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| Ryan Dempster had a good night in his inning of work at the All-Star Game. In his single inning of work, he faced Ian Kinsler, Dioner Navarro and J.D. Drew, and struck out all three of them in the bottom of the ninth inning. |
Our View: Dempster was throwing heat, and he strikes out over seven batters per nine innings pitched, so the strikeouts shouldn't surprise anyone, but they were impressive nonetheless.
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| The New York Yankees may consider pursuing Barry Bonds in light of the news that Hideki Matsui. may undergo season-ending knee surgery, according to the Associated Press. "I would caution everybody to not misunderstand that since I'm not saying no to it, that that means, 'Oh, my gosh, that that might be happening down the line,'" said Yankees GM Brian Cashman. |
Our View: This isn't close to happening, but the speculation is interesting. Even with all of their stars, the Yankees need a bat, and there is little doubt Bonds can still hit. He would certainly have fantasy value, even if he only played three or four times per week.
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| Hanley Ramirez had mixed results for the National League in the All-Star Game. He struck out in his first at-bat and made a throwing error from shortstop, but he also collected two hits and scored a run. |
Our View: Ramirez is coming off a sore throwing shoulder, though it did not seem to be of any concern, and overall he put on a good showing.
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| Edinson Volquez was hit hard in his All-Star Game debut, allowing a double to Justin Morneau and a home run to J.D. Drew in his one inning of work. He also struck out two batters. |
Our View: Volquez has been dealing this season, but he was hurt by two power-hitting left-handed bats.
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| Dan Haren threw two scoreless innings for the National League in the All-Star Game, giving up two hits, walking one, and not allowing any runs. |
Our View: Haren faced his old American League compatriots and set them down to do his part to help the National League.
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| Carlos Zambrano threw two scoreless innings for the National League, striking out one and allowing only one hit. |
Our View: Zambrano continued the dominating performances by the pitchers in this game.
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| Ben Sheets went two innings, striking out three batters and walking two in his two innings of work for the National League in the All-Star Game. |
Our View: Sheets was dealing, and though he was a little wild, he only gave up one hit and represented himself well.
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| Updating an earlier story, it has been confirmed that Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum will miss tonight's All-Star Game because he is suffering from flu-like symptoms, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: This is unfortunate for Lincecum, who was appearing in his first All-Star Game. Rest assured, if he keeps pitching the way he has been, it won't be his last.
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| The St. Louis Cardinals and hurler Kyle Lohse have yet to engage in contract talks, his agent, Scott Boras, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Obviously, it would be something we'd welcome looking into in the future. But I don't sign those appointment checks. They have to kind of approach me. My door is open," Boras said. |
Our View: Lohse has had a great season, and Boras will want his client to hit the free agent market, making it unlikely the Cardinals will sign him to an extension during the season.
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| Milwaukee Brewers ace Ben Sheets, the starter for the National League in tonight's game, is scheduled to throw two innings in tonight's game, according to the Denver Post. |
Our View: Sheets has not pitched since July 9, so he should be able to handle the two innings with ease.
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| Brad Lidge will pitch the ninth inning for the National League All-Stars, according to the Denver Post. |
Our View: Lidge has had a great season and is certainly worthy of the honor, having struck out 55 batters in 40 innings and carrying a 1.13 WHIP into tonight's contest.
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| San Francisco Giants All-Star Tim Lincecum was taken to a New York hospital after complaining of feeling poorly, and was said to be dehydrated and suffering from flu-like symptoms, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com. |
Our View: No official word on his status for tonight's contest, but it's pretty safe to assume he won't be seeing any action.
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| Edwin Encarnacion is quietly on a hot streak, as he is hitting .533 (8-for-15) over his last four games, wit three doubles, two homers, and three RBI. |
Our View: He has recovered well from his back spasms, and looks to have a strong second half, meaning he is worth targeting if you can get him for a good price.
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| The Denver Post indicates that Troy Tulowitzki will require a rehab stint before rejoining the team. He had 16 stitches removed from his palm on Monday.
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Our View: He looks to return at some point in late July, and is worth keeping stashed on your rosters for your playoff push.
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| Barry Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, commented that his client could get into game shape quickly if signed by a team, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Borris said, "Barry is in shape right now. He's not in game shape, so he'd have to have the chance to hit off live pitching. But he's told me that he would be ready in a very short period of time. He thinks he can be ready 10 days, two weeks."
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Our View: Borris has previously said Bonds would be willing to play for a prorated share of the $390,000 minimum, and donate his salary to buy tickets for kids.
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| Prosecutors have dropped the criminal charges against Al Reyes, according to the St. Petersburg Times. Back in April, Tampa police accused Reyes of committing an affray after an incident at a South Tampa bar. Police said Reyes, who was celebrating his 38th birthday, became intoxicated and disruptive at 2:30 a.m. at the Hyde Park Cafe. Police accused him of picking a fight and spitting blood at patrons of the club. Reyes issued an apology following the incident.
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Our View: Reyes can now put this matter behind him and focus on baseball. Speaking of which, he is expected to be activated from the DL on Friday.
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| Chase Utley apologized for cursing the New York fans during the HR Derby Monday at Yankee Stadium, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After the Phillies' second baseman heard boos from the crowd when he was introduced, Utley was heard responding, "Boo? (Bleep) you." A clip of the remark was posted on the Internet within an hour of when it was uttered. Utley said, "It was a poor choice of words. I didn't mean anything by it. I was kind of joking around with my buddy over there, so I do want to apologize."
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Our View: It was a classy move on his part to apologize to the fans in New York.
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| Albert Pujols will play as a DH for the National League in tonight's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He will bat fourth in the lineup and said, "I thank Clint Hurdle for putting me in there. There are a lot of All-Stars he could hit fourth and he picked me. Hitting cleanup isn't going to bother me. I hit third, but it doesn't matter. I could hit eighth and I'd be pretty excited." |
Our View: He looks to get an at-bat, unlike last season when skipper Tony LaRussa decided to save him for a situation that never came.
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| Brandon Webb officially ruled himself out for tonight's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, according to the Arizona Republic. He said, "I've probably got a zero percent chance of throwing. A little bit disappointing, but, obviously, I'm still here, and I'm excited just to be here and be a part of it." |
Our View: Webb threw 108 pitches Sunday against the Phillies. He was hoping to be able to pitch in the All-Star Game if he had a less strenuous outing.
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| Triple-A Columbus outfielder Alex Escobar has been released, according to the Washington Post. |
Our View: He played for the Nationals briefly in 2006, and hit .356 over 87 at-bats, with four homers.
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| Ryan Zimmerman, who is recovering from a small labral tear in left shoulder, fared well in his first rehab game Monday at Single-A Potomac as he went 2-for-5, according to MLB.com. He started at the DH spot, and both of his hits went for doubles. |
Our View: Zimmerman will wrap up his stint with Potomac in Salem, and then head to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday. He looks to come off the DL next week.
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| The Mets may pass on any deals prior to the trade deadline, and will reportedly promote and improve from within the organization, according to the NY Post. They are considering Fernando Martinez an option for the outfield, and they like either Bobby Parnell or Eddie Kunz as an upgrade for the bullpen. |
Our View: The team garnered interest in the Rockies' Brian Fuentes but felt his asking price was too steep. They have also backed off on Raul Ibanez, even though the Mets like him a lot. Matt Holliday is also out of their price range.
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| Manager Bob Geren has set the rotation following the All-Star break, according to the SF Chronicle. Joe Blanton will start the first game when play resumes, followed by Greg Smith, Justin Duchscherer, Sean Gallagher, and Dana Eveland. |
Our View: Four of the A's starters have surpassed their career highs for major-league innings pitched in a season. Blanton, who has thrown 127 innings, is on pace to throw at least 194 innings for the fourth straight season.
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