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| The Pirates are reporting outfielder Xavier Nady , struggling with swelling in his left ankle, could be on the field on Monday, according to the Beaver
County Times. |
Our View: The team reports Nady could have been used as pinch hitter if needed on Sunday, but the team believes he will be used in full on Monday when the team faces Arizona.
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| Colorado left fielder Matt Holliday is set to return to the Rockies lineup on Tuesday for the opener of a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Holliday has been nursing a left hamstring sprain, but three rehab games with Triple-A Colorado Springs without incident has put him on course to return touting a .321 batting average with eight home runs and 26 RBIs.
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| Baltimore reliever Steve Trachsel may find an early end to his 2008 season with the Orioles, according to the Washington Post. |
Our View: One day after the veteran right-hander had to be bailed out of a difficult late-game relief appearance, Orioles Manager Dave Trembley said Sunday that a decision on Trachsel's fate could be approaching. Trembley said he plans to discuss the matter with pitching coach Rick Kranitz. After being dropped from the starting rotation, Trachsel was moved to the bullpen full-time for the first time in his career. However, after he allowed just two runs in his five-inning bullpen debut, Trachsel gave up four runs (two earne
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| The Rays suffered the 6-3 loss to the Rangers this evening, but outfielder B.J. Upton continues to swing a hot stick in support of Tampa's cause. Upton went 1-for-2 with two walks and his fifth home run of the season, totaling two RBIs on the night. |
Our View: This brings Upton's average to .301, going 4-for-9 with five walks, no strikeouts, two homers, and three RBIs in three games versus Texas.
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| The Rangers put the 6-3 in on the Rays this evening with designated hitter Milton Bradley doing solid work in support of the effort. Bradley went 1-for-2 with three walks at the plate, adding two runs scored along the way. |
Our View: Bradley is touting a hot bat, coming off a .326 performance for May with an improved .464 through June, going 13-for-28 with six home runs and 12 RBIs thus far, and we aren't even half way through the month.
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| The Rangers moved forward without superstar Josh Hamilton this evening, but they earned the 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays with the help of his replacement David Murphy , going 1-for-5 with with a homer in the 1st inning. |
Our View: Murphy has eight homers on the season and is hitting .323 for the month of June, going 10-for-31.
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| Chicago third baseman Joe Crede continues to keep hot hand, supporting the 12-2 dumping of the Twins. Crede went 2-for-4 at the plate with his 12th double of the season, touting two RBIs and two runs scored on the day. |
Our View: Crede has raised his average to .295, going 11-for-23 through June with five home runs and 12 RBIs.
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| Angels RHP Ervin Santana put another strong effort on the mound today, but Oakland fought back against relief pitching and won in 12, 7-3. Santana pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs (both earned) on seven hits with three walks and nine strikeouts. |
Our View: Santana walked off with no decision and has allowed two earned runs in each of his last three outings, touting four walks versus 19 strikeouts over that span.
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| Angels designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero worked through an interesting day at the plate today as LA fell 7-6 to Oakland in 12 innings. Guerrero went 1-for-5 with one walk, two strikeouts, and his eighth home run of the season to total two RBIs on the day, stranding five runners on base along the way. |
Our View: After hitting just .219 through May, it appeared Vlad was on the way back, going 3-for-6 in his first two games of the month. He was slowed by a hyperflexed knee and missed a few games, but going 1-for-7 in his last two games is a bit disappointing.
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| It took 12 innings to get the job done, but the Oakland A's earned the 7-3 win over the Angels in dramatic fashion as second baseman Mark Ellis hit a grand slam off the left-field found pole to cap the victory. Ellis went 2-for-6 on the day, leaving six men on base before the slam. |
Our View: This was his sixth homer of the season and his second of the month, hitting just .167 through June thus far.
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| Chicago RHP Gavin Floyd picked up his seventh win of the season today as his White Sox brought a crate full of offense in support of his arm, winning 12-2 over the Twins. Floyd sent seven innings to allow two runs (both earned) on six hits with one walk and a dominating nine strikeouts. |
Our View: Floyd now sits at 7-3 with an ERA of 3.10 on the season. He has three consecutive wins, touting seven earned runs allowed with one walk and 20 strikeouts during that span.
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| The White Sox put the 12-2 win on the board versus the Minnesota Twins today, a strong effort pushed by outfielder Nick Swisher . Swisher went 2-for-4 with his eighth double and sixth homer of the season, posting four total RBIs and two runs scored on the day. |
Our View: Swisher has posted at least on hit in his last seven games, going 10-for-29 through that stretch with two home runs and seven RBIs.
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| The White Sox enjoyed a fun-filled day at Comiskey, putting the 12-2 whooping on the Minnesota Twins. The surge was led by first baseman Paul Konerko , going 2-for-4 with two doubles to post two RBIs and two runs scored. |
Our View: Deuces wild for the normally-reliable Konerko today, a trend of sorts on the week. Konerko has gone 2-for-4 in each of the three games against the Twins, moving to 8-for-28 on the month. The overall numbers still lack, but he is showing signs of improving.
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| Minnesota found nothing but headaches waiting for them a the park today, taking the 12-2 loss against the Chicago White Sox. The Twins posted just seven total hits on the day, all posted by different players without a single batter posting multiple hits. Outfielder Jason Kubel gets the nod of the day, going 1-for-4 with is seventh home run of the season. |
Our View: Kubel has been fine tuning his eye at the plate, touting five walks versus just three strikeouts through June thus far. Today's homer is his first since May 25th.
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| Minnesota RHP Kevin Slowey suffered through a horrific day on the mound as the Twins suffered the devastating 12-2 loss to the White Sox. Slowey lasted just three innings, surrendering eight runs (all earned) on 10 hits with one walk and four strikeouts. |
Our View: Slowey appeared to be getting on track with consecutive wins at the end of May to end a string of four straight losses. This is his second loss in a row, giving up 12 earned runs through nine innings in those games.
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| Seattle LHP Erik Bedard threw nice game today off the mound but the offensive support failed to join the effort as the Mariners fell 2-1 to Boston. Bedard threw five innings to allow just one run on two hits with three walks and five strikeouts. |
Our View: Bedard walked off the mound with no decision, just his third no-decision in 11 starts. Through his last five starts he has totaled 11 walks versus 27 strikeouts.
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| Seattle outfielder Ichiro Suzuki went 0-for-4 today as his Mariners managed just three total hits in a loss to Boston, 2-1. |
Our View: This is the first time this month Ichiro has failed to get a hit and his first game in his last eight to miss getting on base. He came into today hitting .333 for the month of June, though he touts just one extra-base hit and one walk versus five strikeouts.
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| The Braves suffered the 6-3 loss to Philadelphia today as relief pitching gave way to the Phillies' offense, though Atlanta first baseman Mark Teixeira did what he could to reverse their fortunes. Teixeira went 3-for-5 with his 10th home run of the season to total two RBIs and one run scored on the day. |
Our View: Teixeira had just three homers in the month of May. He has already matched that in June with the bulk of the month to go.
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| Toronto RHP Roy Halladay picked up his eighth win of the season today, helping his team to a 5-4 win over Baltimore. Halladay went 7 2/3 innings to allow four runs (all earned) on eight hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. |
Our View: That's four consecutive wins for Halladay, giving up just two walks combined versus 24 strikeouts through that span.
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| Baltimore outfielder Luke Scott was a force at the plate today despite the 5-4 loss to Toronto, going 2-for-4 with two home runs on the day, finishing with three RBIs and two runs scored. |
Our View: Scott hit just .212 through the month of May but has improved, hitting .348 through June coming into today.
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| Kansas City RHP Zack Greinke suffered his fourth loss of the season today as the Royals fell to the Yankees, 6-3. Greinke went five innings to allow four runs (all earned) on six hits with four walks and six strikeouts. |
Our View: Greinke threw a total of 104 pitches but suffered his third loss in four starts, going 2-4 since starting at 3-0 through March and April.
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| Yankee first baseman Alex Rodriguez had the offense working in today's 6-3 win over the Royals, going 2-for-2 with two walks at the dish, hitting his 15th double of the season to total two RBIs on the day. |
Our View: After injury and struggles in May, A-Rod has gotten back on track, hitting .429 through the month of June thus far with eight RBIs, including six in his last four games.
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| Yankee outfielder Bobby Abreu swung a mean stick in support of the 6-3 win over the Royals today, going 2-for-4 at the plate with his eighth home run of the season to total three RBIs and two runs scored. |
Our View: Abreu hasn't been hitting at his normal pace this month, now sporting a .235 batting average for the month, but he has six RBIs through eight games.
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| The Tigers pulled the 5-2 win over the Indians today with strong work from second baseman Placido Polanco , going 2-for-4 at the dish with his 14th double of the season, posting two RBIs and one run scored. |
Our View: Polanco his .330 through May but has been off the rough start in June, doing 4-for-15 heading into the series with Cleveland with no hits in nine at-bats in the first two games.
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| Justin Masterson picked up his third straight win Sunday, allowing just one run on three hits and three walks while striking out four over six innings. |
Our View: Masterson boasts a 2.59 ERA in four starts, making a statement that he should remain in the Sox rotation.
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| Jose Guillen had been questionable to play Sunday because of a bruised shin. Not only did he play, but he had a couple hits, including a home run. It was Guillen third long ball in the last two days. |
Our View: Guillen got off to a painfully slow start but has made up for it over the last month. It appears the shin injury is a non-issue.
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| David Ortiz's arm-length cast removed Sunday and was replaced with a half-cast that went from his hand to just below his elbow, according to MLB.com. Big Papi is recovering from a partial tear of the ECU tendon sheath in his left wrist. "It's only been a week," Ortiz said. "The only change is if they don't want my elbow and my shoulder to be going too crazy after a while. I had a problem sleeping with that one cast. This will take it easy on the rest of my arm." |
Our View: The Red Sox have not set a timetable for Ortiz's return, but Big Papi is hoping to come back by early July.
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| The Rangers designated Elizardo Ramirez for assignment Sunday. Ramirez was rocked for nine runs in 2 2/3 innings in his lone appearance with the club. |
Our View: We hope you weren't rostering Ramirez, but if you were, go ahead and cut him loose.
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| The Rangers recalled German Duran from Triple-A Oklahoma Sunday. To make room on the roster, Elizardo Ramirez was designated for assignment. |
Our View: Duran is starting at third today and hitting last in the lineup.
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| The decision to activate Vernon Wells from the DL earlier than expected is already paying dividends. Wells had three hits, including a homer, in the Jays' 5-4 win over Baltimore Sunday. He has five hits in two games since coming back from a fractured wrist. |
Our View: Players coming back from wrist injuries sometimes suffer from a power outage, so it's good to see Wells hammer a longball already.
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| Joba Chamberlain's second start was better than his first start, but he still wasn't the dominating force he's been as a reliever. Joba made it through 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out five. He threw 78 pitches. |
Our View: It was good to see Joba have better control this time out. He'll get better. Be patient with him.
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| Mike Sweeney will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his bothersome left knee Wednesday and will miss 4-6 weeks, according to the AP. Sweeney, who had right knee surgery last year, hopes to be back to doing baseball activities in 3-4 weeks. |
Our View: Is anyone really surprised? You should also not be surprised if it takes Sweeney longer than 4-6 weeks to rejoin the A's.
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| The A's optioned Dallas Braden to Triple-A Sacramento Sunday. The move was made to clear a roster spot for Andrew Brown, who was activated from the DL. |
Our View: Alan Embree is now the lone lefty in the A's pen.
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| As expected, the A's activated Andrew Brown from the DL Sunday. Brown had been recovering from an appendectomy. |
Our View: Dallas Braden was sent to Triple-A Sacramento to clear a roster spot.
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| Alexi Casilla was scratched from the lineup Sunday because of a sore lower back, according to the AP. Matt Macri played second in his place. |
Our View: Hopefully this isn't anything too serious, because Casilla has been a terrific fantasy producer over the last couple weeks.
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| Adam Loewen is hoping to be back with the Orioles by the end of the month, but he'll do so as a reliever. "Somebody told me that Loewen has not ruled out coming back here and starting in 2008. I can tell you right now Loewen will not start for the rest of the season," manager Dave Trembley said on MLB.com. "We're trying to cover for him and not put a lot of undue stress and strain on his arm. Mentally, he doesn't have to prepare himself to go out there and throw nine innings or 115 pitches." Loewen is coming back from soreness in his pitching elbow. |
Our View: This is the smart move by the O's, as the team is going nowhere and they want to protect Loewen's talented left arm.
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| Dayan Viciedo, one of Cuba's top baseball prospects, has defected and is living in South Florida with hopes of playing in the major leagues, according to the AP. "There's a lot of hard work ahead of him to accomplish what he needs to accomplish," his agent, Jaime Torres said. Since Viciedo is living in the US, he's subject to draft rules. However, Torres thinks he should be a free agent. "He was processed at the end of May," Torres said. "To me, he was not drafted and should be an undrafted free agent. We'll see if the union agrees with me." |
Our View: The 18-year-old Viciedo is capable of playing third, short and the outfield. If he is ruled a free agent, we'll have to see what kind of bids teams will put up for him. He was generally regarded as Cuba's best young player, so there should be no shortage of suitors.
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| The Royals purchased the contract of Jeff Fulchino from Triple-A Omaha Sunday. He held a 3.99 ERA in 12 games with Omaha. |
Our View: The Royals needed another bullpen arm, as their relievers have been worn out lately. Fulchino doesn't have any fantasy value.
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| The Royals optioned Joel Peralta to Triple-A Omaha Sunday. Peralta was one of six relievers used in Saturday's 12-11 loss to the Yankees, as he allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings. Jeff Fulchino was brought up from Omaha to replace Peralta on the roster. |
Our View: Peralta is likely just the victim of a numbers game here, as KC just needed another fresh arm. The righty's ERA (5.64) is bloated this year, as his other numbers (1.16 WHIP, 17/4 K/BB rate) are quite good.
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| The Tigers activated Clay Rapada from the DL Sunday. He had been recovering from biceps tendinitis. |
Our View: Rapada has no fantasy value even in the deepest of leagues.
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| The Blue Jays recalled Joe Inglett from Triple-A Syracuse Sunday to replace the injured Shannon Stewart on the roster. |
Our View: Inglett was just sent down yesterday. He'll fill a utility role.
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| The Blue Jays placed Shannon Stewart on the DL Sunday with a sprained right ankle, according to the AP. Stewart left yesterday's game in the first inning with the ailment. "It's a pretty serious sprain," manager John Gibbons said. "It's in the high ankle, and those are usually the worst." |
Our View: It sounds like this will definitely be more than a minimum stay on the DL for Stewart. Joe Inglett was recalled to replace him on the roster, and Brad Wilkerson is expected to handle the bulk of the playing time in left while Shannon is out.
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| Luis Hernandez has cleared waivers and has been assigned to Triple-A Norfolk, according to the Baltimore Sun. Hernandez was designated for assignment last week. |
Our View: Hernandez was better at the plate than Freddie Bynum in his time with the O's but the team kept Bynum around for his versatility.
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| The Indians optioned Brian Slocum to Triple-A Buffalo Sunday. The move was made to make room on the roster for Jeremy Sowers, who will start today. |
Our View: Slocum was starting for Buffalo before but is expected to work out of the pen this time around.
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| The Indians recalled Jeremy Sowers from Triple-A Buffalo Sunday. Sowers will start today's game for the Tribe. He holds a 2.08 ERA in 10 starts with Buffalo this year. |
Our View: Sowers has made a couple spot starts already for the Indians this season, but with Fausto Carmona still on the DL and Jake Westbrook out for the year, he has a chance to stick around a while if he performs.
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| Mike Sweeney took batting practice Saturday for the first time since going on the DL, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "Felt good hitting. Didn't feel too good running," said Sweeney, who is coming back from left knee inflammation. Sweeney will try to take BP again today. |
Our View: There is no point projecting a timetable for return for a guy like Sweeney, who is a setback waiting to happen.
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| Santiago Casilla, who is working his way back from right elbow soreness, will throw a simulated game Sunday morning, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. |
Our View: Casilla is likely a week or so away from returning, assuming he has no setbacks.
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| Andrew Brown will be activated from the DL today, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Brown is coming back from an appendectomy. |
Our View: Brown was pitching well before his injury, but he's not worth owning outside of very deep leagues.
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| Jose Guillen is questionable for today's game with a deep bruise on his left shin, according to the KC Star. The outfielder was injured when he fouled a ball off his shin in the sixth inning. He stayed in the game and hit a grand slam in the seventh before exiting when the Royals took the field in the bottom of the inning. "We felt like we were in a position to get him off of (his leg), ice it and hopefully reduce the swelling," manager Trey Hillman said. "We wanted to put him in a better position for (today’s) game." |
Our View: Guillen had a pair of homers and seven RBI in the game yesterday, so hopefully he'll feel good enough to play today.
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| Scot Shields, who hasn't pitched in a week because of a left rib-cage injury, threw 20 pitches off a bullpen mound Saturday, according to the LA Times. The righty said he felt fine, and manager Mike Scioscia expects his setup man to be available for today's game. |
Our View: Jose Arredondo has filled in nicely for Shields, but the Halos will welcome the veteran back.
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| Chone Figgins on Saturday repeated his baserunning workout from Friday, going from first to third and first to home aggressively, according to the LA Times. Figgins, who is recovering from right hamstring irritation, will probably begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday. |
Our View: You always worry about a guy who relies so much on his legs how he'll come back from a hamstring injury, though Figgy has said he'll go all out once he returns.
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| Erick Aybar will be examined Monday by a hand specialist and could begin a rehab assignment next weekend if he is cleared to swing a bat, according to the LA Times. He has been on the DL since May 21 due to a dislocated right pinkie finger. |
Our View: With Maicer Izturis' superb play of late, Aybar is unlikely to be a regular when he returns.
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| Josh Hamilton will sit out Sunday's game, as he is battling a viral infection, according to the Star-Telegram. The outfielder started feeling ill three or four days ago. He is hoping the day off today, plus the off day Monday, will give him enough time to get rid of the infection. |
Our View: Hamilton will probably be available for pinch-hitting duty today, and we hope to see him back in action Tuesday.
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| If Kyle Farnsworth and Co. fail to fill the eighth inning void left by Joba Chamberlain's move to the rotation, former first-round pick J. Brent Cox could get a shot, according to the NY Post. Cox missed all of the 2007 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but he's come back strong this year, posting a 1.44 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 21 appearances over three levels. |
Our View: Cox hasn't struck many hitters out this year, (12 in 25 innings), but you can't argue with the rest of his results. He would probably be an improvement over the Farns.
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