This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters – A look at Thursday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Diamondbacks (Daniel Hudson - R) v Reds (Mike Leake - R), 12:35 p.m.
Nationals (Tom Gorzelanny - L) v Cardinals (Kyle Lohse - R), 1:40 p.m.
Braves (Jair Jurrjens - R) v Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw - L), 3:10 p.m.
White Sox (Gavin Floyd - R) v Rays (Jeff Niemann - R), 6:40 p.m.
Twins (Scott Baker - R) v Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie - R), 7:05 p.m.
Astros (J.A. Happ - L) v Mets (Chris Capuano - L), 7:10 p.m.
Pirates (James McDonald - L) v Marlins (Chris Volstad - R), 7:10 p.m.
Indians (Josh Tomlin - R) v Royals (Sean O'Sullivan - R), 8:10 p.m.
Red Sox (Josh Beckett - R) v Angels (Tyler Chatwood - R), 10:05 p.m.
Phillies (Roy Oswalt - R) v Padres (Mat Latos - R), 10:05 p.m.
A's (Brandon McCarthy - R) v Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R), 10:10 p.m.
OFF: Cubs, Rockies, Tigers, Brewers, Yankees, Giants, Rangers, Yankees
Day Game After a Night Game: Diamondbacks/Reds, Braves/Dodgers, Nationals/Cardinals (DH Wednesday), White Sox/Rays
Injuries - A brief look at players that have been missing time with minor ailments and their expected returns.
Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)
AL
Johnny Damon, OF, TB - (Finger) Missed his third straight game Wednesday
Delmon Young, OF, MIN - (Illness)
Projected Starters – A look at Thursday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Diamondbacks (Daniel Hudson - R) v Reds (Mike Leake - R), 12:35 p.m.
Nationals (Tom Gorzelanny - L) v Cardinals (Kyle Lohse - R), 1:40 p.m.
Braves (Jair Jurrjens - R) v Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw - L), 3:10 p.m.
White Sox (Gavin Floyd - R) v Rays (Jeff Niemann - R), 6:40 p.m.
Twins (Scott Baker - R) v Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie - R), 7:05 p.m.
Astros (J.A. Happ - L) v Mets (Chris Capuano - L), 7:10 p.m.
Pirates (James McDonald - L) v Marlins (Chris Volstad - R), 7:10 p.m.
Indians (Josh Tomlin - R) v Royals (Sean O'Sullivan - R), 8:10 p.m.
Red Sox (Josh Beckett - R) v Angels (Tyler Chatwood - R), 10:05 p.m.
Phillies (Roy Oswalt - R) v Padres (Mat Latos - R), 10:05 p.m.
A's (Brandon McCarthy - R) v Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R), 10:10 p.m.
OFF: Cubs, Rockies, Tigers, Brewers, Yankees, Giants, Rangers, Yankees
Day Game After a Night Game: Diamondbacks/Reds, Braves/Dodgers, Nationals/Cardinals (DH Wednesday), White Sox/Rays
Injuries - A brief look at players that have been missing time with minor ailments and their expected returns.
Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)
AL
Johnny Damon, OF, TB - (Finger) Missed his third straight game Wednesday
Delmon Young, OF, MIN - (Illness) Missed Tuesday and Wednesday because of an illness and some sore ribs
Justin Morneau, 1B, MIN - (Illness) Missed three games because of the flu
Magglio Ordonez, OF, DET - (Ankle) Returned to the lineup Wednesday as the DH
Aaron Hill, 2B, TOR - (Hamstring) Strained his right hamstring while stealing a base Tuesday, MRI on tap
NL
Melvin Mora, 3B, AZ - (Foot) Not in Wednesday's lineup, X-rays negative
Donnie Murphy, SS, FLA - (Knee) Not in Wednesday's lineup - his fourth non-start in a row
Logan Morrison, OF, FLA - (Foot) Spotted in a boot after Tuesday's game, not in Wednesday's lineup, MRI on tap
Nyjer Morgan, OF, MIL - (Thigh) Has not started in over a week
Evan Meek, P, PIT - (Illness) Cold threatens his availability
Players on the DL
AL
Mason Tobin, P, TEX - (elbow) Placed on DL on Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's game
Francisco Cervelli, C, NY-A - (Foot) Will start a minor league rehab assignment Thursday
Matt Albers, P, BOX - (Back) Could join Red Sox on Thursday
Robinson Tejeda, P, KC - (Shoulder) Threw a bullpen session Tuesday
Brian Matusz, P, BAL - (Back) No issues after Wednesday's throwing session
J.J. Hardy, SS, BAL - (Oblqiue) Could be cleared for baseball activities this weekend
Jake Peavy, P, CHI-A - (Shoulder) Recent discomfort not as serious as first thought
NL
Homer Bailey, P, CIN - (Shoulder) Rehab start pushed back a couple of days
Chris Young, P, SD - (Biceps) Could throw simulated game Thursday
Bobby Parnell, P, NY-N - (Finger) Placed on the 15-day DL on Wednesday with circulatory problems
LaTroy Hawkins, P, MIL - (Shoulder) Will come off the DL on Friday
Clint Barmes, 2B, HOU - (Hand) Will spend three days on a minor rehab assignment, could be back next week
Alberto Arias, P, HOU - (Shoulder) Will be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon Thursday after another setback
Corey Hart, OF, MIL - (Oblique) Went 0-for-2 in a rehab game Tuesday
Transactions - Players that have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.
Activated from the DL
Ryan Perry, P, DET
Cody Ross, OF, SF
Erick Aybar, SS, ANA
Michael Kirkman, P, TEX
Placed on the DL
Bobby Parnell, P, NY-N
Mason Tobin, P, TEX
Recalled
Taylor Teagarden, C, TEX
Brett Tomko, P, TEX
Sent Down
Brandon Wood, 3B, ANA (designated for assignment)
Brandon Belt, 1B, SF
Bobby Cassevah, P, ANA
Enrique Gonzalez, P, DET (outrighted)
Pat Misch, P, NY-N (outrighted)
Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out our Closer Grid with the link to the left).
St. Louis - Barely three weeks into the season, and Ryan Franklin has already lived up to the preseason expectations of losing his closer role. He might still factor into the ninth-inning battle, but expect TLR to also consider Jason Motte, Mitchell Boggs and Miguel Batista in nail-biter situations and three-run leads. The smart money might be on Boggs, but this situation might not resolve itself for a little while.
Key Matchups
Hot
Albert Pujols v Tom Gorzelanny - 6-for-19 (.316), 3 2B, 0 HR, 2:7 K:BB (.500 OBP)
Lance Berkman v Tom Gorzelanny - 3-for-10 (.300), 1 2B, 0 HR, 2:3 K:BB (.429 OBP)
Ivan Rodriguez v Kyle Lohse - 13-for-41 (.317), 1 2B, 0 HR, 5:1 K:BB
Matt Kemp v Jair Jurrjens - 4-for-11 (.364), 1 HR, 5:0 K:BB
Johnny Damon v Gavin Floyd - 11-for-19 (.579), 1 2B, 1 HR, 1:4 K:BB (.652 OBP, 1.442 OPS)
Ben Zobrist v Gavin Floyd - 3-for-12 (.250), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 5:0 K:BB
Paul Konerko v Jeff Niemann - 3-for-13 (.231), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1:1 K:BB (1.026 OPS)
A.J. Pierzynski v Jeff Niemann - 6-for-13 (.462), 0 XBH, 1:0 K:BB
Jim Thome v Jeremy Guthrie - 5-for-19 (.263), 3 HR, 8:6 K:BB (.440 OBP, 1.177 OPS)
Jason Kubel v Jeremy Guthrie - 5-for-16 (.313), 3 2B, 1 HR, 4:0 K:BB (1.000 OPS)
Michael Cuddyer v Jeremy Guthrie - 5-for-13 (.385), 1 HR, 1:0 K:BB (1.000 OPS)
Justin Morneau v Jeremy Guthrie - 4-for-12 (.333), 1 2B, 2 HR, 3:0 K:BB (1.250 OPS)
Carlos Beltran v J.A. Happ - 3-for-11 (.273), 2 HR, 2:0 K:BB (1.091 OPS)
Vernon Wells v Josh Beckett - 12-for-38 (.316), 4 2B, 5 HR, 6:5 K:BB (.409 OBP, 1.225 OPS)
Howie Kendrick v Josh Beckett - 12-for-31 (.387), 1 HR, 6:1 K:BB
Ryan Ludwick v Roy Oswalt, 4-for-11 (.364), 0 HR, 3:1 K:BB
Chone Figgins v Brandon McCarthy - 5-for-10 (.500), 0 HR, 1:2 K:BB
Kurt Suzuki v Felix Hernandez - 6-for-19 (.316), 1 2B, 1:1 K:BB
David DeJesus v Felix Hernandez - 9-for-26 (.346), 3 2B, 1 HR, 3:1 K:BB
Felix Hernandez v A's Hitters - .258/.320/.343, 11 2B, 3 HR, 49:17 K:BB in 261 PA
Roy Oswalt v Padres Hitters - .237/.274/.381, 3 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 33:6 K:BB in 125 PA
Jair Jurrjens v Mets Hitters - .189/.273/.304, 6 2B, 4 3B, 1HR, 24:17 K:BB in 167 PA
Cold
Brandon Phillips v Daniel Hudson - 2-for-10 (.200), 0 XBH, 3:0 K:BB
Ryan Theriot v Tom Gorzelanny - 3-for-13 (.231), 1 2B, 0:1 K:BB
Jerry Hairston v Kyle Lohse - 2-for-15 (.133), 1 2B, 3:3 K:BB
Adam LaRoche v Kyle Lohse - 5-for-21 (.238), 1 3B, 3:1 K:BB
Matt Stairs v Kyle Lohse - 6-for-26 (.231), 0 XBH, 4:5 K:BB
Casey Blake v Jair Jurrjens - 2-for-10 (.200), 1 HR, 3:0 K:BB
Casey Kotchman v Gavin Floyd - 2-for-12 (.167), 0 XBH, 2:1 K:BB
Sean Rodriguez v Gavin Floyd - 0-for-10 (.000), 0 XBH, 2:1 K:BB
Alexei Ramirez v Jeff Niemann - 2-for-10 (.200), 0 XBH, 3:0 K:BB
Nick Markakis v Scott Baker - 3-for-17 (.176), 1 HR, 3:2 K:BB
Luke Scott v Scott Baker - 3-for-14 (.214), 2 HR, 2:0 K:BB
Demon Young v Jeremy Guthrie - 2-for-14 (.143), 0 XBH, 0:1 K:BB
Bobby Abreu v Josh Beckett - 15-for-78 (.192), 3 2B, 2 HR, 25:20 K:BB
Alberto Callaspo v Josh Beckett - 3-for-17 (.176), 2 2B, 4:1 K:BB
Jeff Mathis v Josh Beckett - 2-for-10 (.200), 2 2B, 4:0 K:BB
Brad Hawpe v Roy Oswalt - 6-for-27 (.222), 2 2B, 7:1 K:BB
Orlando Hudson v Roy Oswalt - 4-for-18 (.222), 1 3B, 3:0 K:BB
Hideki Matsui v Felix Hernandez - 6-for-29 (.207), 1 2B, 1 HR, 3:5 K:BB
Kevin Kouzmanoff v Felix Hernandez - 3-for-22 (.136), 0 XBH, 7:1 K:BB
Cliff Pennington v Felix Hernandez - 4-for-18 (.222), 1 2B, 6:1 K:BB
Kyle Lohse v Nationals Hitters - .297/.346/.432, 9 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 25:11 K:BB
Recommended Pickup
Brennan Boesch, OF, DET - When news first hit that Victor Martinez was headed to the DL with a groin strain, many ill-informed fantasy managers may have thought "Ooo - I have to pick up Alex Avila now." While Avila would be a good pickup, Martinez's injury will not affect his value too sharply, as Avila had caught 13 games to Martinez's five prior to the injury. Instead, the man who stands to gain the most is Boesch. Martinez's absence means the DH slot will be filled by either Magglio Ordonez or Boesch on a nightly basis, and the other will play the outfield. Boesch should provide fantasy owners with some modest power and the occasional steal while he gets playing time, and he has shown increased patience at the plate so far this season (13.4 percent walk rate to last year's 7.8).
Other recent recommendations:Jerry Sands, Jed Lowrie, Jon Herrera, Bartolo Colon and Kyle Farnsworth
