MLB Player News

Red Sox infielder Pedro Ciriaco has played good defense for the team, but his time in the majors may be running short, with Will Middlebrooks nearing his return from the disabled list.

Ciriaco is out of options, so ESPN.com reports Friday the team may opt to designate him for assignment when Middlebrooks returns from the DL. 

Ciriaco is hitting .220 with a .658 OPS in 50 at-bats this season.

As expected, the Mets placed shortstop Ruben Tejada on the 15-day disabled list with a quad injury Thursday, and called up Omar Quintanilla from Triple-A Las Vegas.

Tejada suffered the injury Wednesday against the Yankees. 

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada is headed to the disabled list, according to a report by CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Tejada left Wednesday's game in the ninth inning with the injury, suffered while chasing down a pop fly in foul territory.

Doctors will evaluate the right quad injury suffered by Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada Thursday morning, the New York Daily News reports. Tejada suffered the injury while sliding to avoid colliding with Mike Baxter in foul territory during a pop fly.

"He said he felt it running after the popup and that’s why he slid," manager Terry Collins said after the game. "He thought he could catch it, but he slid because his leg started to pull on him. He slid and then the groundball, obviously, you could tell something was wrong."

Tejada was sidelined for more than a month last season with a strained right quad.

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada left Wednesday's game in the ninth inning after suffering a quad injury, the New York Post reports. He was 1 for 5 and scored a run before exiting the game.

Tejada was a candidate for demotion before the injury, and the team determines it's at least a little bit serious, he seems likely to hit the disabled list.

The New York Post reports Wednesday that Mets management met with first baseman Ike Davis and shortstop Ruben Tejada Tuesday. The meeting, which included manager Terry Collins, general manager Sandy Alderson and assistant general manager John Ricco, concluded with both players being notified that they could be demoted to the minors soon, given their struggles to begin the season.

Davis is batting just .152 with a .478 OPS, while Tejada has a .209 batting average and .533 OPS. 

CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman confirmed the team's discussions, and indicates a decision could be as soon as the team's series with the Yankees comes to an end Thursday. 

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada returned to the leadoff spot Monday night against the Yankees.

Tejada endured a quiet night as he finished 0 for 4 in a 2-1 win. He told The Star Ledger that he is not letting the ball get deeper and is reaching. He is going to try to move up in the batter's box in Tuesday's game.

Tejada has been held without a hit in his last eight at-bats. He is hitting .213 with 10 RBI in 178 at-bats.

Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque Monday to make room on the active roster for the activation of Jerry Hairston from the disabled list.

Gordon flopped yet again since his promotion, posting a paltry .175 batting average in 63 at-bats. He had a .532 on-base plus slugging percentage, with five stolen bases in 19 games. 

Red Sox infielder Pedro Ciriaco ended an 0-for-11 slump with an RBI single in the second Saturday against the Indians. He finished 3 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI in a 7-4 victory. Ciriaco is hitting .231 (6 for 36) with a home run and two RBI in his last 12 games played (six starts).

With Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks hitting the DL, Pedro Ciriaco -- his likely replacement considering the lack of options for the team -- is worth an add in AL-only formats. 

Ciriaco will likely play third base full-time, but already has the all-important shortstop eligibility, which gives him a bump in value when plugged in at the weaker position with his everyday at-bats.

While Ciriaco is hitting just .175 in spotty playing time this year, he hit .293 last season, and should see his average improve with regular at-bats. He also had 16 steals in 2012, and showed off some speed in the minors, with two seasons of 35 or more steals. He won't put up eye-popping stats, but Ciriaco has a nice chance to fill your stat sheet with average and speed for as long as Middlebrooks is out.