Monday Lineup Card: Add Craig When He is Activated?

Updated on April 30, 2012 12:10AM EST

By:

Anthony Tynan

Updated on April 30, 2012 12:10AM EST

The Lineup Card

SPECIAL OFFER

Get 25% OFF

Dominate your NFL Draft this season with limited time offer. Use promo code

PROMO CODE PURPLE

Projected Starters – A look at Monday's matchups (all times Eastern):American League Royals (Luke Hochevar – R) at Tigers (Duane Below – L), 7:05 Orioles (Jason Hammel – R) at Yankess (Hiroki Kuroda – R), 7:05 Rangers (Yu Darvish – R) at Blue Jays (Kyle Drabek – R), 7:07 Athletics (Tom Milone – L) at Red Sox (Clay Buchholz – R), 7:10 Mariners (Felix Hernandez – R) at Rays (Jeremy Hellickson – R), 7:10 Twins (Nick Blackburn – R) at Angels (C.J. Wilson – L), 10:05National League Diamondbacks (Patrick Corbin – L) at Marlins (Mark Buehrle – L), 12:40 Cubs (Chris Volstad – R) at Phillies (Vance Worley – R), 7:05 Pirates (James McDonald – R) at Braves (Mike Minor – L), 7:10 Mets (R.A. Dickey – R) at Astros (Bud Norris – R), 8:05 Dodgers (Aaron Harang – R) at Rockies (Juan Nicasio – R), 8:40 Brewers (Randy Wolf – L) at Padres (Joe Wieland – R), 10:05Day 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 Jonathan Sanchez, P, KC – (Illness) Start pushed back to Tuesday, Luke Hochevar steps in Monday. Shin-Soo Choo, OF, CLE – (Hamstring) Did some drills Sunday, hopes to play Tuesday. Paul Konerko, 1B, CHW – (Neck) Out Sunday with stiffness. Delmon Young, OF, DET – (Personal) Could be cleared to play Monday. George Sherrill, P, SEA – (Elbow) Will have Tommy John surgery Friday, season is over. Danny Duffy, P, KC – (Elbow) No problems in Sunday bullpen session, should start Thursday. Rajai Davis, OF, TOR – (Wrist) Left Sunday's game. Kevin Youkilis, 3B, BOS – (Back) Scratched Sunday, expects to play Monday. Josh Hamilton, OF, TEX – (Back) Left Sunday's game with stiffness.NL Carlos Lee, OF, HOU – (Ankle) Possible return on Monday. Geovany Soto, C, CHC – (Back) Sat against Sunday. Brian McCann, C, ATL – (Abdomen) Returned to Sunday's lineup. Chipper Jones, 3B, ATL – (Knee) Made Sunday's start. Jim Thome, 1B, PHI – (Back) Could head to DL. Drew Pomeranz, P, COL – (Forearm) Said he expects to make Wednesday's start as scheduled. Jayson Werth, OF, WAS – (Hip, Head) Sat Sunday with migraines.Players on the DLAL Brett Gardner, OF, NYY – (Elbow) Took some swings Saturday, should be activated Thursday. Daisuke Matsuzaka, P, BOS – (Elbow) Very positive rehab Saturday with seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Next rehab start has not been scheduled yet. Felipe Paulino, P, KC – (Forearm) At least one more minor league start. Doug Fister, P, DET – (Upper Body) First rehab start Wednesday, unknown how many rehab appearances he will need. Franklin Gutierrez, OF, SEA – (Chest) Full workouts beginning Tuesday.NL Dan Hudson, P, AZ – (Shoulder) Threw on flat ground last week, won't throw from bullpen for another week. Stephen Drew, SS, AZ – (Ankle) Has not resumed sliding or played on consecutive days yet. Chris Young, OF, AZ – (Shoulder) No timetable, probably needs rehab first. Lance Berkman, 1B, STL – (Calf) Could return in a week. Scott Linebrink, P, STL – (Shoulder) Should have another side session before starting rehab. Allen Craig, OF, STL – (Knee) Could be activated Tuesday. Tim Stauffer, P, SD – (Triceps) Began rehab Sunday, gave up six hits in 3.2 innings. Miguel Cairo, 3B, CIN – (Hamstring) Eligible for activation but Reds will wait at least a few days. Andres Torres, OF, NYM – (Calf) Will be activated Monday. Jorge De La Rosa, P, COL – (Elbow) Will make rehab start Wednesday. Jeremy Guthrie, P, BAL – (Shoulder) Clear MRI, looking to make start next Monday. Mark DeRosa, 3B, WAS – (Oblique) Placed on DL with strain. Carlos Quentin, OF, SD – (Knee) Should begin rehab sometime this week.Transactions - Players that have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.Called Up Vinnie Chulk, P, MIL Jordan Lyles, P, HOU Tyler Moore, 1B, WAS D.J. Mitchell, P, NYY Dan Jennings, P, MIA Bryan Petersen, P, MIASent Down Cory Gearrin, P, ATL Mike McClendon, P, MIL Brian Bixler, 2B, HOU Cody Eppley, P, NYY Chris Coghlan, OF, MIA Mike Dunn, P, MIAPlaced on DL (15-day unless otherwise noted) Chris Narveson, P, MIL (transferred to 60-day DL) Mark DeRosa, 3B, WASActivated from DL NoneSigned Justin Miller, P, TEXTraded NoneCloser Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out our Closer Grid with the link to the left). Cincinnati – Aroldis Chapman fans were calling for Sean Marshall's head after a meltdown on Thursday resulted in a blown save and loss. Pitching for the first time since that game on Sunday, Marshall shut down the Astros with ease to record his fifth save. Los Angeles Dodgers – We profiled the Dodgers closing situation yesterday as Javy Guerra gave up the lead. Now it appears all systems are a go on Kenley Jansen, who notched saves both Saturday and Sunday. He walked two and struck out three in Sunday's win. Oakland – The Athletics allowed Bartolo Colon the chance to finish a complete game on Sunday, but he let the first two runners reach in the bottom of the ninth. Then it was time for Balfour to give things away completely. Matt Wieters tied the game with a two-run double, then Wilson Betemit hit a walk-off three-run homer. New York Mets – This closer situation could heat up quickly. Frank Francisco has had an awful start to the season, though Sunday's blown save was just his first missed opportunity of the season when he allowed a solo home run to Carlos Gonzalez. Francisco wound up with the win as Ramon Ramirez notched a 10th inning save.

Hot Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
KEY MATCHUPS: HOT
Henry Blanco - C	ARI @ MIA 4/30 12:40 PM	Mark Buehrle	4-17	.235	2	2	3	5	4	.588	.409	.997
Willie Bloomquist - SS	ARI @ MIA 4/30 12:40 PM	Mark Buehrle	18-39	.462	0	8	2	1	2	.692	.475	1.167
Alex Avila - C	DET vs KC 4/30 7:05 PM	Luke Hochevar	5-12	.417	1	1	1	1	3	.667	.462	1.129
Miguel Cabrera - 1B	DET vs KC 4/30 7:05 PM	Luke Hochevar	10-20	.500	2	3	7	1	3	.850	.524	1.374
Jhonny Peralta - SS	DET vs KC 4/30 7:05 PM	Luke Hochevar	4-18	.222	2	4	5	1	5	.667	.263	.930
Ramon Santiago - 2B	DET vs KC 4/30 7:05 PM	Luke Hochevar	3-11	.273	1	1	1	0	3	.545	.333	.878
Raul Ibanez - OF	NYY vs BAL 4/30 7:05 PM	Jason Hammel	4-10	.400	1	2	1	1	3	.800	.455	1.255
Derek Jeter - SS	NYY vs BAL 4/30 7:05 PM	Jason Hammel	4-13	.308	1	2	4	0	3	.615	.308	.923
Alex Rodriguez - 3B	NYY vs BAL 4/30 7:05 PM	Jason Hammel	6-15	.400	4	4	9	1	3	1.200	.471	1.671
Alberto Callaspo - 3B	LAA vs MIN 4/30 10:05 PM	Nick Blackburn	6-17	.353	1	1	1	1	1	.529	.389	.918
Torii Hunter - OF	LAA vs MIN 4/30 10:05 PM	Nick Blackburn	6-13	.462	1	3	4	0	0	.846	.462	1.308
Howie Kendrick - 2B	LAA vs MIN 4/30 10:05 PM	Nick Blackburn	7-13	.538	0	0	3	0	1	.538	.571	1.109
Orlando Hudson - 2B	SD vs MIL 4/30 10:05 PM	Randy Wolf	5-11	.455	0	0	1	1	1	.455	.500	.955
Mark Kotsay - OF	SD vs MIL 4/30 10:05 PM	Randy Wolf	4-13	.308	1	2	4	3	4	.615	.438	1.053

Hot Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Felix Hernandez	SEA @ TB 4/30 7:10 PM	Rays Batters	14-89	.157	0	2	3	10	25	.181	.239	.420

Cold Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
KEY MATCHUPS: COLD
Aaron Hill - 2B	ARI @ MIA 4/30 12:40 PM	Mark Buehrle	3-18	.167	1	2	1	2	3	.389	.250	.639
John McDonald - SS	ARI @ MIA 4/30 12:40 PM	Mark Buehrle	4-20	.200	0	0	1	0	2	.200	.200	.400
Lyle Overbay - 1B	ARI @ MIA 4/30 12:40 PM	Mark Buehrle	0-16	.000	0	0	0	0	7	.000	.000	.000
Mark Reynolds - 3B	BAL @ NYY 4/30 7:05 PM	Hiroki Kuroda	4-21	.190	0	0	4	1	9	.190	.227	.417
Jose Molina - C	TB vs SEA 4/30 7:10 PM	Felix Hernandez	2-10	.200	0	0	0	1	2	.200	.273	.473
Carlos Pena - 1B	TB vs SEA 4/30 7:10 PM	Felix Hernandez	0-11	.000	0	0	0	1	3	.000	.083	.083
Luke Scott - DH	TB vs SEA 4/30 7:10 PM	Felix Hernandez	4-21	.190	0	1	0	1	4	.238	.227	.465
B.J. Upton - OF	TB vs SEA 4/30 7:10 PM	Felix Hernandez	1-18	.056	0	0	0	1	6	.056	.105	.161
Ben Zobrist - 2B	TB vs SEA 4/30 7:10 PM	Felix Hernandez	2-12	.167	0	0	1	4	3	.167	.353	.520
Chris Johnson - 3B	HOU vs NYM 4/30 8:05 PM	R.A. Dickey	2-11	.182	0	1	0	0	0	.273	.182	.455
Todd Helton - 1B	COL vs LAD 4/30 8:40 PM	Aaron Harang	2-12	.167	0	0	2	2	2	.167	.286	.453
Erick Aybar - SS	LAA vs MIN 4/30 10:05 PM	Nick Blackburn	2-15	.133	0	0	1	2	0	.133	.235	.368
Kendrys Morales - 1B	LAA vs MIN 4/30 10:05 PM	Nick Blackburn	2-11	.182	0	1	1	0	1	.273	.182	.455
Joe Mauer - C	MIN @ LAA 4/30 10:05 PM	C.J. Wilson	1-19	.053	0	0	2	1	5	.053	.143	.196
Justin Morneau - 1B	MIN @ LAA 4/30 10:05 PM	C.J. Wilson	2-12	.167	1	1	2	3	1	.417	.333	.750
Chase Headley - 3B	SD vs MIL 4/30 10:05 PM	Randy Wolf	1-11	.091	0	1	2	1	4	.182	.167	.349

Cold Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Luke Hochevar	KC @ Det 4/30 7:05 PM	Tigers Batters	28-88	.318	6	11	14	5	23	.588	.362	.951
Jason Hammel	BAL @ NYY 4/30 7:05 PM	Yankees Batters	20-66	.303	7	11	19	3	14	.685	.337	1.023
Nick Blackburn	MIN @ LAA 4/30 10:05 PM	Angels Batters	25-81	.309	2	6	12	3	5	.426	.338	.764

Recommended Pickup Allen Craig, OF, STL – It appears Craig will be ready for activation on Tuesday and he is worth a speculative look. Craig racked up a .315/.362/.555 slash line in 200 at-bats in 2011 and he seems primed for a possible breakout in 2012. The problem is that the Cardinals haven't really missed him this season. Even with Lance Berkman on the DL, guys like Jon Jay, Shane Robinson and Matt Carpenter have stepped up and exceeded expectations as the Cardinals have flown out to a three game lead in the NL Central. Craig's strength is that he can play a number of positions and initially he is expected to steal time from Carpenter at first base until Berkman returns. Craig only played on consecutive days once on the rehab, so he may be gently ushered back in.Other Recent Recommendations: Mike Trout, Kenley Jensen, Bryce Harper, Jordan Lyles, Tony CampanaDraft Street Lineup C – Alex Avila ($5,210) 1B – Albert Pujols ($7,331) – selling Nick Blackburn, this is as cheap as you will see Pujols 2B – Michael Young ($7,610) 3B – David Wright ($8,224) SS – Dee Gordon ($5,775) – playing at Coors Field OF – Hunter Pence ($6,809) – good buy vs. Chris Volstad OF – Michael Cuddyer ($6,940) OF – Jason Heyward ($7,459) UTIL – Mark Trumbo ($6,910) – selling Nick Blackburn UTIL – Kendrys Morales ($6,042) – selling Nick Blackburn SP – Kyle Drabek ($7,060) – will catch Rangers on a travel day following a Rangers night game SP – Clay Buchholz ($10,449) – chance to bounce back against average Athletics offense RP – Francisco Cordero ($1,820) P – Vance Worley ($12,059) – home start against Cubs offense Total: $99,698