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| Troy Glaus left after the Cardinals batted in the third with a bruised left tricep. He was hit by a pitch the inning before. |
Our View: La Russa said afterward Glaus couldn't straighten his arm and would be re-evaluated Saturday.
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| After getting two outs on two pitches, Jason Isringhausen imploded, allowing two singles and a walk before Rickie Weeks' two-run single gave Milwaukee a 4-3 victory on Friday night, giving Izzy a blown save and a loss.
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Our View: Isringhausen, who has a major-league high five blown save chances to go along with his NL-best 11 saves, said it's time for him to sit down with Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak, manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan and figure out what to do. The expected results of the meeting will likely keep Izzy from pitching on back-to-back days.
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| The Marlins were ready for Nats starter Tim Redding on Friday night. They were patient at the plate, this after striking out 10 times to the right-hander in their last game against him.
Redding walked a season-high four over 5.1 innings. He gave up only four hits and struck out three but was charged with five earned runs. |
Our View: Redding has been the Nationals most consistent starter and his nasty curve ball will allow him to win plenty of game throughout the summer, if he can get some run support.
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| Elijah Dukes, returning from the disabled list after injuring his hamstring on opening day, entered the game in the seventh inning and struck out in both of his plate appearances. |
Our View: Dukes will serve as the Nats fourth outfielder and has value in NL-only formats.
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| Nationals lefty Matt Chico made his first relief appearance in the major leagues, pitching two scoreless innings. |
Our View: He made 31 starts last year and struggled through seven starts this season before being sent to the bullpen.
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| Ricky Nolasco broke a personal three-game losing streak with six strong innings in Friday's 7-3 win over the Nationals. Nolasco allowed one run on four hits, walked two and struck out six. |
Our View: The 25-year-old right-hander reportedly corrected some mechanical flaws in his between-game bullpen session and it showed tonight. He was smooth in his delivery and efficient in his pitch count for the most of five innings.
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| Tom Glavine did what he does best on Friday night in Pittsburgh, he kept his team in the game. The left-hander allowed two runs on five hits, walked four and struck out three in seven innings of work. |
Our View: Glavine lowered his ERA to 4.03 but his 1.73 WHIP didn't improve much with his four walks.
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| John Grabow pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the win in Friday night's 3-2 victory over Atlanta. Grabow came in after Tyler Yates allowed the first two runners to reach base. After striking out Kelly Johnson, Grabow got Yunel Escobar to bounce into a double play.
"Obviously, you never want to come into a situation like that," said Grabow, who has a 1.02 ERA. "But that's our job out in the bullpen to pick each other up." |
Our View: The Pirates continue to get good pitching and timely hitting and while Ian Snell didn't get the victory, he did pitch well for the first time this month, save the walks.
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| Freddy Sanchez went 2-for-4 with three RBI and is 9-for-17 in four games since he moved from No. 2 to the leadoff spot. |
Our View: While fantasy owners are thrilled with his production, the Pirates are enthralled. The team has won all four games since the batting order was juggled.
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| Greg Smith lost his second game of the season on Friday night, but not because he didn't pitch well. The rookie didn't throw a quality start, but allowed four runs on only four hits, walked two and struck out four in the 4-0 loss to the Rangers. |
Our View: Smith has been impressive since replacing the injured Rich Harden, and it appears he will remain in the rotation.
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| C.C. Sabathia struck out nine over seven innings in a 6-1 win over Toronto. The reigning AL Cy Young winner gave up six hits, walked two and won for the first time in five decisions at home this season. |
Our View: Sabathia has officially turned it around after a miserable start. With Friday's win, C.C. lowered his ERA to 6.55.
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| In the offseason, the Washington Nationals spent $6.25 million to acquire free agent catchers Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada. On Friday they put both players on the disabled list. On Friday night Will Nieves got the start against right-hander Ricky Nolasco, but expect to see one of the Nats top prospects Jesus Flores in a platoon with Nieves. |
Our View: Lo Duca was disabled with a broken bone in his right hand, Estrada with a ligament problem in his right elbow.
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| Pedro Martinez threw nearly 60 pitches at New York's spring training complex in Florida on Friday, this according to the AP. The Mets still have no timetable for when the injured right-hander might return to the team.
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Our View: Martinez has been on the disabled list since straining his left hamstring April 2 during his only start of the season, at the Florida Marlins.
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| Second baseman Brandon Phillips was out of the Friday starting lineup against the Mets due to a sore left calf, sustained on a foul ball Wednesday. |
Our View: Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker said Phillips might have been available to pinch hit on Friday night. With the postponement of the game due to rain, Phillips is expected to be in the lineup during Saturday's double-header for at least one of the games.
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| The scheduled game between the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets was postponed because of rain Friday night.
It will be made up Saturday as part of a day-night doubleheader, with start times of 1:10 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Johan Santana is slated to pitch the opener for New York against Matt Belisle, with Mike Pelfrey getting the ball in Game 2 against Reds right-hander Bronson Arroyo.
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Our View: Belisle and Pelfrey had been the scheduled starters Friday.
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| Matt Capps recorded his eighth save in as many opportunities on Thursday striking out one and walking one in his single frame of work. |
Our View: Capps K Rate is down from last year, but his numbers are in line with what owners expected heading into 2008. Capps will continue to get opportunities. When the Pirates win, they don't win by much.
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| Garrett Atkins extended his hitting streak to seven games with a 2-for-3 performance on Thursday night against the Cardinals. Atkins has now hit safely in 21 of his last 22 games and has gone hitless in just five games all year long. |
Our View: Atkins is hitting .326 with a slugging percentage of .535. Traditionally a second half hitter, Atkins has excited his owners and is a prime buy-if-you-can candidate.
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| Cody Ross, who hit .146 with one run scored and two RBI during April, is in the starting lineup on Friday night against right-hander Tim Redding. Switch-hitter Alfredo Amezaga is on the bench tonight. |
Our View: Starting the right-handed Ross is somewhat of a surprise considering in Redding's last start against the Fish he struck out 10 batters.
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| Brandon Phillips is not in Friday's starting lineup. The Reds are using Jerry Hairston Jr. at second base and hitting him second in the order. |
Our View: Phillips is hitting .276 with 20 runs scored, 16 RBI, five stolen bases and six home runs. Far from All Star numbers but not the kind of funk that would get a player of his tools benched. It's likely Dusty Baker is giving Phillips a night off against Mike Pelfrey and the Mets.
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| Kerry Wood earned his sixth save of the year in Friday's 3-1 win over the Diamondbacks. |
Our View: Wood, has been as inconsistent as any closer in the league, but has yet to catch some of the national criticism as has Eric Gagne. All indications have Wood solidly planted in the closer role and Carlos Marmol as his setup man.
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| Derrek Lee, who entered play today in a 4-for-28 slump, homered off reliever Juan Cruz to give the Cubs a comfortable 3-1 lead in the eighth inning of Friday's win over the Diamondbacks. |
Our View: Lee, absent his recent skid, has been MVP-good. Lee is hitting .322 with 30 runs scored, 25 RBI, two stolen bases and nine home runs.
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| Dan Haren allowed two runs on five hits, walked two and struck out five over seven innings, but suffered his second loss of the season to an even better Ted Lilly and the Cubs on Friday afternoon. |
Our View: Haren was good enough to win in the day game at historic Wrigley field, but Ted Lilly was better. The Diamondbacks have hit a part of the schedule that will test their metal, with a road trip in Chicago before returning home to face a desperate Rockies team and then an innerleague series against Detroit.
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| Ted Lilly surrendered a first-inning solo homer to Arizona's Chris Young, then gave up just two hits over the next six innings in a Friday day game at Wrigley. The left-hander allowed one run on three hits, walked two and struck out 10. |
Our View: Lilly has continue to show improvement after a slow start, and today's effort following a underachieving road trip for Chicago, was just in time. Lilly earned his third victory of the season.
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| Chris Snyder went 2-for-4 with a double and run batted in on Thursday. The Arizona catcher also scored in the game. |
Our View: Snyder is the top surprise at the catcher position this year, and should be considered a starting option in any format.
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| According to the Washington Post, the Nationals will activate outfielder Elijah Dukes on Friday, who strained his right hamstring on opening day. Dukes hit .211 in a 13-game rehabilitation stint with Single-A Potomac and Triple-A Columbus. |
Our View: Dukes was to be the Nationals' fourth outfielder originally, and Manager Manny Acta said he would return to that role. Dukes has value in NL-only formats and will receive his share of at-bats this summer.
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| The Padres have claimed reliever Sean Henn off waivers from the Yankees, according to the AP. |
Our View: Henn holds a a 7.53 ERA over 36 career appearances, all with the Yankees. He will provide the Padres' pen with an extra arm, but isn't worth consideration as a fantasy prospect.
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| Jody Gerut has been recalled from Triple-A Portland, according to the AP. The team released Jim Edmonds, and Gerut will cover his spot on the roster. |
Our View: The left-handed outfielder went 1-for-6 over four games with the Padres this season, with one stolen base.
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| Jim Edmonds has been released by the Padres, according to the AP. The team recalled outfielder Jody Gerut from Triple-A Portland to cover the open spot on the roster. |
Our View: This was to be expected, as Edmonds only hit .178 over 90 at-bats this season, with 24 strikeouts. He only recorded one home run as well.
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| Brian McCann has a good track record against Ian Snell, tonight's opposing hurler for Pittsburgh, according to MLB.com. McCann is 7-for-12 with three homers over his career versus Snell. |
Our View: McCann is hitting .299 this season, with one homer and 17 RBI. He already has eight hits and five RBI over five games in May, and shouldn't cool off against the Pirates tonight.
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| Tom Glavine will be shooting for his first win of the season when he takes the mound against the Pirates tonight, according to MLB.com. Glavine is 0-1 over five starts, with a 4.50 ERA and 1.73 WHIP. |
Our View: Glavine is 22-12 with a 3.12 ERA against the Pirates in his career. Glavine was rocked for six runs in his last start (against Cincinnati) but has only allowed five earned runs in his four previous starts. He is pitching well overall, despite not having any wins, and he is worth starting tonight.
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| C.C. Sabathia will be looking for his second win of the season when the Indians host the Blue Jays tonight, according to MLB.com. The former Cy Young Award winner is 1-5 with a 7.51 ERA and 1.77 WHIP over 38.1 innings, with 18 walks and 37 strikeouts. He has already allowed six home runs. |
Our View: Sabathia has allowed nine runs in two of his seven starts this season, but has only allowed a total of five runs (and four walks) over his last three outings.
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| Jeff Karstens could pitch in an extended spring training game Saturday, according to the AP. He has been on the shelf since straining his right groin March 27. |
Our View: Karstens was a front-runner for a long-relief role out of the bullpen before getting hurt in his last scheduled spring training appearance. He allowed 18 runs and 27 hits over 14.2 innings in 2007.
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| Carlos Muniz fired a perfect ninth inning for Triple-A New Orleans on Thursday, and collected his fifth save of the season, according to MetsBlog. |
Our View: Muniz fared well in limited action for the Mets this season, as he only allowed two hits over four innings, with no runs or walks. He will have to wait patiently for another chance to pitch for the big league club.
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| Derrick Turnbow has accepted a Triple-A assignment with the Brewers, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He will report on Monday. |
Our View: Turnbow was an All-Star reliever in 2006, but got rocked for 11 runs on 12 hits over a mere 6.1 innings of work this season, with 13 walks and five strikeouts. A stint at Triple-A could do him some good, but he isn't worth waiting for as a fantasy prospect.
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| Kosuke Fukudome is hitting .448 over 16 games at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field this season, but is only hitting .209 on the road, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Fukudome is at home against Arizona today, and should be in your lineups, regardless of a tough match-up against ace hurler Dan Haren. Fukudome is hitting .320 overall this season, with 23 runs scored over 33 games.
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| Dan Haren will be targeting his fifth win of the season when the Diamondbacks battle the Cubs in Chicago today, according to MLB.com. Haren is 4-1 this season, with a 3.12 ERA and stellar 0.99 WHIP over 43.1 innings, with only eight walks and 36 strikeouts. |
Our View: Haren is 0-1 with a 12.46 ERA at Wrigley Field, but he should be locked into your lineups today.
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| Sean Marshall has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa, according to the Sports Network. The team needed to make room for pitcher Scott Eyre (activated from DL), and Marshall was seen as expendable. |
Our View: Marshall held a 4.15 ERA and 1.73 WHIP over 8.2 innings, with seven walks and fivs strikeouts. He also surrendered two home runs. He had one save to his credit, but held little to no fantasy value prior to his demotion.
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| Scott Eyre has been activated from the 15-day DL, according to the Sports Network. To make room, they also optioned lefty Sean Marshall to Triple-A Iowa. |
Our View: Eyre will fight for playing time out of the Cubs' crowded pen and holds little to no fantasy value, especially since he held a poor 1.80 WHIP over 52.1 innings in 2007. This is his third season with the Cubs.
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| Johnny Estrada has been placed on the 15-day DL, according to the AP. He is dealing with ulnar neuritis in his right elbow. The team activated outfielder Elijah Dukes from the DL to fill his spot on the roster. |
Our View: Estrada was only hitting .179 with no homers and three RBI over 39 at-bats this season, and held no fantasy value prior to landing on the DL.
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| Paul Lo Duca has officially been placed on the 15-day DL due to his hand injury, according to the AP. Catcher Jesus Flores has been called up from Triple-A to cover his roster spot. Backup Johnny Estrada has also been placed on the DL, so the team activated outfielder Elijah Dukes. |
Our View: With Estrada also on the DL, Flores will split time with Will Nieves.
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| Bill Bray has been recalled from Triple-A Louisville, according to the AP. He will fill the roster spot vacated by lefty Kent Mercker, who landed on the DL due to lower back pain. |
Our View: This will be Bray's second stint with the Reds this season, and he is yet to surrender a run over four innings, but allowed six hits and three walks, for a 2.25 WHIP. He will provide depth to the Reds' bullpen, but doesn't merit fantasy consideration.
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| Kent Mercker has been placed on the 15-day DL due to lower back pain, according to the AP. The move is retroactive to Tuesday. Bill Bray has been recalled from Triple-A Louisville to fill Mercker's spot on the roster. |
Our View: The veteran lefty allowed five runs on 12 hits over 11.2 innings this season, with seven walks and six strikeouts. He held no fantasy value prior to landing on the DL.
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| Hernan Iribarren went 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored for Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, according to BrewCrewBall.com. He raised his season average to .294. |
Our View: Iribarren went 2-for-6 with one RBI and one run scored over a brief stint with the Brewers this season. He has the versatility to play second base as well as the outfield, but will have to wait for another chance to prove his worth with the Brewers.
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| Jesus Flores is expected to get called up from Triple-A Columbus today, according to CBSsports. The team will make the move with both Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada on the shelf due to injuries. |
Our View: He will platoon with Will Nieves at catcher. Flores is 4-for-11 (.364) with one homer and three RBI so far this season with Washington.
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| Nyjer Morgan has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The team made the move when they acquired Jason Michaels from the Indians. GM Neal Huntington said, "We felt this was the best thing for Nyjer's continued development. He's played an important role for us, but we want him to be an everyday major-leaguer. He needs to be on the field."
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Our View: Morgan proved he wasn't ready to make an impact with the Pirates yet, as he only hit .161 with no homers or RBI over 31 at-bats.
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| Juan Mateo has been signed to a minor league contract with the Pirates, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He spent half of the 2006 season in the Cubs' rotation, but shoulder trouble shipped him back down to Class-A last year. |
Our View: Mateo holds no fantasy value, and went 1-3 with a 5.32 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 11 games with the aforementioned Cubs in 2006.
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| Jimmy Rollins remains on target to rejoin the Phillies in San Francisco tonight, according to MetsBlog. He missed a month due to his sprained ankle. |
Our View: As previously reported, the Phillies said Rollins' arrival in San Francisco does not guarantee he will be activated before the game. So, wait for the green light before penciling him back into your lineups.
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| Wandy Rodriguez threw a successful bullpen session on Thursday, according to the Houston Chronicle. GM Ed Wade said Rodriguez would throw another bullpen Saturday in Los Angeles and a simulated game next week in San Francisco. Then the team will start talking about sending him out on rehab. He is recovering from a strained left groin. |
Our View: His timetable to return remains unclear, but he will be worth the wait, as he racked up 24 strikeouts over 23.1 innings, with a favorable 1.11 WHIP over four starts.
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| A judge in Pinellas County dismissed a domestic violence allegation against Jorge Cantu, according to the Palm Beach Post. Nanci Michelle Ikerd was denied a request for a protection order against Cantu on April 23 before a second request was dismissed Wednesday. She claimed she sustained bruises to her left biceps and was verbally threatened by Cantu on February 8. Steve Canter (Cantu's agent) said, "The charges were false. The court not once, but twice rejected her claims."
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Our View: Cantu can now put this distraction behind him and focus solely on baseball. He is having a good campaign with a .280 average over 32 games, with five homers, 14 RBI, 20 runs scored, and two stolen bases.
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| Free agent lefty David Wells said he wants to join the Yankees, according to FanNation. He will turn 45 in 11 days, but stated that he has been working out near his home in San Diego and believes he could balance a New York rotation, suddenly besieged by question marks. |
Our View: Hank Steinbrenner noted that Wells has crossed his mind as a possibility for the Yankees' rotation. Wells went 9-9 over 29 starts in 2007, with a 5.43 ERA and poor 1.54 WHIP. He only registered 82 strikeouts over 157.1 innings as well. He won't likely help fantasy rotations that much, but you know the Yankees will provide solid run support for him to nail down wins.
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| John Smoltz has said that the pain in his shoulder has mostly subsided following 10 days of rest, and after a couple days more he will be able to pick up a baseball again by Sunday in Pittsburgh, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He will start by playing catch and work his way up to a rehab assignment. He is targeting a return to the Braves by the end of May. He mentioned May 20 against the Mets, but admitted that may be pushing it. |
Our View: He will work out of the Braves' bullpen upon his return, which is still ailing and could really use his services.
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| Scott Eyre remains on pace to be activated from the DL before Saturday's game against the D-Backs, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He is recovering from left elbow inflammation. |
Our View: Eyre will fight for playing time out of the Cubs' crowded pen and holds little to no fantasy value, especially since he held a poor 1.80 WHIP over 52.1 innings in 2007.
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| Justin Upton batted in the cleanup spot for the first time in his Major League career on Thursday, and registered a solo homer, according to the East Valley Tribune. Conor Jackson's absence from the lineup led to the move. |
Our View: Upton now has six homers and 17 RBI for the season, with a strong .344 average. His fantasy stock remains on the rise.
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| Orlando Hudson will be available to pinch-hit today if needed, according to the East Valley Tribune. Manager Bob Melvin also noted that Hudson could start on Saturday against the Cubs.
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Our View: Hudson was nursing a hamstring ailment and a DL trip was an option, but now it looks like he will be able to remain active (barring a setback). He has been fairly productive with a .274 average over 31 games, with three homers, 17 RBI, 17 runs, and two stolen bases.
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| Conor Jackson is expected to return to the Diamondbacks' lineup today, following a brutal collision at first base with Shane Victorino in the eighth inning Wednesday, according to the East Valley Tribune. Jackson said, "I never lost consciousness, but I was definitely seeing stars."
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Our View: Jackson should return to your fantasy lineups as well. He is enjoying a great campaign, as he holds a .339 average, with five homers, 28 RBI, and 27 runs scored over 32 games. He also stole two bases.
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| Andy Phillips hit a home run for the third straight day in Triple-A, according to RedReporter.com. Thursday's homer went for a grand slam, and he now has 11 RBI on the season. |
Our View: Phillips was competing for a reserve spot as an infielder with the Reds during spring training, but didn't make the cut. He is benefitting from the practice in Triple-A, and is among the Reds' hottest performers in the system right now.
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| Chase Headley went 5-for-5 on Thursday for Triple-A Portland against Omaha, according to Ducksnorts.com. He collected his 11th double of the season, and raised his batting average to .304. |
Our View: Headley is a top prospect third baseman, who is making a solid transition to the outfield. If he continues to have days like this, he won't be kept at Portland for too long.
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| Omar Vizquel could be activated from the DL as soon as today, according to the Mercury News. The team will have to make a cut to open up a roster spot, unless Ray Durham goes on the DL. Brian Bocock or Emmanuel Burriss probably will be sent to the minors if Durham remains active. Demoting Eugenio Velez is not an option, according to Manager Bruce Bochy. |
Our View: Giants' shortstops have gravely struggled at the plate. Vizquel only hit .246 in 2007, but will be seen as an upgrade when he returns.
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| Daniel Moskos improved to 3-1 for High-A Lynchburg after throwing 6.2 scoreless innings on Thursday. He allowed six hits and struck out three batters. |
Our View: The fourth overall pick in the 2007 draft, Moskos has been a relative disappointment in the early going. While he has shown good control, most expected better than a 3.72 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 36.1 innings from a college pitcher of Moskos’ caliber. Still, a great groundball rate does add some optimism.
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| Mat Gamel went 2-for-4 with his sixth home run of the season for Double-A Huntsville on Friday. |
Our View: Bill Hall, are you listening? Gamel was a .300 hitter with nine homers at High-A last season, but he is becoming the complete package offensively this season. He is now hitting .368-6-28 with a decent 15/23 BB/K ratio, nine doubles and five triples, resulting in a 1.074 OPS. If the Brewers fall out of the playoff race this season, don’t rule out a promotion to the majors for Gamel.
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| Fernando Martinez went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs for Double-A Binghamton on Thursday. |
Our View: The Mets’ top prospect has had some growing pains at Double-A this season, but a .264-3-14 line for a 19-year-old at Double-A isn’t too bad. If nothing else, the early results have exposed his sub-par strikezone judgment with a 7/38 BB/K ratio in 144 at-bats.
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| Josh Whitesell hit his seventh home run of the season for Triple-A Tucson on Thursday. |
Our View: The D’Backs brought Whitesell in from the Nationals organization before this season, and he has taken his first taste of Triple-A in stride by hitting .300-7-22. The 26-year-old is not a top prospect, but he could still have a career as a pinch-hitter or platoon player in the majors with some luck.
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| Claudio Vargas threw seven scoreless innings for Triple-A New Orleans, allowing only four hits and fanning seven on Thursday. |
Our View: Nelson Figueroa was awful in his last start, but the Mets probably won’t replace him with Vargas just yet. With Pedro Martinez making his way back from the DL this month, it could be a moot point.
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| Collin Balester allowed one unearned run in six innings to improve his record to 3-2 for Triple-A Columbus. |
Our View: Balester is no longer Washington’s best prospect due to their improved recent drafts, but he is still a refined, solid pitcher. He has a 3.41 ERA in seven starts this season, which is made more impressive by the fact that he is still only 21-years-old. He should get some starts in the majors this season if he stays on this track.
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