Monday Lineup Card: A.M. Baseball in Boston

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Updated on April 18, 2011 1:00AM EST

Projected Starters - A look at Monday's matchups (all times Eastern):

Blue Jays (Ricky Romero - L) at Red Sox (Daisuke Matsuzaka - R), 11:05 AM
White Sox (Edwin Jackson- R) at Tampa Bay Rays (David Price – L), 6:40
Twins (Francisco Liriano - L) at Orioles (Chris Tillman - R), 7:05
Brewers (Shaun Marcum - ) at Phillies (Joe Blanton – R), 7:05
Pirates (Kevin Correia - R) at Reds (Travis Wood - L), 7:10
Angels (Ervin Santana - R) at Rangers (C.J. Wilson - L), 8:05
Padres (Tim Stauffer - R) at Cubs (Carlos Zambrano - R), 8:05
Indians (Carlos Carrasco - R) at Royals (Kyle Davies - R), 8:10
Giants (Tim Lincecum - R) at Rockies (Esmil Rogers - R), 8:40
Tigers (Max Scherzer - R) at Mariners (Jason Vargas - L), 10:10
Braves (Tim Hudson - R) at Dodgers (Ted Lilly - L), 10:10

Day 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)

Justin Morneau, 1B, MIN - (Illness) Out of Sunday's lineup with flu
Brandon Inge, 3B, DET - (Quadriceps) Took day off Sunday
Dallas Braden, P, OAK - (Shoulder) Not expecting to miss next start
Alex Rodriguez, 3B,

Projected Starters - A look at Monday's matchups (all times Eastern):

Day 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)

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL - (Back) Returned to Sunday's lineup
Marcus Thames, OF, LAD - (Quadriceps) Has missed last four games
J.R. Towles, C, HOU - (Ankle) Missed Sunday's game; remains day-to-day decision
Nyjer Morgan, OF, MIL - (Thigh) Did not start Sunday
Brandon Phillips, 2B, CIN - (Groin) Missed third straight game Sunday
Aroldis Chapman, P, CIN - (Shoulder) Did not pitch Sunday; could return Monday
Juan Francisco, 3B, CIN - (Calf) Thought it was a cramp, but still walked with limp Sunday
Roy Oswalt, P, PHI - (Back) Played catch Sunday; thinks he can make Thursday's start
Chris Denorfia, OF, SDG - (Forearm) Left Sunday's game; looks like just a bruise
Seth Smith, OF, COL - (Groin) Left Sunday's game; considered day-to-day
Donnie Murphy, SS, FLA - (Knee) Injury is a bruise; still going to miss another game or two at least
Skip Schumaker, 2B, STL - Hyperextended elbow during Sunday's game; considered day-to-day

Players on the DL

Philip Hughes, P, NYY - (Arm) Was set to begin long toss program Sunday
Erick Aybar, SS, LAA - (Ribs) Took swings Saturday; could be back early this week
Kendrys Morales, 1B, LAA - (Ankle) Running now; still looking like like early-May return
Frank Francisco, P, TOR - (Chest) Good rehab appearance Friday, could be activated very soon
Andrew Bailey, P, OAK - (Forearm) Was scheduled to throw Sunday, still no timetable
Junichi Tazawa, P, BOS - (Elbow) Threw simulated game Friday
Michael Wuertz, P, OAK - (Hamstring) Bad rehab appearance Saturday
Mitch Talbot, P, CLE - (Elbow) Place on DL Saturday, expected to miss 3-4 weeks
Brandon Morrow, P, TOR - (Elbow) Velocity good in rehabs, was set to make final rehab appearance Sunday
Jake Peavy, P, CHW - (Shoulder) Two rehab starts on tap this week and he will be stretched out to 100 pitches
David Aardsma, P, SEA - (Hip) Expected to begin minor league rehab Monday or Tuesday
Carlos Guillen, 2B, DET - (Knee) Working in physical therapy, no timetable
Joe Mauer, C, MIN - (Leg, Illness) Manager says Mauer has lost 15-20 pounds, meeting with doctor Monday

Vicente Padilla, P, LAD - (Elbow) Should begin minor league rehab this week
Todd Coffey, P, WAS - (Calf) Placed on DL after missing a week
Barry Zito, P, SFO - (Foot) Placed on DL, Ryan Vogelsong takes rotation spot
Johnny Cueto, P, CIN - (Shoulder) Was average in rehab start, two more to go before he would return to Cincy
Jared Burton, P, CIN - (Shoulder) Was supposed to begin throwing Sunday
Homer Bailey, P, CIN - (Shoulder) Five shutout innings in rehab, may need just one more minor league start
Geoff Blum, SS, ARI - (Knee) Starting rehab sometime this week
Jason Bay, OF, NYM - (Ribs) Played seven innings in rehab start
Ronny Paulino, C, NYM - (Illness) Made rehab start, expected to be activated April 26

Transactions - Players that have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.

Called Up
Ramon Troncoso, P, LAD
Dillon Gee, P, NYM
Collin Balester, P, WAS
Ryan Vogelsong, P, SFO
James Hoey, P, MIN

Sent Down
Pat Misch, P, NYM (designated for assignment)
Jeff Manship, P, MIN

Placed on DL (15-day unless otherwise noted)
Hong-Chih Kuo, P, LAD
Peter Moylan, P, ATL
Mitch Talbot, P, CLE
Todd Coffey, P, WAS
Barry Zito, P, SFO

Activated from DL
Grady Sizemore, OF, CLE

Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out our Closer Grid with the link to the left).

St. Louis - Ryan Franklin blew his fourth save and picked up the loss Sunday by giving up a two-run homer to the only batter he faced. His job security has to be paper thin right now.

Minnesota - Joe Nathan was replaced by Matt Capps as the closer after blowing another save opportunity on Saturday. Capps picked up Sunday's save.

Seattle - Brandon League allowed a run but picked up Sunday's save. However, David Aardsma is set to begin his minor league rehab assignment.

Los Angeles Angels - Jordan Walden loaded the bases, but picked up his third save Sunday.

Key Matchups

Hot
J.D. Drew v. Ricky Romero - 9-for-20 (.450), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4:5 BB:K
David Ortiz v. Ricky Romero - 9-for-22 (.409), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2:6 BB:K
Dustin Pedroia v. Ricky Romero - 6-for-11 (.545), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1:0 BB:K
Kevin Youkilis v. Ricky Romero - 4-for-10 (.400), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3:3 BB:K
Alexis Rios v. David Price - 7-for-11 (.636), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2:1 BB:K *also 2 2B, 1 3B
Paul Konerko v. David Price - 6-for-12 (.500), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 0:1 BB:K
Yunieksy Betancourt v. Joe Blanton - 11-for-31 (.355), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2:1 BB:K
Prince Fielder v. Joe Blanton - 5-for-14 (.357), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 1:3 BB:K
Ryan Ludwick v. Carlos Zambrano - 8-for-19 (.421), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2:4 BB:K
Todd Helton v. Tim Lincecum - 10-for-28 (.357), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 6:5 BB:K
Chris Iannetta v. Tim Lincecum - 6-for-12 (.500), 1 HR, 4 RBI,8:3 BB:K * 1.644 OPS
Rod Barajas v. Tim Hudson - 6-for-13 (.462), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0:3 BB:K - 3 2B

Daisuke Matsuzaka v. Blue Jays - .149/.197/.298 - Very strong numbers, including a 35:7 K:BB BB:K ratio in 114 AB.

Cold
Carl Crawford v. Ricky Romero - 2-for-14 (.143), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K
Adam Lind v. Daisuke Matsuzaka - 3-for-23 (.130), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:8 BB:K
Jose Bautista v. Daisuke Matsuzaka - 1-for-13 (.077), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:4 BB:K
Johnny Damon v. Edwin Jackson - 8-for-42 (.190), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 5:6 BB:K
Gordon Beckham v. David Price - 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:1 BB:K
Craig Counsell v. Joe Blanton - 1-for-13 (.077), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:1 BB:K
Adrian Beltre v. Ervin Santana - 8-for-44 (.182), 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3:8 BB:K
Troy Tulowitzki v. Tim Lincecum - 6-for-32 (.188), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2:6 BB:K
Ian Stewart v. Tim Lincecum - 5-for-27 (.185), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:14 BB:K

Ricky Romero v. Red Sox - .374/.459/.585 - OPS well over 1.000 in 123 AB with a poor 25:17 K:BB ratio.

Recommended Pickup

Jon Herrera, 2B, Rockies - Herrera has been playing with near regularity and hitting in the No. 2 hole for the Rockies. There is no reason to think the extended playing time won't continue as long as he hits the way he has. All Herrera has done is hit .400 and put up a 10-game hitting streak, which represents a hit in every start he has made this season. If he can continue to get on base, look for plenty of runs while hitting in front of Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki. Just don't expect a lot of power - he has two home runs in 314 career at-bats at the big league level.

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