The Hot Corner, Cinco de Mayo edition

“It’s a new league rule,’’ [Marlins manager Fredi] Gonzalez said when asked why Amezaga was replacing [Cameron] Maybin. “On Cinco de Mayo, you’ve got to play all the Mexican and Mexican-America players you have on your team. We may even pitch (Ricky) Nolasco.’’

Speaking of Cameron Maybin, Gonzalez says the Marlins "haven’t even discussed it (sending him down to minors). I think we need to keep playing him. I think we got to run him out there and play him.’’

The Oakland A's have sent Dana Eveland (1-2, 7.40 ERA) to Triple-A Sacramento as Ben Copeland rejoins the team from the 15-day DL.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis is out against the Yankees tonight with tightness in his left side.

The Detroit Tigers have placed Carlos Guillen on the 15-day DL due to shoulder inflammation.

Tigers CF Curtis Granderson was dropped from leadoff to fifth in the batting order and Magglio Ordonez from third to sixth. On the permanency of the moves, Tigers manager Jim Leyland said "I'm not answering that."

The Arizona Diamondbacks could activate SS Stephen Drew either Tuesday or Wednesday next week after Drew completes his rehab stint.

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert "I'm not a machine" Pujols was named N.L. Player of the Month by hitting .337 with eight home runs, 28 RBI and 22 runs scored.

Rays ace Scott Kazmir on struggles past two games: "I just wasn't feeling like myself at all; really haven't for a while," he said. "It kind of feels like I'm not using my lower body at all, cutting things off, flying things open, having to use just my arm. That's how the ball is coming out flat and not really hitting my location. If it is, it's kind of a good pitch to hit because the hitters can see it well."

Philadelphia Phillies 2B Chase Utley sat out of Tuesday's game against the Cardinals with a bone bruise in his right foot.

Ken Griffey Jr. will be out the Mariners lineup for "a day or two" with an "inflamed colon." Ouch.

An ex-girlfriend of Roberto Alomar withdrew her $15 million civil lawsuit against Alomar, in which she accused the former All-Star of forcing unprotected sex and that he had AIDS (which he denies). Alomar's attorney says the withdrawal of the case "speaks for itself. It is over."

Washington Nationals reliever Joe Beimel will be activated for tomorrow's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Matt Capps to miss a few games with elbow injury

Per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pirates closer Matt Capps has good news and bad news.

The bad news: Capps has an elbow injury and he will miss a few games.

The good news: His elbow is "structurally fine" and he's not expected to miss an extended period of time. Pirates manager John Russell says that Capps "could be pitching again by this weekend."

On the season, Capps has five saves and an ERA of 7.56. After not giving up any runs in his first six appearances, he has allowed seven runs in his last three appearances (2 2/3 innings).

Greinke, Santana are April's pitchers of the month

Kansas City Royals ace Zach Grienke was named the A.L. pitcher of the month for April. He was a perfect 5-0 in the month allowing only two earned runs in 36 innings pitched.

Grienke beat out Felix Hernandez (Mariners), Tim Wakefield (Red Sox) and Roy Halladay (Blue Jays).

So far in May, he's picking up where he left off. He's now 6-0 and has lowered his ERA to 0.40 after pitching a complete game shutout last night.

However, he doesn't believe he's the best pitcher in baseball.

“I think Johan (Santana) and Roy Halladay are the two best pitchers,” Greinke said. “Without a doubt. You’ve got to do it for at least three years. That’s my (guideline). When you do it for three years, then you can put your name in stuff like that.”

Speaking of Santana, he was named the N.L. pitcher of the month for April.

Santana went 3-1 in April with an ERA of 1.10. He struck out 44 batters in 32 2/3 innings.

He beat out Chad Billingsley (Dodgers), Dan Haren (Diamondbacks), Heath Bell (Padres) and Ryan Franklin (Cardinals).