This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Saturday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Angels (Hector Santiago - L) at Yankees (Vidal Nuno - L), 1:05
Padres (Andrew Cashner - R) at Nationals (Tanner Roark - R), 1:05
Red Sox (Clay Buchholz - R) at Blue Jays (Brandon Morrow - R), 1:07
Tigers (Anibal Sanchez - R) at Twins (Phil Hughes - R), 2;10
Pirates (Francisco Liriano - L) at Cardinals (Tyler Lyons - L), 4:05
Indians (Zach McAllister - R) at Giants (Tim Lincecum - R), 4:05
Royals (Jeremy Guthrie - R) at Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen - L), 7:05
Rays (Cesar Ramos - L) at White Sox (John Danks - L), 7:10
Cubs (Travis Wood - L) at Brewers (Marco Estrada - R), 7:10
Reds (Mike Leake - R) at Braves (David Hale - R), 7:10
Athletics (Dan Straily - R) at Astros (Dallas Keuchel - L), 7:10
Marlins (Kevin Slowey - R) at Mets (Jenrry Mejia - R), 7:10
Phillies (Cliff Lee - L) at Diamondbacks (Bronson Arroyo - R), 8:10
Rangers (Colby Lewis - R) at Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R), 9:10
Rockies (Juan Nicasio - R) at Dodgers (Paul Maholm - L), 9:10
Day Game After Night Game: LAA/NYY, SD/WAS, BOS/TOR, DET/MIN, PIT/STL, CLE/SF
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, TEX - (Ankle) Missed a third straight start Friday but still expects to avoid the DL.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, OAK - (Hamstring) Took batting practice prior to Friday's game and is expected to avoid the DL.
Gio Gonzalez, P, WAS - (Shoulder) Felt tightness in his last start but manager Matt Williams said he is not too worried.
Seth Smith, OF, SD - (Groin) Held out of Friday's lineup.
Bud Norris, P, BAL - (Hamstring) Suffered a minor injury Thursday but is expected to make his next start.
Conor Gillaspie, 3B, CWS - (Hand) Could land on the DL if he isn't feeling better Saturday.
Jose Veras, P, CHC - (Oblique) Dealing with soreness.
Aaron Loup, P, TOR - (Illness) Fell under the weather Thursday night.
Players on the DL
Chase Headley, 3B, SD - (Calf) Expected to miss 2-to-3 weeks.
Manny Machado, 3B, BAL - (Knee) Began his rehab assignment at High-A Frederick on Friday.
Casey Janssen, P, TOR - (Back) Not expected back with the Blue Jays anytime soon.
Mat Latos, P, CIN - (Elbow) Resumed throwing earlier in the week.
Wilson Ramos, C, WAS - (Wrist) Took batting practice Friday.
James Paxton, P, SEA - (Back) Tested his injury by throwing for five minutes from 45 feet Friday.
Oswaldo Arcia, OF, MIN - (Wrist) Begins a rehab assignment at Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.
Josh Willingham, OF, MIN - (Wrist) Still feeling tenderness but is expected to start hitting early next week.
A.J. Griffin, P, OAK - (Elbow) Expected to undergo Tommy John surgery next week.
Rafael Furcal, SS, MIA - (Hamstring) Rehab has been moved to Double-A Jacksonville.
Jhoulys Chacin, P, COL - (Shoulder) Reached 80 pitches during his rehab start Thursday.
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, TEX - (Back) Placed on the 15-day on Friday with a herniated disk.
Jesse Crain, P, HOU - (Biceps) Developed bursitis and his timetable for a return has been pushed back.
Josh Johnson, P, SD - (Elbow) Transferred to the 60-day DL on Friday.
Ed Lucas, 3B, MIA - (Hand) Remains without a clear timetable for a return.
Matt Albers, P, HOU - (Shoulder) Hit the 15-day DL on Friday.
Brett Anderson, P, COL - (Finger) Moved to the 60-day DL on Friday.
Out
Jason Grilli, P, PIT - (Oblique) Will be placed on the 15-day DL.
Transactions - Players who have been called up, demoted, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.
Activated from the DL
Adrian Beltre, 3B, TEX
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, BOS
Placed on the DL (15-day, unless otherwise noted)
Chase Headley, 3B, SD
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, TEX
Josh Johnson, P, SD (transferred to 60-day DL)
Brett Anderson, P, COL (transferred to 60-day DL)
Called Up
Kevin Quackenbush, P, SD
Jace Peterson, SS, SD
Lucas Luetge, P, SEA
Jose Cisnero, P, HOU
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Tommy Medica, 1B, SD
Brock Holt, 2B, BOS
Designated For Assignment
Alex Castellanos, OF, SD
Claimed Off Waivers
Hector Noesi, P, CWS (from TEX)
Signed
Brian Bixler, 2B, SD (minor league contract)
Closer Watch
Pittsburgh Pirates - A left oblique strain will push Jason Grilli to the disabled list -- contrary to reports he was not deactivated prior to Friday's game -- opening the door for Mark Melancon to slot in as closer. Melancon did very well in the role last season when Grilli was out with a forearm injury, notching 14 saves and blowing just one opportunity from July 24 to September 15. The Pirates haven't formally named Melancon as Grilli's replacement, but there's little-to-no doubt that he'll handle ninth-inning duties for the next several weeks.
Los Angeles Angels - Manager Mike Scoscia pulled the plug on Ernesto Frieri as closer Friday, two days after the right-hander gave up four earned runs while recording just one out for his second blown save of the season. Frieri has been shaky from the start, and currently sits on a 9.35 ERA and a 1.96 WHIP for the year. In his stead, Joe Smith will handle closing duties, and while Scoscia did say that he's optimistic Frieri will "get it back," everything will hinge on how Smith performs in the meantime.
Hot Batter Matchups – April 25, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| E. Hosmer | 1B | KC @ BAL 7:05PM | U. Jimenez | 23 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 4 | .391 | .517 | .652 | 1.169 |
| H. Kendrick | 2B | LAA @ NYY 7:05PM | H. Kuroda | 10 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .400 | .455 | .600 | 1.055 |
| A. Pujols | 1B | LAA @ NYY 7:05PM | H. Kuroda | 25 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 | .320 | .320 | .640 | .960 |
| I. Stewart | 3B | LAA @ NYY 7:05PM | H. Kuroda | 16 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 2 | .500 | .550 | .688 | 1.238 |
| D. Jeter | SS | NYY vs LAA 7:05PM | C. Wilson | 23 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | .391 | .481 | .522 | 1.003 |
| A. Soriano | OF | NYY vs LAA 7:05PM | C. Wilson | 11 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | .455 | .462 | .727 | 1.189 |
| W. Venable | OF | SD @ WAS 7:05PM | S. Strasburg | 13 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .308 | .357 | .538 | .896 |
| J. Gomes | OF | BOS @ TOR 7:07PM | M. Buehrle | 30 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 5 | .333 | .417 | .467 | .883 |
| W. Middlebrooks | 3B | BOS @ TOR 7:07PM | M. Buehrle | 18 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .444 | .474 | .556 | 1.029 |
| D. Ortiz | DH | BOS @ TOR 7:07PM | M. Buehrle | 69 | 20 | 10 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 8 | .290 | .329 | .551 | .879 |
| D. Pedroia | 2B | BOS @ TOR 7:07PM | M. Buehrle | 36 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | .389 | .421 | .472 | .893 |
| G. Sizemore | OF | BOS @ TOR 7:07PM | M. Buehrle | 69 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 10 | .217 | .260 | .420 | .681 |
| M. Cabrera | OF | TOR vs BOS 7:07PM | J. Peavy | 14 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .429 | .467 | .500 | .967 |
| R. Doumit | C | ATL vs CIN 7:35PM | H. Bailey | 16 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | .500 | .556 | .875 | 1.431 |
| R. Sweeney | OF | CHC @ MIL 8:10PM | M. Garza | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | .400 | .417 | .400 | .817 |
| M. Cabrera | 3B | DET @ MIN 8:10PM | K. Correia | 30 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 2 | .400 | .412 | .567 | .978 |
| T. Hunter | OF | DET @ MIN 8:10PM | K. Correia | 12 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .583 | .583 | .750 | 1.333 |
| A. Jackson | OF | DET @ MIN 8:10PM | K. Correia | 18 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .389 | .421 | .556 | .977 |
| J. Altuve | 2B | HOU vs OAK 8:10PM | J. Chavez | 10 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .400 | .400 | .600 | 1.000 |
| C. Gomez | OF | MIL vs CHC 8:10PM | C. Villanueva | 11 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | .364 | .462 | .455 | .916 |
| A. Ramirez | 3B | MIL vs CHC 8:10PM | C. Villanueva | 10 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | .400 | .563 | .700 | 1.263 |
| M. Reynolds | 1B | MIL vs CHC 8:10PM | C. Villanueva | 16 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | .313 | .421 | .688 | 1.109 |
| B. Dozier | 2B | MIN vs DET 8:10PM | R. Porcello | 16 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2 | .313 | .313 | .688 | 1.000 |
| J. Kubel | OF | MIN vs DET 8:10PM | R. Porcello | 32 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | .438 | .455 | .656 | 1.111 |
| T. Plouffe | 3B | MIN vs DET 8:10PM | R. Porcello | 19 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | .263 | .333 | .526 | .860 |
| P. Alvarez | 3B | PIT @ STL 8:15PM | S. Miller | 15 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 | .200 | .333 | .800 | 1.133 |
| S. Marte | OF | PIT @ STL 8:15PM | S. Miller | 12 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .333 | .385 | .750 | 1.135 |
| N. Walker | 2B | PIT @ STL 8:15PM | S. Miller | 13 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .385 | .429 | .615 | 1.044 |
| A. Hill | 2B | ARI vs PHI 9:40PM | R. Hernandez | 24 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 5 | .333 | .407 | .542 | .949 |
| M. Bourn | OF | CLE @ SF 10:15PM | T. Hudson | 10 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 | 1.500 |
| J. Giambi | DH | CLE @ SF 10:15PM | T. Hudson | 24 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 3 | .375 | .444 | .833 | 1.278 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Hot Pitcher Matchups – April 25, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Ubaldo Jimenez | BAL vs KC 7:05PM | 180 | 40 | 10 | 3 | 21 | 22 | 38 | .222 | .306 | .326 | .632 |
| Robbie Ross | TEX @ SEA 10:10PM | 80 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 13 | .250 | .306 | .311 | .617 |
| Josh Beckett | LAD vs COL 10:10PM | 75 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 8 | 18 | .213 | .289 | .375 | .664 |
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 – April 25, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| A. Escobar | SS | KC @ BAL 7:05PM | U. Jimenez | 25 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | .160 | .241 | .240 | .481 |
| O. Infante | 2B | KC @ BAL 7:05PM | U. Jimenez | 18 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | .167 | .211 | .278 | .488 |
| M. Moustakas | 3B | KC @ BAL 7:05PM | U. Jimenez | 26 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | .154 | .214 | .231 | .445 |
| S. Perez | C | KC @ BAL 7:05PM | U. Jimenez | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .125 | .125 | .125 | .250 |
| R. Ibanez | OF | LAA @ NYY 7:05PM | H. Kuroda | 17 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .176 | .176 | .235 | .412 |
| J. Ellsbury | OF | NYY vs LAA 7:05PM | C. Wilson | 17 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .235 | .235 | .294 | .529 |
| B. Gardner | OF | NYY vs LAA 7:05PM | C. Wilson | 15 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .267 | .267 | .400 | .667 |
| I. Suzuki | OF | NYY vs LAA 7:05PM | C. Wilson | 46 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 12 | .196 | .260 | .239 | .499 |
| M. Teixeira | 1B | NYY vs LAA 7:05PM | C. Wilson | 18 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 | .111 | .304 | .278 | .582 |
| A. Pierzynski | C | BOS @ TOR 7:07PM | M. Buehrle | 20 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | .350 | .364 | .350 | .714 |
| S. Victorino | OF | BOS @ TOR 7:07PM | M. Buehrle | 25 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | .240 | .259 | .400 | .659 |
| J. Bautista | OF | TOR vs BOS 7:07PM | J. Peavy | 20 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | .200 | .304 | .250 | .554 |
| C. Getz | 2B | TOR vs BOS 7:07PM | J. Peavy | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | .188 | .278 | .250 | .528 |
| J. Reyes | SS | TOR vs BOS 7:07PM | J. Peavy | 24 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .250 | .250 | .292 | .542 |
| C. Granderson | OF | NYM vs MIA 7:10PM | H. Alvarez | 15 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .200 | .235 | .267 | .502 |
| D. Murphy | 2B | NYM vs MIA 7:10PM | H. Alvarez | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .167 | .231 | .250 | .481 |
| C. Johnson | 3B | ATL vs CIN 7:35PM | H. Bailey | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | .067 | .067 | .067 | .133 |
| D. Uggla | 2B | ATL vs CIN 7:35PM | H. Bailey | 21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | .143 | .280 | .143 | .423 |
| E. Bonifacio | 2B | CHC @ MIL 8:10PM | M. Garza | 14 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .357 | .357 | .357 | .714 |
| I. Kinsler | 2B | DET @ MIN 8:10PM | K. Correia | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .167 | .167 | .167 | .333 |
| K. Suzuki | C | MIN vs DET 8:10PM | R. Porcello | 15 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | .200 | .333 | .333 | .667 |
| E. Chavez | 3B | ARI vs PHI 9:40PM | R. Hernandez | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .182 | .250 | .455 | .705 |
| C. Pennington | SS | ARI vs PHI 9:40PM | R. Hernandez | 26 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | .308 | .308 | .346 | .654 |
| J. Smoak | 1B | SEA vs TEX 10:10PM | R. Ross | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .182 | .308 | .182 | .490 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Pitcher Matchups – April 25, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Carlos Villanueva | CHC @ MIL 8:10PM | 75 | 24 | 10 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 17 | .320 | .407 | .564 | .971 |
| Kevin Correia | MIN vs DET 8:10PM | 120 | 41 | 9 | 2 | 16 | 5 | 9 | .342 | .361 | .472 | .833 |
| Rick Porcello | DET @ MIN 8:10PM | 143 | 44 | 15 | 4 | 18 | 11 | 17 | .308 | .353 | .463 | .815 |
| Tim Hudson | SF vs CLE 10:15PM | 62 | 20 | 9 | 3 | 14 | 5 | 7 | .323 | .381 | .588 | .969 |
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
Mark Melancon, P, PIT - As discussed earlier, Jason Grilli has an oblique strain and is headed for the DL, which means Melancon will almost certainly be tasked with closing out games for the time being. Melancon is off to another brilliant start this season, with just seven hits and two runs allowed in 11 innings of work. The right-hander posted a minuscule 1.39 ERA over 72 appearances last season while working primarily in the setup role, but proved capable of closing when called upon in the second half. He has great control and has averaged nearly a strikeout per inning while with Pittsburgh (8.6 K/9), so even if Grilli ends up missing the minimum amount of time while on the DL, those two weeks or so in the closer's role make Melancon worthy of consideration in nearly all formats.
Other Recent Recommendations:Alberto Callaspo, Jenrry Mejia, Corey Dickerson and Trevor Plouffe
DraftStreet Value Plays
P - Travis Wood, CHC ($14,322)
C - Yasmani Grandal, SD ($4,669)
1B - Nick Swisher, CLE ($4,593)
2B - Jedd Gyorko, SD ($4,417)
SS - Starlin Castro, CHC ($4,409)
3B - Will Middlebrooks, BOS ($4,708)
OF - Marlon Byrd, PHI ($5,110)
