Report: Rangers considered bringing up Josh Hamilton on Friday
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(4:59 pm ET) The Rangers considered promoting Josh Hamilton from the minors after placing Kyle Blanks on the disabled list, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. But they wanted Hamilton to reach 45-50 at-bats before bringing him up. He has just 39 at this point.

The plan to restart his Texas career early next week in Cleveland still appears viable. He’s on a seven-game hitting streak at Triple-A Round Rock.

Danny Duffy injury forces Royals to shuffle rotation
by Shawn Krest | CBSSports.com

(4:57 pm ET) The Royals will skip pitcher Danny Duffy in the starting rotation, per the Kansas City Star. Duffy is suffering from shoulder stiffness. 

Duffy was scheduled to pitch on Saturday. Edinson Volquez, originally scheduled to start on Sunday, will move up a day to replace Duffy on Saturday.

Yordano Ventura, scheduled for Monday, will also move up a day and pitch on Sunday.

Duffy will get bumped back to a Tuesday start.  

Braves bring up Ian Thomas, send down Adonis Garcia
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(4:57 pm ET) With Alex Wood scratched with a stomach virus, the Braves promoted left-hander Ian Thomas from Triple-A Gwinnett for some insurance. Thomas has tossed 15 2/3 scoreless innings in the minors this season, per MLB.com.

In a corresponding move, the Braves optioned third baseman Adonis Garcia down to Triple-A. Garcia made just two big-league appearances and had only one at-bat.

Twins’ Eduardo Escobar returns to starting lineup Friday
by Jason Lempert | Staff Writer

(4:55 pm ET) Twins utility man Eduardo Escobar is back in the starting lineup for Friday’s game against the White Sox. Escobar did not start the last two games with the team in a National League park, but he’s starting as the designated hitter and batting sixth on Friday.

Escobar has been hitting well lately, batting .346 with a home run and 11 RBI over his last 11 games. 

Scuffling Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado batting second Friday
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(4:55 pm ET) Rockies slumping slugger Nolan Arenado will occupy the second spot in the order Friday against San Francisco for just the second time this season.

Arenado, who began the season on fire, has just 10 hits in his last 51 at-bats with one home run during that stretch. His average has fallen from .314 to .270 while he has fanned 12 times in the last 10 games.

Twins RF Torii Hunter returns to No. 2 slot in the order on Friday
by Jason Lempert | Staff Writer

(4:51 pm ET) With the Twins returning to an American League ballpark, right fielder Torii Hunter will move back to the second spot in the batting order on Friday against the White Sox. With the team playing in Pittsburgh the last two games, Hunter was hitting fith in the order.

Now, with the team in Chicago, Brian Dozier moves back to the lead-off spot, while Danny Santana slides down to ninth.

Rays’ Ryan Brett headed to minor league rehab
by Shawn Krest | CBSSports.com

(4:50 pm ET) Rays second baseman Ryan Brett will begin a minor league injury rehab assignment on Sunday, per TBO.com.

Brett is recovering from a shoulder injury that landed him on the 15-day disabled list on April 22. He will report to Class A Port Charlotte to begin the assignment. 

Twins SP prospect Alex Meyer shifted to bullpen at Triple-A
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(4:50 pm ET) Twins starting pitcher prospect Alex Meyer is being moved to the bullpen at Triple-A Rochester, according to the Pioneer Press. Tyler Duffey is taking his spot in the rotation at Rochester.

Meyer, who was competing for a spot in the Twins’ rotation this spring, has struggled to begin the year at Triple-A. He is 2-3 with a 7.09 ERA and 1.91 WHIP in eight starts. He has 41 strikeouts and 24 walks in 39 1/3 innings.

The right-hander is considered a top-100 prospect by MLB.com (No. 29) and Baseball America (No. 62).

Cardinals’ Matt Holliday to DH against the Royals on Friday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(4:48 pm ET) Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday will serve as a designated hitter Friday night against Chris Young the Royals, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Holliday is a career .310 hitter as a left fielder and only .205 as a designated hitter.

With Holliday at DH, Randal Grichuk will play left field with Peter Bourjos in center and Jason Heyward in right field.

Rays’ C.J. Riefenhauser to begin injury rehab on Sunday
by Shawn Krest | CBSSports.com

(4:48 pm ET) Rays pitcher C.J. Riefenhauser will begin a minor league injury rehab assignment on Sunday, per TBO.com. 

Riefenhauser has been on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder injury since April 23. He will begin the rehab assignment at Class A Port Charlotte.