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| Hideki Matsui hit his third home run of the season on Tuesday night as the Yankees defeated the Rays, 5-3. |
Our View: Matsui has been steady in April. His three home runs include five runs scored and eight RBI.
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| Victor Martinez had three hits and two RBI for the Indians in a Tuesday loss to the Red Sox. |
Our View: Martinez, who has played in nine games this April, has yet to hit a home run and has only one run scored and four RBI (two today).
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| Melvin Mora hit his team-high third homer Tuesday's 11-3 loss to the Blue Jays. |
Our View: Mora has been steady for Baltimore this April. The veteran third baseman has stolen a base, scored six runs, driven in six and is hitting .255 in 13 games.
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| Nick Markakis, who has always hit the Blue Jays well, hit is second home run of the season in the O's loss to Toronto.
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Our View: Markakis is hitting .310 on the season, but has yet to be the run producer the team needs him to be.
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| Steve Trachsel gave up five runs, five hits and three walks in 2.1 ugly innings. The O's right-hander retired only five of 14 batters; the other two outs occurred on attempted steals. |
Our View: The veteran had terrific career numbers against the Jays, but at some point in a pitchers career, those numbers don't wash.
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| Shaun Marcum allowed two runs and four hits in 6.2 innings of work. The right-hander walked three and struck out four. |
Our View: Marcum has struggled against the O's during his career but he was strong on Tuesday in the Jays 11-3 win.
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| Florida first baseman Mike Jacobs found little competition in swinging the bat against the Atlanta Braves in a 0-4 win. Jacobs went 2-for-3 at the plate, hitting two doubles with two RBIs and one run scored and a walk. |
Our View: Jacobs also added his first stolen base of the season.
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| Aaron Hill hit a three-run homer helping the Toronto Blue Jays beat up the Baltimore Orioles 11-3 on Tuesday night. |
Our View: Hill is hitting .340 with two home runs and 12 RBI in 14 games so far this season.
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| Andy Pettitte allowed three runs over seven innings and notched his second victory on Tuesday night as the New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-3. |
Our View: Pettitte gave up nine hits, struck out five and walked three. The left-hander is 14-2 against Tampa Bay overall, including 8-1 in games at Tropicana Field.
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| Kenji Johjima hit a run scoring double in a 3-for-4 day at the plate.
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Our View: The Seattle catcher scored twice and had two total RBI in Seattle's big win over the Royals. The Japanese import was scuffling before tonight's game hitting a light .162. He raised his average to .220 with the three hits.
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| Aaron Laffey allowing only two runs on three hits in eight innings for his second win of the season at Triple-A on Monday night. He is now 2-1 with a 4.00 ERA on the year. |
Our View: The Indians are in very good hands with Laffey as a potential replacement should something happen to their current starting five. The lefty posted a 4.56 ERA in nine starts for the Indians last season, and his solid groundball rate and control makes him a fair AL-only option should he get another chance to join the rotation this season.
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| David DeJesus is healthy, in only his third game back, the center fielder went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. |
Our View: The return of DeJesus kills the momentum that Joey Gathright built during his absence.
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| Miguel Batista struggled through five innings, allowing seven hits and four runs in his first win of the season. |
Our View: The right-hander walked two and struck out only one in the win. Batista's fantasy value rests in deep AL-only formats.
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| Hideo Nomo, who is attempting a comeback at the age of 39, allowed four runs in Tuesday's 11-6 loss to Seattle. |
Our View: Expect to see Nomo released in the next two days.
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| John Bale allowed five runs on seven hits, lasting only three-plus innings in a 11-6 loss to Seattle on Tuesday night. |
Our View: Bale is hanging on by a thread as the Royals fifth starter and shouldn't be anywhere near a fantasy roster, not even deep AL-only formats.
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| Jose Lopez became the 12th player in major league history to hit three sacrifice flies in a game. Seattle put a 11-6 beat down on the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. |
Our View: Lopez finished the game 1-for-2 with four RBI. Incredibly, the M's second baseman has 13 RBI in 15 games so far this year.
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| Twins starter Scott Baker gave up three runs on five hits in seven innings of work on Tuesday night The right-hander walked two and struck out three in a no-decision. |
Our View: Baker pitched effectively. The Twins simply ran into a Detroit team that is finally coming out of its winter slumber.
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| It wasn't pretty, again, but Detroit closer Todd Jones recorded his third save of the season in the 6-5 win over the Twins on Tuesday night. |
Our View: Jones once again made his ninth inning appearance interesting. The right-handed veteran gave up one run on two hits. He also struck out a Twinkie in his one inning of work.
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| Gary Sheffield, who is playing through some shoulder pain, hit his first home run of the season on Tuesday. |
Our View: Sheff, who helped the Tigers to their second straight victory, had only one RBI coming into tonight's game. Sad isn't a strong enough word for what the Tigers offense has been. After two victories, and a combined 17 runs in the last two games, Detroit is poised to have some of their big bats break out.
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| Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer to help the Detroit Tigers to a second straight eighth-inning rally, beating the Minnesota Twins 6-5 Tuesday night. |
Our View: The long ball was Miguel's second of the season. The third baseman drove in his fourth and fifth RBI.
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| Jesse Crain, who is reportedly suffering from a sore knee, was the pitcher of record in the 6-5 loss to the Tigers on Tuesday night. |
Our View: Crain was tagged for three runs on two hits. The right-handed reliever gave up a walk and struck out one in the loss.
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| Clay Rapada , who was called up just last Friday, recorded two outs and got the the 6-5 win over the Twins on Tuesday. |
Our View: Rapada replaced right-hander Yorman Bazardo, who was designated for assignment.
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| Magglio Ordonez was a major contributor in the Tigers 6-5 win over the Twins on Tuesday night. The right fielder was 2-for-4 with a double and a home run. |
Our View: Mags scored twice and drove in two for a Tiger offense that appears ready to break out.
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| Nate Robertson pitched well for the first time this season in a 6-5 win over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. The Detroit left-hander didn't receive the decision but kept the Tigers in the game. The southpaw allowed four runs on six hits, walked one and struck out five over 6.1 innings of work. |
Our View: The Tigers bats are coming alive, and with an average starting five and bullpen, it's the Detroit hitters that will have carry the Tigers to continued success.
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| According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Rafael Betancourt will replace Borowski at closer. The report noted that the right-hander wasn't available Tuesday night against Boston after pitching two days in a row. |
Our View: Wedge said he'd use Jensen Lewis or Rafael Perez if he needed a closer. It will come as no surprise if Betancourt finishes out the season as the Indians' ninth inning option.
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| Curt Schilling remains in the dark on when he might be able to start throwing, according to MLB.com. The Red Sox right-hander hopes it will happen within "the next couple of weeks." "I'm getting closer, obviously, because they're challenging me more, but I don't know," said Schilling. "I feel good enough to be asking them on a daily basis, so that's a good thing. But I don't know. I don't have an answer for you." |
Our View: Schilling will be fortunate if he can return before the All Star break, and even then he is a a fringe fantasy reserve in mixed formats.
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| According to the Dallas Morning News, after a shaky spring training, Kason Gabbard has started the season with a couple of solid outings. He allowed his first two runs of the season in his last start against Baltimore. He went 5 2/3 innings and gave up seven hits but got no decision in a Rangers win.
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Our View: It should be no surprise that any staff, including the Rangers' fare better away from Ranger Stadium. Texas pitchers have a 2.31 ERA away from Arlington and a 5.32 ERA at home.
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| The Plain Dealer suggests that closer Joe Borowski and the team have hidden the right-handers injury this season. The report notes that the team entered the season with Borowski still hurting, denied he was hurt on April 7 after he gave up a walk-off grand slam to Torii Hunter and were still playing dumb Monday night after Borowski gave it up again against Manny Ramirez.
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Our View: Questioning the papers speculation one would obviously ask what was the point in hiding an injury. This isn't football, or basketball where opposing players could utilize the information. The Indians have no timetable for Borowski's return, but it is again speculated that he could miss as much as a month.
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| Jake Westbrook completed his third straight quality start on Monday night, but received a no-decision after the Indians bullpen blew his 4-2 lead. |
Our View: Westbrook was perfect during spring training, and has carried his success into April. If Westbrook can continue this pattern, it would be an aberration for a right-hander at the age of 30. If you buy into the theory that by the time a pitcher hits his thirties, and they are what they've been, one might spend some time finding out what the Indians starter is worth on the open market.
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| Dustin McGowan is better than his record, and as unlucky as he is good. The future ace is throwing consistently in the mid-90s and his array of pitches are as active as any right-hander in the league. He has allowed 21 hits in 17 innings and struck out 16 during that stretch. |
Our View: The Jays have given him little run support and his task doesn't get any easier over his next three starts (Tigers, Rays, and Red Sox).
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| There's no timetable for Joba Chamberlain's return to active duty, which leaves a void in the Yanks' bullpen. |
Our View: The club recalled right-hander Jonathan Albaladejo from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday to take Chamberlain's place in the bullpen.
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| The Boston Globe is reporting that it's likely that Alex Cora will be placed on the disabled list. Though there was no definitive news or confirmation according to the note. |
Our View: Terry Francona told the paper it might be as much as a week before Cora is ready on Tuesday. However, Francona had said the infielder had "no limitations" this past weekend.
With the ability to retroactively place Cora on the DL -- expect the move to take place tonight or tomorrow.
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| Bedard has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, this according to ESPN SportsCenter. |
Our View: There is no word yet on who will fill his spot among the starting five. It's likely Bedard will miss only one more start and return to his slot in the rotation when he's eligible to return. R.A. Dickey is the likely candidate to replace the left-hander for Friday's start.
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| Evan Longoria is again in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Yankees. The rookie third baseman is hitting fifth in the order. |
Our View: Longoria will be playing his fourth game of the season, and currently has four hits in nine at-bats, with one home run and two RBI. He has only struck out once in his nine plate appearances.
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| David DeJesus, for the second straight game, is starting and at the top of the Royals' order. |
Our View: This will be the center fielder's third game of the season. DeJesus has one hit and one RBI in five at-bats on the year.
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| Rays' starter Matt Garza threw 30 pitches off the bullpen mound today and came away pain free, this according to the Tampa Tribune. The radial nerve irritation that placed him on the 15-day disabled list was treated with an injection and has responded well.
“I feel that good,” he said. “That’s my plan, but we’ll see what’s in store. Today is Day One of throwing off a mound. I felt good and I’m ready to get right back on it. Let’s go.”
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Our View: Manager Joe Maddon also sounded optimistic that Garza would be able to pitch either against the Blue Jays at Disney on April 24 or against the Red Sox during the weekend series at Tropicana Field April 25-27.
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| Twins shortstop Adam Everett will have his right shoulder examined by the team’s medical staff Wednesday, skipper Ron Gardenhire said, notes the Star Tribune.
Everett had a throwing error in the eighth inning of Monday’s 11-9 loss and missed two games over the weekend to rest the shoulder. |
Our View: Matt Tolbert is in the starting lineup for tonight’s game against the Tigers.
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| Jacoby Ellsbury is penciled in as the starting right fielder for the Red Sox tonight while Coco Crisp mans center field. Ellsbury is batting sixth. |
Our View: J.D. Drew is not on the lineup card for tonight's game. Drew is a .200 lifetime hitter against Paul Byrd while Crisp has five career hits in 11 at-bats (.467) against the Indians' right-hander.
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| Bobby Crosby has been performing well in the early going this season, but he had a tough day at the plate in a 4-1 loss to Chicago on Tuesday, as he went 0-for-4 with one strikeout, while leaving two men on base. |
Our View: Crosby should bounce back fine.
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| Joe Crede went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Oakland. He now has collected 16 RBI for the season, with eight of them coming on two grand slams. |
Our View: Crede remains one of the hottest third basemen in the league, and you should continue to pencil him into your fantasy lineups.
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| Carlos Quentin went 1-for-3 and blasted a three-run homer in a 4-1 win over Oakland on Tuesday. That was his second home run of the season, and he notably racked up 13 RBI over 11 games. |
Our View: two of his nine hits went for homers so far this season.
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| John Danks dazzled in his first win of the season for Chicago on Tuesday, as he threw 7.2 scoreless innings, with only five hits allowed in a 4-1 final against Oakland. He also racked up four strikeouts with two walks. |
Our View: He was off to a slow start this season, and this was a great bounce back win for him.
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| Dana Eveland was dealt his first loss today as he surrendered four runs (three earned) on five hits over 4.2 innings, as Oakland ultimately fell to Chicago 4-1. He had three walks and two strikeouts, and most of the damage came on a three-run homer by Carlos Quentin. |
Our View: He was strong in his first start, and should bounce back fine. You could use his unfavorable performance to your advantage by trying to acquire him for cheap.
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| Dontrelle Willis has pleaded guilty to reckless driving in a South Florida case that was downgraded from drunken driving, according to the AP. He was arrested in December of 2006 in Miami Beach. Police noticed Willis had double-parked his Bentley and had watery eyes, slurred speech and appeared disoriented. Prosecutors on Tuesday stated that Willis accepted a plea to lesser charges, meaning Willis can keep his driver’s license. But he must pay $761 in fines and fees, do 50 hours of community service and be on probation for six months.
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Our View: Willis is currently on the DL due to his knee ailment, and did not appear in court.
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| The earlier speculation proved to be true, as Jeff Weaver officially signed with the Brewers today, according to SI.com. He signed a minor league deal, and if Weaver is not called up to the Major League by June, he can declare free agency.
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Our View: This is good news for him, but his fantasy value remains limited.
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| Manager Ron Washington stated that he will shuttle Josh Hamilton between center and right field for the entire season in an attempt to keep him fresh and healthy, according to MLB.com. Washington noted that center field is strenuous for a big man like Hamilton to play every day, and added that he will spend some time as a DH as well. |
Our View: Hamilton is off to a great start with three homers and 13 RBI over 13 games, and Washington's plan should help him remain strong.
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| Edwin Jackson is off to the best start of his young career as he currently holds a 2-0 record with a 0.64 ERA, and will look to remain strong tonight as he takes the hill against the Yankees, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Jackson is 2-1 with a 4.72 ERA over eight career games against New York, and will be opposed by lefty Andy Pettitte (1-1 3.09 ERA).
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| Derek Jeter has a good track record against Edwin Jackson, tonight's opposing hurler for Tampa Bay, according to MLB.com. The elite shortstop is 4-for-11 with a homer and three RBI over his career against Jackson. |
Our View: Jeter could have continued success, but Jackson is off to a strong start however, with a 2-0 record and 0.64 ERA. This should be a good match-up to follow tonight.
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| A.J. Pierzynski will take a day off today, according to the Chicago Tribune. Toby Hall will start in his place at catcher. |
Our View: Pierzynski has been on a tear in the early going as he is hitting 16-for-38 with two homers and nine RBI over 10 games, and he deserves a day off to rest.
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| Alexei Ramirez will start in center field and bat seventh for Chicago today, according to The Chicago Tribune. Paul Konerko will handle the DH role in place of Jim Thome, and Nick Swisher will cover first base. |
Our View: Ramirez has one hit over 12 at-bats this season, but has the potential to break out on any given day.
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| Paul Konerko is going to serve as Chicago's DH against Oakland today while Jim Thome sits out, according to the Chicago Tribune. He will bat fourth in the lineup. Nick Swisher will cover first base, and Alexei Ramirez will cover center field. |
Our View: Konerko only has eight hits over 39 at-bats, but he has scored eight runs (drew 10 walks) and generated 11 RBI. He should continue to rack up the runs and RBI while hitting in the dynamic Chicago lineup.
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| Nick Swisher will play first base today and bat leadoff for Chicago, according to The Chicago Tribune. Paul Konerko will handle the DH role while Jim Thome sits out. Alexei Ramirez will man center field. |
Our View: Swisher is hitting 11-for-38 with three extra base hits and 12 walks so far (with 11 runs scored), and is working out very well as the leadoff man right now.
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| Nick Markakis has a good track record against Shaun Marcum, tonight's opposing hurler for Toronto, according to MLB.com. Markakis is hitting 4-for-10 with three homers in his career against the Jays' righty. |
Our View: Markakis is hitting 13-for-42 with one homer so far, and Marcum is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA. This should be a good battle to follow.
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| Steve Trachsel will take the hill against Toronto tonight, a team he is yet to lose to, according to MLB.com. Trachsel is 6-0 against Toronto over his career, with a 3.12 ERA in seven starts. |
Our View: He is off to a pretty good start with a 1-1 record and a 3.00 ERA, and ranks as a good fantasy play as a sleeper for tonight.
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| Magglio Ordonez has a good track record against Scott Baker, tonight's opposing hurler for Minnesota, according to MLB.com. Ordonez is 9-for-21 over his career against Baker, with two doubles and a homer. |
Our View: Ordonez notably went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI against Minnesota on Monday, and looks to stay hot against Baker.
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| Manager Ron Gardenhire started that Adam Everett is regaining arm strength after being slowed by a sore right shoulder, according to MLB.com. He still isn't back to 100%, but Gardenhire says he is getting closer. |
Our View: This is good news, as Everett holds his most value defensively for Minnesota.
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| Scott Baker will be aiming for a 3-0 start when he takes the hill against Detroit tonight, according to MLB.com. He will have a good chance to do so, as the Tigers are off to a shaky start, and Baker went 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA over two career starts at Comerica Park. |
Our View: His fantasy stock will continue to rise with another strong outing tonight.
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| Coco Crisp has a good track record against Paul Byrd, tonight's opposing pitcher for Cleveland, according to MLB.com. He is 5-for-11 lifetime against Byrd. |
Our View: Crisp is currently hitting 12-for-35, and Byrd is 0-2 with an 11.05 ERA. Crisp should have another solid outing against him.
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| Jed Lowrie will start for the Red Sox tonight, likely at third base, according to MLB.com. He was called up from the minors when third baseman Mike Lowell went on the DL, and Manager Terry Francona said, "He'll play. Where, I'm not sure. He'll play third or short, we'll see. Probably third. Wouldn't mind giving 'Case' a day off. I've already told Lowrie to get ready to play somewhere." He is a switch-hitter and said this about his first start, "I'll go into the day and get my work in and approach it like any other day." |
Our View: We will monitor his performance as he makes his Major League debut.
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| Rafael Betancourt will likely get the first chance to be the Indians' acting closer while Joe Borowski is on the DL, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. If the team decides to experiment with a "closer by committee", then Rafael Perez, Jensen Lewis, Masa Kobayashi and Jorge Julio would all get a shot.
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Our View: Betancourt racked up seven strikeouts over seven innings this season, and his fantasy stock will rise if he ultimately gets annointed as the Indians' closer.
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| Tom Mastny has been called up from Triple-A Buffalo, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Closer Joe Borowski has been placed on the 15-day DL, and Mastny will fill his open spot on the roster. |
Our View: He racked up 52 strikeouts over 57.2 innings pitched in 2007, and will fight for playing time out of the Indians' pen.
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| Joe Borowski has been placed on the 15-day DL, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. He was brought down due to his strained triceps muscle, and notably blew his last two save chances. |
Our View: The team did not specify how much time he will miss, and the team called up pitcher Tom Mastny from Triple-A to fill his open spot on the roster.
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| Ichiro Suzuki currently holds a 25-game hitting streak against the Royals, according to MLB.com. He will look to keep it going tonight, as Seattle hosts Kansas City. |
Our View: He is hitting 16-for-59 so far, and will face lefty John Bale, who is 0-2 with a 5.84 ERA.
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| Pitcher Miguel Batista praised R.A. Dickey, who was recently called up from the minors, according to MLB.com. Batista stated, "Dickey makes a huge difference for this club. He can pitch every day. That's a real plus."
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Our View: Dickey, a knuckleballer, should rack up a fair share of innings if he hangs on with the Mariners, and could even make a spot start if needed.
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| Ryan Shealy blasted his third home run on Sunday for Triple-A Omaha and collected eight RBI over 10 games, but was batting just .184, according to MLB.com.
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Our View: With Billy Butler, Ross Gload, and Mark Teahen firmly set on the Royals' roster, Shealy has a limited shot to get called up, unless one of them gets hurt.
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| John Danks will be looking for his first win of the season today when the White Sox host the Athletics, according to MLB.com. He is currently 0-1 with a 8.00 ERA over nine innings of work, but Danks won his only previous start against Oakland, while only allowing one run over six innings. |
Our View: He will duel with Oakland lefty Dana Eveland, who is 1-0 with a 0.68 ERA.
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| Ryan Sweeney is still being bothered by his strained right quad, and could miss today's game against the White Sox, according to MLB.com. He would like to play against his former team but stated, "I think I'm the emergency, emergency, emergency option. I've been getting treatment, and I'm going to try to run on it a little today, but I think they want to just wait until we get back to warmer weather to really test it." |
Our View: It is currently 53 degrees in Chicago, and he will likely sit out until the Athletics return to warmer weather.
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| Jorge Posada is considering a cortisone injection for his ailing shoulder, according to the NY Post. He has been playing at DH as he is not ready to handle the strain of catching yet and noted, " It's 50/50 (a cortisone injection) would work because of where the problem is. Where the problem is isn't where the shot would go, so it's 50/50. I am considering it."
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Our View: Either way, he still holds fantasy value while working as the Yankees' DH. Jose Molina may be ready to handle the catching role in about a day or two as well.
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| Armando Benitez has been trying to work his way back into the league through the Jays minor league system, but suffered a setback on Monday as he pulled his hamstring while moving to cover first base during a game with Triple-A Syracuse, according to the Toronto Star. |
Our View: His fantasy stock remains limited.
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| Jim Thome has been suspended for one game Tuesday and fined an undisclosed sum by the MLB for inappropriate actions during a game against Detroit last week, according to the AP. He was ejected for arguing a call after he struck out.
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