Indians
The Indians honored their former television/radio announcer Mike Hegan, who died in December, in a pregame ceremony. Hegan, a native of Cleveland, began his major league career with the Yankees in 1964. … The Indians couldn’t wait any longer for RHP Justin Masterson to fix his pitching problems. Masterson was placed on the 15-day DL with inflammation in his right knee. Masterson, the team’s opening day starter, is 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA. Manager Terry Francona talked with Masterson: “Masty’s first inclination was wanting to pitch through it, which we respect. The way it was going, though, we thought we’d DL him and get him some treatment.”
Royals
The team have signed veteran LHP Joe Saunders, who was released by the Rangers last week, to a minor league contract and plan to assign him to Triple-A Omaha. The 33-year-old Saunders was 0-5 with a 6.13 ERA in eight starts for the Rangers before he was released. Saunders was an All-Star with the Angels in 2008, when he won 17 games. But he’s bounced around the league the last few seasons, spending time with the Diamondbacks, Orioles, Mariners and Rangers. He is 89-86 with a 4.35 ERA in 10 seasons.
Tigers
Miguel Cabrera said he was invited to participate in the All-Star home run derby, but he’ll sit out because he doesn’t want to mess with his swing. “I’m going to enjoy watching,” he said. … LPH Patrick McCoy (right hamstring) was put on the 15-day DL. McCoy posted a 1.80 ERA in five appearances with the Tigers.
Twins
The team will send top pitching prospect Alex Meyer to the Futures Game at the All-Star events at Target Field. Meyer will replace fellow right-hander and Triple-A Rochester teammate Trevor May, who has been out for more than a week with a strained right calf muscle. Meyer was acquired from Washington in the Denard Span trade, and May came in the deal with Philadelphia for Ben Revere. Meyer has a 3.46 ERA with 93 strikeouts in 83 1-3 innings. May has a 2.94 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 79 2-3 innings.
White Sox
Players and coaches wandered around Fenway Park wearing red T-shirts to campaign for pitcher Chris Sale’s inclusion in the All-Star Game via the Final Vote fan balloting. Teammates tweeted out the Sox slogan of #TargetSale, and messages of Sale support were scrawled on many of the Doodle Hats that pitcher Scott Carroll brought to the team earlier this season. “When you look at the work which he’s putting in day in and day out, it’s good to see him get some results on the field,” manager Bo Porter said. “He has a chance to be a really special middle-of-the-lineup bat for a long time in the big leagues.”
Compiled by Rick Crotts from wire reports.
