Friday Lineup Card: Drinking The Heisey

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Yankees (Ivan Nova - R) at Tigers (Doug Fister - R), 1:08 PM
Angels (Jason Vargas - L) at Rangers (Derek Holland - L), 2:05 PM
Twins (Liam Hendriks - R) at Orioles (Jake Arrieta - R), 3:05 PM
Royals (Wade Davis - R) at Phillies (Kyle Kendrick - R), 4:05 PM
Padres (Jason Marquis - R) at Rockies (Jeff Francis - L), 4:10 PM
Cardinals (Jake Westbrook - R) at Giants (Barry Zito - L), 4:35 PM
Red Sox (Felix Doubront - L) at Blue Jays (Josh Johnson - R), 7:07 PM
Marlins (Alex Sanabia - R) at Mets (Jeremy Hefner - R), 7:10 PM
Nationals (Dan Haren - R) at Reds (Homer Bailey - R), 7:10 PM
Indians (Zach McAllister - R) at Rays (Matt Moore - L), 7:10 PM
Cubs (Scott Feldman - R) at Braves (Mike Minor - L), 7:30 PM
Diamondbacks (Wade Miley - L) at Brewers (Kyle Lohse - R), 8:10 PM
Athletics (Dan Straily - R) at Astros (Brad Peacock - R), 8:10 PM
Mariners (Blake Beavan - R) at White Sox (Jose Quintana - L), 8:10 PM
Pirates (Jonathan Sanchez - L) at Dodgers (Zack Greinke - R), 10:10 PM

Day game after night game: NYY, PHI

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

Jose Bautista, OF, TOR - (Ankle) - Left Thursday's game late with a twisted ankle
Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL - (Hamstring) Felt something pop in his hamstring while stealing a base in the ninth inning of Thursday's game
Albert Pujols, 1B, ANA - (Heel) Playing through continual pain in his heel
Sean Marshall, P, CIN - (Shoulder) Was not available against the Angels due to shoulder fatigue, but the Reds hope he'll pitch this weekend
Cole de Vries, P, MIN - (Forearm) First start of the season has been pushed back until Sunday after he felt tightness in his elbow again during a bullpen session
Liam Hendriks, P, MIN - (Hand) Took a liner off his hand in his last spring start but will start Friday against the Orioles
Hiroki Kuroda, P, NYY - (Hand) Scheduled to make his next start Monday against the Indians
Brandon Moss, 1B, OAK - (Personal) Left Thursday's game because his wife went into labor

Players on the DL

Ryan Ludwick, OF, CIN - (Shoulder) Will miss 13-to-14 weeks
Delmon Young, OF, PHI - (Ankle) Played some outfield in extended spring training game Wednesday
Cody Ross, OF, ARI - (Calf) Reported to High-A Vasalia on Thursday to begin rehab assignment
Adam Eaton, OF, ARI - (Shoulder) Hit in the batting cage Thursday, but he's at least two weeks away from being cleared to throw
Casey Kotchman, 1B, MIA - (Hamstring) Will be placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday
Matt Garza, P, CHC - (Arm) Threw 25 pitches off a mound Thursday without issue
Chad Billingsley, P, LAD - (Finger) Expected to come off the DL next Wednesday and start against the Padres
Chris Tillman, P, BAL - (Abdomen) Expected to start Saturday against the Twins
David Ortiz, DH, BOS - (Heels) Could begin participating in extended spring training games Monday
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY - (Wrist) Targeting May 1 return to the Yankees
Alex White, P, HOU - (Elbow) Remains open to having Tommy John surgery
Ryan Madson, P, ANA - (Elbow) Was able to throw Wednesday, but a return in April is considered highly unlikely
Wilson Betemit, 3B, BAL - (Knee) Underwent successful surgery Wednesday
Derek Jeter, SS, NYY - (Ankle) The Yankees are hoping Jeter can return from the DL around May 1, though they have no set timetable in mind
Steve Johnson, P, BAL - (Back) Threw long toss Wednesday without setback
Stephen Drew, SS, BOS - (Concussion) Began rehab assignment Thursday and could make his Red Sox debut Monday

Out

Shaun Marcum, P, NYM - (Neck) Diagnosed with nerve inflammation and will rest for two days before returning to extended spring training

Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, or released. You name it. We'll cover it here.

Placed on the DL

Scott Kazmir, P, CLE
Tsuyoshi Wada, P, BAL (transferred to 60-day DL)

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)

Josh Stinson, P, BAL
Daric Barton, 1B, OAK
Jason Donald, SS, CIN

Traded

Travis Blackley, P, HOU (from OAK)
Jacob Goebbert, OF, OAK (from HOU)

Claimed Off Waivers

Josh Stinson, P, BAL (from OAK)

Signed

Jose Valverde, P, DET (minor league deal)
Chris Young, P, WAS (minor league deal)

Released

David Aardsma, P, NYY

Closer Watch

Chicago Cubs - Despite allowing two runs on three hits and a walk in the ninth inning against Pittsburgh on Thursday, Carlos Marmol managed to pick up his first save of the season. Kyuji Fujikawa set him up by throwing a perfect eighth inning, recording his first career hold in the process. Manager Dale Sveum seems content to stick with Marmol as closer for now, but if he starts costing the team wins, we could see Fujikawa moved to the ninth inning role.

New York Yankees - Mariano Rivera closed the door on the Red Sox on Thursday to earn his first save of the season, and his first since April 30 of last year. He did give up a run on one hit and one walk, but the all-times saves leader is healthy, and as long as he stays that way, he remains a top fantasy option at closer.

Toronto Blue Jays - Casey Janssen fanned two of the three batters he faced Thursday en route to his first save of the season. The right-hander's workload will be limited in the early going this season due to his surgically repaired shoulder, so Sergio Santos and Steve Delabar may see some opportunities to close when Janssen's unavailable, but Janssen further entrenched himself as the top option with two strong outings against Cleveland.

Recommended Pickup

Chris Heisey, OF, CIN - With Ryan Ludwick (shoulder) out at least three months, Heisey is set to receive his first real chance at everyday playing time in Cincinnati. As long as he's able to hit at a decent clip, it seems likely he remains in the two hole for the Reds (between Shin Soo Choo and Joey Votto), so a nice run total could be in store for Heisey. The 28-year-old also has power, as evidenced by his go-ahead, two-run homer in the fifth inning of Thursday's 5-4 win over the Angels, plus he can chip in a few steals here and there. It may seem like an obvious recommendation, but it's worth checking to see if he's available in your league, especially if you could use a boost in your outfield.

(DVR's) DraftStreet Lineup
C - Miguel Montero - $6,697
1B - Todd Helton - $8,417
2B - Jose Altuve - $5,990
3B - Miguel Cabrera - $10,324
SS - Jose Reyes - $7,413
OF - Ryan Braun - $12,670
OF - Carlos Gonzalez - $12,198
OF - Bryce Harper - $7,993
UT - Adrian Beltre - $6,161
SP - Dan Straily - $11,102
SP - Jeremy Hefner - $7,600
P - Craig Kimbrel - $2,967

Total: $99,532