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| Kevin Mulvey had another terrific start for Triple-A Rochester, allowing one run on six hits and fanning nine for his second win of the season. |
Our View: We must remember that Rochester is a big-time pitcher’s atmosphere, but Mulvey’s early results have still been terrific. He now has a 20/3 K/BB ratio in 17.2 innings, which is especially good for a pitcher who struck out only 110 batters in 151.2 innings at Double-A. The Twins’ rotation remains crowded, but Mulvey is bound to get his chance this season if he keeps this up.
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| A wild pitch in the 14th inning allowed the New York Mets to beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 Thursday night. Six Mets relievers combined to throw seven scoreless innings with Jorge Sosa getting six outs to earn the win. |
Our View: Sosa allowed two hits, walked one and struck out two in the two inning win.
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| J.P. Howell earned his first career save with three innings of scoreless relief in the Rays 7-3 win over Minnesota. |
Our View: With a 7-3 lead, and Howell pitching well, skipper Madden chose to give the left-hander the save.
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| Boof Bonser who allowed six earned runs and seven hits in four innings, struggled all night before exiting with the bases loaded in the fifth. Bonser was disappointing after pitching six scoreless innings against the Royals on Saturday. |
Our View: The Minnesota starter has struggled at home during his career, but his Thursday outing was one where he simply had no command of his curve ball.
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| Jason Hammel had his second straight strong outing as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 7-3 Thursday night.
In six innings, Hammel allowed six hits and three runs while striking out five. |
Our View: The Ray sub-starter allowed two earned runs in a career-best seven innings Saturday.
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| Travis Hafner homered in an 11-1 win over the Tigers on Thursday night. The designated hitters only hit, a home run. |
Our View: It was Hafner's third long ball of the season and his 11th RBI.
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| Ryan Garko homered with one out in the fifth inning in the Indians 11-1 win over Detroit on Thursday. |
Our View: The home run was Garko's second of the season, and his 10th and 11th RBI.
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| Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander remained winless in four starts, falling to 0-3. The hard throwing right-hander allowed five runs and seven hits in five innings of work. |
Our View: Verlander's Achilles on Thursday was his command as he walked four batters and struck out only one.
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| Fausto Carmona allowed a run in 6.2 innings as the Indians defeated the Detroit Tigers 11-1 on Thursday night.
Carmona allowed seven hits, struck out two and walked one in the win. |
Our View: The Indians new ace, now that C.C Sabathia is on sabbatical, helped the slumping Indians raise their record to 6-10 on the season.
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| George Sherrill recorded his first win of the season in an extra innings victory over the Chicago White Sox. Sherrill worked one inning, allowing a walk and struck out one. |
Our View: Sherrill has six saves and a win in the teams first 16 games of the season.
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| Jeremy Guthrie registered a quality start against the White Sox on Thursday night. The right-hander allowed three earned runs on six hits, walked one and struck out two. |
Our View: Guthrie received a no-decision for his effort.
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| Adam Jones singled in the game-winning run in the 10th inning, capping a late comeback that gave the Baltimore Orioles a 6-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night.
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Our View: Jones was 1-for-4 on the day striking out twice.
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| Nick Markakis homered for the Orioles in their come from behind win over Chicago on Thursday night. |
Our View: The home run, a two run shot, was the young outfielder's third of the season.
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| Carlos Quentin is having quite a week. After going 1-for-3 with a home run in a 4-1 win over Oakland on Tuesday, the outfielder was 2-for-3 on Thursday, with both hits coming in the form of home runs. |
Our View: Quentin raised his average to .244, has four home runs, 11 runs and 15 RBI on the season. Not bad for a player that was going to fill a platoon or utility role heading into the season. Once Jerry Owens is activated from the disabled list, the team has a tough decision to make. What do they do with Quentin? Maybe the question should be what do they do with Owens? It's possible that Swisher will remain in center field and Quentin in right leaving Owens on the bench.
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| The strong performance by Gavin Floyd on Thursday resulted in a no-decision after closer Bobby Jenks blew a two run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. Floyd threw six strong innings allowing two runs (both unearned) on two hits, walking two and striking out four. |
Our View: Floyd appears to have arrived, and just in time as far as the White Sox are concerned. Tonight's loss was a blow to the division leaders.
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| David Murphy went 3-for-4 with three doubles, scored once and drove in a run in a 4-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
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Our View: Murphy has been surprisingly consistent. After his three hit performance on Thursday the outfielder raised his batting average to .305. Murphy also has three stolen bases on the season.
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| Vicente Padilla pitched seven strong innings helping the Rangers send Toronto to it's fifth straight home defeat. Padilla allowed one run on seven hits, walked three and struck out two. |
Our View: Padilla improved to 2-1 on the season with a 3.12 ERA.
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| Roy Halladay pitched his second straight complete game against Texas on Thursday. The outcome, however, wasn't what the former Cy Young winner or the Blue Jays wanted. The Rangers recorded 11 hits, four runs and notched a 4-1 victory. |
Our View: Halladay helped ease the pain of an overworked bullpen, but the loss leveled out his and Toronto's records, to 2-2 and 8-8, respectively.
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| Ian Kinsler was 3-for-4 in Thursday's 4-1 win over Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays. |
Our View: The Texas second baseman raised his average to over .300, and has 10 runs scored on the season.
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| Scott Kazmir is working on a rehab assignment and will pitch for Tampa Bay's Class A affiliate Vero Beach in the next few days, this according to the team website.
Kazmir will take the mound on Friday, when the left-hander is scheduled to throw three-to-four innings, or about 45 pitches. |
Our View: Kazmir has been sidelined since Feb. 25 with a left elbow strain and his return to the Rays rotation has yet to be determined.
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| For the second straight game Gavin Floyd flirted with a no-hitter. While his second start wasn't as impressive as his first when he took a no-no into the eighth inning, the White Sox starter retired the first 12 batters before Kevin Millar led off the fifth inning with a single off Joe Crede's glove.
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Our View: Floyd has simply been outstanding this year. Coming into Thursday's game the right-hander was 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA.
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| MLB.com reports that center fielder Curtis Granderson will begin a Minor League rehab assignment Friday. It will be the first live action for Granderson since he fractured his right middle finger in spring training.
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Our View: Granderson, who hasn't played in a game since March 22, took a third straight day of batting practice Thursday. The Tigers will welcome back their leadoff hitter with open arms sometime next week.
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| Joba Chamberlain's father is making progress while remaining hospitalized, the New York Yankees said, notes CBS Sports. Chamberlain missed his fourth consecutive game Thursday night to be with his stricken father in Nebraska. |
Our View: New York manager Joe Girardi said he spoke to Chamberlain on the phone Thursday but still doesn't have a time line for his return.
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| Jays' right-hander Brian Wolfe was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right triceps. |
Our View: Toronto recalled pitcher David Purcey from Triple-A Syracuse.
The Jays first-round pick in the 2004 amateur draft, Purcey was 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA in three starts at Syracuse this season.
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| The Blue Jays recalled pitcher David Purcey from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, this according to CBS Sports. To make room for Purcey right-hander Brian Wolfe was placed on the 15-day disabled list, this due to a strained right triceps. |
Our View: The Jays are in need of arms for a taxed bullpen, and Purcey could start tomorrow [Friday] night in place of A.J. Burnett who was pushed back after making a relief appearance in the Jays extra inning Wednesday affair.
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| Marlon Byrd (knee) was placed on the 15-day disabled list, this according to the Star Telegram. German Duran was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma to take Byrd's spot. |
Our View: With a stiff back, Hank Blalock is out of tonight's starting lineup, allowing Duran to make his major-league debut at third base. The replacement receives the pleasure of facing former Cy Young winner Roy Halladay tonight. Blalock (who might not be ready to play again until Sunday) will give way to Duran until he is healthy enough to return.
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| The Star Telegram is reporting that a sore left knee has forced Marlon Byrd to the 15-day disabled list. German Duran was called from Triple-A Oklahoma to take Byrd's spot.
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Our View: Duran will make his major-league debut at third base tonight for the injured Hank Blalock (back), who might not be ready to play again until Sunday.
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| The Rangers' starting lineup will be without veteran Hank Blalock tonight in Toronto. The Rangers third baseman is nursing a stiff back and will be limited to emergency pinch-hitting duty. |
Our View: German Duran replaces Blalock and bats ninth.
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| The Rangers' lineup has been shuffled significantly for tonight's game in Toronto. Shortstop Michael Young won't start for the first time this year as he rests a sore right calf. |
Our View: Ramon Vazquez replaces Young and bats eighth.
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| Ivan Rodriguez is out of the Tigers lineup that squares off in the second game of a two-game series against the Indians. |
Our View: Center fielder Clete Thomas is leading off and Brandon Inge, who is batting ninth, is behind the plate.
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| Pitcher Bartolo Colon (oblique) continues to just be, this according to the Providence Journal. The paper notes that Colon was sitting in the visitor’s clubhouse earlier today, just flipping a baseball. Francona said he still has no new information on when the veteran right-hander will begin to throw again. |
Our View: Colon, at this point, seems to be content just hanging around winners, instead of competing for a spot on a winning rotation.
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| Infielder Alex Cora was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday with a right-elbow sprain, according to the Providence Journal. He was scheduled to have an MRI but according to Francona the test could not be completed because Cora experienced a little anxiety in the tight quarters. |
Our View: Cora is expected, at this point, to come off the DL when he is eligible.
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| Outfielder Coco Crisp has been hampered by a hamstring injury and is out of the lineup again tonight, according to the Providence Journal. Red Sox skipper Terry Francona told the paper that Crisp could play if needed, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. The manager said Crisp’s range-of-motion is fine. |
Our View: Jacoby Ellsbury will start alongside Manny Ramirez and J.D. Drew.
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| Kevin Youkilis contacted manager Terry Francona early this morning and informed him he was ready to play, this according to the Providence Journal. The Sox' third baseman fouled a ball off his left big toe in the sixth inning on Wednesday. X-rays were negative.
“He made it very clear to me that if I didn’t play him he would be a pain in the butt,” said the manager. “That’s good news because when a guy has that kind of outlook at 10 in the morning and he’s laughing about it he’s probably feeling a little better than expected.”
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Our View: Youkilis and the Sox have been good offensively. The infielder's line of .368/.433/.596 is impressive to say the least. Youk has two home runs, 12 runs scored, 11 RBI and has even attempted (unsuccessfully) a stolen base.
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| Kevin Youkilis injured his foot on Wednesday night and x-rays on his toe were negative so he hopes to play on Thursday, this according to MLB.com. "For me, it's just trying to get healthy and do what's best with this team. It's nothing long term, so that's a good thing. Hopefully I'll be out there." |
Our View: The team is already without Mike Lowell and can ill afford to also be without Youkilis. If Youkilis can't go look for Jed Lowrie to take over duties at third base.
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| Trevor Cahill threw six scoreless innings on Wednesday to earn his third win of the season at High-A. He allowed two hits, one walk and struck out nine. |
Our View: The 20-year-old Cahill was one of Oakland’s better pitching prospects entering the season, and he has earned more hype in his first three starts with a 0.50 ERA and 21/2 K/BB ratio in 18 innings. He is one of several excellent A’s pitching prospects.
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| Cale Iorg, a sixth-round pick last year, hit his third home run in as many games on Wednesday at High-A. He is now hitting .333-3-7 this season. |
Our View: It’s nice to see the Tigers prospect get off to a good start. The Tigers farm system was thinned out after dealing several good prospects during the offseason for Edgar Renteria, Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis.
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| Joakim Soria has five saves on the year without allowing a run to spearhead what has been one of the best bullpens in baseball in the early going, this according to MLB.com. |
Our View: The Royals bullpen currently sports a 2.31 ERA which is first in baseball and almost a run ahead of the second best team in the AL, the White Sox (3.10).
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| Brandon Morrow was called up to the Mariners on Wednesday and he is eager to show the team that the control issues that have plagued him are behind him, this according to the Seattle Times. "He's ready to go," manager John McLaren said. "He's been throwing on a regular basis down there. I don't see any reason to hold him back." |
Our View: Morrow concentrated on throwing his changeup and worked on a split-finger fastball while in the minors, but he did also walk six batters in 7.1 innings, so perhaps his newfound confidence is a bit optimistic.
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| John Lackey is believed to be on track to return in about three weeks, according to the LA Times. The Angels' ace said he felt "really good" after pitching a one-inning simulated game on Wednesday, but said the more important test would be how he feels today, and added, "It felt good in spring training in the last bullpen I threw. I couldn't move my arm two days later." Manager Mike Scioscia said Lackey is scheduled for a two-inning simulated game Saturday, followed by three or four minor league rehab starts. That timetable puts his anticipated return in the second week of May. Scioscia noted that Lackey could split those starts between Class-A Rancho Cucamonga and extended spring training, with the latter option enabling the Angels to control his pitch count by declaring an inning over whenever they choose. He is recovering from a right triceps strain.
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Our View: His return would remove Dustin Moseley from the rotation.
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| Michael Cuddyer probably won't be ready to come off the DL on Sunday because he's slow on the mend from a dislocated and lacerated right index finger, according to the Star Tribune. He said, "It's frustrating because 99.5 percent of my body is healthy. The main thing is just trying to get the swelling down." He still cannot grip a bat to swing it.
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Our View: Hopefully he can bounce back favorably when he is ultimately able to return.
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| John Bale will be monitored over the next few days by the team, after complaining of a "dead arm" following his tough start on Tuesday against Seattle, according to the Kansas City Star. Pitching coach Bob McClure commented, "He’s just tired. Most pitchers get it at some point in the season. It just feels like the ball isn’t coming out of your hand right. It usually goes away. There is some concern there that it happened this early. We need to keep an eye on it."
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Our View: The converted reliever is 0-3 with a 7.63 ERA as a starter this season, and his replacement would likely be Luke Hochever, who is pithing well in Triple-A right now.
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| Curtis Granderson could be back in the Tigers' starting lineup as early as next week, according to the Detroit News. Granderson notably had a second successful day of batting practice before Wednesday's Tigers-Indians game. He could leave as early as this weekend for a rehab stint in the minor leagues. Manager Jim Leyland commented, "Tentatively, possibly, he could be playing this weekend. I don't think it will be long. I think he'll be playing with the Tigers very shortly."
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Our View: This is great news, and the fantasy owners who drafted him should be rewarded for their patience soon.
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| Fernando Rodney's latest test on his injured shoulder showed no additional structural damage, according to the Detroit News. Rodney will resume throwing in 3-5 days. |
Our View: This is good news for him, but there remains no timetable set for his return to the Tigers.
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| J.J. Putz is eager to return to the Mariners following his bout with torso inflammation, according to the Seattle Times. He threw 41 pitches over eight minutes in a bullpen session on Wednesday and hopes to pitch in a simulated game on Saturday in Anaheim. The Mariners' closer commented, "I'm really, really excited to get back. I'm bored out of my mind. To the point where I'm seeing how many pitches the batting-practice guys are throwing every day." The team could send Putz on a minor-league rehab assignment. Putz said he believes the earliest he might be activated from the DL is Tuesday, the start of the Mariners' next homestand. He added, "You don't want to push it. You just want to stay with the course and do what the training staff has planned for you."
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Our View: This is favorable news, and he would resume his role as the Mariners' closer when he returns.
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| Charlton Jimerson cleared waivers and has signed a Triple-A contract with the Mariners, according to the Seattle Times. |
Our View: He had one at-bat for the Mariners this season, and holds no fantasy value.
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| Erik Bedard, who is on the 15-day DL due to hip inflammation, will throw a bullpen session on Friday in Anaheim, according to the Seattle Times. Bedard noted that he felt fine after playing catch on Wednesday. The team has been secretive about what is causing the inflammation, among speculation that the injury is more serious than the team is letting on. An MRI was taken over the weekend, but Manager John McLaren said he had no further information on it.
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Our View: This is not a favorable start for the Mariners' new ace pitcher. Hopefully he will bounce back fine.
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| Brandon McCarthy, who is currently rehabbing his ailing forearm in Surprise, Ariz., will return to Arlington next week to be re-examined by team orthopedist Dr. Keith Meister, according to the Dallas News. If that exam goes favorably, McCarthy could be cleared to start throwing off a mound. He is on the 60-day DL, and not eligible to return until May 29. |
Our View: McCarthy was a bust with the White Sox, and his fantasy stock won't move up until he proves to be effective in Texas.
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| Eddie Guardado has played catch each of the last two days with no soreness in his ailing shoulder, and expects to be ready for activation from the DL on Sunday, according to the Dallas News. |
Our View: He will battle for playing time out of the Rangers' pen when he returns.
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| Hank Blalock could be headed to the DL if his back doesn't loosen up, according to the Dallas News. He had to leave Wednesday's game over Toronto after the top of the 10th because his back locked up on him. If Blalock doesn't report improvement soon, the Rangers are likely to bring German Duran to the majors as a replacement. |
Our View: He was replaced by Adam Melhuse. Blalock just can't seem to stay healthy.
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