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| Jo-Jo Reyes allowed two runs on five hits, walked two and struck out five in eight innings and the Braves defeated the Angels 5-2 on Friday night. |
Our View: The left-hander retired 14 of his last 16 batters after the Angels took a 2-1 lead on Howie Kendrick's two-out RBI double in the third.
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| The Mets bolstered their outfield on Friday night by acquiring Trot Nixon from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona gets cash or a player to be named in the deal. |
Our View: Nixon was tearing it up at Triple-A Tuscon hitting .309 with 10 homers and 31 RBI in 58 games. With Moises Alou and Ryan Church on the disabled list, Nixon could find at-bats in right field for the Mets, and soon.
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| Chipper Jones, who leads the majors with a .414 average, was scratched from the starting lineup after a suffering an accident during batting practice. He fouled off a pitch, and the ball ricocheted off the crossbar at the top of the batting cage and struck him just under his left eye.
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Our View: Jones suffered a contusion and was taken for a CT scan which was negative. The team is listing him as day-to-day.
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| Jeff Francis allowed four runs on four hits, walked three but failed to strike out a White Sox hitter in Friday's no-decision. |
Our View: Francis only allowed four hits, but he didn't have his best stuff which is evident by his lack of strike outs. Coming into the game the left-hander had struck out 60 in 77.2 innings of work, a 6.95 K Rate.
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| Todd Wellemeyer got two easy outs to start the game, but then ran into the bats of Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell who hit back-to-back-to-back home runs and the rout was on. The three consecutive home runs was the seventh time in franchise history, and the first time since May 18, 2004, against the Dodgers when Bobby Abreu, Burrell and Jim Thome connected in succession. Wellemeyer allowed eight runs on eight hits, walked three and struck out three in 3.1 innings of work. |
Our View: According to Rototimes sources Wellemeyer's velocity was down. The right-hander didn't top 92 mph on his fastball, some three ticks under his norm. The Cards right-hander missed his last start after experiencing inflammation in his right shoulder, and after tonight he's likely wishing he would have missed a second.
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| Skip Schumaker went 3-for-5 with a home run in the Friday night drubbing 20-2 drubbing at the hands of the Phillies. |
Our View: Schumaker raised his average over the .300 mark the home run was his third of the season.
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| Kyle Kendrick pitched seven strong innings and contributed two hits and an RBI and the Phillies had a season-high 21 hits in a 20-2 victory over the Cardinals on Friday night. The right-hander allowed two runs on eight hits, walked one and struck out one for his sixth win of the season. |
Our View: Kendrick lowered his ERA to 4.54 -- and while it wasn't pretty at times -- the second-year starter had such a big lead he was simply pitching to contact and letting his defense do the rest.
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| Ryan Howard went 3-for-5 and hit his 16th home run off Cardinals starter Todd Wellemeyer, a game that saw the Philadelphia rout St. Louis 20-2 on Friday night. |
Our View: Howard added a three-run shot in the sixth off Mark Worrell for his 14th career multihomer game, the second this season.
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| Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell hit consecutive home runs in the first inning, and the Phillies went on to win a 20-2 marathon contest over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night. |
Our View: Utley hit his major league-leading 22nd homer in a game that was Cardinal-ugly from the first-to-the-ninth inning. Utley went 2-for-3 with two runs, three RBI and a walk.
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| Oliver Perez pitched seven strong innings and the New York Mets beat the Texas Rangers 7-1 on Friday night at Shea. Perez also helped his cause by driving in two runs. Perez allowed one run on three hits, walked three and struck out eight. |
Our View: The southpaw has his best stuff in game one of a three-game series against the hard-hitting Rangers. Josh Hamilton lined an 0-1 pitch over the left-field wall with two out in the first, and then Perez didn't allow another hit until Texas starting pitcher Scott Feldman recorded his first career hit in the sixth.
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| Derek Lowe suffered his sixth loss of the season on Friday night as the Dodgers fell 5-0 to the Detroit Tigers. The sinkerballer gave up three runs, two earned, on eight hits in seven innings. |
Our View: Lowe is pitching about as good as he can. He didn't walk a batter, struck out five and received very little defensive support in the loss. Two of the eight hits, home runs, didn't help his cause.
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| Matt Stairs hit his eighth home run of the season helping A.J. Burnett win for the first time in four starts as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Cubs 3-2 on Friday night.
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Our View: Stairs drove in two of the Jays three runs and now has 25 RBI on the season.
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| Adam Dunn hit a solo home run on Friday night and the Reds beat the Red Sox 3-1 in interleague play. |
Our View: Dunn launched his 17th home run of the season and continues his hot late May and early June. The big left fielder is hitting a home run every 12 times at bat.
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| Jay Bruce hit a solo home run on Friday night helping the Reds to a 3-1 interleague victory over the Red Sox. |
Our View: The home run was Bruce's fourth in 68 at-bats.
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| Aaron Harang bounced back from a long stretch of poor starts and won his first game since May 12. The right-hander was coming off his worst performance of the season were he gave up eight runs in 5 1/3 innings of a 9-2 loss in Florida on Sunday. Harrang allowed one run on four hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out seven Red Sox over seven innings. |
Our View: Harang lowered his ERA to 4.10 and won his third game against nine losses.
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| According to the team website Albert Pujols said he will be back in the Cardinals' lineup in two weeks.
Pujols strained his left calf while running to first base against the Reds on Tuesday. |
Our View: Initially, team doctors said Pujols would miss at least three weeks, but he is staying optimistic he can come off the disabled list as soon as possible.
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| Wily Mo Pena will serve as the Nationals designated hitter in game one of the three-game series in Seattle this weekend. |
Our View: Pena is expected to get additional playing time in the two road series against American League Seattle and Minnesota.
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| Alberto Gonzalez was recalled from Triple-A Scranton on Friday and reserve first baseman Shelly Duncan was optioned to the clubs top affiliate. |
Our View: Gonzalez' versatility will be needed as the Yankees head out for 16 straight games against National League teams.
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| Billy Buckner was recalled from Triple-A Tuscon on Friday and Max Scherzer was optioned to the team top affiliate. |
Our View: Buckner started 14 games for the Sidewinders, going 4-5 with a 4.48 ERA. His fantasy value rests in deep NL-only formats that reward holds.
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| The Diamondbacks optioned rookie right-hander Max Scherzer to Triple-A Tucson on Friday.
The D-backs finished their road trip in New York by playing two consecutive extra-innings affairs where they were forced to use eight pitchers for 12 innings, and according to the team website, manager Bob Melvin wanted to bring up some fresh arms. He also make it clear that Scherzer's demotion had nothing to do with his performance during his first Major League stint. |
Our View: There were huge FAAB dollars spent on Max after his perfect relief appearance against the Astros and the announcement he would enter the Arizona rotation in May. But after Doug Davis returned to the rotation and Scherzer was sent to the bullpen, the big dollars spent on the D'backs right-hander doesn't appear to be money well spent.
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| Jason Schmidt has apparently suffered a setback in his rehab from right shoulder surgery, this according to the team website.
Manager Joe Torre said Schmidt's Minor League rehabilitation assignment will not be resumed next week as previously announced, and that trainer Stan Conte told him the club will continue to go slow with Schmidt. The report noted that the right-hander is experiencing discomfort in his surgically repaired shoulder. |
Our View: Schmidt's career likely won't be anything near what it was in San Francisco. The 35-year old underwent career-threatening shoulder surgery 51 weeks ago and his rehab hasn't progressed as the Dodgers, or Schmidt's fantasy owners had hoped.
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| Luis Castillo is back in the starting lineup on Friday night against the Texas Rangers in the second set of interleague games. |
Our View: Castillo was given Thursday afternoon off in the loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks and Dan Haren.
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| Jake Peavy didn't complain of any soreness after needing only 72 pitches to get through his six innings against the Dodgers on Thursday night, this according to the team website. The Cy Young winner struck out four and didn't walk a batter in his first start since May 14. |
Our View:
Peavy (5-3, 2.64) will make his next start on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium, meaning he will get the benefit of an extra day of rest with the Padres' off-day Monday.
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| Bill Hall is getting another start at second base in Friday's first game of a three-game series against the American League Twins. Hall is hitting seventh in the batting order. |
Our View: Hall hasn't been effective against right-handed pitching but he's in the lineup against Minnesota's Kevin Slowey.
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| Surprisingly Mike Lamb is starting at third base as the Twins play an interleague game in Milwaukee. Lamb is 0-for-10 against Brewers starting pitcher Dave Bush. |
Our View: This speaks volumes about the limited bench the Twins have, and why they are at the bottom of the league in runs scored and extra base hits.
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| Derrek Lee is serving as the Cubs designated hitter in tonight's interleague game against the Toronto Blue Jays. |
Our View: Micah Hoffpauir is getting the start at first base. This gives the Cubs another left-handed bat in the lineup against hard-throwing A.J. Burnett.
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| Luis Gonzalez is serving as the Marlins designated hitter today in their interleague game against intrastate rival, the Tampa Bay Rays. |
Our View: The veteran doesn't move as well as he used to in the outfield, but he can still hit. Gonzo is batting .275 with five home runs, 25 RBI and 18 runs scored in 182 at-bats.
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| Cory Sullivan was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday. The outfielder has been with the big club since May 25. |
Our View: The Roks have Holliday and others back since Sullivan was recalled. He will work with his teammates at Colorado's top affiliate until his services are needed again.
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| The Colorado Rockies activated Jason Hirsh (shoulder) from the 60-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday. |
Our View: Hirsh will work with the team's top affiliate for now, but he's expected to return to the Rockies rotation as soon as next week.
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| Brian Lawrence made his debut with the Richmond Braves on Thursday, this according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Lawrence allowed three runs on six hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings. |
Our View: After a rough two-run first inning, he retired 13 of the next 15 hitters. Given the state of affairs for the Braves pitching staff, Lawrence is on his way to the bigs for another go-around.
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| With Atlanta's bullpen performing poorly the Richmond Times-Dispatch suggests it could mean a quicker return for reliever Mike Gonzalez . The left-hander, coming back from ligament transplant surgery in his elbow, has pitched two rehab assignments that have been impressive.
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Our View: Gonzalez allowed one hit and one walk -- and produced a key strikeout -- in one inning last night. With Raphael Soriano's elbow not right, and John Smoltz out for the season, Gonzalez could be on a fast track to the closer role in Atlanta. Owners with bench space might want to gamble on the onetime closer and play the "wait and see" game.
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| The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the Braves picked up some bullpen insurance by signing former Baltimore and Cleveland reliever Jorge Julio on Friday. The team assigning him to Triple-A Richmond and he is scheduled to join the R-Braves today. |
Our View: Julio was released by Cleveland 11 days ago (0-0, 5.60 ERA). Julio had 83 saves with the Orioles from 2002-04.
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| Newsday reports that Robinson Cancel has been recalled by the Mets and Moises Alou was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left calf. |
Our View: The move is not retroactive because Cancel was recalled within a 10 day period. This speaks volumes to the health of Alou, meaning he could be out for an extended period of time.
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| Al Reyes has landed back on the DL due to shoulder tendinitis, according to the Tampa Tribune. He previously spent time on the DL for the same ailment, and is going to make sure he "gets it right for the rest of the season." The DL move opens up a spot for Troy Percical. |
Our View: Shoulder problems are tricky, and he could be out for a while this time. Grant Balfour and Gary Glover will remain in the bullpen.
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| Willie Randolph is believed to be on his way out as the manager of the Mets, as was said by columnist Jon Heyman on WFAN's "Mike and the Mad Dog" radio show (and displayed on the NY Post). Heyman said, "Willie's on very thin ice, I don't think there's any other way to put it. I've heard he's going to survive today. I'm not sure why that is, why not fired today, it could just be logisitcal something or other, but the higher-ups met yesterday."
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Our View: The Mets are a disappointing 31-34 and are not playing up to high expectations as preseason contenders.
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| Left-handed pitcher Wilfredo Ledezma cleared waivers on Thursday and will start for Triple-A Portland, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Ledezma allowed 25 runs, 43 hits, and 30 walks over 44.2 innings this season, and holds no fantasy value.
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| Josh Banks, who is 2-0 with a 0.39 ERA, is set to make his third start of the season tonight against the Indians, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Banks, who was claimed off waivers from the Jays last month, threw 22 straight scoreless innings with the Padres, which is a franchise record for a pitcher to start his career. Keep him active in your lineup against the Tribe.
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| Oliver Perez will be on the hill when the Mets host the Rangers tonight in inter-league play, according to MLB.com. Perez is 4-4 with 5.37 ERA and poor 1.59 WHIP over 13 starts this season. |
Our View: Perez is hurting fantasy teams with his high ERA and WHIP, and cannot be counted on as a solid source for strikeouts, as he racked up four or less in eight of his 13 starts. Keep him on the bench against a potent Rangers' lineup.
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| Righty reliever Marino Salas has been recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He takes the place of Bryan Bullington on the roster, who was optioned back to Indianapolis. |
Our View: This will be his second dance with the Pirates this season. He is not worth fantasy consideration, as he allowed seven runs, 13 hits, and seven walks over nine innings in his previous stint.
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| Tom Glavine's MRI revealed that he has a small tear in his flexor tendon, according to the AP. GM Frank Wren stated that he will likely be out until around the All-Star break. |
Our View: Glavine's elbow was giving him problems for a about a month, and he held a 2-3 record over 12 starts, with a 4.85 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. This is a tough loss to the Braves' rotation, but he wasn't much of a factor as a fantasy hurler.
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| Following shoulder surgery, John Smoltz stated that he wants to pitch again, according to the AP. Smoltz said he hopes to know more about his chances when he is first able to throw again in four or five months.
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Our View: The doctors found significant damage in his right shoulder during the surgery earlier this week, and he will be 42-years old before he has a shot of coming back.
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| Phil Dumatrait will make his ninth start of the season tonight against the Orioles at Camden Yards, according to MLB.com. The Pirates are notably 7-1 when he starts, and he is 3-3 with a 3.44 ERA and passable 1.41 WHIP. |
Our View: He is steadily establishing himself as the best hurler in the Pirates' rotation, and has allowed two or less earned runs in four straight starts. He is worth a look if you need help in your fantasy rotation.
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| Manager John Russell commented that Ryan Doumit could see time at DH during their inter-league stint that begins today against Baltimore and ends June 29 against the Rays, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Russell wants to give him some rest from his catching duties, but doesn't want to take his hot bat out of the lineup, which will agree with fantasy owners. Doumit belted four home runs over his last three games.
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| Alfonso Soriano is optimistic he can return from the DL sooner than the Cubs' projected six weeks, according to the Boston Globe. He is on the shelf with a broken left ring finger and stated, "We'll see how it is in two weeks. They say it's a little broke. They said six weeks, but we'll see what happens. I'm going to do treatment every day, hopefully I'm back soon."
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Our View: The team will get a more accurate idea of when he can return when he has his splint removed in three weeks.
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| Derek Lowe will be aiming to even up his record to 5-5 when the Dodgers battle the Tigers at Comerica Park tonight, according to MLB.com. Lowe is 4-5 this season with a 4.15 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. |
Our View: The former member of the Red Sox and Mariners is 7-1 with a 1.82 ERA lifetime against the Tigers. Lowe has only allowed a total of six earned runs over his last four starts, and is pitching better than his record would dictate. He is worth consideration for your lineups tonight.
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| Troy Glaus is enjoying a power surge as he has belted six home runs over his last 12 games, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: He should remain in your lineup while he is hot, especially tonight against the Phillies' Kyle Kendrick, who has allowed eight homers over 13 starts.
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| Kyle Kendrick will take the hill at St. Louis tonight, according to MLB.com. Kendrick is 5-2 with a 4.87 ERA and poor 1.49 WHIP over 13 starts this season, but is 2-0 lifetime against the Cardinals. |
Our View: Kedrick had a handful of solid starts this season, but has been erratic overall, as he allowed four or more earned runs in four outings. He remains a risky fantasy option despite a good record against St. Louis.
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| Todd Wellemeyer will be seeking his eighth win of the season when the Cardinals host the Phillies tonight, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Wellemeyer skipped his last scheduled start after experiencing inflammation in his right elbow following a start at Washington on June 5, but he is good to go and feels fine, and should be in your lineups for tonight. He is 7-1 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.
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| David Riske, who is recovering from a hyperextended right elbow, threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session on Thursday, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. |
Our View: He mixed in some splitters during the 35-pitch session and is scheduled to throw batting practice Saturday, and could make an appearance with Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, possibly making him available to the Brewers sometime next week. He will provide depth to the Brewers' pen, but held a 4.71 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 21 innings, and does not merit fantasy consideration.
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| Jorge De La Rosa was held out of Thursday's game, but Manager Clint Hurdle said that he will be the starter for Saturday's inter-league battle against the White Sox, according to the Denver Post. |
Our View: De La Rosa will be making a spot start in place of Glendon Rusch, who was shipped to Triple-A. De La Rosa should not be considered for your lineup on Saturday, as he holds a 8.13 ERA and 1.70 WHIP over 27.2 innings, and will be facing a potent Chicago lineup on their home field.
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| Troy Tulowitzki commented on his first rehab game, according to Denver Post. The start shortstop said, "It felt real good. It's nice to be back on the field playing again." |
Our View: He has targeted a week from today (Friday) as his return date. Hopefully he will find his swing when he comes back, as he was only hitting .152 with one homer over 26 games prior to landing on the DL.
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| Mike Hampton, who is recovering from a strained left pectoral, is set to pitch to Braves' hitters today (in Anaheim), in either batting practice or in a simulated game, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. |
Our View: This is yet another step in his comeback bid. He hasn't faced hitters in five weeks since reinjuring his pectoral muscle, and hasn't pitched in the majors in 34 months.
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| Tom Glavine underwent an MRI on his ailing pitching elbow on Thursday, and the team is expected to disclose the results today, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. |
Our View: Glavine admitted that his elbow hurt for about a month and worsened after his last two starts.
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| Rafael Soriano is scheduled to visit the doctor that peformed his Tommy John Surgery, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. His lingering elbow soreness has weakened the Braves' pen for the course of the season, and he wants to get some answers during his visit with Dr. Lewis Yocum this weekend (in Los Angeles). |
Our View: Soriano's MRI last month showed no ligament damage in his ailing elbow, but is expected to undergo more tests to determine what is causing his recurring soreness. Hopefully, the Braves can get Mike Gonzalez into action soon to help solidify the pen.
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