Angels 2B Johnny Giavotella making the most out of opportunity
by Jason Lempert | Staff Writer

(9:58 am ET) Angels infielder Johnny Giavotella has never had more than 181 at-bats in any single season. So far in 2015, he has 84, and is likely in line for many more this season. 

Giavotella has become the starting second baseman for manager Mike Scioscia, as he has started all but two of the team’s 28 games this season. And he has rewarded his skipper’s faith by hitting a clean .286 with 12 RBI, including a walk-off double in Wednesday’s 4-3 victory over the Mariners. It was his fifth game-winning RBI of the season.

“He’s just a tough out,” Scioscia said, per MLB.com. “He’s been a tough out his whole life, at every level in the Minor Leagues. Now he’s getting an opportunity in the big leagues, and he’s shown that he gives a tough at-bat every time. It’s important to our club. We talk about the guys that we need to get into their game, but Johnny Giavotella has been one of the bright spots.”

As long as he stays healthy and productive, Giavotella should easily surpass his career-high of 181 at-bats, among other offensive categories.

Rays INF Nick Franklin (oblique) goes 0 for 2 in second rehab game
by Jason Lempert | Staff Writer

(9:43 am ET) Rays infielder Nick Franklin played in his second rehab game on Wednesday, going 0 for 2 with two walks. He was checked out by a trainer after taking a swing, but was able to stay in the game. The Rays are looking to get Franklin 20-30 at-bats in his rehab before activiating him from the disabled list, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Rays SP Alex Cobb visits Dr. Andrews, gets PRP injection
by Jason Lempert | Staff Writer

(9:40 am ET) After being diagnosed with a partial tear of in a ligament in his right elbow, Rays pitcher Alex Cobb received a platelet-rich plasma injection from Dr. James Andrews, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Cobb will now rest for a week, and it could be as long as month before he begins rigorous baseball activities.

Cobb suffered a setback in his recovery from forearm tendinitis, and has yet to play a game in 2015. The possibility of Tommy John surgery could be in play, though the team has not made any official statements as of yet.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia to sign with Diamondbacks
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:29 am ET) Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia is expected to sign with the Diamondbacks once he clears waivers, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Saltalamacchia was designated for assignment by the Marlins on April 27 and was placed on release waivers Tuesday.

Tuffy Gosewisch has been the Diamondbacks’ primary catcher in 2015, starting 19 of 26 games behind the plate. However, he hasn’t provided much offensive support, batting just .208 with no extra-base hits and five RBI in 20 games.

The Mariners, Orioles and Royals were also teams reportedly interested in signing Saltalamacchia, who lost his starting job with the Marlins to rookie J.T. Realmuto.

Saltalamacchia has a .240/.310/.415/.725 slash line over nine MLB seasons. He hit a career-best 25 home runs in 2012 with the Red Sox.

White Sox ace Chris Sale not sharp once again on Wednesday
by Jason Lempert | Staff Writer

(9:25 am ET) It’s not very often that White Sox starter Chris Sale has a bad start. It’s even less often that he has back-to-back rough outings. But that’s what happened on Wednesday against the Tigers. 

After getting knocked around by the Twins in his last start on April 30, Sale gave up five runs on seven hits, walking a career-matching-high five walks in 5 1/3 innings Wednesday against Detroit. This is the first time since 2012 that Sale has had consecutive non-quality starts.

“You’re going to have good ones, you’re going to have bad ones,” Sale said, per MLB.com. “You’re going to have a few good ones in a row, you’re going to have a few bad ones in a row.”

In his last two starts, Sale has surrendered an eye-popping 13 earned runs in just 8 1/3 innings. Is there reason for concern here? The team doesn’t exactly think so.

“I think he’s going to be all right,” manager Robin Ventura said. “I think when he doesn’t think too much and he just goes out and pitches is when he’s at his best.”

Cubs’ Maddon on Anthony Rizzo: ‘He’s just really good right now’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:14 am ET) Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is off to a stellar start in May. He has hit safely in each of his six appearances this month and has homered three times in that span.

Rizzo, however, has been on a pretty good run for nearly a month now. He has a .377/.495/.675/1.170 slash line over his last 21 games.

“He’s just really good right now,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Rizzo, per MLB.com. “I think he’s one of the top five best at-bats in all of baseball, if you want to look at it that way. At-bat per at-bat, this guy is engaged in every pitch, every pitch. He doesn’t give anything away at any time.

“He’s one of the few major league players who has a legitimate two-strike approach. It’s something I’ve preached in the past; it’s hard to get guys to do it. He has a legitimate two-strike plan, which is beautiful to watch.”

Mariners OF Kyle Seager slugs third home run of season Wednesday
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1:45 am ET) Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager connected on his third home run of the season during Wednesday’s 4-3 loss to the Angels.

The two-run home run was hit of Mariners starter Roenis Elias in the fourth inning. Seager also added a double later in the game to finish 2 for 4. It was his first multi-hit game since April 26. He is now hitting .255 on the season.

Angels’ Johnny Giavotella hits walk-off double Wednesday
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1:34 am ET) Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella drove in the winning run during Wednesday’s 4-3 win over the Mariners.

With the game tied at 3-3 in bottom of the ninth inning, Giavotella hit a double to drive in Erick Aybar for the game-winning run. The double was Giavotella’s only hit in four at-bats during the game. He has now hit safely in three-consecutive games.

Angels’ Mike Trout smacks seventh home run of season Wednesday
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1:30 am ET) Angels outfielder Mike Trout connected on his seventh home run of the season to help lead the Angels to a 4-3 win over the Mariners on Wednesday.

The two-run home run occurred in the third inning and was hit off Mariners starter Roenis Elias. It was Trout’s lone hit in four at-bats during the game. Trout is now hitting .300 on the season

Mariners P Roenis Elias receives no-decision during Wednesday’s game
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1:08 am ET) Despite a solid seven innings of work, Mariners pitcher Roenis Elias was not able to earn a win during Wednesday’s 4-3 loss to the Angels.

Elias surrendered three runs on six hits over seven innings. He also struck out five and walked one. His biggest mistake came in the third inning when he gave up a two-run home run to Mike Trout and he received a no-decision for his effort.

Elias is now 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA on the season. It was his third-consecutive start allowing three runs or less.

His next expected start is scheduled for Wednesday against the Padres.