ROYALS
Moustakas now on DL
CLEVELAND -- The Kansas City Royals have put third baseman Mike Moustakas on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured left thumb, another setback for the team's sputtering offense.
Moustakas originally was hurt April 26 while tagging out C.J. Cron of the Angels. He attempted to play through the pain until Wednesday, when he went 0 for 3 against the Nationals, and was a late scratch Friday against the Indians.
"It's swelled up pretty good now, but it's been pretty puffy for most of last week and this week," he said. "After the game against Washington, I couldn't grip my bat or put my coat on, so I knew it was time to do something about it."
Moustakas, who is batting .258 with a team-high seven home runs and 13 RBI in 25 games, said he hopes to return shortly after he is eligible to be activated. He will be examined by hand specialist Dr. Thomas Graham while the team is in Cleveland.
"It's more like a stress reaction that flares up the more you use it, so it could be 15-20 days before Moose comes back," Royals Manager Ned Yost said. "We'll see how he feels in a couple of days, then go from there."
Moustakas batted .284 with 22 home runs and 82 RBI last season, playing a key role as the Royals won the World Series. He also was chosen for his first American League All-Star team.
Kansas City has lost eight of its last 10 games to fall to .500 for the first time since April 5. The Royals have scored 11 runs and been shut out three times during that span.
Third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert was recalled from Class AAA Omaha to take Moustakas' spot on the roster. Yost said the 23-year-old Nicaraguan will start "the majority of the time" at the position.
"Cuthbert is a pretty solid third baseman, so we feel comfortable with him out there," he said.
RANGERS
OF Stubbs signed
DETROIT -- The Texas Rangers have signed free-agent outfielder Drew Stubbs and moved injured slugger Josh Hamilton to the 60-day disabled list.
Stubbs was with Texas during spring training on a minor league deal, then refused assignment to Class AAA Round Rock and was released in late March. The Atlanta Braves picked him up, and he went 9 for 38 (.237) at the plate before being designated for assignment Monday. He was released Tuesday.
Hamilton, who is still rehabbing from offseason surgery on his left knee, was transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day DL.
The Rangers also announced Saturday that they have optioned left-hander Alex Claudio to Round Rock.
REDS
Pitchers shuffled
CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Reds optioned struggling reliever J.J. Hoover to Class AAA Louisville on Saturday and recalled right-hander Drew Hayes from their top farm club.
The Reds also placed right-hander Jon Moscot on the 15-day disabled list and promoted right-hander Steve Delabar from Louisville before their game against Milwaukee.
Hoover was handed the closer's job in spring training after Aroldis Chapman was traded to the Yankees, but he allowed 6 home runs in 102/3 innings over 12 games and 17 earned runs overall for a 14.34 ERA. He had one save in two opportunities.
Moscot developed soreness in the left shoulder that he dislocated trying to make a diving tag last season, an injury that required season-ending surgery. Moscot is 0-2 with a 4.02 ERA in three starts this year.
Hayes made his major league debut with Cincinnati on April 21 and had a 7.56 ERA in four relief appearances when he was sent down on Tuesday.
Delabar was 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA in nine games for Louisville.
TWINS
Replacements continue
CHICAGO -- The Minnesota Twins have made multiple roster moves for a second consecutive day, including putting shortstop Eduardo Escobar on the 15-day disabled list with a groin strain.
The team announced Saturday that right-handed reliever Casey Fien had been claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Left-hander Tommy Milone was outrighted to Class AAA Rochester after he cleared waivers.
The Twins also selected the contract of right-hander Brandon Kintzler and recalled left-hander Pat Dean from Rochester.
Infielder Jorge Polanco was recalled from Rochester to take the place of Escobar, who was injured in Friday's loss to the Chicago White Sox.
The Twins, who entered Saturday an American League-worst 8-21, have replaced six players in two days.
Sports on 05/08/2016