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| Daisuke Matsuzaka hurled a gem Tuesday, holding the A's to one run on two hits and no walks while striking out nine. This comes a week after Matsuzaka's start in Japan against Oakland, which was not as successful. Dick-K is looking to prove this year that last season's second-half fade was a fluke, and he's off to a pretty good start. |
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| Kip Wells was solid in a spot start Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out three against his former team, the Cardinals. The righty picked up a no-decision in the 2-1 win. He was making the start because the Rockies chose to not move their pitchers up following Monday's rainout. Wells will head back to the bullpen. |
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| Mike Timlin played catch at a distance of 90 feet Monday, according to MLB.com. The veteran, who is on the DL with a lacerated finger, could return to the Red Sox on April 11. He'll go down to Triple-A Pawtucket to pitch in a few games before that. You can bet that Timlin will be pushing to come back on the 11th, since the Sox will be hosting the Yankees. |
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| Jon Garland had quite a debut for the Angels Tuesday, holding the Twins to just one run on six hits and one walk over eight innings. He did not strike out a batter. It's hard to sustain success with so few strikeouts, but Garland has done just that the last few years. He won't have any troubles getting Ws in Anaheim this year. |
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| Chien-Ming Wang picked up the win in the final home opener at Yankee Stadium Tuesday, limiting the Blue Jays to two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two. He retired 13 on the ground versus five in the air. Wang isn't super fantasy option because of his lack of Ks, but he's sure to pile up wins again this season. |
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| Mark Lowe feels like he's finally all the way back after 2006 surgery on his elbow, according to MLB.com. He retired the only batter he faced in yesterday's win. "I knew I had to keep my composure and prevent the inning from blowing up on us," Lowe said. "My job was to come in and get that last out, which I did." Lowe has a great arm and could end up having some value in deeper AL-only leagues, but he won't be getting any save chances with J.J. Putz around. |
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| Scot Shields tested his right forearm with 31 pitches inside the Metrodome Tuesday. Reggie Willits, who stood in the batter's box to simulate a hitter for Shields, said he thought the reliever looked terrific. "The ball was jumping out of his hand," Willits said on MLB.com. "I didn't expect him to look that good, honestly. His breaking ball had good life, and everything had good movement. He looked like he was full-tilt out there to me." Shields will pitch Thursday for Triple-A Salt Lake and could be activated on Sunday when eligible. It sounds like there's a good chance you will be able to re-insert Shields into your lineup next week. |
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| Ian Kinsler was battling an illness Monday, and now Michael Young and Hank Blalock are sick, according to the Star-Telegram. Both Young and Blalock took two liters of IV fluids, and while neither will take batting practice today, they are expected to be in the lineup. Unless you have a viable alternative, go ahead and keep Blalock in your lineup. |
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| Ian Kinsler was battling an illness Monday, and now Michael Young and Hank Blalock are sick, according to the Star-Telegram. Both Young and Blalock took two liters of IV fluids, and while neither will take batting practice today, they are expected to be in the lineup. You need to play Young if he's in the lineup, regardless of how he feels. |
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| Hideki Matsui is batting eighth for the Yankees tonight after never hitting lower than sixth for them last season. He was slowed this spring while recovering from knee surgery, so perhaps he'll be moved up in the order in due time. Manager Joe Girardi has said that Robinson Cano will stay in the sixth spot, so Matsui could possibly end up in the five spot (where Jason Giambi is hitting tonight) or the seventh spot (where Jorge Posada is hitting). Matsui is manning the DH spot until his knee feels good enough so that he can play the outfield. |
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| Robinson Cano is hitting sixth for the Yankees tonight, and he will stay in that spot going forward, according to MLB.com. "Right now, I'm planning on using him as our sixth hitter as we move forward," manager Joe Girardi said. "It's not so much about what the other guys didn't do, it's more about what Robbie has done and who he is. I like him there, and he'll stay there for right now." Cano hit in the bottom third of the order most of last season, so this is certainly good news for his owners who are expecting Cano to take another step forward this season. |
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| If David DeJesus is forced to go on the DL for his ankle injury, Mitch Maier would likely be recalled to replace him, according to the Kansas City Star. Maier can play center, but Joey Gathright would get most of the playing time if DeJesus is sidelined for a while. |
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| Andy Pettitte threw 75 pitches in a minor-league game Sunday and remains on track to make his season debut against the Rays on Saturday, according to Newsday. If Pettitte should suffer some sort of setback, Darrell Rasner probably would start in his place. The lefty was originally slated to start the team's second game of the season but a sore back pushed him back. It sounds like he'll be good to go this weekend, though. |
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| Manager Joe Maddon said that when veteran Cliff Floyd needs a day off, he'll likely play Eric Hinske at DH and Nathan Haynes in right field, according to the Tampa Tribune. Haynes was claimed off waivers from the Angels last week. He offers a bit of stolen base potential and could be worth a fantasy roster spot should Floyd go down with an injury, which is certainly possible. |
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| The Rays seems set to platoon Jonny Gomes and Eric Hinske in right field, according to the Tampa Tribune. Hinske started the opener against righty Jeremy Guthrie and would presumably start most of the time against right-handers, with Gomes getting the starts against lefties. Gomes should get some time against right-handers, as well. This is obviously bad news for those that were hoping to see what Gomes could do with a full season's worth of at-bats. |
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| J.D. Drew will be available to pinch-hit Tuesday but will not be in the lineup, according to MLB.com. However, the outfielder will be in the lineup on Wednesday. "We'll have him available [Tuesday]," said manager Terry Francona. "Then he'll have another day off [Thursday]. I think he feels OK. There's a little, I think, apprehension, but I think he's doing pretty well. We'll see how he does today." Drew has been dealing with a lower back strain. Hopefully you aren't forced to use Drew in your fantasy lineup, but if you are, it sounds like you'll be getting him back soon. |
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| Jason Kubel will start at DH tonight for the Twins after sitting in favor of Craig Monroe in the opener, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Kubel ripped a double last night while pinch-hitting for Monroe, who was 0-for-3 at the plate. |
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| The Rays have signed Dan Wheeler to a new three-year deal on Tuesday worth $10.5 million, according to the AP. Wheeler will earn $2.8 million in 2008, $3.2 million in 2009 and $3.5 million in 2010. The 2011 option is for $4 million with a $1 million buyout.
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| The Rays have declined Rocco Baldelli's $6 million option for 2009, according to the AP. Baldelli's status for the 2008 season is notably in question due to his mitochondrial disorder. |
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| Bartolo Colon is scheduled to pitch the season opener for Triple-A Pawtuckett on Thursday, according to the AP. Curt Schilling is expected to miss half of the season due to his shoulder injury, meaning Colon could work his way up to the bottom of the Red Sox rotation. |
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| The Indians remain mum about the status of Victor Martinez, except that he is day-to-day with a mild strain, but did mention a few interesting things, according to the AP. Eric Wedge complimented Kelly Shoppach by saying, “Shoppy’s a heck of a player. He’s got a tough job, but prepares himself well. That’s why he was able to come in and contribute like he did. He made a good play at the plate and got a big hit. We’ve got confidence in Shoppy.” The team also mentioned that if Martinez ultimately ends up on the DL, they would bring up either minors leaguers Yamid Haad or Wyatt Toregas to step in as the top backup to Shoppach.
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| The Rays have exercised Crawford's option of $8.25 million for 2009, according to the AP. Crawford, who is earning $5.25 million this year, is one of only 10 major leaguers who have hit .300 or better each of the past three years.
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| Luis Hernandez failed to make an impact on opening day on Monday, as he went 0-for-2 with a strikeout against Tampa Bay. He started at SS and has very big shoes to fill following the departure of Miguel Tejada to Houston. |
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| Matt Albers was hitless over 2 2/3 innings against Tampa Bay on Monday, with one strikeout. He has his season off to a great start as he fights for playing time out of the Orioles' pen. |
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| Josh Beckett had another solid day in his bid to return to the starting rotation on Tuesday, according to Boston.com. Beckett showed no signs of the back ailment that held him from starting the season opener in Japan, as he allowed just two hits in five innings while striking out six. The only run off Beckett came on a solo homer from Yahmed Yema, a Single-A outfielder. Beckett threw 64 pitches on the day, 47 went for strikes. Beckett seems close to returning and can be activated from the DL on Thursday.
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| Gerald Laird has won the starting gig at catcher, but failed to hold his own on opening day as he went 0-for-3 against Seattle. Do you think the team is second guessing their decision to send Jarrod Saltalamacchia down to the minors yet? |
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| Ben Broussard started at 1B against Seattle on opening day Monday, but failed to impress as he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in a 5-2 loss. Broussard enjoyed a solid spring training, but the momentum clearly did not carry into the regular season. |
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| Ian Kinsler should have rested and stayed out of the lineup with his fever on Monday, as he went 1-for-5 with three strikeouts. You have to wonder if Ramon Vazquez would have fared better in their 5-2 loss to Seattle. |
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| Bobby Kielty is likely to stay with the Red Sox, according to the Boston Globe. He is currently at Triple-A Pawtucket, and he should stay with the team and wait for a call-up rather than change teams. Manager Francona commented,"Bobby’s a good fit here. We hope he stays. He does the right things in the clubhouse and on the field.” |
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| David Ortiz talked about his surgically repaired knee on Monday, according to the Boston Globe. He stated, "I just keep working on my knee, man, you know. The surgery is kind of weird. It feels good one day and some other day it feels like [expletive]. I just have to fight through it. That's why I'm putting so much of this lotion on it." |
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| J.D. Drew won't likely play on Tuesday due to his back ailment but could return Wednesday, this according to the Providence Journal. Coco Crisp should continue to man center field while Ellsbury handles right field, until Drew returns. |
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| Mark Grudzielanek underwent an X-Ray on his injured left hand, and it came back negative, according to MLB.com. He was struck on the hand by a Justin Verlander pitch in the fourth inning during action on Monday and Manager Hillman noted, "There was a little bit of swelling there." He also said, "It's great to have that kind of a guy on your team, a veteran that refuses to come out. He didn't even want to come out of the game when I took him out."
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| Akinori Iwamura enjoyed a strong spring training but couldn't carry his momentum into the new season as he went 0-for-5 against Baltimore on opening day, while leaving five men on base. Hopefully he can get back on track soon. |
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| Victor Martinez underwent an MRI on Tuesday (for his hamstring ailment sustained Monday), and while the team didn't offer any news on the results, they did state that they aren't currently contemplating a roster move involving V-Mart, this according to MLB.com. More news on his status will be posted when we hear more. |
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| The team reported that they don't think Ben Zobrist will be ready to play when he is first eligible to come off the disabled list on Saturday, according to the Tampa Tribune. The team wants him to get some at-bats, either in extended spring training or with one of their minor-league affiliates, before activating him. |
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| David DeJesus will undergo an MRI on his injured ankle, according to MLB.com. His ankle is sore and Manager Hillman commented, "He'll have it evaluated and we'll see where we stand. I don't think it's anything to be overly concerned about. Nothing showed on the X-rays." Joey Gathright will cover his spot in the lineup until he is ready to return.
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| Melvin Mora went 0-for-4 with a strikeout against Tampa Bay on Monday. He is under the microscope following a disappointing 2007 campaign, and this is not the fresh start he is looking for. |
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| Matt Garza is set to make his first start with the Rays on Wednesday against Baltimore, according to MLB.com. He was notably the prized prospect acquired in the Delmon Young deal with the Twins, and he ended spring training with a solid 2.45 ERA over six starts. Manager Maddon commented, "He pitched primarily against some of the better teams during Spring Training and I saw some bad swings against him. His stuff is better than I had read about. When you see it in person, I didn't know the actual fastball was that good or the changeup was that good, either. I heard about the breaking ball. I think he understands what was given to him. I think he appreciates the opportunity."
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| Alex Rodriguez is being cornered by Jose Canseco and his steroid allegations, according to the AP. Canseco stated that if A-Rod threatens to sue or goes on television to attack his credibility, he will respond with "MAX," which is a Canadian steroid supplier that he claims A-Rod had relations with in the late 1990's. Canseco added, "I've got the ace in the hole. And he knows it. So there's no way that he's going to fight me. He's trying to make it go away."
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| Kazuo Fukumori displayed poor control on the mound in Monday night's loss to Seattle, as he allowed three runs on two hits over a mere 1/3 of an inning, with two walks (and two wild pitches). He will need to settle down if he wants a big role out of the bullpen this season. |
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| Jon Garland is set to make his Angels' debut on Tuesday, according to The Sports Network. He was a key contributor during Chicago's magical run in 2005, and he is going to be counted on heavily by his new club, namely due to injuries to ace John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar. He will go up against Boof Bonser and the Twins. |
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| Craig Monroe was handed the start at DH over Jason Kubel on Monday, but failed to take advantage and prove his worth as he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout, while leaving three men on base. Kubel went 1-for-1 as a pinch hitter, which hurt Monroe's bid to keep the DH gig even more. |
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| Joe Crede has been slowed by an ankle injury but he was able to play against rival Cleveland on opening day, and seems fine as he went 1-for-5 with a crushing double that hit the center field wall. Crede could have a favorable bounce back year if he can stay healthy, and this was a good start for him. |
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| Travis Hafner had a terrible spring training, but is seemingly back on the right track as he went 1-for-4 with an RBI in a 10-8 win over the White Sox on Monday. He struck out twice, but picking up an RBI in a close game is always a plus. |
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| Daric Barton has been nursing a sore wrist but is expected to play in the A's season opener on Tuesday, according to the SF Chronicle. He has notably reached base in all 20 big-league games in which he has appeared. He has 25 hits and drew 14 walks.
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| Juan Uribe had a tough day at the plate against Cleveland on Monday as he went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts, while leaving three men on base. He started at 2B, but won't stay there for long if he plays like this. |
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| Alex Cintron could be in the mix at SS if Luis Hernandez or Brandon Fahey fail to play up to expectations, according to the Baltimore Sun. Cintron hit .243 over 185 at-bats in 2007. |
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| Alexei Ramirez failed to impress in his White Sox debut on Monday, as he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. He started in CF and hopefully he can bounce back in his next outing. |
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