Monday Lineup Card: Another Japanese Pitcher Gains Steam

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

American League
Royals (Will Smith – L) at Rays (Jeremy Hellickson – R), 7:10
Orioles (Miguel Gonzalez – R) at Rangers (Ryan Dempster – R), 8:05
Yankees (Freddy Garcia – R) at White Sox (Gavin Floyd – L), 8:10
Twins (Brian Duensing – L) at Athletics (Brandon McCarthy – R), 10:05
Indians (Ubaldo Jimenez – R) at Mariners (Kevin Millwood – R), 10:10

National League
Braves (Tim Hudson – R) at Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann – R), 7:05
Reds (Mike Leake – R) at Phillies (Roy Halladay – R), 7:05
Rockies (Alex White – R) at Mets (R.A. Dickey – R), 7:10
Cubs (Justin Germano – R) at Brewers (Mark Rogers – R), 8:10
Marlins (Mark Buehrle – L) at Diamondbacks (Joe Saunders – L), 9:40
Pirates (Wandy Rodriguez – L) at Padres (Edinson Volquez – R), 10:05
Giants (Madison Bumgarner – L) at Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw – 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)

AL
Nelson Cruz, OF, TEX – (Hamstring) Hit home run Saturday, started again Sunday.
Denard Span, OF, MIN – (Shoulder) Sat out Sunday's game.

NL
Greg Dobbs, 3B, MIA – (Oblique) Out of Sunday's lineup.
Chipper Jones, 3B, ATL – (Knee) Out of lineup Sunday with achy knees.
Jordy Mercer, SS, PIT – (Wrist0 Bruised wrist after HBP Saturday.
Bud Norris, P, HOU – (Foot) Was to throw bullpen session Sunday and make next start Wednesday.
Justin Ruggiano, OF, MIA – (Oblique) Returned to lineup Sunday.
Neil Walker, 2B, PIT – (Finger) Out of lineup again on Sunday.
Eric Young, Jr., OF, COL – (Ribs) Left Sunday's game with strain.

Players on the DL

AL
Al Alburquerque, P, DET – (Elbow) Back to rehab at Triple-A.
Brett Anderson, P, OAK – (Elbow) Good pitching in last rehab start.
Jose Bautista, 3B, TOR – (Wrist) Could be activated as soon as Friday.
Felix Doubront, P, BOS – (Knee) Will return next weekend.
Chris Getz, 2B, KC – (Thumb) Had surgery Saturday, out for season.
Jason Hammel, P, BAL – (Knee) Good bullpen session Saturday will be followed with another one Monday.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR – (Ribs) Should be activated Tuesday.
David Ortiz, DH, BOS – (Achilles) Took swings Saturday.
Eric Sogard, 2B, OAK – (Back) Able to swing bat, could be activated Wednesday.
Seth Smith, OF, OAK – (Hamstring) Rehab pushed back to begin Monday.

NL
Willie Bloomquist, SS, AZ – (Back) Could return as soon as Friday.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, COL – (Oblique) Re-injured oblique Saturday, returned to DL.
Rubby De La Rosa, P, LAD – (Elbow) Four shutout innings in rehab, expected to return when rosters expand.
Matt Guerrier, P, LAD – (Elbow) Scoreless inning in rehab, not expected back until rosters expand.
Starling Marte, OF, PIT – (Oblique) Left Saturday's game, placed on DL.
Placido Polanco, 3B, PHI – (Back) Played all nine innings Saturday, should be activated Monday.
Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI – (Foot) Will lose walking boot Monday, but looks like he is out until mid-September.
Jordan Schafer, OF, HOU – (Shoulder) Rehab pushed back to end of the week.
Tim Stuaffer, P, SD – (Elbow) Could have surgery to elbow, but not Tommy John.
Huston Street, P, SD – (Calf) Throwing a football and doing cardio.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL – (Groin) Could begin rehab before end of the month.

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

Called Up
Nick Vincent, P, SD
Andrew Brown, OF, COL
Jose Tabata, OF, PIT

Sent Down
Ross Ohlendorf, P, SD
Brooks Raley, P, CHC
Todd Redmond, P, CIN
Scott Cousins, OF, MIA
Gil Velazquez, 2B, MIA (designated for assignment)
Trevor Rosenthal, P, STL
Elian Herrera, 2B, LAD

Placed on DL (15-day unless otherwise noted)
Michael Cuddyer, OF, COL
Starling Marte, OF, PIT

Activated from DL
Emilio Bonifacio, OF, MIA
Donnie Murphy, 3B, MIA
Scott Elbert, P, LAD
Jaime Garcia, P, STL

Signed
None

Traded
None

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

Miami – Steve Cishek has done his job without incident since inheriting the closer's role. He allowed two runs Saturday, but successfully nailed down the save.

New York Mets – It seems bizarre to put this sentence together, but Frank Francisco pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to get Saturday's save. Smooth saves have eluded Francisco, but he still has the job for the Mets despite a ballooned ERA and WHIP.

San Francisco – The Giants are going with a closer by committee approach and used Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo in the seventh and eighth innings. Jeremy Affeldt came on for the ninth and allowed two runs before Clay Hensley retired the last batter of the game to earn his third save.

Key Matchups

Hisashi Iwakuma, P, SEA – After a month and a half in the Mariners rotation, Iwakuma has provided some serviceable numbers. Not surprisingly, he is particularly useful at home where he has allowed two earned runs in his last 20 innings. However, long balls could be his undoing, as Iwakuma has allowed 13 home runs in 78.1 innings on the season. That is surprising considering his home park.

Other Recent Recommendations: Samuel Deduno, Gregor Blanco, Jon Jay, Yonder Alonso, Eric Young, Jr.

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Draft Street Lineup
C – Miguel Montero ($6,271)
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OF – Andre Ethier ($5,403)
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SP – Edinson Volquez ($8,133)
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