The Day in Review

With the conclusion of the late games tonight, the month of April will have drawn to a close. There have definitely been some surprises, as always, but in the end all I can say is - it's your last chance to pick up Ichiro! Here are the headlines from the day.

Injury Watch

• Phil Hughes joined A-Rod and Posada on the Yankee DL with an oblique strain. Unfortunately, it's still too early for Joba Chamberlain to join the rotation.
• Chad Cordero will be out 4-6 weeks but will not need surgery for the tear in his latissimus dorsi.
• No word yet on the nature of Tulowitzki's injury, but a DL stint seems probable. Maybe that will right the ship for the Rockies shortstop, who has struggled so far this year.
• John Smoltz says that he will pitch out of the bullpen when he returns. No word on whether he or Bobby Cox (who hasn't said anything about the issue) has the final say. 

Notable Performances

• Geovanny Soto continues to live up to the preseason hype, hitting another 2 HR as the Cubs routed the Brewers.
• Josh Hamilton hit a grand slam. He now has an extra base hit and RBI in 5 straight games, with no strikeouts in those five.
• Chase Utley hit another HR to give him 11 for the month of April. It's hard to imagine him slowing down, because the additions of Rollins, Victorino, and Howard (who isn't hurt but can't hit anything right now) to the Philadelphia lineup can only help him.
• Chad Billingsley threw well tonight, as did Andy Sonnanstine. Sonnanstine's performance may keep him in the rotation after Scott Kazmir returns.

And, of course, Wladimir Balentin and Jeff Clement were both called up by Seattle. Clement could get some appearances and quickly pick up catcher eligibility, while Balentin hit a homer in his debut tonight. 

That's what you need to know about the day.