ROYALS
Hosmer returns
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- First baseman Eric Hosmer was back in the lineup for Tuesday night's game against Minnesota after starting just once in the past seven games because of a bruised hand.
Hosmer pronounced himself fit after taking batting practice against rehabbing left-hander Jason Vargas, who threw four innings in a simulated game at Kauffman Stadium.
Vargas has been on the disabled list since July 10 following an appendectomy. Manager Ned Yost said it is possible he could return to the rotation this weekend.
Backup catcher Erik Kratz and touted prospect Christian Colon arrived in the clubhouse following Monday's trade with Toronto. Kratz came over from the Blue Jays, while Colon was recalled from Class AAA Omaha to take the spot of departed infielder Danny Valencia.
RANGERS
Tepesch skips turn
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers will skip Nick Tepesch when his next turn in the rotation comes up Friday.
Manager Ron Washington said Tuesday the move is precautionary and the Rangers aren't going to rush Tepesch back after he pulled himself out his last start because of left knee soreness.
Jerome Williams starts Friday night in the series opener at Cleveland, followed by Miles Nikolas on Saturday and Yu Darvish on Sunday.
Washington said Tepesch should be ready for his next turn in the rotation, Aug. 6 at the Chicago White Sox.
Tepesch left in the seventh inning Saturday night against Oakland because of the knee issue. That start had been pushed back a day because he pitched in relief in a 14-inning loss two days after throwing 99 pitches his previous start.
NATIONALS
Worth out of lineup
MIAMI -- Washington Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth was held out of the starting lineup in Tuesday's game against the Miami Marlins after spraining his right ankle on Monday.
Werth left Monday's 7-6 loss to the Marlins in the seventh inning after sliding into second base awkwardly trying to stretch a single into a double.
"He's a little swollen today," Nationals Manager Matt Williams told reporters before the game. "He'll certainly be available off the bench tonight, but we're not going to start him."
Nate McLouth received the start in Werth's place.
"Hopefully by the time the game starts, I'll be moving around pretty good," Werth said. "Tape it up, if he needs me, I'll play and be available."
Williams added that Werth could be in the starting lineup today.
"I don't think it's anything serious, but it's a little swollen, a little sore," Williams said.
Werth is batting .284 with 12 home runs and 58 RBI.
REDS
Bruce on bereavement
CINCINNATI -- Reds outfielder Jay Bruce went on the bereavement list Tuesday before the second game of a series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The team did not provide details to honor Bruce's privacy. Bruce is eligible to rejoin the team Friday in Miami.
The Reds lost nine of their first 10 games since the All-Star break. Their offense has struggled with first baseman Joey Votto and second baseman Brandon Phillips on the disabled list.
Votto has a strained muscle above his left knee and is out indefinitely. Phillips is recovering from a torn ligament in his left thumb that is expected to sideline him until the end of August. Bruce is batting .215 with 10 home runs and 42 RBI.
The Reds called up reliever Curtis Partch for his fifth stint with Cincinnati.
ORIOLES
Looking for arms
BALTIMORE -- The American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles are seeking to secure a few good arms before Thursday's non-waiver trade deadline.
"We've had conversations with a number of teams and we've been looking for some pitching depth," said Dan Duquette, the Orioles vice president of baseball operations. "That's primarily what we're focused on."
Baltimore has five dependable starters -- Chris Tillman, Miguel Gonzalez, Wei-Yin Chen, Bud Norris and Kevin Gausman. Not only that, but Ubaldo Jimenez (ankle sprain) is close to leaving the disabled list.
So Duquette isn't necessarily looking for a front-line starter, primarily because the cost would be too high.
He is more likely to shore up the bullpen, but at this point nothing is imminent. If nothing happened at all, Duquette would be fine with the team as it is constructed.
"So far, so good," he said. "Every team has strengths and areas we could improve upon. Our team is like that. We have been able to get more consistent starting pitching, which will cover up a lot of areas of your team. We've been able to execute defensively, which has helped us win the close games. This is a good ballclub."
DIAMONDBACKS
Schultz called up
CINCINNATI -- The Diamondbacks called up right-hander Bo Schultz to help their tired bullpen Tuesday before the second game of their series against the Cincinnati Reds.
Arizona has gone extra innings in two of its last three games, including a 15-inning, 2-1 victory over the Reds in their series opener Monday night.
Schultz was on the opening day roster and appeared in one game before being optioned to Class AAA Reno on March 29. He went 8-7 with a 5.75 ERA in 21 starts. Manager Kirk Gibson figured to use him in a long relief role if needed.
The Diamondbacks optioned outfielder Alfredo Marte to Reno. He batted .258 in 16 games with 1 home run and 7 RBI.
RAYS
Price wants to stay
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Rays ace David Price said he is glad the trade deadline is almost here.
It looked as if the left-hander might be one of the top names on the market ahead of Thursday's deadline for non-waiver deals, but Tampa Bay's recent surge makes it less likely he will get moved.
Price said Tuesday he is hoping to stay with the Rays, and there will be "some answers here in the next couple of days."
Price carries a six-start winning streak into today's outing against Milwaukee. He is 11-7 with a 3.08 ERA in 22 starts this season.
TWINS
Playing short-handed
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Twins were playing short-handed Tuesday night against the Royals while outfielder Oswaldo Arcia spent time with his family following the birth of his baby boy.
Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony said Arcia declined to take paternity leave. He planned to spend the day with his boy before catching a flight to Kansas City for today's game.
Antony said catcher Joe Mauer swung in the batting cages and did a series of drills while recovering from a strained right oblique. Mauer plans to hit live batting practice in the cage today before the Twins decide on his next step.
Right-hander Ricky Nolasco, recovering from a sore elbow, also came out of a bullpen session feeling good. He plans to throw another one Thursday.
Sports on 07/30/2014