Mets call up SS Wilfredo Tovar, 3B Danny Muno from Triple-A
by Ruben Palacios | Staff Writer

(11:50 am ET) The Mets, who are dealing with injuries to their infield, have called up shortstop Wilfredo Tovar and third baseman Danny Muno from Triple-A, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports.

The call-up will be Muno’s second stint with the Mets this season. In 14 at-bats this season, Muno hit .071.

Tovar is hitting .259 with two home runs and 19 RBI in 143 at-bats for Triple-A Las Vegas 51s.

Rays’ Cash: John Jaso ‘is still kind of a slow work in progress’
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(11:41 am ET) Rays designated hitter John Jaso (wrist) is taking swings off a tee, but manager Kevin Cash told reporters that he “is still kind of a slow work in progress,” per the Tampa Bay Times. Jaso, currently on the 60-day disabled list, has been out of game action since suffering the wrist contusion while sliding into a base on Opening Day.

Dodgers’ Brandon Beachy still about a week away from rehab
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(11:37 am ET) Dodgers pitcher Brandon Beachy told reporters he doesn’t expect his minor-league rehab assignment to start for another week or so, per the Orange County Register. Beachy, who is recovering from August 2013 Tommy John surgery, tossed two innings against minor-league hitters on Monday.

Cubs catching prospect Kyle Schwarber now only a catcher
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(11:30 am ET) Cubs premier prospect Kyle Schwarber has been used extensively in the outfield and at catcher, but the team has now settled on him playing the latter exclusively, per CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Schwarber, who could merit a September promotion, is the likely heir apparent to the starting job given the team’s struggles at that position. Miguel Montero and David Ross have juggled the catching role with neither emerging with the full-time job.

The 22-year-old Schwarber has yet to reach Triple-A, which might be the next step before he is called up by the Cubs. He has certainly slugged his way into consideration with a slash line of .327/.446/.600 at Double-A Tennessee.

Rockies 1B Justin Morneau’s (concussion) return still up in the air
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(11:21 am ET) Rockies manager Walt Weiss said that injured first baseman Justin Morneau remains in Denver receiving treatment for a concussion and cervical strain, and remains without a timetable to resume baseball activities, per the Denver Post.

“It’s difficult for Justin, given his history with concussions,” Weiss said. “This is a process and we have to wait it out.”

Morneau landed on the disabled list recently and has been sidelined since May 14 with the issue. He batted .290/.317/.450 with three home runs and nine RBI in 100 at-bats before the injury. The 34-year-old is in the final year of his two-year, $12.5 million deal with the Rockies.

Astros interested in Cole Hamels, but deal still remains longshot
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(11:21 am ET) Many skeptics consider the Astros an early-season flash destined to fade. But the team could turn them into believers if they trade for Phillies ace Cole Hamels.

Such a deal remains a longshot, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports. His $24 million annual deal could prove cost-prohibitive. But pairing Hamels with emerging ace Dallas Keuchel might make the Astros the favorite to win an American League West in which they currently own a 5 1/2-game lead.

“The goaL is a No. 1 or 2,” said a person familiar with what Houston is seeking. General manager Jeff Luhnow amended that to include a 1-3 starter strong enough to pitch in a hypothetical postseason scenario.

The Astros and their rich farm system boast the talent to entice the Phillies, who are attempting to maximize the trade potential of Hamels. But Houston is also one of 20 teams on the list in his no-trade clause. It remains to be seen if he would waive it to pitch for a Houston team he likely didn’t believe would emerge so quickly as a contender.

Report: A’s to promote switch-pitcher Pat Venditte from Triple-A
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(11:15 am ET) The Athletics will promote switch-pitcher Pat Venditte from Triple-A Nashville prior to Friday’s game against the Red Sox, reports Jane Lee of MLB.com.

Venditte, 29, has been in the minors for eight years without getting the call. According to Craig Mish of Sirius XM, he’ll be the first switch-pitcher in the majors since 1900. This season, he owns a stellar 1.36 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB ratio over 33 innings of relief for the Sounds.

Tigers expect to have DH Victor Martinez back on Tuesday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(11:07 am ET) Barring any setbacks, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said the plan will be to have designated hitter Victor Martinez back with the club by Tuesday, the day after the club returns from a weekend series against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, per the Detroit Free Press. Detroit has Monday off.

Martinez took batting practice on Thursday, and is expected to do so again on the field Friday. He has been sidelined since May 18 due to left knee inflammation. He batted .216 (24 for 111) at the time he was placed on the disabled list.

Yankees send Matt Tracy outright to Triple-A
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(10:27 am ET) The Yankees announced that left-hander Matt Tracy was outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday, per the team’s official website. Tracy pitched only two innings for the big-league club this season.

Yasiel Puig: I want to be back with Dodgers this weekend
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(10:18 am ET) After his two-hit performance in his rehab debut with Class A Rancho Cucamonga, Yasiel Puig (hamstring) told reporters that he’d like to join the Dodgers at some point this weekend.

“I feel good,” Puig said, per MLB.com. “I want to be back by Saturday, but it’s not my decision. We’ll have to talk with the doctors.”

Puig has been sidelined since April 24. He slashed .279/.380/.465 with two home runs and four RBI in 43 at-bats. He acknoledged that the decision is out of his hands since he’s not fully recovered from his hamstring injury.

“I’m not 100 percent now, but it felt comfortable,” Puig said. “I did my job, did my rehab in Arizona and I’ll come back here [to Lancaster] tomorrow night.”