The Boston Red Sox suffered a big blow today -- David Ortiz (pictured) must go on the 15-day disabled list. While manager Terry Francona is optimistic, the Boston Herald reports that Ortiz could miss a month or more. The Herald report says that if Ortiz's partial tear of his ECU tendon sheath in his wrist does not heal with rest that Big Papi might face season-ending surgery.
While the Boston press adds the Red Sox to the list of teams Barry Bonds won't play for despite having a need for a power hitting DH, Manny Ramirez will see more time at DH and Coco Crisp and Sean Casey should see more playing time.
Through his agent, Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Bill Hall (pictured) told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he is unhappy with his new role splitting time with lefty Russell Branyan and he wants to be traded. The 28-year-old Hall was their everyday centerfielder in 2007 but was moved to third base after the Brewers signed free agent Mike Cameron in the offseason.
So far this season, Hall's offensive output is down -- batting .225 with nine homers and a .418 slugging percentage going into Monday night's game. Hall's agent Terry Bross agent said Hall wants to play everyday or "it's best for (Hall) and the team to be traded."
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Kris Benson became the third pitcher attempting to make a comeback in three days to suffer a setback. On Monday, Benson was scratched from his start for Class A Clearwater. Tightness and soreness in his right biceps. This was his third setback and his Clearwater debut is now in question.
Benson, 33, battled biceps tendonitis in spring training and strained his right groin in April. Benson has not pitched since 2006 when he was with the Baltimore Orioles and with each injury the Phillies grow more unsure of whether he will be able to help them this season.
Last week, pitcher Jake Westbrook (pictured) returned to the starting rotation after a stint on the DL. After just one start, Westbrook is headed back to the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation.
The news came one day before Westbrook was scheduled to make his second start. Now, the Indians must scramble to fill his spot in the rotation because emergency starter Jeremy Sowers is unavailable after pitching seven innings on Sunday. With Fausto Carmona on the DL and Adam Miller possibly lost for the season, the Indians options are slim.
One possibile solution is to use a number of relievers to get through the game including whomever they decide to call up from the Minor League. No one in Triple-A Buffalo available has impressive numbers and their starter scheduled to go on Tuesday, Josh Tomlin, was just promoted from Class A Kinston and is making his Buffalo debut, so it is doubtful he would be the solution. The 23-year-old Tomlin has been effective in Kinston but to jump from Class A to the Major League is not something you see every day.
Buffalo's Wednesday starter is Jeff Harris who is 2-3 with a 5.11 ERA in 11 games (five starts) with the team is another possibility but was roughed up in his last start on May 30.
The San Francisco Giants have 10 days to trade left-handed reliever Erick Threets or risk losing him on the waiver wire if they try to demote him to the Minor League. Threets went on the 15-day disabled list on April 19 and on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Fresno on May 1. In his absence, lefty Alex Hinshaw assumed Threets' role with the team and pitched eight consecutive scoreless appearances before finally giving up a run in his ninth appearance.
It is likely that the Giants will trade Threets or lose him to another team on waivers. Threets, 27, is a hard throwing lefty and other teams showed interest in him prior to his injury in April.