While Denard Span (OF, MIN), David Ortiz (DH, BOS) and Jose Bautista (OF, TOR) returned to action after lengthy absences, Dexter Fowler is among those sidelined by injury. Span was 2-for-5 with two SB in his August 23 return, his first action since suffering a bruised clavicle on August 12. Miguel Cabrera (3B, DET) continues playing through injury, though limited to a DH role.

Nova, Darvish, Pujols and Bourjos on the mend; Brown taking advantage of PT ...

John Axford is back as the closer in Milwaukee, Bartolo Colon is suspended, and Randy Wolf is released...

Oakland has a new look lineup as they acquire Drew from Arizona, activate Smith from DL, and send Weeks to minors. Also, Luke Scott and Jhoulys Chacin return to action, and more...

Carl Crawford's elbow surgery scheduled for later this week will create some AB in the Red Sox. Also, Kendry Morales is improving, Tyler Skaggs looks set for his MLB debut, and more ...

The Pirates have lost Starling Marte to the DL with a strained oblique, and Michael Cuddyer returned to the DL as well. Heading the other way, off the DL, are Garcia, Lawrie, Bonifacio, Polanco and Anderson.

LAA has activated Scott Downs (LHP, LAA) from the 15-day DL after missing the minimum amount of time with a left shoulder strain. In a prior update, BaseballHQ.com's Brian Rudd surmised that Ernesto Frieri (RHP, LAA), who had been in a timeshare for save opportunities with Downs in July, would run away with the role during his absence.

Jon Rauch (RHP, NYM), among the few bright lights in a largely dim bullpen, might be emerging as his team's preferred saves option. Rauch has recorded NYM's two most recent saves, August 12 and 16. Each of those two saves were of the one-out variety, with Rauch summoned to preserve dwindling leads in games which did not present closing situations entering the 9th inning. The NYM closing situation remains murky, as both Bobby Parnell (RHP, NYM) and Frank Francisco (RHP, NYM) have also recorded saves this month.

Jaime Garcia will be back this weekend; who gets bumped from the rotation in STL? Plus a key cog in PIT could miss some time, the developing OF situation in SEA, and more ...

Cabrera suspended for PEDs, James McDonald might head to the bullpen, and more...

After missing a series and returning for a pinch-hit appearance August 13, Jason Kipnis (2B, CLE) returned to the starting lineup August 14. After a blazing hot start to the season, he has cooled off considerably, having not homered since June 17, and only recording three steals since July 1. His year-to-date numbers remain strong, though it appears obvious that his power surge to open the season was a bit over his head. Kipnis had eight home runs by the end of May, but is still looking for his first month with above average power.