Blue Jays
Edwin Encarnacion matched Mickey Mantle’s AL record with 16 home runs in May. Mantle hit 16 home runs in May 1956. The major league record for the month is 17, set by Barry Bonds in 2001.
Orioles
Manny Machado hit his first career grand slam last week. The slumping All-Star can’t help but think it could be a turning point in a season that’s off to a tough start. “I hope so. I really hope so,” he said. “(It) was a good day at the plate. Felt good, and my legs are finally getting under me. Feel like I can continue that.” The 21-year-old Machado missed the first month after offseason knee surgery and has struggled since his return, prompting manager Buck Showalter to move him from the second spot to seventh in the batting order. … RHP Tommy Hunter (left groin strain), on the 15-day DL retroactive to May 21, felt good after throwing a bullpen session.
Rays
RHP Jeremy Hellickson’s return may finally have a target date: June 27. Hellickson looked and felt good throwing 50 pitches over three-plus innings in a simulated game in Port Charlotte, Fla. Manager Joe Maddon told the Tampa Bay Times three rehab starts “sounds good,” which with Hellickson on a normal five-day schedule — with no setbacks or weather issues — would put him in line to return June 27, when the Rays have a day-night doubleheader in Baltimore. Hellickson is recovering from Jan. 29 arthroscopic right elbow surgery. … C Ryan Hanigan (right hamstring) went through what Maddon called a “really intense, good workout without any repercussions” at the Trop and should be ready on or shortly after his Wednesday eligible date.
Red Sox
Jake Peavy allowed three runs on five straight hits in the first last week, but then dominated the Indians, retiring 14 batters in a row at one point. “I don’t know if I’ve ever started a game with five straight hits,” Peavy (1-3) said. “Tonight was a grind. They go up three before you get an out.” Peavy was seeking his first win since April 25. Boston lost to Cleveland 5-3. Peavy was likely glad to see the calendar shift to June. He was 0-2 with a 5.89 ERA in six May starts.
Yankees
With Derek Jeter’s farewell season in full swing, the Yankees need to find their next shortstop of the future, and that search may involve the signing of Korean high school star Hyo-Jun Park, two sources told Newsday. The switch-hitting shortstop is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) first-year player draft later this month. But a person familiar with the situation said that Park’s family has told KBO teams not to waste a pick on the 18-year-old senior because he intends to play in the States next year. The Yankees were among the teams that scouted Park in February when his high school, Yatap, made a spring-training trip to California. The international signing period for major-league teams does not begin until July 2, but an official from another club also interested in Park said that he expected Park to end up with either the Yankees or Dodgers.
Compiled by Rick Crotts from wire reports.
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