Brandon Lyon to undergo season-ending surgery next week - MLB

Astros reliever Brandon Lyon got bad news about the status of his right biceps muscle last week from Dr. Lewis Yocum. Today, it was confirmed that the right-hander is going to need season-ending surgery.

According to Alyson Footer, who serves as the Astros’ director of social media, the procedure will be performed next Thursday by Dr. James Andrews.

Lyon signed a three-year, $15 million contract with Houston in December of 2009 and opened the 2011 season at closer, but he allowed 27 hits and 17 runs in 13 1/3 innings before landing on the disabled list for good on June 9. Mark Melancon is expected to finish out the year in the Astros’ ninth inning role.

One of these days, major league teams might figure out that handing multi-year contracts to relievers is not a great strategy. Lyon is making a hefty $5.25 million this year and is owed $5.5 million in 2012.

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.