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| Matt LaPorta hit his second home run in as many games for Double-A Huntsville on Sunday. |
Our View: LaPorta, Milwaukee’s top pick in the 2007 draft, is hitting .286-3-14 this season. He was already on the radar of many fantasy owners entering this season, but the Brewers can afford to bring him up slowly with the depth that they have shown in the outfield this season.
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| Nick Adenhart improved to 3-0 after throwing six scoreless innings for Triple-A Salt Lake. He allowed four hits, three walks and struck out five. |
Our View: The Angels’ top pitching prospect has a 1.17 ERA through four starts, but his command could be better with a 14/12 K/BB ratio in 23 innings. The Angels have no need to rush him, especially with John Lackey likely returning in the next month.
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| Mike Hessman went 4-for-5 with three home runs and five RBI for Triple-A Toledo on Sunday. |
Our View: Hessman failed to make the Tigers out of spring training, but he will likely see the majors at some point this season. He has displayed quite a bit of power during his professional career, including the majors. This big game should continue to keep him on the radar should the Tigers need a corner infield or pinch-hit fill-in in the near future.
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| Mark Teixeira was 3-for-4 and highlighted his day at the plate by hitting a long home run. |
Our View: The left-handed hitter continues to find his swing. Tex raised his average to .250 and the home run was his fourth of the young season.
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| The Angels have decided to add a bench player and reduce their 25-man roster to 11 pitchers, this according to the team website. LA will call-up Kendry Morales for the first time this season from Triple-A Salt Lake.
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Our View: Jason Bulger was optioned to Salt Lake to make room for the Angels' infielder.
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| Paul Byrd had his best performance of the season in the Indians Sunday 2-1 loss to the Twins. The Cleveland right-hander allowed one run on six hits, walked none and struck out three. |
Our View: The lack of run support cost Byrd and the Indians a win Sunday.
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| The Angels can't get injured starters, John Lackey or Kelvim Escobar, back soon enough. The teams' fifth starter, Dustin Moseley, continues to throw batting practice during his starts. The right-hander allowed four runs, eight hits and two walks over 4.2 innings of work in Sunday's loss to the Mariners. |
Our View: It was Moseley's fourth start of the season with Lackey and Escobar on the disabled list. His ERA of 7.79 and WHIP that exceeds 2.00 should not be anywhere near your fantasy lineup, not even in the deepest format imaginable.
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| Curtis Granderson feels relatively fine at the plate and he's batting .385 in three games since retreating to the farm system for a brief stint of rehab, this according to the Detroit News. Granderson is expected to rejoin his teammate this week, for his first big league game of the season.
And it would not be surprising to see him back in a Tigers uniform as early as Wednesday's game against Texas at Comerica Park. |
Our View: Granderson does not have his game legs but will be thrust into the leadoff role upon his return and asked to get in shape, on the job.
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| Ryan Rowland-Smith struck out Angels' outfielder Garret Anderson to notch his second save of the season on Sunday. |
Our View: The ninth inning committee in Seattle, due to the injury to closer J.J. Putz, continues to find a way to survive.
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| Miguel Batista scattered eight hits over 7.2 scoreless innings, struck out eight and walked one -- lowering his ERA from 6.35 to 4.38 in Sunday's win over the Angels. The 37-year-old right-hander did not allow a runner past second base, and six of the hits he gave up came with two out.
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Our View: Batista gained confidence with each inning and the early four runs the Seattle offense scored allowed him to pitch his game.
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| Justin Morneau has hit safely in 13 of his last 15 games to raise his average to .269. He is 9-for-15 (.600) with 12 RBI with runners in scoring position this season.
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Our View: The Twins designated hitter has returned to the form that earned him the 2006 MVP award.
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| Brendan Harris hit his first home run of the season on Sunday as the Twins defeated the Indians in 10 innings. The Twins second baseman had three hits, two runs scored and one RBI. |
Our View: Harris won't hit for much power this season, but his near .300 average and 10 runs scored are solid numbers for roto-managers.
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| Rafael Perez took the Sunday loss in relief of Paul Byrd's best start of the young season. The Cleveland bats are in a funk, and the defending AL Central champions have lost eight of their past 11 games. Perez gave up one run on four hits, walked one and struck out one in two innings of work. |
Our View: This was the left-handers ninth appearance of the young season. The loss was his first and the run allowed raised actually lowered his ERA to 5.19.
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| C.J. Wilson suffered a blown save and was the pitcher of record in Sunday's loss to the Red Sox. The left-hander failed to record an out, allowed two hits, two runs and walked three in an appearance that cost Kevin Millwood and the Rangers a win on Sunday. |
Our View: Wilson has been good this season, and while he doesn't seem to have his entire arsenal at full force (has only two strikeouts in eight innings of work) just yet, today he was just bad. Wilson was hit hard in the Red Sox four run eighth inning.
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| Kevin Millwood scattered 10 hits, allowed two runs, walked two and struck out seven in Sunday's game against the Red Sox. |
Our View: The Texas right-hander was in line for his second win of the season but his bullpen failed him. Millwood has been somewhat fortunate this year and his 2.53 ERA is deceiving. Like today the Rangers' ace has been the benefactor of some bases loaded outs and double plays that has kept his ERA in line. His WHIP 1.60 WHIP is more representative of his magic so far this season, something that will eventually catch up with the Texas right hander.
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| Milton Bradley hit a three-run homer off Tim Wakefield in the sixth inning, a shot that hit an advertising sign above the Monster seats in left field. It also was the last run the Rangers would score on the day. The tape measure long ball staked the Rangers to a 5-0 lead, but Sox scored six runs in the seventh and eighth innings to beat Texas 6-5. |
Our View: Bradley has been terrific since returning from and early April stint on the disabled list. While today's three run shot was his first of the season, he has seven RBI, along with seven doubles and is hitting .339 in April.
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| Ian Kinsler hit a solo home run to lead off the first inning in Sunday's loss to the Red Sox. |
Our View: The long ball was Kinsler's first of the season. While the Texas second baseman hasn't tapped his power potential -- he's been steady at the plate with seven RBI -- and has six stolen bases this April.
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| Tim Wakefield registered his second win of the season after allowing five runs on seven hits in Sunday's win over the Rangers. The right-hander struck out five and didn't walk a batter in eight innings of work. |
Our View: Like a good wine, Wakefield seems to get better with age. On the season the knuckle-baller has 3.96 ERA with 24 hits in 25 innings pitched. His 6.50 K Rate has really assisted keeping him out of the big inning.
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| Boston shortstop Julio Lugo played left field in the ninth inning of Sunday's win over Texas, his first outfield appearance with the Red Sox and first since August 2006 with the Dodgers.
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Our View: Lugo has the ability to be a versatile asset for Boston, but his defense has been suspect during April. He leads all American League shortstops in errors this spring, six in total in just 18 games.
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| Jonathan Papelbon worked a perfect ninth inning for his seventh save as the Red Sox scored six runs in the seventh and eighth innings to beat the Rangers 6-5 on Sunday. |
Our View: Papelbon is without doubt the most dominate closer in the game, and his April record during his career is over-the-top good. In Papelbon's big league career, he is 26-for-26 in save opportunities in April, has recorded over 40 strike outs in 23 plus innings, and given up 12 hits without surrendering a single run.
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| Tigers starter Nate Robertson remained winless with a 5-3 loss to A.J. Burnett and the Blue Jays on Sunday. The left-hander's ERA climbed to 7.48 through four starts. |
Our View: Between Robertson and Sabathia, the two pitchers have seven of the Tigers 13 losses.
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| Jeremy Accardo picked up his fourth save of the season on Sunday as the Jays defeated the Tigers, 5-3. |
Our View: Accardo has struggled as of late, but was called on to notch the save in place of closer B.J. Ryan. Accardo will continue to get save opps until Ryan is allowed to pitch on back-to-back days.
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| Rays starting pitcher Matt Garza came out of his first rehab start without issue, this according to MLB.com.
It was his first start after landing on the disabled list on April 9, "I felt good. I got some good work in," said Garza. "The best part is I'm pain-free."
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Our View: Garza, who was placed on the DL to a radial nerve injury, gave up eight hits and four earned runs in 3.w innings of work on Sunday. He struck out four and walked three. Garza might have felt fine but his command wasn't. The right-hander converted only 39 of his 70 pitches for strikes.
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| Andy Sonnanstine will move up and start in rookie right-hander Jeff Niemann's slot in the rotation, this according to the St. Petersburg Times. Sonnanstine will get the nod on Thursday and Matt Garza is coming off the DL to start on Friday. |
Our View: Sonnanstine threw a complete game on Saturday, the first of his career, and as a result has been rewarded with a permanent spot in the rotation. However, with Scott Kazmir (elbow) expected back at the end of the month, Sonnanstine's permanent assignment could end up being temporary.
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| 1B/DH Dan Johnson was added to the Rays 25-man roster on Sunday, this according to the St. Petersburg Times. The team optioned right-handed rookie Jeff Niemann back to Triple-A Durham after Sunday's game. |
Our View: Johnson was claimed off waivers on Friday from the Athletics and will immediately receive at bats cutting into the fantasy value of Jonny Gomes and Eric Hinske.
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| David DeJesus, who jammed his big left toe on Thursday night, returned to action on Saturday. However, on Sunday he was not in the starting lineup against Dana Eveland and the Athletics. |
Our View: Joey Gathright started in center field. The shuffling between DeJesus and Gathright is expected to take place for most of the summer, diminishing both players fantasy value.
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| B.J. Upton had a quiet day as he went 1-for-4 in Sunday's 6-0 loss to the White Sox. His lone hit was a single. |
Our View: He should bounce back fine, and is still hitting 24-for-71 with 16 RBI and four stolen bases for the season.
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| Edwin Jackson was rocked for six runs on seven hits over 4.1 innings of work in a 6-0 loss to the White Sox on Sunday, with three walks and four strikeouts. He falls to 2-2 for the season, with a 4.63 ERA |
Our View: Jackson was pitching well prior to today's outing, and you can use that to your advantage by trying to add him to your fantasy rotation for cheap.
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| John Danks enjoyed another solid outing as he threw seven scoreless innings with a mere three hits allowed in Sunday's 6-0 win over Tampa Bay. He didn't surrender any walks and racked up eight strikeouts. He improves to 2-1 for the season, with a 3.04 ERA. |
Our View: His fantasy stock will continue to rise and is worth targeting if still available in your league.
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| Jim Thome recorded career home run number 512 in Sunday's 6-0 win over Tampa Bay. He went 4-for-5 overall, with three RBI. His home run tied Ernie Banks and Eddie Matthews for 19th all-time. |
Our View: That was his fifth home run of the season, and he now has 16 RBI over 17 games.
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| Keith Foulke has been placed on the 15-day DL due to neck stiffness, according to the AP. He has not pitched since he recorded his first save of the season against Toronto on April 10. |
Our View: Foulke held limited fantasy value prior to his injury.
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| A.J. Burnett improved to 2-1 for the season, as he allowed three runs on four hits over five innings in a 5-3 win over Detroit on Sunday, with six walks and four strikeouts. |
Our View: It wasn't a great outing for him, but he still claimed a win.
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| Rod Barajas went 0-for-3 with a strikeout while serving as the Jays' DH against Detroit on Sunday. The team notably cut regular DH Frank Thomas today, and Barajas did not justify the move with his performance. |
Our View: Barajas' fantasy value remains low.
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| Ivan Rodriguez had a tough day at the plate in Sunday's 5-3 loss to Toronto, as he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, while leaving four men on base. |
Our View: The team only registered six hits all game, so he will be forgiven.
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| Nate Robertson was rocked for five runs on eight hits over five innings of work in Sunday's 5-3 loss to Toronto. He had five strikeouts with only one walk, and most of the damage came on a three-run homer by David Eckstein in the fourth inning. He falls to 0-2 for the season, with a 7.48 ERA. |
Our View: He only went 9-13 in 2007, and his fantasy stock should continue to fall.
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| Kyle Farnsworth was suspended three games and fined $2,000 on Saturday for throwing behind Ramirez's head in the seventh inning Thursday night in New York, according to the NY Daily News. He claims the wild pitch wasn't intentional, but Major League Baseball thinks otherwise. Farnsworth commented, "Intentionally, huh? The ball slipped. As far as I know, I didn't hit him. If I'm going to hit someone, it's not going to be in the head, that's for sure. I don't want to endanger anybody's career. That's definitely not an area to throw at."
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Our View: The punishment was set to begin with Saturday's game in Baltimore, though the pitcher appealed the suspension, allowing him to remain active until he has a hearing with the league.
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| Alex Rodriguez was forced out of action against Baltimore today due to an apparent leg injury, according to the AP. A-Rod appeared to hurt his right hamstring while running out a grounder in the sixth inning. More details should be revealed soon.
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Our View: Morgan Ensberg would likely fill in at third base if A-Rod is to miss any time.
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| Scott Rolen suited up with Class-A Dunedin today for his first Minor League rehab appearance since the third baseman broke his right middle finger, and is one step closer to joining the Jays, according to MLB.com. Team GM J.P. Ricciardi commented that the plan was for Rolen to appear in Minor League games at third base on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to continue to test his recovering finger. Following Tuesday's appearance, Ricciardi stated the team will re-evaluate Rolen's status. The team is hoping he can make a swift return, especially following today's release of Frank Thomas.
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Our View: He will start at third base when he returns.
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| Placido Polanco has been sent home to Detroit due to his ailing back, according to MLive.com. He will be examined by team doctors, and while the Tigers are yet to place him on the DL, they could potentially do so later today. Polanco has been dealing with stiffness in his lower back since spring training. |
Our View: He is off to a cold start as well, as he is only hitting 8-for-54.
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| Nick Swisher is starting at first base for Chicago today, according to The Chicago Tribune. He is moving over from center field in place of Paul Konerko, who was given the day off. |
Our View: Swisher is faring well as the leadoff man, and notably has forced 15 walks over 17 games so far, with 14 runs scored.
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| Brian Anderson is starting in center field today, according to The Chicago Tribune. He is batting eighth in the lineup. Nick Swisher has moved over to first base to cover for Paul Konerko, who was given the day off. |
Our View: Anderson's fantasy value remains limited.
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| Chicago Manager Ozzie Guillen commented on the release of former White Sox first baseman and DH Frank Thomas, according to MLB.com. Guillen said, "It happens to everyone. It happens to a lot of people in this game, and it's unfortunate happening early in the season. Being released is not the best way to finish his career, but he can play with someone else this season."
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Our View: Another team will likely take a chance on the Future Hall of Famer.
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| Alex Rodriguez will spend Monday with his wife, who is due to deliver the couple's second child by the end of the week, according to MLB.com. Their three-game road series against the White Sox starts on Tuesday. |
Our View: Morgan Ensberg would likely fill his spot at third base, if needed.
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| Jorge Posada is expected to return to his spot at catcher next week, according to MLB.com. He could catch as early as the team's three-game series that starts in Chicago on Tuesday night, and Manager Joe Girardi commented, "I'd be surprised if he doesn't catch next week. I've seen the progress in his arm. I'm not smart enough to know that he'll be back at full strength next week, but just from the progress I've seen, it's encouraging."
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Our View: This is favorable news, and the short-term value of Chad Moeller is soon to expire.
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| Hideo Nomo has been designated for assignment, according to the Kansas City Star. His comeback was considered a long-shot, and the team made the move to make room on the roster for pitcher Luke Hochevar, who is scheduled to start on Sunday. |
Our View: He held no fantasy value prior to today's move.
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| Paul Konerko is expected to ride the pine on Sunday, according to The Chicago Sun Times. Manager Ozzie Guillen commented, "I'm going to give him a few days to get his mind clear for when we get back to Chicago."
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Our View: He went 0-for-3 on Saturday, and is only hitting 10-for-58 on the season, with 14 strikeouts. He has 13 RBI over 17 games, but should benefit from some time off.
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| Coco Crisp could return to Boston's lineup on Monday, according to the Boston Herald. He has missed the last four games with a tight hamstring but Manager Terry Francona noted, "He’s feeling better but we’ll watch him run around and see how he’s doing. We may be pointing more toward Monday with him."
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Our View: He was hitting 13-for-40 before getting hurt, and his return would send Jacoby Ellsbury back to the bench.
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| Gary Sheffield wants team doctors to check out his sore right shoulder, according to the Detroit News. He will not be in today's starting lineup against Toronto, and stated, "When you have the surgery I had, you're going to have your good days and bad days. I kind of rushed it. I have work to do. I'm just trying to get it stronger. It was major surgery, and I have to get it to a point where I'm comfortable. Obviously I'm not. want to get it looked at. I want to know what's really going on, like exactly how much scar tissue I really need to break up, because it feels strange playing baseball when you can't do what you're capable of doing. It doesn't hurt as much as it did, but it still doesn't give me the range of motion that I need. When I try to swing harder, it slows it down even more. I didn't know it was going to be this tight."
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Our View: We will keep you posted as to what the doctors tell Sheffield regarding his shoulder. He is only hitting 10-for-52 so far this season.
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| Elliot Johnson will start at shortstop for the Rays on Sunday, according to the Tampa Tribune. He is expected to bat ninth in the lineup. |
Our View: He is only hitting 3-for-16 so far (with five strikeouts), and his fantasy stock remains low.
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| Frank Thomas has been released by the Blue Jays, according to the AP. He was displeased with his benching on Saturday due to his current 0-for-13 slump, and has been cut loose today. GM J.P. Ricciardi denied that it was contract related, and believes Manager John Gibbons make the move to spark a struggling Toronto offense. |
Our View: Another team will likely take a chance on the future Hall of Famer, and it is too early too cut him loose from your fantasy roster.
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| Jason Varitek will sit on Sunday in favor of Kevin Cash, according to the Providence Journal. Varitek has notably struck out 14 times over 61 at-bats so far. |
Our View: The veteran should benefit from a day off. Adjust your lineups accordingly.
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| Kevin Cash will start at catcher on Sunday in place of Jason Varitek, according to the Providence Journal. He will bat eighth in the order. |
Our View: Cash is only hitting 2-for-10 with five strikeouts, and his fantasy value remains low.
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| Jacoby Ellsbury will make another start in center field on Sunday in place of the injured Coco Crisp, according to the Providence Journal. He will bat leadoff, as usual. |
Our View: Ellbury is only hitting 9-for-39, but has four stolen bases. He needs to take advantage of the playing time while Crisp is out of action.
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| Jed Lowrie is penciled in to start at second base for the Red Sox on Sunday, according to the Providence Journal. Dustin Pedroia has played in all 19 games for Boston so far, and has earned a day off. |
Our View: Lowrie has registered three hits over seven brief at-bats this season, with four RBI. He is worth consideration if you have him on your roster, and lack a more favorable option at the position.
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| Dustin Pedroia has played in all 19 games for the Red Sox so far, and will get a day off on Sunday, according to the Providence Journal. He is off to a favorable start as he is hitting 25-for-77, with two stolen bases and eight RBI. |
Our View: Jed Lowrie will get the start at second base in his place.
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| Joe Dillon is being sent down to Triple-A Nashville, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The team needs a roster spot for when Yovani Gallardo gets activated and makes his scheduled start against Cincinnati, and Dillon was seen as the most expendable. |
Our View: He held no fantasy value, and the Brewers will notably have 14 pitchers on their 25 man roster when Gallardo is activated.
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| Frank Thomas has been removed from the Jays' starting lineup after falling into a 10-for-60 slump to start the season, and he is angry following his benching, according to the AP. Thomas did not shake hands with his teammates following Toronto’s win over Detroit on Saturday, and he left the team clubhouse without talking to reporters. Before the game he stated, "I’m angry, I know I can help this team. My career isn’t going to end like this." |
Our View: He is also hitless over his last 13 at-bats, and his fantasy stock will continue to drop.
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| Alex Serrano has been optioned back to Triple-A Salt Lake, according to the LA Daily News. Reliever Chris Bootcheck was activated from the DL, and Serrano was optioned to make room on the roster for him. |
Our View: Serrano only registered one inning of work during his stint with the Angels, and held no fantasy value.
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| Chris Bootcheck has been activated from the 15-day DL, according to the LA Daily News. He completed his rehab assignment with a one-hit scoreless inning (with six strikeouts) for Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, and was activated following Saturday's game. |
Our View: He will fight for playing time as a middle-reliever out of the Angels' pen.
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| Sean Rodriguez made his Major League debut on Saturday and went 1-for-4 (with no strikeouts) while starting at second base, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: That was a favorable debut, but he will only play until Howie Kendrick returns from injury, and his fantasy value remains limited.
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| Chris Carter hit two home runs on Saturday for High-A Stockton, giving him three for the season. |
Our View: Carter has gotten off to a slow start this season after being traded from the White Sox to Arizona and then to Oakland in the offseason. The 21-year-old still showed big power for his age in Low-A last season, hitting .291-25-93. He is hitting just above the Mendoza Line this season, so we can only hope that his recent power outburst was the beginning of a hot streak.
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| Justin Masterson got his first win of the season and lowered his ERA to 0.95 after throwing five scoreless innings for Double-A Portland. He allowed four hits, two walks and struck out 10. |
Our View: Masterson was considered to be a very good prospect by many coming into this season, but he still finished last season with an ERA below 4.00 at both High-A and Double-A. The early returns this season have been much better for the 23-year-old. He could be looking at a promotion to Triple-A soon.
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