Blue Jays
Edwin Encarnacion hit multiple homers for the third time this season and 14th in his career as he continued his torrid run through May. “He is pretty good,” manager John Gibbons said. “But even last year I think he got off to a slow start somewhat. It’s not going to hold him down. It’s usually just a matter of time.” … LHP Rob Rasmussen made his major league debut when he came in from the bullpen with one out in the seventh Tuesday.
Orioles
With Matt Wieters on DL, former Cubs catcher Steve Clevenger gets long-awaited chance to prove he can hit. … C Matt Wieters, on the disabled list with a strained right elbow, said he is feeling considerably better after having a platelet-rich plasma injection and should be activated long before the projected date of July 1. … RHP Dylan Bundy threw 18 pitches in an extended spring training game at Sarasota, Fla., the first time the organization’s top prospect had faced hitters from another organization since undergoing Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery last June.
Rays
To keep his right arm in shape and not endanger his dislocated left thumb, 2B Ben Zobrist went through an interesting routine to play catch. He would throw right-handed, then put a glove on his right hand to catch the return, then take it off to throw. “Do what you’ve got to do,” he told the Tampa Bay Times. … A number of national media are already suggesting the slow start will lead the Rays to deal LHP David Price sooner rather than later, with ESPN’s Jim Bowden labeling him the top trade candidate. Don’t people know by now the Rays rarely do things because they have to.
Red Sox
Free agent-to-be Jake Peavy says he wants to stay. Whether Red Sox want him back is debatable. … Through his first eight starts in 2013, Boston right-hander Clay Buchholz was 6-0 with a 1.69 ERA, 60 strikeouts and 21 walks. Through eight starts this year, he was 2-3 with a 6.17 ERA, 33 strikeouts and 14 walks. Buchholz: “It’s just a matter of command, confidence. When you’re throwing the ball in there and it’s getting hit every time, it’s hard to be confident to throw a ball in a particular spot.”
Yankees
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Derek Jeter has the highest winning percentage (.597) among active players with a minimum of 1,000 games. … Aside from the rookie sensation Masahiro Tanaka and a scuffling Hiroki Kuroda, the Yankees have assembled a patchwork rotation to replace the missing 60 percent. David Phelps and Vidal Nuño have been moved from the bullpen. Chase Whitley was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take C.C. Sabathia’s turn, who is out until at least July 1. … Alfonso Soriano said he believes he can play two more years after 2014, especially now that he can be a designated hitter, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Compiled by Rick Crotts from wire reports.
