Rays SP Drew Smyly to make season debut Friday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(3:57 pm ET) Rays starting pitcher Drew Smyly will make his season debut Friday vs. Toronto. Smyly indicated Wednesday he probably can throw 5-6 innings Friday, per The Tampa Tribune.

Smyly has been sidelined since injuring his shoulder in spring training. He made three starts on a rehab assignment, allowing two hits and three walks in 8 2/3 innings. He also had nine strikeouts.

Smyly won his only start against Toronto in 2014, tossing a two-hit, complete-game shutout. He had four strikeouts.

Phillies SP Chad Billingsley (elbow) will make rehab start Saturday
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(3:54 pm ET) Phillies pitcher Chad Billingsley is scheduled to make his next rehab start Saturday, reports the Philadelphia Daily News.

Billingsley was scratched from his Monday start due to an illness. He will start for the team’s Triple-A affiliate and will make three more starts before returning to the Phillies. Billingsley is attempting to come back from elbow surgeries each of the last two seasons.

Rays RF Bautista benched against Jimenez
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(3:54 pm ET) Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista is 2-for-29 lifetime against Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez. He won’t get a chance to improve those numbers Wednesday night unless he enters late. He is out of the lineup.

Bautista has been on an all-or-nothing run lately. His last four hits have been home runs. He has not achieved a hit that did not allow him to jog around the bases since April 10. He is saddled with a .149 batting average on the year.

Rays’ Beliveau headed for surgery; Brett to DL, Elmore recalled
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(3:48 pm ET) The Rays announced a few roster moves Tuesday, including reliever Jeff Beliveau being moved to the 60-day disabled list. It was announced he will have surgery Thursday to repair a torn left labrum.

The Rays also placed Ryan Brett on the 15-day disabled list with a left shoulder subluxation. Infielder Jake Elmore was recalled from Triple-A Durham to take his roster spot.

Rays SS Cabrera back in lineup after one-game absence
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(3:40 pm ET) Rays shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera is back in the lineup in his familiar third spot Wednesday against the Red Sox. He was benched Tuesday in the midst of a slump.

Cabrera has just two hits in his last eight games to weaken his slash line to .189/.218/.245.

Rays CF Kiermaier returns Wednesday against Boston
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(3:36 pm ET) Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier has overcome an illness and is back in the lineup for the Wednesday night game against Boston.

Kiermaier, who has not started a game since Friday, is on a 3-for-16 slide.

Mets pitcher Vic Black getting a week of rest for herniated disk
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(3:35 pm ET) Mets pitcher Vic Black will be given a week off to rest the herniated disk in his neck, according to ESPN.com. Black said the injury is not allowing his triceps to fire and is affecting his velocity on the mound.

Black, who is currently on the 15-day DL with a shoulder injury, said the injury is modest and much better than it was last year. He doesn’t anticipate having to undergo surgery for the herniated disk, but did feel tingling after his last rehab appearance. 

Reds C Devin Mesoraco sits out again on Wednesday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(3:34 pm ET) Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco was held out of the starting lineup Tuesday night against Milwaukee, per the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Mesoraco has been out of the starting lineup since April 12 because of a left hip impingement, but made a pinch-hit appearance on Tuesday against Milwaukee. He told reporters on Tuesday that his playing status moving forward would be up to the team’s medical staff. Brayan Pena will bat seventh in his place on Wednesday.

Athletics promote RHP Leon from Triple-A
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(3:30 pm ET) Right-hander Arnold Leon was promoted by the Athletics for one day in 2014 and didn’t pitch. He hopes he can get into a game this time around. And if he does, he hopes he can perform better than he has at Triple-A Nashville this year.

Leon was called up Wednesday to aid an overused bullpen. He has a 7.56 ERA in two starts.

Mets’ Curtis Granderson, Daniel Murphy out of the starting lineup
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(3:18 pm ET) Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson and second baseman Daniel Murphy are out of the starting lineup Wednesday against the Braves, the team announced. 

Granderson will be replaced by John Mayberry for a scheduled off day while Ruben Tejada will take Murphy’s place and bat ninth. Tejada is hitting .281 with 23 RBI in his career against left-handed pitchers, as opposed to his .244 average against righties.

Mayberry is hitting .455 with three double and an RBI in 11 career at-bats against Braves pitcher Eric Stults. It will also be Mayberry’s first ever start in the leadoff spot. The Mets are currently the favorites (-132) against Atlanta.