Red Sox have no interest in Matsuzaka-Fukudome swap - MLB

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune tweeted earlier today that the Cubs have been “kicking around” the idea of swapping outfielder Kosuke Fukudome in a package for Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka. If the Cubs have indeed been exploring such a deal, they should stop now.

Whether you prefer MLB Network’s Peter Gammons, the Boston Herald’s Michael Silverman or Sean McAdam of CSN New England, the Red Sox are saying through a variety of sources that they have no interest in a swap.

Matsuzaka has struggled through the past few seasons in a Red Sox uniform and is probably going to be shopped around the league this winter, but Fukudome simply doesn’t fit with Boston’s roster makeup.

Fukudome is owed $13.5 million next season and would only serve as a platoon player in the Sox’s already crowded and talented outfield.

Rumor debunked.

LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and Tommy Kahnle appear set to rejoin the New York Yankees ahead of their series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York cleared three roster spots, saying that infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero had been optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook after a 1-0 loss at Seattle.

Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.

Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.

Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.

Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton potentially returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.