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| Felix Pie's two-run single in the top of the 15th inning allowed Chicago to somehow outlast the fiery Pirates on Wednesday night. Chicago beat Pittsburgh 10-8 in 12 innings in the previous game Monday, meaning they have played 27 innings in two games. Pie, who appears to have lost his starting gig to Reed Johnson, came off the bench to lead the Cubs in Wednesday win.
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| Cristian Guzman hit a solo homer off Marlins starter Scott Olsen in Wednesday's loss to Florida. The long ball was Guzman's second of the season and bumped his RBI total to six. |
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| Dan Uggla hit a two-run double in Wednesday's 10-4 beat down of the Washington Nationals. Ugla has struggled in the first week and a half of the season, and was hitting a light .143 entering Wednesday's game. As is typically with the Marlins second baseman, he has shown his power stroke this year, but in 28 at-bats had struck out nine times. In four at-bats Wednesday night, Uggla added two more strikeouts to his season total (11). The Florida second baseman is on pace to threaten 200 K's for the year. This of course is Ug-acceptable, or Ug-ly, whichever word you prefer. |
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| Jeremy Hermida, who came off the disabled list for his first game of the season, hit a two-run double in the Marlins 1-4 win over the Nationals. Needless to say it was a solid beginning for the young outfielder with a Miami barge full of talent. |
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| The Nationals did a poor job of situational hitting on Wednesday night, their problem during their six game losing streak. The Nats have left the bases loaded nine times this season. Scott Olsen who picked up the win in the Marlins 10-4 victory went 7 2/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned),four hits and four walks. Olsen hasn't been the same since injuring himself in 2006, and while tonight's effort resulted in a win, he wasn't impressive in the outing. Owners outside of NL-only formats should avoid the Marlins right-hander. |
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| Jason Bergmann was good on Wednesday night, but only for four innings, as the Marlins moved into first place in the NL East with a 10-4 win over the Nationals.
The first pitch Bergmann threw in the fifth was line shot in the left-field stands by Jorge Cantu, and the rest was uglier. The Nats' right-hander left the game after giving up seven runs on nine hits over five innings of work. He struck out four and walked one in the losing effort. |
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| Angel Pagan hit a two-run double for the Mets and scored a run in the Wednesday night win over Philadelphia. Pagan, who is replacing the injured Moises Alou in left field, has been solid so far. His .318 batting average and eight RBI has assisted fantasy owners who believed in the ex-Cub. |
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| Don't blame Kyle Kendrick for Wednesday's 8-2 loss to the Mets. After suffering a miserable spring (9.68 ERA) the right-hander lasted only 2.1 innings in the loss. Kendrick gave up four hits and seven runs (one earned) in a fielding fiasco by the Phillies infield. Kendrick had a terrific rookie season going 10-4 with a 3.87 ERA last year and it's only a matter of time before he rounds into shape. |
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| Mike Pelfrey gave the Mets' injury-riddled pitching staff a breather in his first start of the year leading the Mets to an 8-2 victory on Wednesday night over Philadelphia. The right-hander gave up two runs on five hits over five innings of work. He added three strikeouts while walking two. |
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| According to MLB.com, Albert Pujols and Houston starting pitcher Brandon Backe, aren't the best of friends.
Pujols and Backe exchanged words as the Astros exited the field during batting practice prior to the series finale at Minute Maid Park. The report noted that Pujols stopped Backe as the two crossed paths near first base, and, according to Backe, expressed his dissatisfaction that Backe "kept pressing on" about a hard slide that Pujols made into rookie catcher J.R. Towles during Tuesday's game.
Pujols called Towles from the visitors' clubhouse after the game to apologize, but it doesn't appear to be enough for Backe. |
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| James Loney hit his first home run of the season on Wednesday. The Dodgers first baseman has now scored four runs and registered three RBI in the first week and a half of the '08 campaign. |
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| Eric Byrnes went 3-for-5 on Wednesday as the Diamondbacks executed a three game sweep of the Dodgers. The Arizona outfielder raised his average to .256 and with his two RBI today now has five on the season. |
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| Hiroki Kuroda didn't fare as well in his second start for his new team on Wednesday as the Diamondbacks took a 4-3 decision over the Dodgers. In his second start since coming from Japan, the right-hander gave up four runs -- two earned -- and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. |
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| Brandon Lyon, who had blown his prior two save chances, mowed down the side in order in the ninth for his second save of the 2008 campaign. Lyon's improved his ERA from 12.00 to 9.00 and now has four strikeouts and no walks on the season. |
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| Micah Owings improved to 2-0 on Wednesday in a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Owings allowed three runs and seven hits in seven innings as the Diamondbacks finished a three-game sweep of their NL West rival. |
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| Jimmy Rollins was scratched from Wednesday's game against the Mets due to a sprained left ankle, this according to the ESPN broadcast at Shea Stadium.
The reigning National League Most Valuable Player suffered the injury in an eighth-inning pickoff attempt on Tuesday night. The All Star shortstop gives way to Eric Bruntlett tonight.
Rollins started all 162 games last season, and while he was his name was on the card before first pitch, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel scratched his shortstop when he couldn't make a hard sprint from first to third. |
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| Casey Kotchman hit his second home run of the season as the Angels defeated the Indians 9-5 on Wednesday. The first baseman is hitting .265 with five runs, two RBI and a stolen base midway through Week 2. |
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| After tossing the ball around on Wednesday, A's right-hander Rich Harden, said he doesn't think he's likely to be on the mound Saturday at Cleveland, this according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Harden said the strain is on his right side, basically under his arm, and he still feels it when he throws. The injury is minor, according to Harden, but he and the team don't want him to push it and make things worse.
Lenny DiNardo is expected to get Saturday's start in place of Harden. |
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| The Mets are the frontrunners to sign free-agent right-hander Claudio Vargas, this according to the New York Post. The Mets are expected to sign the right-hander to a minor-league contract, and a deal could be done as early as Thursday.
Vargas' agent, Bean Stringfellow, told The Post today that the Mets have offered Vargas a Triple-A deal and are one of four teams in the hunt. Stringfellow confirmed, though, that the Mets are the favorite.
Vargas and his agent want to sign with the team he's most likely to have a chance to start with. With injuries to the Mets rotation, Orlando Hernandez and Pedro Martinez, Vargas indeed has a shot at one of the open slots in the starting five. |
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| Shawn Hill, who told the Washington Post that he felt fine after last night's start at Class-A Potomac, will be required to make one more minor league appearance.
"It feels like normal throwing, stiffness - nothing abnormal that I would be worried about," he said.
The club wants him to stretch himself out and face better competition, so he'll pitch for Class AAA Columbus on Sunday, not for the major league club. Manny Acta, who was there last night, had this to say:
"We need to see him [against] better competition," Acta said. "We want him to see better competition. Obviously before last night, he pitched in our controlled environment that we had in Florida, and last night was a real type of game, and he didn't even see a lefty the whole game. And also, we want him to get his pitch count up. He only threw 69 pitches in the game."
The righty's fastball touched 91 MPH on the radar gun. A healthy Hill equals mixed league sleeper. |
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| The Athletics purchased the contract of left-hander Greg Smith from Class AAA Sacramento on Wednesday, this according to Sports Network.
Smith, 24, will make his major league debut tonight and face one of the better offenses, and right arms, Toronto's Dustin McGowan (0-0, 3.00). Smith was one of six players acquired in the trade that sent Dan Haren to Arizona this winter.
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| Conor Jackson was replaced by Chris Burke in the top of the fifth inning during Wednesday’s game due to a left wrist injury. He was hit in the wrist by a pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning but stayed in the game to run the bases. X-rays came back negative, and the D'Backs consider him day-to-day. In the event Jackson has to miss a game or two, Burke would likely fill in at first base. |
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| Carmen Pignatiello has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa, according to the AP. The rookie lefty made two relief appearances for the Cubs this season, while allowing two hits and one run over 2/3 of an inning.
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| Yovani Gallardo made a rehab start for Triple-A Nashville, according to the AP. He is recovering from a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee. He was strong today over 5.1 innings, as he allowed two runs and seven hits. He walked only one, and struck out six in Nashville’s 2-1 rain-shortened loss to the Oklahoma RedHawks. He threw 90 pitches, 58 going for strikes.
Manager Ned Yost stated last weekend that Gallardo could return to Milwaukee’s rotation by the end of the month, and he will likely make at least one more rehab start with Nashville. This is good news for Gallardo.
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| Sean Marshall has been recalled from Triple-A Iowa, according to the AP. To make room for Marshall, the team optioned rookie lefty Carmen Pignatiello to Iowa. Marshall holds limited fantasy value as of now. |
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| As expected, Jeremy Hermida has been activated from the DL, according to the AP. He has previously been sidelined since late March with a strained left hamstring. He will resume his starting role in right field, hence replacing Luis Gonzalez. |
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| Randy Choate visited Dr. Don Sheridan in Phoenix on Monday because he was still experiencing some tenderness in his broken left hand, according to MLB.com. Sheridan recommended two more weeks of rest for him. He holds little to no fantasy value.
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| Tony Gwynn Jr. took early batting practice and did some running in the outfield on Tuesday, but remained sidelined by a strained left hamstring, according to MLB.com. The team is hoping to avoid placing him on the DL. He has registered four hits over seven brief at-bats this season. |
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| Jeff Keppinger has a seven game hitting streak, according to MLB.com. He will look to extend it tonight against Milwaukee starter Dave Bush, who is currently 0-1 with a 10.13 ERA. Keppinger is hitting .387 overall, in 31 at-bats. |
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| Andre Ethier is going to start in right field and bat third in the order against Arizona on Wednesday, according to the LA Daily News. The rising star is off to a good start as he is hitting .276 with one homer, four RBI, and one stolen base, over 29 at-bats. His fantasy stock will continue to climb. |
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| Juan Pierre is back in the starting lineup at left field for today's game against Arizona, according to the LA Daily News. Matt Kemp will replace Andruw Jones in center field, and Andre Ethier will handle right field. Pierre is only hitting .067 over 15 at-bats, so Manager Torre is batting him eighth in the order. |
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| Andruw Jones will ride the pine today in favor of Matt Kemp, according to the LA Daily News. Jones is only hitting .103 over 29 at-bats (with nine strikeouts), and Manager Torre is going with Kemp in center field. |
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| Matt Kemp will start in center field today against Arizona, according to the LA Daily News. He is hitting .273 over 22 at-bats, and he will start over Andruw Jones. |
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| Ryan Church has fared well against Kyle Kendrick, today's opposing hurler for Philadelphia, according to MLB.com. Church has generated two singles, one home run, and two walks over nine career plate appearances versus Kendrick. Church is off to a solid start as he is hitting 8-for-24, with one homer and six RBI, and looks to have a good day at the plate today. |
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| Mike Pelfrey is set to make his first start of 2008 today as he battles the Phillies, according to MLB.com. He has registered a loss in his only previous start against the Phillies, but Jimmy Rollins, who hit a two-run homer against him in that game, will not be in the lineup today due to injury. |
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| Fernando Martinez, widely considered the Mets’ best prospect, went 0-for-5 on Tuesday at Double-A and is now batting .136. This would be a red flag except for the fact that Martinez is only 19-years-old and already at Double-A. The Mets could demote him to High-A if the struggles continue, but that hardly blemishes his high stock as a hitting prospect. |
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| Jo-Jo Reyes threw five scoreless innings at Triple-A, allowing only one hit and striking out six. He struggled with his control in the majors last season, but he is still likely the first man in line for starts in the minors. Of course, if Mike Hampton ever makes it back healthy, Reyes could have a tough time getting starts in the Atlanta organization in 2008. |
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| Homer Bailey picked up his first win of the year after throwing 5.2 scoreless innings and fanning seven hitters. Bailey was seen as the next great pitcher in Cincinnati before Johnny Cueto’s arrival, and his stock could rise again if he continues to perform this well. |
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| Paul Lo Duca has a solid track record against Scott Olsen, today's opposing pitcher for Florida, according to MLB.com. He is hitting 8-for-20 lifetime against Olsen. This is good news for him, as he needs to break out of a slow start with a .227 average over 22 at-bats. |
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| As expected, Doug Davis has been placed on the 15-day DL, according to the Sports Network. He is going to have thyroid cancer surgery, and could potentially return in as little as 4-6 weeks following the procedure.
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| Jailen Peguero has been recalled from Triple-A Tucson, according to the Sports Network. He was called up to fill the roster spot left by Doug Davis, who has been placed on the DL while he undergoes cancer surgery. |
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| Zach Duke was dealt a no decision in his first start, and will be looking for his first win today as he challenges the Cubs, according to MLB.com. Duke is 4-2 with a 2.10 ERA in eight career starts against the Cubs, and will duel with hurler Ryan Dempster, who is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA so far this season. |
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| Kerry Wood will be available to pitch today, according to MLB.com. He got Monday off, but is ready to go if needed. He is notably 3-for-3 in save opportunities this season. |
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| Stephen Drew has a right quadriceps muscle injury, which may just be a bruise, according to MLB.com. Manager Melvin commented, "He got hit a couple of times, a short hop in Colorado hit him on the thigh. I think it's more of a bruise than a pull, but sometimes that can be tough for a player to differentiate." Drew was in the starting lineup Tuesday, but will likely get Wednesday off. Adjust your lineups accordingly. |
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| Micah Owings is 1-0 with a solid 1.35 ERA this season, and looks to remain unbeaten as he starts against the Dodgers today, according to MLB.com. Owings is 0-1 with a 3.27 ERA in three career games (two starts) against the Dodgers, and will square off against Hiroki Kuroda, who is also 1-0 with an even lower 1.29 ERA this season. |
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| Hiroki Kuroda is set to make his second start of the season today against Arizona, according to MLB.com. His first outing was strong as he only allowed one run on three hits over seven innings against the Padres, and he will be counted on today to try to end a two game losing streak for the Dodgers. He will battle Micah Owings, who is 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA. This should be a great game. |
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| Steve Kline has cleared waivers and is now a free agent, according to the SF Chronicle. Kline should get picked up by another club looking for a veteran lefty to stock in their bullpen. |
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| Dan Ortmeier will no longer be a switch-hitter and is going to try to hit exclusively from the right side, according to the SF Chronicle. The rookie is only hitting .143 over 14 at-bats, and Manager Bochy wants to see if it will help by keeping him on the right side, which is his natural position. |
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| Dave Roberts was placed on the DL due to his left knee injury, and he may need surgery, according to the SF Chronicle. His left knee has been reportedly bothering him for weeks, and now surgery is being considered, Manager Bochy commented. Fred Lewis should get the bulk of the playing time in left field while Roberts is out, but Rajai Davis, Dan Ortmeier and Clay Timpner should see time as well. |
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| Mark Prior threw a full batting practice session on Tuesday, according to the Union-Tribune. That was his first outing since the one six days earlier, which was notably cut short by shoulder tightness. Manager Black noted that Prior will likely pitch in a simulated game within two weeks. |
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| Michael Barrett could be on the shelf for 2-to-8 weeks due to his right elbow injury, according to the Union-Tribune. Barrett's MRI exam yesterday displayed one millimeter of laxity in the ulnar collateral ligament. Had the ligament been stretched 1.5 to 2 millimeters, surgery might have been necessary, but GM Kevin Towers noted "the hope" is that Barrett will respond favorably to rest and strengthening exercises. The most likely scenario is that Barrett will need 6-8 weeks to return, Manager Black said, but Towers commented that the injury could be nerve-related, and if that is the case, Barrett could be back when he is eligible to come off the disabled list on April 24. Josh Bard will remain the undisputed starter in San Diego, and we will keep you posted on Barrett's status.
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| Gary Bennett was awarded a start over Russell Martin on Tuesday against Arizona, but he failed to take advantage of the playing time as he went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. Martin was given the day off and should return in the Dodgers' next game. |
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| Andy LaRoche has begun hitting off of a tee, according to the LA Daily News. He also said that he could hit light toss today. Following his thumb surgery on March 10, LaRoche was expected to be out for a minimum of six weeks. |
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| Nomar Garciaparra could come off the DL and join the Dodgers as early as Monday, according to the LA Daily News. He reported no negative effects from having taken regular batting practice on Monday, and he even joined the early session on Tuesday. He hasn't played in a game since March 7, due to his microfracture in his right hand. All indications are that when the Dodgers start a six-game homestand on Friday, Garciaparra will be in Sacramento beginning a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas. That would place him on target to potentially return against the Pirates (series starts April 14), because he doesn't figure to need a lengthy rehab. The fantasy stock of Blake DeWitt drops with this news.
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| Humberto Quintero is awaiting his fate, according to the Houston Chronicle. Today marks the 10th day since he was designated for assignment, at which point the Astros had 10 days to trade him, put him on waivers, or release him. The catcher notably had a solid spring training, but the Astros are deep at catcher with JR Towles and Brad Ausmus. |
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| Chris Sampson is battling the flu, but is still scheduled to make his second start of the season tonight against St. Louis, according to the Houston Chronicle. He earned a no decision in his first outing, and will square off against Braden Looper, who is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA. Hopefully he can fight through the illness and pitch effectively. |
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| Ty Wigginton will be evaluated on Thursday, according to the Houston Chronicle. Wigginton commented that his broken left thumb tip felt better on Tuesday, and he could move the thumb freely in his brace, but was still unsure whether he'd be able to grip a bat by Thursday's game. He added, "I just know from putting this thing on I can move it around, which means some of the swelling is getting out of there." He will be evaluated, and the team will decide whether to place him on the DL.
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| Jason Hirsh, who is on the DL with a strained right rotator cuff, has begun throwing in the Rockies' extended spring training program, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He remains more than a month away from being activated.
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| Luis Vizcaino, who is on the DL with shoulder tightness, is not even playing catch, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He was slowed in spring training by elbow stiffness, and Manager Hurdle stated, "We aren't sure if the elbow contributed to the shoulder or is the shoulder another issue?" There remains no timetable for his return.
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| Manager Baker has been pleased with catcher Paul Bako, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Baker said, "With the injuries we've had to that catcher department, you're always going to have them, he's done an excellent job." He is hitting .316 over 19 at-bats, but he will get Wednesday off in favor of Javier Valentin, who has a better track record against Milwaukee pitcher Dave Bush.
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| Javier Valentin will start at catcher today against Milwaukee, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer. He is nursing a slightly strained hamstring but Manager Baker noted, "He has pretty good numbers against Brewers right-hander Dave Bush (today's opposing pitcher). It's a situation where we've got to take care of Bako, too." David Ross is eligible to come off the DL on Monday, and Valentin has chipped in favorably with a .375 average over eight at-bats.
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| Rafael Soriano is battling elbow soreness, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. He experienced the soreness after pitching Saturday and Sunday against the Mets, and that is why he sat in favor of Manny Acosta on Monday. Manager Bobby Cox said he is not taking any chances, and decided to go with Acosta in the closer's role. Soriano notably suffered from elbow soreness during training camp, and we will continue to monitor him. |
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| Chris Young is off to a favorable start as he generated four homers,six RBI, and two stolen bases, but he co-leads the MLB with 12 strikeouts (with Bill Hall), and his average sits at .212 over 33 at-bats. Young remains one of the hottest young sluggers in baseball, and his average should climb up soon enough. |
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| Carlos Beltran currently leads the league in doubles with seven. He is hitting 8-for-22 overall, but is yet to hit his first home run. |
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| Doug Davis has won his first game of the season on Tuesday before he undergoes cancer surgery on Thursday, according to BaseballMusings.com. Davis only allowed two runs on six hits over six innings, with seven strikeouts and two walks, in a 10-5 win over the Dodgers. It was a heroic performance, and his recovery and rehab time following this week's surgery is at least four to six weeks, likely even longer according to manager Bob Melvin, who stated, "We'll see. That's a tough one for me. I know he's kind of committed to that and doctors have told him that. I think that's his timetable in his head, but we'll take it how we think he's progressing at the time. It could be more." It was a good night for him, and hopefully he can make a favorable recovery.
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| Mark Reynolds went 2-for-5 with three RBI in a 10-5 win over the Dodgers on Tuesday, and he notably collected his fifth home run of the season. He is off to a great start with a .344 average over 32 at-bats, but he needs to cut down on his strikeouts, which he has nine already. |
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| Troy Tulowitzki is off to a slow start as he is only hitting 7-for-33, and is yet to hit his first home run of the season. He went 1-for-4 against Atlanta on Tuesday, and needs to get on track soon. |
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| Kazuo Matsui is going to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday and could possibly return by Sunday, according to MLB.com. Astros GM Ed Wade stated, "Possibly by the Sunday game, he could be back. If not, if everything moves in a straight line, figure Matsui could be back at Philadelphia on Tuesday. We'll play it by ear." Mark Loretta is currently filling in at second base until he can return.
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| Brian Wilson had his second straight bad outing, and this time it cost him a save. The closer gave up a run on two hits and a walk Tuesday and now has given up three runs in three innings this year. He probably won't get a ton of save chances on the Giants, so Wilson can't blow too many. |
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