The Lineup Card: Mauer's Knee Acts Up

Projected Starters - A look at Wednesday's matchups:

Indians (Carlos Carrasco – R) at Twins (Nick Blackburn – R), 1:10 ET
White Sox (Edwin Jackson – R) at Athletics (Brett Anderson – L), 3:35 ET
Cardinals (Kyle Lohse – R) at Pirates (Charlie Morton – R), 7:05 ET
Braves (Tommy Hanson – R) at Phillies (Roy Oswalt – R), 7:05 ET
Astros (Wandy Rodriguez – L) at Nationals (Jason Marquis – R), 7:05 ET
Royals (Kyle Davies – R) at Tigers (Max Scherzer – R), 7:05 ET
Rays (Wade Davis – R) at Yankees (A.J. Burnett – R), 7:05 ET
Mariners (David Pauley – R) at Blue Jays (Kyle Drabek – R), 7:07 ET
Mets (Jonathon Niese – L) at Marlins (Alex Sanabia – R), 7:10 ET
Orioles (Kevin Millwood – R) at Red Sox (John Lackey – R), 7:10 ET
Giants (Jonathan Sanchez – L) at Cubs (Randy Wells – R), 8:05 ET
Reds (Johnny Cueto – R) at Brewers (Randy Wolf – L), 8:10 ET
Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez – R) at Diamondbacks (Rodrigo Lopez – R), 9:40 ET
Rangers (C.J. Wilson – L) at Angels (Dan Haren – R), 10:05 ET
Padres (Tim Stauffer – R) at Dodgers (Ted Lilly – L), 10:10 ET

Day game after a night game: CLE, MIN, CHW, OAK

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

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)

Erick Aybar, SS, Angels (hernia) – Out for season.
Mitch Talbot, P, Indians (shoulder) – Should rejoin rotation Thursday after successful bullpen session Monday.
Alberto Callaspo, 2B, Angels (foot) – Out of Tuesday's lineup after leaving Monday's game.
Bobby Jenks, P, White Sox (forearm) – Not traveling on road trip.
Andrew Bailey, P, Athletics (elbow) – Visiting Dr. James Andrews, not a good sign for return this season.
Chris Getz, 2B, Royals (concussion) – Still dizzy, might miss season.
Gavin Floyd, P, White Sox (shoulder) – Left Monday's start, season in doubt.
Jose Valverde, P, Tigers (elbow) – No structural damage in elbow, but no timetable.
Josh Hamilton, OF, Rangers (ribs) – Broken rib, no timetable yet.
Russell Branyan, 1B, Mariners (back) – Stiff back has him out for almost a week now.
Orlando Hudson, 2B, Twins (wrist) – In Tuesday's lineup after leaving early Monday.
Jason Kubel, OF, Twins (wrist) – Started Tuesday for first time since Sept. 15.
Joe Mauer, C, Twins (knee) – Had cortisone shot in knee, should be out most of the rest of the week.
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, Athletics (back) – Back in Tuesday's lineup.
J.J. Hardy, SS, Twins (head) – Scratched from Tuesday's lineup.
Gordon Beckham, 3B, White Sox (hand) – Still sore, season in doubt.
Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phillies (hamstring) – Has been running and hitting, might make it back for last week of season.
Bobby Parnell, P, Mets (elbow) – Out for season.
Jerry Hairston, SS, Padres (leg) – Out for season.
Jair Jurrjens, P, Braves (knee) – Should make next start Monday.
Takashi Saito, P, Braves (shoulder) – Will throw Friday, trying to return for season's final week.
Joey Votto, 1B, Reds (illness) – Scratched Tuesday with sinus infection.
Jason Hammel, P, Rockies (shoulder) – Shoulder is tiring, still trying to start Sunday.

Andres Torres, OF, Giants (abdomen) – Swung bat Tuesday, but likely out until next week.
Hunter Pence, OF, Astros (hip) – Left Tuesday's game, condition unknown.
Jim Edmonds, OF, Reds (lower leg) – Came up limping rounding bases after home run and left game Tuesday.

Players on the DL

Frank Francisco, P, Rangers (back) – Throwing program moved back, could get some action before end of season.

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)
None

Activated from the DL
None

Recalled from Minors
None

Sent Down
Felipe Lopez, 2B, Cardinals (released)

Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out Dave Regan's Closer Grid with the link to the left)

DET – Phil Coke did not encounter any problems in retiring two batters and getting his second save while sitting in for Jose Valverde. Valverde is out indefinitely.

NYY – Mariano Rivera allowed a run but got his 32nd save on Monday. In his last five outings he has allowed four runs in 5.1 innings with just one strikeout.

OAK – Craig Breslow is filling in for Andrew Bailey, possibly for the rest of the season. He picked up his third save Monday.

Key Matchups - Spotlight on hitters and pitchers with favorable matchups against their opponent on a particular day (generally, individual matchups with fewer than 10 at-bats are not included) *Check status

Hot
Raul Ibanez v. Tommy Hanson – 3-for-7 (.429), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:1 BB:K, .556 OBP
Nate McLouth v. Roy Oswalt – 10-for-28 (.357), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1:8 BB:K, .379 OBP
Alex Gonzalez v. Roy Oswalt – 10-for-23 (.435), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1:3 BB:K, .458 OBP
Adam Dunn v. Wandy Rodriguez – 9-for-21 (.429), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3:6 BB:K, .500 OBP
Carlos Lee v. Jason Marquis – 15-for-38 (.395), 4 HR, 12 RBI, 5:6 BB:K, .465 OBP
Hunter Pence v. Jason Marquis – 11-for-22 (.500), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 4:3 BB:K, .577 OBP
Dan Uggla v. Jonathon Niese – 4-for-10 (.400), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:2 BB:K, .400 OBP
Jeff Baker v. Jonathan Sanchez – 4-for-11 (.364), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 3:2 BB:K, .467 OBP
Prince Fielder v. Johnny Cueto – 7-for-20 (.350), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1:2 BB:K, .381 OBP
Corey Hart v. Johnny Cueto – 6-for-19 (.316), 3 HR, 3 RBI, 0:5 BB:K, .381 OBP
Jay Bruce v. Randy Wolf – 5-for-12 (.417), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:3 BB:K, .462 OBP
Jonny Gomes v. Randy Wolf – 7-for-10 (.700), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:1 BB:K, .750 OBP
Jason Giambi v. Rodrigo Lopez – 11-for-38 (.289), 4 HR, 9 RBI, 6:12 BB:K, .386 OBP
Coco Crisp v. Edwin Jackson – 9-for-22 (.409), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:2 BB:K, .417 OBP
Jhonny Peralta v. Kyle Davies – 9-for-17 (.529), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 6:2 BB:K, .652 OBP
Ryan Raburn v. Kyle Davies – 5-for-11 (.455), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:0 BB:K, .538 OBP
Mitch Maier v. Max Scherzer – 4-for-5 (.800), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:0 BB:K, .800 OBP
Alex Rodriguez v. Wade Davis – 4-for-11 (.364), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1:2 BB:K, .417 OBP
Robinson Cano v. Wade Davis – 5-for-11 (.455), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:1 BB:K, .455 OBP
Evan Longoria v. A.J. Burnett – 12-for-31 (.387), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1:9 BB:K, .412 OBP
Mike Lowell v. Kevin Millwood – 21-for-64 (.328), 2 HR, 13 RBI, 9:9 BB:K, .419 OBP
Jason Varitek v. Kevin Millwood – 13-for-33 (.394), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3:6 BB:K, .444 OBP
David Ortiz v. Kevin Millwood – 9-for-27 (.333), 3 HR, 10 RBI, 6:2 BB:K, .441 OBP
Nick Markakis v. John Lackey – 12-for-34 (.353), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 5:9 BB:K, .436 OBP
Luke Scott v. John Lackey – 5-for-13 (.385), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 1:4 BB:K, .467 OBP
Torii Hunter v. C.J. Wilson – 3-for-9 (.333), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 6:2 BB:K, .600 OBP
Vladimir Guerrero v. Dan Haren – 12-for-29 (.414), 3 HR, 10 RBI, 2:0 BB:K, .424 OBP
Ubaldo Jimenez v. Diamondbacks - .216/.302/.335 in 236 AB – no surprise here.
Ted Lilly v. Padres - .194/.240/.349 in 232 AB

Cold

Ryan Braun v. Johnny Cueto – 3-for-20 (.150), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:4 BB:K, .190 OBP
Rickie Weeks v. Johnny Cueto – 2-for-14 (.143), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:5 BB:K, .250 OBP
Mark Reynolds v. Ubaldo Jimenez – 6-for-32 (.188), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:13 BB:K, .257 OBP
Chris Young v. Ubaldo Jimenez – 5-for-34 (.147), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:14 BB:K, .171 OBP
Miguel Montero v. Ubaldo Jimenez – 3-for-23 (.130), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3:7 BB:K, .231 OBP
Justin Upton v. Ubaldo Jimenez – 2-for-18 (.111), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:7 BB:K, .238 OBP
Miguel Olivo v. Rodrigo Lopez – 3-for-16 (.188), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:5 BB:K, .188 OBP
David Eckstein v. Ted Lilly – 6-for-42 (.143), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:5 BB:K, .182 OBP
Ryan Ludwick v. Ted Lilly – 5-for-29 (.172), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 4:11 BB:K, .273 OBP
Jerry Hairston v. Ted Lilly – 5-for-28 (.179), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:3 BB:K, .233 OBP
Shin-Soo Choo v. Nick Blackburn – 3-for-23 (.130), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:6 BB:K, .167 OBP
Andruw Jones v. Brett Anderson – 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:2 BB:K, .250 OBP
Carlos Pena v. A.J. Burnett – 5-for-35 (.143), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 6:13 BB:K, .302 OBP
B.J. Upton v. A.J. Burnett – 7-for-36 (.194), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 6:15 BB:K, .310 OBP
Marco Scutaro v. Kevin Millwood – 4-for-28 (.143), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 3:4 BB:K, .212 OBP
Ty Wigginton v. John Lackey – 4-for-24 (.167), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3:4 BB:K, .259 OBP
Corey Patterson v. John Lackey – 2-for-15 (.133), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:5 BB:K, .133 OBP
Hideki Matsui v. C.J. Wilson – 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:5 BB:K, .267 OBP
Jason Marquis v. Astros - .372/.438/.620, 7 HR in 129 AB
Kyle Davies v. Tigers - .329/.412/.524 in 143 AB

Recommended Pickup

Danny Valencia, 3B, Twins – Valencia may be starting to churn out some power, dialing up three home runs over his last five games. He is hitting .362 in the month of September and at the least we know that his average, while not quite sustainable, looks to sit around .300 in the long run. He could turn out to be a poor man's Martin Prado.

Other recent recommendations:: Andy Pettitte, Nate McLouth, Russell Branyan, Jhoulys Chacin, Carlos Beltra, Ike Davis