MLB notebook: Springer (elbow) expected to avoid DL

Houston Astros outfielder George Springer wasn't in the starting lineup against the Texas Rangers on Saturday, but manager A.J. Hinch is optimistic the 28-year-old will avoid the disabled list after exiting Friday's contest with a left elbow contusion suffered when he was hit by a pitch.

"He's pretty sore," Hinch told reporters, "but he's doing fine. He's day-to-day like we said, so he's not in there today. He'll start to move around a little bit. His range of motion is fine, but he's sore."

Springer knelt on the ground in pain after he was plunked in the left elbow on a pitch from Rangers starter Cole Hamels in the bottom of the third inning on Friday. Hinch and a trainer came out to check on Springer, who stayed in the game before exiting at the end of the inning. X-rays on Springer's arm came back negative.

"It doesn't feel too good," Springer said Friday. "It didn't feel too good at the time. We'll have to see what happens and go from there. Hopefully, I can get back in there."

--Ben Zobrist asked Major League Baseball to give some leeway when it comes to the black cleats he's fond of wearing during day games at Wrigley Field.

The Chicago Cubs veteran penned a lengthy Instagram post taking aim at the MLB policy, which rules that more than half of the exterior of the shoe be the team's designated shoe color. Zobrist was called out for breaking the rule in a May 2 game against Colorado.

MLB defended the enforcement of the rule in a statement to ESPN: "We have shoe regulations that were negotiated with the union in the last round of bargaining. If players have complaints about the regulations, they should contact their union which negotiated them. We have informed the union that we are prepared to negotiate rules providing players with more flexibility, and that issue is currently being discussed as part of a larger discussion about apparel and equipment."

--The Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte from Triple-A Oklahoma City, optioning right-hander Brock Stewart to OKC in a corresponding move.

Venditte, 32, is recognized as baseball's only active switch-pitcher. He joined the Dodgers on a minor league contract with a spring invite during the offseason.

Venditte made his major league debut as a member of the Oakland Athletics in 2015, becoming the first ambidextrous pitcher to play in the big leagues since Greg Harris on Sept. 28, 1995. He last pitched in the majors with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners in 2016 and has a 4.97 career ERA in 41 big league appearances.

--The San Diego Padres designated infielder Chase Headley for assignment and recalled infielder Cory Spangenberg in a corresponding move.

Headley, 34, hit only .115 (6-for-52) with zero home runs and four RBIs in 27 games to start the season. He is a .263 career hitter with 130 home runs and 596 RBIs in 1,436 games with the Padres and New York Yankees.

Headley came up with the Padres in 2007 before joining the Yankees seven seasons later. He returned to San Diego before the start of this season but lost playing time to rookie Christian Villanueva and Spangenberg as he scuffled at the plate.

--The Washington Nationals placed first baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to May 10 prior to their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Washington recalled veteran first baseman Mark Reynolds from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the roster spot.

Zimmerman suffered a back injury sliding into home plate during Wednesday's game against the Padres. He is batting .217 with five home runs and 16 RBIs this season.

--The Cleveland Indians placed outfielder Tyler Naquin on the 10-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain. Left-hander Tyler Olson was activated from the paternity list in a corresponding move.

Naquin suffered the injury during Friday's game against the Kansas City Royals while running out a two-run double. An MRI exam revealed the extent of the injury.

Naquin is batting .333 with two home runs and 11 RBIs. He has an eight-game hitting streak and is 10-for-24 in May.

--Field Level Media