Boston Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks exited last night’s contest against the Cleveland Indians due to back spasms, according to John Tomase of The Boston Herald.

The final hurdle for Mark Teixeira to clear is a successful completion of a minor league rehab assignment.  He has been taking some swings during extended spring training.  This has allowed him to bat from both sides of the plate as he wanted, but now it's time for Teixeira to face live game action.

According to Eric Boland of Newsday, Teixeira could begin  rehab assignment as soon as next Tuesday.

Word is Teixeira, who has hit in sim games this week & took BP today in Tampa,could be headed to Double A Trenton Tues for rehab assignment
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) May 23, 2013

The New York Yankees would love to see the player they traded away Jesus Montero for actually make an appearance for them.  Michael Pineda has suffered through two seasons of shoulder problems now, but he may be inching closer to a return.  In fact, Pineda may soon be ready to go out on a minor league rehab assignment.  This according to Andy McCullough of the New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Pineda threw five innings at the complex today, Cashman said. Fastball sat at 93. He could start rehab assignment after one more appearance.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughSL) May 23, 2013

Although he is eligible to return from the 15-dal disabled list on Monday, Austin Jackson will probably spent a little more time recovering.  The Detroit Tigers do not want to rush the outfielder back from his hamstring injury.  Considering the seemingly large rash of hamstring re-injuries this season, that might be a good idea.

Chris Iott of Mlive.com says Tigers' manager Jim Leyland seemed doubtful that Jackson would return from the DL on Monday.  Leyland was clear about his concerns that if Jackson returned too soon, it could cause bigger problems.  The team likely shares Leyland's views on the issue, so Jackson will have to wait until he is closer to 100 percent before making his return.

"I want it right," Leyland said. "We talked about that today: 'Get it right.' I don't want him to come back 85 percent and try to play and then do it again. Try to get it as close to 100 percent as you can. You might not get it to 100 percent. Who knows."

What a boost this would be.  Chris Carpenter, yes the same Carpenter who essentially announced his retirement without actually doing so, may pitch again.  And he may do so this year.  Carpenter has been working out and there is a chance he rejoins the St. Louis Cardinals rotation by July.
Scott Miller of CBS Sports says Carpenter has been throwing "rigorous bullpens" and has been encouraged by these sessions.  Carpenter has been so encouraged that the team is starting to get optimistic.  Miller says the Cardinals are optimistic that Carpenter could return by late June, early July.

“Regardless of his role, when he decided to come back, we have to put him through very rigorous training,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak told CBSSports.com Tuesday. “The last thing we want to do is activate him and make sure he's not hurt and then have to shut him down quickly.”

Zack Wheeler may have already been called up if not for injury setbacks in spring and early in his minor league season.  He still may have been left to wait for a time when the New York Mets were ready even if he were 100 percent healthy, though.  Regardless, the Mets appear poised to call up the young righty prospect soon.

Mike Puma of the New York Post says a "high-ranking" official within the organization has told him that Wheeler is slated for two or three more starts in the minors, then the team should call him up.  This official also commented on Wheeler's injury setback that occurred recently, saying it may have prevented Wheeler from being called up sooner.

"If not for the minor setback with the shoulder, he might already be here," the club official said. "We are at the point where you can say it's probably two or three more starts [for Las Vegas]."

Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley, who has missed the last two games, was place on the 15-day disabled list after an MRI today revealed a grade 1 oblique strain.

As reported by Todd Zolecki at mlb.com,

"They said there is no intercostal or rib-cage injury. He is eligible to be activated June 5.
A replacement will be announced sometime before Friday's series opener in Washington.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the typical recovery for this type of injury is two to four weeks."

Oakland Athletics outfielder Josh Reddick was eligible to come off the disabled list yesterday. As expected, the day passed without an activation, as Jane Lee of MLB.com reports that the outfielder is expected to require at least another week of rehab before rejoining the team.

Reddick remains on track to rejoin the A's in Houston tomorrow to take part in batting practice for the first time since hitting the DL. He's been out since the first week of May due to a sprained right wrist.

Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Ryan Madson was once again nearing return, and now we're once again reporting he's suffered a setback. The former closer is facing another "glitch" -- as manager Mike Scioscia puts it -- as he's experiencing inflammation in his throwing elbow, according to William Boor of MLB.com.

"Hopefully it's just a little glitch," manager Mike Scioscia said. "I don't think it's anything major, but he needs to get over this. He's close, as we said. Hopefully it's just a product of him trying to get his stamina and going hard last week."

The Chicago White Sox have activated left-handed starting pitcher John Danks from the disabled list to make tomorrow's start against the Miami Marlins, according to Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago.

John Danks back in the rotation and Donnie Veal is optioned back to Triple-A Charlotte.
— Dan Hayes (@DanHayesCSN) May 23, 2013

Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton took another step in his recovery from a hamstring injury, as the slugger participated in on-field batting practice yesterday, according to Joe Frisaro, Joe Morgan and Teddy Cahill of MLB.com.

Stanton took roughly 50 swings without experiencing discomfort yesterday. He told reporters that hitting hasn't been an issue since suffering his injury.