|
|
| Francisco Rodriguez earned a franchise record 23-consecutive save on Saturday night though it was an adventure as he allowed two hits, a walk, and a run against the Athletics. |
Our View: K-Rod is 26-for-27 on saves this year despite a greatly reduced strikeout total and an increased walk rate. Those two things don't scream out "saves record", so something will have to give.
|
|
|
|
| Maicer Izturis had two hits, two RBI and three runs scored on Saturday night for the Angels. He also stole his seventh base of the season. |
Our View: Izturis is now working on a 7-game hitting streak that ha s brought his average up from .202 to .256. With Chone Figgins hopeful of a return in the coming week, it remains to be seen if the team will leave Izturis at the top of the order or insert Figgins there.
|
|
|
|
| Travis Buck his just his third home run of the season, an opposite field job, for the A's on Saturday night. |
Our View: Its nice to see Buck generate some power after all his struggles this year. Still, he was replaced in the ninth inning for a pinch runner, a sign that his legs likely aren't at 100%.
|
|
|
|
| Jon Garland entered the game averaging 2.58 K/9 only to strike out eight Athletics on his way to allowing two runs over seven innings to pick up his sixth victory of the year. |
Our View: Where did this performance come from? Garland didn't have a single game with more than five K this season, but he has been on his game with just five runs allowed over his last three starts. Still, it's tough to recommend a pitcher who strikes out so few batters.
|
|
|
|
| Carl Crawford went 1-for-5 with a stolen base from the number two hole in the Rays batting order on Saturday. |
Our View: Crawford's average fell to .267 after this effort as he is now just 3-for-20 in June (.150). It's clear that his knee is bothering him, but the fact he stole a base is clearly a positive sign.
|
|
|
|
| Milton Bradley, in his continuing assault on major league pitchers, pounded his 14th home run of the year on Saturday night. |
Our View: Bradley is now hitting .338 with and OPS approaching 1.100. The key, as always, is whether or not he can stay healthy long enough to pick up 500 at-bats, because if he does, the numbers will be huge.
|
|
|
|
| Michael Young played despite a broken finger and extended his hitting streak to 22 games, the longest steak in the majors this season and just three short of his career best stretch. |
Our View: Young was 2-for-4 on the night and is now hitting .309 as he continues to be one of he better average hitters in the game. He also has 49 runs scored contributing heavily in that category as well.
|
|
|
|
| Delmon Young took only 233 AB in 2008 to hit his first home run in the Twins 11-2 loss to the White Sox on Saturday. |
Our View: Oh happy times. Young has only 10 doubles as well in a shocking display of how not to record extra base hits. For a man with this much talent, the lack of production has been simply staggering.
|
|
|
|
| Joe Crede hit two home runs, his 13th and 14th of the season, on his way to six RBI for the White Sox, according to the Associated Press. “I was definitely in a slump in May and you’re searching for different things and different batting stances and [hitting coach Greg Walker] came to me just in the cage and says one thing simple thing. And it’s been able to help me change my hitting stance and hitting outlook all together.” |
Our View: Crede now has five home runs and 10 RBI over his last three games which could mean that his star is on enough of a rise that the White Sox may consider moving him and calling up Josh Fields. Only time will tell.
|
|
|
|
| Mark Buehrle was masterful for eight innings on Saturday as he held the Twins to just one run over eight innings in his third victory of the season. |
Our View: Buehrle hasn't been his normal self for most of the year, but every once in a while he has one of these outings when his control is spot on. He has been on a bit of a role of late having allowed a single run in three of his last five starts.
|
|
|
|
| Mark Kotsay continues to be patient but proactive in his rehab with his injured back, according to MLB.com. "It's one of those things that I've dealt with," Kotsay said. "There's no timetable as to when it will respond to the medicine. But hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later." |
Our View: Kotsay has been out since May 25th, and up until this point he hasn't even swung a bat as he has been focusing instead on exercises to strengthen his back. He appears to be at least a couple of weeks away from returning to action.
|
|
|
|
| Chone Figgins (hamstring) will likely begin his minor league rehab assignment on Monday for Triple-A Salt Lake City, according to MLB.com. "Figgy worked out early today," Scioscia said. "He ran the bases, did different workouts. He feels good. If he comes out of it OK, he'll be ready for a rehab assignment on Monday. Izzy will go to Salt Lake." |
Our View: The Angels offense has been greatly hindered by injuries to Figgins, Vlad Guerrero and Howie Kendrick limiting their overall effectiveness. It will be interesting to see if Figgins curtails his running once he is activated, hopefully by the end of next week.
|
|
|
|
| The Twins need to cut down their roster from 13 pitches to 12, and it appears that the pitcher most likely to be released is Juan Rincon, according to MLB.com. "I wish I could make a better case [to stay] by pitching better, but if that's what it's going to be, it's what it's going to be," Rincon said. |
Our View: Over his last eight appearances the once dominant setup man has an 8.68 ERA and would have to be placed on waivers in order to be sent to the minors. Whether or not anyone who claim him at this point is an unknown.
|
|
|
|
| Tim Wakefield's knuckler was dancing on Saturday as he held the Mariners to two runs over seven innings in his fourth victory of the season. |
Our View: Wakefield has now allowed two or fewer runs in three straight starts to bring his ERA down from 5.19 to 4.33> Wakefield doesn't get much fantasy love, but he always produces decent numbers.
|
|
|
|
| Ichiro Suzuki had a nice day on Saturday with three hits at the plate and his 26th SB of the season on the bases. |
Our View: Ichiro is underperforming with a .295 average, but those 26 SB put him well on pace to steal 50+ bases for the first time since his rookie season of 2001 when he swiped 56 bags.
|
|
|
|
| J.D. Drew went 3-for-3 with three runs and two RBI for the Red Sox on Saturday to increase his average to .318. |
Our View: Drew is working on a 7-game hitting streak that has produced 13 hits as he has raised his average from .282. If he continues to hit in the third spot in front of Manny Ramirez, Drew will have a great chance to be productive.
|
|
|
|
| Coco Crisp had two hits batting in the leadoff spot in place of injured Jacoby Ellsbury, and Crisp also pulled an "Ellsbury" with two stolen bases. |
Our View: Crisp will continue to play until the league rules on his upcoming suspension, and he is vital to the Red Sox lineup until Ellsbury is able to return from his injured wrist.
|
|
|
|
| Victor Martinez pinch hit on Saturday and made an out to lower his average to .283. |
Our View: That's 187 AB and counting without a home run, and after three straight .300 seasons, V-Mart is struggling to keep his average above .280. The whole world knows he is playing hurt, and at some point it will likely be best if the team just put him on the 15 day DL, let his body heal, and then hope he could return to the hitter he has proven himself to be, because he isn't even an average major league hitter right now.
|
|
|
|
| Kenny Rogers had his third straight solid start as he held the Indians to three runs, one earned, over seven innings in a no-decision. |
Our View: Rogers still has a 5.13 ERA and is nothing more than a spot starter at his age, but he has found the strike zone and has allowed just three earned runs in his last three starts, so you can consider picking him up if you lost someone like Jake Westbrook recently.
|
|
|
|
| Aaron Laffey continued his run of excellent pitching on Saturday as he limited the Tigers to just two runs over 6.2 innings. |
Our View: The only runs Laffey allowed were on a home run by Carlos Guillen. Otherwise he was almost spotless in the outing. It's probably time to sell him in mixed leagues, but he has tremendous value in AL Only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Edgar Renteria hit a grand slam on Saturday amidst a three hit outing against the Indians. |
Our View: Renteria has 29 RBI, but other than that production, the majority of his work this season has been completely below what the Tigers had hoped for. One look at his .271 average, a year after he hit .332, confirms that.
|
|
|
|
| Jose Guillen was forced to leave the Royals and Yankees game on Sunday after seven innings due to swelling in his left shin, according to the Associated Press. “We felt like we were in a position to go ahead and get him off (the shin), ice it and hopefully reduce the swelling,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said. “We wanted him in better condition for tomorrow’s day game.” |
Our View: Guillen had seven RBI in the game, so the injury didn't appear to be hampering him too much.
|
|
|
|
| Despite a hairline fracture in his left ring finger, Michael Young was in the starting lineup for the Rangers on Saturday, according to the Associated Press. "They said it would be 20 days before it heals. I told them the disabled list wasn’t an option for me. I know there’s going to be a bit of pain involved." |
Our View: Young played with a similar injury in his rookie year, so he has experience playing with pain. Keep an eye on his performance, but we doubt the Rangers 200-hit machine will be slowed much.
|
|
|
|
| Jonny Gomes dropped the appeal of his five game suspension for fighting and will begin serving the penalty on Saturday, according to the Tampa Tribune. |
Our View: Gomes really had no hope of having the suspension reduced to anything less than four games, so they just decided to allow him to start serving it right now when their other outfielders are fairly healthy. Gabe Gross figures to be the beneficiary of playing time.
|
|
|
|
| Alex Rodriguez had two hits, including his ninth home run of the year, on Saturday as he also scored twice and had two RBI against the Royals. |
Our View: Arod has had a rough go of it due to injury in the early going, but he is still working at a pace of about 35 HR and 110 RBI for 162 games. Even with his missed time, he could still reach those totals this season.
|
|
|
|
| Andy Pettitte was beaten into submission on Saturday as the Royals pounded him for 10 hits and 10 runs in 6.2 innings of work. |
Our View: Very few pitchers give up 10 runs and record a no-decision as Pettitte did today. Pettitte has now allowed 20 hits and 15 runs over his last two outings which might signify that his oft injured elbow is once again acting up on him.
|
|
|
|
| Joakim Soria had a rough ninth inning against the Yankees on Saturday allowed three hits, a walk, and two runs to puck up his first loss and blown save of the year. |
Our View: Soria has been terrific this year throwing strikes and limiting his walks. Expect the youngster to rebound next time out as he is clearly one of the best young arms in the game.
|
|
|
|
| Jose Guillen had a day for the ages on Saturday as he scored two runs and had three hits for the Royals. What made the day special? Two of the hits were home runs, and he drove in seven runs on the afternoon. |
Our View: It took Guillen 18 games at the start of the year to record seven RBI. Since that slow start, his RBI bat has been on fire with 35 RBI over his last 42 games, and he is also batting .323 since the start of May. Can you say en feugo?
|
|
|
|
| Not only did he win the game with a hit in the bottom of the ninth inning, Johnny Damon in fact had six hits and four RBI for the Yankees on Saturday. He also added his tenth SB. This was the first six hit game by a Yankee since May 1, 1986 when Gerald Williams accomplished the feat. |
Our View: Damon is now hitting .326 as he has raised his average from .265 over the past 10 games. In five of the last six games he has had at least two hits doing his best Chipper Jones impersonation.
|
|
|
|
| Vernon Wells went 2-for-3 with an RBI against Baltimore on Saturday, in his first game back since sustaining a fractured left wrist. He collected a single and a double. |
Our View: He wasn't scheduled to play today, as he is fresh off the DL, but was thrown into action when Shannon Stewart went down with an ankle injury. Wells is now seemingly safe to return to your fantasy lineups.
|
|
|
|
| A.J. Burnett was rocked for eight earned runs on 10 hits over a mere 4.1 innings of work in Saturday's 9-5 loss to the Orioles, with four walks and five strikeouts. |
Our View: He falls to 5-6 for the season, with a poor 4.98 ERA. He only allowed two earned runs in each of his previous two starts, and today was easily his worst performance of the season. Burnett remains a frustrating fantasy hurler in 2008.
|
|
|
|
| Jay Payton went 3-for-5 and collected five RBI in Saturday's 9-5 win over Toronto. He had one double, and two singles. |
Our View: Those were his first runs batted in this month, and he only has 20 for the season. That was also his first multi-hit game since May 25.
|
|
|
|
| Jeremy Guthrie had a strong outing from the hill on Saturday, as he only allowed one run on six hits over seven innings in a 9-5 win over Toronto, with no walks and six strikeouts. |
Our View: Guthrie improves to 3-6 and lowered his ERA to 3.40. Guthrie has now allowed two or less earned runs in five of his last six starts.
|
|
|
|
| Daisuke Matsuzaka began throwing for the first time Saturday since being placed on the 15-day DL on May 30, according to MLB.com. Dice-K threw off flat ground after pitching coach John Farrell said he tested out of his shoulder strengthening regimen on Friday. Farrell said, "Tested out fine again Friday, so that means we've got clearance to initiate the throwing program. I think a lot of it will depend on how he progresses." He is recovering from a mild right rotator cuff strain.
|
Our View: He will begin throwing at 60-feet the first day, and then progress to long toss. There will be a minimum of one, but probably two, bullpen sessions before he returns to the Red Sox. Manager Terry Francona mentioned that he could get sent down for a rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtuckett, but is yet to determine if that would be in Matsuzaka's best interest. He's scheduled to come off the DL on June 12.
|
|
|
|
| Brian Burres is to be bumped back a day in the rotation, according to MLB.com. Manager Dave Trembley noted that Burres will get an extra day off before his next start, in a treatment designed to help him right his woes. Burres has been knocked out before the end of the fifth inning in three straight starts. Burres said, "I'm just still trying to figure stuff out. When I'm behind, the only thing I can really throw for a strike right now is the fastball. And I really don't have one of those fastballs where I can get away with throwing it a lot in fastball counts."
|
Our View: Now, thanks to an off-day for Baltimore on Monday, Burres will get to skip a road game against the imposing Red Sox. Burres would have been scheduled to pitch at Fenway Park on Thursday, but instead he'll start at Camden Yards on Friday.
|
|
|
|
| Jake Westbrook is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, and will miss the remainder of the 2008 season, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. |
Our View: Jeremy Sowers will take Westbrook's spot in the rotation, until Fausto Carmona is ready to return.
|
|
|
|
| Shannon Stewart has left Saturday action in the first inning, due to a high ankle sprain, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Vernon Wells, who is fresh off the DL, took Stewart's place in the outfield. Stewart is listed as day-to-day.
|
|
|
|
| Jeremy Bonderman could miss the remainder of the season after undergoing medical procedures pertaining to a blood clot, according to the AP. Bonderman was examined Friday at the Detroit Medical Center, and it was revealed he has a blood clot of the axillary vein due to thoracic outlet compression syndrome. He has been placed on the 15-day DL, and will undergo further exams later.
|
Our View: The Tigers can now keep Dontrelle Willis and Armando Galarrago in the rotation. Bonderman was only 3-4 over 12 starts, with a 4.29 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.
|
|
|
|
| Joe Inglett has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, according to the AP. |
Our View: The utility infielder hit .281 with six RBI over 64 at-bats this season, but will have to wait for another chance to prove his worth with Toronto.
|
|
|
|
| Right-handed pitcher Brian Wolfe has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, according to the AP. As an adjoining move, the team optioned infielder Joe Inglett to Syracuse. |
Our View: Wolfe allowed three runs on eight hits over 7.1 innings, with two walks this season. The reliever does not merit fantasy consideration.
|
|
|
|
| Reliever Armando Benitez has been designated for assignment, according to the AP. The team activated infielder John McDonald and outfielder Vernon Wells, as well. |
Our View: Benitez crashed and burned as a setup man for Toronto this season, as he allowed four runs, four hits, and two walks over 6.1 innings. He did register nine strikeouts, but was too ineffective to keep.
|
|
|
|
| John McDonald has been activated from the DL, according to the AP. To make room on the roster, the team designated reliever Armando Benitez for assignment. |
Our View: McDonald has recovered from a sprained right ankle. The infielder holds little fantasy value, as he is only hitting .182 over 22 at-bats, with five strikeouts.
|
|
|
|
| Aaron Hill has missed seven straight games due to a mild concussion and the team has decided to place him on the 15-day DL, according to the AP. The move is retroactive to May 30. The team decided to activate outfielder Vernon Wells. |
Our View: He could not play due to headaches and lightheadedness, and hopefully he will bounce back fine upon his return. He was only hitting .263 with two homers and 20 RBI over 55 games, so fantasy owners won't be hurt too much by his absence.
|
|
|
|
| Star outfielder Vernon Wells has been activated from the DL, according to the AP. To make room on the roster, the team placed second baseman Aaron Hill on the DL, retroactive to May 30, due to a mild concussion. |
Our View: Wells has recovered from his fractured left wrist ahead of schedule.
|
|
|
|
| Kelvin Jimenez had his minor league assignment with Memphis rescinded Friday after the Cardinals determined that his hand ailment would prevent him from pitching, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Jimenez has been placed on the major-league, 15-day DL.
|
Our View: Jimenez surrendered six earned runs and nine hits over 6.1 innings of relief work for the Cardinals this season, with two walks and only three strikeouts. He held no fantasy value.
|
|
|
|
| Vance Wilson, who is recovering from right elbow surgery, received several cortisone shots in his arm on Thursday, and expects to resume throwing next week, according to the Detroit Free Press. |
Our View: Wilson could serve as a solid backup catcher, but the team is still unable to set a timetable for his return.
|
|
|
|
| Vladimir Guerrero's MRI on his right knee confirmed the initial diagnosis of a hyperflexion suffered Sunday, according to the LA Daily News. He was back in the Angels' lineup at DH Friday after missing the three-game set in Seattle. Manager Mike Scioscia said he could stay at DH for a day or two "to work him back into the lineup."
|
Our View: This is good news, as it looks like he has avoided a trip to the DL.
|
|
|
|
| Kelvim Escobar threw off a mound for the first time since last season Friday afternoon, according to the LA Daily News. He is recovering from a torn right labrum, and is thinking about his role when he returns to the Angels. He stated, "I don't think I'll be a starter this year. I think they want to take it easier on my arm this year, make sure I get my health back and let me help the team in the bullpen. And you know, our starting rotation has been very good. Those guys have been very good."
|
Our View: Coach Mike Sciosca said he has also thought about it, but any discussion about his role is premature. Escobar won 18 games as a starter in 2007, with a 3.40 ERA and solid 1.27 WHIP. He is projected to return in July or August, and a lot can happen before then.
|
|
|
|
| Scot Shields underwent X-rays on his ribcage on Friday after experiencing some pain, according to the LA Daily News. |
Our View: The test results did not reveal a significant problem, but the team doctors could not guess as to when he will be able to return to the Angels' bullpen. He has been bothered by tightness in his left side, and coach Mike Sciosca previously commented that he would not be surprised if Shields landed on the DL.
|
|
|
|
| Matt Holliday went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts in his first rehab game for Triple-A Colorado Springs, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. He fanned twice, but manager Tom Runnelss said he looked strong in batting practice and added, "He was swinging the bat well. He also worked in the outfield and was running good."
|
Our View: Holliday played seven innings, and said he felt healthy following the game. He is scheduled to play in two more rehab games, and looks to rejoin the Rockies on Tuesday, barring a setback.
|
|
