Monday Lineup Card: Get Primed For Opening Day

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Interleague
Angels (Jered Weaver – R) at Reds (Johnny Cueto – R), 4:05

American League
Red Sox (Jon Lester – L) at Yankees (C.C. Sabathia – L), 1:05
Royals (James Shields – R) at White Sox (Chris Sale – L), 4:10
Tigers (Justin Verlander – R) at Twins (Vance Worley – R), 4:10
Mariners (Felix Hernandez – R) at Athletics (Brett Anderson – L), 10:05

National League
Marlins (Ricky Nolasco – R) at Nationals (Stephen Strasburg – R), 1:05
Padres (Edinson Volquez – R) at Mets (Jonathon Niese – L), 1:10
Cubs (Jeff Samardzija – R) at Pirates (A.J. Burnett – R), 1:35
Rockies (Jhoulys Chacin – R) at Brewers (Yovani Gallardo – R), 2:10
Giants (Matt Cain – R) at Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw – L), 4:10
Phillies (Cole Hamels – L) at Braves (Tim Hudson – R), 7:05
Cardinals (Adam Wainwright – R) at Diamondbacks (Ian Kennedy – 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
Jake Arrieta, P, BAL – (Finger) Blister won't keep him from starting Friday.

NL
Zack Greinke, P, LAD – (Elbow) Good final spring outing, should be ready to make Friday's start.
Justin Turner, 2B, NYM – (Calf) Should be active for Notre Dame.

Players on the DL

AL
Wilson Betemit, 3B, BAL – (Knee) Placed on DL, out until at least mid-May.
Craig Breslow, P, BOS – (Shoulder) Was not able to make spring appearance.
Danny Duffy, P, KC – (Elbow) Expected to be in the rotation in June.
Colby Lewis, P, TEX – (Forearm) Still has not thrown in bullpen, return in late-May or June likely.
Ryan Madson, P, LAA – (Elbow) Placed on DL, but expected to recover from Tommy John in May and could close upon return.
Franklin Morales, P, BOS – (Back) Began throwing Saturday, a lengthy recovery still to come.
David Ortiz, DH, BOS – (Heel) Likely a couple weeks from returning.
Juan Oviedo , P, TB – (Elbow) Could miss entire season after Tommy John late last year.
Martin Perez, P, TEX – (Wrist) Out until at least May.
Luke Scott, OF, TB – (Calf) Out two-to-five weeks.
Joakim Soria, P, TEX – (Elbow) Still recovering from Tommy John, could return in May or early-June.
Tsuyoshi Wada, P, BAL – (Elbow) Placed on DL, return in May looks likely.

NL
Henderson Alvarez, P, MIA – (Shoulder) Should return within a month.
Scott Baker, P, CHC – (Elbow) Will miss at least first two months.
James Darnell, OF, SD – (Oblique) Placed on DL and could be optioned when activated.
Adam Eaton, OF, AZ – (Elbow) Out until mid-May.
Nathan Eovaldi, P, MIA – (Shoulder) Will throw next week and could return in a month.
Logan Forsythe, 2B, SD – (Foot) Out until May.
Matt Garza, P, CHC - (Arm) Should throw off mound within a couple days.
Didi Gregorius, SS, AZ – (Elbow)
Chase Headley, 3B, SD – (Thumb) Should return at end of April.
Casey Kelly, P, SD – (Elbow) Tommy John surgery coming this week.
Cory Luebke, P, SD – (Elbow) Has not thrown in a month.
Nick Massett, P, CIN – (Shoulder) Throwing from long distances but no bullpen session yet.
Jeff Mathis, C, MIA – (Shoulder) Out until early-May.
Logan Morrison, 1B, MIA – (Knee) Placed on 60-day DL, out until at least mid-May.
Alfredo Silverio, OF, MIA – (Elbow) Could recover from Tommy John for most of the year.
Ian Stewart, 3B, CHC – (Quadriceps) Will continue rehab in Arizona.
Johnny Venters, P, ATL – (Elbow) Has spring, meeting Dr. James Andrews next week.

Notable Transactions - Players that have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here. Note: With a multitude of transactions leading up to Opening Day these are some of the highlights:

Called Up
Jackie Bradley, OF, BOS
Jose Fernandez, P, MIA
Jedd Gyorko, 2B, SD

Sent Down
Jurickson Profar, SS, TEX

Placed on DL (15-day unless otherwise noted)
Matt Garza, P, CHC
Corey Hart, 1B, MIL
Chase Headley, 3B, SD
Jason Motte, P, STL
David Ortiz, DH, BOS
Delmon Young, OF, PHI

Activated from DL
None

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

Cincinnati – The Reds opted to put Aroldis Chapman back in the bullpen and he opens the season as the closer.

St. Louis – Mitchell Boggs opens as the closer while Jason Motte is sidelined for the first few weeks of the season.

Domonic Brown, OF, PHI – The way Brown played this spring, he is the top candidate to be a post-hype sleeper. Brown arrived highly touted in 2010, but has failed to assert himself in any kind of long term job security. The left field job is all his and he went on a tear this spring, dropping a .356/.414/.633 line with seven home runs in 90 at-bats.

Other Recent Recommendations: None

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