
NEWS & ADVICE
DRAFT PREP
Projected Starters A look at Saturday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez R) at Brewers (Randy Wolf L), 2:10
Mets (Mike Pelfrey R) at Yankees (Ivan Nova R), 1:05
Reds (Edinson Volquez R) at Indians (Carlos Carrasco R), 1:05
Astros (Wandy Rodriguez L) at Blue Jays (Kyle Drabek R), 1:07
Rays (James Shields R) at Marlins (Jay Buente R), 1:10
Tigers (Rick Porcello R) at Pirates (Paul Maholm L), 1:35
Rangers (Matt Harrison L) at Phillies (Roy Oswalt R), 1:35
Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann R) at Orioles (Chris Tillman R), 1:35
Cardinals (Jaime Garcia L) at Royals (Sean OSullivan R), 2:10
Dodgers (Hiroki Kuroda R) at White Sox (Edwin Jackson R), 2:10
Braves (Derek Lowe R) at Angels (Tyler Chatwood R), 3:35
Mariners (Felix Hernandez R) at Padres (Tim Stauffer R), 4:05
Athletics (Gio Gonzalez L) at Giants (Jonathan Sanchez L), 4:05
Twins (Francisco Liriano L) at Diamondbacks (Daniel Hudson R), 4:10
Cubs (TBD) at Red Sox (Tim Wakefield R), 8:05
Day Game After a Night Game: COL, MIL, DET, PIT, NYM, NYY, OAK, SF, TEX, PHI, SEA, SD, ATL, LAA, MIN, ARI
Injuries A brief look at players who have been missing time with minor ailments and their expected returns
Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)
Howie Kendrick, 2B, LAA (Hamstring) Did not play Friday, but a DL stint is not imminent.
Josh Beckett, SP, BOS (Neck) Should make next start.
B.J. Upton, OF, TB (Lower Body) Out of the lineup Saturday, but could return Sunday.
Tim Hudson, SP, ATL (Back) Optimistic about making his next start, but experienced lower back stiffness in his rough outing Friday.
Joe Blanton, RP, PHI (Elbow) Out until at least the end of May.
Aaron Rowand, OF, SF (Back) Could return sometime this weekend.
Juan Uribe, 2B, LAD (Hip) Did not play Saturday.
Lance Berkman, 1B, STL (Wrist) Missed a third straight game Saturday.
Jonathan Lucroy, C, MIL (Wrist) Returned to the lineup Saturday.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL (Groin) Back in the lineup Saturday.
Todd Helton, 1B, COL (Back) Should return in a couple days.
Matt Garza, SP, CHC (Elbow) Will miss Sundays start with tightness in his right elbow.
Players on the DL
Travis Hafner, DH, PHI (Oblique) Placed on the 15-day DL Friday; expected to miss 3-4 weeks.
Jesse Litsch, SP, TOR (Shoulder) Placed on the 15-day DL Friday; expected to miss at least two starts.
Mitch Talbot, SP, CLE (Elbow) Will likely pitch as a starter when he returns from the DL.
Junichi Tazawa, RP, BOS (Elbow) Made his first rehab start Friday since undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Marco Scutaro, SS, BOS (Oblique) Will not come off the DL when eligible Monday.
Vernon Wells, OF, LAA (Groin) Could miss several more weeks.
Scott Kazmir, SP, LAA (Back) Will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday.
Joe Mauer, C, MIN (Leg) Making progress, but still no timetable for his return.
Brad Thomas, RP, DET (Elbow) Placed on the 15-day DL.
Nelson Cruz, OF, TEX (Quad) Expected to be activated from the DL by Monday.
Phil Hughes, SP, NYY (Shoulder) Progressing in his rehab, but still waiting confirmation to up the intensity of his workouts.
Pedro Feliciano, RP, NYY (Shoulder) Hopes to return in July.
Eric Chavez, 3B, NYY (Foot) Should start weight-bearing exercises in the last week of May.
Derrek Lee, 1B, CLE (Oblique) Believes hell return from the DL when eligible.
John Lackey, SP, BOS (Elbow) Threw Saturday for the first time since receiving a cortisone shot Monday.
Grady Sizemore, OF, CLE (Knee) Hasnt started running yet, but hopes to return before the start of June.
Bobby Jenks, RP, BOS (Arm) Threw a bullpen session Saturday.
Adam Lind, 1B, TOR (Back) Still more than a week away from returning.
David Wright, 3B, NYM (Back) Has been inactive since going on the DL this week.
Angel Pagan, OF, NYM (Oblique) Nearing a return from the DL.
Jose Contreras, RP, PHI (Elbow) Scheduled to make possibly his last rehab appearance Saturday.
Rafael Furcal, SS, LAD (Thumb) Could be activated Sunday.
Marcus Thames, OF, LAD (Quad) Could start a rehab assignment next week.
Vincente Padilla, RP, LAD (Forearm) Doesnt expect to miss more than the minimum 15 days.
Casey Blake, 3B, LAD (Elbow) May begin a rehab assignment Sunday or Monday.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS (Abdomen) Expected to start rehab work soon.
Mark DeRosa, OF, SF (Wrist) No timetable has been offered on when he may return.
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF (Hand) Could return in 2-to-3 weeks.
Randy Wells, SP, CHC (Forearm) Expected to be activated to start next Fridays game.
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI (Knee) Could rejoin the Phillies this coming week.
Aroldis Chapman, RP, CIN (Shoulder) Still no return date set.
Brad Lidge, RP, PHI (Shoulder) Hopes to return in three weeks, but doesnt expect to close right away.
Donnie Murphy, SS, FLA (Wrist) Moved to the 60-day DL.
Josh Johnson, SP, FLA (Shoulder) Hopes to return when eligible June 1.
Manny Parra, SP, MIL (Elbow) Will be shut down indefinitely with elbow pain.
Esmil Rogers, RP, COL (Back) Will remain on the DL for several more weeks.
Transactions - Players that have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.
Called Up
Josh Judy, RP, CLE
Charlie Furbish, RP, DET
Micah Owings, SP, ARI
Jay Buente, SP, FLA
Sent Down
Jason Berken, RP, BAL
Placed on DL (15-day unless otherwise noted)
Josh Johnson, SP, FLA
Alex White, SP, CLE
Brad Thomas, RP, DET
Donnie Murphy, 3B, FLA transferred to the 60-day DL
Pedro Alvarez, 3B, PIT
Cesar Izturis, SS, BAL transferred to the 60-day DL
Activated from DL
Alfredo Simon, RP, BAL from restricted list (murder trial)
Released
Russell Branyan, 1B, ARI
Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out our Closer Grid with the link to the left).
Arizona Joe Paterson earned the first save of his career in Fridays win over the Twins. J.J. Putz was unavailable, and the responsibility to close out the game fell to Paterson after Juan Gutierrez and David Hernandez allowed the Twins to pull the score within a run.
Boston Scott Atchison earned a three-inning save in Fridays win over the Cubs. This was a rare three-inning save in a game that the Red Sox won 15-5. Jonathon Papelbon owners need not worry that the 35-year-old Atchison pose any threat to his job.
Houston Mark Melancon converted his second save of the season Friday against the Blue Jays. Hes serving as the interim closer while Brandon Lyon (shoulder) is on the DL. Considering we havent had an update on Lyons status in over 15 days, Melancon remains a great temporary option. Dont let him sit in the free agent pool if you need saves.
Toronto Octavio Dotel earned his first save of the season Saturday. Frank Francisco pitched in the teams last two games, leaving him unavailable for the day. Jon Rauch was brought in to get the save, but Dotel relieved him after Rauch struggled to close it out. Francisco gave up three runs and was awarded the loss after being brought in with the score tied Friday. The Jays are unlikely to hold Franciscos poor appearance against him, given that it came on in a non-save situation. Rauch, however, may lose his grip on the setup role with Dotel having to step up and save his tail Saturday.
KEY MATCHUPS: HOT |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Hot Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brett Gardner - OF | NYY vs NYM 5/22 1:05 PM |
Mike Pelfrey | 4-10 | .400 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .400 | .400 | .800 | |||||||
| Edwin Encarnacion - 3B | TOR vs HOU 5/22 1:07 PM |
Wandy Rodriguez | 5-23 | .217 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | .522 | .379 | .901 | |||||||
| Corey Patterson - OF | TOR vs HOU 5/22 1:07 PM |
Wandy Rodriguez | 3-10 | .300 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .800 | .300 | 1.100 | |||||||
| Ian Kinsler - 2B | TEX @ PHI 5/22 1:35 PM |
Roy Oswalt | 7-15 | .467 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | .933 | .556 | 1.489 | |||||||
| Michael Young - 3B | TEX @ PHI 5/22 1:35 PM |
Roy Oswalt | 12-38 | .316 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 5 | .500 | .350 | .850 | |||||||
| Ryan Spilborghs - OF | COL @ MIL 5/22 2:10 PM |
Randy Wolf | 3-13 | .231 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | .692 | .412 | 1.104 | |||||||
| Ryan Braun - OF | MIL vs COL 5/22 2:10 PM |
Ubaldo Jimenez | 5-13 | .385 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | .538 | .385 | .923 | |||||||
| Prince Fielder - 1B | MIL vs COL 5/22 2:10 PM |
Ubaldo Jimenez | 4-11 | .364 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | .455 | .462 | .917 | |||||||
| Torii Hunter - OF | LAA vs ATL 5/22 3:35 PM |
Derek Lowe | 5-17 | .294 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | .647 | .333 | .980 | |||||||
| Maicer Izturis - 3B | LAA vs ATL 5/22 3:35 PM |
Derek Lowe | 6-13 | .462 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .615 | .462 | 1.077 | |||||||
| Alfonso Soriano - OF | CHC @ BOS 5/22 8:05 PM |
Tim Wakefield | 9-31 | .290 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 3 | .710 | .371 | 1.081 | |||||||
| Hot Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG |
HR Allow |
XBH Allow |
RBI Allow |
BB | K | Opp SLG |
Opp OBP |
Opp OPS |
|||||||||
| None | |||||||||||||||||||
KEY MATCHUPS: COLD |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Cold Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Bautista - 3B | TOR vs HOU 5/22 1:07 PM |
Wandy Rodriguez | 1-12 | .083 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | .083 | .214 | .297 | |||||||
| Endy Chavez - OF | TEX @ PHI 5/22 1:35 PM |
Roy Oswalt | 2-11 | .182 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .182 | .182 | .364 | |||||||
| Yorvit Torrealba - C | TEX @ PHI 5/22 1:35 PM |
Roy Oswalt | 2-12 | .167 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .500 | .286 | .786 | |||||||
| Dexter Fowler - OF | COL @ MIL 5/22 2:10 PM |
Randy Wolf | 3-13 | .231 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .231 | .231 | .462 | |||||||
| Chris Iannetta - C | COL @ MIL 5/22 2:10 PM |
Randy Wolf | 2-11 | .182 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | .364 | .308 | .672 | |||||||
| Troy Tulowitzki - SS | COL @ MIL 5/22 2:10 PM |
Randy Wolf | 3-16 | .188 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | .375 | .316 | .691 | |||||||
| Alcides Escobar - SS | KC vs STL 5/22 2:10 PM |
Jaime Garcia | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .200 | .333 | .533 | |||||||
| Corey Hart - OF | MIL vs COL 5/22 2:10 PM |
Ubaldo Jimenez | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .200 | .200 | .400 | |||||||
| Jason Bartlett - SS | SD vs SEA 5/22 4:05 PM |
Felix Hernandez | 0-15 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | .000 | .000 | .000 | |||||||
| Jorge Cantu - 3B | SD vs SEA 5/22 4:05 PM |
Felix Hernandez | 2-13 | .154 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .231 | .143 | .374 | |||||||
| Chase Headley - 3B | SD vs SEA 5/22 4:05 PM |
Felix Hernandez | 0-10 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .000 | .000 | .000 | |||||||
| Willie Bloomquist - OF | ARI vs MIN 5/22 4:10 PM |
Francisco Liriano | 2-10 | .200 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .500 | .273 | .773 | |||||||
| Reed Johnson - OF | CHC @ BOS 5/22 8:05 PM |
Tim Wakefield | 2-18 | .111 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | .167 | .238 | .405 | |||||||
| Cold Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG |
HR Allow |
XBH Allow |
RBI Allow |
BB | K | Opp SLG |
Opp OBP |
Opp OPS |
|||||||||
| Mike Pelfrey | NYM vs NYY 5/22 1:05 PM |
Yankees Batters | 27-90 | .300 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 13 | .434 | .369 | .804 | |||||||
| Ubaldo Jimenez | COL vs Mil 5/22 2:10 PM |
Brewers Batters | 26-69 | .377 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 17 | .522 | .436 | .958 | |||||||
| Randy Wolf | MIL @ Col 5/22 2:10 PM |
Rockies Batters | 37-137 | .270 | 7 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 29 | .511 | .369 | .880 | |||||||
| Tim Wakefield | BOS @ ChC 5/22 8:05 PM |
Cubs Batters | 24-100 | .240 | 6 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 13 | .475 | .337 | .812 | |||||||