Wednesday Lineup Card: Aces Back Up

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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Wednesday's Starters

White Sox (John Danks - L) at Indians (Justin Masterson - R), 12:05
Cards (Jaime Garcia - L) at Reds (Johnny Cueto - R), 12:35
Red Sox (Jon Lester - L) at Blue Jays (Ricky Romero - L), 12:37
Rays (James Shields - R) at Tigers (Justin Verlander - R), 1:05
Nationals (Stephen Strasburg - R) at Mets (Johan Santana - L), 1:10
Brewers (Yovani Gallardo - R) at Cubs (Ryan Dempster - R), 2:20
Royals (Bruce Chen - L) at Athletics (Brandon McCarthy - R), 3:35
D-Backs (Joe Saunders - L) at Padres (Cory Luebke - L), 6:35
Marlins (Josh Johnson - R) at Phillies (Roy Halladay - R), 7:05
Yankees (CC Sabathia - L) at Orioles (Jake Arrieta - R), 7:05
Braves (Randall Delgado - R) at Astros (Wandy Rodriguez - L), 8:05
Mariners (Kevin Millwood - R) at Rangers (Colby Lewis - R), 8:05
Angels (Jered Weaver - R) at Twins (Carl Pavano - R), 8:10
Giants (Tim Lincecum - R) at Rockies (Jeremy Guthrie - R), 8:40
Pirates (Erik Bedard - L) at Dodgers (Chad Billingsley - R), 10:10

Day Game After Night Game: STL/CIN, BOS/TOR, WAS/NYM, MIL/CHC, KC/OAK and ARI/SD

Injuries

Day-to-Day

David Wright, 3B, NYM -- Sent for X-rays on his pinky; may have a fracture.
Brandon Phillips, 2B, CIN -- Out 3-4 days with strained hamstring.
Luke Scott, DH, TAM -- Received a cortisone shot for ailing hamstring; 3-4 days away from returning.
Mike Aviles, SS, BOS -- Held out of Tuesday's lineup with a slight ankle sprain.
Ramon Santiago, SS, DET -- Missed another game Tuesday due to illness.

Disabled List

Mike Morse, OF, WAS -- (Lat) Had a setback while throwing Monday; being evaluated against by Nats medical staff.
B.J. Upton, OF, TAM -- (Back) 0-for-2 with an RBI in rehab game Monday, on track for April 20 return.
Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL -- (Concussion) Continues to take batting practice, still no timetable for return.
Jed Lowrie, SS, HOU -- (Thumb) Will be activated Friday barring a setback during rehab games.
Rick Ankiel, OF, WAS -- (Quad) Should return from the disabled list Saturday.
Chien-Ming Wang, SP, WAS -- (Hamstring) Throwing from a mound, but hasn't faced live hitters yet.
Jose Contreras, RP, PHI -- (Elbow) Tossed a scoreless inning at Clearwater on Monday.
Nick Masset, RP, CIN -- (Shoulder) Still not throwing; return 10-14 days away.
Scott Linebrink, RP, STL -- (Shoulder) Began exercise program Tuesday.
Joey Devine, RP, OAK -- (Elbow) Had another elbow surgery Tuesday, return date uncertain.
Brandon Inge, 3B, DET -- (Groin) Headed to Triple-A Toledo to begin his rehab assignment.

Transactions 

Activated from DL
Chipper Jones, 3B, ATL

Optioned to Triple-A
Jose Constanza, OF, ATL
Joel Carreno, SP, TOR

Called Up
Aaron Laffey, RP, TOR

Closer Watch

Toronto -- Sergio Santos is 0-for-2 in save opportunities with the Blue Jays this season after failing to convert against the Red Sox on Monday night. Fortunately, he believes he spotted an issue with overthrowing while reviewing film, and may be able to make the necessary adjustments. On a semi-related note, Santos is expected to miss Friday's game against Baltimore as he will be leaving the team after Wednesday's game for the birth of his child. Francisco Cordero is the best bet to pick up the extra slack in Santos' absence.

Boston -- Alfredo Aceves had an uneventful save conversion Monday night after Santos' blown safe in the Toronto-Boston tilt. It's worth noting that Franklin Morales was warming up during Aceves' appearance, and he may have leapfrogged Mark Melancon as the next in line for saves in Boston.

Los Angeles -- Javy Guerra is 3-for-3 in save chances, securing his hold on a job that many were giving to Kenley Jansen on paper in February. Guerra isn't overpowering, but he's carrying a 3:1 K:BB in three innings and has allowed just two baserunners to this point of the young season.

Recommended Pickup

Adam LaRoche, 1B, WAS -- The talk of many NL-only drafts this winter and spring highlighted the lack of depth at first base thanks in large part to the loss of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder to the American League. LaRoche entered play Tuesday night with a 7-for-15 (.467) mark including two homers and six RBI. Even in shallow (10-12 team mixed) leagues, LaRoche is worth considering as he appears to be locked into the Nats' everyday lineup and the eventual return of Mike Morse will simply provide the Nats with a regular option in left field, rather than a threat to LaRoche's playing time. Prior to suffering his injury last season, LaRoche was a steady 25-homer player capable of driving in plenty of runs as a middle-of-the-order bat. He's long gone already in deeper leagues, but the shortage of power around the league makes him a viable corner-infield option again now that he's healthy.

Other Recent Recommendations: Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Jonathan Broxton, Hector Santiago, J.D. Martinez and Juan Nicasio

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Draft Street Lineup

C - Mike Napoli, $7,795
1B - Todd Helton, $6,666
2B - Michael Young, $7,054
3B - Adrian Beltre, $8,635
SS - Jhonny Peralta, $6,854
OF - Adam Jones, $6,279
OF - Lorenzo Cain, $3,990
OF - Shin-Soo Choo, $6,044
UT - David Ortiz, $8,121
UT - Brandon Belt, $4,639
SP - Brandon McCarthy, $10,369
SP - Erik Bedard, $12,809
RP - Mariano Rivera, $1,817
UP - Joe Saunders, $8,559

Total: $99,631

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