Carlos Beltran (OF, STL) made his first CF start since 2010 Friday, making room in the lineup for both Allen Craig (OF/1B, STL), activated from the DL to start in RF, and recent callup Matt Adams (1B, STL). Adams is 13-for-41, with an .890 OPS, while playing 1B regularly since Lance Berkman (1B/OF, STL) underwent knee surgery for a torn meniscus, likely sidelining him until August.

Manny Parra (LHP, MIL) has been named as the rotation replacement for injured Marco Estrada (RHP, MIL), likely sidelined for three to four starts with a right quadriceps strain. Parra has displayed intriguing skills, including 9.2 Dom, 2.8 Cmd, 106 BPV, and a 52% GB%, in 19 relief appearances, spanning 24 IP. Those numbers correspond with his previous career marks in relief (86 IP): 3.34 ERA, with 9.6 Dom and 3.0 Cmd.

Geovany Soto (C, CHC) was placed on the 15-day DL Friday with a torn left meniscus. He will have arthroscopic knee surgery and is likely to miss 3-6 weeks. Wellington Castillo (C, CHC), an April callup, will assume regular catching duties until backup Steve Clevenger's (C, CHC) likely late-May return from a strained oblique. Career minor-leaguer Blake Lalli (C, CHC), profiled in Callups, was added to the roster as Castillo's temporary backup.

Chris Sale (LHP, CHW) reportedly is scheduled to start Saturday, ending his brief stint as closer seemingly before it even began. CHW had removed Sale from the rotation May 4, designating him closer amidst reports of elbow tenderness and erstwhile rookie closer Hector Santiago's (LHP, CHW) ineffectiveness. Sale will make his start with two days' rest since a one-inning May 8 relief appearance.

[FREE] Casey Janssen (RHP, TOR) recorded his first save since replacing temporary closer Francisco Cordero (RHP, TOR) Wednesday with a 1-2-3 inning. Cordero was demoted from the closer role following his third Blown Save in five opportunities in spectacular fashion May 8, surrendering a game-winning Grand Slam HR to Oakland's Brandon Inge, failing to hold a one-run lead.

With Carlos Marmol (RHP, CHC) and Hector Santiago (LHP, CHW) banished from their erstwhile closer roles, Rafael Dolis (RHP, CHC) and Chris Sale (LHP, CHW) are now in line for saves. Each new Chicago closer, however, could split saves with other relievers. James Russell (LHP, CHC) has been named as a potential situational substitute for Dolis, while reports of elbow tenderness could limit Sale's availability.

Shoulder soreness will reportedly land Ryan Zimmerman (3B, WAS) on the 15-day DL Saturday, with WAS recalling Bryce Harper (OF, WAS) from Triple-A Syracuse. Zimmerman has been sidelined since April 21, and is seeing a specialist for further examination and treatment. No timetable is yet set for his return. Chad Tracy (3B/1B, WAS), Steve Lombardozzi (IF, WAS) and Mark DeRosa (3B/OF, WAS) are likely to continue sharing 3B PT in Zimmerman's absence.

B.J. Upton (OF, TAM) returned to action Friday, activated from the DL following a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment. Upton has been sidelined with back soreness resulting from a mid-March Grapefruit League OF collision with teammate Desmond Jennings. It is unclear whether Upton's running game, a significant component of his value, will be limited by the injury.

CLE has signed free agent Johnny Damon (DH/OF, CLE) in an effort to boost its struggling offense. CLE's .176 BA and .617 OPS rank last in the AL through the season's first week. While qualifying initially only at DH in most formats, Damon is likely to become CLE's primary LF and leadoff hitter, though incumbent LF Shelley Duncan is likely to find AB vs. RHP at any of LF, 1B or DH.

Season-opening DL stints are affecting starting rotations and early-season lineups. Scott Baker (RHP, MIN), Tim Stauffer (RHP, SD) and Jed Lowrie (SS, HOU) are among those who began the season on the DL.

Manager Joe Girardi's recent remarks that the loser in the starting rotation competition is not guaranteed a bullpen spot merely added fuel to recent media speculation that off-season acquisition Michael Pineda (RHP, NYY) might begin the season in Triple-A. While Pineda's 2011 skills clearly rank him as one of NYY's top rotation options, he reported to spring training camp overweight and has shown less velocity than during his rookie season with SEA.