Baseball briefs: Cubs’ Byrd has multiple facial fractures

Chicago Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with multiple facial fractures after he was hit by a pitch in Saturday’s win over the Red Sox.

Cubs spokesman Peter Chase said Byrd was released from a Boston hospital and is expected to fly home with the team following Sunday night’s series finale. He is expected to be re-evaluated this week in Chicago and it’s uncertain how long he’ll be sidelined.

Byrd was struck by a fastball on the left side of his head in the area of the ear flap on a 1-2 pitch from Alfredo Aceves.

Chicago recalled right-hander Justin Berg from Triple-A Iowa to take Byrd’s spot on the roster.

Hamilton, Cruz ready to rejoin Rangers

Josh Hamilton went 0 for 4 and Nelson Cruz hit a solo homer in the final game of their minor league rehab assignments before rejoining the Texas Rangers.

The two outfielders are expected to be activated off the disabled list in time for today’s home game against the Chicago White Sox.

Cruz, rehabbing a strained right quadriceps muscle, homered for the third straight day. He also hit a fly ball that was caught at the fence in left field in the first inning.

Tigers move Guillen to 60-day DL

The Detroit Tigers have optioned right-handed reliever Brayan Villarreal to Triple-A Toledo and transferred infielder Carlos Guillen to the 60-day disabled list.

Enrique Gonzalez will take Villarreal’s spot in the bullpen. The 28-year-old began the season in Detroit before being sent down after a rocky start. He’s pitched pretty well in Toledo, going 1-1 with six saves and a 4.22 ERA in 10 appearances.

Villarreal has struggled this month after a solid April. He allowed two runs in a loss to Pittsburgh on Friday.

The 35-year-old Guillen hasn’t played since having microfracture surgery on his left knee last September.

Indians prospect White out 2-3 months

Considered one of the top pitching prospects in Cleveland’s organization, Alex White will be sidelined at least two months with a sprained ligament in his right middle finger, a major setback for the 2009 first-round draft pick.

The 22-year-old White injured his finger while throwing a slider in the third inning of Friday night’s game against Cincinnati.

White, who went 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in three starts, is confident he’ll be back on the mound for Cleveland in 2011.