The Lineup Card: Clippard Gets the Call

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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Wednesday's Starters

AL

Red Sox (Daniel Bard – R) at Orioles (Jake Arrieta – R), 12:35
Blue Jays (Ricky Romero – L) at Rays (James Shields – R), 1:10
Angels (Jered Weaver – R) at Athletics (Jarrod Parker – R), 3:35
Rangers (Scott Feldman – R) at Mariners (Kevin Millwood – R), 3:40
Tigers (Doug Fister – R) at Indians (Zach McAllister – R), 7:05
Royals (Luis Mendoza – R) at Yankees (Andy Pettitte – L), 7:05
Twins (Scott Diamond – L) at White Sox (Chris Sale – L), 8:10

NL

Mets (Jon Niese – L) at Pirates (Charlie Morton – R), 12:35
Giants (Barry Zito – L) at Brewers (Marco Estrada – R), 1:10
Nationals (Edwin Jackson – R) at Phillies (Cole Hamels – L), 7:05
Braves (Tommy Hanson – R) at Reds (Bronson Arroyo – R), 7:10
Rockies (Alex White – R) at Marlins (Carlos Zambrano – R), 7:10
Cubs (Jeff Samardzija – R) at Astros (Wandy Rodriguez – L), 8:05
Padres (Jeff Suppan – R) at Cardinals (Lance Lynn – R), 8:15
Dodgers (Ted Lilly – L) at Diamondbacks (Joe Saunders – L), 9:40

Day Game After Night Game: Red Sox, Orioles, Blue Jays, Rays, Angels, Athletics, Rangeres, Mariners, Mets, Pirates, Giants, Brewers

Injuries

Day-to-Day

AL

Ryan Sweeney, OF, BOS – (Concussion) Failed league mandated concussion test.
Ryan Raburn, 2B, DET – (Personal) Placed on bereavement list.
Jack Hannahan, 3B, CLE – (Back) Remained out of the starting lineup on Tuesday.
Torii Hunter, OF, LAA – (Personal) Does not have a definite date for return to team.
Austin Jackson, OF, DET – (Abdomen) Was scratched from Tuesday's lineup.

NL

Angel Pagan, OF, SFG – (Illness) Would have pinch-hit in extra-innings Monday had Giants not taken the lead earlier.
Melky Cabrera, OF, SFG – (Foot) Stayed in Monday's game after injuring foot in a sliding play at home plate.
Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI – (Personal) Placed on paternity leave list.
Miguel Montero, C, ARZ – (Groin) Held out Tuesday, but reportedly feeling better.
Omar Infante, 2B, MIA – (Personal) Expected to return to the lineup Wednesday.
Ramon Hernandez, C, COL – (Hand) Was not in the starting lineup Tuesday.
Brian McCann, C, ATL – (Illness) Was scratched from the lineup Tuesday.
Chipper Jones, 3B, ATL – (Calf) Could play Wednesday if batting practice on Tuesday goes well.

Disabled List

AL

Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL – (Concussion) Will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday.
Kevin Youkilis, 1B, BOS – (Back) Activated from 15-Day DL and started at first base on Tuesday.
Evan Longoria, 3B, TBR – (Hamstring) Did running drills and took batting practice before Tuesday's game.
Nolan Reimold, OF, BAL – (Neck) Will have a second epidural on Friday.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, P, BOS – (Shoulder) Taken off of rehab assignment due to soreness.
Neftali Feliz, P, TEX – (Elbow) GM Jon Daniels would not commit to Feliz remaining in rotation when he returns from injury.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, OAK – (Hand) Will not return until Friday at the earliest.
LaTroy Hawkins, P, LAA – (Finger) Threw without a splint for first time since breaking finger on May 6.
Miguel Olivo, C, SEA – (Groin) Caught five innings in rehab assignment.
Luis Marte, P, DET – (Hamstring) Pitched three scoreless innings in rehab appearance.
Jesse Litsch, P, TOR – (Shoulder) Tests show that infection in shoulder is entirely gone.\
Brett Morel, 3B, CHW – (Back) Placed on DL retroactive to May 18.
Chris Getz, 2B, KCR – (Ribs) Placed on 15-Day DL.
Blake Wood, P, KCR – (Elbow) Transferred to the 60-Day DL.
Mariano Rivera, P, NYY – (Knee) There is still no set date for Rivera to have surgery on his torn ACL.

NL

Dan Hudson, P, ARZ – (Shoulder) Pitched five innings in a rehab assignment on Monday.
Mat Gamel, 1B, MIL – (Knee) Underwent surgery to repair his torn ACL.
Matt Guerrier, P, LAD – (Elbow) Had to rest for three days after throwing bullpen session with breaking balls Wednesday.
Vance Worley, P, PHI – (Elbow) Second opinion confirmed he has bone chips, which he will try to pitch through.
Ryan Mattheus, P, WAS – (Foot) Diagnosed as having a partial tear in the plantar fascia in left foot.
Kyle McClellan, P, STL – (Elbow) Will not throw for another six-to-eight weeks.
Stephen Drew, SS, ARZ – (Ankle) Does not have a timetable to begin a rehab assignment.
Welington Castillo, C, CHC – (Knee) Placed on 15-Day DL retroactive to May 19.
Ruben Tejada, SS, NYM – (Quadriceps) Hit in an extended spring training game Monday.
Pedro Beato, P, NYM – (Shoulder) Pitched a scoreless inning in second rehab appearance Monday.

Transactions

Activated from DL
Kevin Youkilis, 3B, BOS
Chien-Ming Wang, P, WAS

Placed on DL
Ryan Mattheus, P, WAS
Chris Getz, 2B, KCR
Brent Morel, 3B, CHW
Welington Castillo, C, CHC

Transferred from 15-Day to 60-Day DL
Blake Wood, P, KCR

Placed on bereavement list
Ryan Raburn, LF, DET

Designated for assignment
Jason Marquis, P, MIN

Called Up
Will Smith, P, KCR
Scott Podsednik, OF, BOS
Cole DeVries, P, MIN
Danny Worth, 2B, DET
Erik Kratz, C, PHI
Graham Godfrey, P, OAK

Optioned to Triple-A
Pedro Figueroa, P, OAK

Free agent signings
Orlando Hudson, 2B, CHW
Cory Aldridge, OF, LAA

Closer Watch

Henry Rodriguez is officially out as the Nationals closer. Washington appears to be looking into a committee approach where Tyler Clippard, Craig Stammen, and Sean Burnett might all receive opportunities to close out games. However, as we often see with this kind of situation, one player might establish himself as the go-to guy, or the Nationals might already have one of the three in mind. Burnett saved Monday's game, but it's anyone's guess on who receives the most save chances while Drew Storen and Brad Lidge are on the DL.

Aroldis Chapman struck out a pair a did not allow a baserunner during a scoreless ninth inning for his second save of the season Tuesday night. Chapman was unavailable Monday because of heavy usage in the previous five days, but he was ready to roll a day after being arrested for speeding with a suspended license.

Recommended Pickup

Tyler Clippard, P, WAS: Don't be fooled by Clippard having a higher ERA than fellow closer-by-committee teammates Craig Stammen and Sean Burnett. Clippard is the best pitcher of the three and is one of the most relied-upon relief men in baseball. Clippard has thrown over 88 innings each of the last two seasons, and has managed to keep his K/9IP above 10.00 -- an excellent number. He's not having as good of a year numbers-wise in 2012, but there's no way he could have been expected to after posting a left-on-base percentage of 95% last season. Sean Burnett and Craig Stammen are also having fantastic seasons, but Clippard might finally be allowed to take the ball and run with it. However, if you have room on your team, feel free to pick up a couple of these three and see what sticks. At the very least, if you pick up Clippard, you'll have one of the very best relievers in the game pitching plenty of innings. Keep in mind that Aroldis Chapman has been valuable despite not starting or closing until recently. Clippard picked up the save Tuesday night, but recall manager Davey Johnson's use of Brad Lidge and Henry Rodrigez in tandem earlier this season.

Other Recent Recommendations: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Andy Dirks, Felipe Paulino, Yonder Alonso

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