Mark Teixeira is back on the disabled list and it’s not known how long he’ll be out. (Image Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports)

Mark Teixeira has officially been placed back on the disabled list thanks to an injury to his right wrist, according to a report by WFAN’s Sweeny Murti (passed on by MLB.com’s Joey Nowak). Teixeira felt some discomfort in the wrist during Saturday’s game at Los Angeles, prompting him to come out of the game in the 4th inning before returning to New York for further evaluation. An MRI exam failed to reveal a new tear in the surgically repaired tendon, but a return trip to the DL had appeared inevitable.

Teixeira appeared in just 15 games with the Yankees after missing the first two months of the season, batting .151/.270/.340 in 63 PA.

Ken Davidoff of The New York Post suggests that the team may have rushed to activate Teixeira from the DL and such a decision will ultimately cost the team from a financial standpoint. Because Teixeira’s injury originated during practice and preparations for the World Baseball Classic, the WBC was actually covering his salary while on the DL. Davidoff does the math and it would seem as though the WBC paid roughly $7.37 Million during the stretch that he was on the sidelines. Had he missed the entire season the WBC would have paid his full $22.5 Million salary. Once the team activated him, however, that effectively ended any obligation that the WBC held.

Even though Teixeira is back on the disabled list due to the same injury – or so it’s being perceived, at least – the Yankees are fully on the hook for the remainder of his salary this season. A figure that works out to roughly $15.1 Million. Davidoff suggests that the team should have waited, just in case, but they grew impatient. And now if Teixeira is forced to miss the remainder of the season the team has only themselves to blame.

No time table has been offered for Teixeira’s return, so until we know otherwise we have to assume that missing the remainder of the season could be a viable opportunity.

It’s also worth noting that the Yankees will now have to factor in Teixeira’s remaining salary into the budget for the remainder of the season, a factor which could limit their willingness to make a big splash at the trade deadline to address a need. Brian Cashman has done a solid job not tipping his hand regarding what his summer plans are, but he’s not one to simply stand by if there’s a deal to be made that will improve the team.

Bobby Parnell could be an attractive chip on the trade market this summer, but the Mets don’t seem interested in moving him. (Image Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports)

Mired in what can only be described as a disappointing season, the New York Mets appear set to embark on a somewhat-overdue rebuilding process that might not be as elongated as some would expect. The team has a significant amount of payroll coming off their books following this season, suggesting that the time is now for the organization to evaluate their young players in an effort to see just who might be a part of the team’s future. Players will be traded off in the coming weeks, once it’s determined that they aren’t part of that future, but it would seem as though current closer Bobby Parnell doesn’t need to worry. The team has no intention of making Parnell available on the trade market this summer, according to Andy Martino of The New York Daily News.

Parnell has made 29 appearances for the Mets on the year, going 5-3 with 9 saves and a 2.83 ERA across 28.2 IP. His 1.047 WHIP is the best he’s posted in his career. He’s shown some trouble with his command in the past and there’ve been a few questions about his confidence, but Parnell seems to have finally straightened things out for himself.

An argument could be made that Parnell is one of the team’s most valuable trade chips. He’s just 28 years old and went through arbitration for the first time this past winter, agreeing to a $1.7 Million deal with the team, so he’ll be under team control for two more seasons. Plenty of teams could have had some interest this summer (the Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and others) in upgrading the backend of their bullpens in anticipation of a playoff run.

An argument could also be made that now would be the best time for the Mets to move him, yet that’s just what they don’t appear interested in doing. New York has the makings of a solid roster if they can fill out some holes (in their outfield, on the bench, and in the bullpen) and could viably be a contender next season if they are able to make smart moves in the coming months. For now, at least, it seems as though Parnell will be a part of that future.

Kila Ka’aihue will head to Japan after signing a deal to join the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. (Image Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

Kila Ka’aihue has reportedly reached an agreement to sign with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Nippon Professional Baseball League in Japan, according to JapanBall.com (via MLBTR). Ka’aihue never ranked among the game’s top prospects, but was often considered a strong contact hitter with a good eye at the plate. He was never projected to hit much for power (averaging under 20 HR a season throughout his career) but he figured to be a decent role player if he could stick in the big leagues. The 29 year old first baseman last played in the Major Leagues last year with the Oakland Athletics. He’d spent much of 2013 with the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He’d batted .313/.426/.620 in 235 PA with Reno, adding 16 HR in 53 games. Despite the strong production there was little room for the team to recall him, given what Paul Goldschmidt has been able to do at first for the D’backs. Ka’aihue doesn’t profile well at any other position on the diamond and has struggled at the plate in parts of four seasons with the Kansas City Royals and A’s to a career .221/.305/.382 line in 465 PA.

Mark Teixeira’s wrist could be a problem again for him and the Yankees. (Image Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

Mark Teixeira’s season just hit another speed bump, as the first baseman re-injured his right wrist during Saturday’s game at Los Angeles and left the game in the 4th inning. He’ll reportedly miss the rest of the team’s series with the Angels in order to fly back to New York in order to be evaluated by team physician Christopher Ahmad later today, according to William Boor at MLB.com.

Teixeira originally tore a tendon sheath in his wrist back in mid-March, forcing him out of action until late May when he finally began a rehab assignment in the minor leagues. He’s appeared in just 14 games for the Yankees since being activated from the disabled list, batting just .157/.279/.353 in 61 PA. Teixeira is a notoriously slow starter throughout his MLB career, so it’s tough to predict what another setback might do to his chances at having another solid offensive year at the plate. Manager Joe Girardi said during an on-air interview during the game that Teixeira “doesn’t feel like he has the snap in his swing”.

David Adams took over for Teixeira at first base in Saturday’s game, the first time he’s appeared at the position with the Yankees and just the third time in his entire professional career. Lyle Overbay is the only other true first baseman on the active roster, barring a move to call one up should Teixeira need to head back to the DL.

Adam Jones is just one of four Orioles who could potentially start for the AL in the All Star Game. (Image Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports)

Balloting for next month’s MLB All Star Game continues to plug along and the latest update for the American League was released on Saturday night, with four members of the Baltimore Orioles setting themselves up for a trip to New York for the game at Citi Field. First baseman Chris Davis, shortstop J.J. Hardy, and outfielders Adam Jones and Nick Markakis could wind up in the starting lineup for the AL if voting were to end today. Third baseman Miguel Cabrera is also on pace to set a new all time record for total votes.

The Baltimore foursome is the significant observation from the latest totals, as it’s been awhile since the team has potentially sent this many starters to the game. Davis is currently leading the Major Leagues with 22 HR and has a good hold on the starting job at first base. His 2,999,094 total votes are second among all vote getters in the American League. Hardy’s 1,871,010 votes sit roughly 500,000 ahead of Elvis Andrus of the Texas Rangers.

Jones and Mike Trout are running away with the outfield race by a solid margin and seem virtually certain to make their way into the starting lineup on July 16th. Jones (2,740,505) and Trout (2,710,115) have become too of the most popular players in the game, so the result is hardly a surprise. Markakis, however, just recently stepped into the third outfielder spot with a surge that moved him ahead of Torii Hunter. His 1,463,392 votes place him in the thick of the closest race with Hunter, Jose Bautista, Nelson Cruz, and Nate McLouth.

Cabrera, meanwhile, is far-and-away the leading vote getter across both leagues. To this point on the season he’s hitting .354/.447/.630 with 18 HR and 69 RBI – leading the league in batting average and RBI once again after winning the Triple Crown a year ago. His 3,277,890 votes put him on a good pace to challenge Josh Hamilton’s record. Hamilton had 3,833,504 on June 11th last year and finished with 11,073,744.

Robinson Cano, Joe Mauer, and David Ortiz round out the remaining leading vote getters at second base, catcher, and designated hitter, respectively.

Miguel Olivo’s unhappy about his playing time in Miami and now finds himself on the restricted list. He’s hoping the team chooses to release him instead. (Image Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports)

Miguel Olivo appears to be the latest member of the Miami Marlins to express his dissatisfaction with how the organization has been performing, but he’s not sitting by quietly about that frustration. Olivo was placed on the restricted list by the team late Saturday morning, according to Joe Cappozi of The Palm Beach Post. Olivo has since expressed his desire for the team to simply release him so that he can pursue an opportunity elsewhere.

Cappozi later added additional details of what has been transpiring between Olivo and the team. He’s previously expressed his unhappiness over playing time, even telling Manager Mike Redmond yesterday that he was quitting. Olivo was in the clubhouse and took batting practice with the team, but as the National Anthem began he was reportedly in the dugout changing into street clothes. A team official tried to get him to wait for a member of the front office to come in before leaving, but Olivo chose not to wait. As expected, none of Olivo’s teammates and coaches were pleased with the decision.

Through 80 PA on the year Olivo has batted just .203/.250/.392 with four home runs. He’d joined the Marlins towards the end of Spring Training after being released by the Cincinnati Reds. The limited playing time appears to be the main catalyst behind Olivo’s frustrations, as the Marlins are carrying two other catchers – Rob Brantly and Jeff Mathis – on their active roster. Olivo hasn’t started since May 12th and once Mathis rejoined the team from the disabled list on May 14th Olivo’s at bats became even less frequent.

Miami could look to trade Olivo rather than simple release him. They could also leave him on the restricted list, where he won’t collect any pay while remaining under the team’s control. Given the public nature of his actions and the minimal production that he’s provided in recent years, it’s tough to see another organization actually offering up anything of value in exchange for a disgruntled backup catcher.

Zach Duke has signed a minor league deal with the Reds after receiving his release earlier this week from the Nationals. (Image Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)

Left-hander Zach Duke wasn’t out of work for long. The 30 year old was released by the Washington Nationals on Monday and, according to Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com, he’s now signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds. Duke will report to the team’s Triple-A Louisville affiliate initially.

Duke made 12 appearances (including one start) for the Nationals before the team designated him for assignment last week. He’d post an 8.71 ERA and 1.887 WHIP over 20.2 IP. Duke’s been especially hit hard by lefties, allowing a .448/.467/.552 line on the year. Duke had looked like a nice pickup when the Nationals signed him to a minor league deal prior to the 2012 season, performance which resulted in the team awarding him a Major League contract this past winter.

Konrad Schmidt was released by the Reds in order to make room on the team’s 40-man roster for Duke. He’d spent the season with the organization’s Triple-A affiliate, batting .187/.219/.231 in 97 PA.

A.J. Burnett has arguably been Pittsburgh’s best pitcher, but the right-hander will miss some time after landing on the DL with a strained calf. (Image Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)

A.J. Burnett has been a pleasant surprise for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season, but the right-hander was placed on the disabled list by the team with a strained calf prior to yesterday’s game. Charlie Morton has been activated from the DL to take his place on the active roster.

Burnett has made a league leading 14 starts on the season, going 4-6 with a 3.12 ERA over 89.1 IP. His current ERA, WHIP (1.131), and K/9 (10.0) are all career bests at this point in the year. Most importantly the veteran has been consistent for a Pirates team trying to remain in the hunt in the suddenly ultra-competitive NL Central. The Pirates have already coped with multiple injured and underperforming pitchers on the year, lending further value to what Burnett’s been able to offer. The 36 year old will be a free agent at season’s end.

Replacing Burnett on the roster is Morton, who’s been on the shelf for the past year due to Tommy John Surgery. He’d gone 2-6 with a 4.65 ERA in seven starts last season before undergoing surgery. Morton started yesterday for the Pirates, taking the loss despite allowing just two earned runs over five innings of work. Jeff Locke will start in Burnett’s place later today.

David Price took a step towards returning from the DL on Thursday, throwing a simulated game without any issues. (Image Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander David Price took a step towards returning to the team from the disabled list, throwing a simulated game Thursday before the Rays faced off against the Kansas City Royals. Price has been sidelined since May 16 thanks to a strained triceps.

Price reportedly threw about 54 pitches during the simulated game over three innings. It is the first time he’s faced live batters since the injury and he received a surprise when he first took the mound. James Shields, Price’s former teammate who was traded to the Royals this past offseason, was standing in the batter’s box once Price took the mound. He took five pitches before stepping out of the batter’s box and by all accounts the pair had a good laugh about it. This is the first time Shields has returned to Tampa Bay since the deal.

Price is expected to begin a rehab assignment in the next week with the hopes of returning to the Rays by month’s end.

In nine starts before the injury Price struggled to a 1-4 record and 5.94 ERA, uncharacteristic numbers for the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner (he was 20-5 with a 2.56 ERA in 211.0 IP last season). He’s been hit hard in his 55.0 IP, allowing 10.6 H/9 and 1.3 HR/9 which would both be career highs.

Troy Tulowitzki will likely miss the next 4-6 weeks with a broken rib, a big blow to the Rockies hopes at winning the NL West this season. (Image Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Troy Tulowitzki, the star shortstop and clubhouse leader for the Colorado Rockies, has been placed on the disabled list by the team with a broken rib. Early estimates suggest that he’ll be out for 4-6 weeks, though it could be longer. He’s apparently been feeling some discomfort in the area for the better part of the past week but aggravated his ribs making a play late in Thursday’s game against the Washington Nationals. An MRI following the game revealed the fractured rib.

Through 61 games he’s hit .347/.413/.635 in 252 PA, adding 16 HR and 16 2B. He’s quietly been leading the National League in slugging and OPS, serving as a big reason behind the surprisingly strong start that the Rockies have enjoyed to the season.

Without Tulo in the lineup, the Rockies will presumably go with some combination of Jonathan Herrera and DJ LeMahieu at shortstop. The pair have been involved in the team’s rotation at second base for much of the season and both have some experience at the position – though LeMahieu’s is minimal at best (just one inning in the Major Leagues). Herrera’s received a fair amount of playing time already for Colorado but has seen that come in more of a utility role this year with the emergence of Jordan Pacheco and the arrival of Nolan Arrenado, both of whom profile best at third base. Herrera is hitting .303/.361/.368 in 84 PA on the year.