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| Jose Bautista homered twice and drove in four runs as the Pirates defeated Washington 11-4 on Friday night. |
Our View: The Pittsburgh third baseman now has three home runs on the season along with 12 RBI, 12 runs scored and a stolen base.
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| Nathan Panther went 2-for-3 with his second home run of the season for Double-A Akron on Friday. |
Our View: Panther is more than just a great name. The outfielder is old for Double-A at age 26, but he is showing outstanding on-base skills for the second straight season (.393 OBP). Panther has shown some pop, so he could still have a career as a backup outfielder.
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| Carlos Gomez left Friday's win over the Tigers in the fifth inning after being hit in the head by a throw from Ivan Rodriguez while stealing second. |
Our View: After being examined by the team trainers Gomez was ruled healthy and is expected to be available on Saturday.
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| Florida's Mike Jacobs, nursing a sprained middle finger on his right hand, started at first base in Friday's game. The slugger was 0-for-4 on the night with one strikeout. |
Our View: The Florida first baseman has 17 RBI, 13 runs, one stolen base and seven home runs so far this season.
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| Erik Bedard was the victim of poor glove work by his infielders, and in his second start since returning from a hip injury, was outstanding. He allowed four hits in seven innings, none after the second, and struck out six and walked one, retiring his final 14 batters. |
Our View: Bedard is traditionally a slow starter but his last two starts offer plenty of evidence he's healthy and ready to help the Mariners win games this summer.
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| Chien-Ming Wang became the American League's first six-game winner, ending the Yankees' three-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.
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Our View: Wang threw six scoreless innings before giving the ball to Kyle Farnsworth, Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera to complete the Yankees victory. Wang is now 7-0 in his career against the Mariners.
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| Mark Buehrle gave up two unearned runs and allowed only five hits in eight innings of work on Friday night, but still suffered a 2-0 loss to the Blue Jays. |
Our View: When things are going bad, games like this seem to follow a pitcher around. The White Sox right-hander hasn't won since April 6 at Detroit, a span of four starts.
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| Scott Downs picked up his second save of the season in Friday's 2-0 win over the White Sox. The Jays right-hander pitched two-thirds of an inning to help Shawn Marcum earn his third victory of the year. |
Our View: Downs, Jeremy Accardo, Jess Carson and Shawn Camp combined for 2.1 innings of work to help in the win. B.J. Ryan worked the ninth inning in Thursday's win over Boston, and was not available for tonight's save. Ryan has not been cleared to pitch on back-to-back days as he continues to recover from his 2007 TJ surgery.
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| Shaun Marcum struck out nine and lowered his ERA to 2.70 in Friday night's 2-0 win over the White Sox. The Blue Jays right-hander allowed just two hits and walked three in his third win of the year. |
Our View: The Jays rotation is pitching lights out. After shutting down the Red Sox in the three-game series at Fenway, they begin a home stand by shutting down the Sox.
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| Jorge Posada was ordered to not pick up a bat or throw a ball for at least the next two weeks, this according to MLB.com. However, the good news is that Posada will not need surgery on his injured throwing shoulder.
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Our View: The understanding is that Posada won't return to active duty for at least 4-8 weeks. Jose Molina will see the majority of the playing time while Posada is out.
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| The Rays manager Joe Maddon made it official today that Jason Hammel is headed to the bullpen to clear a rotation spot for Scott Kazmir, this according to the Tampa Tribune.
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Our View: Hammel was 2-2 with a 4.88 ERA in five starts, walking 12 and striking out 15 in 27.2 innings.
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| Jacoby Ellsbury is back in the starting lineup Friday, playing center field and batting leadoff. The Boston and Tampa Bay game is currently in a rain delay. |
Our View: Ellsbury has missed the last three games with a sore groin.
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| Paul Konerko (hand) will not be in the starting lineup against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. |
Our View: Konerko will be available to pinch-hit if necessary.
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| According to the Yankees' team website, the Yankees will only need a fifth starter three times in May so the team considered sending right-hander Ian Kennedy to Triple-A to work on his delivery. The 23-year-old allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision on Thursday and is 0-2 with a 8.37 ERA through six games this year.
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Our View: Kennedy stated after Thursday's start that he did not feel he would benefit from being sent to Triple-A.
"I feel fine," Kennedy said. "I think it would make me more frustrated. I think it's just [helpful] to be out there more and work my situations out on the mound. This past week, I've been throwing really good bullpens, and my work has been really good."
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| The Yankees finally filled their open spot on the 25-man roster by recalling right-hander Jose Veras from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Veras takes the roster spot left open by right-hander Phil Hughes, who was placed on the disabled list on Wednesday.
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Our View: Veras, 27, had nine saves and a 1.38 ERA in 13 relief appearances at Triple-A, allowing eight hits while walking four and striking out 21 over 13 innings. The Yankees plan to call up right-hander Darrell Rasner from Triple-A to make Sunday's start against the Mariners meaning Veras' time with the parent club could be short.
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| Backup catcher Miguel Olivo is filling the Royals designated hitter role on Friday night. Billy Butler is at first base and Ross Gload has the night off. |
Our View: Olivo will occasionally hit from the designated hitter spot as manager Trey Hillman likes his backup catcher's bat in the lineup.
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| Gabe Gross, recently acquired from the Brewers for right-handed pitcher Josh Butler, is starting in center field for the injured B.J. Upton. |
Our View: Gross has played in 23 total games this year with the Brewers and Rays, and his hitting a soft .183 with seven runs scored, three RBI and two stolen bases.
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| Wladimir Balentien is starting in right field for the third straight game as the Mariners invade the Evil Empire for the first game of a three-game set. |
Our View: Balentien made a splash in his debut on Wednesday going 2-for-4 with three RBI and a home run.
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| Jamie Burke is in the lineup tonight against the Yankees and playing catcher. Usual starter, Kenji Johjima, is struggling at the plate and is on the bench for the second straight night. |
Our View: Burke has the pleasure of facing Chien-Ming Wang, who has a 6-0 lifetime record against the Mariners, and is in the best form of his American career.
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| Jeff Clement is in the starting lineup for the second straight night. The left-handed hitter has a tough test tonight against Chien-Ming Wang who is in top form. |
Our View: Clement has only three official at-bats in his first two games with one hit and a walk to his credit.
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| Shelley Duncan is batting fourth and starting at first base tonight when the Yankees host Seattle and starter Erik Bedard in the first of a three-game set. |
Our View: Duncan hit cleanup on Thursday night when the Tigers sent Nate Robertson to the mound. Currently Yanks skipper Joe Girardi is hogtied when trying to sport a lineup to throw at opposing left-handers.
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| The Twins optioned Brian Buscher to Triple-A Rochester Friday. Buscher picked up two hits in eight at-bats in his time with the team. |
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| The Twins activated Adam Everett from the DL Friday. He has been out since a shoulder strain. To make room on the roster, Brian Buscher was sent to Triple-A Rochester. |
Our View: Everett isn't going to hit enough to help out your fantasy squad.
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| The Orioles purchased the contract of Lance Cormier from Triple-A Norfolk Friday. He's posted a 0.96 ERA in nine games with Norfolk this season. |
Our View: Cormier pitched in relief at Triple-A, but he's also been a starter in the past. It's possible he could get a spot start somewhere down the road.
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| The Orioles placed Randor Bierd on the DL Friday with a shoulder impingement. The Rule 5 pick boasts a 2.03 ERA in nine games this year. Lance Cormier had his contract purchased from Triple-A Norfolk to replace him on the roster. |
Our View: Bierd has pretty much already earned a roster spot for the entire season. It's not clear when he'll ready for activation.
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| Kurt Birkins will stick around for at least a few more days, though he could be sent down on Sunday when Scott Kazmir is activated, according to the Tampa Tribune. Birkins holds a 1.50 ERA in four games this year. |
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| The Tampa Tribune speculates that Jason Hammel is likely to be demoted to the bullpen when Scott Kazmir returns to the rotation on Sunday. |
Our View: Hammel had pitched pretty well before his last start, in which he gave up three runs on on six hits and four walks over just 2 2/3 innings. He's out of options, so the Rays can't send him down without passing him through waivers first.
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| The Rays recalled Justin Ruggiano from Triple-A Durham Friday. He had three hits in 10 at-bats earlier this year with Tampa. |
Our View: Ruggiano was brought up as insurance with B.J. Upton banged up. His stay figures to be a short one.
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| The Rays placed Gary Glover on the DL Friday with right shoulder tendinitis, according to the Tampa Tribune. Outfielder Justin Ruggiano replaces Glover on the roster. |
Our View: Glover has somehow managed to post a 1.69 ERA in nine games despite a 4/7 K/BB rate. He'll likely be replaced in the bullpen by Jason Hammel, who is expected to be moved to relief when Scott Kazmir is activated Sunday.
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| The White Sox recalled Adam Russell from Triple-A Charlotte Friday to take Alexei Ramirez's spot on the roster. The reliever posted a 3.27 ERA with 11 Ks in 11 innings for Charlotte. |
Our View: Russell will likely be with the team only four days while until Ramirez comes off the restricted list.
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| The White Sox have placed Alexei Ramirez on the restricted list while the Cuban defector deals with visa problems. Ramirez is unable to travel with the team north of the border to Toronto. Reliever Adam Russell was recalled to take Ramirez's spot on the roster. |
Our View: Ramirez figures to be activated on Tuesday when the team hosts the Twins in Chicago.
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| John Lackey is scheduled to make his third rehab start on Sunday with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, according to the Orange County Register. His fourth rehab outing will likely come in extended spring training, and if he doesn't have any setbacks he'll return to the Angels rotation around May 14. |
Our View: Lackey has looked good thus far, giving up two runs in five innings with seven Ks. Keep a watchful eye on his return date, because you'll probably want to activate him right away.
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| The Rockies have agreed in principle on a minor-league deal with Juan Castro, Castro's agent told the Denver Post. "We are going to Colorado," agent Oscar Suarez said. Castro, who designated for assignment by the Reds last month, is likely to report to Triple-A Colorado Springs to get some at-bats. |
Our View: Depending on how Jeff Baker, Omar Quintanilla and Jonathan Herrera fare at second base, Castro could be up with the big club soon, playing either short or second.
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| Manager Mike Scioscia has received an encouraging report from athletic trainer Ned Bergert on injured starter Kelvim Escobar. "He feels great -- that's the word I just got from Ned," Scioscia said in the LA Times. "Not that he's throwing his split-fingered fastball and slider at full bore, but he feels much different than he did when he started to throw [in mid-March]." Escobar is in the second week of his throwing program and is tossing from nearly 90 feet. He had been shut down in March after throwing just three times from 45 feet. |
Our View: We still have our doubts that Escobar will amount to anything for fantasy owners this year, but this is a positive step for him.
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| How have injuries affected the Yankees in the last couple of weeks? Shelley Duncan was the cleanup hitter on Thursday night. With Alex Rodriguez sidelined for at least two weeks with a Grade 2 strain of his right quadriceps, Duncan assumed duties batting fourth in the Yankees' lineup. |
Our View: This could be the case again tonight as Seattle will hand the ball to Erik Bedard for the first tilt of the three-game series. Skipper Joe Girardi has tried to be creative with his club as his lineup has struggled against left-handers.
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| According to the Seattle Times, there was an ice bucket filled with beer in Richie Sexson's locker at Progressive Field after Thursday's game in Cleveland. There was a paper sign attached congratulating him on 300 career home runs. |
Our View: Unfortunately, the report noted that not many were in the mood to celebrate after the M's took a heart breaking loss to the Indians. The Mariners took the lead on Sexson's milestone homer in the 10th inning, but J.J. Putz couldn't hold the lead in the bottom half of the inning allowing Cleveland to claim a 3-2 victory in the 11th inning.
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| Jonny Gomes started as the teams' designated hitter on Thursday afternoon in Baltimore, which gave him playing time for the 19th time this season in the Rays' 28th game. |
Our View: The plan this year was to use a three player platoon at designated hitter and right field, using Gomes, Rocco Baldelli and Cliff Floyd. Baldelli and Floyd have been on the DL since early April, and Eric Hinske has taken the filled the role of the two. The result, Gomes has benefited with additional playing time.
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| According to the Dallas Morning News, skipper Ron Washington said he wanted veteran Michael Young to receive some rest from the field this year to save his legs, so he put him at designated hitter on Thursday for the second time this season. |
Our View: Young batted third and Hamilton hit fourth for the first time this season. Young was 0-for-3, dropping his batting average in 21 games as a designated hitter to .407.
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| Placido Polanco could get a night off tonight when the Tigers travel to Minnesota, according to MLB.com. The second baseman is hitting .407 over the past week. |
Our View: Polanco owners don't want their infielder sitting right now while he's red-hot, but those in daily transaction leagues might be well served in sitting him tonight just in case.
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| Manager Terry Francona hopes to have Jacoby Ellsbury available for tonight's game, according to the Boston Herald. Ellsbury hasn't played since Sunday due to a groin injury. |
Our View: Francona is also hoping to get J.D. Drew back tonight. We're betting that Ellsbury is the more likely of the two to play.
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| Manager Terry Francona is hoping that J.D. Drew will be available to play tonight, according to the Boston Herald. Drew has sat out the last two games with a quad injury. |
Our View: After a hot start, Drew has just four hits over the last two weeks. He really shouldn't be owned in any shallower leagues.
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| Coco Crisp is doubtful for tonight's game against the Rays due to a sore left knee. "Coco got a little more tender as the night went but he fought his way through it," manager Terry Francona said in the Boston Herald. |
Our View: Francona is hoping J.D. Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury will be ready to play tonight. Consider Crisp day-to-day.
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| David Ortiz is hitting .318 with four homers and 17 RBI over the last two weeks, but his right knee is still giving him problems, according to the Boston Herald. "Sore," Big Papi said when asked how the knee was. "Hopefully it will go away the next couple of days because it's (expletive) sore." When asked if Ortiz will have to continue dealing with the pain, manager Terry Francona responded, "I think he will. I don't think it's realistic that he won't. He had his surgery, he's a big guy. He's not 22 years old. I think that's just the way your life is as you start progressing in your career. Sometimes we may have to give the guy the day off." |
Our View: Big Papi's play of late is encouraging, but you have to worry that his knee will limit his production over the long haul this season.
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| The Angels optioned Matt Brown to Triple-A Salt Lake Friday. He had a double in five at-bats. |
Our View: Brown has absolutely killed the ball at Triple-A this year, hitting .425 in 106 at-bats, but he couldn't stick in LA despite the team's injury problems in the infield.
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| The Angels recalled Reggie Willits from Triple-A Salt Lake Friday. Willits had a double in his lone at-bat this year with the Halos. He hit .378 in 37 at-bats with Salt Lake. |
Our View: Willits received just one at-bat in five games with the Halos earlier this year and doesn't figure to see much playing time this time around, either.
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| The Brewers recalled Joe Dillon from Triple-A Nashville Friday. Dillon had two hits in 10 at-bats with the Brewers earlier this year and hit .219 in 32 at-bats with the Sounds. |
Our View: Dillon will play a utility role with the Brewers but doesn't figure to see a lot of playing time.
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| It appears that Luke Hochevar will remain in the Royals rotation after John Bale returns from the DL. Bale is likely to go to the bullpen. "I think he is ready to stay consistent in the rotation," manager Trey Hillman said in the Kansas City Star of Hochevar. "Given the fact that he's the only sinkerballer in the rotation, that’s kind of nice." |
Our View: The former first overall pick looked good in earning his first major league win his last time out after a poor effort in his first start. He should be owned in AL-only leagues and is worth tracking in mixed formats.
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| John Bale is likely to go to the bullpen when he returns from the DL, according to the Kansas City Star. "I like John Bale being on this staff," manager Trey Hillman said. "If it ends up being three lefties and four righties in the bullpen, I think everybody is OK with that." Bale is scheduled to test his fatigued shoulder by throwing a live batting practice before Friday's game, and he'll throw another session before returning. |
Our View: Bale posted a 7.63 ERA in three starts before his injury after looking good this spring. His fantasy value out of the bullpen is nil.
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| Yasuhiko Yabuta could lose his spot in the Royals bullpen when John Bale come off the DL, according to the Kansas City Star. The other option is Joel Peralta, but manager Trey Hillman didn't mince words when discussing his preference. "Peralta is better," Hillman said. "He is. I have no reservations in saying that. Right now, he's better in consistency of throwing strikes. And in consistency of fastball command and secondary pitches, he’s better there, too." |
Our View: Yabuta has posted an 8.31 ERA and 8/9 K/BB rate over 13 innings this year, so it goes without saying that fantasy owners won't lose any sleep if he's demoted.
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| The Royals released Mike Maroth Thursday. Maroth had been at Triple-A Omaha, where he held a 14.09 ERA over 7 2/3 innings. |
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| Looking for depth following the injury to Troy Tulowitzki, the Rockies have expressed interest in free agent Juan Castro. Castro was designated for assignment by the Reds last month. |
Our View: Hopefully the Rox don't envision Castro in a regular role. He wouldn't be a bad guy to have around as a backup, though.
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| It is well known that the Cardinals have made Anthony Reyes available via trade, ESPN's Jayson Stark notes. However, clubs have become frustrated with St. Louis' high asking price, which is reportedly an upper-echelon prospect, plus another piece. "I think the guy is salvageable," said an executive of one interested team. "But that's got to be proven, too. So I think they don't quite understand what they have. We're talking about a guy who is [9-24], with a [5.46] ERA. So the asking price is pretty frigging high." |
Our View: Reyes has been good with the Cards this year in relief despite a high ERA, posting an 8/1 K/BB rate and 1.29 WHIP over 11 2/3 innings. Many teams could use him in their rotation, but the Cards appear willing to keep him in the pen for the time being. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Joe Strauss said that the Braves and Angels have been scouting the Cards lately, presumably because of their interest in Reyes.
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| Dana Eveland felt a little twinge in his left elbow in Wednesday's start. The southpaw said the elbow was tender Thursday, but that he thinks he'll be fine, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. |
Our View: Maybe now we know was Eveland had his worst start of the year. It's good that he thinks he'll be OK, but this is definitely something to keep your eye on.
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| Eric Chavez fielded grounders Thursday for the second straight day and felt even better this time than he did after the first workout, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Coming back from a back ailment, Chavez is still a ways away from starting a rehab assignment. |
Our View: This is a positive development, but Chavez isn't close to returning. We'll continue to track his progress.
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| Travis Buck will begin a rehab assignment Saturday at Triple-A Sacramento and could be there as long as a week, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Buck is coming back from shin splints. |
Our View: With the way Buck was hitting before the injury, some time off could do him nothing but good. Hopefully he'll come back fresh and back in form.
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| Keith Foulke will get two more rehab appearances, Monday and Wednesday, after tonight's appearance for Triple-A Sacramento, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The reliever is coming back from a neck injury. |
Our View: It sounds as if Foulke will be back next week if he doesn't have a setback.
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| Nick Adenhart will get at least one more start with the Angels despite his rough debut Thursday, according to the LA Times. "It's not uncommon for a kid in his first start to try to do too much," manager Mike Scioscia said in the LA Times. "He has a great arm, great stuff; we'll see him pitch better. It was one of those nights." |
Our View: Adenhart was pitching on three day's rest for the first time in his career, so it wasn't really surprising that he struggled. Hopefully he'll bounce back next week in KC.
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| Howie Kendrick had hoped to begin a rehab assignment Thursday night at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, but instead he remained in Anaheim because his hamstring has not healed enough to the point he's ready for game action. "He's trying to get over that last little hump," manager Mike Scioscia said in the LA Times. "Until he does, we don't think it's a good idea for him to go out and play. He'll work out, and we'll see how he feels [today]." |
Our View: Howie is still likely a few days away from returning, which is unfortunate for the Angels because Maicer Izturis just went on the DL.
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| J.J. Putz, who blew his second save of the season Thursday night, could be used more in non-save situations to try to get back on track, according to the Seattle Times. "I'm really at a loss because I've never had this much trouble throwing strikes with the fastball," Putz said. "Sometimes your splitter or slider is going to be off, but I feel like I've been pretty good with my fastball over the years. Being able to locate that whenever I've wanted to, it's like being able to close your eyes and throw a strike with your fastball. And right now, it's just not there." |
Our View: We're betting the M's will still turn to J.J. when a save opportunity presents itself. Anything the reliever needs to do to snap out of his funk is fine with fantasy owners.
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| Emil Brown continued his ultra impressive start to the season on Thursday night as he went 4-for-6 with two runs scored and his 26th RBI of the season. |
Our View: With Jack Cust and Frank Thomas struggling to do much of anything on most nights, Brown has been a godsend for the A's with his potent RBI bat. There's no way Brown will keep up his 140 RBI pace, but there is nothing wrong with riding a hot bat while you can.
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| Jack Cust dropped a fly ball which led to five unearned runs, but he partially made up for that with a perfect night at the plate as he went 4-for-4 with two walks for the A's. |
Our View: Cust hit his second home run of the season on the night as well as boosting his average .056 points to .222.
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| Justin Duchscherer allowed six runs in five innings, but only one run was earned as he picked up his second victory of the season. He allowed two home runs and struck out six while throwing 81 pitches in his first game back off the DL. |
Our View: Justin wasn't very good on the night, but it also didn't help that Jack Cust forgot how to catch a fly ball. Going five innings and picking up the victory has to be considered an accomplishment coming off an injury for Justin.
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| Mike Napoli had two hits, two runs and two RBI on Thursday night for the Angels. One of the two hits was his seventh home run of the season. |
Our View: Napoli continues to pound the long ball as he has a whopping 33 HR in 546 career AB, but with a sub. 240 batting average in his career he will still continue to lose AB from time to time. Plus Jeff Mathis is hitting .298 this year, so even when the Angels look his way they still have a productive bat to turn to.
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| Nick Adenhart had a rough first outing at the big league level as he was tagged for five runs in just two innings of action to pick up his first loss. Adenhart allowed only three hits, but he walked five without recording a strikeout.
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Our View: So much for the phenom making an immediate impact. To be fair, many a pitcher has looked much worse in a first start, but this certainly wasn't an outing to get anyone very excited about. With John Lackey nearing a return to the rotation, Andehart doesn't have much time to make a statement before he is sent back down to the minors.
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