This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Friday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Phillies (Kyle Kendrick – R) at Blue Jays (Ricky Romero – L), 1:07
White Sox (Edwin Jackson – R) at Cubs (Randy Wells – R), 2:20
Pirates (Charlie Morton – R) at Nationals (Tom Gorzelanny – L), 7:05
Giants (Madison Bumgarner – L) at Tigers (Brad Penny – R), 7:05
Cardinals (Jake Westbrook – R) at Rays (Wade Davis – R), 7:10
Yankees (Ivan Nova – R) at Mets (Jonathon Niese – L), 7:10
Indians (Justin Masterson – R) at Reds (Bronson Arroyo – R), 7:10
Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie – R) at Braves (Jair Jurrjens – R), 7:35
Marlins (Anibal Sanchez – R) at Rangers (Alexi Ogando – R), 8:05
Red Sox (Tim Wakefield – R) at Astros (Bud Norris – R), 8:05
Brewers (Yovani Gallardo – R) at Twins (Francisco Liriano – L), 8:10
Royals (Danny Duffy – L) at Rockies (Juan Nicasio – R), 8:10
Diamondbacks (Josh Collmenter – R) at Athletics (Rich Harden – R), 10:05
Dodgers (Hiroki Kuroda – R) at Angels (Tyler Chatwood – R), 10:05
Padres (Dustin Moseley – R) at Mariners (Jason Vargas – L), 10:10
Day game after a night game: None
Injuries - A brief look at players who 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 Zambrano, SP, CHC (back) – Left Thursday's start with lower back soreness; will get an MRI
Cole Hamels, SP, PHI (hand) – Caught a liner in the hand Thursday, but X-rays negative; status for next start uncertain
Willie Harris, OF, NYM (personal) – May return as soon as Friday
Ronny Paulino, C, NYM (back) – Tweaked his back and not in the lineup Thursday
Kerry Wood, RP, CHC (finger) – Blister may be healed enough for a weekend return
Xavier Paul, OF, PIT (hamstring) – Could be back in lineup Thursday night
Nick Hundley, C, SD (elbow) – Expected back Friday
Manny Acosta, RP, NYM (wrist) – Left Thursday with hyperextended wrist – made a great play, though
Neil Walker, 2B, PIT (back) – Didn't go Thursday due to soreness
Jeff Keppinger, 2B, HOU (illness) – Scratched Thursday
Marlon Byrd, OF, CHC (face) – Expected back from DL Monday
Kevin Youkilis, 3B, BOS (foot) – X-rays negative, so that's good
Derek Jeter, SS, NYY (calf) – Will return from DL Monday
J.D. Drew, OF, BOS (eye) – Entered Thursday as pinch-hitter and played right
Bartolo Colon, SP, NYY (hamstring) – Will return from DL and start Saturday
Josh Willingham, OF, OAK (Achilles) – Will come off DL Sunday
Maicer Izturis, 3B, LAA (foot) – Sat the last two, but may start Friday
Luke Scott, DH, BAL (knee) – Out Thursday
Jake Arrieta, SP, BAL (elbow) – Had a good bullpen Wednesday and will go Saturday
Players on the DL
Andrew Cashner, SP, CHC (shoulder) – Could start throwing this weekend
Joe Blanton, SP, PHI (elbow) – Progressing slower than expected, but progressing
Brad Lidge, RP, PHI (shoulder) – Could go on rehab stint next week
Rafael Furcal, SS, LAD (oblique) – Couple hits in rehab game; could be back next week
Aaron Harang, SP, SD (foot) – Feeling no pain lately
Brandon Lyon, RP, HOU (biceps) – Had surgery and out for the year
Jerry Hairston Jr., SS, WAS (wrist) – Fracture; out 2-4 weeks
Joe Blanton, SP, PHI (elbow) – Still feeling tightness and not throwing off a mound
Brad Thomas, RP, DET (elbow) – Recalled from minors, but still on DL; may be traded soon
Kevin Slowey, SP, MIN (abdomen) – Went 3.1 innings in rehab start Thursday
Eric Chavez, 3B, NYY (foot) – Illness has slowed recovery, but could go on rehab soon
Rafael Soriano, RP, NYY (elbow) – Could return July 14
Joba Chamberlain, RP, NYY (elbow) – Recovery going well, but still out 'til 2012
Tyson Ross, SP, OAK (oblique) – Moved up to Triple-A in rehab
Jed Lowrie, SS, BOS (shoulder) – Out through the All-Star break
Phil Hughes, SP, NYY (shoulder) – Had good rehab start Wednesday
Dustin McGowan, SP, TOR (shoulder) – Will have first rehab start Sunday
Casey Janssen, RP, TOR (forearm) – Will have first rehab outing this weekend
Scott Feldman, SP, TEX (knee) – Threw six innings Thursday in what was probably his final rehab outing
Brandon McCarthy, SP, OAK (shoulder) – Decision on whether he'll rejoin the rotation coming Friday
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)
Willie Harris, OF, NYM - bereavement
Chris Perez, RP, CLE - bereavement
Called Up
Brayan Villarreal, RP, DET
Fernando Martinez, OF, NYM
Yamaico Navarro, SS, BOS
Brandon Dickson, RP, STL
Sent Down
Daniel Schlereth, RP, DET
Designated For Assignment
Buddy Carlyle, RP, NYY
Mike Cameron, OF, BOS
Traded
Sergio Mitre, SP, NYY
Mark Ellis, 2B, COL
Released
Melvin Mora, 3B, ARI
Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (also check out our Closer Grid)
Atlanta – Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters have switched directions, as Kimbrel has corrected his control problems and become totally lights-out, while Venters has given up some runs lately. Kimbrel's saved five in a row, including Wednesday's game, and has allowed just two baserunners in his last eight appearances while striking out 16 batters.
Chicago (NL) – Carlos Marmol blew his fifth on Wednesday, allowing the runner he inherited from Ryan Dempster to score, then loading up the bases and escaping the jam. Marmol "earned" the win when the Cubbies came up with a walk-off win in the bottom of the ninth. Sean Marshall has been great for them in a setup role, but it's doubtful that Marmol is going to lose the role even though he's only 16-for-21.
Los Angeles (AL) – Jordan Walden got back on the horse after blowing three straight saves, pitching a scoreless ninth Wednesday against the Nationals for his 18th. He's blown six, but the Angels seem to be willing to work through it with him.
Philadelphia – In the absence of Brad Lidge and now Ryan Madson, Antonio Bastardo got the call Wednesday against the Red Sox and recorded his third save of the year. He could pick up a couple more in the short term.
KEY MATCHUPS: HOT | |||||||||||||||||||
| Hot Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Burrell - OF | SF @ DET 7/1 7:05 PM | Brad Penny | 8-36 | .222 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 9 | .472 | .282 | .754 | |||||||
| Bill Hall - 2B | SF @ DET 7/1 7:05 PM | Brad Penny | 5-15 | .333 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .667 | .333 | 1.000 | |||||||
| Travis Hafner - DH | CLE @ CIN 7/1 7:10 PM | Bronson Arroyo | 7-13 | .538 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1.077 | .538 | 1.615 | |||||||
| Austin Kearns - OF | CLE @ CIN 7/1 7:10 PM | Bronson Arroyo | 3-11 | .273 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | .909 | .385 | 1.294 | |||||||
| Grady Sizemore - OF | CLE @ CIN 7/1 7:10 PM | Bronson Arroyo | 5-15 | .333 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | .933 | .375 | 1.308 | |||||||
| Carlos Lee - OF | HOU vs BOS 7/1 8:05 PM | Tim Wakefield | 3-10 | .300 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .600 | .300 | .900 | |||||||
| Jack Cust - DH | SEA vs SD 7/1 10:10 PM | Dustin Moseley | 6-11 | .545 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | .818 | .571 | 1.389 | |||||||
| Hot Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
| Francisco Liriano | MIN vs MIL 7/1 8:10 PM | Brewers Batters | 17-73 | .233 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 22 | .304 | .283 | .587 | |||||||
KEY MATCHUPS: COLD | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cold Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yunel Escobar - SS | TOR vs PHI 7/1 1:07 PM | Kyle Kendrick | 1-16 | .063 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .063 | .118 | .181 | |||||||
| Matt Diaz - OF | PIT @ WAS 7/1 7:05 PM | Tom Gorzelanny | 2-11 | .182 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .545 | .250 | .795 | |||||||
| Orlando Cabrera - SS | CLE @ CIN 7/1 7:10 PM | Bronson Arroyo | 2-13 | .154 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .154 | .214 | .368 | |||||||
| Johnny Damon - OF | TB vs STL 7/1 7:10 PM | Jake Westbrook | 2-13 | .154 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .308 | .267 | .575 | |||||||
| Eric Hinske - OF | ATL vs BAL 7/1 7:35 PM | Jeremy Guthrie | 3-16 | .188 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | .563 | .278 | .841 | |||||||
| Yuniesky Betancourt - SS | MIL @ MIN 7/1 8:10 PM | Francisco Liriano | 4-20 | .200 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | .350 | .200 | .550 | |||||||
| Prince Fielder - 1B | MIL @ MIN 7/1 8:10 PM | Francisco Liriano | 1-11 | .091 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .091 | .091 | .182 | |||||||
| Cold Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
| Bronson Arroyo | CIN vs Cle 7/1 7:10 PM | Indians Batters | 18-63 | .286 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 6 | 5 | .636 | .348 | .984 | |||||||
***For a deeper look at the matchups please consult the new Batter v. Pitcher tool in the left hand menu.***
Recommended Pickup
Alex Presley, OF, PIT – Observe as I try to write this without making a terrible Elvis joke. Presley, recalled to take the injured Jose Tabata's place in the outfield and at the top of the order for a time, has already collected a homer in his MLB debut and a steal in his second game. At 25, he's not exactly a big-time prospect, but he was hitting .336 with eight homers and 18 steals in Triple-A and also hit for average with a bit of pop and speed in the minors last year. In NL-only leagues and deeper mixers, Presley's upside is worth a shot.
Other recent recommendations:Ben Revere, Chris Heisey, Cameron Maybin, Lucas Duda, R.A. Dickey
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Draft Street Lineup
C - Chris Iannetta, COL ($4,904)
1B - Mark Teixeira, NYY ($9,807)
2B - Tsuyoshi Nishioka, MIN ($1,720)
3B - Pablo Sandoval, SF ($5,342)
SS - Jose Reyes, NYM ($11,509)
OF - Michael Bourn, HOU ($8,892)
OF - Andrew McCutchen, PIT ($8,133)
OF - Jay Bruce, CIN ($5,609)
UT - Eric Hosmer, KC ($5,348)
UT - Cameron Maybin, SD ($5,285)
SP - Hiroki Kuroda, LAD ($10,520)
SP - Francisco Liriano, MIN ($10,516)
RP - Heath Bell, SD ($3,055)
P - Madison Bumgarner, SF ($8,932)
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