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| With the Rockies/Nationals game being rained out, Jeff Francis' return from the DL will be pushed back to Thursday, when the two teams will play a doubleheader. |
Our View: Francis will square off against Jason Bergmann in the first game, while Ubaldo Jimenez will oppose Odalis Perez in the second tilt.
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| David Murphy is headed to the DL because of the right knee strain he suffered Wednesday, according to the Star-Telegram. He's expected to miss 2-4 weeks. |
Our View: Murphy's injury comes at a bad time for the Rangers, who are also without Milton Bradley.
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| Milton Bradley missed his eighth straight start Wednesday due to a strained left quad, though he was available to pinch hit, according to the AP. Manager Ron Washington said Bradley could be ready to return to return the lineup this weekend. |
Our View: It's unreasonable to think Milton will ever be able to make it through a full year without some sort of ailment. He's at least managed to stay off the DL this year.
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| Kevin Millwood had a bullpen session Wednesday and will make a rehab start for Double-A Frisco on Saturday, according to the AP. Millwood has been on the DL since July 26 with a strained groin. |
Our View: We'll have to see how many rehab starts Millwood needs. It's possibly Saturday's will be his only one.
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| Hideki Matsui hit 37 pitches during batting practice at the Yankees facility in Tampa, Fla. Wednesday, according to the AP. Matsui, coming back from a left knee injury, is expected to begin a running program Thursday. |
Our View: Matsui still has a ways to go. We'll continue to monitor his progress.
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| Dan Giese will start on Saturday for the Yanks, who are looking to replace a pair of starters in Joba Chamberlain and Darrell Rasner, according to the AP. |
Our View: Giese looked good in one start earlier this year but was shelled the next time out. He boasts a 2.51 ERA in 13 games (two starts) this year.
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| Ian Kennedy will be recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start on Friday, according to the AP. Dan Giese will get the ball on Saturday. |
Our View: Kennedy struggled earlier this year with the Yanks but appears to have righted the ship in the minors.
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| Derek Lowe was hammered for for eight runs on 13 hits in 3 1/3 innings Wednesday in a 9-6 loss to the Cardinals. |
Our View: This was Lowe's worst start of the year. He pitched really well in June and July.
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| Albert Pujols was 4-for-4 with a grand slam Wednesday. The homer was his 23rd of the year, and he now has 73 RBI. |
Our View: Albert will have to keep it rolling if he wants to extend his streak of .300-30-100 seasons going, as he needs 27 RBI over the final 46 games.
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| Ryan Ludwick tied a franchise record by homering in his fifth straight game Wednesday. He also added a pair of singles and drove in two and scored two. |
Our View: Ludwick has been arguably the biggest fantasy surprise in baseball this year with a .307-29-82 line. He leads all of baseball in SLG %, and if the Cards manage to squeak into the playoffs, Ludwick would get serious MVP consideration.
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| Chris Perez picked up his first career save Wednesday, retiring the final five Dodgers hitters while allowing a walk with two strikeouts. |
Our View: If the Cardinals bring Adam Wainwright back as a starter and not a reliever, then Perez is the favorite for saves from here on out. Officially, the Cards are calling it a committee situation.
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| David Murphy left Wednesday's game after suffering a right knee strain as a result of a collision with Ivan Rodriguez at the plate. |
Our View: We'll update Murphy's status when more is known.
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| Tommy Hunter's outing Wednesday could be his last in the majors for a while. Hunter was knocked around for the second straight start, allowing five runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings. |
Our View: It's pretty clear Hunter isn't ready for the show yet, but it's possible he could stick around until Kevin Millwood is ready.
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| Tim Wakefield had his knuckler working Wednesday, limiting the Royals to two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out six over six innings. |
Our View: Wake's ERA sits at 3.67, which would easily be his lowest since he began starting regularly for the Sox in 2003.
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| Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits, including his sixth homer of the season, in Boston's win Wednesday. |
Our View: This was Jacoby's second straight multi-hit game, which he needed given his low batting average since June.
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| J.D. Drew hit leadoff for the third straight game Wednesday, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. |
Our View: Drew's OBP on the year is around .410, so he's a good fit for this spot in the order. It remains to be seen if he'll stay in the spot.
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| Jason Bay continued his hot start with the Red Sox, picking up a pair of his and scoring two runs in an 8-2 win over Kansas City Wednesday. |
Our View: Bay is hitting .423 with a homer and six RBI in six games with his new team.
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| Justin Verlander allowed five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out eight over 7 2/3 innings Wednesday in the Tigers' 5-1 loss to Chicago. |
Our View: Two of the runs charged to Justin came across the plate while Aquilino Lopez was on the mound. Verlander has given up 18 runs over his last three starts, even though he also has 22 strikeouts over that time.
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| John Danks kept Detroit's offense in check Wednesday, limiting the Tigers to one run on four hits and a walk while striking out six over 6 2/3 innings. The lefty moved to 9-4 on the year. |
Our View: Danks hasn't lost since May 24, even though he hadn't been very good over his last four starts.
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| Jim Thome provided most the offense for the White Sox Wednesday night, belting a three-run homer and scoring two runs in a 5-1 win over the Tigers. The dinger was Thome's 22nd of the year. |
Our View: Thome got off to a slow start this year but has been very good since June.
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| Pedro Martinez allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings Wednesday in a 4-2 loss to the Padres. It was his second start since coming back from a hip injury.
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Our View: Pedro fared a bit better this time out, but it wasn't good enough to pick up a win. His next start will come against the Nationals.
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| Dan Murphy hit second in the Mets batting order Wednesday and picked up three hits, including a triple, in a 4-2 loss to the Padres Wednesday. |
Our View: Murphy is 4-for-7 in his brief time with the Mets, making a case for regular playing time should Ryan Church's return be delayed further.
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| The Cardinals have perhaps tipped their hand as to their future plans for Adam Wainwright, who is coming back from a sprained right middle finger. The righty will go on a rehab assignment Friday and will pitch every two or three days, an indication that he'll be used in relief when he returns to active duty, according to MLB.com. "We're going to limit his pitch count and then have him go more on an every-couple-of-days schedule from there," GM John Mozeliak said. "Not drawing any conclusions, but [using Wainwright in relief] is still on the table. Clearly, we think getting him back in the bullpen sooner, rather than later as a starter, could address some immediate needs." |
Our View: The Cardinals aren't saying for sure that they're planning on using Wainwright as a reliever down the stretch, but the writing appears to be on the wall. He would probably work in the middle innings initially but would almost surely go back to the closer role that he held in the 2006 playoffs.
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| Ivan Rodriguez is listed as day-to-day after suffering a bruised right knee Wednesday that was the result of a collision at home plate with the Rangers' David Murphy, according to the AP. |
Our View: Pudge will almost surely sit out tomorrow, but hopefully he'll be good to go for the weekend series against the Angels.
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| Justin Upton will take batting practice on the field Thursday, the next step in his rehabilitation from a strained left oblique, according to MLB.com. If all goes well, Upton will hit on the field a couple more days before going on a rehab assignment. "I would say at the very least, a week," manager Bob Melvin said when asked how long of an rehab stint Upton would need. "I'd like him to feel pretty good about his swing when he comes back." |
Our View: We'll let you know how Upton's hitting sessions go. It sounds like the best case scenario would have him back for the week of Aug. 18-24.
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| Anibal Sanchez looked rusty in his second start back from the DL Wednesday, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out two. |
Our View: Sanchez, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, will have a few of these types of outings while he regains his command. He should not be used as a mixed league option right now.
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| Kyle Kendrick reached double-digit wins Wednesday, as he tossed six shutout innings while allowing four hits and five walks with four strikeouts in a win over Florida. |
Our View: Kendrick continues to win despite poor peripherals. He's still a borderline, at best, mixed league play, but he has significant value in NL-only play.
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| Shaun Marcum looked like his old self Wednesday, allowing just one run on three hits and two walks while striking out seven over seven innings. |
Our View: Marcum really struggled in his previous three outings since coming back from the DL, so his owners have to be thrilled with this effort.
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| Gio Gonzalez had a decent major league debut Wednesday, but he wasn't good enough to avoid his first loss. The lefty allowed four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings in a loss to the Blue Jays. |
Our View: Not a bad debut for Gio. He'll try to pick up a win next week against the Rays.
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| Ivan Rodriguez left Wednesday's game after being hurt on collision at home plate that ended the second inning, according to the AP. It's not clear what Rodriguez's injury is, but it appeared that the Rangers' David Murphy ran his knee hard into Rodriguez's shin guard. |
Our View: Jose Molina replaced Pudge in the lineup. We'll pass along more info when it becomes available.
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| Tom Gordon was removed from a rehab game for Single-A Clearwater on Wednesday after experiencing right elbow discomfort, according to MLB.com. The veteran will return to Philadelphia to see team physician Michael Ciccotti. |
Our View: Gordon is coming back from inflammation in his elbow. Depending on what Ciccotti says, Gordon's season could be over.
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| The Indians placed Matt Ginter on the DL Wednesday with a right forearm strain. |
Our View: Anthony Reyes will take Ginter's spot in the rotation.
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| The Indians are expected to recall Brendan Donnelly from Triple-A Buffalo Friday. He is working his way back from Tommy John surgery. |
Our View: Donnelly should return to being a solid setup man and is worth a look in AL-only formats.
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| The Indians optioned Tom Mastny to Triple-A Buffalo Wednesday. |
Our View: Mastny hardly made a case to stick around, holding a 10.18 ERA in nine games.
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| The Nationals are likely to recall Garrett Mock from Triple-A Columbus to replace Elijah Dukes, who is expected to land on the DL, according to the Washington Post. |
Our View: Mock would be used as a long man out of the bullpen.
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| GM Jim Bowden told the Washington Post that Elijah Dukes is likely to be placed on the DL "either today or tomorrow." Dukes ad an MRI on his injured calf injury this morning, and he'll need further time to recover. |
Our View: Dukes has appeared in just two games since returning from a knee injury, and it looks like he's headed back to the DL.
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| The Rockies activated Jeff Francis from the DL Wednesday. Francis, who was out with inflammation in his left shoulder, will start tonight against the Nationals. |
Our View: Francis gave up just one run over his three rehab outings, so he appears to be ready.
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| The Rockies optioned Steven Register to Triple-A Colorado Springs Wednesday. He struck out the only batter he faced while with the club. |
Our View: Those in Steven Register-only leagues can feel free to release the reliever.
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| Kevin Youkilis was hit by a pitch on the right hand Wednesday and eventually had to leave the game, according to SportsTicker. The All-Star took his base after getting hit but was removed in between innings after getting doubled off first. |
Our View: X-rays on Youkilis' hand came back negative. The Sox are off tomorrow, so hopefully Youk will be able to return to the lineup on Friday.
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| Michael Cuddyer will remain on rehab assignment at Triple-A Rochester through the weekend, manager Ron Gardenhire told the AP. Cuddyer is coming back from a strained tendon in his left index finger. |
Our View: With the way Denard Span has performed, the Twins haven't missed Cuddyer that much. We could see Span take over for Carlos Gomez in center.
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| The Cardinals will go to a closer by committee approach after Jason Isringhausen's latest blowup, according to the AP. Manager Tony La Russa still thinks Izzy can be a useful piece of the bullpen. "Oh yeah, I definitely do," the manager said. "I think he's got a lot he can offer us." |
Our View: The Cards added youngster Chris Perez to the pen Wednesday, and he could get a crack at the job. It sounds like La Russa will play the matchups, though.
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| Ryan Church's potential return from post-concussion syndrome could hinge on an examination that he'll go through on Thursday or Friday, according to MetsBlog.com. Manager Jerry Manuel isn;t getting his hopes up. "I've said before that I'm not optimistic about [Church], because it's really foreign to all of us and we're just unsure as to whether he can go," Manuel said. "If it does turn out to be something that's favorable for us, it would be a welcomed addition for us." |
Our View: The Mets could certainly use Church's bat back in the lineup. We'll let you know what comes of his exam.
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| Mark Grudzielanek is likely done for the year after revealing on Wednesday that he has a torn deltoid ligament on the left side of his right ankle, according to MLB.com. "I'd be pressed to get back this year," he said. |
Our View: Esteban German will handle the second base duties while Grudzielanek is out. If he is in fact done, Grudz will end the year with a .299 batting average.
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| The Rangers sent Ryan Roberts outright to Triple-A Oklahoma Wednesday. |
Our View: Roberts struck out in his lone at-bat with Texas.
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| Brian Giles has been claimed off waivers by an unnamed team, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The Padres have 48 hours to complete a trade. If no deal is reached, the Padres can take back Giles, or let him go to the claiming team. |
Our View: Dozens of players get claimed off waivers every year and nothing ends up happening. We'll let you know if Giles ends up departing San Diego.
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| The Yankees recalled Chris Britton from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Wednesday. He replaces Joba Chamberlain on the roster. |
Our View: Britton will serve in middle relief.
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| Dan Meyer will start in place of the injured Sean Gallagher on Saturday, according to the AP. He tossed four scoreless innings in relief of Gallagher on Monday. |
Our View: Meyer was once a top prospect, but he doesn't belong anywhere near your fantasy roster these days.
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| Sean Gallagher returned to California for an MRI exam because of irritation in his right shoulder, according to the AP. Dan Meyer will start in Gallagher's place on Saturday. |
Our View: Gallagher is expected to start next week against the Rays, though that could change depending on the results of the MRI.
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| The A's optioned Gregorio Petit to Triple-A Sacramento Wednesday to make room on the roster for Gio Gonzalez. |
Our View: Petit held his own at the plate in his brief time with the A's, but he wasn't getting enough playing time to be worthy of a fantasy roster spot.
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| The A's purchased the contract of Gio Gonzalez from Triple-A Sacramento Wednesday. Gonzalez will make his major league debut tonight against the Blue Jays. |
Our View: Gonzalez was 8-7 with a 4.24 ERA at Triple-A, with 128 strikeouts in 123 innings. Infielder Gregorio Petit was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Gonzalez.
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| As expected, the Yankees placed Joba Chamberlain on the DL Wednesday, according to the AP. Chamberlain had his shoulder examined today by Dr. James Andrews today, who diagnosed the righty with rotator cuff tendinitis. |
Our View: Joba will rest for a week and then begin a throwing program.
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| Aaron Rowand notched his 10th homer of the year and drove in all three runs for the Giants Wednesday in a 3-2 win over Atlanta. |
Our View: Rowand's .282-10-60 line doesn't exactly scream $60 million, but did anyone think he'd end up being worthy of that contract?
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| Tim Lincecum held the Braves to two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out eight over eight innings Wednesday to pick up his 12th win of the year. |
Our View: Tiny Tim now has 24 more strikeouts than anyone in the NL and has somehow managed to pick up a dozen wins on a horrid Giants squad.
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| Randy Winn had four singles and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over Atlanta. |
Our View: Winn is batting .458 this month but hasn't homered since June 2.
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| Brian McCann was 1-for-8 in his first two games back from a concussion, but on Wednesday he was up to his old tricks, going 3-for-4 with a double and run scored. |
Our View: McCann looks to be good to go moving forward, though he's not going to drive in many runs in Atlanta's Triple-A looking offense.
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| Vladimir Guerrero had a two-run homer and a two-RBI double in the Angels' 9-4 win over Baltimore Wednesday. The homer was Vlad's 20th of the season. |
Our View: It is the 11th season in a row that Vlad has reached 20 bombs, though it's taken him a little longer this year to reach that number than in years past.
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| Randy Johnson had his string of five straight wins snapped Wednesday, but it wasn't his fault. The tall lefty allowed only two runs on seven hits while striking out seven over 7 1/3 innings in a 2-0 loss to Pittsburgh. He was upstaged by Jeff Karstens, who nearly through a perfect game before settling for a two-hit shutout. |
Our View: The Big Unit has allowed just these two runs in his last four outings, showing that he's still got something left in the tank.
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| Jeff Karstens followed up his impressive Pirates' debut with an even better outing Wednesday. The righty carried a perfect game into the eighth inning and ended the day with just two hits and no runs allowed in a 2-0 win. He walked one and struck out four. |
Our View: Perhaps the high upside guy that many people said the Pirates failed to come away with at the deadline was in fact Karstens. We're kidding, of course, but you have to be impressed with what he's done so far in the Steel City. We're not ready to say Karstens is a mixed league option just yet, though.
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| The newly signed Felipe Lopez is starting in left field tonight for the Cardinals. He's hitting seventh in the batting order. |
Our View: The fact that Lopez is playing the outfield in his first start seems to be proof that he'll be used a utility role and not as a starting option at shortstop or second. However, if he turns it around at the plate, that could change.
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| The Cardinals optioned Nick Stavinoha to Triple-A Memphis Wednesday. Stavinoha has hit .200 with four RBI in 25 at-bats with the Cards this year. |
Our View: Stavinoha has put up terrific numbers at Triple-A, but he hasn't looked good in his two big league stints.
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| The Cardinals recalled Chris Perez from Triple-A Memphis Wednesday. Outfielder Nick Stavinoha was optioned to make room on the roster. |
Our View: With the Cards' problems at the back end of the pen, there's a chance, probably a good chance, that Perez will get a look in the closer role.
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| The Indians will recall Anthony Reyes from Triple-A Buffalo to start Friday against the Blue Jays, according to SportsTicker. Matt Ginter will be placed on the DL to make room on the roster. |
Our View: Friday is supposed to be Paul Byrd's turn in the rotation. Perhaps the Tribe is working on a post-deadline deal involving Byrd, or maybe they'll just push him back a day. Reyes is worth a shot in AL-only leagues.
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| Confirming an earlier report, Livan Hernandez has indeed been claimed by the Rockies off waivers, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The Rockies will pay the approximately $1.6 million remaining on Hernandez's contract for the year, while the Twins, who designated Hernandez for assignment last week, are responsible for the incentives the pitcher has already earned this season. At least one other National League club also made a claim on Hernandez, but the Rockies were awarded the pitcher because they had the worst record of any of the claiming teams. |
Our View: Hernandez is likely to take Jorge De La Rosa's spot in the rotation. Pitching at Coors Field negates any sort of uptick Livan receives in value by going back to the NL.
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| Ryan Theriot has left Wednesday's game after six innings as he sustained an apparent foot injury. |
Our View: He fouled a ball off his right foot, and was then replaced by Ronny Cedeno. We will keep you posted when the severity of the ailment is determined.
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| Billy Sadler has been recalled from Triple-A Fresno, according to the AP. Right-hander Sergio Romo has been designated for assignment as the adjoining move. |
Our View: Sadler issued 13 earned runs, 18 walks, and 17 hits over 23.2 innings of relief with the Giants this season, and does not garner fantasy consideration.
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| Keiichi Yabu has been activated from the DL following his recovery from a sprained right middle finger, according to the AP. The Giants optioned reliever Osiris Matos to Triple-A Fresno as the corresponding move. |
Our View: Yabu will provide depth to the Giants' bullpen, but will hold no fantasy value in anything but deeper NL-only leagues, as he maintains a 3.64 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 47 innings of relief this season.
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| Jeremy Sowers issued three earned runs on six hits over six innings in Wednesday's 10-7 loss to the Rays, with three walks and two strikeouts. He exited the game with a 6-4 lead, and was handed a no decision. |
Our View: Sowers holds a 1-6 record over 13 starts, and should remain a fantasy non-factor.
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| Jhonny Peralta impressively went 5-for-5 with two RBI in Wednesday's 10-7 loss to the Rays at Tropicana Field. He hit two singles, two doubles, and a solo home run. He accounted for 10 total bases in the game. |
Our View: He extended his hitting streak to 10 games, and has homered in back-to-back contests. He raised his average a few points higher to .281, and should remain in fantasy lineups while he is hot.
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| Carlos Pena went 1-for-2 with a three-run homer in Wednesday's 10-7 win over the Indians at Tropicana Field. He led a six-run rally in the ninth inning to pull out a hard-fought victory for the Rays. |
Our View: He has 20 homers for the season, with three coming over his last seven games. His batting average will remain low, but should remain a solid source of power down the stretch for fantasy owners.
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| Scott Kazmir was not in control in Wednesday's 10-7 win over Cleveland, as he surrendered five earned runs on nine hits over a mere 4.1 innings of work, with three walks and four strikeouts. Tampa Bay rallied to score six runs in the ninth inning, and Kazmir was dealt a no decision instead of a loss. |
Our View: Kazmir remains at 8-5, and has been issued a no decision in three straight starts, and has not lasted beyond the fifth inning in any of those outings.
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| Mike Napoli is expected to be activated from the DL Friday prior to the Angels contest against the Yankees, according to Angels.com. He has been recovering from irritation in his right shoulder. |
Our View: Napoli has hit .500 with one home run and three RBI over 10 at-bats with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, and is also throwing the ball great as a catcher. He will platoon with Jeff Mathis when he returns, and will remain a solid source for home runs (12) from the position, but leaves a lot to be desired with a .204 batting average.
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