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| The Royals suffered a heartbreaking 6-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, but leadoff man RF David DeJesus did what he could to put his team in position to win. DeJesus went 2-for-3 at the plate with two walks, adding two runs scored and his second stolen base of the season. |
Our View: DeJesus left April on fire but has fallen a bit in May, his batting average falling from .354 to .317 following this loss.
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| Baltimore closer George Sherrill picked up his 13th save of the season, putting the Kansas City Royals to bed in the ninth, 6-5. Sherrill pitched the ninth inning, allowing one hit and one walked seasoned, allowing one earned run to score, with two strike outs. |
Our View: While Sherrill is getting the saves, he has been anything but relieving. His 4.41 ERA is all too stressful for fantasy owners while his propensity for walks is a recipe for disaster.
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| The Baltimore Orioles continue to surprise, tonight pulling a 6-5 win over the Kansas Royals. 1B Kevin Millar was the weapon of choice in the victory, going 3-for-4 at the plate with his fifth home run of the season to total three RBIs and two runs scored on the night. |
Our View: Millar's home run is the first of the month after hitting four through April.
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| Boston's lineup is feared for the hitters in the 3, 4, and 5 holes, but tonight it was the 5, 6, and 7 doing damage as the Red Sox picked up the 5-2 win versus Minnesota. 3B Mike Lowell, recently returned from injury, went 2-for-4 with his third home run of the season. 1B Kevin Youkilis went 2-for-5 at the plate with his eighth home run of the year. Catcher Jason Varitek followed, going 2-for-3 with a double. |
Our View: Youkilis is the one to note, now touting 29 RBIs on the season with a .319 AVG, though stranding four runners on base this evening is sure to bother him and fantasy owners.
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| Boston RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka picked up his sixth win of the season as the Boston Red Sox used home runs and a strong pitching performance to put the Minnesota Twins in the loss column, 5-2. Matsuzaka pitched seven innings, allowing just two runs on six hits, walking three and striking out seven. |
Our View: Six wins in eight starts is impressive with two no-decisions coming in the other two. Dice continues to struggle a bit with control (30 walks on the season), but his 2.45 ERA shows he is getting the job done.
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| The suffered a rough 5-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox, giving LHP Glen Perkins , who put forth a valiant but tainted effort, his first loss of the season. Perkins pitched six innings, allowing three runs (all earned) on nine hits, walking none and striking out three. |
Our View: It was the three homers surrendered that did the Twins in, and for that, Perkins gets his first loss on his first start of the season.
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| Tampa Bay LHP Scott Kazmir picked up his first win of the season, a great sign for a staff ace recently returned from rehab in the minors. Kazmir pitched six innings, failing to allow a single run on just three hits surrendered, walking three and striking out six. |
Our View: In just his second outing of the season, Kazmir looked like the power pitcher we have all suspected we would be upon return. It is a great sign for those fantasy owners with Kazmir on the roster looking forward.
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| Tampa Bay LF Carl Crawford enjoyed an intriguing night at the park, helping his Rays to a 2-0 victory over the LA Angels. Crawford went 1-for-2 at the plate with two walks and a run scored, also adding his 10th stolen base of the season. |
Our View: Crawford also got caught stealing for just the second time this year, but he is swinging the bat well and seems to have overcome the rough start that startled more than a few fantasy owners.
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| Angels LHP Joe Saunders watched a good effort go to waste as his teammates failed to produce any semblance of run support, falling 2-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays. Saunders pitched six innings, allowing just one run on four hits, walking four and striking out three. |
Our View: Saunders left with the loss, his first of the season.
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| With just three hits for the entire team on the evening (none resulting in runs), the Angels carry few offensive notes of worth. CF Gary Matthews Jr. went 1-for-2 with two walks on the night. |
Our View: Matthews has battled with pitch selection thus far, nothing new for the free swinger. However, his steady regression in the batting average category could use any sign of reversal. This may be just what the doctor ordered.
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| Cleveland LHP Aaron Laffey gave up his fair share of hits this evening, but none resulted in a single run as the Indians put him into his first win of the season, 12-0. Laffey pitched seven innings, failing to allow a single run on six hits with one walk and two strike outs. |
Our View: Laffey has suffered loss in his only two starts of the season prior to win #1, though he has pitched rather well, allowing just 13 combined hits through all three starts with four walks and eight strike outs.
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| Cleveland catcher Victor Martinez brought the big stick out to play as the Indians put Toronto to bed 12-0. Martinez went 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs and a run scored. |
Our View: Martinez has spent time at both DH and C, now hitting .346 on the season (though he has yet to hit his first home run of the season).
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| The Cleveland Indians smacked the Toronto Blue Jays around the yard today, winning 12-0. CF Grady Sizemore was (as usual) a weapon of choice, going 3-for-5 with a double (his sixth this year) and two home runs (six total on the year) to ring up five RBIs and three runs scored on the evening. |
Our View: Sizemore started the season well but hit a bit of slide in late April. However, he has gone 12-for-36 since April 29 with three home runs.
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| The Toronto Blue Jays posted nine hits against the Cleveland Indians this evening, but not one resulted in a run scored as the Jays fall hard, 12-0. SS Marco Scutaro went 2-for-4 at the plate and was the only Jay to post an extra-base hit, picking up his second double of the season. |
Our View: Scutaro is now on a role, going 8-for-17 over his last four games.
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| Pittsburgh LF Jason Bay was the monster of misfortune for the Atlanta Braves today, leading his team to a 5-2 win. Bay went 2-for-4 at the dish, hitting his fifth double as well as his seventh home run of the year. Bay totaled two RBIs, two runs scored, and one stolen base (his fourth of the year) in an outstanding effort that proved too much for the Braves to overcome. |
Our View: Since hitting May, J-Bay has been getting in the groove: 12-for-31 (.387), seven walks, four strike outs. The only thing missing has been the run production, and tonight he got that done as well.
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| The Braves fell 5-2 to the Pittsburgh Pirates today, but 1B Mark Teixeira did his best to change that result. Teixeira went 2-for-3 at the plate with one walk and his fifth home run of the season. The homer was good for two RBIs and provides a much-needed lift for the power-hitting first bagger. |
Our View: Teixeira has struggled to put the bat on the ball. This was his first homer since April 20th, though he has improved his eye at the plate, touting eight walks versus just four strike outs through May.
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| Texas starter Kevin Millwood left today's game against Oakland with two outs in the first inning with an apparent leg injury, according to the Star Telegram. |
Our View: Millwood seems to have suffered in the injury in the midst of a 3-0 pitch, though he attempted to play through but couldn't complete additional warm-up pitches to stay in the game. We will update as news becomes available.
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| The Twins have placed 3B Nick Punto on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury, according to SLAM Sports. |
Our View: Punto strained his left hamstring during the Twins' trip to Chicago. He attempted to do some running before tonight's game with Boston, but he reported additional pain and thus is on his way to the DL.
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| The Oakland A's have activated OF Travis Buck and optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento, according to SLAM Sports. |
Our View: Buck was batting .154 through 15 games before falling to the DL with shin splints. The A's want Buck to get some swings in the minors with hopes of ramping him back towards his potential before returning to the majors.
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| Seattle 1B Richie Sexson had his suspension reduced from six games to five following an official league appeal, according to TSN.ca. |
Our View: Sexson was handed the suspension after charging the mound to attack pitcher Kason Gabbard in Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers. Both benches cleared, no punches were thrown, but Sexson as suspended. He will begin serving that suspensions immediately and will be available to return as the Mariners begin a three-game set against the San Diego Padres on Friday.
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| Only two Detroit players managed to post more than one hit against the Yankees today in the Tigers' 5-2 loss, one of them being OF Matt Joyce . Joyce went 2-for-4 at the plate, hitting his first home run of the year in the 1st inning. |
Our View: Joyce, recently called up from Triple-A Toledo, is getting the opportunity to play while the team shops Jacque Jones (currently on assignment in Toledo). He hasn't done too much thus far, but today's performance shows the talent is there.
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| New York RHP Darrell Rasner is becoming an arm of faith for the Yankees, picking up his 2nd win of the season in a 5-2 win over the Detroit Tigers. Rasner pitched six innings, allowing two runs (both earned) on four hits with one walk and one strike out. |
Our View: That's two wins on two starts thus far for Rasner, a desperately-needed effort from a starting pitcher that appears to be on his way towards a continued presence in the rotation.
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| The Yankees put the hurt to the Detroit Tigers, 5-2, today, an effort led by SS Derek Jeter . Jeter went 2-for-5 on the day, hitting his first home run of the year to drive in his 18th RBI of the season. |
Our View: Jeter has been surging since the last week of April, going 22-for-60 (.366) since April 26.
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| Yankee infielder Wilson Betemit has left today's game against the Detroit Tigers, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Facing RHP Jeremy Bonderman, Betemit doubled over the head of the CF Curtis Granderson and pulled up lame rounding 1st base. He made it to second, called time, and was helped off the field by trainers. Betemit was replaced by Morgan Ensberg. We will update as news becomes available.
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| Newly acquired outfielders Kevin Mench and Brad Wilkerson could see more action with Vernon Wells on the shelf for six to eight weeks due to his broken wrist. |
Our View: Both hitters are good against left-handed pitching, and they can both play on the same days, if one is used as the DH. It remains to be seen which will see more action, and Manager John Gibbons will likely go with the hot bat. Also of note, Alex Rios could move into Wells' spot in center field, and Mench and Wilkerson could work in right field.
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| Armando Benitez has been promoted from Triple-A Syracuse, according to globeandmail.com. Jeremy Accardo has been placed on the DL due to a right forearm strain, and Benitez has been brought in to cover his spot on the roster. |
Our View: Benitez allowed 30 earned runs and 29 walks over 50.1 innings in 2007, and will hold little to no fantasy value during his time with Toronto this season. His strikeout totals could be favorable (57 in 2007), but not much else.
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| Infielder Joe Inglett has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, according to globeandmail.com. He was brought up to cover the roster spot for star outfielder Vernon Wells, who was placed on the DL due to a broken wrist. |
Our View: Inglett fared well in limited action this season, as he hit .303 with four RBI over 33 at-bats. He also registered two stolen bases. He now gets another shot to prove his worth with the Jays, but doesn't merit fantasy consideration at this time.
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| Jeremy Accardo has landed on the 15-day DL due to a right forearm strain, according to globeandmail.com. Armando Benitez has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to cover his spot on the roster. |
Our View: Accardo racked up four saves, but was also dealt three losses, and allowed nine runs and four walks over 12.1 innings, with only five strikeouts, and he held little fantasy value prior to his injury.
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| It has been determined that Vernon Wells has a broken left wrist, and he has been placed on the 15-day DL, according to globeandmail.com. Infielder Joe Inglett has been called back up from Triple-A Syracuse to cover his spot on the roster. |
Our View: He will be on the shelf for six to eight weeks. This is a tough loss as Wells was leading the offense-deprived Jays with five homers and 24 RBI.
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| Aaron Laffey will be looking for his first win of the season when the Indians host the Blue Jays today, according to MLB.com. Laffey is 0-2 with a 2.84 ERA and 0.79 WHIP, and is 0-3 with a 4.26 ERA in four career home games at Progressive Field. |
Our View: Laffey is pitching well despite his winless record, and only allowed one run over seven innings in his last loss. Toronto is a good match-up for him, and he is worth starting if you have him on your roster.
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| Vernon Wells will likely miss today's game against Cleveland due to his tight right hamstring and sprained left wrist, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: The team did not state if Wells will miss any more games beyong today. Either Brad Wilkerson or Kevin Mench will get a crack at covering his spot in the outfield, namely against lefty hurler Aaron Laffey.
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| Matt Joyce is going to start in left field today against the Yankees, according to MLB.com. Gary Sheffield will serve as the DH to get Joyce on the field. |
Our View: Joyce is 2-for-11 (.182) so far, with no homers and one RBI (over four games). He could use the practice with today's start.
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| Gary Sheffield will serve as the Tigers' DH against the Yankees today, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Manager Jim Leyland made the call to rest his shoulder, and to give Matt Joyce some action as the starter in left field.
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| Placido Polanco will be given a day off on Saturday, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Polanco is hitting .280 with two homers, 13 RBI, two stolen bases, and 18 runs scored over 29 games this season. He is not hurt, he is just given the day off to rest.
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| Darrell Rasner is set for his second start of the season against the Tigers today, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Rasner had a strong season debut (against Seattle) as he only allowed two runs on five hits over six innings, with no walks and four strikeouts. He will look to prove that his success in his first start was not a fluke. He has a chance to stick with the Yankees, and he noted that he intends to take advantage of it. Start him if you have him, despite a tough match-up against Detroit at Comerica Park.
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| Pat Neshek has been placed on the 15-day DL on Friday, after an MRI exam revealed an acute partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, according to ESPN. Neshek will not be allowed to throw for a minimum of three months, which means the injury has ended his season. But he said he won't need surgery. Neshek said, "Obviously it's really bad, but it's good I can come back and rehab this and not have to go through surgery and sit out for a good year. So we're going to prepare for Opening Day next year. It just needs a little bit of time to heal and a little bit of rehab to build it back up."
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Our View: The Twins' setup man held a 1.20 WHIP over 13.1 innings, with 15 strikeouts. Jesse Crain and Matt Guerrier will likely share the eighth inning role, until one of them outperforms the other.
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| Glen Perkins will be called up from Triple-A and start tonight against Boston, according to TwinkieTown.com. He replaces Pat Neshek, who is likely out for the season with a serious elbow injury. |
Our View: Perkins held a 1.22 WHIP over 28.2 innings of work in 2007, with 20 strikeouts. He is worth a look if you need help in AL-only leagues, but he draws a tough assignment against a tough Boston lineup.
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| Gerald Laird was a late scratch on Friday, according to the Star Telegram. Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia had each caught consecutive days starting Sunday, and Laird caught Thursday, but Manager Ron Washington said he wanted Laird to catch Millwood on Saturday.
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Our View: Laird will be in action tonight against Oakland. He is hitting well, by his standards, as he holds a .268 average over 27 games, with three homers and 13 RBI.
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| Michael Young missed two full games due to a left hip flexor ailment, but returned Friday and is feeling great, according to the Star Telegram. Young said, "I feel great. It was still a little tight Thursday, but it was already way better than the night before. I was told that particular part of the body heals pretty quickly, and considering I didn't do anything major to it the first time, I knew it would be real quick before I was back in the lineup."
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Our View: Young is safe to return to your roto-lineups. He is hitting .292 with 10 doubles, three homers, 16 RBI, 22 runs scored, and one stolen base over 35 games.
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| Dontrelle Willis will make a rehab start on Monday, according to the Detroit News. Manager Jim Leyland said Willis will make two rehab starts next week for Triple-A Toledo on Monday and May 17. Leyland also said, "He threw Friday, he did fine."
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Our View: If he is healthy and effective in his starts, Willis will rejoin the Tigers' rotation the following week. He is recovering from a hyperextended right knee. Manager Leyland noted that it will be hard to pull Armando Galarraga from the rotation and place him in the bullpen, as he has been performing well as a starter, and Leyland is still mulling over his decision regarding Galarraga.
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| Eric Chavez ran the bases and fielded grounders on Friday, according to the SF Chronicle. It was a good day for him, and Manager Bob Geren said Chavez could begin a minor-league rehab assignment "in the one or two-week range." He's eligible to come off the DL and join the team on May 27, and Geren said, "It's his goal right now." But Chavez is not sure he will be ready by that date, and said, "If I was a betting man, I'd say no. Before you start throwing out dates, you have to go out and play."
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Our View: Chavez said his rehab assignment will be with Triple-A Sacramento and he plans to remain with Oakland through their three-city, nine-game trip, unless he's sent to the minors before it ends May 18. Fantasy owners shall remain patient.
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| Hideki Matsui's 17-game hitting streak came to an end last night, as he went 0-for-4 against Detroit, according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: Matsui is hitting .333 over 34 games this season, with four homers and 17 RBI and 14 runs scored. He is hitting well following a slow start, and while his RBI totals are low now, he will still have a chance to challenge 100 while playing in the Yankees' solid and efficient lineup.
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| Jonathan Albaladejo is headed to the DL due to either a strained muscle or a sprained ligament, according to NY Daily News. He said, "It felt like a needle going into my elbow." |
Our View: Albaladejo allowed six runs on 15 hits over 13.2 innings, with six walks and 13 strikeouts. He also recorded one loss, and held a 1.54 WHIP. He held no fantasy value prior to his injury.
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| Alex Rodriguez will undergo an MRI on his strained right quad muscle on Monday, according to the NY Daily News. If the MRI shows the Grade 2 strain in Rodriguez's quad has healed sufficiently, he could play in extended spring training games on Tuesday and/or Wednesday, lining up a Thursday return from the DL. Manager Joe Girardi said, "We'll have to talk to the doctor and see where they think he's at. He has to feel comfortable and we have to feel comfortable with his leg before we bring him back."
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Our View: A-Rod could rejoin the team late next week (barring a setback), when the Yankees battle the Mets in the Bronx.
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| Jon Lester was hit hard by the light-hitting Twins on Friday night in a 7-6 loss to Minnesota. The Boston left-hander allowed five runs (three earned) on eight hits, walked one and struck out two. |
Our View: Lester was subject to some shabby defense, but was far from sharp in Boston's fifteenth loss of the season. The lefty remains a AL-only starting option, if for no other reason than his 1.50-plus WHIP.
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| Carlos Silva suffered his second loss of the season, a 4-2 defeat to the visiting White Sox on Friday night. Silva allowed four runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out one. |
Our View: Silva had been performing over his head in early April. His numbers have returned to the earth's atmosphere in his last three starts. Currently the veteran right-hander sports a 4.22 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, close to his career peripherals.
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| J.P. Arencibia, Toronto’s top pick in the 2007 draft, hit his fifth home run for High-A Dunedin in Friday. |
Our View: Arencibia has not been terrible offensively, but he could be better. He is hitting .269-5-20, but his lack of patience is being exposed with a poor 5/27 BB/K ratio.
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| 2007 first-round draft choice Matt Wieters went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs for High-A Frederick on Friday. He has seven home runs this season. |
Our View: If Orioles fans need reason to be optimistic about the future, look no further than Wieters. He continues to crush the ball, hitting .355-7-21 through 107 at-bats. There are few better fantasy prospects in the low minors.
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| Bobby Jenks, sporting a blond goatee (pink on Thursday), allowed a solo home run to rookie Wladimir Balentien in the ninth but still got his seventh save in nine chances. |
Our View: Jenks worked his 15 game of the season on Friday. He has a 2-0 record with a 2.51 ERA and 1.30 WHIP to go along with his nine strikeouts and five walks this season.
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| Aaron Cunningham went 2-for-3 with his first home run of the season for Double-A Midland on Friday. |
Our View: Cunningham, acquired by Oakland in the Dan Haren trade, missed the first month of the season due to injury. He is a well-rounded offensive prospect, as he hit .288-16-77 with 28 steals last season. He is off to a similarly solid start this season.
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| Chris Tillman allowed only one hit in six shutout innings for Double-A Bowie to improve his record to 3-0 on Friday. He walked three batters and struck out six. |
Our View: Tillman, one of the prospects acquired from Seattle for Erik Bedard, has been extremely impressive this season. The 20-year-old has a 2.87 ERA and nearly a strikeout per inning. Walks are still a problem for him, but his success relative to age solidifies his status as an outstanding pitching prospect. We could see him in the majors by next season.
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| Eddie Bonine improved to 7-0 for Triple-A Toledo after allowing one run in a complete game on Friday. |
Our View: Bonine is not really a prospect at age 26, but his 2.98 ERA and strong record could give him some consideration as a spot starter later this season. He has the control to trick some batters in his first time around the league.
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| Jose Contreras limited the Mariners to one run through seven innings earning his third win of the season on Friday night.
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Our View: Contreras and the White Sox caught the ice cold offense of Seattle at just the right time. Until rookie Wladimir Balentien hit a ninth inning solo homer, the only Mariner run to cross the plate was Ichiru, who scored on a wild pitch.
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| Mike Hessman went 3-for-5 with two home runs on Friday for Triple-A Toledo, giving him 14 homers for the year. |
Our View: Hessman has major league experience and can play several positions, but he was already bypassed in favor of Matt Joyce by the Tigers. The .313-14-27 line makes Hessman an impressive International League All-Star candidate, at least.
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