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| Chone Figgins, who missed 33 of the Angels' previous 34 games because of an injured right hamstring, went 1-for-2 with two walks in his first game back from his second stint on the disabled list. |
Our View: Figgins lead off and played third base in his return to the starting lineup.
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| Orlando Cabrera hit a solo shot helping the Chicago White Sox to a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night. |
Our View: The home run was his only hit on the night and lifted his RBI total to 23 and runs scored to 39.
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| The Rockies Ian Stewart hit two solo home runs and Willy Tavares and Brad Hawpe added solo shots, the only hits Chicago's Gavin Floyd allowed in 6 1/3 innings of his no-decision on Friday night. |
Our View: Floyd allowed more than one homer in a game this season for the first time. He Last gave up four homers in a game Sept. 7 against the Twins.
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| Joba Chamberlain allowed one run on six hits, walked four and struck out two in a no-decision on Friday night. |
Our View: Chamberlain threw 88 pitches -- 54 for strikes -- as he continues to build his pitch count as a starter.
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| Derek Jeter hit a solo homer in the eighth inning off Astros setup man Doug Brocail and the New York Yankees defeated Houston 2-1 on Friday night.
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Our View: Jeter is finally over the hand injury that put him in a semi-slump in May. The All Star shortstop is hitting .271 on the season, a number that should rise as the Yankees visit some hitter-friendly ballparks in the next three weeks.
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| Scott Feldman allowed seven runs (six earned) on eight hits as the Rangers dropped to 1-8 in the right-hander's starts. |
Our View: The Rangers, owners of the the worst pitching staff in the American League, are desperate. The fact that Feldman hasn't scored a victory since May 9 and the team has only one win in his nine starts isn't expected to threaten his spot in the rotation.
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| Josh Hamilton went 2-for-4 and hit his 18th home run in the 7-1 loss to the Mets on Friday night. |
Our View: Hamilton raised his league leading RBI total to 72.
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| George Sherrill earned his 22nd save of the season in Friday's 9-6 win over the Pirates. The left-hander pitched a perfect ninth inning. |
Our View: Sherrill's 22 saves is second to K-Rod of the Angels who has 27.
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| Brian Burres improved his record to 5-5 on the season as the Orioles beat the Pirates 9-6 on Friday night. The left-hander allowed six runs on eight hits, walked three and struck out four in the win. |
Our View: The southpaw bounced back with six innings of work after failing to reach the sixth inning in his three previous starts.
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| Luke Scott rewarded skipper Dave Trembley who told the Baltimore Sun on Thursday that his outfielder would get more playing time. Scott continued his recent tear hitting his 11th home run of the season. |
Our View: Scott scored twice (29) and recorded his 26th RBI of the year.
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| Armando Galarraga and releiver Freddy Dolsi combined for a three-hitter and the Detroit Tigers scored a 5-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. The right-hander allowed three hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out five. |
Our View: Galarraga won his sixth against two losses and continues to prove he deserves to be in the Tigers rotation.
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| Alex Rios went 3-for-4 with two doubles and Toronto won for just the fourth time in their last 12 games beating the Cubs 3-2 on Friday night. |
Our View: Rios raised his average seven points (.275) in the effort and now has 16 two-base hits on the season.
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| Sean Gallagher allowed three runs and seven hits in five-plus innings, but it wasn't good enough as A.J. Burnett and the Blue Jays won the first game of the three-game interleague series. The rookie walked two and struck out five as the Cubs lost for the first time in five games. |
Our View: Gallagher wasn't as sharp as he's been in recent starts and it was evident in his GB:FB ratio (1:9) in the loss.
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| Jeremy Accardo (forearm) will take two days off after suffering a setback in his rehabilitation assignment on Friday, this according to the AP. |
Our View: Accardo was close to returning from the disabled list. How far this will push his return back is not yet known.
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| A.J. Burnett improved to 3-0 in four career starts against the Cubs, allowing two runs and four hits just falling short of a quality start. He walked four and struck out seven in five innings plus. |
Our View: Burnett rebounded from his a poor effort after stringing together nearly a month of quality starts. His ERA now rests at 4.90 and and K Rate is approaching nine.
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| Scott Rolen went deep for the third time this year and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Cubs 3-2 on Friday night. |
Our View: Rolen is beginning to drive the ball, and as the air warms the third baseman should power up.
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| Rookie Justin Masterson pitched good enough to win but Aaron Harang was better. The Red Sox right-hander allowed three runs on four hits and struck out a career-high nine in 6 2/3 innings. |
Our View: The effort, his first career start on the road was outstanding, especially against a good lineup in hitter-friendly Great American Park.
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| Following up on an earlier report, the X-rays on Michael Cuddyer's hand were negative. He played in the field for one inning before leaving and was replaced by Delmon Young. |
Our View: Cuddyer is considered day-to-day.
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| The Yankees team website reports that with the team heading out for 16 consecutive games against the National League, they have optioned Shelley Duncan to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Infielder Alberto Gonzalez was promoted to fill out the 25-man roster.
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Our View: Duncan had not played in the past seven games, and his last start came on May 30 at Minnesota. The team wants Duncan playing everyday, something he can't receive with the big club.
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| Chone Figgins, who was activated from the disabled list today, is in the starting lineup tonight when the Angels host the Atlanta Braves. |
Our View: Figgins was 2-for-10 during his rehab assignment and should be safe to activate for Fantasy Week 12.
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| Miguel Olivo continues to receive at-bats, even in National League parks where the designated hitter isn't used. Olivo is starting at catcher and will square off against Diamondbacks starter Doug Davis. |
Our View: Olivo is 2-8 against Davis. At-bats he received while playing for the Florida Marlins.
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| Esteban German is slated to lead off and play left field in tonight's interleague contest against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The everyday left fielder, David DeJesus, is on the bench. |
Our View: With southpaw Doug Davis on the mound left-handed hitting DeJesus will be available to pinch hit.
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| Michael Cuddyer was removed from Friday night's interleague game in Milwaukee after being hit in the hand by a Dave Bush pitch. |
Our View: We will update you on the severity of the injury when the information becomes available.
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| Hank Blalock has resumed hitting, according to the team website, and is hoping to be activated next Friday from the disabled list. The Rangers open a three-game series with the Nationals at New RFK Stadium.
Blalock took two rounds of batting practice on Friday afternoon, the first time he has done so since undergoing surgery at the end of May on his right wrist. |
Our View: Blalock has been waiting for a cut on right hand to heal before he aggressively started swinging the bat.
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| According to the Rangers team website the staff is discussing the possibility of placing pitcher Joaquin Benoit on the disabled list. The hard-throwing right-hander is experiencing soreness in his right shoulder.
The Rangers will have to make a move on Saturday because they plan on calling up Kason Gabbard to start against the Mets. |
Our View: The team will move Doug Mathis to the bullpen and according to the report the logical move would be to drop middle reliever Robinson Tejeda.
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| The Oakland Athletics activated Ryan Sweeney (toe) from the 15-day disabled list on Friday. |
Our View: The outfielder is expected to start in tonight's interleague game against Bay rival San Francisco.
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| Johnny Damon is not in the starting lineup tonight as the Yankees visit the Astros in the second turn of interleague play. Jason Giambi is starting at first base and Hideki Matsui is in left field. |
Our View: Damon is hitting .320 on the season and is 1-for-5 lifetime against Astros right-handed starter Shawn Chacon. There is no obvious reason why Johnny is sitting.
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| Eric Hinske is starting in left field for Carl Crawford who began serving his four-game suspension today. |
Our View: Hinske is in left, Gabe Gross is in right and Cliff Floyd is serving as the designated hitter.
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| Chris Shelton is starting at first base for the Rangers tonight in an interleague game against the Mets at Shea Stadium. Shelton starts and Frank Catalanotto will be available to pinch hit. |
Our View: With no designated hitter, left-handed hitters Brandon Boggs and Frank Catalanotto will sit against Mets' starter and southpaw Oliver Perez.
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| The AP reports that center fielder Rocco Baldelli will meet with Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon and executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman during the current homestand and discuss his rehab schedule.
Baldelli, who is currently on the 60-day DL, resumed playing last month as a designated hitter for the Rays' extended spring training team. He told the AP that he hopes to join one of the Rays' minor league teams shortly, and expects to play again in the majors later this year.
"I fully plan on being back. That's the way I feel right now," Baldelli said. |
Our View: Baldelli has been sidelined since May 2007 because of lingering hamstring problems and what doctors have told him and the Rays is a mitochondrial disorder that causes extreme fatigue.
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| The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated closer Troy Percival from the 15-day disabled list on Friday, this according to the AP. The closer will take the roster spot of reliever Al Reyes who was placed on disabled list today.
Percival strained his left hamstring in the Rays' 5-3 victory over Texas on May 28 and went on the DL one day later. |
Our View: He is 1-0 with 14 saves in 16 chances and a 2.95 ERA in 22 games this season and will resume his closing duties effective tonight.
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| The A's optioned outfielder Travis Buck to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.
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Our View: Carlos Gonzalez will stick and play right field moving forward. There is no reason to keep the rookie with the parent club unless he's going to play everyday.
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| Catcher Jason Varitek, suffering from a case of strep throat, won't start tonight but will serve as the emergency catcher backing up Kevin Cash, notes the Providence Journal. Varitek isn't expected to start before Sunday, at the earliest.
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Our View: As usual, Cash will catch Tim Wakefield who starts on Saturday, so Varitek won't return to the starting lineup until Sunday, if then.
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| Curt Schilling threw in the bullpen before torrential rains soaked Great American Ballpark this afternoon. The Providence Journal reported that the work "wasn't much to write home about."
The usually vocal pitcher didn't want to discuss it as he grabbed a pen and began to work on a newspaper crossword puzzle, noted the report.
"Not now," said Schilling. |
Our View: Schilling didn't experience any pain in a throwing session on Tuesday, but wasn't pleased with his command. Manager Terry Francona told the Journal on Wednesday "The good news is he's ramping it up." Schilling is rehabbing from right biceps degeneration.
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| Kevin Youkilis told the Providence Journal on Friday that he was disappointed at not having been drafted by his hometown Cincinnati Reds.
The Red Sox selected him in the eighth round of the 2001 draft.
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Our View: In his first trip back to the town he grew up in and played college ball, the first baseman will have 138 family and friends in the stands for Saturday's game. Youkilis is not in the Friday night starting lienup.
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| Daisuke Matsuzaka is expected to pitch in a minor league game next week, this according to Fox Sports. Dice-K is rehabbing from a sore shoulder. Matsuzaka threw on Friday before the start of Boston's series against the Cincinnati Reds, but it appears he will need one or two rehab starts. |
Our View: He's eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list any time, but skipper Terry Francona said Matsuzaka will pitch on Monday for Triple-A Pawtucket against the Philadelphia Phillies' Lehigh Valley team in Allentown, Pa. Matsuzaka will throw about 80 pitches. A second rehab is possible but no timetable has been defined for the Red Sox No. 2 starter.
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| As reported earlier this week, Carl Crawford will begin serving his four-game suspension tonight when the Rays square up against the Marlins.
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Our View: Cliff Floyd will replace Crawford and receive an opportunity to get off the pine and breakout of his hitting stench.
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| Kevin Youkilis is not in the Red Sox starting lineup tonight. The Sox are facing Aaron Harrang and the Reds. With no designated hitter, Manny Ramirez is back in left field and Sean Casey starts at first base. |
Our View: Youkilis is having a terrific season and the Red Sox trip to the National League gives manager Terry Francona a reason to rest his versatile infielder. Youk is hitting .301 with 10 home runs, 41 RBI and 42 runs scored, and has played in 64 of Boston's 69 games.
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| Sean Casey is playing first base against his old team tonight when the Red Sox visit the National League Cincinnati Reds. With no designated hitter, Manny Ramirez is back in left field and Kevin Youkilis is on the bench. |
Our View: Casey has played in 27 games this year. While he's hitting .372 in 86 at-bats he's yet to hit a home run. The left-handed hitter get the start with Reds right-handed ace Aaron Harrang on the mound.
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| Kevin Millar is nursing a bruised left knee and is walking with a slight limp but is still expected to serve as DH in Friday's game against the Pirates, according to the Baltimore Sun. |
Our View: He is only hitting .249 but blasted 11 homers and collected 34 RBI over 65 games, with 36 runs scored. Three of his home runs have been recorded in June.
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| Adam Russell has been recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, according to the Sports Network. As an adjoining move, the team placed Esteban Loaiza on the 15-day DL. |
Our View: Russell was 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA in 31 innings for Charlotte this season. He was previously called up in May, but did not make an appearance. He will work out of the bullpen and could be solid, but won't get any save opportunities as long as Bobby Jenks stays intact, and his fantasy value will be limited.
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| Rather than release him, the White Sox decided to place Esteban Loaiza on the 15-day DL with right shoulder inflammation, according to the Sports Network. As expected, hurler Adam Russell has been recalled from Triple-A Charlotte to take his spot on the roster. |
Our View: The move is retroactive to June 12. Loaiza needs some time to get back into shape and work on his fastball, but the club still thinks he can help them for the stretch run this season. Russell was 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA in 31 innings at Charlotte, and will work out of the bullpen.
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| Sean Casey has filed an appeal of a three-game suspension dealt to him by MLB for his part in the June 5 skirmish with the Rays at Fenway Park, according to the Providence Journal.
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Our View: Casey's appeal will be heard on June 23, the same day that Coco Crisp's appeal of his seven-game suspension will be heard.
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| A thunder and lightning storm is threatening tonight's contest against the Red Sox and Reds at the Great American Ballpark, according to the Providence Journal. There is also heavy rain, and the forecast calls for storms throughout the night. |
Our View: This is Boston's only trip to Cincinnati for this year, so it remains to be seen how the game would be made up if postponed. Saturday's game will be at 4 o'clock because it is scheduled to telecast by FOX-TV, which makes a day-night doubleheader possibility a problem for that day. On Sunday, the Sox and Reds could play a day-nighter on getaway day. The team's could also find a day that they are both off to make up the game.
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| Roy Corcoran has been recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, according to the Seattle Times. He will fill the roster spot for closer JJ Putz, who was been placed on the 15-day DL. |
Our View: Brandon Morrow should handle the closer's role while Putz is out, and Corcoran should work in middle-relief. Corcoran allowed two runs, eight hits, and four walks over 10.2 innings in his previous stint with Seattle this season.
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| J.J. Putz has landed on the 15-day DL due to his hyperextended right elbow, according to the Seattle Times. Roy Corcoran has been recalled from Triple-A Tacoma and will be in uniform tonight.
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Our View: The move is retroactive to June 11, meaning he'll be out until 13 days from now at a minimum.
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| Scott Feldman will be looking to nail down his first win since May 9 when he takes on the Mets at Shea Stadium, according to MLB.com. Feldman is 1-2 over 10 games (eight starts), with a 4.31 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. |
Our View: He has gone at least six innings in seven straight starts, and only allowed two runs over seven innings in his last outing against the Rays.
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| J.D. Drew brings his hot streak to Cincinnati tonight when the Red Sox meet the Reds at the Great American Ballpark, according to MLB.com. Drew is riding an 11-game hitting streak, in which he racked up five doubles, six home runs, and 15 RBI. |
Our View: He is hitting .500 over 36 at-bats in June, and should remain in your lineups tonight, especially against Aaron Harang, who is 2-9 with a 4.31 ERA.
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| Justin Masterson will be making his fifth start of the season tonight when the Red Sox battle the Reds in inter-league play at the Great American Ballpark, according to MLB.com. Masterson has fared well in Boston's rotation, as he is 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. He mentioned that he hasn't swung a bat in four or five years, and added, "I'm excited to see what happens. I've been taking some BP. The swing feels good, but it's like softball. I'm a softball guy. I can handle BP. I haven't seen a live pitch in four or five years, and now I am facing Aaron Harang."
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Our View: Masterson has already proven that he belongs in Boston's rotation, and belongs in fantasy lineups as well. He only allowed one run over six innings in his last start (against Seattle).
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| Brian Burres will fight to even his record to 5-5 when the Orioles host the Pirates in inter-league play tonight, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Burres hasn't made it past the fifth inning in his last three starts, and has surrendered 18 earned runs over that span. Keep him on your bench until he proves he can be an effective starter again.
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| Carlos Quentin has been named the Clutch Performer of May by fans in an online vote (presented by Pepsi), according to MLB.com. |
Our View: In 29 games in May, Quentin hit .290 (31-for-107) with seven homers and 27 RBI, with five doubles and 15 runs scored. He also hit his first career grand slam against the Angels on May 15. Quentin has proven to be among the best acquisitions of the off-season.
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| Francisco Cruceta, who was designated for assignment by Detroit on June 3, has been outrighted to Triple-A Toledo, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Cruceta has skills to be an effective pitcher, but is not yet at that point, as he allowed seven earned runs, 13 hits, and 10 walks over 11.2 innings with the Tigers this season. He holds no fantasy value.
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| Clete Thomas, who is recovering from a sprained right ankle, will begin a rehab assignment today (Friday) at Triple-A Toledo, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Thomas fared well over 65 at-bats with Detroit this season, as he held a .292 average with four doubles and a triple, along with two stolen bases.
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| Oneli Perez has been released by the Indians, according to TribeTimeReport.com. The team also transferred Jake Westbrook to the 60-day DL following his Tommy John surgery on his elbow. |
Our View: Perez did not make an appearance in 2008, and held no fantasy value.
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| Brandon Wood has been optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake, according to ESPN.com. The team needed to make room on the roster for Chone Figgins, who has been activated from the DL. |
Our View: Wood was given 64 at-bats with the Angels this season, but failed to prove his worth as he held a .125 average, with one homer and two RBI.
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| Chone Figgins has been activated from the DL, according to ESPN.com. Brandon Wood was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake as an adjoining move. |
Our View: He will be placed back into the Angels' lineup, and should return to your roto-lineups as well. Hopefully he can put his hamstring issues behind him this time.
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| Armando Galarraga will make his 10th start of the season tonight at home in inter-league play against the Dodgers, according to MLB.com. Galarraga has fared well this season, as he is 5-2 with a 3.70 ERA and solid 1.08 WHIP. |
Our View: Galarraga has never faced the Dodgers, but was solid in his only inter-league outing this season as he allowed two runs over six innings against the D-Backs. He should be in your lineups tonight.
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| MLB.com is reporting that Esteban Loaiza is expected to be released by the White Sox today. Hurler Adam Russell is going to be called up from Triple-A Charlotte, and Loaiza is said to be cut to clear a roster spot. |
Our View: Russell was 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA at Charlotte this season, and will likely be brought in to replace Loaiza in the bullpen. Loaiza only allowed one earned run over three outings for Chicago, but his velocity only reached the low 80's.
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| Jake Westbrook underwent successful Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in Los Angeles on Thursday, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. Dr. Lewis Yocum performed the operation to transplant a tendon from his right wrist to replace the ulnar collateral ligament.
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Our View: Westbrook is expected to fly back to Cleveland today and begin physical therapy immediately at Progressive Field. Recovery time for Tommy John surgery is normally 10-14 months.
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| Joba Chamberlain's pitch count has been increased, and he will be allowed 95 in his next outing on Friday, according to Newsday. |
Our View: Most Yankees' starters go between 90 and 110 pitches per outing. So, he can now be considered a "regular" starter, but it remains to be seen if he is ready to go the distance on the mound. Tonight will be an important step for him, and he will of course be on our radar.
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| Travis Hafner may not be fully healthy when the Indians call him back into action, possibly by next weekend, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. He is recovering from a right shoulder strain, and trainer Lonnie Soloff said it would be hard to speculate if he will be fully recovered upon his return. Manager Eric Wedge added, "Hafner will be back. It's just a question of what percentage he can give us."
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Our View: Fantasy owners may want to hold off using him when he initially returns, until he proves he is worthy of a spot in the starting lineup. He was only hitting .217 with four homers over 157 at-bats prior to landing on the DL.
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| Joel Zumaya stated on Thursday that he reached 100 mph on the radar gun in a recent outing, according to the Detroit Free Press. That is amazing considering he was thinking about retirement following his shoulder surgery. |
Our View: His target date to return to the Tigers' pen is June 20, barring a setback in his recovery.
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| The White Sox are disappointed to learn that Esteban Loaiza was not working out or throwing before they signed him to a free agent contract, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Pitching coach Don Cooper said, "We weren't expecting to see what we saw here in 2003 from him, but we need to see more than what he's showing. He's pitching fine because he really knows how to pitch, but we're hoping for more and we're trying to get more. We have a schedule laid out for him. We're trying to put him on a rehab assignment in the major leagues. The jury is still out, and we would like to see more out of his fastball."
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Our View: His velocity hung between 78 and 82 mph during his outing on Wednesday. Loaiza has pitched in three games for Chicago, and allowed only one earned run, but all three have been mop-up situations.
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| Kip Wells, who is recovering from blood clots in his right hand, is scheduled to throw the first of two bullpen sessions on Saturday, according to the Denver Post. |
Our View: Live batting practice will follow next Friday. Wells plans to extend his pitch count on his rehab assignment to leave him in position to start when he returns from the DL.
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| Manager Dave Trembley commented that Luke Scott will see more action against left-handed pitchers, according to the Baltimore Sun. Trembley said, "I'm very much aware of what the rotations are for the next couple of series, and you'll see Scott play against left-handed pitchers."
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Our View: The Orioles have faced a left-handed starter in 15 games this season, and Scott has started just three of them. Thursday night was the sixth straight game against a left-handed pitcher that Scott has been out of the lineup. Scott is hitting .167 against lefties, but that is in only 30 at-bats, and he has been one of the Orioles' top sluggers as of late, as he has hits in 14 of his last 35 at-bats (.400).
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