Ben Zobrist (2B/OF, TAM) gained SS eligibility in one-game-eligibility formats August 9 by making his first SS start since 2009. Zobrist replaced slumping regular Elliot Johnson (SS, TAM), carrying sub-.200 BA and sub-.500 OPS in 82 second-half AB. Johnson's season-long .225 xBA suggests his .248 BA is more likely to continue its descent than to climb.

Brandon Phillips (2B, CIN) returned to action Monday after missing five games with a left calf strain. Phillips had been swinging a hot stick for two months before the injury, with similar numbers in June and July. He batted .311 with an .830 OPS in June, while his July stats included .317 BA and .828 OPS. His June .300 xBA and July .315 xBA supported his production. Replacements Miguel Cairo (IF, CIN) and Wilson Valdez (2B/SS, CIN) return to reserve roles after splitting time during Phillips' absence.

WAS traded a minor-league catcher to OAK for veteran Kurt Suzuki (C, WAS) to bolster a catching corps decimated by injury. Suzuki is having the least productive season of his career, batting .218 with a .530 OPS. His 0.17 Eye suggests his once-solid plate skills have collapsed, while his .211 xBA says his lowly BA is merited. Suzuki entered 2012 off three straight seasons with 13-15 HR, but with a 57 PX and only one HR in 262 AB, his power has ebbed.

LAA acquired Zack Greinke (RHP, LAA) from MIL Friday for three minor-league prospects. Also MIA lineup, Colvin and COL OF, STL injuries, and more ...

Two AL teams in the playoff chase which have struggled since the All-Star break are hopeful of starting rotation boosts as Dan Haren (RHP, LAA) and Gavin Floyd (RHP, CHW) return. Haren was activated from the 15-day DL to start Sunday, while Floyd will be activated to pitch Monday.

TOR adds starter J.A. Happ (LHP, TOR) and relievers Brandon Lyon (RHP, TOR) and David Carpenter (RHP, HOU) in a 10-player interleague trade with HOU; KC and COL swap starters and more ...

With Lance Berkman (1B/OF, STL) set to return to action on STL's current road trip, possibly as soon as Saturday, the corner positions are crowded with worthy bats. The PT shakeout here could be determined by determined by how manager Mike Matheny weighs the importance of offense vs. defense, and his willingness to deploy various players at positions where their potential injury risk is heightened.

Ben Sheets (RHP, ATL) reportedly will make his first MLB appearance in two years on July 15, likely replacing one of ATL's inconsistent young starters, Randall Delgado (RHP, ATL) or Mike Minor (LHP, ATL). Jair Jurrjens (RHP, ATL), whose surface numbers since his return from a minor-league demotion belie his shaky underlying skills, seems unlikely to be bumped. Sheets has a strong skills history, though his Dom and Cmd faded in recent years as he battled a series of injuries.

Bud Norris (RHP, HOU), out since leaving his June 12 start with a left knee sprain, returned to the starting rotation Friday. Rookie reliever Xavier Cedeno (LHP, HOU) returned to Triple-A to make room, while Norris' rotation replacement, Dallas Keuchel (RHP, HOU), sticks with the team, though it's unclear if he will remain in the rotation.

Jon Jay (OF, STL) and Matt Carpenter (1B/OF, STL) returned to the lineup Friday. STL optioned replacements Matt Adams (1B, STL) and Adron Chambers (OF, STL) to Triple-A. Jay missed six weeks with a right shoulder injury, while an oblique strain sidelined Carpenter for a month. Jay returns as the regular CF, while Carpenter returns to a utility role, though he started at 1B Friday, with Allen Craig (1B/OF, STL) as DH.

With Chris Heisey (OF, CIN) joining Drew Stubbs (OF, CIN) among the hobbled, Wilson Valdez (SS, CIN) made his first career CF start Friday. Starting CF Stubbs has been placed on the DL, retroactive to June 6, with a left oblique strain. Heisey had made eight straight CF starts in Stubbs' absence, but is DTD with a left groin strain that forced him to leave CIN's June 14 game.