MLB news roundup: Miguel Cabrera could return Wednesday; Yasiel Puig out Tuesday

Miguel Cabrera could resume assaulting opposing pitchers as soon as Wednesday. Yasiel Puig will have to wait at least until then.

by Bryan Kilpatrick

Sep 3, 2013, 12:30 PM UTC

Dave Reginek

Here are injury updates on a Triple Crown contender, a trio of star outfielders and much more in today’s MLB news roundup:

Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera missed his third consecutive game due to an abdominal injury, but his encouraging batting practice session on Monday has the Tigers believing he'll be ready to go on Wednesday, per MLB.com's Jason Beck.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig won't play Tuesday after suffering a mild knee strain on Monday against the Colorado Rockies. Don Mattingly doesn't seem concerned about the long-term effects of Puig's injury, per MLB.com's Ken Gurnick.
Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was scratched from his rehab start for Triple-A Colorado Springs due to a setback with his sprained right middle finger, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Gonzalez has been out of action since Aug. 4 with the injury. Surgery isn't in the cards, says Renck, but Gonzalez might have to consider adjusting the way he grips the bat.
Corey Dickerson, who has garnered significant playing time in Gonzalez's absence, left the Rockies' game against the Dodgers on Monday with knee tendonitis, per Renck, after limping into second base on an eighth-inning double. Another hobbled Rockies outfielder, Dexter Fowler, could return to the lineup soon, Renck adds.
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina left in the fifth inning of the team's loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Monday with a sore wrist. He has been listed as day-to-day. Molina has already served a stint on the disabled list this season due to a knee injury.
Molina's teammate, Carlos Beltran, was out of the lineup for the second straight day due to back tightness. Beltran hasn't played since being pulled from the Cardinals' game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the seventh inning on Saturday. Allen Craig started in Beltran's place on Monday. He went 0-for-4.
The Pittsburgh Pirates, who own a one-game lead over the Cardinals in the National League Central, might have the services of Wandy Rodriguez later this month, albeit as a reliever. Rodriguez, who has arthritis in his left elbow, hasn't pitched since June 5. Rodriguez made one relief appearance a year ago. It was his first since 2006.
Chicago White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery on Thursday. Flowers, who has been hampered by the injury for about a year, hit just .195/.247/.355 in 275 plate appearances before being replaced by Josh Phegley.
New York Mets pitcher Jon Niese will not miss any time after leaving his start on Sunday against the Washington Nationals with a calf injury. Niese was apparently just dealing with a cramp and will make his next scheduled start.