Thursday Lineup Card: Closer Shakeup in Toronto

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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Thursday's Starters

Rangers (Colby Lewis - R) at Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen - L), 4:05 (Game 1)
Rays (David Price - L) at Yankees (CC Sabathia - L), 7:05
Nationals (Stephen Strasburg - R) at Pirates (Kevin Correia - R), 7:05
Rangers (Derek Holland - L) at Orioles (Tommy Hunter - R), 7:05 (Game 2)
Indians (Derek Lowe - R) at Red Sox (Josh Beckett - R), 7:10
Blue Jays (Henderson Alvarez - R) at Twins (Jason Marquis - R), 8:10
Tigers (Max Scherzer - R) at Athletics (Bartolo Colon - R), 10:05

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Alex Avila, C, DET - (Shoulder) Hopes to return to Tigers' lineup Thursday.
Blake Beavan, SP, SEA - (Elbow) Uncertain to make next start.
Erik Bedard, SP, PIT - (Back) Left Thursday's game with back spasms.
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL - (Achilles) Started and hit a home run in loss to Reds Wednesday.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, OAK - (Hand) Underwent MRI that showed no structural damage, should avoid DL.
Endy Chavez, OF, BAL - (Abdomen) Out of lineup Wednesday.
Eric Chavez, 3B, NYY - (Concussion) Awaiting clearance to return from MLB.
Scott Downs, RP, LAA - (Knee) Was unavailable to close Wednesday.
Jerry Hairston Jr., 3B, LAD - (Hamstring) Injury reported as a "mild strain" and hopes to be out for a few days.
Jason Hammel, SP, BAL - (Knee) Will miss scheduled start Thursday.
Desmond Jennings, OF, TB - (Knee) Was not in lineup Wednesday.
Yadier Molina, C, STL - (Hand) Will have a few more exams to confirm hand is just bruised.
Brent Morel, 3B, CHW - (Back) Scratched from Wednesday's game due to soreness in lower back.
Chris Nelson, 3B, COL - (Wrist) Returned to starting lineup after sitting out last few games.
Laynce Nix, OF, PHI - (Calf) Sat out Wednesday due to soreness.
Angel Pagan, OF, SF - (Hamstring) Sat out Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's game with a cramp.
Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI - (Hand) Sat out Wednesday but injury isn't serious, as he was available to pinch hit.
Chris Sale, RP, CHW - (Elbow) Will get an MRI on Thursday and next assignment will be determined by the results.
Alfonso Soriano, OF, CHC - (Knee) Sat out of Wednesday's game, but injury isn't expected to be serious.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL - (Groin) Sat out Wednesday's game.
Ty Wigginton, 3B, PHI - (Side) Sat out of lineup Tuesday and Wednesday after collision at the plate on Monday.

Disabled List
Brett Anderson, SP, OAK - (Elbow) Scheduled to throw one inning in simulated game Wednesday.
Dallas Braden, SP, OAK - (Shoulder) Resumed throwing for the first time since early April.
Rubby De La Rosa, RP, LAD - (Elbow) Has resumed throwing on flat ground.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, BOS - (Shoulder) Took part in agility drills Tuesday.
Jeremy Guthrie, SP, COL - (Shoulder) Expected to make rehab appearance with High-A Modesto on Thursday.
Blake Hawksworth, RP, LAD - (Elbow) Has resumed throwing on flat ground.
Greg Holland, RP, KC - (Ribs) Allowed one unearned run in one inning in rehab start at Double-A Wednesday.
Jenrry Mejia, SP, NYM - (Elbow) Made first rehab start at High-A St. Lucie Wednesday. Will make four more rehab starts before team decides to use him in bullpen or rotation.
Dustin Moseley, SP, SD - (Shoulder) Opted for surgery in late April and expected to miss rest of the season.
Carlos Quentin, OF, SD - (Knee) Rested knee Tuesday instead of taking part in minor league rehab assignment at High-A Lake Elsinore.
Mariano Rivera, RP, NYY - (Knee) Hospitalized overnight after being treated for blood clot in calf.
Taylor Teagarden, C, BAL - (Back) Expected to be transferred to 60-day DL.
Kevin Youkilis, 3B, BOS - (Back) Will return as starting third baseman when activated from DL.

Transactions

Placed on the DL
Jeff Keppinger, 2B, TB (restricted list)
Taylor Teagarden, C, BAL (transferred to 60-Day DL)
Jonathan Sanchez, SP, KC

Activated from the DL
Rhiner Cruz, RP, HOU
Cliff Lee, SP, PHI

Called Up
Christian Friedrich, SP, COL
Johnny Giavotella, 2B, KC
Brandon Guyer, OF, TB
Steve Tolleson, SS, BAL

Sent Down
Enerio Del Rosario, RP, HOU
Adam Ottavino, RP, COL
Zach Phillips, RP, BAL
Aneury Rodriguez, RP, HOU
Michael Schwimer, RP, PHI

Closer Watch

Chicago (NL) - Rafael Dolis has been very solid in the ninth inning since being anointed co-closer with James Russell, registering his third save of the season on Wednesday. He hasn't walked a batter in his last seven appearances - a good sign considering he had a bad habit of giving free passes early in the season. As the operative closer against right-handed leaning lineups, Dolis still figures to get more chances than Russell.

Cincinnati - Sean Marshall allowed a home run to lead off the ninth, then allowed to singles before getting pulled. Logan Ondrusek replaced him and induced a flyout from Travis Ishikawa after walking a batter. Marshall hasn't been great this season, as he sports a 4.91 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, but don't expect Ondrusek to challenge for his job. Instead, flamethrowing Aroldis Chapman and his spotless ERA pose the biggest threat to Marshall's job, although it's unclear if the Reds would ever consider deploying Chapman in that role.

Toronto - Francisco Cordero's struggles have opened the door for Casey Janssen, who manager John Farrell confirmed as the team's closer, at least until Sergio Santos returns. Janssen hasn't been particularly impressive this season with a 4.76 ERA, but he did record a save with a perfect inning Wednesday.

Recommended Pickup

Casey Janssen, RP, TOR - Janssen is a known commodity, having served as a middle reliever and occasional starter for Toronto over the last six seasons. He's not been particularly remarkable, sporting a career ERA of 3.85 and WHIP of 1.32. However, after the implosion of Francisco Cordero and the injury to Sergio Santos, Janssen finds himself in the closer's role for the Blue Jays. Santos will remain out for at least two weeks and will probably regain the role as soon as he returns, but for now, Janssen will have some value if the offense can put him in position for save opportunities. Because closers are hard to find on the waiver wires in most fantasy leagues, if you're in need of saves, even mediocre pitchers like Janssen are worthy of adding in most formats.

Other recent recommendations:Alex White, Wei-Yin Chen, Will Middlebrooks, Andrew Cashner, Rafael Dolis

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Draft Street Lineup

C - J.P. Arencibia ($6,493)
1B - Mitch Moreland ($6,286)
2B - Jemile Weeks ($6,201)
3B - Ryan Zimmerman ($7,718)
SS - Cliff Pennington ($5,593)
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SP - Henderson Alvarez ($10,514)
RP - Joe Nathan ($2,297)
P - Alfredo Aceves ($1,871)

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