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| Updating an earlier report, turning rumor into fact, the Pirates have announced RHP John Van Benschoten has been recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis and will start tonight against the Astros in Houston, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. |
Our View: Van Benschoten is 1-2 with a 9.77 ERA, leaving his fantasy value rather low.
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| Earning his first start of the year, Chris Carpenter worked four impressive innings and gave up only one hit in his start for Double-A Springfield, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Carpenter's Cy Young arm felt fine during and after his first start in a game since undergoing Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery on July 24, 2007. Carpenter struggled with his location throughout the evening, issuing four walks. Carpenter threw 62 pitches over his four innings -- around the number the club was looking for -- but only 33 landed for strikes.
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| The Mets report closer Billy Wagner will undergo medical examination on Monday after experiencing cramping and mild tightness in his left shoulder, according to the New York Daily News. |
Our View: Wagner warns this is a precautionary measure, but we've heard similar statements before and seen troublesome results. We will update the findings as we get them in our hands.
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| Milwaukee LHP Manny Parra was on the mark today, helping his team to the 7-4 win over San Francisco. Parra pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs (both earned) on seven hits with two walks and nine strikeout. |
Our View: The win moves Parra to 9-2 on the season with an ERA of 3.68. After goingn 5-0 through five starts in June, Parra was without decision through three starts in July before this win, allowing just four combined earned runs over 13 total innings (one of those starts lasting just one inning).
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| The Brewers faced one of the toughest arms in the National League today and left with a convincing victory, emerging 7-4 against the Giants and Tim Lincecum. The effort was led by All-Star outfielder Ryan Braun , going 2-for-5 with his 26th double and 24th homer of the season, earning five RBIs and one run scored for the effort. |
Our View: Braun is on fire, hitting .351 through July with four homers (including two in his last three games) with 13 RBIs thus far. Today, he even added a stolen base, his ninth of the year.
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| The Brewers found some cracks in the San Francisco pitching ace, putting Tim Lincecum in the loss column for only the third time this season by taking the 7-4 win over the Giants. Lincecum pitched six innings to allow five runs (all earned) on six hits with four walks and eight strikeouts. |
Our View: Lincecum "falls" to 11-3 with an ERA of 2.79, allowing two homers in a game for the second time in his last three starts (and for the third time in his last seven).
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| The Dodgers struggled to get to Brandon Webb today, but they found the offense needed against relief pitching to earn the 6-5 win over Arizona with a five-run flurry in the top of the ninth. The effort was led by first baseman James Loney , going 3-for-4 with his 26th double of the season to post two runs scored on the night. |
Our View: Outfielder Andre Ethier hit a homer to get the Diamondbacks going in the right direction late in that game, but Loney set the tone by showing the Dodgers had hits to chase. He needed a lift, hitting just .267 with two homers and 10 RBIs this month.
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| The Diamondbacks were all over the Dodgers today until the relief pitching gave up the win in the ninth, losing 6-5 to LA. Arizona's charge on offense was led by shortstop Stephen Drew , going 4-for-5 with his sixth triple of the year to post one RBI and one run scored. |
Our View: Drew has turned it on this month, hitting .323 through July. He needs to find better run production (just six RBIs through July) and better efficiency (.364 OBP) to make fantasy owners happy, but he's improving.
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| The Dodgers and Diamondbacks locked horns today with Arizona ruling the bulk of the day, but they fell in the top of the ninth to allow five Dodger runs and suffer the 6-5 loss. As a result, ace Brandon Webb failed to get a decision, going eight strong innings to allow just one run on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts. |
Our View: Webb watched in horror as reliever Brandon Lyons threw 27 pitches over 2/3 of an innings, allowing five runs on five hits to blow the win. Webb has just one decision, a win, over his four July starts, allowing just eight combined earned runs over that stretch with seven walks and 22 strikeouts.
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| The offense was the name of the game for Colorado, getting the 11-3 win over the Pirates, but give ace Aaron Cook full credit, going seven innings to allow three runs over five hits with one walk and two strikeouts. |
Our View: Cook is 12-6 on the season with an ERA of 3.58, though today represents just his second win over his last six starts.
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| Colorado third baseman Ian Stewart contributed a productive bat to the 11-3 win over Pittsburgh today, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two doubles to earn three RBIs and two runs scored for the effort. |
Our View: Stewart has done rather well in his first two games since returning from injury, going 3-for-8 (.375) with four RBIs and three runs scored.
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| The Padres took the 9-5 loss against St. Louis today, much to the dismay of RHP Cha Seung Baek , going 6 1/3 innings to allow two runs (one earned) on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts. |
Our View: Baek walked with no decision after his relief pitching failed to close the deal. That two consecutive no-decision results, "earning" the same results in four of his last eight starts, allowing 21 combined earned runs over that span. He also posted a homer today, one of few Padres finding worthwhile results at the plate.
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| The Cards put the 9-5 win against San Diego on the board today with some help from third baseman Troy Glaus , going 2-for-4 at the plate with his 18th home run of the season to rope in three RBIs and two runs scored on the day. |
Our View: Glaus is glazing in July, hitting .371 with seven homers and 14 RBIs thus far. Over his last six games, he's roasted five long balls into the seats, good for nine RBIs.
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| The Cardinals were as efficient as any team in the league today, producing nine runs on 10 hits to get the 9-5 win over San Diego. The path to riches was led by middle infielder Aaron Miles , going 3-for-5 at the dish with his third home run of the season to post four RBIs and three runs scored on the day. |
Our View: Miles made it exciting, hitting the homer in the ninth with three men on to seal the deal. After hitting .337 last month, Miles is going at just .302 through July, but he has more than doubled his run production and seems to be working towards better power numbers as well (two homers in his last five games).
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| The Astros failed to make a case for much applause today, falling 9-0 to the Chicago Cubs and wasting a respectable effort from RHP Brandon Backe . Backe pitched 6 2/3 innings to allow four runs (all earned) on eight hits with no walks and eight strikeouts. |
Our View: The loss brings Backe to 6-10 on the season with an ERA at 4.79, but today the offense let him down. Turning in just six hits as a team will not get the job done, especially against the Cubs.
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| With plenty of offense to back his cause, Chicago RHP Ryan Dempster pulled a win and insured the victory with a stellar performance off the mound, going eight innings of shutout baseball to allow just six hits and one walk measured by seven strikeouts. |
Our View: Dempster now sits at 11-4 with an impressive 3.05 ERA, posting just two losses over his last 11 starts.
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| The Cubs found more than enough offense to pull the win today, topping the Astros 9-0. First baseman Derrek Lee did his part, going 2-for-5 at the plate with his 27th double of the season to post three RBIs and one run scored on the day. |
Our View: Fantasy owners may have been disappointed with early efforts, but Lee is getting on track with a few of his numbers this month. He's hitting .371 through July, though he has not homered since June 20th.
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| The Cubbies made quick and dirty work of the Houston Astros today, pulling the dominating 9-0 win with the outstanding efforts of second baseman Mike Fontenot . Fontenot went 3-for-4 at the plate with his 14th double and eighth homer of the season to total three RBIs and three runs scored. |
Our View: Fontenot posted an unassuming two homers with three RBIs on a .250 batting average last month, but through 36 at-bats in July he is hitting .361 with four homers and nine RBIs.
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| With more than a few of the hitters for Washington finding their names and faces on our list of headlines for today, second baseman Felipe Lopez is also deserving of credit in the Nats' 15-6 win over Atlanta. Lopez went 3-for-4 with his 18th double of the season, totaling three RBIs and three runs scored on the day. |
Our View: This was Lopez's first multi-hit game since July 6th, also posting his first RBIs since July 1st. Clearly there is no need to rush him to the fantasy lineup, hitting just .238 through July.
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| Among the flurry of hitters for the Nationals today was catcher Jesus Flores , going 5-for-6 at the plate with five singles, posting two RBIs and two runs scored. |
Our View: Flores' 11 RBIs this month are just two shy of his mark in June, but his hitting is way up, posting an average of .306 thus far through July after hitting .238 through June.
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| Four players combined to post 12 RBIs against Atlanta today, giving the Nationals the 15-6 win over the Braves. One of those players was outfielder Austin Kearns , going 3-for-5 with the stick, posting one walk, one double, and one homer to total two RBIs and five runs scored. |
Our View: That's five homers on the season for Kearns, hitting .327 through July with 11 RBIs and a .414 OBP for that same span.
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| The Nationals enjoyed an outstanding team effort on offense today, turning 17 hits into 15 runs to get the win over Atlanta, 15-6. The effort got started on the right foot bay leadoff hitter Willie Harris , going 2-for-3 with three walks and his sixth homer of the season, totaling a whopping five RBIs and one runs scored. |
Our View: That's a huge day for any fantasy owner lucky enough to have Harris in the lineup, gifts he's been giving all month long. Harris is hitting .333 for the month of July, touting seven hits over his last three games with seven RBIs to match.
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| The Mets enjoyed a throng of hits to get the 7-5 win over the Reds today, giving first baseman Carlos Delgado the stage to shine. Delgado went 3-for-4 at the dish with one walk and his 20th double of the season, recording two RBIs and one run scored on the day. |
Our View: Delgado is as hot as it gets, hitting .419 through July with a .500 OBP, four homers, and 12 RBIs. He's also improving with his eye, posting 11 walks versus 14 strikeouts this month (compared to nine walks versus 21 strikeouts in June).
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| The Reds failed to match the stout offensive effort of the Mets, fallling 7-5, though second baseman Brandon Phillips did what he could to reverse their fortunes. Phillips went 2-for-4 at the dish with his 16th homer of the season along with one stolen base (his 20th thus far) to total two RBIs and two runs scored on the day. |
Our View: Phillips is hitting .277 through July with four stolen bases, three home runs, and 15 RBIs thus far. He's doing fantasy owners proud and helping the Reds stay respectable.
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| With 14 hits for the team on the day, the Mets had more than enough offense to go around, posting the 7-5 win over the Reds. Give the cigar to shortstop Jose Reyes as the top man of the effort, going 4-for-6 with a triple (his 11th of the season), a stolen base (his 33rd of the season), and three runs scored. |
Our View: Reyes is making his rise this month, hitting. .338 through June with five stolen bases, nine walks versus six strikeouts, and 11 runs scored through July. He's already matched his RBI total from last month (9) and hopes to keep rolling as the Mets gain momentum.
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| The Mets left RHP Mike Pelfrey on the mound despite struggles today, and in the end the team found the win, 7-5, over the Reds. Pelfrey pitched seven innings, allowing five runs (all earned) on six hits with one walk and four strikeouts. |
Our View: Allowing three dingers to the big hitters of Cincy served as the most concerning mark of the day for a pitcher has otherwise shined in recent weeks. Pelfrey walked with no decision, thus he continues to carry a six-win streak forward (having not suffered a loss since May 26th).
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| It hasn't happened often, but Cincinnati RHP Edinson Volquez suffered through a horrific outing on the mound as his Reds fell 7-5 to the Mets. Volquez allowed four runs (all earned) on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts. |
Our View: Put the official warning light on for those fearing the All-Star Game has ruined yet another arm. Volquez walked with no-decision, but the outing ranks as his worth since June 26th, one of just three losses on the season.
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| The Marlins ran through six pitchers today, but the pace for the 3-2 win over Philadelphia was set by RHP Josh Johnson , going 6 2/3 innings to allow just two runs (both earned) on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts. |
Our View: Johnson walked with no decision on the day, the win falling to the sixth and final pitcher of the afternoon (Doug Waechter). That's two starts for Johnson, pitching 11 2/3 total innings with just three combined walks and five earned runs allowed.
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| The Marlins found a way to fight through the top-shelf pitching and earnt he 3-2 win over the Phillies, giving Jeremy Hermida a chance to play hero. Hermida went 2-for-5 on the game with his 12th homer of the season, representing one of few runs scored on the day. |
Our View: Hermida has fallen off the pace of promise posted last month, hitting .278 last month only to fall to .196 through July. However, he now touts four homers and six RBIs on the month and carries just eight strikeouts versus seven walks.
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| A pitcher's duel erupted through the battle between the Phillies and Marlins today, with Philly LHP Cole Hamels suffering from the lack of offense as his Phillies fell 3-2. Hamels pitched eight innings, allowing two runs (both earned) on four hits with just two walks and seven strikeouts. |
Our View: Both runs were allowed on solo homers, one to Jeremy Hermida, the other to Cody Ross. Hamels walked off with no decision despite the performance, a disappointing trend of late (his second no-decision in a row, his sixth since April 29th, a span that has seen Hamels go 7-3 in 16 starts).
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| As hopes and desired by fans and fantasy owners alike, Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano will begin a rehab assignment on Monday with Chicago's rookie league team in Arizona and is expected to come off the disabled list on Thursday, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Soriano has been on the DL since June 12 because of a broken left hand. He took batting practice in Houston on Friday and felt good enough afterward to target a return this week. If all goes well in Mesa on Monday, Soriano will play with Triple-A Iowa in Tucson on Tuesday and could rejoin the Cubs for their four-game series against Florida, beginning Thursday at Wrigley Field.
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| Robby Hammock has been optioned to Triple-A Tucscon, according to the AP. The team moved him to free up a roster spot for Chris Snyder, who has been activated from the DL. |
Our View: The utility catcher only hit .171 with no homers and two RBI over 41 at-bats this season, and held no fantasy value prior to his demotion.
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| As expected, Chris Snyder has been activated from the DL, according to the AP. Utility catcher Robby Hammock has been optioned to Triple-A Tucson as the adjoining move. |
Our View: Snyder is worth activating for the new fantasy week in NL-only leagues, as he hit .246 with seven homers and 33 RBI over 64 games this season.
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| Geoff Jenkins has been injured during Sunday's game, according to the AP. He bruised his shoulder when he was hit by the barrel of his broken bat. Jenkins’ bat broke on contact, and the left-handed hitter was struck in the right side near his neck.
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Our View: We will keep you posted when more details regarding his status are revealed.
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| Josh Willingham was scratched from Sunday's lineup due to a sore wrist, according to the Miami Herald. |
Our View: He told Fredi Gonzalez he was available to play, and the skipper just wanted him to take a break, so fantasy owners shouldn't be concerned with his ailment. Luis Gonzalez got the start in left field.
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| Sports Illustrated indicates that the White Sox and Brewers have inquired about Oakland closer Huston Street. |
Our View: The Brewers interest in no surprise, but Chicago's interest is a bit puzzling as they have one of the most effective bullpens in the league this season, and an elite closer with Bobby Jenks. Perhaps the club wants insurance for Jenks, who recently came off the DL following a bout with painful shoulder bursitis.
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| The LA Times reports that Juan Pierre is ahead of schedule in his rehab from a sprained ligament in his left knee. Though Pierre was expected to need six weeks to recover, skipper Joe Torre said that he could be playing in the next couple of weeks with the Dodgers or in the minors on a rehab assignment.
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Our View: Pierre started jogging over the All-Star break and had a rigorous workout on Saturday, sprinting and catching balls on the run in the outfield at Chase Field. It looks like he will be back at some point in early August.
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| Jason Johnson pitched three innings in relief on Friday, but remains on schedule to start against the Rockies on Tuesday, according to the LA Times. |
Our View: Johnson is worth a look in larger NL-only leagues for Tuesday if you need help, but shouldn't expect much from the 35-year-old hurler.
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| Mark Sweeney is set to be activated from the DL in the next day or two, according to the LA Times. He has been battling a strained right hamstring. |
Our View: Sweeney holds no fantasy value, as he only hit .094 over 64 at-bats with the Dodgers this season, with no homers and three RBI.
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| Andruw Jones was out of Saturday's lineup due to stomach problems that forced him out in the fifth inning of Friday's game, according to the LA Times. He candidly said, "I've had to go to the bathroom quite a few times." |
Our View: He should be back soon, but fantasy owners should not care, as he still only holds a .162 average, and has gone hitless in his last 10 at-bats. He has gone 16-straight games without a home run as well.
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| Brad Penny, who is recovering from mild tendinitis in his right shoulder, throw a 40-pitch bullpen session on Saturday, according to the LA Times. He said he was pain-free following the outing. |
Our View: Penny is scheduled to throw on the side again on Tuesday. He could provide a boost to fantasy lineups during the stretch run at the playoffs, but the Dodgers are yet to reveal a timetable for his return.
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| Chris Snyder is expected to be activated from the DL today following his recovery from a left testicular fracture, according to the East Valley Tribune. Robby Hammock is the likely candidate to get sent down to make room on the roster, unless manager Bob Melvin opts to carry three catchers. |
Our View: Snyder is worth activating in NL-only leagues, as he hit .246 with seven homers and 33 RBI over 64 games this season.
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| Juan Cruz, who is recovering from a strained left oblique, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Sunday, according to the East Valley Tribune. |
Our View: Cruz will likely need to throw at least one more pen session before the team decides when to activate him from the DL. He has fared well as a fantasy middle reliever this season, as he namely racked up 46 strikeouts over 30.2 innings. He didn't record any saves, but has two wins to his credit.
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| The team is yet to officially announce it, but John Van Benschoten remains in line to be recalled from the minors to start on Monday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. |
Our View: He will only hold fantasy value in larger NL-only leagues, as he allowed 17 earned runs, 25 hits, and 12 walks over 15.2 innings of action with the Pirates this season prior to his demotion to Triple-A Indianapolis.
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| Manager John Russell has stated that he will keep Freddy Sanchez in the second spot in the batting order despite his struggles at the plate, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Russell said, "Yeah, we'd like to get Freddy going. But you also have to look at how the lineup balances out. Best case scenario: Freddy hits in the two-hole, and we've got a very potent top of the order. If we move him to the bottom, now we're looking at too many potential outs in one spot. If Freddy's not hitting where he is now, we've got Nate McLouth and Ryan Doumit right there."
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Our View: Sanchez is only hitting .154 in July, and his .256 on-base percentage ranks among the worst of everyday players in the league. Russell does have faith that Sanchez will regain his form, and he notably went 3-for-4 with a double on Saturday. Keep him stashed in NL-only leagues.
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| Humberto Quintero, who is trying to bounce back from a concussion, fared well in his first rehab outing on Saturday, as he went 2-for-4 with Double-A Corpus Christi, according to the Houston Chronicle. |
Our View: That was the first of three rehab games set for him. He will likely be activated from the DL on Tuesday, and J.R. Towles could be sent back to Triple-A Round Rock at that time. Quintero should resume his role as the starting catcher.
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| Manager Cecil Cooper noted that Miguel Tejada will be given more time off in the second half of the season, according to the Houston Chronicle. Cooper said, "The first half we probably didn't monitor it as closely as we should have."
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Our View: Tejada started 93 of the Astros' first 97 games at shortstop. He started off hot, but slumped a bit in June. More time off will keep him fresher, and likely more productive over the duration of the second half, which should benefit fantasy owners during their run at the playoffs.
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| Mark Mulder has been ordered to rest and do nothing for two weeks, while he nurses his shoulder strain, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. GM John Mozeliak said, "We felt that taking a step back, let him not feel like he has to go to the training room, stop it, halt it, let him clear his head. He’s coming off a stringent program and we are deviating from that to see if it works. We are halting all throwing programs, all strengthening programs, and he will not be required to go to the training room."
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Our View: Visits with two specialists, including Dr. James Andrews, revealed no structural damage in Mulder’s shoulder, but the team is not optimistic he will return, and he is not counted on to contribute this season.
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| Adam Wainwright, who is recovering from a sprained right middle finger, is scheduled to meet with team doctors Monday to get clearance to throw off a mound early next week, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. |
Our View: Barring a setback, he could be back in the Cardinals' rotation in early August. He should make a few rehab starts in the minors prior to his return.
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| As expected, Chris Carpenter is set to begin his rehab assignment Sunday night at Double-A, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. |
Our View: The Cardinals remain hesitant to set a timetable for his recovery, but pitching coach Dave Duncan hopes it doesn’t take Carpenter the allotted 30 days to return to the team.
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| Tim Lincecum is showing no signs of illness and is expected to start today against the Brewers, according to the SF Chronicle. |
Our View: Lincecum was drained to the point he needed to be hospitalized during the All-Star break due to his illness (flu-like symptoms) but manager Bruce Bochy stated he is fine. Get him into your lineups for Sunday.
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| The SF Chronicle reports that there is strong indication that the Giants are finalizing a deal that would send second baseman Ray Durham to the Brewers. One of the Brewers' outfield prospects, Darren Ford, was pulled from the starting lineup Saturday, and is believed to be involved in the trade. |
Our View: The Brewers are looking for a bench player who hits left-handed, and Durham fits the bill as a switch-hitter. He wouldn't hold much fantasy value while stuck behind Rickie Weeks on the Brewers' depth chart.
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