MLB Rumors

Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko notched three hits in a loss Tuesday against St. Louis.

Gyorko went 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored. The Padres managed just seven hits against St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright and reliever Carlos Martinez, and Gyorko's double was the only extra-base hit. Gyorko is hitting a robust .278/.347/.430.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said during a television interview Tuesday he hopes pitching prospect Zack Wheeler will be in line for a promotion to the majors after two or three more starts for Triple-A Las Vegas, according to the New York Post. Wheeler is returning to action Wednesday for the first time since May 11 because of mild inflammation of the AC joint in his right shoulder.

Rockies second baseman DJ Lemahieu went 3 for 4 in Tuesday's win over Arizona.

Lemahieu doubled twice and knocked in two runs. He's 6 for 13 to open 2013 for the Rockies and is proving to be a solid backup to primary second baseman Josh Rutledge.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia isn't expecting shortstop Erick Aybar to miss significant time after leaving Tuesday's game against the Mariners with right knee soreness. In fact, Scioscia feels Aybar might be able to suit up Wednesday.

"His knee got a little tight up almost where his quad is," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said, per MLB.com. "He should be available (Wednesday), but we didn't want to take any chances (Tuesday)."

After skipping one start to work on his mechanics and confidence, the results have been positive for Red Sox starting pitcher Felix Doubront. He might be 0-1 in two starts since returning to the rotation, but he has a 3.27 ERA and .205 opponents' batting average in those outings.

Doubront opened the season with a 5.67 ERA and .302 opponents' batting average in his first five starts.

"I think he’s onto something with the adjustments he’s made," Red Sox manager John Farrell said, per The Boston Globe. "I thought (Tuesday against the White Sox) was another positive step for him."

Doubront is also pleased with the turnaround.

"Working every day. I’m seeing the results," Doubront said. "Everything is going in the right direction right now. Just looking forward to my next outing."

Red Sox manager John Farrell admitted Tuesday slumping outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury probably would be moved out of the leadoff spot if Shane Victorino (hamstring) was healthy. As it is, Ellsbury will continue to get the chance to get on track atop the lineup.

"We’re sticking with (Ellsbury) to hopefully give him the opportunity to come out of the situation that he’s in right now," Farrell said, per The Boston Herald. "But I can say this: Whether he’s hitting first or whether he’s hitting somewhere else in the lineup, there are still things that we need to address, that he needs to address, and those are ongoing."

Ellsbury hasn't had a multi-hit game in 15 starts and is batting .143 (9 for 63) in that span, dropping his average from .290 to .242.

"It’s inconsistent timing at the plate right now, whether it’s four ground balls to second base or whether it’s three line drives to third base," Farrell said. "This isn’t a matter of effort. It’s a matter of maybe being a little bit more free of mind and letting that natural ability take over."

Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval hit his eighth homer, a walk-off two-run shot to give his club an extra-inning victory Tuesday against Washington.

Sandoval finished 2 for 5 with a run scored and two RBI. Sandoval didn't strike out in his five at-bats and his strikeout rate is down to 9.1 percent of plate appearances, which would match his career low from his rookie season in 2008, when he hit .345.

The Twins announced Wednesday they purchased the contract of outfielder/first baseman Chris Colabello from Triple-A Rochester. Colabello played at first base, left field, right field and DH for Rochester.

His slash line through 46 games is .358/.417/.659/1.076. He also had 12 home runs, 17 doubles and 39 RBI. Colabello played seven years of independent baseball before joining the Twins' organization in 2012.

The Twins moved outfielder Darin Mastroianni (ankle) to the 60-day disabled list Wednesday in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Chris Colabello. Mastroianni has been sidelined since mid-April.

The Twins placed starting third baseman Trevor Plouffe on the 7-day disabled list with a concussion Wednesday. Plouffe was injured in Tuesday's game against the Braves after taking a knee to the head.

Eduardo Escobar replaced Plouffe in Tuesday's game. Although no official announcement has been made, Escobar and Jamey Carroll will likely share time at third base in Plouffe's absence.

It's an unfortunate turn of events for Plouffe, who was getting on track offensively in May. He's batting .292 with a .477 slugging percentage, two home runs, six doubles and 13 RBI in 17 May games.