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| Tim Lincecum allowed five hits and three walks in permitting four runs over seven innings against the Tigers in a no-decision on Monday night. |
Our View: Lincecum's night was ruined by two pitches, both of which were deposited in the left center field seats by Marcus Thames. This was just the second outing on the year that "The Franchise" had allowed more than three earned runs as his ERA rose to 2.21.
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| Nomar Garciaparra (strained calf) has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: With Rafael Fucal still on the DL, and Chin-lung Hu on the Triple-A disable list, Garciaparra will likely play shortstop when he is activated from the DL, possibly by the weekend if all goes well.
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| Brad Penny had an MRI on his ailing shoulder and the good news is that no structural damage was found, according to MLB.com. Penny will miss his next scheduled start on Friday, but beyond that there is no word. |
Our View: Chan Ho Park will likely make the start or the team could turn to Eric Stults of Triple-A. Regardless, Penny could still be headed for the DL as he has looked like a pitching machine of late, so even if there isn't a serious problem he would likely benefit from some time off.
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| Chipper Jones entered the game on Monday in a 2-for-15 slump and emerged from the matchup with the Rockies sporting two hits and two RBI. |
Our View: The resent slump has Chipper's average down to .403, but he continues to come through in roughly two out of every five at-bats from the middle of the Braves order.
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| Jair Jurrjens improved to 7-3 after holding the Rockies scoreless for 7.2 innings on Monday night. |
Our View: This was a great bounce back effort for a guy who was torched for 20 hits and 11 runs his last two outings. Jurrjens is still an above average pitcher, so don't let the previous two outings sway your from having faith in the right hander that the Tigers sorely wish they had held on to.
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| Ubaldo Jimenez held the Braves scoreless for four innings before they finally got to him in the fifth inning to send him to his seventh loss of the year as they scored three runs (two earned). |
Our View: Jimenez needed 110 pitches to make it through the evening as he struck out seven while issuing five walks. His stuff is elite, his control sub par and the results are predictably poor.
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| Jimmy Rollins lead off the Phillies game on Monday with a home run on his way to three hits, two runs and three RBI against the Red Sox. |
Our View: Rollins is back in full destruction mode for the Phillies and he is primed to really take off as the summer months are nearly upon us.
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| Cole Hamels held the mighty Red Sox lineup to just two runs, on back-to-back solo home runs to Dustin Pedroia and J.D. Drew, in his seventh victory of the season. Hamels struck out five while allowing seven hits over seven innings. |
Our View: Hamels continues to throw quality start after quality start with no sign of letting up. We are always concerned about his ability to stay healthy and throw 200 innings, but as long as he is healthy he should continue to function as a top-20 hurler.
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| Ryan Howard had another big night on Monday night as he hit two opposite field home runs on his way to three hits and four RBI for the Phillies. |
Our View: Howard has nine hits over the last four games during which time he has gone deep four times with 13 RBI thanks to three games in the stretch with four, four and five RBI. He might only be hitting .224, but the 19 home runs and 62 RBI are certainly strong enough to help one overlook that average.
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| Dan Uggla has 19 home runs which puts him on pace to challenge the franchise record of 42 set by Gary Sheffield in 1996, according to MLB.com. "Anytime anybody hits 40, it's a feat, no matter where you're playing," Uggla said. "To do it at Dolphin Stadium, it says a lot. You play half your games in a non-hitter-friendly ballpark." |
Our View: Uggla has been one of the best power hitters in the game as we approach the mid-point of the season as in addition to the home runs he has scored a ton of runs scored (52) while knocking a whole boatload in as well (48).
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| Brian Fuentes has taken over the closers role in Colorado from Manny Corpas and not looked back, according to MLB.com. "I'm very confident that I'm going to get the job done, but I try not to be borderline cocky," Fuentes said. |
Our View: Fuentes, who has been rumored to potentially be on the move before the trade deadline, has 11 saves and a 2.20 ERA since taking back the closers role on April 24th marking him, yet again, as one of the better second shelf closers in the National League.
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| Fred Lewis is the Giants leadoff hitter, but he is acutely aware of some of the issues he has at the plate that might preclude him from excelling in the role long-term, according to MLB.com. "I'm not trying to get too deep in the count. I tend to strike out a lot," he said. |
Our View: It's nice to see a player being self critical (he has 63 K in 69 games). Lewis is right, he should be hitting lower in the order at this point of his career, but with few other options, Lewis is doing his best to help the squad. He has value in mixed leagues with his speed, but he is really only an asset in NL Only leagues.
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| Jorge De La Rosa threw five shutout innings on Saturday, and as a result he will make another start for the club likely on Thursday, according to MLB.com. "We gave him another opportunity, and he came back and he stepped up," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We'll see what kind of command he has, see if he can repeat that type of performance..." |
Our View: De La Rosa was impressive in his last start, but that shouldn't cause you to get all giddy when looking at his overall performance this season. You could catch lightning in a bottle, but that is likely only a chance worth taking in NL Only leagues.
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| Tim Hudson is on schedule to make his start against the Rangers on Tuesday, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. |
Our View: Hudson had to be removed from his last start due to cramps and dehydration, an issue that he has dealt with from time to time. He appears to be in fine shape at the moment, though starting in Texas against a potent Rangers lineup will certainly be a challenge.
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| Mike Hampton is headed to the Braves complex in Orlando where he is scheduled to make two starts for the rookie league Gulf Coast Braves, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. |
Our View: If these two outings go well, Hampton would then be sent to higher minor league levels to continue to rehab his injured pectoral muscle. Of course, he could injure himself picking up the phone or answering an email, so it would behoove you to take a wait and see approach.
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| Troy Tulowitzki will head to Triple-A Colorado in the next step of his comeback from a left quadriceps injury, according to the Associated Press. “I’m excited,” Tulowitzki said. “I know it’s getting close. I’m crossing my fingers—hopefully everything goes OK and I’m here with the guys on Friday.” |
Our View: Tulowitzki obviously hopes to return to the Rockies for the weekend, and his return will be a huge boost to a team that is suddenly almost completely healthy. Tulo was 4-for-12 at Modesto as he looks to put behind him the memories of an early season swoon that resulted in a .152 average over 26 games with the Rockies.
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| Clint Barmes (knee) will begin his rehab assignment on Tuesday at Triple-A Colorado, according to the Associated Press. “The biggest thing I’m doing is just testing my knee,” Barmes said. “If I can play on that, then there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be right back up here.” |
Our View: Barmes hopes to be ready to return to the Rockies soon, as does shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Barmes was hitting .343 before the injury, and would have to battle to reclaim a significant role in the infield given that Tulo will be back to take over his spot at shortstop.
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| Updating an earlier report, Mike Gonzalez (elbow) will be returning to the Braves on Tuesday and will join the active roster on Wednesday, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "He's throwing good, they say," said manager Bobby Cox. "Hopefully we can count on him for the very end — eighth and ninth. If he's back to his old form, it's a huge plus." |
Our View: With all the injuries in the Braves pen there certainly would appear to be an opportunity for Gonzalez to work his way into the closers role in short order if he displays his old form. He allowed just one earned run in 11 innings with one walk and 12 K in Triple-A, so he appears to be throwing the ball very well at the moment.
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| Jason Kendall has enjoyed his time in Milwaukee and has been just what the Brewers had hoped for, according to MLB.com. "He's been better than we thought," GM Doug Melvin said. "The one question we had was, is he going to throw people out?" |
Our View: Kendall has thrown out 42.5% of runners, a tremendous improvement over last year, and he is once again on pace for 140 games played. Kendall offers next to nothing in terms of run potential, but he is still a useful play in points leagues and a solid #2 catcher in deep mixed leagues.
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| Colby Rasmus continues to remain positive with his attitude despite the fact that his play at Triple-A this year has been suspect, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Rasmus is hitting only .245 after a slow start with 10 home runs and 32 RBI over 69 games. Rasmus will almost certainly be called up later in the year, but it would certainly help matters if he performed like he belonged in the Show.
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| Jay Bruce might be hitting .342 overall, but he has fallen into a deep funk at the plate which includes a .185 average, six strikeouts and only one BB over his last 27 at-bats. |
Our View: The slump actually extends back even further as he is hitting just .241 with a .305 OBP over his last 14 games. He should still continue to be a productive bat, but you might consider moving him for a more established veteran bat before the bottom falls out.
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| Jim Edmonds and his Chicago teammates had their Hall of Fame Game with the Padres cancelled due to rain, according to the Associated Press. “I think all the anticipation of having a rough day of travel in the middle of the season— it’s all worth it once you get here," Edmonds said. |
Our View: This was to be the last HOF Game as MLB has decided to stop playing the exhibition game even though it has taken place each year since 1940. Hopefully MLB will change its mind as a whole lot of fans are angry with the decision and have begun to protest the decision.
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| Cole Hamels will be on the hill tonight when the Phillies host the Red Sox, according to MLB.com. Hamels is 6-4 this season with a 3.27 ERA and strong 1.02 WHIP and this will be his first meeting with Boston. |
Our View: Hamels racked up a season-high 13 strikeouts in his last start (against Florida), and has allowed two or less earned runs in four of his last six contests. The Phillies' ace is a solid start tonight at home, despite a tough game against Boston.
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| Tim Lincecum will be targeting his ninth win of the season when the Giants host the Tigers in inter-league play tonight, according to MLB.com. Lincecum is 8-1 with a 1.99 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 90.2 innings, with 92 strikeouts. |
Our View: He has made 15 consecutive quality starts dating back to 2007, and is 13-4 with a 2.46 ERA in his career when he pitches at least six innings. Lincecum has also allowed one or less earned runs in three straight outings, and should remain in your lineup despite a tough assignment against the Tigers.
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| Jay Gibbons has signed a deal with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League on Monday, according to the Sports Network.
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Our View: Gibbons, who was suspended for 15 days by MLB commissioner Bud Selig following reports that he received a shipment of human growth hormone, never got an offer from a major league club this season.
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| Nick Johnson will have his injured wrist re-evaluated on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. Around two weeks ago, Johnson suffered a setback with his right wrist, as he still felt soreness after the cast was removed. The wrist was then re-cast for another two weeks. |
Our View: He has been on the DL since May 15 due to a torn tendon in his right wrist.
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| C.C. Sabathia has been named the AL Player of the Week, according to the AP. Sabathia went 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA in two starts last week. The lefty went 17 innings, while allowing just three runs with one walk and 15 strikeouts.
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Our View: Other nominees for the honor were Indians' team-mate Grady Sizemore, Alex Rodriguez, and JD Drew.
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| Ricky Nolasco has been selected as the NL Co-Player of the Week with Pirates' catcher Ryan Doumit, according to the AP. Nolasco went 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA this past week, while striking out 15 batters in 14.2 innings of work. The righty struck out a career-high 12 over 8.2 innings on Sunday, while locking up the win against the Rays. |
Our View: This is the first weekly honor for Nolasco. He is 7-4 overall this season, with a 4.35 ERA and 1.36 WHIP.
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| Ryan Doumit has been named the NL Co-Player of the Week with the Marlins' Ricky Nolasco, according to the AP. Doumit hit .400 (10-for-25) during the week with a league-high four home runs. Last Tuesday, Doumit enjoyed his third career four-hit game with two home runs and three RBI against the Nationals. |
Our View: This was Doumit's first weekly honor. He is hitting .346 overall, with nine homers, 22 RBI, and 29 runs scored through 36 games.
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| Andrew Miller will be looking to even his record to 5-5 when the Marlins face the Mariners in Seattle tonight, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Miller is only 4-5 with a poor 5.22 ERA and 1.61 WHIP, but has allowed two or less earned runs in six of his last eight starts, and is facing a Mariners team that is an MLB-worst 24-45. Miller has a great arm, and ranks as a potential sleeper tonight for NL-only leagues.
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| After scuffling in his third start since being called up from Triple-A Louisville, it appears Homer Bailey could be headed back after suffering a 9-0 loss to the Red Sox on Sunday, this according to the team website.
Bailey was the victim of a red-hot Red Sox lineup, lasting just 2 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on four hits with three walks and no strikeouts. |
Our View: If Bailey is demoted to Louisville, Daryl Thompson, who pitched 8 2/3 innings and gave up just one run for Louisville on Saturday is expected to get a shot at the No. 5 slot in the Reds rotation.
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| Mike Pelfrey will battle the Angels tonight in inter-league play, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Pelfrey notched a season-high eight strikeouts in his last outing against the Diamondbacks, and hurled eight scoreless innings, and was the third straight outing that he allowed two or less earned runs. He should be considered for your lineups tonight, despite his 2-6 record.
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| Chuck James tossed seven scoreless innings for Triple-A Richmond on Sunday night, extending his streak to 14 frames without a run this June. The southpaw walked none and struck out eight in his latest effort. He has allowed only seven hits over 14.0 innings this month. |
Our View: James has pitched very well since coming off the minor league DL. He needs to stretch out his arm a little more and continue to work consistently, but the Braves could turn to him soon. The major league club is running low on options.
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| Ubaldo Jimenez will be in action tonight when the Rockies host the Braves at Coors Field, according to MLB.com. Jimenez is only 1-6 with a 4.93 ERA this season, but his lone win came against the Braves. |
Our View: Jimenez has struggled this season, but has a great arm, and hurled seven scoreless innings in his last start on June 11 (against the Giants). He could be a sleeper for tonight in NL-only leagues.
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| Manny Ramirez missed his second straight start on Sunday due to nagging soreness in his right hamstring, according to the Boston Herald. |
Our View: It remains in question if he will be able to return to the lineup tonight against the Phillies. He cannot play as a DH as the game is in Philadelphia.
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| Ryan Church will likely rejoin the Mets during their homestand against the Mariners that begins June 23, according to the NY Daily News. He is recovering from a mild concussion and will begin working out again today. Church said, "I feel great, every day is getting better. I haven't had any spells or anything like that. It's one of those things now, just waiting out the time on the DL."
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Our View: He will provide a solid boost to the Mets' lineup when he returns, as he was hitting .300 with 10 homers, 35 RBI, and 35 runs scored over 50 games.
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| Orlando Hernandez is nowhere close to returning to the Mets, according to the NY Daily News. He is very slowly recovering from foot surgery. |
Our View: He has advanced to pitching off a mound, but the front office does not expect him back with the Mets until about one month after the All-Star break.
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| Antonio Bastardo will miss his next start with Double-A Reading due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder, according to the Reading Eagle. |
Our View: The ailment is said to be minor and the team is hopeful the 22-year old lefty will bounce back with a little bit of rest. Bastardo is considered to be a top pitching prospect in the Phillies' low-minors.
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| Chris Carpenter will be examined by Dr. James Andrews in Alabama today, and will provide a second opinion regarding his persistent right forearm ailment, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. |
Our View: A nerve problem is suspected but Andrews’ opinion is being asked regarding whether corrective surgery is needed. This does not sound good for his prospects of returning in the second half of the season.
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| Todd Wellemeyer is listed as the Cardinals' starter for Thursday, but the team will wait until he completes a Tuesday bullpen to make an exact decision, as he has been suffering from elbow and forearm pain, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. |
Our View: The team will pull him back if any issue arises regarding his elbow. Anthony Reyes and Kyle Lohse are the top candidates to pitch Thursday if Wellemeyer is unable to go. He is enjoying a strong campaign with a 7-2 record and a 3.67 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.
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| Yadier Molina is not likely to land on the DL, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He sustained a mild concussion during Sunday's hard collision at home plate during battle with the Phillies, and it looked worse than it actually turned out to be. |
Our View: This is good news, but the team is expected to call up a catcher to serve as backup to Jason LaRue while Molina recovers, and will likely trim a pitcher to make room on the roster.
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| J.J. Hardy, who is nursing an irritated left shoulder, could return to the Brewers' lineup as soon as Tuesday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Hardy was available to pinch-hit over the weekend if needed, and Manager Ned Yost said, "He feels much better. I’ll re-evaluate it after the off day today. What we’re trying to do is build his strength back up in his shoulder. It’s been causing him problems off and on all season. It’s hard to get a handle on it because you don’t have the time to work the shoulder to get it strong when you’re playing every day."
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Our View: Hopefully he can put this ailment behind him and get on track, as he is only hitting .248 with four homers and 18 RBI over 59 games.
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| Paul Lo Duca is close to returning from the DL, but will not reclaim the starting role at catcher, according to the Washington Post. |
Our View: Jesus Flores has been rock solid behind the plate, and will not relinquish his starting role. The team will also keep Wil Nieves as a third catcher. Lo Duca will see limited playing time at catcher, but the team expects to give him time at first base and in left field, to potentially increase his trade value.
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| Mike Gonzalez's surgically repaired left elbow has responded well during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Richmond, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: He could be activated from the DL during the Braves' next homestand, which begins June 20 against the Mariners. Gonzalez is worth taking a shot on, as he could be tried out for the closer's role with Rafael Soriano's elbow still not where it needs to be, and with John Smoltz done for the season.
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| Chipper Jones was used as a DH on Sunday in inter-league action against the Angels, according to MLB.com. Mark Teixeira will likely serve as the DH for one of the games against his former Rangers' teammates this week. |
Our View: Manager Bobby Cox used Jones as the DH in an effort to rest his legs, and the move was not related to his eye contusion. Omar Infante covered third base, but went 0-for-3.
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| Jair Jurrjens has been slowed by a twisted ankle, and there was a possibility he could be headed to the DL, but is expected to make his start tonight against the Rockies, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: He had his last start on Wednesday scratched due to the bum ankle. Jurrjens is 6-3 this season with a 3.77 ERA, but has given up four homers in his last three starts, and Colorado is the worst possible place he can pitch right now.
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| Outfielder Paul McAnulty was forced out of Sunday's game against the Indians in the first inning due to a sore back, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. He sustained the injury when Jamey Carroll hit a double over his head. |
Our View: Edgar Gonzalez left second base to fill McAnulty's spot in right field, and Craig Stansberry came off the bench to cover second. The severity of the ailment is yet to be determined.
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| Lance Berkman sat out Sunday's battle against the Yankees as he is dealing with a sore leg, according to the Houston Chronicle. Manager Cecil Cooper said, "Lance has a little tenderness in his leg, and we talked about it, and today was the day we were going to hold him out."
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Our View: He admitted he is banged up, and the day off will do him good. The team is also off on Monday, and he is expected back on Tuesay, to begin a series against the Orioles.
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| Manager Joe Torre is thinking about a backup plan for his rotation in case Brad Penny's MRI results on his ailing shoulder rule him out for his next start (on Friday), according to the LA Times. |
Our View: Torre does not want to disrupt the rhythm of his middle-relievers, so he will likely look to the farm system for his potential spot starter for Friday. Lefty Eric Stults of Triple-A Las Vegas is believed to be the top candidate for the spot, but Torre also mentioned team-mate Jason Johnson and James McDonald of Double-A.
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| Chin-lung Hu has been placed on the minor league DL due to blurred vision in his right eye, according to the LA Times. |
Our View: Hu stated that he suffered from poor vision in that eye back in 2006, when he batted .254 at Double-A Jacksonville. The problem went away the next season, and Hu hit .329 between two minor league stops.
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| Eric Byrnes, who is recovering from a strained right hamstring, could begin a rehab assignment this week, according to the Arizona Republic. He is running pain-free for the first time in a while, and he said, "It's almost like I'm waiting to feel that pain, and it's not quite there. So mentally there's an adjustment period, but it'll be good."
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Our View: His rehab stint is not expected to extend past three games. Skipper Bob Melvin expects Byrnes back with the D-Backs no later than June 23.
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