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| Jeff Kent had two RBI on Monday night though it wasn't nearly enough in the Dodgers 9-3 loss to the D'backs. Kent is only hitting .238 early on as he struggles with a leg issue, but with the team needing a veteran presence in the middle of the lineup he is playing through the pain. Don't worry about Kent, by the time the year is done he will get his, you can count on it. |
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| Juan Pierre had another rough night on Monday as he went 0-for-4 to drop his average to .067 in 15 AB this season. Joe Torre keeps trying to give Pierre the chance to hit his way out of his current slump, but it's just not happening as it's clear to all that Pierre is pressing. If we had to guess we would look for Matt Kemp to get back in the lineup here the next couple of days. |
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| Dan Haren won his first game as a Diamondback on Monday night as he held the Dodgers to just one earned run in six innings. Haren also displayed his trademark control on Monday night as he struck out five without a single walk. Haren should settle in quite nicely behind Brandon Webb and he just might be the best starter in all of baseball this season. |
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| Chris Young continued with his torrid pace on Monday night as he blasted his fourth home run of the early season. Young also had another hit, two runs scored and two RBI on the evening as his averaged moved up to .259. HR and SB should be come in abundance with Young this year but he will be a fantasy stud only if he can get that batting average up as he currently possesses a .239 batting average in 666 career AB. |
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| Mark Reynolds launched two home runs on Monday night on his way to three RBI for the Diamondbacks. With Conor Jackson settling in at first base Reynolds will need to keep on hitting to avoid giving away AB to Chad Tracy when he returns from his knee injury. Reynolds certainly has pop with 21 HR in 393 career AB, but he also has 137 K and just 40 BB, and numbers like that will likely lead to a lowish batting average moving forward. |
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| Aaron Cook was magnificent on Monday night as he allowed just one run and three base runners in seven innings against the Braves. Cook now sports a 3.46 ERA over his first 13 innings and he should be able to maintain solid value in NL Only leagues this season if he can stay healthy. |
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| Tom Glavine limited the Rockies to three hits, three walks and no runs in 6.1 innings on Monday night. Glavine can still pitch when everything falls into place, but nights like this come around rarely for the aging vet. Don't expect this type of production from Glavine this season, and it might even be wise to start exploring trade offers already. |
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| Hanley Ramirez upped his average to .440 with three hits in five AB on Monday night. Ramirez blasted his second dinger of the year and had two runs scored and three RBI on the night. Maybe he doesn't need Miguel Cabrera to be successful? It's certainly a long year but nothing he has done up until this point has painted him as any thing other than a top fantasy player this season, though he does have only one SB in seven games. |
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| Felipe Lopez played another game in the outfield on Monday night and he was able to produce two hits, an RBI, a run scored and a SB on the night. That's five games in the outfield and counting. Since most leagues use an in-season count of five or 10 games to be elgible at a new position, Lopez is about to join Mark DeRosa as two of the most valuable players in NL Only leagues because of their versatility. |
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| Lastings Milledge had two hits and three RBI for the Nationals on Monday night from the number two spot in the batting order. Milledge now has five RBI on the young season to go with a .294 batting average in a solid start to what many predict will be his breakout season. |
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| Cristian Guzman had a splendid evening for the Nationals with three hits, three RBI and two runs scored from the leadoff spot. Something about wearing a Nationals uniform really agrees with Guzman who despite a career .263 batting average now owns a .307 average over his past 54 games with the club. |
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| Tim Redding allowed seven runs on Monday night in just four innings, though only one of the runs was earned. As a result of all the unearned runs, Redding has a 0.82 ERA with a 1-1 record in his first 11 innings this season. Redding doesn't miss enough bats to be successful to this degree, of course that success is relative since he did still allow seven runs on the night. |
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| Andrew Miller had a brutal outing on Monday night allowing six runs in just 3.1 innings for the Marlins. Miller needed 91 pitches to to pick up 10 outs as he allowed eight hits and one walk to the Nationals. At least Miller didn't walk everyone in the park, but with a 12.91 ERA after two starts he might find himself walking back to the minors if he doesn't turn things around soon. |
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| You knew it was too good to be true didn't you? On Monday night the A's announced that Rich Harden would be scratched from his start on Tuesday night and replaced by Chad Gaudin, this according to the San Francisco Chronicle. At this point we have no idea why Harden will be held out of the start, but the report hints that a DL trip is possible, then again, the same thing could be said for Harden every day of the year. |
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| Troy Glaus went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored from the cleanup spot for the Cardinals on Monday. The team needs Glaus to stay healthy enough to provide that big home run bat behind Albert Pujols, but that is far from certain to occur as Glaus has failed to see action in 120 games in three of the past five seasons. |
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| Todd Wellemeyer had another excellent outing for the Cardinals on Monday as he limited the Astros to five hits, one walk and two runs in seven innings. Wellmeyer allowed two solo home runs on the evening, but this performance, combined with the work of other Cardinals starters, has turned a major concern into a huge strength thus far. |
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| Jose Valverde picked up his second victory of the season on Monday, this after he suffered a blown save in the ninth inning. So is the life of a relief pitcher. Valverde was awful on the night allowing three hits, two walks and three runs in one inning, but when Miguel Tejada homered in the bottom of the ninth inning, Valverde picked up a totally unwarranted victory. |
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| Wandy Rodriguez dominated the Cardinals on Monday as he limited them to three hits and no runs over seven innings. Jose Valverde blew what seemed like a sure victory, but through two starts Wandy has looked excellent with 12 K and only one BB over his first 12 innings. |
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| Michael Bourn had two hits on Monday to boost his average to .250, but it is on the bases where he continues to impress with six SB on the young season. At this pace Bourn could challenge Rickey Henderson's all-time record of 130 SB in a season. We doubt he will get there, but he could be in his way to a 50-steal season if he can get on base enough to flash the wheels. |
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| Lance Berkman had a successful return from an injured neck on Monday night as he hit his second home run of the season. Berkman is off to a slow start due to a few nagging injuries, but when the season is over look for Berkman to post his standard .300-30-100 line for the Astros. |
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| Miguel Tejada hit a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead the Astros to a 5-3 victory over the Cardinals. Tejada had two hits and two RBI on the night and seems to be settling into the fifth spot in the order quite nicely as he has started to hit NL pitching like he did for so many years in the AL. |
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| Chris Duncan (hamstring) was back in the lineup on Monday for the Cardinals, this according to MLB.com. "He's ready to go," manager Tony La Russa said on Monday afternoon. "I don't want to hold him back if he's ready to go. He was one of our better guys against the Astros. It's time to bring him out." Duncan is a vital bat to stretch out the Cardinals lineup and he figures to push 30 home runs this season if he can figure out a way to hit left-handed pitching. |
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| Khalil Greene beat out two hits on Monday, one being a triple, as he knocked in three runs for the Padres. Greene continues to be an undervalued power option at shortstop who may not match his 27 home runs of a year ago, but the 97 RBI he plated last year could be threatened once again. |
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| Greg Maddux turned in a very Maddux-like performance on Monday as he limited the to a single run over seven innings to pick up the victory. Maddux showed off his gold glove skills on defense snaring multiple balls hit up the middle which helped to limit the Giants to only three hits and two walks on the day. |
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| Adrian Gonzalez beat out four hits on Monday which led to four runs scored and two RBI for the Padres. Thats more like it. Adrian started the year hitting .259 in 27 AB, but with today's effort his average now rests at .344. Gonzalez also hit in the third spot in the order where he should bat consistently despite being the team's best power-hitter. |
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| Bengie Molina had two hits on Monday which led to three RBI against the Padres for the Giants. Though he might be the worst cleanup hitter in the majors, Molina knows how to knock in runs, so as long as someone can get on base ahead of him he would figure to have a shot at a second straight 80-RBI season in San Francisco. |
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| Matt Cain had a rough outing on Monday as he struggled all day to find the strike zone as he ultimately allowed four earned runs with five walks in 4.1 innings to pick up his first loss of the season. Cain threw only 56 strikes in 96 pitches which led to seven hits on the day. Cain could once again struggle for victories with an anemic offense behind him, but he certainly has the stuff to be a top-35 starter if he can harness his pitches. |
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| Brian Wilson had a rough outing on Monday pitching in a non-save situation as he allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in 0.2 innings. It could have been much worse as Tyler Walker came in to save his bacon as he entered the game with the bases loaded and induced an out without allowing a run. It will likely be a bumpy road with Wilson this year, but the Giants are committed to him being their closer moving forward so unless he blows up he should be out there on the hill if the Giants ever have the chance to actually win a game. |
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| Mike Lamb, off to a terrible start in his first year in Minnesota, had two hits and two RBI on Monday for the Twins. Lamb is hitting .167 in 24 AB to open the year, and though he should still see the majority of work at third base, if he doesn't start hitting soon Nick Punto could start to steal some at-bats. |
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| Jon Coutlangus was traded to the Diamondbacks on Monday in exchange for minor league infielder Daniel Perales, this according to the AP. Coutlangus, a left-handed pitcher who went 4-2 with a 4.39 ERA last season, failed to make the Reds out of camp which necessitated this trade for Perales who hit .282 with 92 RBI last season in Single-A ball. |
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| Chad Cordero (shoulder) threw 35 pitches in the bullpen on Monday and the reports are that it went well, this according to the Washington Post. Cordero is nearing a return to the majors on Friday if his scheduled appearance on Wednesday goes well. Cordero owners should still keep a roster spot open for Jon Rauch as there is still the possibility of Cordero re-injuring his shoulder or eventually being traded. |
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| Shawn Hill says that his pitching forearm feels much better, and the plan is for him to throw 80 pitches at Single-A Potomac on Tuesday, this according to the Washington Post. If all goes well in that outing, Hill hopes to be on the hill for the Nationals on Sunday. Hill is still experiencing discomfort in his pitching arm, so he will need to be monitored closely as any little tweak could cause the Nats to baby him even more than they have so far. When he returns, the team will likely send down Matt Chico. |
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| Tom Gorzelanny had a terrible outing on Monday as he allowed seven runs in just 2.1 innings against the Cubs. Gorzelanny now owns a 10.80 ERA over 8.1 innings this year, and he has walked seven batter with only five strike outs. He may or may not be injured, but the bottom line is that he has a ton of work to do before he is worth using in any league at the moment. |
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| Ryan Doumit picked up another start at catcher for the Pirates on Monday and he produced two hits and and RBI in the game. Doumit is now batting .458 in 24 AB to open the year, and it's starting to look like he just might be in line to at least pick up 300 AB for the first time of his career with the potential for a whole lot more in Pittsburgh. |
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| Nate McLouth continued his assault on pitchers as he had three hits and two RBI on Monday leaving him with a .441 average through 34 AB. We told you a breakout could be in the offing with this guy, and he is sure making us look good right now. As long as the Pirates just leave him alone and let him play he could end up being one of the better late round picks this season. |
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| Geovany Soto had his first big day of the season as he went 3-for-7 with a run scored and two RBI for the Cubs. As great as that day was Soto left seven men on base so it could have been a really big afternoon. Soto should be able to hit, but he will need to improve his ability to throw out runners or he could start to lose a few starts moving forward. |
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| Kosuke Fukudome did it all on Monday as he had three hits, two walks, scored a run and stole a base for the Cubs. Who said this United States baseball was difficult? So far so good for this Japanese import as he it hitting .458 in his first 24 AB. |
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| Ted Lilly was awful on Monday as he allowed five runs and nine baserunners in just 3.2 innings before being removed from a game the Cubs came back to win. That's two ugly outings in a row for Lilly who has thrown only 8.1 innings with a 9.72 ERA. A lot will have to go right for Lilly to approach the career best numbers he posted last season, and if this start is any indicator it looks like a regression is coming down the pipe for Lilly. |
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| Carlos Marmol picked up his first save of the season on Monday as the Cubs defeated the Pirates 10-8 in 12 innings. Don't go freaking out if you own Kerry Wood as this was a 12 inning game and Wood had pitched each of the past two days. Still, it just goes to show you how valuable Marmol is this season even if he isn't in the closers role as the Cubs will certainly keep a close eye on Wood's workload this season. |
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| Juan Pierre is making his third straight start over Matt Kemp on Monday, this according to the Los Angeles Daily News. Pierre is batting eighth in the order limiting his runs scored potential, but he can run just as easily from that spot as at the top of the order. As for Matt Kemp owners this is extremely distressing news as he now appears to be behind both Pierre and Andre Ethier for playing time in the Dodgers outfield. |
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| Eric O'Flaherty had yet another poor outing for the Mariners on Monday as he allowed one hit, one walk and one run while picking up just one out in his first loss of the season. In 3.2 innings this year spread over five appearances, Eric has an ERA of 14.73 while he has allowed 10 base runners in 3.2 innings. If you picked him up hoping for saves, now might be a good time to bench him as he has looked awful so far. |
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| Aaron Rowand is back in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Padres. He bruised his ribs last Wednesday and had played just once since that time. X-rays on the ribs have been inconclusive, and Rowand may undergo an MRI, MLB.com reports. |
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| Fred Lewis is starting in right field on Monday. It's his second straight day in the lineup after coming off the bench in the first five games. Lewis is only 1-for-9 this season, but he is one of the team's few younger options. |
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| Eugenio Velez got another start on Monday, this time at second base. It's his fifth start in a row, and he has appeared at second, right field, and left field this year. Velez is batting .278 with one steal through the opening week. |
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| Ross Detwiler threw five scoreless innings and struck out seven in his High-A debut. A few more starts like this one could get him to Double-A and even the majors sooner than expected. The Nationals’ lack of blue chip talent in their current rotation makes Detwiler an interesting late-season possibility. |
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| Colby Rasmus hit his first home run of the season at Triple-A Memphis. He is hitting .368 on the season. The early-season struggles of Skip Schumaker are good news for Rasmus’ major league arrival, though it still could be a few months before the Cardinals’ top prospect is called up. |
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| Despite losing out on the third base competition for Florida during spring training, Dallas McPherson is off to a hot start at Triple-A. He already has three home runs and is hitting .400 on the season. McPherson, a former top prospect with the Angels, could still make something of himself in the majors, but the acquisition of Wes Helms hurts his chances of helping the Marlins. |
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| Javier Brito hit his second home run of the season at Triple-A Tucson during the weekend. Brito is an excellent hitting prospect (.327-11-72 at Double-A last season), but there is some concern about his defense. |
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| Jimmy Rollins socked his second homer of the year on Monday. It was a solo shot against the Reds. Rollins added a single and a walk in a 2-for-4 day. |
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| Chris Young and the Diamondbacks agreed to terms on a six-year contract extension on Monday, MLB.com reports. The deal will lock up the young outfielder through 2013. Terms were not disclosed, and the team will formally announce the contract on Tuesday. |
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| Brad Lidge picked up his first save of the season on Monday, albeit in interesting fashion. Lidge got the first two hitters out before a walk, error, and intentional walk loaded the bases. The closer then threw a wild pitch before striking out the final batter. |
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| Cole Hamels picked up his first win of the season on Monday. He worked seven innings against the Reds and allowed five hits and two runs (one earned). Hamels walked three and struck out four. The victory this time almost makes up for his disappointing loss when he tossed a gem in his season debut. |
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| Bronson Arroyo wasn't at his best on Monday. He served up four homers over 5.2 innings against the Phillies. Fortunately, the four long balls (plus two doubles and three singles) turned into only five runs. Arroyo took the loss and dropped to 0-1. |
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| Pat Burrell homered in his first two at-bats on Monday and finished 2-for-4 with a couple runs and three RBI in a win over the Reds. The outfielder is hitting .435 with three homers and nine RBI on the young season. |
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| Kerry Wood will get the day off on Monday, even if there is a save opportunity. "We're just trying to be a little prudent," manager Lou Piniella tells MLB.com. The Cubs are off on Tuesday, which gives Wood two days to rest his arm. Carlos Marmol will work the ninth if necessary on Monday. |
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| Freddy Sanchez will start on Monday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review confirms. He has missed time due to lingering soreness in his right shoulder. |
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| Adam LaRoche is out of the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Cubs. He also sat out on Sunday due to a sore right thumb. "I can't even feel it until I try to swing," LaRoche informs the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "But I'd rather play it safe and take a day or two off (now)." He is day-to-day. Doug Mientkiewicz will start in his place. |
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| Heath Bell extended his scoreless streak to 16.1 innings on Sunday. He served up one hit to the Dodgers but kept them off the scoreboard. Bell appears to be the top option in the bullpen outside of the struggling Trevor Hoffman. |
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| Chad Gaudin will skip his next Triple-A rehab start in favor of joining the big club. He is making his way back from hip and foot surgeries and was slated to start on Monday. Instead, Gaudin will join the A's for their road trip, the Contra Costa Times reports. The A's have not said if he will start this week, although there is an opening on Wednesday. |
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| Troy Tulowitzki finally got another hit. After going 3-for-4 in the opener, the shortstop experienced four hitless games before a 2-for-5 effort on Sunday. He is batting .192, but we're not terribly concerned at this early point. |
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| Bob Howry will be shifted from a late-inning to an earlier relief role in an attempt to figure out his issues. "It's probably a combination of [velocity and location]," manager Lou Piniella tells the Chicago Sun-Times. "I'm going to use him in a different role, with more steady work." Michael Wuertz and Kevin Hart will step up and see more work in the seventh and eighth innings. Fantasy owners can safely drop Howry at this point. Kerry Wood is the closer, and Carlos Marmol is the clear successor. |
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| Roy Oswalt reported no problems with his sore right biceps on Sunday. "It's fine," he tells the Houston Chronicle. The ace felt a twinge during his outing on Saturday. He adds that he is not concerned about his lack of velocity early in the season. |
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| Ryan Theriot started on Sunday despite a sore wrist, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. He went 1-for-4 and pushed his average up to .200. |
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| Lance Berkman hopes to play on Monday after sitting out Sunday due to neck spasms. He suffered the injury on Saturday and reported improvement on Sunday, the Houston Chronicle reports. |
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| Geovany Soto got the day off on Sunday to work on his throwing. Opponents are 7-for-7 in stolen base attempts against Soto this year. "He's using his upper body and arm and not using his legs and getting his body into [throws to second base]. He worked on it and was much improved," manager Lou Piniella tells the Chicago Sun-Times. We don't imagine the bad defense will cost Soto too much time, as the Cubs love his bat. |
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| Carlos Delgado went 2-for-4 on Sunday, his third straight outing with two hits. He is batting .350 through five games, but he has only one extra-base hit (double). "When you start the season, I try to get my guys to stay small and not try to get too big, especially the big boys who are accustomed to hitting home runs," manager Willie Randolph tells the New York Post. "For guys like that it's good just to start small and as you get more comfortable open up. It's a good approach, but we have to get the big knocks, too." Delgado battled hip problems this spring but seems to be swinging pretty well at the moment. |
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| Kris Benson will throw bullpen sessions on Monday and sometime in the middle of this week, but he does not have a date set for a minor league outing, the Philadelphia Daily News reports. Benson is out due to right shoulder soreness and won't be back before June. |
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| The Reds may need to find a permanent spot in the lineup for Jeff Keppinger. The utility infielder went 3-for-5 with a homer, double, three RBI, and three runs on Sunday. He is batting .435 on the young season, but he's only starting due to Alex Gonzalez's knee injury. |
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| Brett Myers isn't throwing with his usual velocity, which may be the reason for his early struggles. "His fastball was sitting 89, 90, every now and then he touched 91. He's usually a 90-to-94 guy," manager Charlie Manuel tells the Philadelphia Daily News. "(On Saturday) he was throwing some breaking balls and looked like he was throwing splits, a changeup every now and then, mixing the fastball in, but he didn't have the velocity or the command on the fastball that he usually has." Myers says he feels fine, and his explanation for his problems is that he might be tipping some pitches. |
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| Brian Barton started his third straight game on Sunday and went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run. All three starts came against lefties, and Barton was once again replaced by Skip Schumaker before the day was out. "Baby steps defensively," manager Tony La Russa explains to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Next time he gets out there, maybe he (goes) seven and by the middle of the season, he’s playing nine innings. I think he’s done very well." Schumaker is expected to receive most of the starts in the week ahead. |
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| Freddy Sanchez was able to pinch-hit on Sunday, but he remains out of the starting lineup due to right shoulder soreness. He tells the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that his progress is "encouraging," and he could be back at second base as soon as Monday. |
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| Ricky Nolasco is expected to move into the rotation following the demotion of Rick VandenHurk on Sunday, the Miami Herald reports. Nolasco has pitched well in two long relief appearances this season. |
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| Jack Wilson will do some light work within the coming days and could start a rehab stint next week, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. He is on the DL due to a strained left calf and could be back on April 19. |
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| The Marlins didn't waste any time in demoting Rick VandenHurk. They sent him down to Double-A Carolina following his awful outing on Sunday. "I'm not happy with it, but if you're not doing your job, that's what happens," VandenHurk tells the Miami Herald. |
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| Kelly Johnson was back in the starting lineup on Sunday, just in time to face Johan Santana. He jumped back to the leadoff spot and went 1-for-4. Johnson has missed time due to a sore left knee. "The last two days it went from jogging — [and] I didn't think I could run much more than that — to the next day being able to run," he explains to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Johnson dealt with pain in the knee last year, too. He will not need surgery but will have to treat it regularly. |
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| John Smoltz was brilliant in his return to the mound on Sunday, but he left the game after five innings and 78 pitches because the knot behind his shoulder returned. "That's frustrating for me, but I recognized it, and I had a talk with myself when I walked off the mound to the dugout," Smoltz tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The ace does not believe the ailment will cause him to miss a start. |
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| Fernando Nieve had a promising first outing back from Tommy John surgery. He underwent Tommy John surgery last May and was unable to compete for a rotation spot this spring. However, he held the Iowa Cubs to one hit and no runs over five innings on Sunday. Nieve also didn't walk a hitter and struck out five. |
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