Will Middlebrooks’ MRI on Sunday morning confirmed what the Red Sox had thought when he was a late scratch Saturday: He has a strained right calf. As a result of the Grade 1 strain, the third baseman was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Madison Bumgarner’s power pitching and the Giants’ power hitting carried them to a 7-2 victory Saturday over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cubs manager Rick Renteria confirmed Saturday that Carlos Villanueva will start on Sunday in the series finale against the Phillies.

Lost in Jose Valverde’s on-field gyrations Friday night was the simple fact that Valverde, in his first opportunity as the Mets’ closer, converted the save.

Top prospect Byron Buxton remains sidelined with a sprained left wrist sustained in a Minor League Spring Training game on March 16, but he could start baseball activities by mid-to-late next week.

The bullpen was one of the Twins’ biggest strengths last season but has struggled so far in the early going this year. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he believes the bullpen will be better moving forward, especially once they start to settle into their normal roles.

Outfielder Oswaldo Arcia was held out of Saturday’s lineup against the Indians with a sore right wrist, and he is scheduled to have it looked it by the club’s medical staff.

Reds reliever Jonathan Broxton made a rehab assignment start for Double-A Pensacola on Friday night. It went well, and Broxton could return for the Reds’ series in St. Louis. Catching in the game was Devin Mesoraco, who could be activated as soon as Monday.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman posted a picture on his Instagram account from Cincinnati on Friday. What made this photo more noteworthy was that he appeared surrounded by gym equipment and weights.

Reds right fielder Jay Bruce entered Saturday’s game after he went 4-for-9 over the games on Thursday vs. the Cardinals and Friday against the Mets. Those games also included his first two home runs of the season.

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy returned to the starting lineup on Saturday after dealing with lower back spasms and taking Friday off.

With Tigers right-hander Rick Porcello on the mound, Orioles manager Buck Showalter sat struggling Ryan Flaherty in favor of rookie Jonathan Schoop at third base on Saturday.

Brad Ausmus has exchanged text messages with MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Joe Torre about his first unsuccessful replay challenge, and the two might meet up in Los Angeles when the Tigers are in town next week.

Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton was scratched from the starting lineup vs. the Mets on Saturday because of a jammed left middle finger. The injury occurred when he was thrown out attempting to steal second Friday.

The Blue Jays reversed course by deciding to purchase the contract of Marcus Walden on Saturday. Toronto had previously announced that Chad Jenkins was going to be promoted from Triple-A Buffalo, but he is not eligible for a promotion until 10 games into the regular season.

J.A. Happ has been sent on a rehab assignment and is tentatively scheduled to start for Class A Dunedin on Saturday night.

Colby Rasmus entered Saturday with just one hit in 18 at-bats. He has struck out eight times and appears to be having some issues with the timing of his swing. John Gibbons has noticed the issue but thinks Rasmus is close, and considering his team is just five games into the season, there isn’t cause for any concern.