The Rays designated Hank Blalock for assignment after Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox. The move was made to make room for Gabe Kapler, who will return from the disabled list on Wednesday night. Blalock batted .254 in 63 at-bats with a homer and seven RBIs. "The at-bats were not going to be there," manager Joe Maddon said. "The opportunity was not going to be there."

Aroldis Chapman has progressed nicely from a starting pitcher to a reliever for Triple-A Louisville. His improvement is already impressing the Reds. "[He's been] excellent," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "His last time out, he pitched one inning and faced two left-handed hitters and struck them out. He got the right-hander out. In that one performance, he was dominating." He had a setback on Tuesday night, allowing four runs and get charged with a blown save.

The Cardinals could seek pitching help, but they will wait to determine the status of Brad Penny and Kyle Lohse. Other areas of the team could use upgrading, like their middle infield, but the team has time to evaluate their needs. "We've got two starters missing," manager Tony La Russa said. "So even if we've got a guarantee that Penny's coming back in top form, you're still going to be looking for help. You don't know what Lohse is going to be." A source said Tuesday that the Cardinals are hesitant to take on a player with a contract longer than one year.

Roger Clemens is expected to pitch against his son, Koby, on Wednesday night in the Home Run Derby before the Texas League All-Star Game. The elder Clemens will actually be trying to serve up meatballs to his son in order to increase his home run potential. Koby will be among eight batters taking part in the competition.

The Braves will host Major League Baseball's Civil Rights Games in 2011-12, team president John Schuerholz announced Wednesday. No dates or opponents have been set for the games, which will be played during the next two regular seasons.

Dodgers manager Joe Torre met with outfielder Matt Kemp, who was not in the starting lineup for the third straight game, on Tuesday night. Kemp was pressed into action when Manny Ramirez left in the top of the first inning with a hamstring injury. Torre would not divulge what he and Kemp spoke about, saying nothing more than, "I thought the talk went well." The pair were both mum on what triggered the player's benching. "It was just a matter of deciding to play somebody else," Torre said.

Mariners starting pitcher Cliff Lee beat the Yankees on Tuesday night as he pitched his third straight complete game. Seattle defeated New York 7-4 as Lee was victorious despite yielding two solo home runs to Nick Swisher. Lee gave up a walk to Jorge Posada in the second inning, his first since June 2 -- five starts ago. "He's pretty much the same every time you see him," Derek Jeter said. "He's a perfect example of a guy who's going to come after you. He throws strikes, not going to hurt himself, doesn't walk anybody." He became the first pitcher to throw three complete games in a row since Randy Johnson did it in 1998.

Edwin Rodriguez will remain manager of the Marlins through the end of this season, according to an Associated Press report. Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria told the team of the decision before its game in San Juan on Tuesday night against the Mets.

The Nationals have recalled pitcher Craig Stammen from Triple-A Syracuse to start against the Braves on Tuesday night. Washington placed right-hander Tyler Walker on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 20, because of an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder.

Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland has returned to the team after leaving to take care of "a personal family matter." "It was really hard," Eiland said during a press conference. "These are my guys. This is my second family." Eiland's leave has coincided with A.J. Burnett's struggles. "It is up to the individual player to make adjustments," Eiland said. "A.J. is going to bounce back."