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MLB Daily Dish May 20: Michael Cuddyer, Jason Motte, Miguel Tejada, Carlos Marmol

Each weekday morning, we'll provide you with a recap of everything you need to know transaction-wise from yesterday in the baseball world. Injuries, rumors, signings and more—you'll find them all right here.

Christian Petersen

Roster Moves

  • The Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Brandon Cumpton to Triple-A Indianapolis following the team's doubleheader, while the New York Yankees did the same with right-hander Jose Ramirez, sending him back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Rumors

Michael Cuddyer went 0 for 1 with a walk in his first and only appearance with the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox, and he's set to be activated prior to the Rockies game again the San Francisco Giants in Denver on Tuesday. The Rockies have the day off on Monday.

Cuddyer was placed on the 15 day DL on April 22nd (retroactive to April 18th) due to a hamstring issue, and while it initially looked like the loss of their starting RF may be a costly one for Colorado, the Rockies ripped off an impressive 17-11 record without him.  The veteran was hitting .317/.373/.533 with 3 HR and 10 RBI through the first 16 games he'd played prior to his injury, and while there's nothing shameful about any of those numbers, the outfield conglomeration cobbled together by the Rockies in his absence has been every bit as effective, if not more so.

The 31-year-old will not return to his former role as the team's closer. Manager Mike Matheny is likely to bring Motte along slowly as far as high-leverage situations go.Trevor Rosenthal is expected to be the club's long-term closer despite the fact that he has a 4.98 ERA and has walked over 14 percent of the hitters he has faced.

While Motte isn't likely to save many games, he could be extremely helpful to a Cardinals bullpen that ranks 22nd in the league in pen ERA so far. In 260 career innings, Motte has posted a 2.87 ERA with 273 strikeouts and 77 walks. In 2012, his only full season as St. Louis' closer, he saved a league-leading 42 games.

Signings

  • The Miami Marlins released right-hander Carlos Marmol and officially signed free agent shortstop Miguel Tejada to a minor league contract, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman. The Marlins also signed free agent right-hander Alex Sanabia to a minor league contract.

Trades

Miscellaneous

  • Rehab Assignments: Justin Ruggiano (Iowa)