Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher could be in for a nice payday

Yankees" data-canon="New York Mets" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" id="shortcode0"> outfielder Nick Swisher could be in for a nice payday, and a Tigers’ reliever is close to making his return.

• Nick Swisher could benefit from Melky Cabrera’s positive drug test, according to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman. Teams will now be hesitant to offer Cabrera a substantial contract, and that could lead more teams to consider Swisher as an option. Sherman mentioned the Mets as a team who could be affected. The team needs help in the outfield, but still wouldn't be able to afford Melky unless he came at an extreme discount.

• Tigers’ pitcher Al Alburquerque is close to making his return, according to mlive.com’s James Schmehl. Alburquerque is currently on a rehab assignment in Triple-A Toledo, and could return to Detroit by the end of the month. Alburquerque’s return couldn’t come at a better time, as pitcher Brayan Villarreal is experiencing elbow inflammation and hasn’t pitched since Sunday. If Villarreal is put on the disabled list, Alburquerque could be a replacement.