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| Manager Terry Francona stated that Brandon Moss was sent to the hospital on Saturday night to have his appendix removed, according to the AP. Before the game against the Rays, Moss felt ill and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital for an emergency appendectomy. He got out of successful surgery just after 11 p.m. EDT. Francona said, "He was feeling ill and the medical team felt that rather than just an abdominal flu, there was a possibility of appendicitis. We took him over there right before the game, which is probably a good idea. We were trying to be safe rather than sorry, and he’s having it removed."
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Our View: Moss generated two homers and three RBI over six games with the Red Sox this season. We will update his health status when more details are known.
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| Brad Hawpe went 3-for-5 and collected four RBI in Saturday's 12-7 loss to the Dodgers. One of his hits went for a homer, his second of the season. |
Our View: Hawpe is hitting .260 over 28 games, with 12 RBI. He has struck out 22 times over 96 at-bats, but has drawn 22 walks.
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| Jorge De La Rosa made his first start of 2008 on Saturday night against the Dodgers, and was lit up for nine runs on nine hits over a mere four innings, with three walks and four strikeouts. |
Our View: De La Rosa found his way into the rotation as Franklin Morales was sent down and Kip Wells is out of action on the DL, but could be on the bubble to get another start following tonight's performance. De La Rosa held a 5.82 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over 130 innings in 2007.
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| James Loney went 2-for-5 and racked up six RBI in Saturday's 12-7 win over Colorado. He hit a three-run homer and a double. |
Our View: Loney is hitting .276 and has recorded 25 RBI over 30 games this season. His fantasy stock will continue to rise.
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| C.C. Sabathia fell to 1-5 in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Kansas City. He surrendered four runs on 10 hits over 6.1 innings, with one walk and four strikeouts. |
Our View: He held a 7.88 ERA and 1.78 WHIP heading into today's game, and his fifth loss in seven starts has fantasy owners worried.
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| Jake Peavy earned his fourth win of the season on Saturday, as San Diego topped Florida 7-2. Peavy only allowed two runs on five hits over 5.2 innings, with two walks and eight strikeouts. |
Our View: Peavy is now 4-2 with a 2.22 ERA over 48.2 innings, with 46 strikeouts. He has now evened his career mark against the Marlins to 4-4.
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| Bengie Molina went 3-for-5 with one RBI in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Phillies. |
Our View: Molina raised his average to .299 and tallied 19 RBI over 24 games played. He remains an under-rated fantasy performer at the position.
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| Chase Utley went 2-for-4 and recorded his MLB leading 13th home run of the season in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Giants. |
Our View: Utley is hitting .369 with 26 RBI and 28 runs scored over 31 games as well. Utley continues to play up to high expectations of being the top rated second baseman for 2008.
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| Miguel Tejada went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run in Saturday's 6-2 win over Milwaukee. |
Our View: Tejada is hitting .355 with 25 RBI and 24 runs scored over 31 games. He continues to fit in very well in Houston.
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| Rickie Weeks went 1-for-4 with one RBI and collected his fourth homer of the season in Saturday's 6-2 loss to Houston. |
Our View: Weeks is only hitting .197 with nine RBI over 30 games, but has scored 26 runs.
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| Brandon Phillips went 1-for-4 and registered the Reds' lone RBI in Saturday's 9-1 loss to Atlanta. |
Our View: Phillips isn't having a great season as of yet, but is not hurting fantasy teams with five homers, 15 RBI, five stolen bases, and 16 runs over 30 games, with a .274 average.
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| Jo-Jo Reyes made his first start in the rotation in place of the injured John Smoltz on Saturday against Cincinnati, and he came through with a win, as he only allowed one run on four hits over 5.1 innings, with three walks and five strikeouts. |
Our View: Reyes made a blip on the fantasy radar with his strong performance, and he is worth a look if you need help at the position right now. Smoltz may return to the bullpen upon his return from the DL.
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| Andy LaRoche hit .318 over six games at Double-A Jacksonville and on Tuesday was moved up to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he was hitting .154 with one home run over four games, according to MLB.com. He was optioned to Las Vegas.
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Our View: Blake DeWitt is holding his own as the starting third baseman for the Dodgers, and LaRoche has been sent to Las Vegas instead of coming back to Los Angeles to fight DeWitt for playing time.
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| Wandy Rodriguez will likely miss another start because of the strained left groin that put him on the DL on April 20, according to MLB.com. Manager Cecil Cooper said, "He was going to throw a simulated game today, but we decided not to do it. The doctor said it was probably better if we hold off on it. We're going to wait and see how he is in a couple of days." |
Our View: Rodriguez is eligible to come off the DL on Monday. Cooper was hoping he would be able to make a start against the Nationals during the three-game series at Minute Maid Park from Tuesday-Thursday, but now it appears Rodriguez will miss a third turn through the rotation. The Astros will most likely turn to veteran righty Brian Moehler to take Rodriguez's spot in the rotation.
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| Justin Upton went 2-for-2 with one RBI and three walks, and scored three runs in Saturday's 10-4 win over the Mets. |
Our View: Upton is hitting .346 with five homers, 16 RBI, and 18 runs over 29 games, and his fantasy stock remains on the rise.
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| Mark Reynolds had a tough day at the plate in Saturday's 10-4 win over the Mets, as he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, while leaving seven men on base. |
Our View: Reynolds is only hitting .226 over 106 at-bats, with 42 strikeouts, but he should remain in your lineups with seven homers, 24 RBI, 23 runs, and three stolen bases over 28 games.
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| Brent Lillibridge has been optioned to Triple-A Richmond, according to the AP. The team needed to free up a roster spot for pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes, and infielder Lillibridge was seen as expendable. |
Our View: Lillibridge went 0-for-8 during his brief stint with Atlanta, and held no fantasy value prior to his demotion.
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| Jeff Baker returned to the Rockies starting lineup versus the Dodgers on Saturday night. He missed two games to a blood vessel issue. The second baseman is hitting seventh in the order. |
Our View: Baker, who played in 14 April games, hit a puny .188 with three runs and three RBI.
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| Augie Ojeda went 3-for-4 and racked up six RBI in Saturday's 10-4 win over the Mets. |
Our View: Ojeda filled in for Orlando Hudson, who sat out with a tight hamstring. This was an impressive outing for Ojeda, but Hudson isn't expected to miss time, and Ojeda is not worth claiming.
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| Carlos Delgado went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer off Brandon Webb in Saturday's 10-4 loss to the Diamondbacks. |
Our View: He is only hitting .212 for the season, but has four homers and 16 RBI over 27 games.
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| Brandon Webb improved to 7-0 in Saturday's 10-4 win over the Mets. He allowed four runs on five hits over six innings, with two walks and three strikeouts. Most of the damage came off a three-run homer by Carlos Delgado. |
Our View: Webb was named the NL Pitcher of the Month for April, and is off to a strong start in May.
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| Mike Pelfrey fell to 2-2 for the season in Saturday's 10-4 loss to Arizona. He got rocked for five runs on nine hits over five innings, with four walks and one strikeout. |
Our View: Pelfrey has lost two straight starts, while allowing 10 runs over the span. He started off strong as he only allowed two runs over his first two outings of the season, and is worth targeting if you can get him for a low price.
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| Yadier Molina hit his second homer of the season in Saturday's 9-3 loss to the Cubs. He went 2-for-3 overall, with one RBI. |
Our View: Molina holds a .289 average with 10 RBI over 26 games. His average is solid, but he still isn't worth starting in standard mixed leagues (unless you start two catchers).
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| Jorge De La Rosa has been activated, according to the AP. The team officially placed Troy Tulowitzki on the DL due to his quad injury as well. |
Our View: De La Rosa was brought in as Franklin Morales has been sent down, and Kip Wells is on the DL. De La Rosa was 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in four starts with Triple-A Omaha, the affiliate of the Royals.
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| Troy Tulowitzki has been officially placed on the DL, according to the AP. The team activated lefty Jorge De La Rosa as well. |
Our View: Tulowitzki tore a quadriceps muscle in his left leg Tuesday and could be sidelined until the All-Star break. He was only hitting .152 with one home run over 26 games before going on the shelf.
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| Kosuke Fukudome went 3-for-5 with two RBI in Saturday's 9-3 win over the Cardinals. |
Our View: Fukudome only has one homer over 112 at-bats, but he has generated 12 RBI and 23 runs over 29 games, while maintaining a .348 batting average. He also has three stolen bases, and has proven to be a quality fantasy performer in the early going.
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| Mike Fontenot had a big day at the plate in Saturday's 9-3 win over the Cardinals, as he went 1-for-3 with four RBI. His hit was good for a three-run homer. |
Our View: Fontenot is capable of solid numbers, like today, but his fantasy value remains limited while stuck behind Mark DeRosa at second base.
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| Kyle Lohse suffered his first loss of the season on Saturday, as the Cardinals were routed by the Cubs 9-3. Lohse was rocked for eight runs on nine hits over six innings, with two walks and no strikeouts. |
Our View: Lohse still has a solid record at 3-1, and held a 2.36 ERA and 1.17 WHIP heading into today's game. You can use today's nightmarish outing to your advantage by trying to lure him away for a low price.
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| Ted Lilly earned his second win of the season on Saturday, as the Cubs topped the Cardinals 9-3. Lilly allowed three runs on six hits (two homers) over seven innings, with one walk and four strikeouts. |
Our View: Lilly is now 2-4 with a 5.97 ERA over 37.2 innings, with 29 strikeouts. That was a solid outing for him against the Cardinals, but he still ranks as a marginal fantasy performer. He held a poor 1.50 WHIP heading into today's contest.
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| Denny Bautista has been placed on the 15-day DL, according to the Detroit News. He has been battling right shoulder tendinitis, which forced him out of Friday's 11-1 loss to the Twins. The Tigers purchased the contract of right-hander Freddy Dolsi from Double-A Erie, to replace Bautista on the roster. |
Our View: Bautista got off to a strong start this season, but then struggled a bit, and held a 4.05 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over 13.1 innings before going on the shelf. The Tigers' bullpen cannot catch a break in 2008.
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| Rich Hill has been optioned to the minors, and Jon Lieber is going to fill his spot in the rotation, according to MLB.com. Lieber will make his first start on Wednesday versus the Reds. |
Our View: Lieber has pitched well over 19.1 innings this season, as he holds a 1.86 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, with only two walks. He is worth a look if you need help at the position, namely if you are stuck with Hill.
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| Rich Hill has been optioned to the minors, according to MLB.com. Sean Gallagher has been called up to take his spot on the roster. |
Our View: Hill held a 4.12 ERA and 1.58 WHIP over 19.2 innings, with 18 walks. He was demoted mainly due to control problems, and Jon Lieber will fill his spot in the rotation, making his first start on Wednesday versus the Reds.
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| Brandon Webb has been named the NL Pitcher of the Month for April, according to MLB.com. Webb went 6-0 with a 1.98 ERA in the month to earn the honor. |
Our View: Webb also tied for fourth with 41.0 innings pitched in April, while racking up 34 strikeouts. He currently holds a 1.05 WHIP.
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| Chase Utley was named the NL Player of the Month for April, according to the AP. Utley batted .360 (40-for-111) with a major league-leading 11 homers and 23 RBI in the season’s first month.
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Our View: Utley tied a franchise record by hitting a home run in five consecutive games from April 17-21. Utley has lived up to high expectations of being the top rated second baseman for 2008 so far.
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| The Washington Nationals scored nine runs today and needed each and every one of them to secure the win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, the bulk of that damage coming off the bat of SS Cristian Guzman . Guzman went 4-for-5, belting his eighth double and third home run of the season to total six RBIs and two runs scored. |
Our View: Guzman had been struggling versus Pitt, going just 1-for-8 coming into this game. This was his first home run since April 9th.
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| In a battle of offense, Pittsburgh LHP Paul Maholm suffered his first loss in three starts as the Pirates fell to the Washington Nationals 9-8. Maholm pitched just five innings, allowing seven runs (all earned) on 10 hits with three walks and just two strike outs recorded. |
Our View: Maholm has struggled a bit with control over his last two starts, surrendering seven combined walks versus just four strike outs.
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| Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez has been held out of today's starting lineup against the St. Louis Cardinals, nursing a swollen wrist after taking a pitch to the left wrist on Friday, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: The team reports the injury is not serious and hopes to see Ramirez back on the field tomorrow.
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| As we reported earlier, Arizona 2B Orlando Hudson, who suffered a strained hamstring rounding first base on Friday night, was withheld from action today and will not be playing, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: However, the team reports examination of the leg reveals no serious damage and, as a result, Hudson should not miss significant time.
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| The Atlanta Braves have reported concerned about their growing worries in the bullpen, but they report several potential sources of help may be on the way, according to MLB.com. The team notes three relievers (along with veteran John Smoltz who will be working out the bullpen upon his return from minor arm pain) are on the horizon in terms of a return to the relief corps, including Peter Moylan , Mike Gonzalez, and Rafale Soriano. |
Our View: Gonzalez is in the minors working on a rehab stint following off-season Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery and the team feels, barring setbacks, he could be in the majors before too long. Soriano completed a successful bullpen session on Friday, and while he reports there is still soreness, he feels the elbow is improving and should be fine in short order. Moylan, the team's top setup man, felt a "pop" in his elbow on April 11th during a save and, three days later, was told he would need season-ending surgery to alleviate the problem, a bone spur growing into his elbow ligament. However, Moylan reports he has not felt any discomfort while playing catch on three different occasions this week. Today, he will attempt to throw off the mound. The team remains cautious and warns he will have to undergo surgery at some point.
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| St. Louis 1B Albert Pujols was the recipient of an intentional walk as well as one that (at least in the obvious approach) was not intentional, going 1-for-3 overall at the plate. |
Our View: Pujols leads the league with 32 walks and nine intentional walks. He has reached base safely in 30 consecutive games.
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| On Thursday we noted Philadelphia 1B Ryan Howard was struggling with, at that time, 39 strike outs in 103 at-bats, and advised fantasy owners should exercise patience. Howard is officially struggling to maintain patience as well, ejected after striking out for the third time in the Phillies' 6-5 win over the Giants. |
Our View: Howard went 0-for-5 with three total strike outs, bringing him to 42 Ks on 108 ABs.
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| Florida SS Hanley Ramirez went 1-for-4 in last night's 6-4 win for the Marlins over the Giants. This brings Ramirez to 47 consecutive games at Dolphin Stadium in which he has reached base safely. |
Our View: Ramirez is hitting .319 on the season with 10 stolen bases and eight home runs, but a concerning 24 strike outs versus 10 walks.
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| Arizona 2B Orlando Hudson suffered a strained right hamstring in Friday night's game against the New York Mets, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: With one out in the 5th inning, Hudson lined an offering from Mets starter John Maine into right field and pulled up lame with a noticeable limp between first and second base. Hudson, with manager Bob Melvin and athletic trainer Ken Crenshaw watching, walked around behind second base before being escorted off the field. "It's just tightness," said Hudson. "It's not the first time I've been through it." Hudson is not believed to be in danger of missing prolonged time, but we will update as news becomes available.
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| San Diego RHP Jake Peavy is searching to get back into the win column today as his Padres continue their three-game visit with the Florida Marlins. |
Our View: Peavy started the season with three consecutive wins but has since failed to garner another, suffering two no-decisions followed by a loss in his next three starts. Peavy has posted an ERA of 2.57 during that time, but the reigning Cy Young award winner has seen his team fall short in efforts to support his cause with offense. Peavy have faced the Marlins seven times during his career, going 3-4 with a 3.15 ERA.
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| The Pittsburgh Pirates have reported SS Jack Wilson will not begin his rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona as expected, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. |
Our View: The team reports Wilson has suffered a setback in his strained left calf. Playing defense in the 2nd inning of an extended spring practice game, Wilson reported feeling "a tweek" in the leg, and while the team reports Wilson is feeling better, the team is taking caution and will need more time to get on the field.
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| The Pittsburgh Pirates have decided to give LHP Tom Gorzelanny extra rest, skipping his scheduled start on Tuesday as he battles with a strained lower back, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. |
Our View: Gorzellany left his last start early on Wednesday with back soreness, and now the Pirates are playing cautious, pushing his next start to a home outing against the Atlanta Braves next Saturday.
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| LHP Jo-Jo Reyes will make his first start of the 2008 season this evening as the Atlanta Braves welcome the Cincinnati Reds, the middle game of a three-game set, according to the Sports Network. |
Our View: Reyes is getting the call to the mound in place of John Smoltz, recently placed on the DL with irritation in his rotator cuff inside his right shoulder.
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| The Marlins report RHP Anibal Sanchez successfully completed a bullpen session on Friday at Dolphin Stadium, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Sanchez has been on the DL all season long with shoulder issues, but the team reports his second bullpen outing of the week has led to hopes that Sanchez, orginally believed to be out until the All-Star break, could be facing batters before the end of the month. The Marlins remain cautious and still assert their desire to wait until the second half of the season for return, but this is a good sign.
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| Giants manager Bruce Bochy has informed reporters LHP Barry Zito will be working and available out of the bullpen today, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Concerns about Zito's health have circulated following the pitcher's removal from the starting rotation, but Bochy has assured reporters he is fine and will be working out of the pen today. "Barry is good to go," said Bochy. "We'll use him in long relief, and I'd say we'd use him earlier in game than later in games. It's just little adjustments we're making.
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| Houston SS Miguel Tejada has suffered through some rough times of his own over recent seasons, but the veteran shortstop was so moved by a meeting with 8-year-old Jacob Scott, a young boy suffering from muscular dystrophy, that he promised the boy a home run, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Tejada made good on the promise on the sixth inning, hitting his fifth home run of the year and Houston's third consecutive home run of the inning. The Astros trailed 4-2 before Tejada's two-run homer off Carlos Villanueva, followed by a solo shots from Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee to leave the inning with a 6-4 lead. "I was so excited," said Tejada. "I know it's hard to tell someone you'll hit a home run and do it. But today when I went to lunch with this kid I wanted him to be happy. So I told him I'd do it." Tejada met the child during a visit with several Astros, all of whom were then hosted at the game as part of an effort with the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
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