Monday Lineup Card: Weaver Goes For Win No. 6

Projected Starters – A look at Monday's matchups (all times Eastern):

White Sox (Philip Humber – R) at Yankees (A.J. Burnett – R), 7:05
Nationals (John Lannan – L) at Pirates (Paul Maholm), 7:05
Dodgers (Jon Garland – R) at Marlins (Ricky Nolasco – R), 7:10
Blue Jays (Kyle Drabek – R) at Rangers (Colby Lewis – R), 8:05
Rockies (Esmil Rogers – R) at Cubs (Matt Garza – R), 8:05
Reds (Bronson Arroyo – R) at Brewers (Chris Narveson – L), 8:10
Phillies (Cliff Lee – L) at Diamondbacks (Ian Kennedy – R), 9:40
Athletics (Gio Gonzalez – L) at Angels (Jered Weaver – R), 10:05
Braves (Derek Lowe – R) at Padres (Dustin Moseley – R), 10:05

Day Game After a Night Game: None

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
Delmon Young, OF, MIN – (Ribs) Targeting a Tuesday return to the lineup
Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, TOR – (Wrist) Scratched from Sunday's lineup
Carlos Carrasco, P, CLE – (Elbow) Left Sunday's game after three innings with tightness; severity unknown as of Sunday night
Rafael Soriano, P, NYY – (Back) Was unavailable for Sunday's game

NL
Chase Headley, 3B, SDG – (Illness) Returned to lineup Sunday
Chris Denorfia, OF, SDG – (Groin) Should avoid DL, but sat Sunday
Juan Uribe, 2B, LAD – (Thigh) Missed second game in a row Sunday
Chipper Jones, 3B, ATL – (Knee) Returned to lineup Sunday
Chris Iannetta, C, COL – (Back) Hoping to return to lineup within a couple days
Willie Bloomquist, OF, ARZ – (Hamstring) Looking to return Monday or Tuesday

Players on the DL

AL
Franklin Gutierrez, OF, SEA – (Stomach) Has irritable bowel syndrome; will be out about two weeks
Jayson Nix, 2B, TOR – (Knee) Off his leg for seven days, then hopefully back to baseball activities
Kevin Slowey, P, MIN – (Shoulder) Threw scoreless inning at High-A and could return late in the week
Philip Hughes, P, NYY – (Arm) Threw a successful bullpen session Sunday
J.J. Hardy, SS, BAL – (Oblique) Baseball activities Monday for first time since being placed on DL
Aaron Hill, 2B, TOR – (Hamstring) Placed on DL retroactive to last Wednesday, so may only miss another week and a half
Evan Longoria, 3B, TAM – (Oblique) Took BP on Saturday and remains on schedule for April 29 return
Rajai Davis, OF, TOR – (Ankle) Still hasn't played nine innings in rehab, but could be back by middle of week
Michael Wuertz, P, OAK – (Hamstring) Could be activated Monday
Andrew Bailey, P, OAK – (Forearm) Bullpen session scheduled for Tuesday
Jake Peavy, P, CHW – (Shoulder) Rehab scheduled to begin this Friday

NL
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI – (Knee) Looks like return timeline is by the end of May
Domonic Brown, OF, PHI – (Wrist) Taking part in extended spring training games; rehab will follow
Kyle Blanks, OF, SDG – (Elbow) Could move to first base when activated
J.C. Romero, P, PHI – (Calf) On target for May 4 return
Ronny Paulino, C, PIT – (Illness) Won't be activated Tuesday; pushed back at least a few days
Corey Hart, OF, MIL – (Oblique) Will play nine innings in rehab game Monday and could be back with the Brewers as soon as Tuesday
Fred Lewis, OF, CIN – (Oblique) Rehab assignment moved to Triple-A
Dioner Navarro, C, LAD – (Oblique) Could return from DL Monday
Hong-Chih Kuo, P, LAD – (Back) Threw in extended spring training; could be back as soon as Friday
Scott Olsen, P, PIT – (Hamstring) Throwing in extended spring training, but not back anytime soon
Homer Bailey, P, CIN – (Shoulder)Threw 70 pitches over 5.1 shutout innings in Triple-A; could be activated this week but pitch count may not let him go deep into a game without another start to stretch him out
Zack Greinke, P, MIL – (Ribs) Allowed two runs in 2.2 innings of rehab start; will make one more rehab before returning to Milwaukee on May 4
Jose Contreras, P, PHI – (Elbow) Placed on DL; Ryan Madson should get saves even though he took a day off Sunday and Antonio Bastardo picked up a rogue save

Transactions - Players that have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.

Called Up
Brian Bixler, SS, WAS
Chris Valaika, 2B, CIN
Wade LeBlanc, P, SDG

Sent Down
Lee Hyde, P, WAS (designated for assignment)
Collin Balester, P, WAS
Pat Neshek, P, SDG

Placed on DL (15-day unless otherwise noted)
Scott Rolen, 3B, CIN

Activated from DL
Todd Coffey, P, WAS

Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out our Closer Grid with the link to the left).

Houston – Brandon Lyon gave up a run and increased his WHIP to 1.80 during Saturday's blown save, but he wound up the winner in extra innings.

Texas – Darren Oliver picked up Saturday's save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Then on Sunday, Brett Tomko nearly let things get away in a non-save situation before Arthur Rhodes entered and picked up the save by retiring the final batter of the game.

Washington – Drew Storen picked up a save for the third straight outing on Sunday. It appears he has taken over the closer's role exclusively, which puts Sean Burnett into a setup role.

Philadelphia – The Phillies placed Jose Contreras on the DL and gave Ryan Madson a day off Sunday. That allowed Antonio Bastardo to pick up the save with a scoreless inning.

Key Matchups

Hot
Matt Diaz v. John Lannan – 11-for-22 (.500), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3:1 BB:K
Omar Infante v. Jon Garland – 17-for-40 (.425), 0 HR, 3 HR, 1:2 BB:K
Craig Counsell v. Bronson Arroyo – 12-for-31 (.387), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 4:2 BB:K
Brad Hawpe v. Derek Lowe – 13-for-39 (.333), 3 HR, 10 RBI, 5:7 BB:K
Jorge Cantu v. Derek Lowe – 7-for-14 (.500), 1 HR, 7 RBI, 1:1 BB:K
Alberto Gonzalez v. Derek Lowe – 7-for-13 (.538), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:0 BB:K
Ryan Ludwick v. Derek Lowe – 8-for-13 (.615), 3 HR, 8 RBI, 0:0 BB:K

Jered Weaver v. Athletics - .228/.286/.354 in 189 AB, 36:15 K:BB

Cold
Rickie Weeks v. Bronson Arroyo – 5-for-29 (.172), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3:12 BB:K
Jonny Gomes v. Chris Narveson – 0-for-6 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:4 BB:K
Bobby Abreu v. Gio Gonzalez – 0-for-11 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:6 BB:K
Mark Ellis v. Jered Weaver – 5-for-28 (.179), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:5 BB:K
Coco Crisp v. Jered Weaver – 2-for-20 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:7 BB:K
Cliff Pennington v. Jered Weaver – 2-for-18 (.111), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:6 BB:K

Derek Lowe v. Padres - .395/.466/.651 in 129 AB, 17:16 K:BB – However, start is at spacious Petco Park

Recommended Pickup

Brett Wallace, 1B, HOU – Wallace tore the cover off the ball last week, going 8-for-21 with four doubles in a five game span. It appears he is putting things together and will be a fixture at first base in Houston for many years. His 250 lb. frame is evidence that his power should mature quickly; and if he can do that, this former first round pick will flourish. Justin Smoak is owned in twice as many leagues, but these two could produce similar numbers by the end of the season.

Other Recent Recommendations: Darren O'Day/Arthur Rhodes, Mitchell Boggs, Danny Espinosa, Brennan Boesch, Jerry Sands