Player Search
Player name:


Or choose a letter:
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M,
N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Team:
American League Only
National League Only
Both Leagues
<< September 2008 >>
S M T W T F S
  1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30        
Kevin Millwood, P, Texas RangersMonday 5/5, 11:49 PM CT
Kevin Millwood allowed seven runs on nine hits in just three innings of work, his shortest start of the season. Millwood and the Rangers lost their 10th straight road game as the Mariners beat Texas 7-3 on Monday night.

Our View: Millwood has been as inconsistent as any pitcher in the league this season. Tonight was an example of what the right-hander offers, even in a pitcher-friendly venue.
Richie Sexson, 1B, New York YankeesMonday 5/5, 11:45 PM CT
Richie Sexson hit his seventh home run of the season in the Mariners 7-3 over the Texas Rangers on Monday night.

Our View: Sexson's home runs are the only thing keeping him in the starting lineup. His .216 average and 34 strikeouts in 111 at-bats are dismal.
Wladimir Balentien, RF, Seattle MarinersMonday 5/5, 11:42 PM CT
Wladimir Balentien hit his second home run in his first six games helping the Mariners defeat the Rangers 7-3 on Monday night.

Our View: The rookie has made a splash since his call up, and while he doesn't get the pub that rookie teammate Jeff Clement does in the media, he's easily outperformed him.
Jarrod Washburn, P, Seattle MarinersMonday 5/5, 11:40 PM CT
Jarrod Washburn allowed three runs on four hits, walked none and struck out three as the Mariners beat the Rangers 7-3 on Monday night.

Our View: Washburn pitched well in Safeco on Monday night and deserved the win. His offense gave him a big 7-0 lead after three innings allowing the left-hander to attach the strike zone.
John Shelby, 2B, Chicago White SoxMonday 5/5, 11:31 PM CT
John Shelby hit his fourth homer of the season for High-A Winston-Salem on Monday.

Our View: Shelby is an exciting fantasy prospect because he can contribute in every area offensively. The 22-year-old is hitting .289-4-8 with seven steals this season, which is a follow up on a good 2007 season in Low-A when he hit .301 with 16 homers and 19 steals.
Kendry Morales, 1B, Los Angeles AngelsMonday 5/5, 11:24 PM CT
Kendry Morales blasted two home runs for Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday, giving him five for the season.

Our View: With as many good hitters as the Angels have at the major league level, it is easy to forget about Morales at Triple-A. The Cuban is not off to a great start for the Salt Lake Bees, hitting only .270, but he does wait in the wings should the Angels need a DH or first baseman and has shown the ability to be an impact bat.
Lance Broadway, P, Chicago White SoxMonday 5/5, 11:23 PM CT
Lance Broadway lowered his ERA to 1.10 after throwing five scoreless innings for Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Our View: Broadway is a decent flyer right now in AL-only leagues. The White Sox are not having any issues with their rotation, but Broadway would be the replacement should one of their starters go down. He doesn’t miss many bats, but his sinker has really been working this season with a GB/FB ratio well above 2/1.
Mitch Talbot, P, Tampa Bay RaysMonday 5/5, 11:22 PM CT
Mitch Talbot threw seven scoreless innings for Triple-A Durham on Monday to improve his record to 3-3. He didn’t allow any walks and struck out eight.

Our View: Talbot was one of two prospects that the Rays acquired for Aubrey Huff from Houston in 2006. He is not a terrible pitching prospect, but the Rays do have more than a handful of prospects that are more highly regarded. The 24-year-old still has a solid 31/8 K/BB ratio in 38.1 innings this season and has not allowed a run in his last two starts. With continued progress, he could find himself in a long relief role later this season.
Jonathan Papelbon, P, Boston Red SoxMonday 5/5, 10:51 PM CT
Jonathan Papelbon registered his tenth save of the season as the Red Sox defeated the the Tigers 6-3 on Monday night.

Our View: Papelbon has been near perfect this season. His 1.76 ERA and 0.72 WHIP are shadows next to his 21 strikeouts to only one walk.
Jeremy Bonderman, P, Detroit TigersMonday 5/5, 10:30 PM CT
Jeremy Bonderman allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings of work on Monday night, walking two and striking out four.

Our View: Bonderman lost is third-game of the season, but showed much better command in the loss than he did in most of his April starts.
David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red SoxMonday 5/5, 10:27 PM CT
David Ortiz, who sat out of Sunday's game with a sore knee, helped the Red Sox beat the Tigers on Monday night with his sixth home run of the season.

Our View: Ortiz hit the ball hard in most of his at-bats on Monday night, and looks to be breaking out of an April slump that has his average at a puny .225.
Kevin Youkilis, 1B, Boston Red SoxMonday 5/5, 10:22 PM CT
Kevin Youkilis hit his fourth home run of the season as the Red Sox beat the Tigers 6-3 on Monday night.

Our View: The Boston first baseman came into the game hitless against Detroit starter Jeremy Bonderman, but his two-run blast into the left-field bleachers gave the Sox a comfortable 4-0 lead.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, P, Boston Red SoxMonday 5/5, 10:20 PM CT
Daisuke Matsuzaka won his fifth game of the year despite walking a career-high eight batters in five innings innings of work. Dice-K was nibbling for most of the five innings he pitched, but he didn't allow a hit until Curtis Granderson's two-out RBI single in the fourth which allowed the Sox to defeat the Tigers 6-3 on Monday night.

Our View: Matsuzaka worked out of trouble the entire night. He didn't assist his fantasy owners in the WHIP category, but he lowered his ERA to 2.43 in the win.
Mike Lowell, 3B, Boston Red SoxMonday 5/5, 10:15 PM CT
Mike Lowell hit his first home run and drove in his first runs of the 2008 season on Monday night. In a 6-3 win over the Tigers, Lowell started the Boston scoring with a two run shot of Jeremy Bonderman in the top half of the second inning.

Our View: Lowell had gone 54 at-bats without an RBI. In his defense, the third baseman had been playing hurt for most of April.
Brandon Wood, 3B, Los Angeles AngelsMonday 5/5, 9:58 PM CT
Brandon Wood hit his first home run on Monday night as the Angels put a 4-0 shutout on the Royals.

Our View: Wood, who was recently recalled from Triple-A, has played in seven games, but only had nine at-bats coming into the game. The home run accounted for his first RBI and his third run of the season.
Garret Anderson, LF, Los Angeles AngelsMonday 5/5, 9:55 PM CT
Garret Anderson hit a two-run home run in a four-run ninth inning to lead the Los Angeles Angels past the Kansas City Royals 4-0 on Monday night.

Our View: Anderson and the Angels were shutdown earlier in the game by a solid performance by Brett Tomko. The Angels outfielder has 13 RBI, 15 runs scored and three home runs on the season.
Ervin Santana, P, Los Angeles AngelsMonday 5/5, 9:53 PM CT
Ervin Santana won his sixth straight game on Monday night with complete-game four-hit shutout against the Royals. Santana allowed four hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out nine.

Our View: Santana has turned the corner. He was dominating with his 95 mph fastball and the Royals never really threatened in the game.
B.J. Ryan, P, Toronto Blue JaysMonday 5/5, 9:09 PM CT
B.J. Ryan earned his fifth save of the season on Monday night, but it wasn't easy. The big left-hander walked three batters in the top of the ninth with a one run lead, but induced a double play ball of the bat of Pablo Ozuna to end the game.

Our View: Ryan has been cleared to work on back-to-back days earned his second save in as many days.
Dustin McGowan, P, Toronto Blue JaysMonday 5/5, 9:06 PM CT
Dustin McGowan improved to 2-2 on the season with a hard fought 1-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night. The right-hander allowed no runs on four hits, walked no batters while striking out six.

Our View: A terrific outing for McGowan. He worked 7.1 solid innings and his command was spot on. The Jays rotation has been over-the-top good over the last week and with B.J. Ryan now cleared to work on back-to-back days Toronto is clear to take aim at the top of the AL East.
Javier Vazquez, P, Chicago White SoxMonday 5/5, 8:57 PM CT
Javier Vazquez suffered a 1-0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night. A tough loss for the right-handed veteran who allowed one run while scattering eight hits, walked one and struck out nine over 7.2 innings of work.

Our View: The loss was Vazquez's third on the season evening his record at 3-3.
Ian Kinsler, 2B, Texas RangersMonday 5/5, 8:51 PM CT
Ian Kinsler returns to the starting lineup on Saturday when Texas visits Oakland for a Monday night division battle.

Our View: Kinsler has missed the last two games with a sore hamstring.
Alexei Ramirez, SS, Chicago White SoxMonday 5/5, 8:34 PM CT
Alexei Ramirez is set to come off the restricted list on Tuesday and will rejoin the White Sox for their series against the Twins in Chicago, according to manager Ozzie Guillen, notes MLB.com. "Right now, yes," Guillen said. "He should be back." Ramirez was unable to travel with the team to Toronto because of problems with his work visa that would have prevented him from re-entering the United States if he left the country.

Our View: Instead, the White Sox utilityman was placed on the restricted list and spent the weekend in Chicago, working out and taking batting practice. Ramirez is hitting .121 with no home runs and two RBIs in 14 games this season. Ozuna and Uribe are hitting .200 and .163, respectively.
Joe Crede, 3B, Chicago White SoxMonday 5/5, 8:24 PM CT
Joe Crede, who seemed to finally be healthy from a nagging back issue that caused him to miss most of the 2007 season, was scratched from Monday's lineup because of a migraine.

Our View: Pablo Ozuna started at third base and batted seventh. Crede is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday.
Nick Swisher, 1B, New York YankeesMonday 5/5, 8:15 PM CT
After struggling with a .210 average the White Sox have moved Nick Swisher to sixth in the batting order. Orlando Cabrera will hit at the top of the order for the struggling White Sox offense.

Our View: His 23 walks and .354 on base percentage are favorable for a leadoff hitter, but the team needs more punch in the middle of the order. Swisher could provide that spark and improve his HR/AB ratio.
B.J. Ryan, P, Toronto Blue JaysMonday 5/5, 8:11 PM CT
The AP reports that less than one year after he had Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on his left elbow, B.J. Ryan has been cleared to pitch in consecutive games for the Toronto Blue Jays. Ryan had season-ending surgery last May 10 and started this season on the disabled list.

Our View: The big left-hander was activated April 13 and has four saves in seven scoreless appearances since returning. Ryan has struck out 10, walked three and allowed six hits in seven innings.
Glen Perkins, P, Minnesota TwinsMonday 5/5, 7:53 PM CT
Glen Perkins is the most logical candidate to replace the injured Scott Baker in the Twins rotation, if in fact Baker isn't able to take his turn this week. Baker's threw a two-hitter to win his first game of the season a week ago Saturday for Triple-A Rochester. He allowed one walk and struck out seven.

Our View: Currently, we have Perkins starting for Baker and following Kevin Slowey with a Friday start against Dice-K and Boston.
Kevin Slowey, P, Minnesota TwinsMonday 5/5, 7:50 PM CT
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, "Right-hander Kevin Slowey will be activated from the 15-day disabled list in time to start Thursday in Chicago against the White Sox while the Twins try to figure out what to do with injured right-hander Scott Baker.

Our View: Baker left his start Saturday after three innings, when he felt discomfort in his right groin muscle -- the second consecutive start he has left early because of the injury. Slowey has made only one start this season. In that start he lasted only 3.1 innings giving up three earned runs on four hits, walking none and striking out two. In the fourth inning of the game he injured the bicep on his throwing arm and has been on the disabled list since.
Boof Bonser, P, Minnesota TwinsMonday 5/5, 7:43 PM CT
Boof Bonser gave up six runs in the first inning Sunday against Detroit but found out his team has the ability to bail him out, this according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. While he pitched five shutout innings after the first, the Twins offense eventually got untracked against starter Kenny Rogers and carried it over to the Tigers bullpen. "That six-spot killed me,'' Bonser said, "I was just able to buckle down and throw six innings, give my team a chance. We pulled it off."

Our View: Bonser is better than he showed in the first against the Tigers on Sunday. His 2-4 record on the season is a bit decieving as his 4.29 ERA and 1.24 WHIP are acceptable American League numbers. Expect Bonser to carry over the five shutout innings into his next start against Jon Lester and Boston.
Gary Sheffield, DH, Detroit TigersMonday 5/5, 6:05 PM CT
Gary Sheffield has been moved from the Tigers' designated hitter role into left field for tonight's game against Boston. Magglio Ordonez will serve in the DH role for Detroit.

Our View: Sheffield told manager Jim Leyland he would be more productive at the plate if he could be more involved in the game. In other words, he begged into the left field spot. Sheff is still nursing an injured shoulder, and defensively he is more of a liability than asset at this stage of his career.
Dontrelle Willis, P, Detroit TigersMonday 5/5, 5:56 PM CT
Dontrelle Willis suffered a minor setback on Sunday. The team revealed that Willis tweaked his knee while fielding a groundball during Friday's rehab assignment.

Our View: He'll throw a side session later in the week before the Tigers figure out his remaining rehab schedule. The D-Train is not expected to return before late May, or early June at the earliest. This means that Armando Galarraga will remain in the starting rotation and have two starts in Week 7.
Ivan Rodriguez, C, New York YankeesMonday 5/5, 5:34 PM CT
Ivan Rodriguez is hitting in the ninth spot on Monday night when the Tigers host the Red Sox. Third baseman Carlos Guillen is now hitting third and new left fielder Gary Sheffield is in the six-hole for tonight's game. Jim Leyland told the media on Sunday he was going to make some changes to his lineup. The biggest move is that Jacque Jones was designated for assignment and his replacement, Matthew Joyce, will start in right field and hit seventh.

Our View: Again, there is only so much the Tigers skipper can do. In fact, designating Jones may have been what he was referring to after Sunday's game all along.
Matt Joyce, LF, Detroit TigersMonday 5/5, 5:02 PM CT
Matthew Joyce, who was called up from Triple-A Toledo on Monday, is in the Tigers starting lineup against the Red Sox and Dice-K.

Our View: Joyce is playing right field and hitting seventh in the batting order.
David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red SoxMonday 5/5, 4:58 PM CT
David Ortiz is back in the starting lineup on Monday after being held out Sunday with a sore knee.

Our View: Ortiz is 4-for-24 with a double and a home run in his career against Bonderman, but he also has a good account of the strikezone. With the Tigers right-hander struggling with his command, all of the Red Sox hitters who know how to work the count are in the starting lineup tonight. Youkilis is also starting, and he is hitless (0-for-9) against Bonderman during his young career.
Scott Kazmir, P, Tampa Bay RaysMonday 5/5, 4:41 PM CT
Scott Kazmir, who had a history of controlling the Red Sox bats, had an average debut. The left-hander allowed three runs, on six hits, walked three and struck out five. He threw 90 pitches in four innings of work. Considering his first start was against a hot Red Sox offense, his first test was an overall success.

Our View: His next two starts, against the LA Angels and the NY Yankees are no easier. So a slow start by Kazmir should be expected.
Darrell Rasner, P, New York YankeesMonday 5/5, 4:35 PM CT
Let's keep Darrell Rasner's start on Sunday in perspective. If the organization believed he could be this good, he would've been with the team at the start of April. His next start, against the Tigers on Saturday, will offer a more definitive indicator of what owners can expect from the Yankees' new No. 5 starter.

Our View: For now the right-hander is only viable in AL-only leagues. In 5 starts with Triple-A Scranton, Rasner was 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, .170 batting average against with a K Rate of 7.84. His ground ball to fly ball ratio was more than acceptable at 1.25, but these numbers have never translated to the next level for the Yankees righty. Keeping emotions in check concerning Rasner is advisable.
Nick Swisher, 1B, New York YankeesMonday 5/5, 4:29 PM CT
Nick Swisher certainly hasn't helped the White Sox during their recent offensive slumber. The leadoff heater is batting .210 with a .675 OPS through the first month and week of the season.

Our View: His 23 walks and .354 on base percentage are favorable, but the rest of the numbers are inferior to what was projected for the Oakland import. His HR/AB this season is 35.0, which is down from his 24.5 when in Oakland. The hitter friendly confines of Chicago have yet to pay dividends for those who believed Swisher would have the best offensive season of his career. However, there is plenty of time for Swish to pick up his pace.
Robinson Cano, 2B, New York YankeesMonday 5/5, 4:24 PM CT
Joe Girardi keeps hoping, day after day, that today will be the day Robinson Cano gets on track. this according to Newsday. Cano's homer in the third yesterday again gave Girardi reason to think he might be on the verge of regaining his stroke: "Maybe today gets him going, I'm not sure." Cano is hitting only .154. Because of that, he has mostly been talking to reporters either to explain his offensive doldrums or to translate for close buddy Melky Cabrera, who happens to be leading the team in homers with six.

Our View: Cano slumped last year as well. From April 26 to May 17, a span of 19 games, he batted .157 (11-for-70) with 18 strikeouts. This year he is 18- for-117 with three homers, eight RBIs and 15 strikeouts. It's far too early for owners to panic.
Santiago Casilla, P, Oakland AthleticsMonday 5/5, 3:57 PM CT
Santiago Casilla is still yet to allow a run over 16.1 innings of work, according to MLB.com. That is the longest season-opening scoreless streak by an A's reliever since Jim Corsi began the 1995 season with an 18.1-inning streak.

Our View: Casilla also racked up 20 strikeouts over the span, with only two walks allowed. He did not record any saves, but he does have one win to his credit. Casilla ranks as one of the top relievers in the league right now.
Ervin Santana, P, Los Angeles AngelsMonday 5/5, 3:34 PM CT
Ervin Santana will look to remain unbeaten when he takes the mound against the Royals tonight, according to MLB.com. He was 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA in two starts against Kansas City last season.

Our View: Santana is 5-0 with a 2.48 ERA and excellent 0.98 WHIP over 40 innings, with 29 strikeouts. Santana has only allowed three runs over his last five starts, and should remain in your lineups while he's hot.
Bartolo Colon, P, Boston Red SoxMonday 5/5, 3:25 PM CT
Bartolo Colon threw two innings in extended spring training in Sarasota, Florida, today, according to the Boston Globe. He threw 19 pitches during the game, then threw another 16 pitches in a bullpen session.

Our View: Colon is expected to rejoin the team in Detroit this week, but remains a fantasy risk due to his durability and uncertainty that he can still be effective in the majors. He held a poor 1.62 WHIP over 99.1 innings in 2007.
Matt Joyce, LF, Detroit TigersMonday 5/5, 3:14 PM CT
Matthew Joyce has been called up from Triple-A Toledo, according to MLive.com. Struggling outfielder Jacque Jones has also been designated for assignment.

Our View: Joyce was hitting .299 at Toledo, with five homers and 21 RBI in 28 games. Jacque Jones had just one hit in his last 29 at-bats, and Joyce will seemingly provide better depth in the Tigers' outfield. His fantasy value will be limited in a reserve role.
Jack Cust, LF, Oakland AthleticsMonday 5/5, 2:36 PM CT
Jack Cust has been named the AL Player of the Week, according to the AP. Cust hit .500 last week with three home runs, a double and four RBI.

Our View: For the season, Cust is only batting .244 with four home runs and 11 RBI over 28 games. If you don't trust him to remain solid, now is the time to trade him while his stock is on the upswing.
Vernon Wells, CF, Toronto Blue JaysMonday 5/5, 2:14 PM CT
Vernon Wells has a poor track record against Javier Vazquez, tonight's opposing hurler for Chicago, according to MLB.com. Wells is only 4-for-29 (.138) over his career against Vazquez.

Our View: Wells recently fell into a slump but bounced back as he is 6-for-11 (.545) over his last three games. Keep him in your lineup, despite a tough personal match-up against Vazquez.
Javier Vazquez, P, Chicago White SoxMonday 5/5, 2:03 PM CT
Javier Vazquez will be in action when the White Sox face the Blue Jays tonight in Toronto, according to MLB.com. Vazquez is 3-2 this season, with a 3.72 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 38.2 innings, with 37 strikeouts.

Our View: In 12 career starts against the Jays, Vazquez is 4-5 with a 4.54 ERA, and got rocked for six runs and 10 hits over 5.1 innings in his last start against the Yankees. The numbers say he could struggle again, but he is pitching well overall this season, and should remain in your lineups tonight.
Gary Sheffield, DH, Detroit TigersMonday 5/5, 12:44 PM CT
Gary Sheffield is 6-for-10 with two doubles, a homer, and two RBI lifetime against Daisuke Matsuzaka, tonight's opposing hurler for Boston, according to MLB.com.

Our View: Sheffield was given the day off to rest on Sunday, and could use another good outing against Dice-K, as he is only hitting .185 over 23 games this season, with five RBI.
David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red SoxMonday 5/5, 12:34 PM CT
David Ortiz has a poor track record against Jeremy Bonderman, today's opposing hurler for Detroit, according to MLB.com. Ortiz is only 4-for-24 with a double, a home run, and five strikeouts over his career against the Tigers' righty.

Our View: Ortiz is also battling his ailing knee, but you can't really sit him as he has six hits and three RBI over 13 at-bats in May.
Mike Lowell, 3B, Boston Red SoxMonday 5/5, 11:12 AM CT
Mike Lowell is yet to register an RBI (or a homer) over 54 at-bats this season, according to MLB.com. He recently returned from the DL due to his thumb ailment.

Our View: Lowell was projected by many to be a bust for 2008 after recording 21 homers and 120 RBI last season, and he is wearing that collar well so far.
Jeremy Bonderman, P, Detroit TigersMonday 5/5, 11:07 AM CT
Jeremy Bonderman has been suffering with control problems so far this season and will look to get on track tonight when the Tigers host the Red Sox, according to MLB.com. Bonderman has allowed 23 walks over 35 innings, with a dismal 1.60 WHIP.

Our View: He is 4-4 lifetime against Boston, while going 3-1 at home. While he has a good track record at home against Boston, he is best left on your bench until he fixes his control issues, especially with another match-up against the Yankees this week.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, P, Boston Red SoxMonday 5/5, 10:59 AM CT
Daisuke Matsuzaka will aim to remain unbeaten when the Red Sox battle the Tigers at Comerica Park tonight, according to MLB.com. Dice-K is currently 4-0 with a 2.52 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He is 2-1 against the Tigers, and his loss came at Comerica Park, when he surrendered six runs over five innings last season.

Our View: Dice-K is 19-12 in the Majors so far, and will duel with Jeremy Bonderman tonight, who is struggling in the early going this season. Dice-K also provides fantasy owners with strong strikeout totals, as he has 32 over 35.2 innings this season.
Kyle Farnsworth, P, Detroit TigersMonday 5/5, 10:18 AM CT
Kyle Farnsworth's appeal of his three-game suspension will be heard on Tuesday, according to the NY Daily News. To refresh your memory, Farnsworth was suspended three games and fined $2,000 for throwing behind Manny Ramirez's head during battle with the hated rival Red Sox.

Our View: If the ruling doesn't go in his favor on Tuesday, Farnsworth could begin serving his suspension that night.
Roger Clemens, P, New York YankeesMonday 5/5, 10:13 AM CT
Roger Clemens apologized Monday for unspecified mistakes in his personal life but denied having an affair with a 15-year-old, according to the AP. The Daily News reported last week that Clemens had a decade-long relationship with country singer Mindy McCready that began when she was 15. The newspaper also linked Clemens to former Manhattan bartender Angela Moyer and Paulette Dean Daly, a former wife of golfer John Daly. Clemens said, "Even though these articles contain many false accusations and mistakes, I need to say that I have made mistakes in my personal life for which I am sorry. I have apologized to my family and apologize to my fans. Like everyone, I have flaws. I have sometimes made choices which have not been right. I believe my personal life has nothing to do with the accusations of steroid and HGH use. I have already made clear that I did not use them. Now, I have been accused of having an improper relationship with a 15-year old girl. Nothing could be further from the truth. This relationship has been twisted and distorted far beyond reality. It is just one of many, many accusations that are utterly false. I realize that many people want me to simply confess and apologize for the conduct that I have been accused of, but I cannot confess to, nor apologize for, things I did not do. I have apologized to my family for my mistakes, and having offered this apology to the public, I would ask that you let me and my family deal with these matters in private."

Our View: Clemens was a near lock for the Hall of Fame, but now that could be in doubt.
Justin Verlander, P, Detroit TigersMonday 5/5, 9:43 AM CT
Former Tigers' hurler and current Twins' broadcaster Jack Morris commented that Justin Verlander's shoulder has to be hurting because he's not extending his arm as he did last season, according to the Detroit Free Press. Verlander is 1-5, but recently stated that his arm feels great.

Our View: Verlander also holds a poor 1.44 WHIP and 6.28 ERA over 43 innings, with 20 walks. Something is not right with him, if not his shoulder. Keep him on the bench for the time being.
Ian Kinsler, 2B, Texas RangersMonday 5/5, 9:20 AM CT
Ian Kinsler sat out his second straight game on Sunday due to his sore hamstrings, according to MLB.com. Manager Ron Washington said, "It's just precautionary. We don't want to run him out there and have something happen. We've got it covered. If it takes a couple of days, then it takes a couple of days."

Our View: Kinsler said, "It's just that I need a couple of days. My legs are pretty sore, pretty tender. I want to make sure I don't end up like Hank Blalock. They have been bothering me for a while, and Saturday I woke up and they were pretty sore. I feel like I'll be ready to go Monday. I've been putting a lot of mileage on them, going from first to third, stealing bases, playing defense and stuff. I expect my body to hold up, but right now I think it just needs a little rest." It sounds like he will be fine, and just needs some rest.
Chone Figgins, 3B, Los Angeles AngelsMonday 5/5, 9:13 AM CT
Chone Figgins avoided the 15-day DL Sunday, an MRI test on the infielder's right hamstring showing a mild strain, according to the LA Times.

Our View: Figgins said his hamstring felt "a lot better" on Sunday than it did Saturday. Figgins took Sunday off and probably won't test the hamstring until today or Tuesday in Kansas City. Manager Mike Sciosca said, "Within 48 hours, we should have a better idea of what direction this is going." This is good news he is not going on the DL, and fantasy owners shouldn't mind if he sits out another day or two.
Ben Francisco, LF, Cleveland IndiansMonday 5/5, 9:06 AM CT
Manager Eric Wedge said on Sunday that the team will do whatever it takes to get out of its offensive slump, and one move that is going to happen will take place tomorrow, when outfielder Ben Francisco gets called back up from Triple-A Buffalo, according to Indians Confidential. Francisco told a reporter that he is being recalled by the Indians for the second time this season. He was previously called up to fill a roster spot whem Jake Westbrook was placed on the DL.

Our View: Jason Michaels is the expected casualty to open a roster spot for Francisco. If recalled, he will share time with David Dellucci in left field. Francisco was 2-for-6 in his brief stint with Cleveland earlier in the season.
Kip Wells, P, Kansas City RoyalsMonday 5/5, 8:53 AM CT
Kip Wells is scheduled to have surgery to remove blood clots in his pitching hand on Tuesday, according to the Denver Post. The Rockies are concerned because Wells has a history of circulation problems.

Our View: Wells was brought in to compete for a rotation job with Colorado, but a poor spring training relegated him to the bullpen. He then had a shot to replace the demoted Franklin Morales in the rotation following his demotion, but a trip to the DL ended that for him.
David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red SoxMonday 5/5, 8:41 AM CT
David Ortiz was a late scratch for Sunday's game, and Manager Terry Francona commented on his ailing knee, according to the Providence Journal. Francona said, "He has that spot on his knee. I don’t know if you’d term it tendonitis, but he bruised it the other day. On a day when it’s wet and cold, a day game after a night game, he was just having trouble getting it loose . It’s going to be a long year. We can slide Youkilis in there (to the third spot in the order)."

Our View: Ortiz missed two games last weekend against the Rays due to swelling in the knee. Ortiz will remain an injury risk as a fantasy prospect, and is only hitting .216, but does have five homers and 24 RBI over 29 games played.
Adam Loewen, LF, Toronto Blue JaysMonday 5/5, 8:11 AM CT
Adam Loewen will get his ailing elbow checked out by Dr. James Andrews today, according to the Baltimore Sun. This is an important step in determining when Loewen can return to the mound. Andrews inserted a screw into Loewen's left elbow in June to repair a stress fracture. It has continued to give Loewen problems, leading to the club's decision last month to place him on the DL. A bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging and CT scan taken on the ailing area have not revealed any new problems, so Loewen and the club are optimistic about today's examination. Manager Dave Trembley said, "I think it would be good for everybody. I think he felt a lot better about the situation when the bone scan came back the way that it did. I'm sure he's probably anxious to get going on a throwing program again and see what he has to do in order to get back out there again."

Our View: The team will be in no hurry to rush him back to the diamond. He held a 7.85 ERA and 1.91 WHIP over four starts before landing on the DL.
Freddie Bynum, SS, Baltimore OriolesMonday 5/5, 8:05 AM CT
Freddie Bynum, who is on an injury rehab assignment at Double-A Bowie, said he is pain-free and hopes to rejoin the Orioles after Bowie returns from a four-game series in New Britain that begins tonight, according to the Baltimore Sun. He is recovering from right knee surgery.

Our View: The team said the utility man will get most of his work at shortstop when he returns.
Kei Igawa, P, New York YankeesMonday 5/5, 12:02 AM CT
Kei Igawa is expected to be called up to start on Friday or Saturday against the Tigers, the New York Daily News reports. The southpaw made his seventh Triple-A start of the season on Sunday, and he sits at 3-3 with a 3.86 ERA. "He's been throwing OK," Joe Girardi says. "Obviously, for Kei, it's important to attack the strike zone. His last start, he struggled a little bit, but he's had some pretty good starts."

Our View: Igawa has a chance to stick around due to Ian Kennedy's struggles and demotion. At the least, Kei is worth a flyer in AL-only leagues.