Jonathan Lucroy caught a bullpen session Saturday and said every step he takes toward the baseball field is a positive, since he's been out with a fractured right hand since May 27.

When Tim Hudson starts Tuesday night's game against the D-backs, he will be dealing with the same left ankle discomfort that has bothered him for more than a month. But he would much rather deal with this pain once every five days than undergo a surgical procedure that would sideline him for two months.

Nearing a return from April elbow surgery, Drew Storen will head to the Nationals' Spring Training complex in Viera, Fla., this week to throw live batting practice, and he'll likely rejoin the team at the end of the week for the Braves series.

Jeff Karstens' pitching agenda changed dramatically on Sunday morning, when plans to have him make a Triple-A rehab start were scratched by the Pirates.

In three games since returning from the disabled list, Detroit catcher Alex Avila has one hit and three strikeouts in 10 at-bats.

Tigers fans hoping to see an appearance from closer Jose Valverde will likely have to wait at least until the team heads to Texas on Monday.

Twins reliever Matt Capps suffered a setback after Saturday's one-inning appearance against Cincinnati and is expected to be placed on the disabled list Monday.

Clay Buchholz became the latest Red Sox pitcher to make a trip to the disabled list on Sunday, the result of what the club described as “a gastrointestinal situation.”

When it comes to addressing his teammates, Hanley Ramirez tends to be a man of few words. But the way the Marlins have slumped in June prompted the 28-year-old third baseman to speak out on Saturday.

Reds fans may see a familiar face in the lineup Monday night as center fielder Drew Stubbs is set to make his return to Cincinnati after three rehab appearances in Class A Dayton.

Little Jerry Seinfeld clucked into Citi Field on Friday afternoon, after Mets reliever Tim Byrdak asked a clubhouse attendant to buy the live chicken from a downtown Flushing merchant. In a reference to closer Frank Francisco calling the Yankees “chickens,” Byrdak presented the bird to Francisco and told him the Yankees sent it over from the visitors' clubhouse.

Mike Trout hit his seventh home run of the season to put the Angels on top for good as they erased a five-run deficit against the Dodgers on Friday night at Angel Stadium.

Clayton Richard won his third consecutive start and drove in three runs on Friday to lead the Padres to an 9-5 victory over the Mariners before a crowd of 30,053 at Petco Park.

Thrust into a starting role when Joe Saunders was unable to get loose in the bullpen, Josh Collmenter fired four strong innings and the D-backs continued to swing hot bats in a 6-1 win over the Cubs on Friday at Chase Field.

Each day, MLB.com selects one player from each game whose performance stands out.

The Giants enjoyed a big night Friday. Not only did Tim Lincecum deliver an encouraging performance, but they also surged for four ninth-inning runs to outlast the Oakland A's, 5-4, in the opener of a three-game Interleague series.

Carlos Beltran was a smashing success in his return to Kansas City with a pair of two-run doubles to help righty Joe Kelly earn his first Major League win as the Cards routed the Royals, 11-4, on Friday.