Curtis Granderson, Daniel Murphy return to Mets lineup Thursday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:02 am ET) Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson and second baseman Daniel Murphy returned to the starting lineup Thursday against the Braves after both received a day off Wednesday. Granderson returned to the leadoff spot and Murphy hit fifth against right-hander Julio Teheran.

Granderson is batting .250 (3 for 12) with one double, one home run, two RBI, two walks and two strikeouts in his career against Teheran, while Murphy is batting .333 (5 for 15) with two doubles, two RBI, three walks and five strikeouts against the Braves’ ace.

Yohan Pino gives Royals another dominant arm in the ‘pen
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9:59 am ET) Yohan Pino has strung together a pair of solid outings, adding more firepower to an already strong Royals’ bullpen.

Pino, who was called up from Triple-A Omaha last week, struck out four in three scoreless innings on Wednesday against Minnesota. He has thrown 7 2/3 scoreless innings in two long relief outings.

“The thing that caught my attention in spring is that he’s a strike thrower and he’s not afraid,” manager Ned Yost said, per MLB.com. “I’ve liked him a lot more now when you see him under this type of competition in the Major Leagues. He’s done a really good job for us.”

Athletics will recall Chris Bassitt from Triple-A Nashville
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9:48 am ET) The Athletics will recall pitcher Chris Bassitt from Triple-A Nashville prior to Thursday’s clash against the Angels, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Bassitt, who was acquired in the deal that  sent Jeff Samardzija to the White Sox, will be available in long relief. He went 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA over 16 innings pitched in the minors this season.

Cubs rookie Kris Bryant plays in outfield for first time in career
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:46 am ET) The Cubs surprisingly moved rookie third baseman Kris Bryant from the infield to center field in the eighth inning of Wednesday’s 4-3 loss to the Pirates. It was the first time in Bryant’s pro career, including the minors, he made an appearance in the outfield.

Naturally, the Pirates didn’t waste any time testing the highly touted prospect, as Neil Walker hit a fly ball to deep center field. Bryant, however, successfully made the out.

“We were joking around about that after the inning,” Bryant said, per MLB.com. “I figured I’d get at least something out there.”

Bryant had to play in the outfield after center fielder Dexter Fowler left the game with groin tightness, which left the Cubs short-handed on the bench as they are carrying 13 pitches. Prior to Wednesday, Bryant had played five games in the outfield in college and two games in spring training.

“Why not?” Bryant said of playing outfield in the majors. “I actually like center a lot better than the other two because you don’t have to deal with the hooks of a righty smashing one down the left-field line, or a lefty smashing one down the right-field line. It was cool out there. Center field is fun.”

Tigers recall Alex Wilson, option Ian Krol to Triple-A Toledo
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9:42 am ET) The Tigers recalled right-hander Alex Wilson from Triple-A Toledo and optioned left-hander Ian Krol down to Toledo prior to Thursday’s contest against the Yankees, per the team’s official website.

Wilson pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts in the minors. Krol held a 4.76 ERA over 5 2/3 innings with the big-league club.

Tigers recall injured closer Joe Nathan from rehab assignment
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9:35 am ET) As expected, the Tigers recalled closer Joe Nathan from his rehab assignment on Thursday. May learn more about the severity of his arm injury later this morning.

Nathan, who was eligible to come off the disabled list, left the mound after throwing 10 pitches with an arm issue, possibly in the same region as his elbow flexor strain that landed him on the disabled list. After the game, he told reporters he felt like he broke his arm during his rehab assignment.

Detroit will know more about the severity of his injury later on Thursday, according to MLive.com.

Cubs rookie Addison Russell singles for first hit in majors
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:34 am ET) Cubs rookie infielder Addison Russell connected for his first major-league hit Wednesday against the Pirates. He singled to center with one out in the third inning.

“Today, I was a little bit more relaxed and I just stayed with my approach and it worked out for me that first at-bat,” Russell said, per MLB.com. “It feels really good to get that first one out of the way. We’ll just have to see where we go from here.”

Russell is only 1 for 9 with four strikeouts in his first two games. Fellow rookie Kris Bryant went 0 for 5 with three strikeouts in his MLB debut last week, but he has since hit safely in five straight games and is batting .409. Russell is hoping to follow a similar path.

“I think it’s a good stepping stone for the future,” Russell said. “I can build off this and see where it takes me.”

Tigers’ Ausmus: Snowy conditions made it tough for David Price
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9:29 am ET) Tigers manager Brad Ausmus told reporters that the wintry conditions made it tough for David Price to have any success Wednesday against the Yankees, according to MLB.com. Price struggled in midst of a snowstorm in Detroit, allowing eight earned runs over 2 1/3 innings. It was 37 degrees and windy at the start of the game before the snowstorm.

“I think without question the elements were the factor,” Ausmus said. “I don’t think he could feel the ball. … A guy like David who really locates well has to feel the ball coming off the end of his fingers. I don’t think he was able to. I think it affected him in the sense that he couldn’t feel the breaking ball, so he didn’t go to it as much.”

Price disagreed with Ausmus’ assessment.

“In my mind, it was 72 and sunny with a heavy breeze blowing in,” Price said, “so I just have to throw the ball better.”

New cleats led to Archie Bradley’s early struggles Wednesday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:27 am ET) Although Diamondbacks starting pitcher Archie Bradley improved to 2-0 on Wednesday against the Rangers, it wasn’t a flawless outing for the rookie right-hander. In fact, he got into trouble early and almost got yanked from the game.

Bradley issued three walks and hit one batter in the first inning, which prompted pitching coach Mike Harkey to call down to the bullpen in case Bradley continued to struggled, per MLB.com.

“You can say you’re not aware of it, but I heard the bullpen phone ring,” Bradley said. “I saw guys start to get loose, and I was like, ‘All right I’ve got to figure something out, or I’m not going to make it out of this first inning.'” 

Bradley worked out of the jam, allowing just one run, and then made a change of his own before the Diamondbacks made their change. Bradley used a new pair of cleats he had never pitched in to begin the game. Once Bradley switched his cleats, he settled down to throw five scoreless innings before being taken out of the game. 

“That’s what I’m most proud of — to have the long first and grind through six innings and leave with my team winning,” Bradley said. “I think that’s where you’ve seen some of the growth in me out there. Even though it still wasn’t pretty, and I still had the walks and the high pitch count, I was able to make some quality pitches and put some balls on the ground for the guys up the middle to make plays.”

Mark Teixeira is the only MLB player with an RBI in at least 10 games
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9:15 am ET) Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira came up big with his fifth home run of the season Wednesday night against Detroit. He finished 1 for 4 with a walk, two runs scored and three RBI in a 13-4 victory.

Teixeira has recorded an RBI in five straight games and is the only major-league player with an RBI in at least 10 games this season, per the New York Daily News. He is hitting .204 (10 for 49) with five home runs, 13 RBI and a .333 on-base percentage in 14 games played.