Indians: Ended April with 26 errors, second worst in the majors. Only the Dodgers had more. … DH Jason Giambi was placed on the DL (strained calf muscle). The 43-year-old is 0-for-10 this season. Manager Terry Francona said Giambi understood the necessity of going on the DL. “The reason that I say what I say about him is because he continues to amaze me by his willingness to see past himself, to see the team, which amazes me,” Francona said of Giambi. “When you leave the room after talking with ‘G,’ even after you put him on the DL, you just feel like a better person.”
Royals: Rookie Yordano Ventura’s nickname is “Ace,” naturally, and he already is taking over as the Royals’ top starter. … After being swept recently by the Tigers, the Royals weren’t conceding ground to the team that has won the Central each of the last three years. “It’s still going to be a war,” OF Jarrod Dyson told the Kansas City Star. “It’s not over. They (the Tigers) just won the beginning of it, that’s all.”
Tigers: Max Scherzer miffed at Sports Illustrated for cover story focusing on the $144 million extension he turned down. … Many of the Tigers were sporting Zubaz pants — with orange and blue stripes — in the clubhouse before a recent game and had matching flip flops, ties and headbands in their lockers. Manager Brad Ausmus said they were team-bonding gifts from RHP Joba Chamberlain. “The sad part is I had Zubaz when I was younger,” the 45-year-old Ausmus said. “For the guys in the clubhouse, this is retro.” … Lions safety Glover Quin, Michigan guard Nik Stauskas and U.S. Speedskating Olympian Kelly Gunther each threw a ceremonial first pitch.
White Sox: Ace Chris Sale said he feels fine after throwing his first bullpen session since injuring his left arm. Sale threw 40 pitches before a recent game. General manager Rick Hahn said the left-hander will go on a rehab assignment in the “coming couple weeks.” Sale has been sidelined since April 17, when he threw 127 pitches in a 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox. He was sore the next day and went on the 15-day disabled list on April 22. … Reliever Nate Jones had back surgery and will be re-evaluated in a month. He is on the 60-day disabled list. … Jordan Danks is expected to get the majority of playing time while OF Adam Eaton (strained right hamstring) is on the 15-day DL.
