Truth & Rumors > MLB

07:14 AM ET 06.18 | Brian Cashman has a full plate these days, one that includes leaning toward placing Mark Teixeira on the DL and renewed concern over Kevin Youkilis. [Cashman] hadn't heard anything about [Youkilis'] visit to a back specialist when he spoke with reporters on a conference call, but it was clear the general manager was concerned about the state of his third baseman's balky back. "Back issues usually don't get better," Cashman said. "They can, but they're very debilitating and hard to get a handle on. It's definitely a concern. As of right now, I'm not planning on him until they tell me I can plan on him." Youkilis was placed on the disabled list Friday with a lumbar strain after playing all 18 innings of Thursday's marathon loss in Oakland. He woke up with numbness in his foot and calf.

New York Daily News

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07:13 AM ET 06.18 | The Cubs, who entered Monday night's game against the Cardinals having lost 13 games when leading after five innings, are showing the signs of frustration, from Dale Sveum's seventh-inning ejection to questions about Carlos Marmol's future. General manager Jed Hoyer said he wasn't sure where he stood on the player reaction to [Marmol's] blown game Sunday. "You want to see your players are really upset after a bad loss," he said. "Apathy is the worst thing you could ever have, and we certainly don't want to have that." ... Hoyer said the Cubs have no intention of releasing Marmol. "He has provided value to this team at different times," Hoyer said, "but he's been a significant part of the losses that unfortunately are why we are where we are record-wise."

Chicago Tribune

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07:12 AM ET 06.18 | The big fella, as of late Monday, remains unsigned. [Astros GM Jeff Luhnow said] the club is "fully engaged" in contract talks with No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel, the right-handed pitcher from Stanford, and hopes to be able to complete a deal this week. While it was reported late last week the Astros and Appel had reached a deal, Luhnow said he wanted to wait until Appel's commencement exercises at Stanford on Sunday to ramp up negotiations. "We're trying to move it as fast as we can," he said. "We wanted to give him the weekend to enjoy his commencement. We're optimistic we can move it pretty quickly." Luhnow said the Astros have yet to meet with Appel or his representative, Scott Boras, but there have been solid conversations.

MLB.com

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07:12 AM ET 06.18 | Georgia native Zack Wheeler certainly knows the landscape in Atlanta, where he'll make his anticipated MLB debut Tuesday, but he's swimming in uncharted waters with the Mets. The Mets entered Monday's action 25-39, fourth in the NL East, and in need of a jolt. "I don't think I'm the savior at all," said Wheeler, who attended high school about 45 minutes from here, in Dallas, Ga. "We've got great arms here and you've got great players. We might not be doing too well right now, but I know the talent of these guys and hopefully we can turn it around here soon. I'm just trying to come up here and help the team any way I can." Wheeler said he relaxed with family and friends on Sunday and expects a "huge" turnout from the local area for his Mets debut.

New York Post

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07:11 AM ET 06.18 | A June swoon has set in for Rangers DH Lance Berkman, who is batting .182 since June 1. [On Monday, Berkman endured] his second consecutive game off, but don???t expect him to fight manager Ron Washington for playing time. "[Washington] has had a lot going on lately with the lineup," Berkman said Monday. "I haven't played well. It's no big deal. I don't mind it." Though Berkman's 2012 season was cut short by injuries, he said that physical issues are not the reason for his slump or lack of production. But that doesn't mean the six surgeries he's undergone on his knees, including four on the right knee, haven't had an impact. Berkman said he's noticed from watching video that he's not straightening out his right leg at the plate.

The Dallas Morning News

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