Orioles’ Cobb to miss opener, goes on injured list

The Baltimore Orioles put scheduled opening-day starter Alex Cobb on the 10-day injured list on Monday because of a strained right groin.

He likely will be replaced by Andrew Cashner for Thursday’s game at the New York Yankees. Cobb’s last spring training was cut short after one inning Saturday because of the groin.

Baltimore also placed catcher Austin Wynns on the 10-day IL because of a left oblique strain.

Baltimore also selected the contract of catcher Jesus Sucre from Norfolk of the International League. Sucre, at spring training with a minor league contract, gets a one-year deal paying at the rate of $850,000 in the major leagues and $250,000 in the minors. Outfielder Mark Trumbo, recovering from September surgery on his right knee, was placed on the 60-day injured list, opening a spot on the 40-man roster.

BLUE JAYS

Reliever Daniel Hudson has agreed to a one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that includes a $1.5 million salary while in the major leagues, a deal that followed his release from a minor league deal by the Los Angeles Angels last weekend.

To open a roster spot, the Blue Jays placed second baseman Devon Travis on the 60-day injured list because of an inflamed left knee.

Toronto also agreed to a minor league contract with reliever John Axford, two days after the Blue Jays released him. By cutting him and then bringing him back, the Blue Jays avoided having to pay a $100,000 retention bonus.

A 32-year-old right-hander, Hudson was 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. He struck out 44 and walked 18 in 46 innings.

Axford, a 35-year-old right-hander from Simcoe, Ontario, has a stress reaction in a bone in his right elbow. He was 4-1 with a 5.27 ERA last year for the Blue Jays and Dodgers, who acquired him on July 31.

INDIANS

Cleveland is not sure whether Jose Ramirez will play in Thursday’s opener at Minnesota.

The All-Star third baseman took ground balls at the Indians’ spring training complex in Arizona, a day after he fouled a pitch off the area below his left knee and left the field in a cart. The Indians said he will rejoin the team for a workout on Wednesday.

Manager Terry Francona says Ramirez taking the field is “a pretty good indicator he’s doing all right.”

Ramirez had 39 home runs and 105 RBIs last season, finishing third in AL MVP voting for the second straight year.

ROYALS

Kansas City selected the contract of first baseman Lucas Duda from Triple-A Omaha and waived outfielder Brian Goodwin.

Duda attended spring training with Minnesota on a minor league contract, was released last week and signed a minor league deal with the Royals on Friday. He gets a $1.25 million, one-year contract from Kansas City and the chance to earn $250,000 in performance bonuses.

He hit .242 with 13 homers and 48 RBIs in 87 games for the Royals last season and was traded to Atlanta in August. Duda appeared in 20 games down the stretch, hitting .222 with a homer and two RBIs.

Duda was 0 for 3 in three games during the Braves’ Division Series loss to the Dodgers.

Goodwin hit .200 with three homers and 12 RBIs for the Nationals last season before a late-July trade to Kansas City. He played in 27 games for the Royals, hitting .266 with three homers and 13 RBIs.

Kansas City opens the season Thursday against the Chicago White Sox.

CARDINALS

St. Louis placed five players on the injured list ahead of Thursday’s opener at Milwaukee.

St. Louis said the official reason for Brett Cecil’s designation is carpal tunnel syndrome, though the left-hander also is dealing with arm fatigue and erratic mechanics. Right-hander Carlos Martinez is out with a strained rotator cuff and reliever Luke Gregerson with a right shoulder impingement.

Jedd Gyorko will start the season on IL after dealing with a calf issue for most of March. He was hoping to be ready by opening day but will instead be out until at least April 4.

Justin Williams is on the IL with a fracture in his right hand, though the Cardinals have plenty of depth in the outfield and he will likely head to Triple-A Memphis when he’s ready to go.