|
|
| The Nationals activated Ronnie Belliard from the DL after Monday's game. He has been out with a strained left calf. |
Our View: Belliard should get significant playing time at second with Felipe Lopez struggling.
|
|
|
|
| Josh Fogg is scheduled to make a rehab start on Tuesday at Single-A Sarasota, according to MLB.com. He is recovering from lower back spasms. |
Our View: Fogg should be back by the end of the month, and he's likely to pitch out of the bullpen.
|
|
|
|
| Tyler Clippard allowed three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out six in 4 1/3 innings in his Nationals debut Monday. Clippard came to Washington from New York in an offseason trade. |
Our View: Clippard was filling in for John Lannan, who would've had to pitch on short rest with last Thursday's doubleheader. He was sent back to Triple-A Columbus after the game.
|
|
|
|
| Ryan Garko continued his hot hitting Monday, ripping a three-run homer in the first inning and adding another RBI later in the Tribe's 8-2 win over Detroit. Garko has 14 RBI over the last seven games. |
Our View: Ryan got off to a horrible start, but he's making up for it lately.
|
|
|
|
| Dontrelle Willis was absolutely horrendous Monday night, allowing eight runs on three hits and five walks over 1 1/3 innings. Dontrelle's ERA on the year now sits at 10.32, and he's handed out 21 free passes in 11 1/3 innings. |
Our View: We didn't like Willis' chances at success tonight, but geez. It's possible his start this weekend could be in jeopardy.
|
|
|
|
| Edinson Volquez allowed three runs for the first time all year Monday but still won his ninth game of the season. The righty gave up three hits and five walks while striking out five. |
Our View: Well, we guess Volquez was due for a "bad" start. In all seriousness, the 24-year-old is probably due for a rough patch shortly, so selling high on him might not be a bad idea.
|
|
|
|
| Shannon Stewart, who was placed on the DL Sunday with a sprained right ankle, is likely to be sidelined for a while, general manager J.P. Ricciardi told the AP. The outfielder had an MRI Monday, but no results were available. |
Our View: Brad Wilkerson and Kevin Mench will handle the duties in left field until Stewart can return.
|
|
|
|
| Brad Thompson didn't fare well in his first rehab outing Monday for Triple-A Memphis, allowing four runs on five hits over 3 2/3 innings. Thompson is coming back from inflammation in his pitching elbow. |
Our View: Thompson will likely need at least a couple more starts before he's ready to join the Cards. He was clearly not sharp in this outing.
|
|
|
|
| Matt Cain picked up his third win of the year Monday, allowing just one run on eight hits and a walk while striking out six over 6 1/3 innings. |
Our View: Cain has been hurt by walks this year, but he was stingy with the free passes tonight.
|
|
|
|
| Paul Bako hit a two-run and a three-run homer in Monday's 9-4 win over Florida. The veteran backstop now has six dingers and 20 RBI on the year. |
Our View: Bako has done nothing since his surprising April, so this came out of nowhere. Do yourself a favor and don't pick him up based on this game.
|
|
|
|
| Gary Sheffield has begun taking swings and is set to begin hitting live BP Tuesday, according to MLB.com. Sheff is working his way back from a strained left oblique muscle. "I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And that's what I feel good about," he said. |
Our View: It's not clear exactly how far that light is, but it's good that Sheff is coming along. We'll continue to monitor his rehab.
|
|
|
|
| Kelvim Escobar threw off a mound Monday for the second time this season and said his shoulder "continues to feel stronger," according to MLB.com. The righty tossed 30 fastballs at about 70-80 percent effort. "It was the first time I'd thrown those pitches off the mound in a long time," Escobar said. "It felt pretty good." Escobar is recovering from a tear in his labrum. |
Our View: There is no timetable for Escobar's return, but it's a good sign that his shoulder feels good thus far. We'll let you know how he progresses.
|
|
|
|
| The Angels recalled Chris Darren O'Day from Triple-A Salt Lake Monday to replace the injured Chris Bootcheck on the roster. |
Our View: O'Day held a 3.43 ERA in 16 games earlier this year with the Halos. He doesn't have any fantasy value.
|
|
|
|
| The Angels placed Chris Bootcheck on the DL Monday with a strained forearm, according to the Orange County Register. Darren O'Day was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to replace him. |
Our View: Some time off might do Bootcheck some good, as he holds a 10.13 ERA in 10 games this year
|
|
|
|
| Burke Badenhop has been bumped to the bullpen, according to the Palm Beach Post. He will be replaced by Ryan Tucker, who made his major league debut Sunday. "They were looking for a shot in the arm in the starting rotation and (Tucker) absolutely earned a shot," Badenhop said. "I'm lucky enough that I can go out there and relieve. If I couldn't relieve I wouldn't be here." |
Our View: Badenhop holds a 6.38 ERA in 11 games (eight starts) this year. He can be dropped in all formats.
|
|
|
|
| Troy Percival is scheduled to throw a simulated inning on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. He is eligible to return from the DL on Friday and is expected to be activated then. "Three outs and call it good," said Percival. "You never know what's going to happen, but my body feels good." Percival has been out with a strained hamstring. |
Our View: Dan Wheeler will go back to a setup role upon Troy's return.
|
|
|
|
| Josh Johnson five innings in a minor-league game Monday, his first game action since undergoing elbow surgery last August, according to the Palm Beach Post. Johnson is expected to join Marlins rotation sometime after the All-Star break, though the team is not setting any target dates. "He may be a little ahead of schedule, but let's wait and see," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. |
Our View: Those in NL-only leagues may want to think about adding Johnson now in anticipation of his return.
|
|
|
|
| Norris Hopper is starting in the outfield for Single-A Sarasota Monday. He is coming back from right elbow inflammation. |
Our View: Hopper should be back in a week or so if he doesn't suffer any setbacks.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Keppinger is serving as the DH for Single-A Sarasota Monday, according to MLB.com. The shortstop is coming back from a fractured kneecap. |
Our View: Assuming all goes well during the rehab, Keppinger could be back in a week or so.
|
|
|
|
| Ivan Rodriguez will share time behind the plate with Brandon Inge for a while, according to MLB.com. "You can tell when a guy catches as much as (Rodriguez) does, particularly a guy who's caught as many games as he has, that's not easy to do," manager Jim Leyland said. "He's in as good shape as any player we've got. I don't care how good shape he's in. You catch that many games, [some] 12 innings, [some] a day game after a night game, you get rundown. I don't care who you are. I don't care how good shape you're in. That goes for anybody." |
Our View: Pudge has struggled at the plate this year, hitting just .245 with one homer and 21 RBI. Perhaps he is worn down, or perhaps the 36-year-old is just not as good a hitter as he once was.
|
|
|
|
| Brandon Inge started at catcher Monday for the second time in the last three games, and manager Jim Leyland plans on having Inge and Ivan Rodriguez split time behind the dish for a while, according to MLB.com. "I'm going to catch these guys every other game for a while," Leyland said. |
Our View: Inge has catcher eligibility now in most leagues, so he wouldn't be a bad pickup.
|
|
|
|
| Joel Pineiro will be activated from the DL sometime this week, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The right-hander has been out with a right groin strain. |
Our View: Pineiro will likely start on Thursday in place of Adam Wainwright.
|
|
|
|
| Todd Wellemeyer will rejoin the Cardinals rotation when the team returns home to face Philadelphia this weekend, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The righty, who was supposed to pitch Tuesday but is resting a sore elbow, will likely take the ball on Saturday. |
Our View: The injury sounded minor, but it's good to know for sure that Wellemeyer won't need to go on the DL.
|
|
|
|
| The Cardinals will place Adam Wainwright on the DL Tuesday with a sprained right middle finger, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Wainwright on Monday met with team doctors, who prescribed rest for the injury. The righty will be re-evaluated later this week to see if rest and ongoing treatment will permit him to begin throwing again. |
Our View: Joel Pineiro will be activated from the DL and will presumably make Wainwright's start on Thursday.
|
|
|
|
| Jerry Hairston Jr. left Mondays game in the first inning with a farctured left thumb, according to SportsTicker. He was replaced at shortstop by Paul Janish. |
Our View: This is too bad for Hairston, who was really playing well. Janish will likely take over at short until Jeff Keppinger is ready to return.
|
|
|
|
| Rod Barajas has made a case to be the Blue Jays' No. 1 catcher, but he will split time with Gregg Zaun when Zaun returns from the DL on Wednesday. "They'll both play," manager John Gibbons said. "We feel good. We've got two pretty good catchers. So any way you go, you feel good." |
Our View: Barajas is still worth owning in deeper leagues, but he will probably not play quite as much as Zaun.
|
|
|
|
| Gregg Zaun will return from the DL on Wednesday, the first day he's eligible, according to MLB.com. The catcher is coming back from inflammation in his right elbow. |
Our View: Zaun will split time with Rod Barajas behind the plate.
|
|
|
|
| Ryan Wagner, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, pitched a simulated game Monday. Manager Manny Acta said the session was "rough" because of a blister that developed on Wagner's finger, according to the AP. Wagner will throw a few more sim games before the team decides when he's ready for a rehab assignment. |
Our View: Wagner had virtually no fantasy value before he was hurt, and that's not going to change after major surgery.
|
|
|
|
| Ronnie Belliard will play for Single-A Potomac on Monday night after a brief rehab stint at Double-A Harrisburg, according to the AP. Belliard, who is recovering from a strained left calf, will join the Nats during the three-game series in Pittsburgh, which begins Tuesday. |
Our View: Felipe Lopez has really struggled at the dish lately, so Belliard should get significant playing time at second.
|
|
|
|
| Ryan Zimmerman began rehab exercises for his injured left shoulder Monday, according to the AP. The third baseman was set to have the shoulder re-examined later in the day. "I'm not going to go out there and not swing at a 2-0 fastball if I want to swing at a 2-0 fastball," Zimmerman said. "That's embarrassing to me and not good for the team. That's the biggest thing. I don't mind the pain. I can play through the pain. It's only going to hurt three or four times a game, but I have to be productive and I'm not going to take somebody out of the lineup who can hit a home run when I can barely hit the ball out of the infield." |
Our View: Zimmerman thinks he can avoid surgery, but it will still be a long time before he'll return to the lineup. We'll continue to track his progress.
|
|
|
|
| Ken Griffey Jr. hit a two-run homer in the first inning Monday off Florida lefty Mark Hendrickson. The longball was the 600th of Junior's career. He is the sixth player of all-time to reach the plateau. |
Our View: Congrats, Junior. If it weren't for injuries, he probably would have reached the mark a couple years ago.
|
|
|
|
| Josh Willingham ran the bases, fielded fly balls and took live batting practice Monday, according to MLB.com. The outfielder is progressing well from his back injury and could possibly start a rehab assignment by the end of the week. |
Our View: Since he's been out so long, Willingham will need multiple rehab games to get ready. He set June 24 as a possible return date but admitted that that was just a guess. However, it sounds like he will definitely be back by the end of the month if he doesn't have any setbacks.
|
|
|
|
| Dmitri Young is back in the lineup Monday after missing three games with the flu. He is playing first base and batting cleanup. |
Our View: It's good to see Meathook recover from the sniffles. Insert him into your lineup if you normally would.
|
|
|
|
| The Mets have placed Ryan Church on the DL, according to the Journal News. Church came back briefly from a concussion that he suffered nearly three weeks ago but was recently shut down because he was still experiencing post-concussion symptoms. |
Our View: The Mets are off today, so they'll likely just replace Church with Moises Alou, who is expected to be activated from the DL tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
| It had been rumored that the Astros could be interested in Sidney Ponson, who was recently designated for assignment by the Rangers after rubbing teammates and management the wrong way. However, Ponson will not end up in Houston, according to the Houston Chronicle. The Astros feel the rotund righty brings too much baggage. |
Our View: We can't blame the 'Stros for not pursuing Sir Sidney. Personal issues aside, he was pitching over his head with the Rangers and was already beginning to come back down to earth.
|
|
|
|
| Brad Thompson will throw roughly 45 pitches in his rehab start with Triple-A Memphis Monday, according to MLB.com. The righty is coming back from inflammation in his pitching elbow. "I want to go out there and make quality pitches," Thompson said. "I want to go out there and feel comfortable, pound the strike zone and get back used to what I've been doing." |
Our View: With the rash of injuries that have suddenly hit the Cards' pitching staff, they could use Thompson to make a start or two. We'll let you know how his start tonight goes. He'll likely need at least one more start after Monday's outing before being activated.
|
|
|
|
| The Dodgers are expected to recall Andy LaRoche from Triple-A Las Vegas before Tuesday's game, according to MLB.com. LaRoche is expected to serve as a backup to Blake DeWitt at third base, James Loney at first base and even Jeff Kent at second base. |
Our View: LaRoche had never played second until the Dodgers put him there a couple weeks ago, presumably so that he could be used in a utility role in the majors. He was batting .277 with five homers and 26 RB with a .444 OBP at Triple-A. LaRoche's ceiling is higher than Blake DeWitt's but DeWitt has played well enough that he should still get the majority of starts at the hot corner.
|
|
|
|
| The Dodgers optioned Chin-lung Hu to Triple-A Las Vegas Monday. Hu hit just .159 in 107 at-bats with the club. Andy LaRoche is expected to be recalled to take his place, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Hu hit really well in the minors last year, but he has been overmatched at the big league level.
|
|
|
|
| The Rangers will recall Eric Hurley from Triple-A Oklahoma to start on Thursday, according to MLB.com. He will fill the No. 5 spot in the rotation that was left vacant with the release of Sidney Ponson. |
Our View: Hurley has pitched poorly overall this year, with a 5.30 ERA in 13 starts, but he holds a 3.46 mark over his last six outings. He also has a nifty 72/29 K/BB rate in 74 2/3 frames. He's worth a bid in AL-only play, though he should probably be started only in favorable matchups initially.
|
|
|
|
| With Rickie Weeks out with a knee injury, Craig Counsell figures to pick up most of the starts at second base. Joe Dillon and Hernan Iribarren will also be in the mix for playing time. |
Our View: Counsell has been useless at the plate this year, but he's worth an NL-only bid simply because he'll see at-bats.
|
|
|
|
| The Brewers recalled Hernan Iribarren from Triple-A Nashville Monday to replace the injured Rickie Weeks on the roster. |
Our View: Iribarren can play second but has been playing mostly in the outfield at Nashville. He'll probably get some time at second while Weeks is out, but Craig Counsell will get the majority of the time.
|
|
|
|
| The Brewers placed Rickie Weeks on the DL Monday with a sprained left knee. Hernan Iribarren was recalled from Triple-A Nashville to replace him on the roster. |
Our View: It's not clear at this point as to the severity of the injury. The team had been saying Weeks was just day-to-day, which would lead you to believe it's not too serious, but we'll let you know for sure when more info is available.
|
|
|
|
| The Braves have purchased the contract of Brian Lawrence from the Camden Riversharks of the Independent League and assigned him to Triple-A Richmond. |
Our View: Lawrence was 2-2 with a 3.21 ERA and 32 strikeouts to nine walks for Camden. He held a 6.83 ERA in six starts for the Mets last season. He'll provide depth at Triple-A for the Braves but isn't likely to have any fantasy value.
|
|
|
|
| Alex Rodriguez went 2-for-4 and crushed a two-run homer in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Royals. |
Our View: A-Rod has 10 homers and 31 RBI over 44 games, and raised his average a few points to .317. He recorded two hits in four straight games and two RBI in three straight. That was also the fifth time out of nine games in June that he reached two RBI.
|
|
|
|
| Xavier Nady returned to the Pirates' lineup and went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Monday's 5-3 win over Arizona. |
Our View: He missed two straight games due to inflammation above his left ankle, but could have played on Sunday, and is safe to return to your lineups. He collected his first RBI since May 31, and has 46 over 61 games.
|
|
|
|
| Zach Duke only allowed two earned runs on five hits over six innings in Monday's 5-3 victory over the Diamondbacks, with two walks and five strikeouts. One of the runs given up came on a Mark Reynolds homer. |
Our View: Duke evened his record to 4-4 with the win, and lowered his ERA to 4.10. He is now 2-0 in June, and only allowed two earned runs in his previous outing on the 4th (against Houston).
|
|
|
|
| Mark Reynolds went 3-for-4 with a solo homer in Monday's 5-3 loss to Pittsburgh. His other two hits both went for doubles. |
Our View: He has 14 homers and 40 RBI over 59 games. He now has three homers over his last two games, as he hit a pair last night in a 6-4 loss to the Pirates.
|
|
|
|
| Randy Johnson was rocked for five runs (four earned) on six hits over 5.2 innings in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Pirates, with five walks and three strikeouts. |
Our View: He falls to 4-3 for the season with a 4.10 ERA. That was his highest walk total and tied his second highest number of earned runs allowed this season.
|
|
|
|
| Mike Mussina allowed two runs on seven hits over eight innings in Monday's 3-2 loss to Kansas City, with no walks and three strikeouts. Most of the damage came on a two-run homer by Miguel Olivo. Mussina ended the day with a no decision. |
Our View: He pitched well enough to win, and just didn't get adequate run support from his team-mates. He has allowed two or less earned runs in three straight starts.
|
|
|
|
| Miguel Olivo went 2-for-4 and hit a two-run homer in Monday's 3-2 win over the Yankees. |
Our View: He has eight homers and 25 RBI over 41 games played, and raised his average to .289.
|
|
|
|
| Luke Hochevar pitched well on Monday, despite leaving with a no decision in a 3-2 win over the Yankees. He only allowed two runs on four hits over six innings, with no walks and four strikeouts. Both of the runs came on an A-Rod homer. |
Our View: He has been suffering through control issues this season, and this was his first outing that he didn't issue a walk. This should help in his bid to ward off a demotion to the minors.
|
|
|
|
| It has been revealed that Rickie Weeks has a sprained left knee, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. |
Our View: Weeks is listed as day-to-day and the team did not indicate whether a trip to the DL is being considered.
|
|
|
|
| Chipper Jones has been named the NL Player of the Week, according to the Sports Network. Jones led the NL with a .579 (11-for-19) batting average, a 1.105 slugging percentage and a .652 on-base percentage for the week, with his 11 hits tying for the most in the league. He also blasted three homers, with six RBI.
|
Our View: Jones is still hitting above .400 with a .420 mark, over 58 games.
|
|
|
|
| Right-handed hurler Tyler Clippard has been recalled from Triple-A Columbus, according to the AP. Pitcher Garrett Mock has been optioned back to Triple-A, as an adjoining move. |
Our View: He will make a spot start tonight against the Giants in place of John Lannan, who pitched in last Thursday's double-header and would have to pitch on short rest if left in the rotation for tonight's scheduled outing. Clippard made six starts in 2007, and went 3-1, but held a poor 6.33 ERA and 1.70 WHIP. He is not worth fantasy consideration.
|
|
|
|
| Ian Kennedy just completed his first bullpen session since straining his right lat muscle last month, according to MLB.com. He threw around 30 pitches under the watchful eyes of pitching coach Dave Eiland and bullpen coach Mike Harkey. Limited to only fastballs and changeups, Kennedy finished with his right arm feeling fine. Kennedy said, "It feels back to normal again. It was a very average bullpen, but it felt good, at least. It kind of felt weird throwing on the mound, because I've been throwing on flat ground for the past week, but it felt good to be out there on the mound."
|
Our View: Kennedy is scheduled to fly to Tampa, Florida, on Monday night to continue his rehab. There, he'll throw another bullpen session this week, while mixing in his breaking pitches. He would then begin a schedule of rehab games, barring a setback. It remains unknown whether he will rejoin the Yankees or be sent to the minors when he's healthy. He failed to earn a win over eight starts this season, and held a 7.41 ERA and 1.75 WHIP.
|
|
|
|
| Joe Crede shared AL Player of the Week honors with Milton Bradley of the Rangers, according to the Chicago Tribune. Crede went 11-for-18 (.611) with two doubles, five home runs and 11 RBI in six games last week.
|
Our View: He impressively hit two home runs in back-to-back games during the span, and has 14 homers for the season.
|
|
|
|
| Josh Barfield has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The team decided to option struggling second baseman Adrubal Cabrera to Buffalo. |
Our View: Cabrera held the lowest batting average in the AL among starters with a .184 mark. Barfield was the Indians' starting second baseman in 2007 before Cabrera took his job in August. Barfield only hit .243 last season, but will be an upgrade over Cabrera.
|
|
|
|
| Asdrubal Cabrera has been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The team recalled second baseman John Barfield as an adjoining move. |
Our View: Barfield was the Indians' starting second baseman in 2007 before Cabrera unseated him. Cabrera failed to keep his job this season, as he struggled with a .184 average over 52 games, with 40 strikeouts.
|
|
|
|
| Brewers' GM Doug Melvin has denied speculation that he was interested in acquiring second baseman Brian Roberts, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Melvin said, "We haven't been scouting Roberts. That was brought up in the spring when the Orioles were talking to the Cubs about him. They were wanting to get us involved. We've had no special assignment scout looking at Roberts."
|
Our View: Rickie Weeks was allegedly named in a possible trade for Roberts. Melvin noted that wasn't true, and stated that Roberts is making $6.3 million this year and $8 million next year. Weeks is making just over $1 million this season and remains under club control through 2011.
|
|
|
|
| Jose Guillen has returned to the Royals' outfield on Monday, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: He has been slowed by a bruised left shin, and served as the team's DH on Sunday. The swelling has subsided, and he has been cleared to roam the outfield again. He has 20 doubles this season, and his running ability should not be compromised.
|
|
|
|
| Joey Gathright is in the Royals' starting lineup today, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: He is back in center field, and batting at the bottom of the order. There was speculation that he may have separated his shoulder on Sunday, but that does not look to be case.
|
|
|
|
| Ramon Castro was pulled from the starting lineup and fined by coach Willie Randolph for arriving just 57 minutes prior to Sunday's first pitch, according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: Castro said he confused the time zones, as the game was played on the West Coast against the Padres. He insisted he thought the game was at 4:05 p.m. local time, not 1:05 p.m.
|
|
|
|
| Moises Alou is confident he will return from the DL on Tuesday, according to the NY Daily News. He said, "When we win, it makes it easier on me. Now I want to be in there more." He has recovered from a strained left calf.
|
Our View: Alou was hitting .340 over 47 at-bats this season, with seven RBI. The 41-year old outfielder will provide a boost to the middle of the Mets' order, but it remains in question if he can stay healthy, as this will be the second time that he returned from the DL this season.
|
|
|
|
| Adam Loewen, who is recovering from left elbow soreness, is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment on Tuesday at Single-A Frederick, according to the Baltimore Sun. He did not experience any setbacks in his two-inning simulated game on Saturday. Manager Dave Trembley commented, "It's all scripted out. Toward the end of his rehab, he'll pitch back-to-back days and have a day off. We'll start him out in the beginning of an inning with nobody on, and as he gets going toward the end of his rehab, we'll bring him in the game in the middle of an inning with guys on base. Toward the end, he'll have to throw two innings. He won't throw more than two innings. I don't really see him being a long reliever."
|
Our View: The Orioles are not contenders, and will protect Loewen's prized left arm by keeping him in the bullpen, and out of the rotation, when he returns.
|
|
|
|
| Phil Hughes is scheduled to undergo another bone scan this week to check the status of his fractured rib, according to the NY Daily News.
|
Our View: Hughes isn't expected back until July, and isn't worth waiting for as a fantasy hurler, as he held a 0-4 record over six starts, with a 9.00 ERA and 2.14 WHIP.
|
|
|
|
| Kyle Farnsworth was given a second-straight day off on Sunday to rest a "cranky" right bicep he suffered following his last outing, according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: Farnsworth holds no fantasy value, as he allowed 14 runs and 34 hits over 28.1 innings of relief, with a 1.59 WHIP.
|
|
|
|
| Ian Kennedy is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today, according to the NY Daily News. He is recovering from bursitis in his right lat. |
| |
