MLB Roundup: Phillies take chance on Zambrano
Right-hander Carlos Zambrano isn't back in the big leagues yet, but he's one step closer after agreeing to a minor-league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.
The Phillies need a fifth starter in the rotation and Zambrano could be used to fill that turn on May 21.
Zambrano, 31, was out of baseball and had agreed Monday to a contract with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. He did not sign that contract. He has a 132-91 record and 3.66 ERA in a career that began with the Chicago Cubs in 2001.
--Outfielder Jayson Werth could be back in the Washington Nationals' lineup on Saturday if a rehab assignment starting Wednesday is a success.
Werth will play with Class A Potomac. The 33-year-old hasn't played since May 2 because of a strained right hamstring.
---The Oakland A's activated outfielder Coco Crisp from the disabled list on Wednesday and he returned to the lineup to bat leadoff in a game against the Texas Rangers.
Crisp sat out the past two weeks with a hamstring injury but did not require a rehab stint in the minor leagues before his return.
---General manager Doug Melvin said the Milwaukee Brewers would add former closer Francisco Rodriguez to their 25-man roster rather than having the veteran pitcher exercise an opt-out clause to become a free agent.
Rodriguez, per Melvin, pitched aggressively in extending spring training and the minor leagues and the team is pleased with his conditioning, which had been a concern before he was signed April 17 amid unrest in the bullpen over John Axford's shaky start.
Rodriguez struck out 72 batters in 72 innings with the Brewers last season but wasn't signed as a free agent in the offseason and remained unemployed until last month.
