Monday Lineup Card: Closing Carousel Spinning Already

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

American League
Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen – L) at Red Sox (Clay Buchholz – R), 2:05
Yankees (Hiroki Kuroda – R) at Indians (Ubaldo Jimenez – R), 4:05
Twins (Kevin Correia – R) at Royals (Ervin Santana – R), 4:10
Rays (Jeremy Hellickson – R) at Rangers (Alexi Ogando – R), 8:05
Astros (Philip Humber – R) at Mariners (Joe Saunders – L), 10:10

National League
Brewers (Marco Estrada – R) at Cubs (Edwin Jackson – R), 2:20
Reds (Mat Latos – R) at Cardinals (Jaime Garcia – L), 4:15
Mets (Matt Harvey – R) at Phillies (Roy Halladay – R), 7:05
Braves (Paul Maholm – L) at Marlins (Kevin Slowey – R), 7:10
Pirates (Wandy Rodriguez – L) at Diamondbacks (Trevor Cahill – R), 9:40
Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa – L) at Giants (Madison Bumgarner – L), 10:15

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
Brett Anderson, P, OAK – (Thumb) X-rays negative and likely to make next start.
Alex Avila, C, DET – (Personal) Away from team for birth of child Sunday.
Luis Ayala, P, BAL – (Illness) Hospitalized Sunday but was released.
Jose Bautista, OF, TOR – (Ankle) Was out of Sunday's lineup, should return Tuesday.
Hiroki Kuroda, P, NYY – (Finger) Will make Monday's start.
Lou Marson, C, CLE – (Felt better Sunday after leaving Saturday's game.
Eduardo Nunez, SS, NYY – (Biceps) Out of Sunday's lineup, is day-to-day.
Josh Reddick, OF, OAK – (Arm) X-rays negative but should miss Tuesday's game.
Nolan Reimold, OF, BAL – (Hamstring) Says he should play Monday after leaving Sunday's game with tightness.
Jered Weaver, P, LAA – (Arm) Strained left elbow Sunday, x-rays negative.

NL
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL – (Neck) Could be heading to DL.
Adam LaRoche, 1B, WAS – (Back) Out of lineup Saturday and Sunday but said he felt better Sunday.
Jean Segura, SS, MIL – (Quadriceps) Left Sunday's game with a bruise.
Andrelton Simmons, SS, ATL – (Thumb) Out of lineup Saturday and Sunday, but he should be back soon.

Players on the DL

AL
Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY – (Forearm) X-rays could clear him to swing bat and throw by Tuesday.
Derek Jeter, SS, NYY – (Ankle) Targeting May 1.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR – (Ribs) Hitting and throwing, rehab should start relatively soon.
Jeff Niemann, P, TB – (Shoulder) – Will be examined Monday.
David Ortiz, DH, BOS – (Heel) Should play in extended spring training game Monday.

NL
Darwin Barney, 2B, CHC – (Knee) Could begin rehab this week.
Freddie Freeman, 1B, ATL – (Oblique) Placed on DL Sunday after Braves determined he should not try to play through injury anymore.
David Freese, 3B, STL – (Back) Should be activated Monday.
Brandon Inge, 3B, PIT – (Shoulder) Could be activated as soon as Wednesday.
Ian Stewart, 3B, CHC – (Quadriceps) First game action in nearly a month at extended spring training.

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
Aaron Laffey, P, NYM
Pedro Hernandez, P, MIN
Blake DeWitt, 2B, ATL

Sent Down
Jeurys Familia, P, NYM
Tyler Robertson, P, MIN
Trevor Bauer, P, CLE
Dan Otero, P, OAK

Placed on DL (15-day unless otherwise noted)
Johan Santana, P, NYM (transferred to 60-day DL)
Cole De Vries, P, MIN
Freddie Freeman, 1B, ATL
Dustin McGowan, P, TOR

Activated from DL
Anthony Swarzak, P, MIN

Signed/Traded/Claimed
Edgar Gonzalez, P, TOR (claimed off waivers from Astros)
Bill Hall, OF, LAA (signed)

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

Chicago Cubs – Manager Dale Sveum announced that Carlos Marmol had been removed from the closer position in favor of Kyuji Fujikawa. Marmol had allowed five runs in 1.2 innings, but Fujikawa imploded by allowed three runs in an inning a few days ago. Although Fujikawa has the job for now, this battle may be far from over.

Kansas City – Just after Greg Holland was given a vote of confidence from his manager, he almost coughed up the game on Sunday. Kelvin Herrera was called into action and allowed a hit before shutting the door on the Phillies. Holland has allowed four runs in his last two outings and was rumored to have lost velocity this spring. Herrera has seven strikeouts in 3.1 innings while allowing just two baserunners, so a change could be coming in KC.

Kelvin Herrera, RP, KC – See Royals closer news above.

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