Scott Kazmir's next turn in Tampa Bay's rotation was pushed back again Saturday, and the All-Star pitcher could be placed on the disabled list because of a sore left shoulder.
Kazmir was originally slated to start Friday night at Yankee Stadium but was bumped back to Tuesday at home against Detroit. Now, he'll miss that scheduled outing as well, and the Devil Rays were discussing whether to put him on the DL.
The 22-year-old Kazmir had an MRI on Tuesday that revealed a bit of inflammation around his rotator cuff, and the Devil Rays want to be cautious with their budding ace.
"It's just a guarded situation," manager Joe Maddon said before his team played the Yankees. "Nothing alarming or out of the ordinary. If he had to, if this was more of a September playoff situation, he probably would pitch on his normal turn. But under the circumstances that we have right now, we felt it would be more prudent to refrain at this point and push him back. It only makes sense."
The Devil Rays, last in the AL East, will probably call up a pitcher from Triple-A Durham to start Tuesday night against the AL Central-leading Tigers.
Also, infielder Ty Wigginton broke a bone in his left hand when he was hit by a pitch Saturday and is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Wigginton, who leads the team with 57 RBIs, was plunked by Shawn Chacon's pitch in the fourth inning against the New York Yankees. He was replaced at first base by Travis Lee in the bottom half.
X-rays revealed a fracture, and Wigginton was scheduled to see team physician Dr. Koco Eaton on Monday.
"That's tough," Maddon said. "Ty has made a big impact on all of us this year."
MATSUI UPDATE: Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui is scheduled to have his injured left wrist re-examined Thursday in New York.
If the wrist shows enough progress, Matsui might be given a timetable for taking batting practice.
"My periodic checkup that I have every two weeks is Thursday," Matsui said through a translator. "August 3 is when I go to the doctor and have it looked at."
Matsui has been working out for the past week at the Yankees' minor league complex in Florida.
After a scheduled off day Friday, Matsui continued hitting off a tee and taking soft toss on Saturday. He also worked out in the outfield.
Matsui has experienced some soreness in his shoulders, but it's not a concern.
"Everything is fine," Matsui said. "I physically feel pretty good. The shoulders are not sore anymore. It's fine."
GIBBONS BACK: The Baltimore Orioles activated Jay Gibbons from the 15-day disabled list Saturday, hopeful that his ailing knee can hold up for rest of the season.
Gibbons has been bothered by a sprained right knee, an injury that originally put him on the disabled list on May 27. He returned on June 12, played one game and went back on the DL.
This time, Gibbons will be used almost exclusively as a designated hitter until the Orioles are certain he can play the outfield again.
"I know its going to be a DH for a while. I'm definitely not ready to play the field," Gibbons said. "I can swing and run a little bit, but we're going to concentrate on hitting right now, and that's it."
ALSO: The Houston Astros optioned rookie right-hander Taylor Buchholz to Triple-A Round Rock and recalled right-hander Chris Sampson. Also, third baseman Morgan Ensberg began a rehabilitation assignment at Round Rock . . . The Philadelphia Phillies recalled Danny Sandoval from Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre and gave the infielder his first major league start Saturday night against the Florida Marlins . . . The Detroit Tigers recalled outfielder Brent Clevlen from Double-A Erie and returned pitcher Colby Lewis to Triple-A Toledo . . . The Seattle Mariners placed right-handed reliever Rafael Soriano on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder fatigue and activated right-hander Sean Green from the DL before Saturday's game at Cleveland . . . The Toronto Blue Jays called up right-hander Dustin McGowan from Triple-A Syracuse to start Saturday against the Oakland Athletics.