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| Brad Hawpe launched his first long ball of the season on Wednesday night for the Rockies as he platted two runners on the night. Hawpe, who quietly put up 29 HR and 116 RBI last season, is likely the best number six hitter in the National League and he should continue to drive in runs in a potent Colorado attack. |
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| Todd Wellemeyer struck out six batters in five innings for the Cardinals on his way to his first victory of the season. Wellemeyer allowed only one run on the night though he did allow seven baserunners. The Cardinals are in desperate need of arms in the starting rotation, and this is exactly the type of performance they were hoping to get from Todd. |
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| Ryan Ludwick had three hits and three RBI from the second spot in the Cardinals order on Wednesday in his first start of the season. Ludwick is a hard nosed player who figures to find at-bats in a Tony LaRussa lineup, though it remains to be seen whether he will accrue enough to be anything more than an outfielder in deep NL Only leagues. |
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| Rick Ankiel homered, had two singles, and made a diving catch in the Cardinals victory over the Rockies. Ankiel will certainly have his share of ups and downs this season, but he would still appear to be a hitter with the potential to offer a whole lot of offense from the fifth spot in the Cardinals lineup. |
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| Carlos Beltran knocked three doubles on Wednesday giving him a whopping total of five two-baggers in just three games. Beltran scored twice in the game and it appears that the concerns surrounding his knees may have been slightly overblown as he has looked solid at the plate, and in the field, so far. |
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| Ryan Church lined a home run into the right field seats and picked up two other hits on Wednesday for the Mets. Church also had two other hits and knocked in three runs on the day. Given 500 AB, there is no reason to think that Church will fail to turn in a 20 HR, 80 RBI season, and if he is able to reach those levels he would seem to be a fine depth outfielder. |
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| David Wright, in what will likely be the first of many huge games this season, went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI on Wednesday. Wright, who totaled just six RBI all of last April, already has six RBI this season. |
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| Oliver Perez limited the Marlins to just five hits and one walk in six innings on Wednesday to pick up his first victory of the season for the Mets. Perez was dominating on the night with eight punchouts as he channeled his inner Johan Santana. Perez will have to step up to fill the void with the loss of Pedro Martinez, but he will do just fine if he continues to pitch like this. |
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| Andrew Miller lost his first start of the season by allowing five runs in 4.1 innings on eight hits and two walks. Miller also showed flashes of his dominating stuff with six strikeouts on the night, but he needed 90 pitches to make it through less than five innings. Until he learns to throw more quality strikes, Miller will likely struggle to be a productive fantasy hurler though there is no disputing the fact that he certainly possesses the stuff to be a dominating starter. |
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| Brandon Phillips went deep on Wednesday night as he was able to record two hits, two RBI and two runs scored for the Reds. Phillips, universally regarded as the second best option at second base this season, will once again target another 30/30 season from second base this year from while batting in the cleanup spot. |
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| Jeff Keppinger went 3-for-3 at the plate and stole a base from the second spot in the order for the Reds. Keppinger surely will give way to Alex Gonzalez once his knee is healthy, but that doesn't mean that Keppinger won't continue to hold his value in NL Only leagues as Dusty Baker is famous for playing the hot hand. |
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| Chris Young was 1-for-2 on Wednesday while he scored twice, walked three times and stole a base. About the only part of Young's offensive game that is a real negative is his ability to control the strike zone, so if he can coax a few more walks, while cutting down on his strikeouts, he would certainly have a great shot at going 30/30 this season. |
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| Though it was just one pitch, it was hit an awfully long way and the result was that Brandon Lyon picked up his first loss and blown save of the season on Wednesday night. Edwin Encarnacion hit the game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth, and the whispers of Tony Pena taking over the closing duties in Arizona are already starting to grow. |
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| In the first official start of his D'backs career, Dan Haren allowed three runs on four hits and a walk on Wednesday. Haren was solid throughout but two mistakes were hit for home runs ruining his outing. Still, he was able to make it through six innings on just 90 pitches and showed flashes of being the dominant pitcher that he is. |
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| Edwin Encarnacion rebounded from an early error to hit a game-winning home run for the Reds in the bottom of the ninth inning on Wednesday night. Encarnacion struck out twice on the night and will have to manage the strike zone better to reach the heights that some are predicting for him this season. With health, Encarnacion has a solid chance to be a top-15 third basemen this season. |
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| Freddy Sanchez went 2-for-4 on Wednesday to increase his season average to .556 (5-for-9). So much for his shoulder bothering him huh? Sanchez will hit .300 and hopefully provide enough pop to make him a standout at the second base position this year. |
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| Yunel Escobar upped his average to .455 with a 2-for-3 outing on Wednesday night. Escobar also had a run scored and three RBI from the number two hole in the Braves lineup. Atlanta is counting on Escobar being able to replace the numbers that Edgar Renteria provided, and Escobar is certainly off to a good start toward accomplishing that goal through the first couple of days of the season. |
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| Martin Prado, starting in place of an injured Kelly Johnson, went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI on Wednesday. Though Johnson appears to be close to returning from his injured knee, Braves manager Bobby Cox has a long memory and outings like this will certainly lead to Prado picking up at-bats even when Johnson is back in the lineup. |
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| Tom Gorzelanny picked up a loss on Wednesday night as he allowed three runs on six hits and three walks over six innings. Gorzelanny lead the Pirates with 14 victories last season, and there is no disputing that his future is bright if he can avoid the injury concerns that have been present with him the past few years. |
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| Jair Jurrjens picked up his first victory in a Braves uniform as he limited the Pirates to just two runs in 5.1 innings. Jurrjens allowed seven hits and a walk on the night in a solid, but brief, first outing. With each solid outing, the prospects of Jurrjens remaining in the starting rotation will continue to grow. |
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| Cristian Guzman had two hits on Wednesday from the leadoff spot for the Nationals. Ronnie Belliard went 0-for-4 to lower his average on the early year to .083, but unless his glove fails him, it doesn't seem like he has to fear losing playing time to Felipe Lopez. Guzman owns a career .263 batting average but has somehow managed to hit .330 over his last 288 AB for the Nationals dating back to the start of the 2007 season. |
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| Ryan Zimmerman hit his second home run of the young season and posted his third RBI for the Nationals on Wednesday. Zimmerman is looking to take the next step this year to join the elite third basemen in the league, and he is well on his way to a solid start that will help him to accomplish that goal this season. |
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| Shane Victorino went 0-for-4 on Wednesday and is now 0-for-7 on the young season. A lot is expected from Victorino this year, but as long as he can find some way to get on base, hitting from the second hole, he would seem like a lock to score 100 runs with Chase Utley and Ryan Howard batting directly behind him. |
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| Cole Hamels was at times spectacular on Wednesday night as he needed only 103 pitches to make it through eight innings against the Nationals. Hamels did pick up his first loss of the season despite allowing just one run and five hits, while he punched out six National batters. If Hamels can stay healthy and pitch 200-innings for the first time in his life, he could very well threaten for the Cy Young award in the National League. |
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| Tim Redding kept the mighty Phillies lineup in check on Wednesday night as he limited the Phils to just one hit and no runs in seven innings. Redding, who walked three and struck out two, continues to live or die by his control, and there is just no way to predict long term success for a guy who has 66 K and 54 BB the past three seasons, but he was sharp on this night. |
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| Jon Rauch picked up his first save of the season with a perfect ninth inning on Wednesday night. Rauch is a useful middle reliever, but he becomes an intriguing pickup with Chad Cordero on the shelf. Plus, there are rumors circulating that when Cordero is healthy he could be traded, and if that were to occur Rauch's value would go through the roof so consider keeping him on your roster even after Cordero returns. |
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| Chad Tracy is still working his way back into game shape with agility drills and running, but he is getting antsy to return to game action, this according to MLB.com. The timeline goes something like this: Tracy running the bases in 8-10 days, then getting about 30-40 AB in the minors before joining the big league club. That all means that Tracy shouldn't be expected back before the start of May. |
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| Kelly Johnson was forced to miss the Braves game on Wednesday because of a strained right knee, though feels he will miss little time and be back in the lineup soon, a sentiment echoed by manager Booby Cox, this according to MLB.com. "We'll give him a day off and see if we can get it to calm down." Martin Prado will likely start in Johnson's absence, though it sounds like he won't miss too much time. |
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| Mike Rabelo, on the DL with an injured knee, will be able to play in a minor league game on Thursday, this according to MLB.com. Rabelo will catch about five innings and continue to work his way back into game shape with a target date of mid-April for his return to the big league club. Rabelo hit .256 last year with one home run in 168 AB last season, so even when he is healthy he looks like he would be best served being a catcher in NL Only leagues. |
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| Jeremy Hermida, on the DL with an injured left hamstring, will play a minor league game on Thursday, this according to MLB.com. Hermida also hopes to play on Friday, and if all goes well he could be activated as soon as Saturday. On just about every sleeper list this season after his strong finish last year, Hermida simply needs to stay healthy to prove he is worth a darn because talent without playing time is basically useless in fantasy baseball. |
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| Freddy Sanchez, troubled by his surgically repaired shoulder all spring training, reports that his shoulder is finally pain-free, this according to MLB.com. In order to ease the pain, he has adopted a new throwing motion. "Obviously, I don't feel too comfortable with it," he said. "But I am on the field and can throw the ball and it doesn't hurt. Hopefully, maybe, as time goes on and I strengthen it and it feels better, then I get to where my normal arm slot is, or closer to it." Sanchez was able to hit all spring even with the injury, so as long as he is pain free on defense he should be able to produce the .300+ average we have come to expect from him. |
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| Alex Gonzalez was able to take batting practice on Wednesday while wearing a brace on his injured left knee, this according to MLB.com. "I've come along pretty good," said Gonzalez. "I feel just a little bit of pain. It's almost gone. I'm doing a lot of stuff with my leg to get it stronger. Maybe next week I'll start jogging a little bit." Jeff Keppinger will continue to man the shortstop position until Gonzalez returns to action though there is no timetable set on that front as of this writing. |
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| Chad Cordero (shoulder) is closer to returning to action and he hopes to play catch on Thursday to test out how the cortisone shot he received worked, this according to MLB.com. "My arm feels a lot better," Cordero said. "They just want to wait one more day to throw. I'll start throwing again [Thursday]." Joe Rauch will continue to fill the closers role until Cordero can return to the lineup. |
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| Alfonso Soriano returned to his familiar leadoff role on Wednesday as the Cubs moved Ryan Theriot back into the second hole, this according to a report on MLB.com. "It's something I've been thinking about since the end of spring training, and we'll go with it," manager Lou Piniella said. "Soriano is running better. We'll put him in the leadoff hole, where he's more comfortable, and let him hit there." Soriano will hit no matter where he is in the lineup, you can be sure of that, the question is how healthy are his legs and will they allow him to run like he has in the past? |
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| Manny Ramirez missed a golden opportunity to pad the stat line today, going 0-for-4 with eight men left on base against the Oakland A's. It's early, but it's rare to see ManRam come up short like this. The RBI machine won't fail fantasy owners so poorly in the future. |
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| Huston Street continues to frustrate fans and fantasy owners, putting another lackluster performance on the field in Oakland's 0-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox. Street allowed a home run in his only inning of work with all three of his outs coming on fly balls. For Street, that's two homers surrendered in 2 2/3 innings, and you can hear the cry of fantasy owners across the globe as the search for a reliable AL closer continues. |
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| Derrek Lee hit his first home run of the season on Wednesday as he went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Lee has a lot to prove his year after a merely solid 2007 (.317-22-82) that was a far cry from his .335-46-107 numbers in the 2005 season. Lee will be a valuable piece this season, but he really needs to return to his running ways to offer the value many drafted him for (he has only 14 SB the past two seasons). |
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| Bob Howry allowed two runs and three hits on Wednesday, and after two appearances this season his ERA stands at 11.57. With Kerry Wood also struggling in the pen to start the year, Carlos Marmol owners are starting to flash a shy smile thinking that his value could be on the upswing very soon. |
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| Jason Kendall went 3-for-4 on Wednesday with one run scored and two RBI from the ninth hole in the Brewers lineup. Kendall also stole a base in a fantastic all-around effort, so perhaps that off-season surgery on his eyes will allow Kendall to once again be a useful fantasy option at the catchers spot. |
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| Rich Harden was limited by a strictly enforced pitch count (do not fear, he is not injured) in his second outing today, working just 5 innings in today's 5-0 shutout loss to the Boston Red Sox. Despite the short stint on the mound, Harden looked solid, allowing no runs on just four hits, walking four but striking out 6. This brings Harden to 11 innings over two starts, allowing a total of just one run on seven hits with 15 strike outs, touting an ERA of 0.82 with a .179 BAA. |
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| Pedro Martinez could be sidelined up to 4-6 weeks with his hamstring strain, this according to a report on Newsday. Pedro has been placed on the DL so we will await word of how long he will be sidelined, but it appears that you shouldn't be counting on Pedro offering anything for at least the rest of the month and possibly well into May. The Mets will now have to hope that Mike Pelfrey can come through as Orlando Hernandez is still working his way back into shape. |
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| Corey Hart had a hit, a walk, a run scored, an RBI and two steals on Wednesday for the Brewers. A year after surprising many by going 20/20, Hart may have designs on going 30/30 this season, and given that he will hit in the heart of a potent Brewers attack he figures to be a productive hitter all season long. |
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| Ryan Braun had three hits, one RBI, and one run scored on Wednesday to up his season average to .400 in 10 at-bats. Nothing less than a .300-35-120 season is expected from Braun this season, though in order to reach that level it would be nice to see him work on his plate discipline as he still strikes out too often without taking enough walks. |
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| Rickie Weeks went 1-for-6 while leaving seven runners on base on Monday, but he also hit a home run in the Brewers victory over the Cubs. Weeks, who with health figures to be a top-10 second baseman this season, could be a poor man's Alfonso Soriano this season with the potential to change a game with his power, or speed, from the top of the lineup. |
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| Jeff Suppan won his first game of the season by allowing only two runs in 6.1 innings against the Cubs on Wednesday. Suppan, who allowed eight base runners while striking out only two batters, figures to be a back of the rotation filler in mixed leagues as he should provide double digit wins, though his ratios and strikeout totals could well be below below the league average for a starting pitcher. |
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| Bronson Arroyo will take the hill on Wednesday against Dan Haren of the Diamondbacks, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Arroyo had a solid spring training and Haren was a prized off-season acquisition for Arizona, so this should be a good pitcher's duel. |
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| Paul Bako will be the starting catcher for the Reds on Wednesday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. He needs to take advantage of the playing time and perform well while David Ross is on the DL. |
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| Scott Hatteberg will ride the pine on Wednesday in favor of Joey Votto, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. This should be a platoon this season, until one outplays the other. |
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| Joey Votto will get the start at first base on Wednesday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Scott Hatteberg will ride the pine today, and Votto needs a strong performance to earn more playing time as he had a mediocre spring training. |
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| Wes Helms has been released by the Phillies, according to MLB.com. The team designated him for assignment, and he has 10 days to shed his contract. Helms is owed $2.9 million this season, $2.15 million in salary, and another $750,000 in a buyout. After 10 days, any team can sign Helms for the Major League minimum of $390,000. Helms has been pushed out of the mix by new addition Pedro Feliz, and the team tried all Spring Training to deal Helms to another team.
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| Jorge De La Rosa has cleared waivers, according to the Kansas City Star. He cleared waivers on Wednesday afternoon, and accepted an assignment by the Royals to Triple-A Omaha.
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| Carlos Zambrano should be fine, he just needs to eat more bananas, according to MLB.com. He was forced out of his first start of the season due to cramps, but the team determined that it was caused by a low potassium level. Manager Piniella stated that it is something that shouldn't occur again. |
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| Tom Gorzelanny will take the hill tonight as Pittsburgh battles Atlanta, according to the Sports Network. He led the Pirates with 14 wins last season, and earned a no decision in his last meeting with Atlanta. |
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| Chad Cordero could be on the Tigers' radar, according to the Washington Examiner. A source close to the team claims that the Tigers have contacted Nats GM Jim Bowden about acquiring Cordero. The talks could heat up as the Tigers' bullpen is thinned out by injuries and closer Todd Jones is on the decline. |
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| Eugenio Velez is expected to fill in for Ray Durham at second base Wednesday, according to MLB.com. The speedster is 2-for-2 at the dish thus far and is worth a start in daily transactions leagues if you are looking for some steals. |
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| Dave Roberts will not be in the outfield for Wednesday's game with the Dodgers, according to MLB.com. He has been battling a sore left knee and struck out in his final two at-bats on Tuesday. |
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| Ray Durham will not start on Wednesday, according to MLB.com. He is only 1-for-6 at the plate so far, and on Tuesday he dove to smother pinch-hitter Delwyn Young's ninth-inning grounder (with two outs) but couldn't come up with the ball cleanly and threw to first as Rafael Furcal scored the winning run. Durham was also shaken up in the eighth inning, as he landed hard on his left shoulder as James Loney broke up a double play. Bochy commented, "He had a lot of action out there tonight (Tuesday), so he's going to get a day off." Eugenio Velez is expected to replace Durham in the lineup. |
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| Gabe Kapler is going to get the start in center field on Wednesday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Brewers are facing lefty Ted Lilly today, and Kapler may get the start among most lefties this season. |
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| Andre Ethier went 3-for-5 against the Giants on Tuesday, while drawing one walk. The team really likes him, as they are trying him out as a possible flex option for first base. |
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| Takashi Saito nailed down his first save of the season on Tuesday, as he hurled a perfect inning against the Giants, with three strikeouts. This was a tremendous start to the season for him. |
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| Matt Cain pitched well in a no decision against the Dodgers on Tuesday as he threw 5.2 scoreless innings, with only three hits allowed. He had four walks with five strikeouts and it was a good outing for him, in a game that the Giants lost 3-2. Cain has the tools to be an effective starter this season, and this was a solid way for him to start 2008. |
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| Brandon Backe was dealt his first loss of the season on Tuesday as he allowed two runs on five hits over five innings, with three walks and three strikeouts. It was a good outing for him, but Houston only allowed one run of support in a 2-1 loss. |
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| Chris Young earned his first win of the season against Houston on Tuesday, as he only allowed one run on five hits over 5.2 innings of work, with five walks and three strikeouts. His walks were high but it was still a good win for him, as San Diego downed Houston 2-1. |
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| Mark Prior pitched batting practice in Peoria on Tuesday, according to the North County Times. He is nursing a shoulder strain and isn't expected to return to the Padres until at least June. |
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| Andre Ethier is practicing fielding grounders at first base, according to LA Daily News. Joe Torroe stated that this would give him another lineup option on days when James Loney needs a rest. |
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| Derek Lowe is expected to be fine, according to the LA Daily News. He is fine, and just had a minor bruise below his left calf after a line drive knocked him out of the game on Tuesday. |
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| Jason Schmidt is expected to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, according to InsideLocal.com. He is expected to throw a bullpen session, but still isn't going to be back for several weeks, as he recovers from shoulder surgery. |
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| Skip Schumaker went 0-for-3 in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Colorado. He is batting lead-off and will have to be productive quickly if he plans on keeping his spot at the top of the order. |
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| Albert Pujols went 1-for-4 against Colorado on Tuesday. It wasn't a great game for him, but at least he is playing healthy right now. |
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| Randy Flores pitched well against Colorado on Tuesday, as he threw one hitless inning, with one walk and two strikeouts. This was a good performance for him as he fights for playing time out of the bullpen. |
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| Andy LaRoche had his cast removed on Tuesday, according to the LA Times. He had the cast and three pins removed from his surgically repaired right thumb on Tuesday, and an X-ray revealed that his torn tendon has healed favorably. LaRoche took ground balls during pregame warmups, but stated that he didn't know when he would be able to hit or throw again. Following his surgery on March 10, LaRoche was expected to be out for a minimum of six weeks.
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| Manny Corpas recorded his first save of the season on Tuesday, as he held St. Louis hitless over his inning of work, in a tight 2-1 win. The Rockies' closer is off to a good start. |
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| Miguel Tejada was aggressive on the bases on Monday, but was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double, which was fine by Manager Cooper, this according to the Houston Chronicle. Cooper stated, "He should be aggressive, and I would never ever say don't be. That's the way you should play."
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| Troy Glaus went 0-for-4 with a strikeout against Colorado on Tuesday. Glaus is going to play a reduced amount of games to keep him healthier this season, and this was a terrible outing for him. |
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| Chris Duncan is hitting better now following a dismal spring training, as he went 1-for-3 against Colorado on Tuesday, with one walk and no strikeouts. His job in left field is seemingly safe again. |
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| Garrett Atkins went 0-for-3 against St. Louis on Tuesday, but did draw one walk. Atkins is a rising star and will bounce back fine. |
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| Brewers' Manager Ned Yost praised Kosuke Fukudome after he went 3-for-3 with a homer on opening day, according to MLB.com. Yost stated after the game, "We still don't have that kid figured out. We thought we did, a little bit, but he changed his approach today compared to the times we saw him in Spring Training. He was a different hitter today. We kind of have to go back to the drawing board on this guy. He's an awful smart player if he was hiding something, because we thought we had him figured out. He was totally different in his approach. We'll look at it." This is encouraging news for those who took a chance on Fukodome in the fantasy draft.
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