Brayan Pena will start over Alex Avila Thursday, the first back-to-back assignment for the veteran since May 11-12 in Cleveland and for only the third occasional on the season. Regular catcher Alex Avila is struggling that much right now.
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Relief options for Tigers, Red Sox 
May, 23, 2013
May 23
12:05
PM ET
By Jason A. Churchill | ESPN.com
Last week we learned that the Detroit Tigers were hard at work looking for bullpen help. With the news that Joel Hanrahan is out for the season after having Tommy John surgery, the Boston Red Sox also may be in the market for relief assistance.
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ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes wrote earlier this week that Boston Red Sox skipper John Farrell considered removing Jacoby Ellsbury from the leadoff spot. He ultimately stuck with the centerfielder, who is batting just .249 with a .318 on-base percentage for the year.
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With the struggles of Danny Espinosa, who enters play Thursday batting .163 with 40 strikeouts and just four walks, the Washington Nationals could strongly consider making a move soon in order to improve the club's offense, which ranks No. 29 in baseball in average and on-base percentage, and No. 28 in slugging.
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There's been chatter of Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt being among the early leaders in the National League MVP race. In the American League, the equivalent may be Baltimore Orioles slugger Chris Davis.
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Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Fernando Rodney blew a save Wednesday -- serving up a solo shot to Jose Bautista -- and was replaced by Joel Peralta, who, if Rodney is removed from the closer's role, figures to pick up some save chances moving forward.
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Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly says the club has discussed calling up prospects Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson, both outfielders, who both are playing at Double-A Chattanooga right now, as tweeted by Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. In other news, Mattingly adds that veteran Andre Ethier is not in the lineup Wednesday because he wants to field the team that will compete the best, Hernandez adds via Twitter.
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Outside the top two of Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma, the Seattle Mariners' starting rotation is struggling, and has for most of the season. Joe Saunders isn't likely in jeopardy of losing his job, as he's guaranteed $6.5 million and has shown signs of some stability. Veteran Aaron Harang and rookie Brandon Maurer? Not so much.
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Colorado Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt is expected to undergo an MRI Wednesday on a groin that has bothered him for nearly a month. He's 10-for-10 in save opportunities and the club is just a game out of first place in the American League West. If Betancourt has to hit the disabled list, the Rockies will have to look elsewhere in the ninth inning, and manager Walt Weiss isn't sure just yet which direction he'll go.
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The Cleveland Indians are in first place in the American League Central and may be a club that looks to add to their roster to make a deep run for a playoff spot this season. They could use some starting pitching, and perhaps another reliever, too. Adding a quality starter such as Chicago Cubs right-hander Matt Garza, who just returned from the disabled list and looked sharp in his first outing, could give the rotation the boost it needs to sustain their early-season success.
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We've checked in on struggling third baseman Mike Moustakas, regularly this season, and the numbers remain ugly. I keep this running entry, by the way, because it's baffling that a player like Moustakas is scuffling in this manner. His weakness was supposed to be defense at third, and he's managing quite well there, but all the while tossing up a goose egg with the bat.
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This isn't much of a surprise but it appears the Boston Red Sox have not discussed a new contract for centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who is slated for free agency following this season. Ellsbury is a client of Scott Boras, who typically -- almost exclusively, actually -- prefers to work against the market rather than signing extensions.
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San Francisco Giants right-hander Ryan Vogelsong is the latest victim of pitchers being forced to bat, taking a pitch off a finger that reportedly broke his pinkie finger and will keep him out for about six weeks.
The club will consider right-hander Chad Gaudin to replace Vogelson, skipper Bruce Bochy said, though they will not need the No. 5 starter again until May 28, so they'll have time to decide. Others that could be in the mix include minor leaguers Shane Loux, Mike Kickham and Chris Heston.
Loux nor Kickham are currently on the 40-man roster, so a move would have to be made to clear space before they are summoned. Dan Runzler, Jake Dunning and Sandy Rosario are candidates to fill the 25-man roster spot, even if it's temporary. All three are on the 40-man roster and performing well in Triple-A Fresno.
Relief prospect Heath Hembree, also not yet a member of the 40-man, could be considered if Gaudin is moved from the bullpen to the rotation. A trade doesn't appear likely, at least not as a direct result of Vogelsong's injury.
The club will consider right-hander Chad Gaudin to replace Vogelson, skipper Bruce Bochy said, though they will not need the No. 5 starter again until May 28, so they'll have time to decide. Others that could be in the mix include minor leaguers Shane Loux, Mike Kickham and Chris Heston.
Loux nor Kickham are currently on the 40-man roster, so a move would have to be made to clear space before they are summoned. Dan Runzler, Jake Dunning and Sandy Rosario are candidates to fill the 25-man roster spot, even if it's temporary. All three are on the 40-man roster and performing well in Triple-A Fresno.
Relief prospect Heath Hembree, also not yet a member of the 40-man, could be considered if Gaudin is moved from the bullpen to the rotation. A trade doesn't appear likely, at least not as a direct result of Vogelsong's injury.
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Miami Marlins manager Mike Redmond says his club will "use everybody" at closer, so if you're hoping for eventual fantasy value from right-hander Steve Cishek, you may have to wait a little while.
Cishek has struggled this season -- 4.91 ERA, four losses and 26 runners allowed in 18 1/3 innings -- so the Fish will give more chances to veteran Chad Qualls and left-hander Mike Dunn.
Cishek, who saved 15 games and posted his second straight ERA under three a year ago, has been the subject of potential summer trade talks, but if he's not closing games his value isn't likely to be optimal.
Stay tuned.
Cishek has struggled this season -- 4.91 ERA, four losses and 26 runners allowed in 18 1/3 innings -- so the Fish will give more chances to veteran Chad Qualls and left-hander Mike Dunn.
Cishek, who saved 15 games and posted his second straight ERA under three a year ago, has been the subject of potential summer trade talks, but if he's not closing games his value isn't likely to be optimal.
Stay tuned.
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With contending clubs such as the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox running into injury problems with their bullpens, one expectation is for them to hit the trade market and seek such a fix. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com asked one executive how that market is looking: "Non-existent," was part of the response.
Part of the reason for a slim-or-none market is that it's May, and with two Wild Card berths in each league, more teams are still within shouting distance. The Braves, however, are in the market for a southpaw, with both Jonny Venters and Eric O'Flaherty out for the year with torn elbow ligaments.
Possibilities include Scott Downs of the Angels and Mariners' southpaw Oliver Perez, both of whom are set for free agency following the season. White Sox lefty Matt Thornton could also be available if the White Sox fail contend beyond the All-Star break.
Part of the reason for a slim-or-none market is that it's May, and with two Wild Card berths in each league, more teams are still within shouting distance. The Braves, however, are in the market for a southpaw, with both Jonny Venters and Eric O'Flaherty out for the year with torn elbow ligaments.
Possibilities include Scott Downs of the Angels and Mariners' southpaw Oliver Perez, both of whom are set for free agency following the season. White Sox lefty Matt Thornton could also be available if the White Sox fail contend beyond the All-Star break.
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