.
Source:
Associated Press
Bailey goes seven scoreless but Reds lose
Homer Bailey | CIN
(May 19, 2013 4:39 PM EDT)
Homer Bailey tossed seven scoreless innings Sunday against the Phillies but the Reds lost late.
Aroldis Chapman blew the Reds' one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth. Bailey did his part, yielding only five hits and a walk while fanning three batters. He now has a stellar 3.09 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 55/15 K/BB ratio in 58 1/3 innings this season and should keep cruising next time out against the light-hitting Cubs.
Ricky Nolasco punches out 11 D'Backs hitters
Ricky Nolasco | FLA
(May 19, 2013 4:37 PM EDT)
Ricky Nolasco whiffed 11 batters while holding the Diamondbacks to one run over eight frames in Sunday's 2-1 win.
Nolasco came out for the ninth trying to finish off a shutout but was pulled after giving up a leadoff double to Didi Gregorius. The bullpen let the inherited runner score but eventually closed it out in nail-biting fashion. Nolasco has gone through his typical ups and downs but ultimately has pitched pretty well for the Fish, posting a 3.96 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. He'll face the White Sox next weekend.