Sunday Lineup Card: Johnson Saves

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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Projected Starters - A look at Sunday's matchups (all times Eastern)

Twins (Scott Diamond - L) at Tigers (Doug Fister - R), 1:05
Orioles (Tommy Hunter - R) at Blue Jays (Dustin McGowan - R), 1:07
Astros (Henry Sosa - R) at Nationals (Steven Strasburg - R), 1:35
Marlins (Javier Vazquez - R) at Pirates (John McDonald - R), 1:35
Red Sox (Jon Lester - L) at Rays (James Shields - R), 1:40
Phillies (Vance Worley - R) at Brewers (Yovani Gallardo - R), 2:10
Indians (Ubaldo Jimenez - R) at White Sox (Zach Stewart - R), 2:10
Braves (Tim Hudson - R) at Cardinals (Jake Westbrook - R), 2:15
Athletics (Josh Outman - L) at Rangers (C.J. Wilson - L), 3:05
Reds (Edinson Volquez - R) at Rockies (Drew Pomeranz - L), 3:10
Yankees (Freddy Garcia - R) at Angels (Ervin Santana - R), 3:35
Dodgers (Hiroki Kuroda - R) at Giants (Madison Bumgarner - L), 4:05
Padres (Wade LeBlanc - L) at Diamondbacks (Josh Collmenter - R), 4:10
Royals (Everett Teaford - L) at Mariners (Anthony Vasquez - L), 4:10
Cubs (Matt Garza - R) at Mets (Miguel Batista - R), 8:05

Day game after a night game: FLA, PIT, HOU, WAS, PHI, MIL, ATL, STL, SD, AZ, BOS, TB, NY, LA, KC, SEA, LAD SF

Injuries - A brief look at players who have been missing time with minor ailments and their expected returns

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)
Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI - (Groin) Could return to the lineup in four-to-five days.
Laynce Nix, OF, WAS - (Groin) Pinch-ran Friday but remains a few days away from returning to the starting lineup.
Justin Turner, 2B, NYM - (Illness) Scratched from Saturday's lineup.
Mike Stanton, OF, FLA - (Hamstring) Out of the lineup Saturday after being removed from Friday's game. His status is very, frustratingly, tentative right now.
Jose Lopez, 2B, FLA - (Hamstring) Left Friday's game and is out of the lineup Saturday.
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI - (Concussion) Aiming for a Thursday return after being cleared to resume baseball activities Saturday.
Rickie Weeks, 2B, MIL - (Ankle) Expected to start Sunday, but he's only scheduled to stay in the game long enough to get a few at-bats.
Logan Morrison, OF, FLA - (Knee) Held out of Saturday's lineup with swelling in his knee.
Aubrey Huff, 1B, SF - (Back) Remains out Saturday, but he's expected to start Sunday.
Brian Duensing, SP/RP, MIN - (Oblique) Projected to return and work out of bullpen for the team's upcoming series against the Royals.
John Lackey, SP, BOS - (Calf) His status for his next start remains up in the air.
Edwin Encarnacion, DH, TOR - (Shoulder) Out Saturday and may sit Sunday as well.
Adam Jones, OF, BAL - (Ankle) Scratched Saturday but the injury isn't believed to be serious.
Jason Kubel, OF, MIN - (Foot) Given the day off Saturday.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, MIN - (Wrist) Plans on returning Tuesday.
Yunel Escobar, SS, TOR - (Elbow) X-rays on his wrist came back negative. Left Saturday's game after taking a pitch off his elbow.
Josh Beckett, SP, BOS - (Ankle) Continues to make progress toward a return, but it's unknown when he'll make his next start.
Kevin Youkilis, 3B, BOS - (Hip) Could return Tuesday.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY - (Thumb) Will not play for the next 3-4 days.
Nick Swisher, OF, NYY - (Elbow) Could return to the lineup Monday after his MRI revealed only mild tendinitis.
Francisco Cervelli, C, NYY - (Concussion) Scratched from the lineup and will remain out until he's clear of concussion-like symptoms.

Players on the DL
Jeremy Affeldt, RP, SF - (Hand) Will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a laceration on his right hand.
Nate Schierholtz, OF, SF - (Foot) Will be in a boot for at least another week.
Andre Ethier, OF, LA - (Knee) Is expected to undergo surgery before the end of the season, but he should be healthy long before spring training opens.
Brent Lillibridge, OF, CHW - (Hand) Placed on the 15-day DL Friday.
Carlos Quentin, OF, CHW - (Shoulder) Is not making good progress in his recovery and there remains no solid timetable for his return.
Nelson Cruz, OF, TEX - (Hamstring) On track to return by the middle of the week.
Darren O'Day - (Shoulder) Is nearing a return, but he won't have much of role when he does get activated.

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

Placed on the DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
NA

Activated from DL
NA

Called Up
Xavier Cedeno, RP, HOU

Sent Down
NA

Designated for Assignment
NA

Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (also check out our Closer Grid)

Baltimore - Jim Johnson has picked up the last two saves for the Orioles, and Kevin Gregg blew the opportunity to earn a save Saturday. It appears Johnson is the man to own in Baltimore right now. If you're looking to grab some late season saves, Johnson could help you claw back some ground over the final few weeks.

New York Mets - Manny Acosta was used in a save situation Friday and blew the save. The Mets are looking for someone to prove they can be the closer for the team next season, and no one is stepping up to claim the role. Both Acosta and Bobby Parnell are getting looks in the closer role, and neither has proven capable of locking down the position.

St. Louis - Jason Motte continues to get the late-inning work for the Cardinals, and it appears he's eclipsed Fernando Salas to definitively claim the closer role in St. Louis.

Jim Johnson, RP, BAL - Johnson appears set to wrest control of the closer role from Kevin Gregg. Coming into Saturday, Johnson was used to convert the Orioles' last two save opportunities, and then Gregg proceeded to blow the save in Saturday's game. If you're poaching for saves right now, Johnson could be a great grab.

Other recent recommendations:David Murphy, Lucas Duda, Dee Gordon, Jerry Sands, Yonder Alonso

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Draft Street Lineup

C Alex Avila (DET-C) $6,131
1B Albert Pujols (STL-1B) $9,540
2B Rickie Weeks (MIL-2B) $6,692
3B Pablo Sandoval (SF-3B) $7,811
SS Derek Jeter (NYY-SS) $7,163
OF Lance Berkman (STL-OF) $7,763
OF Carl Crawford (BOS-OF) $5,815
OF Vernon Wells (LAA-OF) $5,876
U Paul Konerko (CWS-1B) $7,462
U Robinson Cano (NYY-2B) $7,718
SP Javier Vazquez (FLA-SP) $12,366
SP Hiroki Kuroda (LAD-SP) $11,710
RP Javy Guerra (LAD-RP) $2,237
P Anthony Vasquez (SEA-SP) $1,500

Total: $99,784

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