Carlos Lee continues to make progress with his injured left ankle. After suffering a sprain on an awkward play at first, Lee is a day or two from returning to the Astros lineup.

Infielder Brian Bixler was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Sunday's starting pitcher Jordan Lyles.

Eric Hosmer once bunted successfully toward third base and beat the shift. The left-handed hitter admits, though, his ability to slap the ball to the left-field side is limited.

Luke Hochevar will get his first shot at the Detroit Tigers a day earlier than expected.

The anticipated power punch to the rotation by newcomers A.J. Burnett and Erik Bedard has come as advertised for the Pirates.

A few minutes after the conclusion of the Pirates' 4-2 win Saturday night, Jason Grilli recounted his contributions with emotion due to an inspiring visitor at Turner Field.

A's second baseman Jemile Weeks got the day off for Sunday's series finale against the Orioles. Utility man, Eric Sogard, who homered on Friday, got the start instead.

Despite allowing 10 runs to the Orioles on Saturday night, A's manager Bob Melvin is still confident in the current shape of the team's starting rotation.

Eric Sogard was back in the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Orioles, providing a break for regular second baseman Jemile Weeks.

Mike Zagurski, who was out of Minor League options, had an impressive spring, and it was widely assumed if he did not make the team, he would be claimed on waivers by another team before he could be sent to the Minors. Zagurski, however, did clear waivers and began the season for Triple-A Reno.

Patrick Corbin will start for the D-backs in place of Josh Collmenter in Monday's series finale with the Marlins, but because the club is holding off on making a roster move until after Sunday's game, Corbin can't be in the dugout.

On the one hand, Paul Goldschmidt is viewed as the future at first base, given his performance in 2011. However, it's been a tough start to the season for the slugging right-hander, while backup Lyle Overbay has been swinging a hot bat.

When the season started, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine didn't sound like a big fan of catcher-pitcher pairings. However, one appears to be developing on his team with Kelly Shoppach and Josh Beckett.

Bobby Valentine thought he had a healthy appreciation for Dustin Pedroia from afar in his former role as an ESPN broadcaster. Now, the Red Sox manager is realizing you can't truly appreciate the second baseman until you watch him day in and day out.

Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz seemed fine on Sunday morning at Citizens Bank Park. Ruiz took a foul ball off his left knee on Saturday, but remained in the game and belted a homer.

Veteran Jim Thome has a history of back problems, so it always had been a possibility he might injure it while playing first base for the Phillies.

Former Gold Glove center fielder Franklin Gutierrez's comeback continues to be slowed in Arizona by a plantar fasciitis issue in his heel.