Thursday Lineup Card: Vote Yea On Rusney

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Updated on September 18, 2014 12:44AM EST

Projected Starters - A look at Thursday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Rangers (Nick Martinez - R) at Athletics (Sonny Gray - R), 3:35
Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey - R) at Yankees (Shane Greene - R), 7:05
Red Sox (Brandon Workman - R) at Pirates (Gerrit Cole - R), 7:05
Nationals (Gio Gonzalez - L) at Marlins (Brad Hand - L), 7:10
Dodgers (Zack Greinke - R) at Cubs (Tsuyoshi Wada - L), 8:05
Indians (Danny Salazar - R) at Astros (Scott Feldman - R), 8:10
Brewers (Kyle Lohse - R) at Cardinals (Shelby Miller - R), 8:15
Diamondbacks (Vidal Nuno - L) at Rockies (Yohan Flande - L), 8:40
Phillies (Kyle Kendrick - R) at Padres (Robbie Erlin - L), 9:10
Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R) at Angels (Jered Weaver - R), 10:05

Day Game After Night Game: TEX/OAK

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Nolan Arenado, 3B, COL - (Illness) Diagnosed with early-onset pneumonia but manager Walt Weiss anticipates he will return this season.
Jason Heyward, OF, ATL - (Thumb) Left Wednesday's game but X-rays on the thumb were negative.
Hanley Ramirez, SS, LAD - (Elbow) Missed a second straight start Wednesday.
Glen Perkins, P, MIN - (Neck) Sent for additional tests and will not be available until Friday at the earliest.
Evan Gattis, C, ATL - (Illness) Diagnosed with a kidney stone but hopes to return in the next day or two.
Jason Kipnis, 2B, CLE - (Legs) Held out Wednesday due to soreness and fatigue.
Angel Pagan, OF, SF - (Back) Told manager Bruce Bochy that he feels he can play Friday after an MRI came back negative.
Carlos Beltran, OF, NYY - (Personal) Left the team Wednesday to attend to a personal matter.
David Ortiz, DH, BOS - (Personal) Missed another start Wednesday and may not be back until the weekend.
Andrelton Simmons, SS, ATL - (Ankle) Left Wednesday's game after tweaking his ankle.
Oswaldo Arcia, OF, MIN - (Back) Held out Wednesday due to a strain but was able to take swings in the batting cage prior to the game.
Alex Avila, C, DET - (Head) Remained out of the Tigers' lineup Wednesday.
Nick Markakis, OF, BAL - (Shoulder) Sat out Wednesday as a precaution.
David Peralta, OF, AZ - (Back) Held out of the Diamondbacks' lineup again Wednesday.
Juan Lagares, OF, NYM - (Elbow) Expected to miss a few more days at least.
Craig Gentry, OF, OAK - (Concussion) Dealing with sinus issues in addition to his lingering concussion symptoms.
Danny Duffy, P, KC - (Shoulder) In line to make his next start Monday against Cleveland after completing a four-inning simulated game Tuesday.
Tim Hudson, P, SF - (Hip) Bothered by soreness for more than a week but is determined to continue pitching through it.
Arismendy Alcantara, 2B, CHC - (Wrist) MRI revealed a sprain but he thinks it's a minor issue.
Dioner Navarro, C, TOR - (Head) Took a foul ball off his facemask Tuesday and was held out of the starting lineup Wednesday.
Jake Lamb, 3B, AZ - (Quadriceps) Struck out in a pinch-hit appearance Tuesday but was held out of the lineup again Wednesday.
Scott Carroll, P, CWS - (Finger) Remains bothered by a torn fingernail and will miss his next scheduled start.
Eduardo Escobar, 3B, MIN - (Shoulder) Suffered a jammed right shoulder Tuesday night and was not in the lineup Wednesday.
Zach Walters, 3B, CLE - (Ribs) Held out Wednesday but was able to stretch prior to the game.
Jordy Mercer, SS, PIT - (Back) Scratched from Tuesday's lineup and held out again Wednesday.
Scott Baker, P, TEX - (Triceps) Will miss his next scheduled start Friday against the Angels.

Players on the DL
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL - (Hip) No longer using crutches and should soon begin a rehab program.
Manny Machado, 3B, BAL - (Knee) Will head to Los Angeles to continue his rehab.
Anibal Sanchez, P, DET - (Chest) Slated to throw another bullpen session Thursday.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS - (Hamstring) Played five innings in an instructional league game Wednesday.
Everth Cabrera, SS, SD - (Hamstring) Manager Bud Black is hopeful he can return during the team's current homestand, which concludes Sept. 24.
Christian Colon, SS, KC - (Finger) Placed on the 15-day DL on Wednesday but will be eligible to return Sept. 22.

Out
Giancarlo Stanton, OF, MIA - (Head) Ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI - (Hamstring) Was unable to take grounders prior to Tuesday's game due to a threat of rain.
Mike Morse, OF, SF - (Oblique) Still experiencing pain and is unable to get off full swings.
Ryan Raburn, OF, CLE - (Knee) Needs surgery to repair a damaged meniscus in his left knee.
Roenis Elias, P, SEA - (Elbow) - Ruled out for the remainder of the season.

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

Called Up (from Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Rusney Castillo, OF, BOS
Bryce Brentz, OF, BOS
Garin Cecchini, 3B, BOS
Edwin Escobar, P, BOS
Heath Hembree, P, BOS
Ryan Lavarnway, C, BOS
Christian Walker, OF, BAL

Placed on the DL (15-day, unless otherwise noted)
Christian Colon, SS, KC

Closer Watch

Minnesota Twins - Manager Ron Gardenhire called on Jared Burton to work the ninth inning Wednesday, with his team up 8-4 over the Tigers. Burton responded by retiring the side in order, in the process lowering his ERA and WHIP to 4.55 and 1.30, respectively. Regular closer Glen Perkins (neck, shoulder) will not be available until Friday at the earliest, leaving open the possibility Burton could get additional opportunities to close out games for Minnesota in the short term. Despite his rather modest numbers, Burton has blown just one save this season (against 14 holds, two saves), and he's given up more than one run in an appearance just twice since the All-Star break.

Hot Batter Matchups – September 18, 2014

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
J. Ellsbury	OF	NYY vs TOR 7:05PM	R. Dickey	12	5	1	0	1	0	0	.417	.417	.500	.917
J. Saltalamacchia	C	MIA vs WAS 7:10PM	D. Fister	11	5	3	1	1	0	1	.455	.455	.909	1.364
D. Espinosa	2B	WAS @ MIA 7:10PM	B. Hand	11	5	3	0	2	1	1	.455	.500	.818	1.318
L. Valbuena	3B	CHC vs LAD 8:05PM	Z. Greinke	18	7	3	0	0	1	7	.389	.421	.556	.977
M. Aviles	SS	CLE @ HOU 8:10PM	S. Feldman	12	4	2	1	1	0	1	.333	.333	.667	1.000
S. Gennett	2B	MIL @ STL 8:15PM	S. Miller	13	6	0	0	0	0	0	.462	.462	.462	.923
A. Ramirez	3B	MIL @ STL 8:15PM	S. Miller	13	6	2	2	5	1	1	.462	.467	.923	1.390
M. Holliday	OF	STL vs MIL 8:15PM	K. Lohse	28	10	2	1	4	3	5	.357	.419	.500	.919
Y. Molina	C	STL vs MIL 8:15PM	K. Lohse	20	11	6	3	8	1	1	.550	.545	1.150	1.695
J. Peralta	SS	STL vs MIL 8:15PM	K. Lohse	22	8	2	1	2	3	4	.364	.440	.545	.985
S. Smith	OF	SD vs PHI 9:10PM	K. Kendrick	17	8	4	0	0	1	2	.471	.500	.765	1.265
M. Trout	OF	LAA vs SEA 10:05PM	F. Hernandez	47	18	7	2	11	3	11	.383	.404	.660	1.063
D. Ackley	2B	SEA @ LAA 10:05PM	J. Weaver	26	9	4	1	1	2	3	.346	.393	.577	.970
R. Cano	2B	SEA @ LAA 10:05PM	J. Weaver	38	15	1	0	3	1	4	.395	.410	.447	.858
J. Smoak	1B	SEA @ LAA 10:05PM	J. Weaver	34	10	6	3	8	3	6	.294	.368	.647	1.015

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Hot Pitcher Matchups – September 18, 2014

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Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
R.A. Dickey	TOR @ NYY 7:05PM	171	38	11	3	14	12	32	.222	.272	.326	.597
Felix Hernandez	SEA @ LAA 10:05PM	408	87	33	9	40	33	104	.213	.280	.342	.622

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Cold Batter Matchups – September 18, 2014

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
E. Andrus	SS	TEX @ OAK 3:35PM	S. Gray	12	2	0	0	0	3	3	.167	.333	.167	.500
R. Chirinos	C	TEX @ OAK 3:35PM	S. Gray	11	1	0	0	0	0	2	.091	.167	.091	.258
L. Martin	OF	TEX @ OAK 3:35PM	S. Gray	11	2	0	0	0	2	6	.182	.308	.182	.490
C. Beltran	OF	NYY vs TOR 7:05PM	R. Dickey	24	5	2	1	4	0	4	.208	.208	.375	.583
D. Jeter	SS	NYY vs TOR 7:05PM	R. Dickey	17	2	0	0	0	3	6	.118	.250	.118	.368
I. Suzuki	OF	NYY vs TOR 7:05PM	R. Dickey	23	4	0	0	1	0	4	.174	.174	.174	.348
M. Teixeira	1B	NYY vs TOR 7:05PM	R. Dickey	13	2	1	1	3	0	2	.154	.143	.385	.527
C. Young	OF	NYY vs TOR 7:05PM	R. Dickey	10	1	1	0	0	0	4	.100	.100	.200	.300
M. Bourn	OF	CLE @ HOU 8:10PM	S. Feldman	10	2	1	1	2	0	3	.200	.200	.500	.700
C. Gomez	OF	MIL @ STL 8:15PM	S. Miller	16	2	1	1	1	1	5	.125	.176	.313	.489
J. Segura	SS	MIL @ STL 8:15PM	S. Miller	15	0	0	0	0	0	6	.000	.000	.000	.000
M. Carpenter	3B	STL vs MIL 8:15PM	K. Lohse	14	1	1	0	1	3	4	.071	.222	.143	.365
M. Ellis	2B	STL vs MIL 8:15PM	K. Lohse	18	3	2	1	3	0	5	.167	.167	.389	.556
A. Pierzynski	C	STL vs MIL 8:15PM	K. Lohse	10	2	0	0	0	0	1	.200	.333	.200	.533
C. Maybin	OF	SD vs PHI 9:10PM	K. Kendrick	12	1	1	1	2	0	2	.083	.083	.333	.417
G. Beckham	2B	LAA vs SEA 10:05PM	F. Hernandez	26	5	3	2	3	2	5	.192	.250	.462	.712
B. Boesch	OF	LAA vs SEA 10:05PM	F. Hernandez	10	2	2	1	2	0	0	.200	.200	.600	.800
J. Buck	C	LAA vs SEA 10:05PM	F. Hernandez	10	0	0	0	0	1	5	.000	.231	.000	.231
K. Calhoun	OF	LAA vs SEA 10:05PM	F. Hernandez	13	1	0	0	0	1	4	.077	.143	.077	.220
J. Hamilton	OF	LAA vs SEA 10:05PM	F. Hernandez	65	11	5	1	5	10	21	.169	.286	.292	.578
C. Iannetta	C	LAA vs SEA 10:05PM	F. Hernandez	20	2	1	1	1	4	8	.100	.250	.250	.500
A. Pujols	1B	LAA vs SEA 10:05PM	F. Hernandez	35	7	6	1	7	1	10	.200	.222	.429	.651
E. Chavez	OF	SEA @ LAA 10:05PM	J. Weaver	20	3	1	1	1	2	5	.150	.227	.300	.527
A. Jackson	OF	SEA @ LAA 10:05PM	J. Weaver	15	2	1	0	0	3	6	.133	.278	.200	.478
B. Miller	SS	SEA @ LAA 10:05PM	J. Weaver	13	1	0	0	1	2	4	.077	.200	.077	.277
M. Zunino	C	SEA @ LAA 10:05PM	J. Weaver	10	1	1	0	1	0	4	.100	.100	.300	.400

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Cold Pitcher Matchups – September 18, 2014

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Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Brad Hand	MIA vs WAS 7:10PM	81	25	12	3	15	15	13	.309	.417	.526	.942
Kyle Lohse	MIL @ STL 8:15PM	163	54	22	9	33	13	30	.331	.388	.582	.970

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Recommended Pickup
Rusney Castillo, OF, BOS - A day after homering in the Triple-A National Championship, Castillo made his major league debut with Boston, finishing 1-for-4 with an infield single in Wednesday's loss to the Pirates. He had a long layoff from organized baseball after defecting from Cuba, but the 27-year-old shook off the rust with 11 games in the minors before getting the call. With Mookie Betts moving in to fill in for Dustin Pedroia (wrist) at second base, center field will be open for Castillo on a near-everyday basis over the remainder of the season. Castillo signed with the Red Sox for $72 million in August, the most ever for a Cuban player, and while he may not make the type of immediate impact as the likes of Yasiel Puig and Jose Abreu did, Castillo possesses both power and speed, making him a perfect target for those looking for that little extra something to get over the hump over the final week-plus.

Other Recent Recommendations:A.J. Pollock, Juan Uribe, Clay Buchholz and Gregor Blanco

DraftKings Value Picks
SP: Shelby Miller, STL ($7,300)
C: A.J. Ellis, LAD ($2,600)
1B: Allen Craig, BOS ($2,900)
2B: Rougned Odor, TEX ($2,700)
SS: Josh Rutledge, COL ($3,200)
3B: Maikel Franco, PHI ($2,800)
OF: Sam Fuld, OAK ($3,500)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.