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| Mark Teixeira went 0-for-3 on Monday night to drop his average to just .172 through 29 AB this season. It's no time to panic if you own Teixeira, though it certainly would be nice to see him produce a few more hits. The good news is that he still has two home runs and five RBI in seven games on the year. |
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| Matt Holliday finally made a splash on Monday night as hit a 2-run home run to lead the Rockies to a 2-1 victory. Holliday is still hitting only .192 on the year, but this will likely be just the start of another fantastic offensive display from Holliday in '08. |
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| Carl Crawford went 0-for-4 on Monday to drop his average to .148 in 27 AB this season. Crawford will bounce back from this slow start and when he does pity the pitchers who get in his way. Bide your time until that occurs. |
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| Jonny Gomes hit his second home run of the season on Monday night for the Rays. Gomes now has two HR and five RBI in just eight AB on the year which begs the question; why does he have only eight AB on the year? |
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| Hideki Matsui had two hits and two RBI on Monday night for the Yankees. Matsui is now hitting .375 with six RBI though seven games as his knee hasn't gotten in the way of him spraying balls all over the field. |
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| Bobby Abreu had a big night on Monday as he went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI for the Yankees. Abreu is often overlooked due to his declining home run totals, but hitting in the third spot in the Yankees order should pretty much guarantee him a shot at 90 RBI and 90 runs, numbers he has reached in each of the past five seasons. |
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| Jason Hammel worked his way through six innings against the Yankees on Monday as he allowed eight hits and a walk on his way to limiting the Bronx Bombers to four runs on the night. About what we expected. Hammel is nothing more than an end of the rotation hurler at this point, and given his poor 1.60 K/BB ratio in his short career, it might be considered an accomplishment that he allowed only four runs on this night. |
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| Mike Mussina earned his first victory of the season, the 251st of his career, to tie Bob Gibson for 42nd on the all-time list on Monday night. Mussina was sharp as he mixed his pitches all night allowing only one run over six innings against the Rays. Mussina will live on the edge all season as his stuff has declined to the point that his margin of error is razor thin. |
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| Francisco Liriano will make his second minor league start this Tuesday, and if that outing goes well he could return to pitch for the Twins on Sunday if Kevin Slowey (biceps) is unable to go, this according to MLB.com. "First, we've got to see how [Liriano] does," Gardenhire said. "Then we'll make a decision on what we'll do. He should be stretched out to pretty close to 100 pitches tomorrow. Then we'll make a decision after the ballgame as to what we're going to do next. If it goes good, bring him up here." Even if he isn't called up later this week it appears that Liriano is very close to making his 2008 major league debut, so if you drafted him this season you are about ready to start reaping the reward for your patience. |
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| Kevin Slowey is still working his way back from an injured biceps muscle as he hasn't picked up a ball since last Thursday, this according to MLB.com. "It feels better now than it did when I hurt it," Slowey said. "I at least know that I'm progressing. Whether I'm 100 percent right now or I'll be 100 percent in a day or two, we'll see." Slowey will throw on Monday and Tuesday to see if he will be available to make a start this Sunday in Kansas City. |
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| Cliff Floyd was scratched from a start on Monday because of soreness in his right knee, this according to the AP. Floyd is hitting .333-2-5 in four games this season, but his talent has never been in question. Floyd just cannot stay healthy having totaled 400 AB only once in the past five years. If you are counting on more than 350 AB from Floyd, it's already time to go with Plan B. |
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| Derek Jeter was forced to leave the Yankees game on Monday after injuring his left quadriceps. There is no word on the severity of the injury, but the fact that he stayed in the game for a half-inning on defense after the injury occurred would seem to mean that this could be a short-term issue. Stay tuned for an update. |
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| Pat Neshek had an awful outing on Monday as he allowed three runs on three hits in just 0.2 innings to pick up his first blown save of the season for the Twins. Last season in 74 appearances, Neshek allowed three earned runs only twice so don't expect another repeat of this outing any time soon. |
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| Nick Blackburn had another strong outing on Monday as he held the White Sox to only two runs in five innings for the Twins. Blackburn has looked solid with 11 K and just three BB over his first 12 innings and this start bodes well for him being a potentially solid starter in AL Only leagues. |
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| Jermaine Dye continued his hot start by picking up two more hits on Monday to raise his average to .429 in 28 AB on the season. Dye also had a run and RBI on Monday and now has eight runs in seven games as he seeks to put behind him a merely average 2007 season. |
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| Javier Vazquez picked up his first win of the season on Monday as he allowed three runs and eight base runners in seven solid innings for the Sox. Vazquez, who picked up eight K now has 14 in his first 12 innings and he should continue to be one of the more consistent pitchers in the AL this season. |
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| Joe Crede was the hero on Monday as he hit a grand slam to lead the Sox to a 7-4 victory over the Twins. Crede is now batting .393 with 10 RBI in just seven games this year, so he is clearly proving that his back woes of last year are behind him. If he keeps hitting like this the team may choose to hold on to him and not move him in a trade which would torpedo the value of Josh Fields completely. |
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| Jose Guillen could be forced to serve his 15-day suspension starting Thursday unless a new agreement can be worked out between the players union and the owners, this according to the AP. At this point this situation has little to do directly with Guillen, but unless to the two sides can agree on a new testing program of some kind, the league may be forced to reinstate the suspension of Guillen. Stay tuned. |
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| As if he wasn't difficult enough to hit, word is now leaking out that Bobby Jenks has added a changeup to his repertoire, this according to MLB.com. "I've been working on it all spring," Jenks said. "I'm not saying it's something to be used every day, but I've shown it and it's in the [scouting] report." Jenks is off to a quick start with four saves, though he has only one K and three BB in the early going. Look for another 35+ save season from the big guy provided he stays healthy. |
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| Coco Crisp will start over Jacoby Ellsbury on Tuesday against a left-handed pitcher, this according to the Boston Globe. The Sox will be facing crafty lefty Kenny Rogers meaning that leaning on the veteran in Crisp makes sense, but Ellsbury owners have to be getting very concerned that Crisp is taking so much of Ellsbury's playing time early on. |
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| Carlos Silva allowed four runs on Monday to the Orioles in seven innings to pick up a no-decision. Silva actually struck out five on the day, of course he walked no one, and he now owns a 3.21 ERA through his first 13 innings. Silva just doesn't strike enough hitters out to have a lot of value in mixed leagues, but he keeps the ball around the strike zone and gives his team a chance to win most of the time. |
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| After a slow start to the season, Raul Ibanez now has two HR and five hits in his past two games thanks to a two hit, two RBI outing on Monday against the Orioles. One of the most overlooked bats in the game, all Ibanez does is produce solid number as he has hit at least .280 with 89 RBI in each of the past three seasons. Look for more of the same this year. |
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| George Sherrill needed 14 pitches on Monday to close out his fourth save of the early going for the Orioles. Sherrill has allowed two walks in 3.2 innings this season though batters have yet to reach base via a hit. It's too early to tab him an all-star, but this strong start should waylay any fears that anyone had that he couldn't handle the closers role. |
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| Brian Roberts continued his strong start to the season on Monday as he had three hits and two RBI for the Orioles. Roberts continues to cause all kinds of havoc from the top of the Orioles order and if is finally traded to the Cubs there will be little reason to watch an Orioles game the rest of this season. |
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| Daniel Cabrera had another rough outing on Monday as he allowed five hits and four walks, not to mention four runs, in six innings of work. Cabrera was actually done in today by allowing a couple of home runs, but until he get that amazing stuff under control, he is nothing more than a bench pitcher in AL Only leagues. |
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| Melvin Mora had only one hit on Monday but it was his second home run of the season for the Orioles. Mora has seen his production dwindle the past few years, but hitting second in the Orioles lineup figures to still give him the chance to be a useful corner infielder in most leagues this season. |
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| Ricky Romero was blasted over the weekend at Double-A, allowing four runs, three earned in 3.2 innings. The former first-round draft choice still has a chance to make it to the majors, but he is certainly not the prospect that he seemed to be after being drafted by the Jays. |
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| Bartolo Colon was placed on the minor league DL and will be examined in Boston on Tuesday, the Boston Globe reports. He is dealing with some pain in his right side. "I think it's more with those types of things, we don't want it to turn into something," manager Terry Francona explains. There's not word on if Colon can currently only turn to his left when picking up items off the buffet. |
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| A.J. Pierzynski was named the AL Player of the Week on Monday. He hit .500 with two homers, seven RBI, and seven runs over his opening five games. There's no word on how many opponents he taunted or upset in the process. |
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| Xavier Nady was named the NL Player of the Week for the opening days of 2008 season. He hit .385 with three homers, nine RBI, six runs, and one stolen base over six games. |
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| The Mariners will drop Richie Sexson from fourth to sixth in the lineup on Monday. Adrian Beltre will hit fourth, and Brad Wilkerson will hit fifth, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer notes. Manager John McLaren has not given a reason for the move, but it's not a good sign for Sexson's fantasy owners. |
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| Scott Moore hasn't started a game yet, but his time is coming. The utility infielder will start at third base on Tuesday, second base on Wednesday, and first base on Friday, according to the Baltimore Sun. His versatility will allow those regulars to get a day off. |
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| Norris Hopper got the start on Monday in place of Ken Griffey Jr., who is simply resting. "I'm trying to keep him strong," manager Dusty Baker tells the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We've had a lot of day games. He's going to play a lot on this road trip because of the teams we're playing. He hasn't seen (Cole) Hamels much. It's a good day to rest him." |
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| Bartolo Colon is dealing with some soreness in his right side and may need to have his next Triple-A start pushed back, the Boston Globe reports. The injury is not thought to be serious. |
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| Justin Duchscherer seems unlikely to make his scheduled start on Wednesday. An MRI revealed only a strain to his right biceps tendon, but he may need to skip a turn. "He feels better," manager Bob Geren tells the Contra Costa Times. "But... his start is still in jeopardy." Chad Gaudin or Lenny DiNardo could start in his place this week. |
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| Victor Martinez is close to returning from a strained left hamstring. "Victor ran around out here real well (Sunday) morning," manager Eric Wedge tells the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "We'll bring Victor out early Monday and let him run the bases. If he feels all right, he'll be in the lineup that night." Kelly Shoppach has been starting in his place. |
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| Milton Bradley got the day off on Sunday after starting in right field on Saturday. The team is trying not to overtax his surgically repaired right knee. Bradley is expected to start in right and hit fourth in the home opener on Tuesday, the Dallas Morning News reports. |
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| Kelvim Escobar has been performing strengthening exercises, but he remains "a couple weeks" away from throwing, manager Mike Scioscia tells the Los Angeles Times. The right-hander is trying to rehab a torn labrum. |
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| Jason Botts recored only one at-bat in the first week of the season, but he is scheduled to start on Thursday, the Dallas Morning News reports. He says he's simply excited to be on the team. "This has been the most awesome week of my career," Botts admits. He will likely replace Ben Broussard at first on Thursday. |
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| Chris Bootcheck worked two innings in an extended spring training game over the weekend. He will throw three innings in his next outing and then likely go on a minor league rehab stint, the Los Angeles Times reports. Bootcheck is out due to a strained left oblique. |
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| David Murphy just keeps on hitting. He went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and a run on Sunday, and his average fell to .409. Murphy was supposed to be part of a platoon with Marlon Byrd and Frank Catalanotto, but his hot bat has changed the scenario, thus far. "I expected it to be more of a round-robin thing," manager Ron Washington explains to the Dallas Morning News. "But the guy is swinging a hot bat and running everything down. You can't take him out when he's going like that." |
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| Francisco Rodriguez continues to be bothered by an ankle injury. Make that two ankle injuries. The left joint still hurts from last year, and the right one is now ailing. "He tweaked it a couple of days ago, and we're going to look at it closely," manager Mike Scioscia tells the Los Angeles Times. "But it is a little sore." Rodriguez has yet to allow a run through three appearances, but he has walked three batters and thrown more balls than strikes. |
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| The Pirates benched Jason Bay on Sunday as part of a plan to rest his right knee, not because of his slow start at the plate. "It's going to look like I'm doing this because of how things have gone for him," manager John Russell explains to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "That's not the case." Bay was seen with ice around his surgically repaired knee, and it sounds like he could take a seat on a regular basis throughout the season. |
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| Scott Rolen will have the pin removed from his broken right middle finger on Monday, and he remains 2-4 weeks away from returning, the Toronto Star reports. Marco Scutaro is starting in his place. |
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| Julio Lugo had a very rough Sunday. He went 0-for-4 at the plate and committed three errors. Lugo is only 2-for-15 over the last four games and owns four miscues through six games. |
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| B.J. Ryan will make his second rehab appearance on Monday, just two days after a successful inning for Single-A Dunedin. The closer is coming back from left forearm and biceps soreness, and he could return by April 11 or 12, the Toronto Star reports. Ryan will likely share the closer's role with Jeremy Accardo when he comes back. |
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| Jason Giambi did not play on Sunday due to a sore left groin, but manager Joe Girardi tells the New York Post that the slugger was available to pinch-hit. Wilson Betemit started in his place. Giambi isn't a lock to play on Monday and is day-to-day. |
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| What problems? The Tigers apparently have no issues with Dontrelle Willis, who struggled with his control this spring and walked seven batters on Saturday. "No issues whatsoever with him," manager Jim Leyland tells the Detroit News. "He's throwing the ball fine. Just not accurate. He's just got to back to where he throws strikes." Is Leyland watching the same guy we are? That would be like saying we were writing well despite spelling every third word wrong. |
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| Carlos Silva had his start pushed up due to Erik Bedard's hip ailment, and he will start on Monday against the Orioles, the Seattle Times notes. Silva will be working on four days' rest. He was originally slated to pitch against the Rays on Tuesday. |
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| Gary Sheffield returned to the lineup on Sunday night after missing a couple games due to a torn tendon at the top of his left right finger. He went 1-for-3 with a walk against the White Sox. Sheffield will wear a splint for six weeks, but he takes it off and tapes the finger when batting, the Detroit News explains. |
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| Erik Bedard is expected to start on Tuesday against the Rays. He threw in the bullpen on Sunday after being scratched due to a sore left hip. "We just wanted to make sure the ball was coming out of his hand free and easy," pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre tells the Seattle Times. "His normal bullpen session is usually about eight minutes and this one was for six minutes, so that's pretty much a normal day for him." Fantasy owners should plan on using Bedard this week. |
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| Curtis Granderson received good news on Sunday, when X-rays showed "significant healing" his his broken right hand, the Detroit News reports. He will begin making throws and gripping bats on Tuesday. The Tigers don't have an exact timetable, but we imagine Granderson is still 10-14 days away. We'll see how he progresses, though. |
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| Felix Hernandez asked to be pulled after eight dominant innings on Sunday. The young ace told pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre that his arm wasn't feeling 100 percent. "You guys know me, I don't want to come out of the game," Hernandez tells the Seattle Times. "But when I feel tired, I don't want to make any mistakes. Because I felt a little bit tired. I threw a bullpen the other day. I didn't expect that, to throw eight innings after just one day's rest." The Orioles rallied in the ninth inning to beat the Mariners 3-2. |
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| Placido Polanco was scratched from the lineup on Sunday due to a stiff lower back. Ramon Santiago started in his place. Polanco is expected to be ready on Tuesday, the Detroit News reports. |
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| Luke Scott followed up his 3-for-3 outing on Saturday with a 3-for-4 performance on Sunday. The outfielder doubled in both games, but he has managed only one run and two RBI despite all those hits. Still, it's a promising start for the former Astro. |
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| Evan Longoria is 0-for-14 with five strikeouts through the first four games at Triple-A Durham. It's probably not the start he was looking for in order to show the organization that he shouldn't have been sent down. |
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| Eric O'Flaherty was called on to clamp down the Seattle lead on Sunday, but was unable to close the deal after getting two outs in the ninth inning. O'Flaherty was not credited with a blown save, although he should have been, but actually was awarded a hold on the day. In two-thirds of an inning on Sunday, the left-handed specialist gave up two hits and two runs. Mark Lowe came in to try and put the fire out but threw a wild pitch, followed by one of his own two base runners scoring, and it was game over in Camden Yards. Lowe was hit with the loss and the blown save. |
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| Raul Ibanez went 3-for-4 with a home run in Sunday loss to the Orioles. The effort was one of desperation by Ibanez who came into the Sunday affair hitting just .167 through the first five games of the regular season. Ibanez's fantasy value spiked some this spring after the veteran outfielder put together a solid second half (.309-15-52) in his 2007 campaign. |
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| Felix Hernandez gave up five hits, struck out six, walked two and left with a 2-0 lead in the eighth inning in Sunday's heartbreaking loss to the Orioles. A bullpen without J.J. Putz couldn't hold the lead and Seattle ended up losing the game in the bottom of the ninth. The "King" was dominate in his eight inning effort, and likely should have been given the ball in the ninth.
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| Alberto Callaspo started at second base for the Royals on Sunday. He had two hits, including a double, in four at-bats. He is hitting .333 with one RBI after appearing in three games. The utilityman has no fantasy value outside of deep AL-only formats. |
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| Billy Butler extended his hitting streak to six games with three hits against Twins pitching on Sunday. Butler had two doubles in the game and is hitting .400 on the season. He has three multi-hit games during the hitting streak, but has yet to record his first long ball in 25 at-bats. |
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| Justin Morneau, who hit his second home run in as many games on Sunday, was the lone offensive production for the Twins in Sunday's loss to the Royals. Morneau also had a single in four at-bats to extend his hitting streak to three games. |
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| Joakim Soria struck out the Twins side in order in the ninth for his third save on Sunday. After four innings of work this year, the Royals hard-throwing right-hander has seven strikeouts, given up only two hits, a WHIP of less than .50 and allowed zero runs. |
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| David DeJesus, who left the season opener with an ankle injury in the third inning, was out of Sunday's lineup again. KC skipper Trey Hillman isn't sure if DeJesus will be ready for Tuesday home opener against the Yankees. |
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| Vicente Padilla scattered nine hits, allowed three earned runs and struck out four without walking a batter in Sunday's win over the Angels. It was Padilla's second solid outing and his first win of the year. The right-hander looked confident in his fluid motion on Sunday, and his normally volatile demeanor appeared calm and collected. Padilla has the talent to record solid peripherals across the board, but he has never been known to have command of the mental side of the mound game. |
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| Jon Garland was impressive in his debut for Los Angeles last week, holding the Twins to one run and six hits over eight innings of a 9-1 victory. That wasn't the case on Sunday when the Angels right-hander allowed seven runs and eight hits in five innings. Garland is a reserve mixed league option at best, and these kinds of appearances, home and away, will be the norm this season. The Angels picked Garland up to be an innings-eater, not an ace.
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| Gerald Laird had four hits, homered twice and drove in six runs Sunday in the Texas Rangers victory over the Los Angeles Angels, 10-4.
The Rangers starting catcher hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning off Jon Garland for his first RBI this season, then added an RBI single in the seventh against Darren O'Day. He later sent a two-run homer to the left field seats in the ninth off Angels reliever, Jason Bulger.
Laird entered Sunday's game with one hit in 11 at-bats. |
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| Kurt Suzuki went 2-for-3 with a run scored in Sunday's loss to Cleveland. The A's starting catcher has now his safely in each of his first seven games this season. |
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| During the MLB broadcast of the Indians and Oakland game on Sunday night, it was announced that the A's are awaiting results of an MRI exam performed on the pitching arm of Justin Duchscherer before deciding whether he will skip his next scheduled start. Duchscherer, who registered the win on Friday, left the game with slight biceps bursitis. |
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