Masahiro Tanaka is put on the disabled list by the Yankees

Rookie right-hander Masahiro Tanaka was put on the 15-day disabled list by the New York Yankees because of elbow inflammation and has returned to New York to have an MRI exam.

Tanaka gave up five runs and 10 hits in 62/3 innings in a 5-3 loss to the Indians at Cleveland on Tuesday night. The All-Star is 12-4 with a 2.51 earned-run average in 18 starts, but has lost three of his last four outings.

Tanaka began the season 11-1 with a 1.99 ERA, but hasn’t been as effective in his last four starts. He has given up eight home runs in his last five starts.

Red Sox closer Koji Uehara is added to All-Star team

Boston Red Sox closer Koji Uehara was added to the American League roster for the All-Star game, replacing Tanaka.

It’s the first major league All-Star selection for Uehara, 39, an eight-time All-Star in Japan. He is 4-2 with 18 saves and a 1.30 ERA.

A.J. Pierzynski is designated for assignment by Red Sox

Catcher A.J. Pierzynski was designated for assignment by the Red Sox.

Pierzynski, 37, hit .254 with four home runs and 31 runs batted in. He signed an $8.25 million, one-year contract with the Red Sox as a free agent in December.

Royals’ Jason Vargas to have an appendectomy

Left-hander Jason Vargas of the Kansas City Royals was scheduled to have an appendectomy Wednesday night, Manager Ned Yost said.

Yost said Vargas “started really having severe discomfort” around 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Also, Royals All-Star outfielder Alex Gordon was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup because of a sprained right wrist. He will have an MRI exam and see a hand specialist Thursday when the team returns to Kansas City.

Joe Kelly to return to Cardinals rotation Friday

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly is set to return to the rotation Friday from a hamstring injury that sidelined him nearly three months.

Kelly was injured running to first base April 17. He is 1-1 with a 0.59 ERA in three starts heading into the start in Milwaukee.

Pirates’ Starling Marte is put on bereavement list

The Pittsburgh Pirates put outfielder Starling Marte on the bereavement list and slotted Francisco Liriano’s return to the rotation for Sunday.

Liriano has been sidelined since June 11 because of a left oblique strain. He made one minor league rehab start, working six scoreless innings Monday.