MLB Rumors

Cardinals outfield prospect Oscar Taveras, who has been sidelined since May 12 with an ankle injury, has been doing running and agility drills and is expected to return to the starting lineup at Triple-A Memphis Sunday, according to MLB.com.

Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson was removed from Friday's game after being hit on the left hand by a pitch. Trainers checked Granderson's hand after he came around to score in the inning. Ichiro Suzuki took Granderson's place in right field.

Granderson seems likely to get x-rays on the hand. He was 0 for 2 before exiting.

Dodgers reliever Scott Elbert, on the 15-day disabled list, is scheduled to pitch Saturday and Sunday for Double-A Chattanooga.

Elbert is expected to face one batter in each outing, according to trubluela.com. The left-hander, who is working his way back from two elbow operations, is expected to be activated next week.

Twins shortstop Pedro Florimon was held out of the lineup for precautiounary reasons Friday one day after leaving a game with a sprained right finger.

"He had a little bit of swelling but he was throwing last night," Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony told MLB.com Friday. "He basically just jammed it, which caused a little bit of swelling. We did X-rays and they were negative. So he should be fine."

"He'll be available off the bench," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I'm just happy he came in here saying he feels good and is ready to go."

Florimon has hit .250/.318/.354 with two home runs and six stolen bases in 96 at-bats this year.

The Twins and Justin Morneau, who is scheduled to reach free agency after this season, have not engaged in contractual talks, 1500 ESPN Twin Cities reports.

Morneau is making $14 million this season, the last year of a six-year, $80 million deal. Despite hitting two home runs in 173 at-bats this season, he has a .312 batting average and 31 RBI.

Rangers pitcher Alexi Ogando will throw off flat ground Saturday before throwing a bullpen session Monday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Manager Ron Washington hasn't decided whether Ogando will require a rehab assignment before returning to the Rangers.

Ogando is on the 15-day disabled list with biceps tendinitis.

Cardinals starting pitcher Jake Westbrook was able to play catch Friday off flat ground, another sign that the setback he had Wednesday is not serious.  

Westbrook told MLB.com afterwards that he felt fine but does not have a set throwing schedule, after cutting a bullpen session short Wednesday. He said he is taking his recovery day-to-day until the team can determine the next step to take.

Marlins manager Mike Redmond told The Miami Herald Friday that first baseman Joe Mahoney (hamstring) will "back off" for a few days before returning to action after dealing with soreness in his first rehab game with Class A Jupiter. Mahoney has been on the disabled list since April 27.

Dodgers infielder Jerry Hairston is set to begin his minor-league rehab assignment Friday at Class A Rancho Cucamonga, as he continues to recovery from knee tendinitis.

Hairston will play third base and bat second. It is not known how long he will stay on his rehab assignment, after being on the disabled list since May 6 and already suffering a setback in his recovery last week.  

Marlins first baseman Casey Kotchman, on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury, began his minor-league rehab assignment Thursday for Class A Jupiter. Kotchman finished 1 for 5 in his debut.