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| Francisco Rodriguez nailed down his 28th save as he fired a hitless ninth inning, with two strikeouts, in Sunday's 2-0 win against the Braves. |
Our View: K-Rod has 29 strikeouts over 31 innings, and has converted 24-straight save opportunities.
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| Joe Saunders hurled 7.1 scoreless innings, with six hits allowed, in Sunday's 2-0 win over Atlanta, with no walks and three strikeouts. |
Our View: Saunders improves to 10-3 and trimmed his ERA to 3.06. He was rocked for eight runs in his previous start (against Tampa Bay), but bounced back nicely tonight.
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| Catcher Curtis Thigpen has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, according to TSN.ca. The team needed to make room on the roster for Gregg Zaun, who was activated from the DL following his bout with a right elbow injury. |
Our View: Thigpen only registered six at-bats (one hit) during his brief stint with Toronto, and held no fantasy value.
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| Gary Sheffield, who is recovering from a strained left oblique, will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Lakeland Monday night, according to BlessYouBoys.com. |
Our View: Manager Jim Leyland commented that he is going to let Sheffield tell the team when he feels ready to return. At that time, Jeff Larish will likely be shipped back to Triple-A Toledo.
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| Nick Blackburn's next start will be pushed back to Saturday due to soreness located in the back of his left elbow, according to MLB.com. Blackburn commented that he first felt soreness in the back of his elbow against the Yankees on June 1, which was the game he was hit in the face by a line drive. He added, "It's just like any other aching that goes on usually during the season. We were able to keep it under control and not have to miss any starts. It's not really a big deal, but they just want to take advantage of this off-day."
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Our View: Blackburn was scheduled to take the mound on Tuesday, but the Twins will use Monday's off-day to shift him to the back of the rotation. Livan Hernandez will now be moved up to start on Tuesday against Washington, with Kevin Slowey going on Wednesday, Glen Perkins on Thursday and Scott Baker on Friday. Blackburn will face the Diamondbacks on Saturday.
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| David DeJesus went 3-for-5 and racked up five RBI in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Diamondbacks. He hit a single, a double, and a three-run homer. |
Our View: DeJesus reached a season-high in RBI, and is hitting .345 (19-for-55) in June.
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| Gil Meche allowed three earned runs on four hits over 7.1 innings in Sunday's 8-3 win over Arizona, with one walk and 10 strikeouts. |
Our View: That was the ninth time that he allowed three or less earned runs, yet he is only 4-8 for the season. He reached a season-high in strikeouts tonight as well.
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| Ichiro Suzuki went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Sunday's 6-2 loss to Washington. |
Our View: He raised his batting average a few points to .295, and is hitting .340 (18-for-53) in June.
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| Jarrod Washburn allowed two earned runs on eight hits over six innings in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Nationals in inter-league play, with four walks and two strikeouts. He ended his night with a no-decision. |
Our View: That was the sixth time that he allowed two or less earned runs in a game this season, but still holds a 2-7 record with a 5.83 ERA.
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| Paul Konerko's strained muscle in his left rib cage could land him on the 15-day DL, according to the Chicago Tribune. Skipper Ozzie Guillen said, "When you've got the problem with the rib cage, I hope for the best, but I'm not too optimistic about it because I know how the thing can be. We're going to make a decision Tuesday to see what we'll do."
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Our View: Nick Swisher would likely cover first base if Konerko goes on the shelf. The team could potentially call up speedy outfielder Jerry Owens to man center field in Swisher's place.
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| Josh Hamilton went 1-for-4 and claimed his 73rd RBI of the season in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Mets in the second game of a double-header. |
Our View: Hamilton is also hitting .314 with 18 homers, and 12 of his 73 RBI have come in June.
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| Kason Gabbard, who was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma, did not fare well in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Mets in the bottom half of a double-header, as he allowed four earned runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings, with three walks and four strikeouts. |
Our View: Gabbard has allowed at least four earned runs in four straight starts, and is not worthy of fantasy consideration.
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| Eric Chavez went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI in Sunday's 5-3 victory against the Giants. All three of his hits were singles. |
Our View: That was his third multi-RBI game of June, and he raised his season average to .291.
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| Dana Eveland only allowed one earned run on six hits over 6.2 innings of work in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Giants, with three walks and five strikeouts. |
Our View: The lefty hurler evened his record to 5-5, and lowered his ERA to 3.56. He has now allowed three or less earned runs in seven of his last eight outings.
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| Jermaine Dye went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 5-3 defeat to the Rockies in Chicago. |
Our View: That was his first homer since June 6, and his second in the month. He only has six RBI in June as well, and was only hitting .235 for the month heading into tonight's contest.
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| Jose Contreras surrendered four runs (three earned) on seven hits over 6.2 innings in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Rockies, with two walks and four strikeouts. |
Our View: Contreras has been rock solid for most of the season, but is now 6-5, and has fallen off track, as he has now allowed nine earned runs over his last two starts. He should remain active in your lineups, and hopefully he can bounce back in his next outing.
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| Alex Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in Sunday's 13-0 win over Houston. |
Our View: A-Rod has now homered in back-to-back games, with five of his 12 blasts coming in June. He also racked up 16 RBI in the month so far.
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| Chien-Ming Wang hurled five scoreless innings, with six hits allowed, in Sunday's 13-0 blowout win over the Astros, with no walks and three strikeouts. He was forced out of action due to a foot injury, but went long enough to earn his eighth victory of the season. |
Our View: He has only allowed one earned run over his last two starts, and that was the third time he left the game with no runs surrendered.
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| Eric Hinske went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Marlins. |
Our View: He has 12 homers for the season, and that was his second in June. He is worth a look in AL-only leagues if you need depth in your outfield.
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| Edwin Jackson was lit up for six earned runs on five hits over five innings in Sunday's nightmarish 9-3 loss to the Marlins, with three walks and one strikeout. All of the damage came on a pair of three-runs homers, one by Wes Helms and the other by Mike Jacobs. |
Our View: He has allowed at least four earned runs in four straight starts, and fell to 4-6 for the season, with 4.46 ERA. He should remain on your bench, and hopefully he can regain the magic he had at the start of the season.
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| Mike Jacobs went 2-for-5 with a three-run homer in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Rays. |
Our View: Five of his 16 homers have come in June, along with 13 RBI. He has notched an RBI in three straight games.
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| Chien-Ming Wang is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, according to the Journal News. Manager Joe Girardi commented that he would be shocked if Wang made his next scheduled start. |
Our View: The Yankees said Wang sustained a sprained foot Sunday, not his Achilles tendon or ankle. Wang is reportedly in a lot of pain, and the team won't know how bad the ailment is until tomorrow or Tuesday.
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| Jason Kubel went 1-for-3 with a solo homer in Sunday's 4-2 loss to Milwaukee. |
Our View: He has 10 home runs for the season, with four coming in June. He also recorded an RBI in five of his last eight games.
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| Scott Baker gave up three earned runs on seven hits over six innings in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Brewers, with two walks and nine strikeouts. |
Our View: Baker fell to 2-2 over nine starts, with a 3.71 ERA. This was his highest strikeout total for the season, and allowed two or less earned runs over his previous three starts. He is having a solid season and should bounce back fine.
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| Hank Blalock, who is recovering from carpal tunnel syndrome surgery on his right wrist, is set to begin his rehab assignment on Monday with Triple-A Oklahoma, according to the AP.
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Our View: Blalock hopes to be activated from the DL next Friday, and could happen if his rehab stint goes well without a setback. He will man first base upon his return.
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| Aquilino Lopez has been optioned to Triple-A Toledo, according to the AP. The Tigers will activate setup man Fernando Rodney as an adjoining move, likely on Monday. |
Our View: Lopez held his own with the Tigers, as he maintained a 2.67 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 33.2 innings.
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| Marcus Thames went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's close 5-4 win over the Dodgers. |
Our View: That was his 10th homer of the season, and he has now hit one in three straight games, and in four of his last five.
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| Nate Robertson fired six scoreless innings, with only four hits allowed, in Sunday's 5-4 victory against the Dodgers, with no walks and three strikeouts. |
Our View: Robertson improves to 5-6 for the season, and trimmed his ERA to 5.46. That was only the second time this season that he didn't issue a walk in a start, and the first time he exited with no runs allowed, but he remains a risky fantasy option.
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| Aubrey Huff went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh. |
Our View: He has 10 homers and 36 RBI this season, and has been a favorable performer for AL-only leagues.
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| Daniel Cabrera allowed four earned runs on six hits over six innings in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Pirates, with five walks and two strikeouts. |
Our View: Cabrera has now allowed 16 earned runs over his last three starts, and his five walks today tied his second worst tally of the season.
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| Paul Konerko was scratched from Sunday's lineup due to a strained left oblique muscle, according to the AP. |
Our View: Konerko was out of the lineup earlier in the week, and the team did not disclose the reason. The severity of his oblique ailment is yet to be determined.
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| Chien-Ming Wang has suffered an apparent leg injury during Sunday's game against the Astros, according to the AP. Wang ran hard around third base and scored on a Derek Jeter single during the sixth inning. Wang then pulled up lame as he crossed the plate, was bent over in pain, and had to be escorted off the field by teammates.
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Our View: No further information is available at this time. We will keep you posted regarding the severity of his ailment.
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| Josh Beckett received plenty of run support in his first career victory over the Reds, who hit him hard the two times he faced them with Florida. Beckett allowed six hits, walked two and struck out six over seven scoreless innings.
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Our View: Beckett won his seventh game against four losses and improved his ERA from 4.22 to 3.87 in the effort.
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| Kevin Millwood allowed two runs on five hits, walked four and struck out five in a 8-7 win over the New York Mets. |
Our View: Millwood bounced back from a poor performance against Kansas City earlier in the week and earned his fifth win of the season.
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| Jesse Litsch allowed five runs on eight hits, walked one and struck out two in a 7-4 loss to the Cubs on Sunday afternoon. |
Our View: Litsch did a better job with his command, something he has struggled with in his last two starts, but caught too much of the plate for most of the game.
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| Gregg Zaun hit a eighth inning pinch-hit home run off the Cubs reliever Neil Cotts, but it wasn't enough as the Blue Jays dropped their second straight to the Cubs 7-4 on Sunday afternoon. |
Our View: The home run by Zaun was only his third of the season and his first from the right side of the plate.
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| Ben Francisco hit a three run home run off Greg Maddux in the third inning of Sunday's 7-3 win over the San Diego Padres. |
Our View: The home run was Francisco's fourth in 150 at bats this season.
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| Grady Sizemore hit his 17th home run of the season helping the Indians to a 7-3 win over the Padres on Sunday afternoon. |
Our View: The home run was Sizemore's third in the three-game series against the Padres. The Indians' center field now has 40 RBI and 44 runs scored on the season. However, the home run was his only hit and lowered his average to .265.
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| Mike Aviles, who collected four hits and four runs as the Royals beat the Diamondbacks 12-3 on Saturday, is hitting in the the No. 2 spot for the second straight game.
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Our View: Aviles is the new starting shortstop for the Royals, and while he doesn't have the defensive attributes of Tony Pena, he's much more of a threat at the plate.
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| Jason Varitek returned to the starting lineup after missing three games to strep throat.
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Our View: Varitek was available as a pinch-hitter and emergency catcher.
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| Melvin Mora was penciled in as the Orioles starting third baseman today, but his left knee remains sore and was scratched off the lineup card, this according to the Baltimore Sun. He expects to play Tuesday. |
Our View: Aubrey Huff replaced Mora in the lineup and started at third base.
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| Oscar Salazar is penciled in as the starting first baseman for the Orioles today and is hitting seventh in the batting order. |
Our View: Kevin Millar fouled a pitch off his knee last week and was hurt running out a grounder versus the Red Sox. He's been gimpy ever since. Millar is serving as the designated hitter against Lefty Paul Maholm and the Pirates today.
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| Brent Clevlen is starting today in place of regular center fielder Curtis Granderson. Clevlen was far from productive in both 2006 and 2007, but hit .324/.417/.620 with 13 homers and 55 RBI in 58 games at Triple-A before being called up earlier in the month. |
Our View: Clevlen starts in center field and is hitting ninth in the Tigers lineup against Dodgers' rookie southpaw Clayton Kershaw.
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| With 14 steals in 17 attempts owners in shallow formats in need of stolen bases might find Jason Bartlett available in the free agent pool. If the shortstop can get his plate discipline up to last year’s levels, which could happen as the weather warms, he will have even more opportunities. |
Our View: Bartlett is available in over 50 percent of traditional formats, and can be had in most mixed formats with 10-teams or less.
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| Bartolo Colon has pitched well since being called up from Pawtucket, but he's also and injury risk for those who are counting on him for the long haul this summer. His 6.8 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 are over-the-top good, and his velocity is where it was during a stellar stretch early last year with the Angels. |
Our View: He has won four of his first five starts, but the Boston offense isn't what it was without David Ortiz, and the unit has been pedestrian on the road. Counting on Colon to stay healthy, and get the offensive support he has in his first five starts is asking a lot. Selling high, or at least finding what the market will bare, would be advised.
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| Jeremy Reed fielded balls at first base Saturday afternoon before batting practice, something manager John McLaren told the Seattle Times was in anticipation of playing in National League parks when the Mariners won't have a designated hitter. |
Our View: The team will play at Atlanta starting June 20 and the staff wants to keep their options open in preperation for batting the pitcher and going without a designated hitter. It doesn't mean that Reed will see action at first base.
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| The Rangers recalled Kason Gabbard from Triple-A Oklahoma on Saturday night.
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Our View: Gabbard will start the second game of today's double header at Shea. Kevin Millwood takes the mound against John Maine in the first.
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| Shaun Marcum deserves better than his 5-3 record. He's pitched better than the mark too. His 2.43 ERA, 7.8 K/9, 2.5 BB/9 tell fantasy managers everything they need to know about the Jays right-hander. He's an ace in waiting. |
Our View: The 26-year old in on the verge of overtaking Roy Halladay as the team ace, and it's just a matter of time before he receives the run support to earn some weekly and monthly league honors.
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| Mariano Rivera is 38-years old but rarely is he thought of as old, or past his prime. In fact the right-hander is showing no indication he is regressing as a pitcher. The Yanks closer is 18 for 18 in saves; and his 0.87 ERA, 9.3 K/9 and 0.9 BB/9 can't be ignored. |
Our View: After watching Papelbon blow his third save of the season on Saturday, to match his total of 2007, it's hard to consider him the automatic he was in April or even the top closer in the game without mentioning Rivera.
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| Seattle LHP Erik Bedard wasn't dominating, but he pitched well enough for the win. The relief pitching failed to secure such reward as Seattle fell 5-2 to Washington. Bedard pitched six innings to allow two runs (both earned) on nine hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. |
Our View: Bedard has been a bit up and down lately, but losing starts like this to no-decisions is disappointing to say the least.
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| The Mariners suffered the 5-2 loss versus Washington in interleague action today, though third baseman Adrian Beltre made a bit of noise. Beltre went 1-for-3 with one walk and his 14th homer of the season, good for one RBI and one run scored on the day. |
Our View: Beltre came in hitting an abysmal .150 for the month of June, and while tonight didn't help that effort, it could get him back on track with the power surge.
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