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| MLB.com reports that J.A. Happ struck out 12 hitters in seven innings on Thursday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. |
Our View: Happ just got back to the minors after some solid work for the Phillies. Unfortunately, his big league club just acquired another starter, Joe Blanton, so he may not get another chance in the majors anytime soon.
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| The Mets scored 10 runs on Thursday but Reyes accounted for none of them. He was 0-for-5 with two strikouts. |
Our View: Don't count on this becoming a trend. Reyes will continue to be one of the best players in fantasy leagues throughout the second half.
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| Paul Maholm struck out seven in six innings for the Pirates but gabe up five runs in the loss on Thursday. |
Our View: Maholm is 5-1 with a 3.33 ERA at home but is just 1-4 with a 4.81 ERA on the road.
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| Adam LaRoche started off the second half in usual fashion. He went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Colorado on Thursday. |
Our View: It might be a good time to pick up Laroche if you are needing a first baseman in a deep league. He tends to hit very well in the second half...and now he's in a contract season.
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| Chris Iannetta was a force against the Pirates on Thursday. He recorded three RBI and his tenth home run of the season. |
Our View: You never know who's starting in Colorado which makes owning Iannetta a bit frustrating. However, his hot streaks this season rival any other catcher in baseball's. He may be on the cusp of another one.
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| Brian Fuentes pitched a perfect ninth inning and recorded three strikeouts on Thursday against the Pirates. It was his 15th save of the season and 100th of his career. |
Our View: Furntes is simply driving up his asking price which is getting steep.
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| Ubaldo Jimenez managed his fourth straight qulity start on Thursday against the Pirates for his third win of the month. He gave up three runs in seven innings. |
Our View: Jimenez may be regaining the form that made him a force down the stretch last season. His strikeout rate still hovers around 7.5 per nine.
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| The AP reports that Mike Pelfrey will start in Pedro Martinez's place on Sunday. Pelfrey hasn't allowed a run in his last 16 innings. |
Our View: Pelfrey will go for his seventh straight start with a winning decision. He is clearly a fantasy factor in the second half.
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| Francisco Cordero had his worst outing of the season on Thursday against the never-say-never Mets. He managed just one out among six hits and four earned runs. |
Our View: This was just Cordero's second loss but it was his fifth blown save. Needless to say, he just didn't have much tonight.
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| Edwin Encarnacion continued his hot hitting by going 3-for-5 with a solo shot on Thursday. He is now 11 for his last 20. |
Our View: Encarnacion is as streaky as they come and its good to see him pick up where he left off before the All-Star break. His homer was his 16th of the season.
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| Adam Dunn hit his 27th home run of the season off of fellow lefty Johan Santana on Thursday. |
Our View: Dunn also ripped off his 101st strikeout. Still its good to see him tag a quality lefty.
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| Is Fernando Tatis behind the Mets 10-game winning streak? In July he is hitting .432 with four home runs and 12 RBI in just 36 at-bats. |
Our View: It's impossible for Tatis to keep this up, but he may be solidifying himself as an everyday player in the outfield.
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| Carlos Delgado continues a red hot July. He was 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, a walk and two runs in Thursday night's 10-8 win over the Reds. |
Our View: Delgado is now hitting .396 with four home runs, 10 RBI and 14 runs scored in 13 games.
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| David Wright hit a two-run home run in the ninth to give the Mets their 10th straight win on Thursday over the Reds. Wright finished the game 2-for-5 with four RBI. |
Our View: Wright's numbers will increase with the continued improvement of the rest of the team.
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| Rick Ankiel hit his 13th home run since June 10th on Thursday. He was 2-for-4 in the game. |
Our View: Ankiel has solidified himself as one of the top outfield producers in the National League.
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| Kyle Lohse has won nine consecutive decisions now. He overcame the San Diego Padres tonight in a 4-3 win. He scattered seven hits and two walks over seven innings while allowing just two earned runs. |
Our View: Lohse is making a strong case to become a $15 million per season pitcher after 2008. The Cardinals will continue to need his strong performances this season if they want to make the playoffs.
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| For the first time since July 9, 2003 Jake Peavy surrendered four home runs in a game. The Cardinals managed four solo shots off of him in seven innings. |
Our View: They were the only runs he gave up on Thursday, and he struck out seven. Peavy should return to his Cy Young-like form by his next start.
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| Troy Glaus was 2-for-4 with two solo home runs off of Jake Peavy on Thursday. He now has four home runs in his last three games. |
Our View: Glaus' power numbers have come around and he should end up with 100 RBI and 30 HRs barring injury.
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| Johnny Cueto did not fair well against the Mets on Thursday. In 5.1 innings he gave up six runs on six hits and three walks. He did strike out six. |
Our View: Cueto is among the most inconsistent pitchers going. Hopefully, that consistency will come with more experience for the rookie.
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| Johan Santana continued his struggles against the Reds on Thursday. He lasted just four innings and gave up five earned runs, including two homers. On the night he surrendered six hits and three walks. |
Our View: No idea why Johan can't get past the Reds. Don't expect these struggles to carry over into his next start.
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| Chris Carpenter will make his first appearance Sunday with Double-A Springfield, according to MLB.com. With strong reports on Carpenter out of Florida, the Cardinals are not hesitating to get him some tougher action immediately. |
Our View: For the past two weeks, Carpenter has participated in simulated games in Jupiter, Fla., with his most recent on Monday. "It's a good spot to start, and he wants to face a higher level," Mozeliak said.
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| MLB.com reports that Matt Diaz believes he's ready to come off the disabled list if doctors allow him to use a less-constrictive knee brace.
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Our View: Diaz has hit .231 in seven Minor League rehab games for Double-A Mississippi. He has not played for the Braves since May 27.
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| MLB.com reports that Tom Glavine remains optimistic about his left elbow and plans to throw off the bullpen mound on Saturday. |
Our View: The 42-year-old left-handed pitcher believes he still needs to rebuild his arm strength to make sure he doesn't put any unnecessary strain on his shoulder. He is still weeks away.
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| The Rocky Mountain News tells us that Jeff Francis threw 50 pitches in a bullpen session and felt good enough that the expectation is the Rockies will send him out in the next couple of days to begin a rehab assignment. |
Our View: Francis is trying to recover from left shoulder inflammation which may explain his terrible season to date. He won nine games after the break last season.
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| MLB.com reports that starting catcher Matt Treanor will return when eligible to come off the disabled list on Wednesday. |
Our View: Treanor does not have much fantasy value but will see plenty of at-bats in the second half.
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| Kevin Kouzmanoff has hit safely in 17 of the last 21 games. He is 28-for-82 (.341) with nine doubles, one triple, four home runs and 12 RBIs in that span. |
Our View: Kouz has traditionally been a second half player and should be able to help your team in the second half.
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| The Palm Beach Post reports that Andrew Miller has been placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Monday, with right knee tendinitis. The right knee is his landing knee, so it affects his delivery. |
Our View: Hopefully Miller comes back strong after the time off. He has been a disappointment thus far in the season.
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| ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting the Phillies have acquired Joe Blanton for three prospects. |
Our View: Blanton has had a mediocre year in Oakland going 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA. He was 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA in 2007. His win-rate should increase but Philadelphia's smaller ballpark does not work in his favor.
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| The Tampa Tribune reports that the Rays will activate Al Reyes from the disabled list tomorrow, as expected. |
Our View: Reyes probably won't see many save opportunities because Troy Percival will activated soon. He will take the roster spot left vacant when Reid Brignac was optioned to Durham following Sunday’s game in Cleveland.
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| Johan Santana makes the start for the Mets tonight in Cincinnati. In two career starts against the Reds, Santana is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA. |
Our View: After the All-Star break last season, Johan was just 5-7 with a 4.04 ERA.
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| Ryan Ludwick is not in Thursday night's lineup for the Cardinals. Chris Duncan will start in his place. |
Our View: Ludwick returns from the All-Star break and is likely just getting a mental break before the Cards play 18 games in 18 days. Expect him back in the lineup Friday.
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| Updating a previous note, Jerry Hairston Jr. has officially been placed on the DL with a strained hamstring. |
Our View: Jolbert Cabrera was activated in his place.
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| Jolbert Cabrera has been activated from the 14-day disabled list after fracturing his left index finger. |
Our View: Jolbert remains another solid Reds prospect. He won't see regular duty though as he will serve as Jeff Keppinger's backup for now.
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| Angel Pagan has suffered a setback during action with Single-A Brooklyn on Wednesday, according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: The injury was not disclosed, but he was recovering from a left shoulder contusion. He was previously hoping to return from the DL shortly after the All-Star break.
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| Ryan Church is said to be doubtful to be activated from the DL when eligible on Tuesday, according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: Skipper Jerry Manuel noted that Church didn't suffer a setback in his recovery from post-concussion syndrome, and the team is just being cautious with him. Church is anxious to play, but the team is yet to determine when he will be return to action.
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| Pedro Martinez is expected to miss his next start scheduled for Sunday due to the tightness in his right shoulder, according to MetsBlog.com. |
Our View: Manager Jerry Manuel stated that Mike Pelfrey will start Sunday in his place.
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| Jeff Francis is targeting July 29 as his return date to the Rockies, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He is recovering from left shoulder inflammation. |
Our View: He should have a rehab start or two before he returns. He only holds a 3-7 record this season, but won 17 games in 2007 as he helped guide the Rockies to the World Series, and is worth stashing in NL-only leagues.
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| Red Sox Principal owner John W. Henry was offended by the comments made by Manny Ramirez suggesting that the team's front office and ownership hasn't been straightforward with him regarding his future, according to MLB.com. Henry said, "I find remarks that we have been anything other than completely straightforward to be personally offensive. Manny has been a crucial part of two World Series championships. I do not believe we would have won either without him. He has never played a more important role than he has thus far this year." Ramirez irked Henry by saying on Wednesday, "I want to know what's my situation. I want no more times where they tell you one thing and behind your back they do another thing. I think I've earned that respect, for a team to sit down with me and tell me this is what we want, this is what we want to do."
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Our View: Manny wants to remain in Boston, but wants to sit down with team management after the season to see what his future is going to be.
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| Phillies' prospect Jason Donald (currently with Double-A Reading) has been selected to the U.S. Olympic baseball team, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Team USA manager Davey Johnson said, "He's a great looking shortstop. He's got great hands, good arm, his offensive numbers are outstanding. I like his makeup. I got to see him play, and that kind of sealed the deal for me. He was way up on our list to begin with."
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Our View: Donald is hitting .301 with 16 doubles, three triples, 12 homers and 47 RBI over 77 games with Reading.
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| Phillies' prospect Lou Marson (currently with Double-A Reading) has made the U.S. Olympic baseball team, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. |
Our View: The catcher earned the spot by maintaining a .325 average over 74 games at Reading, with three homers and 41 RBI.
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| A deal to send Tony Clark from the Padres to the Diamondbacks has reportedly been finalized, according to Diamondbacks.com. The Padres will receive a yet to be named minor league pitcher. |
Our View: The Padres and Diamondbacks were waiting to see if the 36-year-old Clark would waive the $500,000 assignment bonus that he would have received in a trade. He did, and now he is once again a member of the Diamondbacks, but an official announcement isn't expected until later Thursday. He will serve as a pinch-hitter, and will likely get some starts against left-handed pitchers. He is worth a look in larger NL-only leagues.
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| Brian Fuentes is in the zone right now as he has not allowed a hit or a walk over his last five innings of work, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He has fired eight strikeouts over that span as well. |
Our View: Fuentes is on several clubs' radar as the July 31 trade deadline draws closer, and his current hot streak will add to his value.
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| Rockies' minor league reliever Casey Weathers (Double-A Tulsa) has been selected to the U.S. Olympic baseball team, according to the Rocky Mountain News. Weathers said, "It's a dream come true, I guess. People work their whole lives for that. I'm incredibly excited and humbled."
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Our View: Team USA will begin play August 13, with the medal round August 23.
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| A deal between the Padres and Diamondbacks for slugger Tony Clark could be finalized as soon as today, according to the Arizona Republic. |
Our View: He only hit one homer over 88 at-bats with the Padres this season, but hit 30 with Arizona back in 2005, and his fantasy value could go up in deeper NL-only leagues if he rejoins the club. He would serve as a pinch-hitter, and would likely get some starts against left-handed pitchers.
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| Mark Mulder is set to meet with a specialist (Dr. Craig Morgan) in Deleware today as part of his tour of doctors to determine exactly what went wrong with his shoulder last week, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Mulder went 16 pitches into his return to the rotation when his shoulder refused to let him go any further. |
Our View: Craig Morgan is the same doctor that recently performed the shoulder surgery on Curt Schilling. He will discuss possible reasons for Mulder's twice-repaired shoulder buckling.
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| Chris Carpenter had a strong simulated game on Monday and today the team is going to discuss when and where he'll start a 30-day rehab assignment as he continues to recover from his right elbow surgery, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Carpenter said (in a text message to Tony LaRussa) that he is confident with the way things are going. GM John Mozeliak said he plans to meet with La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan to map out the next phase of Carpenter's rehab.
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Our View: We will keep you posted when the team announces their next step for Carpenter.
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| Aaron Harang will be re-examined by Dr. Tim Kremchek today, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. GM Walt Jocketty said, "I know Harang's feeling good, but I don't think he's thrown yet." |
Our View: Today's visit to Kremchek could determine when Harang can begin throwing again as he recovers from his strained right forearm. He would be first eligible to come off the DL July 23.
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| Jerry Hairston Jr., who is battling a strained right hamstring, will be re-evaluated today, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. |
Our View: The All-Star break may have been beneficial to his recovery, but if he should need to go on the DL, Jolbert Cabrera likely would be activated from his rehab assignment.
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| Tim Lincecum felt much better Wednesday after being hospitalized Tuesday for flu-like symptoms, according to the SF Chronicle. His father commented, "I saw him this morning. He's fine. He had major-league dehydration. It was a combination of flying in from the Chicago game, a delayed flight. He didn't land until one in the morning."
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Our View: Lincecum is expected to fly back to San Francisco today, and is scheduled to start Sunday against the Brewers.
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| Chris Young allowed one run over 3.2 innings in his first rehab outing on Wednesday with Single-A Lake Elsinore, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Young was pleased with his performance, as he threw 43 strikes out of 59 pitches, with four strikeouts. His fastball command was good, as was his changeup. |
Our View: Whether he'll be back in Lake Elsinore for at least one more rehab start is to be decided after Young meets today with manager Bud Black and pitching coach Darren Balsley. The plan is for Young to rejoin the Padres' rotation by the end of July.
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| Ryan Doumit, among several other Pirates' players, would like the team to remain intact, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Doumit said, "From a player's standpoint, it would be a shame to see anybody go. We know the names that are out there, Xavier Nady and Jason Bay, and those guys are an integral part of clubhouse and the chemistry we have. Dude, to lose one of those guys would be, in my mind, a significant blow. They're big pieces of the gel that keeps this team together."
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Our View: The trading deadline is July 31, and the Pirates are likely to deal key pieces off the roster. The Pirates are 44-50 at the All-Star break, and are 12.5 games back in the NL Central.
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| Outfielder Andrew McCutchen was informed he will not be a member of the Olympic baseball team for Beijing, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is is the Pirates' top overall prospect. |
Our View: The four outfielders that made the Olympic team are: Dexter Fowler (Rockies), John Gall (Marlins), Matt Laporta (Indians), and Colby Rasmus (Cardinals).
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| Marino Salas will rejoin the Pirates' bullpen today to replace Romulo Sanchez, who was optioned to Triple-A Sunday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. |
Our View: Salas will be available to pitch tonight against the Rockies, but does not garner fantasy interest, as he allowed 12 earned runs, 18 hits, and eight walks over 9.2 innings of work this season.
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| Brad Lincoln has been promoted from low Class-A Hickory to high Class-A Lynchburg, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Director of player development Kyle Stark said, "Brad has done everything expected of him at low A, including taking the ball every fifth day, pitch healthy, throw all his pitches for strikes and be efficient in attacking hitters. He has also demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism on the field and is ready for the challenges of high A."
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Our View: Lincoln was a first-round pick in 2006 and this is encouraging news for the top prospect, who missed all of last year due to reconstructive elbow surgery.
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| Mike Hampton left his minor-league rehab start with Double-A Mississippi against the Carolina Mudcats after tweaking his groin, according to the AP. The 35-year-old threw 29 pitches, while allowing a home run and a walk with two strikeouts.
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Our View: His arm feels great, but he did not want to take any chances with his groin ailment. He had been aiming to return to action with Atlanta after the All-Star break.
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| The Phillies are reportedly interested in Giants' hurler Matt Cain, according to the Phillyburbs.com. The Phillies are also said to be interested in Pirates' reliever John Grabow. |
Our View: The Phillies shot down the rumor that they are targeting AJ Burnett, and are hoping the Giants will shop Cain, who is 5-7 with a 4.06 ERA over 20 starts.
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