Monday Lineup Card: More Closers On Hot Seat

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

American League
Royals (Luke Hochevar – R) at Tigers (Duane Below – L), 7:05
Yankees (Ivan Nova – R) at Orioles (Jason Hammel – R), 7:05
Rays (Jeff Niemann – R) at Bluw Jays (Brandon Morrow – R), 7:07
Mariners (Jason Vargas – L) at Red Sox (Jon Lester – L), 7:10
Royals (Bruce Chen – L) at Rangers (Scott Feldman – R), 8:05
Indians (Jeanmar Gomez – R) at Twins (Carl Pavano – R), 8:10
Tigers (Drew Smyly – L) at Athletics (Tyson Ross – R), 10:05

National League
Cubs (Ryan Dempster – R) at Cardinals (Jake Westbrook – R), 7:05
Astros (Lucas Harrell – R) at Phillies (Joe Blanton – R), 7:05
Padres (Tim Stauffer – R) at Nationals (Ross Detwiler – L), 7:05
Brewers (Yovani Gallardo – R) at Mets (Miguel Batista – R), 7:10
Reds (Homer Bailey – R) at Braves (Randall Delgado – R), 7:10
Pirates (Brad Lincoln – R) at Marlins (Anibal Sanchez – R), 7:10
Diamondbacks (Ian Kennedy – R) at Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw – L), 10:10
Rockies (Christian Friedrich – L) at Giants (Ryan Vogelsong – R), 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
Yorvit Torrealba, C, TEX – (Head) A day or two from catching.
Desmond Jennings, OF, TB – (Knee) No progress with knee, could be heading to DL.
Sean Rodriguez, 2B, TB – (Chest) Sore pectoral, was available to come off bench Sunday.
Jemile Weeks, OF, OAK – (Ankle) Out Sunday, remained day-to-day.
Kila Ka'aihue, 1B, OAK – (Hamstring) Not in Sunday's lineup, as soon as a day or two away.
Brandon Inge, 3B, OAK – (Groin) Soreness, but able to come off bench Sunday.
Carl Pavano, P, MIN – (Shoulder) Strained muscle, but will get Monday's start.
Danny Duffy, P, KC – (Elbow) Left Sunday's game with tightness after 0.2 innings, status unclear.
Justin Verlander, P, DET – (Thumb) Left Sunday's start with broken callous on thumb.

NL
Gio Gonzalez, P, WAS – (Hand) Could not swing bat at plate Friday.
Mark Kotsay, OF, SD – (Back) Left Saturday's game, did not play Sunday.
Ike Davis, 1B, NYM – (Illness) Scratched Sunday with the flu.
Rickie Weeks, 2B, MIL – (Wrist) Missed again Sunday and remains day-to-day.
J.C. Romero, P, STL – (Ankle) Twisted the ankle Saturday but does not sound like he will miss any time.
Dexter Fowler, OF, COL – (Face) Left Sunday's game after being hit by pitch in cheek.
Eric Young, JR., OF, COL – (Personal) Looks like he will rejoin team Wednesday.
Matt Kemp, OF, LAD – (Hamstring) Will have MRI Monday and likely to miss a game at the very least.
Buster Posey, C, SF – (Leg) Manager Bochy believes Posey will be ready to play Monday.

Players on the DL

AL
Andrew Bailey, P, BOS – (Thumb) Hopes to get cleared to begin throwing soon.
Carl Crawford, OF, BOS – (Elbow) Says he will swing a bat fairly soon, then begin throwing.
Kevin Youkilis, 3B, BOS – (Back) Is throwing but not hitting, will need more than minimum 15 days.
Jesse Crain, P, CHW – (Oblique) Rehab should be finished if all went well Sunday.
Mariano Rivera, P, NYY – (Knee) Moved to 60-day DL.
Darnell McDonald, OF, BOS – (Oblique) Placed on DL.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, BOS – (Shoulder) Moved to 60-day DL but still on same pace for mid-June.

NL
Scott Rolen, 3B, CIN – (Shoulder) Hit DL with shoulder strain.
Stephen Drew, SS, AZ – (Ankle) Did some sliding for first time since
Wilson Ramos, C, WAS – (Knee) Torn ACL Saturday night.
Daniel McCutchen, P, PIT – (Oblique) Hit DL with a strain.
Tim Stauffer, P, SD – (Triceps) Will start Monday.
Jorge De La Rosa, P, COL – (Elbow) Has tightness in forearm but Rockies think it is normal for comeback from Tommy John.

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

Called Up
Sandy Leon, C, WAS
Andy Pettitte, P, NYY
Xavier Avery, OF, BAL
Mauro Gomez, 1B, BOS
Charlie Culberson, 2B, SF

Sent Down
Shane Robinson, OF, STL
Matt Antonelli, 2B, BAL (designated for assignment)
Stuart Pomeranz, P, BAL
Travis Blackley, P, SF
Conor Gillaspie, 3B, SF
Cody Eppley, P, NYY

Placed on DL (15-day unless otherwise noted)
Wilson Ramos, C, WAS
Mariano Rivera, P, NYY (transferred to 60-dayDL)
Jacoby Ellsbury (transferred to 6-0-day DL)
Darnell McDonald, OF, BOS
Daniel McCutchen, P, PIT

Activated from DL
Lance Berkman, 1B, STL
Jeremy Affeldt, P, SF
Joel Hanrahan, P, PIT (from bereavement list)

Signed
None

Traded
None

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

New York Mets – It seemed like Frank Francisco had turned a corner by converting three save opportunities in a row. He undid all that by blowing saves and taking losses on Friday and Sunday. A change could happen soon, as Jon Rauch seems like the next most likely candidate.

New York Yankees – Boone Logan earned a rogue save Saturday night, but it was a non-traditional save.

Miami – After being reinstalled as closer, Heath Bell allowed two runs in a tie game. He later earned the win as the Marlins rallied in the bottom of the ninth. Bell has been bad enough that it is very conceivable that Steve Cishek or Edward Mujica could regain the job at some point.

Pittsburgh – Joel Hanrahan was activated from the bereavement list on Sunday and he regains his job after Juan Cruz filled in.

Recommended Pickup

Kyle Seager, 3B, SEA – The Mariners once drafted player from the University of North Carolina and had high hopes that he would be a significant middle of the order bat for years to come. Some scouts thought he would hit for a high average and he might bud with some power. His name was Dustin Ackley and his development has not progressed quite as well as planned. Luckily for the Mariners, another UNC product – Seager – has worked out much better than expected. Put Seager's numbers side-by-side with Ackley's and you will notice that Seager is clearly outperforming, yet Ackley is owned in more leagues. Yes, they play different positions, but there are certainly owners out there who could take advantage of plugging Seager in at 3B or SS.

Other Recent Recommendations:Josh Reddick, Addison Reed, Tim Stauffer, Casey Janssen, Alex White, Wei-Yin Chen

Draft Street Lineup
C – Joe Mauer ($6,895)
1B – Albert Pujols (6,239)
2B – Michael Young ($7,494)
3B – Ryan Zimmerman ($6,728)
SS – Troy Tulowitzki ($7,225)
OF – J.D. Martinez ($5,013)
OF – Cody Ross ($6,661)
OF – Nelson Cruz ($7,543)
UTIL – Brett Lawrie ($6,327)
UTIL – Kendrys Morales ($6,411)
SP – Clayton Kershaw ($16,732)
SP – Christian Friedrich ($5,355)
RP – Matt Capps ($1,582)
P – Randall Delgado ($9,720)
Total: $99,698