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| Joe Saunders rebounded from his worst outing of the year with a superb effort Tuesday. The lefty allowed one run on six hits and a walk while striking out five over seven innings. He moved his record to 9-2 on the year. |
Our View: Saunders continues to defy the odds with such a low strikeout rate. He'll get pounded at times, but it's clear at this point that you should start him every time out.
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| Jeff Manship threw a complete game shutout four-hitter for High-A Fort Myers on Tuesday. He allowed one walk and struck out five batters. |
Our View: Manship has pretty much picked up right where he left off last season. The 23-year-old is somewhat old for his level, but he has shown the command and groundball ability to move quickly through the minors. He has an upside as a back of the rotation starter.
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| Brent Clevlen hit a pair of home runs and drove in five baserunners for Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday. |
Our View: At the rate that the Tigers are going, Clevlen could finish the season out as a regular. The former top prospect had a terrible year in 2006, but he is reemerging this season by hitting .330-12-54. Only 24-years-old, his rebound is encouraging.
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| Milton Bradley belted a pair of homers in Texas' 12-7 win over Cleveland Tuesday. He now has 11 dingers on the year, to go along with 36 RBI and a .323 batting mark. |
Our View: Bradley is showing what he can bring to the table when he stays healthy. His move into the DH spot has likely kept him fresher, though he played right field tonight.
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| Dana Eveland has displayed pretty good control this year, but that was not the case Tuesday night as the lefty walked seven in 4 1/3 innings. He also allowed three runs and three hits with three Ks. |
Our View: Eveland has followed up his first ever complete game with a couple of stinkers. He's probably better served as a spot starter for your fantasy team right now.
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| In his first start since coming off the DL, Dontrelle Willis tossed four scoreless inning Tuesday night, allowing just two hits while striking out three. Unfortunately, Willis also continued to display the control problems that have plagued him, walking five. |
Our View: Willis isn't usable in mixed leagues right now until he solves his control issues.
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| Shin-Soo Choo pinch-hit for Franklin Gutierrez Tuesday and finished the night with a two-RBI double and solo home run in his two at-bats. Choo has three hits in seven at-bats to go along with a .636 OBP since being recalled. |
Our View: Gutierrez also had two hits on the night but is batting just .255 for the year. Choo could start seeing more time in right field if he continues to hit.
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| A.J. Murray, who left Tuesday's outing after 2 1/3 innings, has been diagnosed with a left rotator cuff strain by team doctor Keith Meister, according to the Star-Telegram. The team will wait 7-10 days before re-evaluating the left-hander. |
Our View: Murray has a history of shoulder problems. He missed the entire 2006 season after having shoulder surgery and missed the 2004 season after having surgery to repair a torn labrum. A DL stint seems very likely.
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| Vernon Wells took batting practice Tuesday and manager John Gibbons said the outfielder reported no problems, according to the AP. Wells is coming back from a broken wrist. |
Our View: Wells could possibly be back by the end of the month if all goes well.
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| Justin Morneau was in the lineup again Tuesday despite a sore left knee and a sore calf, according to the AP. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he might give Morneau a day or two in DH spot to let him rest. |
Our View: Fantasy owners don't care where if Morneau is in the DH spot or at first, just as long as his hot bat in the lineup.
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| Ichiro Suzuki's .288 batting average is disappointing by his standards, but the outfielder has not disappointed in the steals department, as he has been successful on 24 of 26 attempts this season. That puts him on pace for 67 thefts on the year, which would be 13 more than his career high and 30 more than he managed last season. |
Our View: Ichiro's stolen base production will probably tail off a bit, but his batting average is sure to rise.
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| Alexei Ramirez had a single, double and home run while driving in two and scoring two in Tuesday's 9-5 win over Kansas City. |
Our View: Ramirez is batting .444 with a couple homers over the last eight days and is making a strong case to be the team's everyday second baseman.
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| George Sherrill recorded his 19th save of the season on Tuesday night, retiring the Twins in order while striking out one in a 5-3 win. |
Our View: Only K-Rod has more saves than Sherrill this year. Yet another reason why you should not pay for saves on auction day.
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| Radhames Liz won his 2008 debut Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four over 5 1/3 innings. |
Our View: Liz is a nice prospect and has dominated at times at the minor league level. This is an impressive first start, but you should take a wait-and-see approach on him outside of AL-only leagues.
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| Zack Greinke was rocked for eight runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three over six innings Tuesday. He surrendered four home runs to the White Sox. |
Our View: Greinke's ERA still sits at a very respectable 3.56 after this outing, but he's given up at least six runs in two of his last three starts.
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| Joel Zumaya was sharp in his first rehab outing Tuesday at High-A Lakeland, throwing 24 pitches over two scoreless innings. He allowed a hit and a walk and struck out one while topping out at 101 MPH on the radar gun, according to MLB.com. The reliever is coming back from surgery to repair the A/C joint in his right shoulder. |
Our View: Manager Jim Leyland said over the weekend that Zumaya could be back with the club before the end of the month if all goes well.
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| Lenny DiNardo was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento Tuesday, four days after the A's designated the lefty for assignment. |
Our View: DiNardo doesn't need to be on your fantasy radar for any reason.
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| Carl Crawford grounded out as a pinch hitter Tuesday. He didn't start for the second straight game because of soreness in his right knee and hamstring. |
Our View: Carl could be back in action tomorrow.
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| Justin Masterson picked up the win for the Red Sox Tuesday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five over six frames. He now boasts a 2.95 ERA after his first three starts for the Sox. |
Our View: Masterson should get at least one more start while Dice-K is on the DL, and he may be worth an add for those looking for a fill-in.
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| A.J. Murray had to leave Tuesday's start after 2 1/3 innings due to soreness in his pitching shoulder. He gave up a run on six hits and a walk before exiting. |
Our View: We'll update you on Murray's situation when more info becomes available.
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| Ian Kennedy, recovering from a strained right lat, made 35 throws while playing catch from 60 feet Tuesday, according to MLB.com. Kennedy said he didn't feel anything during the throwing session, and he's been relatively pain-free since Thursday. "Thursday, I felt a little something there because that was our first day of really stretching it out, trying to rub things out," Kennedy said. "On Friday, it felt significantly better. Saturday, it felt really good, and Sunday even better." |
Our View: There is currently no timetable for Kennedy's return, though it's possible he could wind up back in the minors.
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| A sore left hamstring kept Victor Martinez out of the lineup Tuesday for the second time in three games. However, he's not expected to need a stint in the DL. "Not right now," manager Eric Wedge said on MLB.com. "As long as the time off gives him help. It doesn't affect him when he's catching, which is a tremendous bonus for us." Wedge said the hamstring clearly affected Martinez when he faced lefty Eddie Guardado in Monday's game, which is why V-Mart was held out of the lineup against Rangers left-handed starter A.J. Murray on Tuesday. "It looked like [the hamstring] grabbed him from the right side," Wedge said. |
Our View: The Indians won't face another lefty until Sunday, so hopefully V-Mart will return to the lineup shortly. We'll keep you updated on his condition.
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| Jorge Posada, recovering from soreness in his throwing shoulder, could be back by in the lineup Thursday, according to the AP. He caught seven innings and went 1-for-2 with a sacrifice fly and a walk Tuesday in an extended spring game. "His arm was great today," manager Joe Girardi said. "So probably this evening after the game, maybe I'll talk to [general manager Brian Cashman] on my way home and might see him in there on Thursday." |
Our View: Posada is scheduled for a day off from fielding Wednesday but could serve as the DH in another extended spring game if the Yanks decides it wants him to catch a couple more games before rejoining the team.
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| Nick Blackburn, who had to leave Sunday's start after getting hit in the face by a line drive, took some choppers hit right back at him Tuesday to test his nerves, according to MLB.com. The pitcher admitted to having jitters, but he came through the session fine. "[Third base coach Scott Ullger] hit one that skipped and I was a little jumpy," Blackburn said. "But it's good to get it out of the way." |
Our View: Blackburn has some swelling in his face, but it's gone down dramatically since he was hit. He's expected to take his regular turn in the rotation on Friday.
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| Mike Aviles started last Thursday at shortstop but hasn't played since. The position has been a revolving door lately for the Royals, but manager Trey Hillman sees Aviles as a backup for the time being. "Just as an extra for us. Not to depreciate his value but that's what he is for right now," Hillman said on MLB.com. |
Our View: Aviles was batting .338 with 21 doubles, six triples and 10 home runs for Triple-A Omaha at the time of his recall, so he obviously brings more to the table offensively than Pena. He could be worth eying in fantasy if he gains more playing time.
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| Tony Pena Jr. was back in the starting lineup Tuesday after the Royals used four different shortstops in four games. "Tony's playing today and we'll see how he does. Hopefully, some of the work that we got done this last homestand will play out," manager Trey Hillman said on MLB.com. |
Our View: Pena provides good defense but is batting an embarrassingly-low .155. Unless he steps it up, expect the team to continue trying other out at the position.
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| Joba Chamberlain's first big-league start didn't go as well as hoped. Joba lasted just 2 1/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and four walks while striking out three. |
Our View: Joba's control evaded him Tuesday evening. He threw 62 pitches in the outing. Once he gets that pitch count up he'll be the fantasy factor that everyone is expecting.
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| With Carl Crawford out of the lineup, hot-hitting catcher Dioner Navarro was penciled into the No. 2 spot Tuesday. "He reminds me a lot of Carl Crawford," manager Joe Maddon told MLB.com with a chuckle. "The thing about that is, [Navarro is] a switch-hitter. There's a lot of things you can do with him. He plays a pretty complete game. He's not fast, but he's a very good baserunner. If you look at his on-base percentage hitting left-handed [.404], I'm just trying to get people on base in front of the three, four, five guys." |
Our View: Navarro would be leading the AL with his .352 batting mark if he had enough at-bats to qualify. He's been a nice late-round bargain so far, though his power numbers (one homer, 18 RBI), aren't anything to write home about.
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| Aaron Hill missed his fourth straight start Tuesday due to a concussion, according to MLB.com. Hill took part in early batting practice at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday but is still feeling the lingering effects of an injury that occurred last Thursday. "Frustrated," Hill said when asked how he was feeling. "I'm kind of getting tired of being honest, because they keep me out of the lineup. But, like I've said before, I don't want to push it." |
Our View: Concussions are tricky, so it's hard to predict when Hill will be back, though it's good to know that the results of a CAT scan came back clean.
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| It has been reported that David Ortiz would require at least a month on the DL, but Ortiz hopes to be back from his wrist injury in three weeks, according to MLB.com. He will sport a cast on the wrist for the next 2-3 weeks. "The doctor says 70 to 80 percent of the people that have this, when they get a cast, it normally goes back," Ortiz said. "I have clicking when I move my hand. If the pain goes away, that's the main key. If the pain goes away and I still have the clicking, then I can probably play through it and maybe fix it after the season. Otherwise, if I still have the pain, I'm going to be out. If I have surgery, it's probably going to be the whole season." |
Our View: Big Papi is probably just being optimistic. You should assume he'll be out a month still, but the test will be how sore he feels after removing the cast.
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| The Yankees purchased the contract of Dan Giese from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Tuesday. Giese held a 1.98 ERA in 13 games at Scranton this season. He replaces Scott Patterson on the roster. |
Our View: Giese could get some action tonight following Joba Chamberlain, who will be limited to 60-70 pitches.
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| Jorge Posada caught six innings and went 1-for-2 with a walk and a sacrifice fly in an extended spring training game Tuesday, according to the AP. He has been sidelined since April 27 with a sore right shoulder. Posada tested the shoulder further on Tuesday, throwing out baserunners at second base. It was the third game in which he made throws to second base and his sixth extended spring training game overall. |
Our View: Posada could be back Wednesday as a pinch hitter before getting back behind the plate shortly after that.
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| Milton Bradley is starting in right field Tuesday for the first time in nearly a month, according to the Star-Telegram. He is switching spots with David Murphy, who will be in the DH spot. |
Our View: Milton has started eight games in the outfield this year and 42 in the DH spot. He should play enough in the outfield to have eligibility there next year. Bradley has had a terrific year, hitting .317-9-34 thus far.
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| Hank Blalock is taking grounders from Ron Washington and Art Howe at first base, less than a week after undergoing surgery to relieve irritation in his right wrist from carpal tunnel syndrome, according to the Star-Telegram. He's not throwing the ball but just on fielding with his glove hand. |
Our View: This is good to hear, but Blalock is still expected to miss at least the next month.
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| David Ortiz expects to wear a cast on his left wrist for two to three weeks, according to the AP. He's hoping the cast will allow the wrist to heal sufficiently to get him back in the lineup soon. Ortiz tore the sheath that surrounds his tendon on a swing Saturday. |
Our View: GM Theo Epstein said that once the cast is removed, a key indicator of the healing process will be how much tenderness Big Papi feels. Follow-up MRIs will also be done. Ortiz is expected to miss at least a month.
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| Carl Crawford isn't in the starting lineup for the second straight game Tuesday because of soreness in his right knee and hamstring, according to the St. Petersburg Times. However, Crawford isn't expected to miss much time after an MRI showed no problems. |
Our View: Manager Joe Maddon said he would talk to Crawford before the game tonight to see if he would be available for reserve duty. It sounds like Carl will not need a DL stint and should be back at some point this week.
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| Ken Griffey Jr. is out of the lineup again Tuesday for the second straight day because of general soreness, according to the AP. Manager Dusty Baker said Griffey would be available to pinch hit and could return to the lineup Wednesday. Griffey is sitting on 599 career home runs. |
Our View: Well, Griffey is an old man now, so I guess he can get away with the "general soreness" excuse. Hopefully that's all that's really wrong with him.
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| The Tigers designated Francisco Cruceta for assignment Tuesday. Casey Fossum was recalled to replace him on the roster. |
Our View: Cruceta has a pretty nice arm but was walking way too many guys. The Tigers probably want him at Triple-A, but he'll have to clear waivers first.
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| Lefty Casey Fossum has been recalled by the Tigers from Triple-A Toledo, according to the AP. As an adjoining move, the team designated Francisco Cruceta for assignment. |
Our View: The 30-year old Fossum signed a minor league contract with Detroit on April 8, and was 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA in 11 games, while making four starts for the Mud Hens.
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| Vladimir Guerrero is nursing a sore right knee, but hopes to return to the Angels' lineup tonight, especially as they face Seattle lefty Erik Bedard, according to MLB.com. Guerrero is 6-for-13 (.462) with a homer and three RBI over his career against the former Orioles' ace. |
Our View: Vlad is only hitting .249 with seven homers and 28 RBI this season, and hopefully he can play tonight. If he gets the green light, he is worth starting against Bedard.
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| Joe Saunders will be targeting his ninth win of the season tonight when he takes the hill against the Mariners in Seattle, according to MLB.com. Saunders is 3-1 with a 5.67 ERA in five career outings against the Mariners.
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Our View: Saunders is 8-2 this season with a strong 2.76 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, and should remain penciled into your roto-rotation. He is coming off his worst start of the season when he was lit up for five runs over five innings against the Tigers on May 28, but he allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his previous four outings, and should bounce back fine.
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| Paul Konerko will return to the cleanup spot in the order against the Royals tonight, according to the Chicago Tribune. Tonight's lineup has Orlando Cabrera leading off, with AJ Pierzynski second, and Carlos Quentin third. Jim Thome drops to fifth in the order, with Jermaine Dye following him sixth. Nick Swisher moves up to seventh, and Joe Crede drops to eighth. Alexei Ramirez gets the start at second base, and hits ninth. |
Our View: Konerko is still struggling at the plate, but Manager Ozzie Guillen still has faith in him. He remains a risky fantasy option, but could generate solid numbers from the cleanup spot in the solid Chicago order if he gets on track.
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| Carl Crawford is not in the Rays' starting lineup for tonight's battle against the Red Sox, according to the Tampa Tribune. |
Our View: Crawford reportedly appeared to tweak his leg while making a diving catch Sunday in the Rays’ 4-3 win over the White Sox, but manager Joe Maddon is expected to give an explantion during his pregame availability later in the day. Eric Hinske is penciled in to cover his spot in left field.
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| Matt Garza will make his 10th start of the season tonight against Boston at Fenway Park, according to MLB.com. He is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA in one start against Boston this season, but he is 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA in two career starts at Fenway Park.
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Our View: Garza is 4-1 this season with a 3.78 ERA and 1.36 WHIP, and is worth consideration for your fantasy lineup tonight, namely when you consider his solid record against the Red Sox at Fenway, who will be without slugger David Ortiz.
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| Justin Masterson will make his third start of the season tonight against the Rays, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Masterson will be making a spot start in place of the injured Daisuke Matsuzaka. Masterson was sent back down to the minors following each of his two previous starts, and it may happen to him again, meaning he doesn't merit fantasy consideration, despite holding a solid 0.97 WHIP and 1.46 ERA over 12.1 innings of action.
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| Jensen Lewis has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Jake Westbrook has been placed on the 15-day DL due to right elbow soreness, and Lewis covers his spot on the roster. |
Our View: Tom Mastny is going to cover Westbrook's scheduled start in the rotation tonight against Texas, and the plan is to have him go as long as he can, then be relieved by Lewis and maybe Edward Mujica. If they can get through six innings, then Manager Eric Wedge can handle his bullpen like a normal game. Lewis holds little to no fantasy value, as he surrendered 11 runs on 29 hits over 27.2 innings in his previous stint with the Indians this season.
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| Jake Westbrook has officially been placed on the 15-day DL due to his sore right elbow, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The team called up reliever Jensen Lewis from Triple-A Buffalo as an adjoining move. |
Our View: The team is yet to determine how long Westbrook will be out of action. Tom Mastny is taking his scheduled spot in the rotation tonight against the Rangers.
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| First baseman Chris Carter has been called up from Triple-A Pawtuckett, according to the Providence Journal. He has been brought in to fill the roster spot for David Ortiz, who landed on the DL. |
Our View: The 25-year-old is in his first full season with the Red Sox organization. Boston acquired him from Washington last August to complete the trade that sent Wily Mo Pena to the Nationals. Carter is hitting .316 with 10 homers and 35 RBI for Pawtuckett over 56 games this season. Brandon Moss was believed to be the likely candidate to get called up, especially after he was named the International League Batter of the Week yesterday after hitting four home runs, but the club opted for Carter instead. Carter could provide solid depth to Boston, but won't likely see enough at-bats to merit fantasy consideration.
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| Curt Schilling played catch on Monday and is hoping to throw off a mound on Friday for the first time, according to the Boston Herald. He is trying to bounce back from right biceps degeneration.
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Our View: This would be a big step for him on Friday, but there remains no timetable as to when he may return to Boston.
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| Adam Loewen, who is recovering from left elbow soreness, threw live batting practice on Monday, according to the Baltimore Sun. He is then scheduled to pitch an inning at extended spring training on Thursday, before going on a rehab assignment. |
Our View: Loewen held a 7.85 ERA and 1.91 WHIP over 18.1 innings this season, and isn't worth waiting for as a fantasy hurler.
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| Brandon Inge sat out Monday's game after tweaking his left oblique on a check swing Sunday, according to the Detroit News. Manager Jim Leyland said, "Obliques are tricky. I don't know how well he's able to swing."
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Our View: Inge stated that the injury is minor, but the team has to be cautious with him, since he is their backup catcher. That sent Carlos Guillen to third base for Monday's game.
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| Justin Morneau fouled a ball off his right knee Sunday and also felt cramping in his left calf, but Manager Ron Gardenhire penciled him into the lineup on Monday, according to the Star Tribune. Morneau was bothered by the ailment as he made a soft throw to catcher Joe Mauer when A-Rod scored on a bouncer by Jason Giambi in the seventh inning. Following the game, Gardenhire commented, "He was hobbling. He's definitely not moving around very good, which goes into that play, too. He's got sore legs. A really sore left leg, and you could tell out there. He made a decent play on it, but a great baserunner got by him."
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Our View: Morneau is hitting .303 with 10 homers and 42 RBI, and has played in all 57 games for the Twins this season. Morneau is among the toughest players in the league, and could serve as DH if he feels he won't be effective at first base. Fantasy owners should not be concerned with his ailment.
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| Boof Bonser has been moved to the bullpen, as the team prepares for the return of Scott Baker to the rotation, according to the Star Tribune. Baker completed his rehab assignment, and is expected to start on Thursday. |
Our View: Bonser was 2-6 with a 5.97 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 12 starts this season, and will be better suited for a limited bullpen role. He isn't likely going to be presented with any save opportunities, and his fantasy value remains in the cellar.
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| There was speculation that Brian Slocum could be called up from Triple-A to make a spot start Tuesday in place of the injured Jake Westbrook, but it has been decided that the Indians will go with Tom Mastny instead tonight against Texas, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. |
Our View: Mastny was previously recalled from Triple-A Buffalo, and allowed two runs on two hits over 1.2 innings of work, with three walks. He does not merit fantasy consideration as a starter for tonight.
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| Joey Devine, who is nursing a strained ulnar collateral ligament, said that he is feeling much better, according to the SF Chronicle. |
Our View: Devine is hoping to be allowed to play some light catch today. Devine earned three wins and held a 1.23 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 22 innings, with 28 strikeouts, and this is favorable news.
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| Santiago Casilla threw 30 pitches off a mound on Monday, according to the SF Chronicle. He is recovering from a strained elbow ligament, but said everything was feeling good after his session. |
Our View: He believes he is around a week or so away from game action. It is likely that Oakland will send him on a rehab assignment before he is activated.
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| Mike Sweeney's exam revealed damaged cartilage in his left knee, but he is hoping to avoid surgery, according to the SF Chronicle. Sweeney received a cortisone shot and will resume activity in a few days. He would like to hold off surgery, if at all possible, until the offseason.
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Our View: Sweeney held little fantasy value with only two homers and 12 RBI over 120 at-bats this season. He already has cartilage damage in his right knee additionally.
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| Erick Aybar has resumed throwing, but is not yet hitting, according to the LA Times. He has been on the DL since May 21 due to a dislocated right pinkie finger. |
Our View: Aybar held little fantasy value this season, but the Angels miss his glove on defense. He was believed to be out up to four weeks at the time the Angels placed him on the DL.
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| Kelvim Escobar, who is recovering from a shoulder tear, has increased his intensity of flat- ground work, and could begin throwing off a mound early next week, according to the LA Times. |
Our View: Escobar is projected to come back in July or August. He previously noted that he would be happy to start or serve out of the bullpen, depending on the Angels' needs at the time of his return.
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| Chone Figgins, who is slowly recovering from his right hamstring ailment, ran on Monday for the first time in more than a week, and could start a minor league rehab assignment as soon as this weekend, according to the LA Times. Figgins said, "It's a little sore, but I want to see if that's from not doing anything for a while or from the injury."
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Our View: Figgins is eligible to return from the DL on June 6. This was a good step for him, and hopefully he won't regress from here.
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| Kenny Rogers took another tough no-decision on Monday night. He held the A's to six hits and two runs over seven innings. Rogers tossed in four walks and three strikeouts. |
Our View: Rogers has pitched much better over his last two outings, but we're not ready to trust him in mixed leagues. Maybe one more good outing will do the trick.
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