White Sox considering playing Jose Abreu at 3B
by Elliott Smith | Staff Writer

(2:58 pm ET) The White Sox have not ruled out the idea of slugger Jose Abreu playing third base, particulary in interleague games, per ESPN.com. 

Abreu, normally a first baseman or designated hitter, said he has experience playing third, and manager Robin Ventura said he could see Abreu playing there in an emergency situation or to keep both he and Adam LaRoche in the lineup at National League parks. 

“He actually looks good at third; he moves around very well and has done it,” Ventura said. 

Abreu battled foot and ankle injury for most of last season, but said he is feeling much better this year and has been taking grounders at third during pregame warmups. 

Rays’ Alex Cobb (forearm) without timetable to return to mound
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2:48 pm ET) Rays manager Kevin Cash said Sunday that he doesn’t know when pitcher Alex Cobb (forearm) will return to the mound, MLB.com reports. Cobb has been limited to playing catch as he recovers from forearm tendinitis.

Indians’ Zach Walters making progress in Arizona
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2:41 pm ET) Indians infielder Zach Walters has been making progress with his in-game activity in Arizona as he rehabs from a strained oblique, MLB.com reports.

Manager Terry Francona indicated Sunday that the utility player would be limited to one position during the early stages of his rehab. Walters will be sent on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Columbus when he’s able to play a full nine innings.

Braves SP Mike Minor (shoulder) experiences pain after throwing
by Elliott Smith | Staff Writer

(2:36 pm ET) Braves starter Mike Minor returned to Atlanta to be examined after experiencing discomfort in his left shoulder after throwing off a mound earlier in the week, per MLB.com. 

Minor had gone through flat-footed throwing exercises without any pain, but when throwing off a mound, continued to have a re-occurance of the injury that has sidelined him since March. 

Braves general manager John Hart said it was too soon to explore any kind of surgery for Minor, who wasn’t expected back into the team’s rotation until May. 

Indians’ Nick Swisher swinging well, playing outfield
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2:35 pm ET) Indians outfielder Nick Swisher has been swinging the bat well in Arizona and has seen some time in the outfield, MLB.com reports.

Swisher opened the season on the 15-day disabled list and is continuing to recover from last August’s double knee surgery. He remains without a specific timetable for return.

Orioles’ T.J. McFarland working in Triple-A rotation
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2:22 pm ET) Orioles pitcher T.J. McFarland pitched out of the team’s bullpen in each of the last two seasons, but he was optioned to Triple-A before Opening Day and is working as a starting pitcher in the minors to make him available for that role in Baltimore later in the season, masnsports.com reports.

“I’m hoping there’s not, but there will be, a need for what Mac has to offer this year,” manager Buck Showalter said. “I think it’s a really good experience for him because he has the potential to be one of our starters down the road. It’s a good chance for him to work on the changeup and the breaking ball, which is going to be the separator for him. We know that he can make the ball sink and keep it on the ground a lot. The other things will put him on another level, so working on that down there. It’s just so tough down there because you’ll make pitches that you know you wouldn’t get by with up here. I tell all of them when they go out, ‘You’ve got to hold yourself to a high standard. You’ll make a pitch that you’ll get away with down there.’ The caliber of hitters they face up here compared to the caliber of hitters there, it’s the biggest jump in the level of competition in any sport, I think.”

McFarland delivered a 2.76 ERA and 34:13 K:BB ratio in 58 2/3 innings over 37 games, including one start, in 2014.

Rockies move RP John Axford (family leave) off active roster
by Elliott Smith | Staff Writer

(2:20 pm ET) The Rockies announced Sunday that they have moved reliever John Axford off their active roster as he deals with a family issue, replacing him with pitcher Scott Oberg, per the Denver Post. 

Axford’s 2-year-old son was bitten by a rattlesnake in Arizona during spring training, and complications have caused the boy to need to be flown to a specialist in Colorado. Axford, who picked up a save Thursday, will miss a minimun of three games and a maximum of seven games. 

To make room for Oberg, the Rockies moved Charlie Culberson to the 60-day disabled list. 

Cubs’ Tommy La Stella dealing with strain on side
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2:14 pm ET) Cubs infielder Tommy La Stella is dealing with a strain on his side, preventing him from starting Sunday, ESPN Chicago reports.

La Stella has played in just two games this season, going 1 for 6 with a stolen base. With Mike Olt also dealing with an injury, Jonathan Herrera is getting the start at third base and batting ninth Sunday.

The Cubs are favorites (-115) against the Rockies Sunday.

Marlins 3B Don Kelly exits game with finger injury
by Elliott Smith | Staff Writer

(2:06 pm ET) Marlins third baseman Don Kelly had to leave Sunday’s game with a finger injury, per MLB.com. Kelly was fielding a grounder in the third inning when he scraped the tip of his ring finger, drawing blood. He was replaced in the field by Donovan Solano. 

Padres’ Jedd Gyorko out of lineup Sunday
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2:06 pm ET) Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko is not in the starting lineup for Sunday’s game against the Giants.

Manager Bud Black will use switch-hitter Yangervis Solarte at second base and slot him second in the starting lineup Sunday. Gyorko gets a break after going 3 for 21 in his first six games.

The Padres are favorites (-130) at home against the Giants Sunday, per VegasInsider.com.