Pablo Sandoval (3B, SF) exited Wednesday's game with an injured hand after a sixth-inning AB; tests on Thursday revealed a broken left hamate bone and the Giants placed him on the 15-day DL. In case this sounds familiar, Sandoval broke the hamate bone in his right hand in 2011. He missed 41 games last season, which makes the 4-to-6 week timetable for his return seem optimistic at best.

This NL Weekend Series Matchups column previews eight three-game series, all of which begin on Friday and end on Sunday.

The Boston Red Sox take on the Baltimore Orioles this weekend in Fenway Park. BOS owns a .306/.348/.529 batting line over its last nine games.

Kevin Youkilis (3B, BOS) was due to sit out his fourth consecutive game with back problems on Wednesday, and word out of Boston was that his back pains were "only intensifying, not abating." Then, he was placed on the DL and prospect Will Middlebrooks was called up from AAA-Pawtucket and made the start Wednesday night.

Evan Longoria (3B, TAM) has been diagnosed with a partial tear of his left hamstring, and is expected to miss the next six to eight weeks. There is no clear cut replacement for him at the present time, but Elliot Johnson (SS, TAM) got the first start at third base in his absence. With a .566 career OPS in 201 at-bats, he is a significant drop-off from Longoria, and very unlikely to grab a full-time role, even temporarily. Another option would involve Sean Rodriguez (SS, TAM) sliding over there, with the recently recalled Will Rhymes (2B, TAM) plenty of the work at shortstop.

The Tampa Bay Rays' Evan Longoria suffered a serious hamstring injury and may miss a significant amount of time.

Johnny Damon re-starts his career in CLE beginning today, while the Padres consider their rotation with the pending return of Tim Stauffer ...

The Yankees are making a change in their starting rotation; meanwhile, a few understudies behind incumbent closers finished games successfully. But who will get the ball in the ninth going forward, and how might they fare?

The injury week in review: Sergio Santos lands on the DL and it will put a dent in his saves totals. Two rock dependable starters the past few seasons, Mark Pelrey of the Mets and the Brewers’ Chris Narveson left their owners scrambling for starting pitching.

This NL Midweek Series Matchup column previews eight three-game series, five of which begin on Tuesday, 5/1.

This AL Midweek Series Matchup column previews one four-game series between Seattle and Tampa Bay, and six three-game series.