MLB Player News

Tellez went 3-for-5 with a double, a three-run homer and a second run scored in Saturday's 10-1 win over the A's.

The 24-year-old went just 2-for-18 with a single RBI over his prior six games, but Tellez snapped out of his mini-slump with authority. He now has four homers and 10 RBI over 18 games, but his 4:20 BB:K has dragged down his overall slash line (.231/.310/.481). He should remain a lineup fixture for the rebuilding Jays, and Tellez's RBI opportunities should increase once Vlad Guerrero Jr. joins him in Toronto.

Votto is out of Saturday's lineup at San Diego due to back tightness, though he is still available to pinch hit, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It's unclear how long Votto has been dealing with the injury, but the fact he's still available off the bench suggests it to be a minor issue. The Reds have a scheduled off day Monday, so it wouldn't be surprising for the team to remain cautious and hold the veteran first baseman out of the lineup for Sunday's series finale.

X-rays on Alonso's hand were negative Saturday, Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports reports.

Alonso appears to have avoided serious injury, but it's unclear if he'll require any time off.

Alonso will undergo an X-ray on his right hand Saturday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

It's unclear what exactly is the problem for Alonso, but more should become clear following further tests. If he's forced to miss time, Dominic Smith would see an expanded role at first base.

Bour is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mariners.

The Angels will withhold three of their lefty-hitting regulars (Bour, Tommy La Stella and Kole Calhoun) from the starting nine with southpaw Yusei Kikuchi on the mound. Albert Pujols will man first base Saturday while Kevan Smith checks into the lineup as the Angels' designated hitter.

Calhoun is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mariners.

With lefty Yusei Kikuchi on the bump for the Mariners, Calhoun will take a seat to clear a spot for the right-handed Peter Bourjos. Calhoun has recorded just one hit in 21 at-bats versus southpaws this season.

The Blue Jays are still finalizing a date for Guerrero's big-league debut, but Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca suggests that the team's April 26 game against the Athletics is the most likely target.

While the nugget is speculative more than anything, Nicholson-Smith is a well-connected beat reporter who has reasonable insight into the Blue Jays' plans for one of the more prized prospects in recent memory. There had been prior rumblings that the Blue Jays were eyeing the first game of their homestand (Tuesday versus the Giants) for Guerrero's promotion, but manager Charlie Montoyo told Nicholson-Smith that he "[didn't] think" that would be the case. In any event, Guerrero's callup is imminent, and fantasy managers that have been patiently holding him should soon be able to reap the rewards.

Santana (hamstring) is back in the lineup Saturday against the Braves.

Santana missed the previous game with a tight hamstring but is back in action after the Indians had two consecutive days off. He may not be called upon in both halves of Saturday's doubleheader, but he'll hit cleanup and play first base in the afternoon contest.

Cron is out of the lineup for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader with the Orioles, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Cron is presumably just sitting out the afternoon contest for rest and will likely check back into the lineup for the second half of the twin bill. Willians Astudillo draws the start at first base in Cron's stead and will bat fifth.

Votto is on the bench Saturday against San Diego.

Votto will sit for just the third time this season. The veteran owns a mediocre .227/.311/.409 line with an uncharacteristically poor 27 percent strikeout rate. Kyle Farmer will get the call at first base.