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| John Danks looked great against Cleveland earlier in the week, but tonight’s 5-12 loss to the Minnesota Twins was anything but. Danks lasted just 2 1/3 innings, giving up seven runs (all earned) on seven hits with three walks and two strike outs. Danks now carries an ERA of 8.00 and may suffer moving forward if his mental gets the best of him. |
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| Brendan Harris is now riding a four-game hit streak, extended by going 3-for-4 in Minnesota’s 12-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Harris picked up his fourth double of the year and totaled three runs scored, now carrying a batting average of .348. |
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| Jason Kubel did the bulk of the Twins’ damage against the Chicago White Sox, winning 12-5 this evening. Kubel went 2-for-4 at the plate with a two-run homer and SIX total RBIs on the evening. Kubel hasn’t been a major contributor (hitting .269), but he’s capable of doing damage like this on just about any given night. |
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| Joe Mauer continues to keep fans happy, hitting 2-for-5 in the Twins’ 12-5 win over the Chicago White Sox. Mauer ended with two runs scored and now has a seasonal batting average of .323. |
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| Joe Crede has been swinging a hot bat for the White Sox thus far and continued to do so despite the horrific 5-12 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Crede went 2-for-4 at the plate with his third double and third home run of the season. This brings Crede to a .406 season batting average, one of three players on the Chicago batting order with a BA at or over .400 (Jermaine Dye, A.J. Pierzynski). |
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| Royals 2B Mark Grudzielanek continues to bring his bat to the plate, going 1-for-3 in the Royals 4-0 win over the Yankees. Grudzielanek also picked up one walk and scored a run, raising his batting average to .407 on the season. |
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| Ian Kennedy may have been scratched from the start, but he still got in the game, pitching 3.0 innings of relief after Kyle Farnsworth surrendered two runs on four hits over two innings. Kennedy pitched the final three innings, allowing two runs on two hits with two walks surrendered and three strike outs earned. Kennedy’s ERA still comes in at an astronomical 13.50, but the ability to come in and concentrate despite the circumstances, throwing 32 strikes on 52 pitches, shows he has the game to compete. |
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| Zack Greinke appears to be rounding into form nicely, a sign of progress we have all been waiting some time to witness. Tonight Greinke earned his second win of the year, shutting the Yankees out for eight innings, allowing just six hits and two walks with two strike outs on the evening. Greinke threw 107 total pitches, 73 of them counting for strikes. That brings Greinke’s ERA to an astounding 0.60. |
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| Jacoby Ellsbury got the start in center over Coco Crisp today but failed to assert his true value as a power moving forward, going 0-for-2 at the plate with two walks and a sacrifice fly that drove in one run. That brings Ellsbury’s batting average to just .176, an outing that is not going to cease the platoon situation with Crisp in center. |
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| Carlos Guillen put forth a strong effort in helping his Detroit Tigers to a 7-2 win over the Boston Red Sox. Guillen went 1-for-3 with his second homer of the season, touting two walks and three runs scored on the evening. The outing brings Guillen, who has been swinging a hot bat thus far, to a batting average of .333. |
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| Boston’s top hitter? Try J.D. Drew , going 1-for-3 with one walk, one strike out, and one run scored in Boston’s 2-7 loss to the Detroit Tigers this evening. Drew now carries a team-leading batting average of .364, but let’s remember… it’s early. |
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| Kevin Youkilis failed to add to his impressive early season swings, going 0-for-5 in Boston’s 2-7 loss to the Detroit Tigers. This is only the third time Youkilis failed to get a hit in a game thus far this season and only the second in which he failed to get on base. |
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| Edgar Renteria got the revenge he desired against his old Boston mates, leading the Tigers to a 7-2 win over the Red Sox. Renteria went 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles, two RBIs, and two runs scored, adding a walk to the mix in one of the best nights he’s enjoyed in recent memory. Renteria needed a lift and used this outing to raise his batting average to .265. |
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| Jon Lester suffered through a troublesome outing in the Red Sox 2-7 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Lester pitched 5 1/3 innings, throwing 97 pitches to allow four earned runs on five hits with four walks surrendered and no strike outs on the day. This gives Lester his second loss on the year. |
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| Mike Jacobs powered Florida into first-place of the NL East on Wednesday night. Jacobs hit two homers, including one that capped a seven-run inning as the Fish beat the Nationals, 10-4.
The pair of two-run shots give the first baseman four homers in the past five games. |
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| Jeremy Accardo hit the mound today but now wishes he could forget the entire experience. Accardo came into the game in the 9th inning with two outs and a 3-2 lead, facing two men on and a game that needed to be saved. Accardo, but by the time he was done, he had earned just one out and had allowed four runs on just one hit. Of his 23 pitches, only 10 counted for strikes, taking his second loss and first blown save of the season. |
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| Young RHP Dustin McGowan pitched a stellar game against the Oakland Athletics this evening, but the relief pitching and failed to support his cause and kept him from a well-earned win. McGowan pitched just five innings and hurled a whopping 101 pitches in that short span, but 65 of those counted for strikes as McGowan allowed just two runs on seven hits, gathering three walks and an impressive seven strikeouts along the way. McGowan has been solid thus far and appears to be on track for a noteworthy season, if only the relief pitching would bring him home with a win. |
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| Bobby Crosby continues to swing a hot bat for the A’s and did his part in Oakland’s 6-3 win over Toronto this evening. Crosby went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs on the evening, failing to leave a single runner on base. Crosby now carries a seasonal batting average of .306 and has four doubles thus far. |
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| Mark Ellis enjoyed a fantastic evening at the plate in support of the A’s 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, going 4-for-5 with a triple, two stolen bases, one RBI and one run scored. Ellis, like most second baggers, isn’t known as an offensive force, but tonight’s outing ranks as one of the best fantasy performances of the day. |
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| The Detroit Tigers continue to seek options for pitching insurance, signing veteran LHP Casey Fossum to a minor-league contract, according to MLB.com. Fossum will report to Toledo and join work with the Mud Hens as the team tracks his progress to see if he will be able to help at the major league level. |
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| Tampa Bay third bagger Willy Aybar enjoyed his first multi-hit performance of the season, going 3-for-4 with two doubles in the 1-7 loss to Seattle. Aybar was the lone offensive note of joy for the Rays on the evening and has raised his seasonal batting average to .294. |
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| Carl Crawford’s struggling bat continues to flounder in the Rays’ 1-7 loss to Seattle this evening, going 1-for-4 at the plate to bring his seasonal batting average to .167. This one hit was Crawford’s first in four games as the “traditional” offensive leader of the Rays attempts to find his stride. He has just one multi-hit game this season and hasn’t stolen a base since April 4th. |
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| Catcher Jamie Burke put his best foot forward in Seattle’s 7-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays this evening, going 2-for-3 at the plate and hitting his first homer of the season off J.P. Howell in the 8th inning. Burke picked up three RBIs on the evening, his first three of the season, and now owns a batting average of .375 in limited action this season. |
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| Jarrod Washburn put forth a stellar effort in support of Seattle’s 7-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Washburn the 105 pitches over seven innings, 65 counting for strikes, allowing just one run on six hits. Washburn now sits at 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA. |
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| Adrian Beltre put his bat to good use in Seattle’s 7-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, going 2-for-5 at the plate with his second home run of the year. Beltre now carries a batting average of .294, but has failed to earn a hit in just one game thus far this season. |
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| Andrew Sisco underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery on Monday, according to the team website. Sisco had surgery in New York and will be out of action 12-to-24 months.
Sisco, 25, came to the White Sox via a trade with Kansas City for Ross Gload on Dec. 16, 2006, and the southpaw was counted as an integral part of the White Sox bullpen. Gload currently starts at first base for the upstart Royals. |
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| RHP Ian Kennedy was scratched from his scheduled start this evening against the Kansas City Royals, according to MLB.com. This was to be Kennedy’s second start of the season, but he was pulled in favor of RHP Brian Bruney. An unnamed official from the Yankees states manager Joe Girardi was concerned about a projected rain storm and thus preferred to go with Bruney. Kennedy struggled in his first outing, pulled after just 2 1/3 innings, and that could be cause for concern in this situation. Girardi may have a point and seems to have the interest of his young hurler at heart. |
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| Boston’s Mike Lowell has exited tonight’s matchup with the Detroit Tigers after suffering an unknown injury to his left hand, according to MLB.com. The Sox believe it is a sprained left thumb and initial X-rays were negative for fracture. Sean Casey has entered in relief of Lowell and the team will revisit his condition tomorrow. |
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| Jhonny Peralta enjoyed a solid day at the plate in Cleveland’s 5-9 loss to the Angels today, going 3-for-5 with his third double of the season and his second home run as well. Peralta finished with just one RBI but pulled two runs scored and raised his batting average to .294 on the season. Of course, he might reflect on the four men left on base, but the outing is one to enjoy despite the shortcomings. |
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| Paul Byrd was not able to bounce back from a tough first outing as he was hit early and hard in a 9-5 loss to the Angels on Wednesday The right-hander allowed six runs and five hits in three innings, raising his ERA to 11.05. |
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| Dustin Moseley allowed four runs on nine hits in six innings Wednesday as the Angels put a 9-5 beating on the Indians. Moseley, who evened his record to 1-1, gave up one walk and struck out four. |
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| Vladimir Guerrero is warming up after a slow start. Guerrero hit his second home run in as many games on Wednesday as the Angels put a 9-5 beat down on the Indians. Vlad exits today's game hitting .300 with two home runs and eight RBI on the young season. |
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| Garret Anderson was 2-for-4 on Wednesday as the Angels defeated the Indians, 9-5. Anderson scored once, registered one RBI and one of his two hits was his second home run of the season. |
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| Mike Napoli hit his first career grand slam leading a parade of long balls by LA as the Angels defeated the Cleveland Indians 9-5 on Wednesday. It might have been Napoli's first career granny, but it was his third bomb of the season. |
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| Cliff Floyd was placed on the DL with a medial meniscus tear in his right knee, this according to MLB.com.
Floyd will undergo surgery Friday morning by Dr. Coco Eaton, and the Rays are unclear on a specific timetable for the veterans return. Jonny Gomes is the benefactor from the Floyd injury. Gomes goes from being what most believed would be a part time role this year, to full time right fielder and designated hitter. |
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| Bartolo Colon, who is still nursing a strained right oblique, was examined by Boston's training staff today, this according to Providence Journal.
The right-hander is "still a little bit tender," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona.
Francona didn't directly answer the question of whether Colon has shed a few pounds since signing with the Sox this spring as a free agent. He indicated weight isn't the most important issue with Colon's conditioning.
Francona said Colon has been bothered by a similar oblique injury twice in his career. One time it kept him out of action for seven days; the other time it forced him to the sidelines for 20 days. |
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| Craig Monroe will be in the starting lineup tonight, as the Twins resume their three-game series with the White Sox, according to the Star Tribune. Monroe is battling for playing time in the field, but mostly at-bats as the teams' DH versus Jason Kubel. |
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| Dan Johnson has been designated for assignment by Oakland, according to the AP. That means the team has 10 days to put Johnson on waivers, trade him or release him. The team needed to free up a roster spot for pitcher Greg Smith, and Johnson was the most expendable member of their roster.
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| Jose Guillen is still uncertain when his 15-day suspension will begin, according to the AP. The Royals were informed by the commissioner’s office on Wednesday that the stay of Guillen’s suspension has been extended through Tuesday. He was suspended on March 30 for violating the MLB's drug policy, but the suspension was put on hold for 10 days while the owners and players negotiated a tougher drug agreement. Guillen has played in the first seven games for KC, but only holds a .138 average over 29 at-bats.
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| Justin Ruggiano has been recalled from Triple-A Durham, according to the Tampa Tribune. The move was made to fill the roster spot vacated by Cliff Floyd, who is headed for the DL due to his knee injury. |
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| Cliff Floyd will need surgery to repair the torn medial meniscus in his right knee, and he is headed to the DL, according to the Tampa Tribune. The surgery will be performed on Friday by team orthopedist Koco Eaton. Outfielder Justin Ruggiano was recalled from Triple-A Durham. The timetable for Floyd's recovery is believed to be released later today.
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| Milton Bradley surprisingly has a four game hitting streak, and he will look to extend it tonight against Baltimore, according to MLB.com. You wouldn't think he has a streak going, as he only has five hits over 21 at-bats. |
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| Kason Gabbard threw seven scoreless innings in his first start of the season, and he will look to keep his ERA perfect as Texas hosts Baltimore tonight, according to MLB.com. His fantasy stock will continue to rise if he fires another strong game from the hill. |
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| The Orioles have won six games in a row, and Steve Trachsel will look to stretch the streak to seven when he takes the hill against Texas tonight, according to MLB.com. He is off to a solid 1-0 start with a 3.18 ERA, but remains an unstable fantasy prospect. |
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| Sean Rodriguez is now hitting .400 for the season at Triple-A after going 2-for-4 with a home run on Tuesday. Rodriguez is a good fantasy prospect who is a candidate to be traded due to the presence of Howie Kendrick. He had 17 homers and 15 steals at Double-A last season. |
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| Kurt Birkins threw his second live bullpen session before Tuesday's game, according to MLB.com. He is on the DL due to his elbow neuritis, and his next step will be to throw in a game situation later this week. |
Our View: He will fight for innings out of the Rays' pen when he ultimately returns.
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| Alex Rios has reached base safely in his last 18 games, dating back to last season, according to MLB.com. It is the longest active streak in the league, and he will try to keep it going today against Oakland's Greg Smith, who will be the first left handed starter to take the hill against the Jays this season.
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| Mark Ellis has a favorable track record against Dustin McGowan, today's opposing hurler for Toronto, according to MLB.com. Ellis is hitting 3-for-8 lifetime against McGowan, with one walk. This is good for Ellis, as he is currently stuck in a 5-for-31 slump. |
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| Donnie Murphy swung a bat on Tuesday for the first time since spraining his finger on his right hand over the weekend, according to MLB.com. He commented that he was feeling much better, but will wait and see how his hand feels tomorrow before deciding whether or not he would be ready to return to the field. He considers himself day-to-day. |
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| Kevin Youkilis is hitless over nine career at-bats against Jeremy Bonderman, today opposing pitcher for Detroit, according to MLB.com. Perhaps this is the day he ends the hitless streak, as he is belting a rock solid .400 over 25 at-bats so far this season. |
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| David Ortiz has not fared very well against Jeremy Bonderman, today's opposing pitcher for Detroit, according to MLB.com. Ortiz is only 4-for-21 lifetime against Bonderman, with one home run, four RBI, and four strikeouts. Ortiz is only hitting .190 over 29 at-bats this season. |
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| Kelvim Escobar will be strength-tested in the next day or two, and Manager Sciosca noted, "With the possibility of resuming his throwing program in 10 days." This according to MLB.com. If he needs surgery on his injured shoulder, his season would likely be over. He went 18-7 in 2007 and he would be a key loss to the Angels' pitching staff. |
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| Paul Byrd will be looking to bounce back from a tough first outing of 2008 as he takes the hill on the road against the Angels today, according to MLB.com. Byrd is notably 7-4 with a 4.23 ERA in 20 career appearances at Angel Stadium. He will square off against Dustin Moseley, who is also looking to bounce back, as he currently holds a 0-1 record and a 9.00 ERA
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| Jose Molina's fantasy stock could be on the rise, if Jorge Posada ultimately goes on the DL, as reported by the AP. Posada could be headed to the DL, which will make Molina the starting catcher until he can return. Molina is hitting 4-for-14 so far, which isn't too shabby. |
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| Alfredo Simon has been released by the Dodgers, according to the LA Daily News. He has been bounced around by the Rangers and Phillies, and now he parts ways with the Dodgers as well. |
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| Esteban Loaiza surrendered four runs in only four innings of work against Arizona on Monday, but Joe Torre stated that he will remain the fifth starter in the rotation, according to the LA Daily News. He is off to an 0-2 start, with a 6.75 ERA, and although his job is safe for now, he could always get the hook if he doesn't start to perform better. |
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| Luis Mendoza is ready to pitch for the Rangers on Saturday, according to the Dallas Morning News. He pitched 7.1 innings for Triple-A Oklahoma in a 6-1 win over Nashville on Monday, and only allowed one run in the first inning and induced 14 ground-ball outs with only four flyouts. He will be activated from the DL and said, "I had good command and my secondary pitches are getting better. I'm excited. I can't wait for Saturday." His fantasy stock is back on the rise with this news. |
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| David DeJesus remains out of the lineup, but is reportedly close to returning, according to the Kansas City Star. DeJesus noted that his ailment is getting better, and he hopes to return to the Royals' lineup before their six-game home stand concludes on Sunday. Manager Hillman added, "There’s nothing new. The pain is still there. He did a lot of activity Monday, but still a lot of soreness." Hillman also noted that he’s less inclined to use DeJesus in the damp conditions that are being predicted for most of the home stand. His return would send Joey Gathright back to the bench.
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| Dan Johnson could be on the verge of losing his roster spot with the A's, according to the SF Chronicle. The team needs to make room on their roster for tonight's starting pitcher Greg Smith, and Johnson is believed to be the most expendable. He has only registered one at-bat this season, and the team has Daric Barton at first base, and Mike Sweeney and Jack Cust available for the DH. He would likely get claimed on waivers if cut, and the Giants are believed to be interested. The A's could go another way with their cut, and we will keep you posted. |
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| Kurt Suzuki has extended his hitting streak to eight games, according to the SF Chronicle. He generated three hits against Toronto on Tuesday, and notably scored the winning run on a Ryan Sweeney triple. His average stands at .414 over 29 at-bats, and his fantasy stock will continue to rise. |
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| David Ross has missed a couple of games on his rehab assignment with a slight leg muscle strain, but he is scheduled to catch Thursday, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer. Ross is eligible to come off the DL on Monday.
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| Chris Bootcheck threw 47 pitches over three innings of a minor league game in Arizona, and he will start a rehab assignment with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga this weekend, according to the LA Times. He is trying to bounce back from a rib cage strain, and he will fight for playing time in the Angels' pen when he returns.
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| Francisco Rodriguez's X-ray came back normal on Tuesday, according to the LA Times. He will remain sidelined for at least three days while the team evaluates the results of an MRI test. Manager Sciosca noted, "We're concerned about how it will influence his delivery and the stress on his arm. This thing will heal, but we don't want to put him at any undue risk." K-Rod added that the pain has subsided and he feels good enough to return to action, but he does not make the decisions.
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| Ian Kinsler made his third fielding error of the season in an 8-1 loss to Baltimore on Tuesday. At least he still holds a solid .300 average over 30 at-bats, with four RBI. |
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| Marlon Byrd was awarded the start in right field against Baltimore on Tuesday, and he failed to impress as he went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in a 8-1 loss. He is fighting for playing time in the Rangers' outfield, and this was a terrible effort from him. |
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| Robinson Cano was moved up to the second spot in the Yankees' batting order on Tuesday, and he was a disappointment as he only went 1-for-5 with two strikeouts, while leaving five men on base in a 5-2 loss to Kansas City. He was previously batting sixth in the order but moved up as Derek Jeter was out of the lineup with his quad ailment. He holds a .188 batting average, and could fall back down in the order if he doesn't start to perform. |
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| Mark Teixeira went 0-for-3 against Colorado on Tuesday, and is now batting 5-for-32 on the season. At least he has two homers and five RBI. |
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