This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Saturday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Nationals (Taylor Jordan - R) at Mets (Dillon Gee - R), 1:10 PM
Diamondbacks (Ian Kennedy - R) at Braves (Tim Hudson - R), 4:05 PM
Cardinals (Adam Wainwright - R) at Athletics (Jarrod Parker - R), 4:05 PM
Blue Jays (Esmil Rogers - R) at Red Sox (Felix Doubront - L), 4:05 PM
Angels (Joe Blanton - R) at Astros (Jordan Lyles - R), 4:10 PM
Indians (Ubaldo Jimenez - R) at White Sox (Dylan Axelrod - R), 4:10 PM
Royals (Wade Davis - R) at Twins (Kyle Gibson - R), 4:10 PM
Giants (Matt Cain - R) at Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa - L), 4:10 PM
Padres (Eric Stults - L) at Marlins (Jacob Turner - R), 7:10 PM
Cubs (Jeff Samardzija - R) at Mariners (Aaron Harang - R), 7:15 PM
Reds (Mike Leake - R) at Rangers (Nick Tepesch - R), 7:15 PM
Tigers (Justin Verlander - R) at Rays (Chris Archer - R), 7:15 PM
Brewers (Donovan Hand - R) at Pirates (Francisco Liriano - L), 7:15 PM
Yankees (CC Sabathia - L) at Orioles (Zach Britton - L), 7:15 PM
Phillies (Cliff Lee - L) at Dodgers (Hyun-Jin Ryu - L), 10:10 PM
Day Game After Night Game: WAS/NYM, ARI/ATL, STL/OAK, TOR/BOS, LAA/HOU, CLE/CHW, KC/MIN, SF/COL
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Joaquin Arias, SS, SF (Hamstring) - Not in the lineup Friday but is available off the bench.
Lance Berkman, 1B, TEX (Knee) - Not in the lineup Friday with a banged knee.
Willie Bloomquist, SS, ARI (Hand) - A DL stint is a possibility.
Peter Bourjos, OF, LAA (Thumb) - Not in the lineup Friday but is expected back sometime on the weekend.
John Jaso, C, OAK (Hand) - Still out of the lineup Friday but is available off the bench.
Paul Konerko, 1B, CHW (Back) - Earliest game he is expected to play is likely Sunday.
Jon Lester, SP, BOS (Hip) - Left start Thursday with a sore hip. He is expected to make next start Wednesday.
Evan Longoria, 3B, TB (Undisclosed) - Left the game on Friday with an undisclosed injury.
Justin Maxwell, OF, HOU (Head) - Still out of the lineup Friday with concussion symptoms.
Jordan Schafer, OF, ATL (Ankle) - Scratched from lineup Friday.
Players on the DL
Mike Adams, RP, PHI (Shoulder) - Opted to rehab shoulder instead of surgery.
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS (Neck) - Will resume throwing Saturday or Sunday.
Melky Cabrera, OF, TOR (Knee) - Will have a MRI on his left knee Friday.
Carl Crawford, OF, LAD (Hamstring) - Is running and will begin a rehab assignment Sunday.
Evan Gattis, C, ATL (Oblique) - Still has not been cleared for baseball activities.
Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY (Finger) - Hand is healed but still having problems gripping a bat.
Jedd Gyorko, 2B, SD (Groin) - Had setback in his rehab and will be re-evaluated.
Roy Halladay, SP, PHI (Shoulder) - Will ramp up throwing program and there is now a chance he could pitch again this season.
Matt Harrison, SP, TEX (Back) - Is still a few weeks away from throwing off a mound.
Corey Hart, OF, MIL (Knee) - Will have season-ending surgery on his left knee.
Steve Johnson, RP, BAL (Oblique) - Made 50 throws from 90 feet in rehab Friday.
Colby Lewis, SP, TEX (Forearm) - Threw a successful bullpen session Friday.
Ted Lilly, SP, LAD (Neck) - Will make rehab start for High-A on Sunday.
Franklin Morales, SP, BOS (Shoulder) - Resumed throwing on Friday.
Alexi Ogando, SP, TEX (Shoulder) - Will throw at least one live BP before going on rehab assignment.
Steve Pearce, OF, BAL (Wrist) - Has yet to resume baseball activities.
Jake Peavy, SP, CHW (Ribs) - Expected to throw a bullpen session Tuesday.
Ramiro Pena, SS, ATL (Shoulder) - Had major damage to shoulder but is expected to return for Spring Training next season.
David Price, SP, TB (Triceps) - Will be activated from DL and start Tuesday against the Astros.
Stephen Pryor, RP, SEA (Oblique) - Will throw a bullpen session Friday and head out on a rehab assignment next week.
J.J. Putz, RP, ARI (Elbow) - Will be activated from DL on Saturday and is expected to return to closing duties.
Nolan Reimold, OF, BAL (Hamstring) - Expected to come off DL on Tuesday.
Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL (Hamstring) - Will be activated from the 60-day DL on Sunday.
Anibal Sanchez, SP, DET (Shoulder) - Will throw 60 pitches in a simulated game Monday.
Joakim Soria, RP, TEX (Elbow) - Has one more rehab appearance at Triple-A before returning to Rangers in low-leverage situation.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY (Wrist) - Will have wrist surgery Monday and is out for the season.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL (Ribs) - Played light catching Thursday but is still not able to fully swing a bat.
Placed on the DL
Melky Cabrera, OF, TOR
Activated from the DL
Rafael Betancourt, RP, COL
Hiram Burgos, SP, MIL
Eric Chavez, 3B, ARI
Josh Kinney, RP, SEA
Eric Surkamp, RP, SF
Scott Van Slyke, OF, LAD
Called Up
Trevor Bauer, SP, CLE (Optioned back after Game 1 on Friday)
Carlos Carrasco, SP, CLE
Josh Harrison, 3B, PIT
Munenori Kawasaki, SS, TOR
Matt Langwell, RP, CLE
Brad Miller, SS, SEA
Bruce Rondon, RP, DET
Burch Smith, SP, SD
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Hiram Burgos, SP, MIL
Freddy Galvis, 2B, PHI
Nick Hagadone, RP, CLE
Josh Kinney, RP, SEA
Tom Layne, RP, SD
Juan Nicasio, SP, COL
Evan Reed, RP, DET
Henry Rodriguez, 2B, CIN
Tony Sanchez, C, PIT
Eric Surkamp, RP, SF
Carlos Triunfel, SS, SEA
Designated for Assignment
Luis Cruz, 3B, LAD
Eric Hinske, 1B, ARI
Alex Liddi, 3B, SEA
Signed
Freddy Garcia, SP, BAL (minor league deal)
Released
Mark Prior, SP, CIN (Triple-A)
George Sherrill, RP, KC (Triple-A)
Closer Watch
Diamondbacks: Manager Kirk Gibson stated Friday that J.J. Putz could be the closer when he is activated Saturday. He also mentioned that Putz will not be used in back-to-back days to start off meaning Heath Bell could see a few save chances as Putz eases back into action. Bell threw a scoreless ninth inning Thursday to earn save number 14 on the season breaking a streak of five straight outings of allowing at least one run. It seems all indications point to Putz eventually taking the full closing duties back for the Diamondbacks.
Rockies: With the activation of Rafael Betancourt from the disabled list Friday, manager Walt Weiss stated that Betancourt would immediately return the primary closer role. Rex Brothers will return to the setup role he held before after an outstanding run at the spot. Brothers has not allowed an earned run since April 6 and has a mind-boggling 0.27 ERA this season. Betancourt may have the closer role back but Brothers will be waiting in the wings should he falter or need a day off.
Twins:Glen Perkins worked his way out of a jam Thursday against the Royals to earn his 20th save of the season, good for fifth in the American League. It may have gone somewhat unnoticed given the many closer carousels around the league, but Perkins has put together 11 straight scoreless outings and has 10 saves in that stretch. He now has a solid 2.12 ERA and is 20-for-22 in converting save opportunities this season.
Key Matchups
KEY MATCHUPS: HOT | |||||||||||||||||||
| Hot Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Desmond - SS | WAS @ NYM 6/29 1:10 PM | Dillon Gee | 4-15 | .267 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | .667 | .353 | 1.020 | |||||||
| Jason Kubel - OF | ARI @ ATL 6/29 4:05 PM | Tim Hudson | 3-10 | .300 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .600 | .300 | .900 | |||||||
| B.J. Upton - OF | ATL vs ARI 6/29 4:05 PM | Ian Kennedy | 3-11 | .273 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | .545 | .400 | .945 | |||||||
| Colby Rasmus - OF | TOR @ BOS 6/29 4:05 PM | Felix Doubront | 4-11 | .364 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 | .364 | 1.364 | |||||||
| Yorvit Torrealba - C | COL vs SF 6/29 4:10 PM | Matt Cain | 11-37 | .297 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | .514 | .395 | .909 | |||||||
| Gordon Beckham - 2B | CWS vs CLE 6/29 4:10 PM | Ubaldo Jimenez | 5-13 | .385 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | .615 | .500 | 1.115 | |||||||
| Alejandro De Aza - OF | CWS vs CLE 6/29 4:10 PM | Ubaldo Jimenez | 5-13 | .385 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 | .615 | .579 | 1.194 | |||||||
| Paul Konerko - 1B | CWS vs CLE 6/29 4:10 PM | Ubaldo Jimenez | 4-13 | .308 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | .615 | .400 | 1.015 | |||||||
| Carlos Pena - 1B | HOU vs LAA 6/29 4:10 PM | Joe Blanton | 5-10 | .500 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | .600 | .583 | 1.183 | |||||||
| Buster Posey - C | SF @ COL 6/29 4:10 PM | Jorge De La Rosa | 4-11 | .364 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | .455 | .500 | .955 | |||||||
| Robinson Cano - 2B | NYY @ BAL 6/29 7:15 PM | Zach Britton | 4-10 | .400 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .400 | .455 | .855 | |||||||
| Matt Joyce - OF | TB vs DET 6/29 7:15 PM | Justin Verlander | 6-14 | .429 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 6 | .929 | .467 | 1.395 | |||||||
| Adrian Gonzalez - 1B | LAD vs PHI 6/29 10:10 PM | Cliff Lee | 9-16 | .563 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | .938 | .563 | 1.500 | |||||||
| Hanley Ramirez - SS | LAD vs PHI 6/29 10:10 PM | Cliff Lee | 5-10 | .500 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | .500 | 1.500 | |||||||
| Hot Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
| Tim Hudson | ATL vs ARI 6/29 4:05 PM | Diamondbacks Batters | 16-77 | .208 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 15 | .257 | .247 | .504 | |||||||
| Matt Cain | SF @ COL 6/29 4:10 PM | Rockies Batters | 36-192 | .188 | 4 | 11 | 16 | 29 | 42 | .303 | .300 | .603 | |||||||
| Justin Verlander | DET @ TB 6/29 7:15 PM | Rays Batters | 30-136 | .221 | 7 | 15 | 18 | 8 | 36 | .438 | .264 | .702 | |||||||
KEY MATCHUPS: COLD | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cold Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roger Bernadina - OF | WAS @ NYM 6/29 1:10 PM | Dillon Gee | 2-11 | .182 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .455 | .182 | .636 | |||||||
| Ryan Zimmerman - 3B | WAS @ NYM 6/29 1:10 PM | Dillon Gee | 3-15 | .200 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .267 | .250 | .517 | |||||||
| Willie Bloomquist - SS | ARI @ ATL 6/29 4:05 PM | Tim Hudson | 3-16 | .188 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .188 | .235 | .423 | |||||||
| Cody Ross - OF | ARI @ ATL 6/29 4:05 PM | Tim Hudson | 4-23 | .174 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | .174 | .174 | .348 | |||||||
| Brandon Moss - 1B | OAK vs STL 6/29 4:05 PM | Adam Wainwright | 1-10 | .100 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | .300 | .182 | .482 | |||||||
| Chris Young - OF | OAK vs STL 6/29 4:05 PM | Adam Wainwright | 2-12 | .167 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | .167 | .333 | .500 | |||||||
| Jose Bautista - OF | TOR @ BOS 6/29 4:05 PM | Felix Doubront | 2-12 | .167 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .667 | .167 | .833 | |||||||
| Rajai Davis - OF | TOR @ BOS 6/29 4:05 PM | Felix Doubront | 1-10 | .100 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .100 | .100 | .200 | |||||||
| Dexter Fowler - OF | COL vs SF 6/29 4:10 PM | Matt Cain | 3-19 | .158 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 10 | .263 | .429 | .692 | |||||||
| Carlos Gonzalez - OF | COL vs SF 6/29 4:10 PM | Matt Cain | 4-34 | .118 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 10 | .118 | .225 | .343 | |||||||
| Jonathan Herrera - SS | COL vs SF 6/29 4:10 PM | Matt Cain | 2-20 | .100 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .100 | .136 | .236 | |||||||
| Adam Dunn - 1B | CWS vs CLE 6/29 4:10 PM | Ubaldo Jimenez | 5-26 | .192 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 14 | .385 | .344 | .728 | |||||||
| Jeff Keppinger - 3B | CWS vs CLE 6/29 4:10 PM | Ubaldo Jimenez | 1-11 | .091 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .273 | .167 | .439 | |||||||
| Brent Morel - 3B | CWS vs CLE 6/29 4:10 PM | Ubaldo Jimenez | 2-12 | .167 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | .250 | .286 | .536 | |||||||
| Alex Rios - OF | CWS vs CLE 6/29 4:10 PM | Ubaldo Jimenez | 1-13 | .077 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | .077 | .200 | .277 | |||||||
| Andres Torres - OF | SF @ COL 6/29 4:10 PM | Jorge De La Rosa | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .300 | .200 | .500 | |||||||
| Scott Hairston - OF | CHC @ SEA 6/29 7:15 PM | Aaron Harang | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .300 | .273 | .573 | |||||||
| Alfonso Soriano - OF | CHC @ SEA 6/29 7:15 PM | Aaron Harang | 11-43 | .256 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 10 | .395 | .273 | .668 | |||||||
| Yunel Escobar - SS | TB vs DET 6/29 7:15 PM | Justin Verlander | 2-12 | .167 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .250 | .286 | .536 | |||||||
| Kelly Johnson - 2B | TB vs DET 6/29 7:15 PM | Justin Verlander | 0-11 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | .000 | .000 | .000 | |||||||
| Ben Zobrist - 2B | TB vs DET 6/29 7:15 PM | Justin Verlander | 5-28 | .179 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | .286 | .233 | .519 | |||||||
| Lance Berkman - 1B | TEX vs CIN 6/29 7:15 PM | Mike Leake | 1-11 | .091 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .273 | .231 | .503 | |||||||
| Geovany Soto - C | TEX vs CIN 6/29 7:15 PM | Mike Leake | 1-12 | .083 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | .083 | .267 | .350 | |||||||
| Mark Ellis - 2B | LAD vs PHI 6/29 10:10 PM | Cliff Lee | 4-26 | .154 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | .269 | .241 | .511 | |||||||
| Jerry Hairston Jr. - 3B | LAD vs PHI 6/29 10:10 PM | Cliff Lee | 3-25 | .120 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | .240 | .148 | .388 | |||||||
| Matt Kemp - OF | LAD vs PHI 6/29 10:10 PM | Cliff Lee | 1-13 | .077 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | .077 | .077 | .154 | |||||||
| Cold Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
| Felix Doubront | BOS vs Tor 6/29 4:05 PM | Blue Jays Batters | 16-61 | .262 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 5 | 15 | .630 | .309 | .924 | |||||||
Recommended Pickup
Brad Miller, SS, SEA - Miller has risen quickly through the Mariners' farm system this season and will look to continue riding a hot bat to everyday playing time. He began the season with Double-A Jackson and hit .294 with six home runs in 42 games, and then he received the call to Triple-A Tacoma where he raised his game to a higher level. He posted a slash line of .356/.426/.596 with six more homers and 28 RBI in just 26 games. With Brendan Ryan struggling at the plate, Miller should play almost every day aside fellow prospect Nick Franklin in the middle infield. Major league pitching will likely be quite an adjustment for him, but it is worth monitoring him in standard leagues as he is swinging a hot bat at a shortstop position that is often not very deep on offensive options. He has put up steady numbers through his minor league career and has improved defensively enough for the Mariners to call him up. The future is now for many positions in Seattle this season.
Other Recent Recommendations: Brian Roberts, Leonys Martin, Ike Davis, Kyle Gibson, and Roy Oswalt
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