Wednesday Lineup Card: Tazawa Next Man Up In Boston

Wednesday Lineup Card: Tazawa Next Man Up In Boston

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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Wednesday's Starters (All times Eastern)

Braves (Mike Minor – L) at Reds (Mike Leake – R), 12:35
Mariners (Felix Hernandez – R) at Pirates (A.J. Burnett – R), 12:35
Cardinals (Jake Westbrook – R) at Cubs (Carlos Villanueva – R), 2:20
Marlins (Ricky Nolasco – R) at Padres (Jason Marquis – R), 3:40
Phillies (Jonathan Pettibone – R) at Giants (Barry Zito – L), 3:45
Tigers (Anibal Sanchez – R) at Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann – R), 7:05
Royals (Luis Mendoza – R) at Orioles (Chris Tillman – R), 7:05
Athletics (A.J. Griffin – R) at Indians (Justin Masterson – R), 7:05
White Sox (Jake Peavy – R) at Mets (Jeremy Hefner – R), 7:10
Twins (Pedro Hernandez – L) at Red Sox (Allen Webster – R), 7:10
Blue Jays (Ricky Romero – L) at Rays (Matt Moore – L), 7:10
Angels (Joe Blanton – R) at Astros (Bud Norris – R), 8:10
Rangers (Derek Holland – L) at Brewers (Kyle Lohse – R), 8:10
Yankees (David Phelps – R) at Rockies (Juan Nicasio – R), 8:40
Diamondbacks (Wade Miley – L) at Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw – L), 10:10

Day Game After Night Game: ATL/CIN, SEA/PIT, STL/CHC, MIA/SD, PHI/SF

Injuries

Day-To-Day
Logan Forsythe, 2B, SD (Foot) – Began jogging Wednesday.
Miguel Gonzalez, SP, BAL (thumb) – Next start will be pushed back to Friday or Saturday against the Twins.
J.A. Happ, SP, TOR (Head) – Removed from Tuesday's game on stretcher after taking a line drive off the forehead.
Russell Martin, C, PIT (Neck) – Scratched Tuesday with neck stiffness.
James McDonald, SP, PIT (Shoulder) – Scratched for Tuesday's start with discomfort in his throwing shoulder.
Yadier Molina, C, STL (Hand) – Returned to lineup Tuesday after suffering hand injury Sunday.
Angel Pagan, OF, SF (Hamstring) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Jarrod Parker, SP, OAK (Neck) – Dealing with neck strain and could require DL stint.
A.J. Pierzynski, C, TEX (Oblique) – Scratched from Tuesday's game with tightness in right oblique.
Josh Reddick, OF, OAK (Wrist) – Expected to miss a couple of days after receiving shot in his wrist.
David Ross, C, BOS (Knee) – Removed from Tuesday's game with injury.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL (Leg) – Dealing with minor issue and was only available as pinch-hitter Tuesday.
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS (hamstring) – Remains out of the lineup Tuesday.

Disabled List
Gordon Beckham, 2B, CWS (Wrist) – Fielded ground balls and took part in baseball activities Tuesday.
Adam Eaton, OF, ARI (Elbow) – Will serve as DH for about 10 days at Triple-A Reno before playing games in outfield.
Frank Francisco, RP, NYM (Elbow) – Pitched an outing for second straight day Monday at High-A St. Lucie.
Kyuji Fujikawa, RP, CHC (Forearm) – Threw one inning in second rehab appearance Tuesday.
Matt Garza, SP, CHC (Arm) – Gave up one run in 3.1 innings in rehab start at Triple-A Iowa on Monday.
Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY (Forearm) – Played fourth game at extended spring training Monday.
Ryan Madson, RP, LAA (Elbow) – Hopes to begin a rehab assignment Thursday.
Jason Motte, RP, STL (Elbow) – Underwent successful Tommy John surgery Tuesday.
Mike Olt, 3B, TEX (Eye) – Placed on minor league DL and will visit eye specialist in 10-14 days.
Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL (Hamstring) – Visited a specialist in Texas on Wednesday.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY (Hip) – Took 30 swings off a tee Monday.
Sergio Santos, RP, TOR (Triceps) – Set to begin rehab assignment next week.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY (Wrist) – Took 20 swings of live batting practice Monday.
Neil Walker, 2B, PIT (Hand) – Will begin rehab assignment Thursday at Double-A Altoona.
Jered Weaver, SP, LAA (Elbow) – Will throw a bullpen session Thursday.

Transactions

Called Up (from Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Nick Green, 3B, MIA
Josh Harrison, SS, PIT
Elian Herrera, 3B, LAD
Allen Webster, SP, BOS

Sent Down (to Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Ezequiel Carrera, OF, CLE
Jean Machi, RP, SF

Activated From Disabled List (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Matt Adams, 1B, STL
Jose Mijares, RP, SF (from restricted list)

Placed On Disabled List (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Henderson Alvarez, SP, MIA (transferred to 60-day DL)
Gavin Floyd, SP, CWS (transferred to 60-day DL)
Jerry Hairston Jr., 3B, LAD
Joel Hanrahan, RP, BOS
Donovan Solano, 2B, MIA

Claimed Off Waivers
Mike McDade, 1B, CWS

Released
Josh Bell, 3B, CWS
Cory Wade, RP, CHC

Closer Watch

Red Sox: Just one day after closer Andrew Bailey (biceps inflammation) landed on the disabled list, the Red Sox placed replacement Joel Hanrahan was placed on the DL with forearm tightness. With the two top closing candidates down and out, the team will now turn to Junichi Tazawa for ninth inning duties, with Koji Uehara working as his top setup man. Tazawa's grip on the closer role will likely end as soon as either Bailey or Hanrahan returns, but he'll have a hold on the job for at least the next two weeks.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT

Hot Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Chris Johnson - 3BATL @ CIN
5/8 12:35 PM
Mike Leake4-14.28623301.786.3331.119
Robert Andino - 2BSEA @ PIT
5/8 12:35 PM
A.J. Burnett7-18.38913341.667.5001.167
Jason Bay - OFSEA @ PIT
5/8 12:35 PM
A.J. Burnett8-22.36413633.591.4231.014
Matt Holliday - OFSTL @ CHC
5/8 2:20 PM
Carlos Villanueva3-10.30022322.900.4171.317
Austin Kearns - OFMIA @ SD
5/8 3:40 PM
Jason Marquis8-19.42122523.737.4761.213
Chase Headley - 3BSD vs MIA
5/8 3:40 PM
Ricky Nolasco4-12.33312114.667.3851.051
Mark Kotsay - OFSD vs MIA
5/8 3:40 PM
Ricky Nolasco8-13.615132001.077.6151.692
Will Venable - OFSD vs MIA
5/8 3:40 PM
Ricky Nolasco3-13.23122215.692.286.978
Chase Utley - 2BPHI @ SF
5/8 3:45 PM
Barry Zito7-17.41214301.824.4121.235
Ian Desmond - SSWAS vs DET
5/8 7:05 PM
Anibal Sanchez8-25.32013324.520.370.890
Wilson Ramos - CWAS vs DET
5/8 7:05 PM
Anibal Sanchez5-13.38501121.462.467.928
Evan Longoria - 3BTB vs TOR
5/8 7:10 PM
Ricky Romero7-24.29202267.417.433.850
Ben Zobrist - 2BTB vs TOR
5/8 7:10 PM
Ricky Romero9-30.30024955.567.400.967
Rajai Davis - OFTOR @ TB
5/8 7:10 PM
Matt Moore4-10.40002003.600.4001.000
Carlos Pena - 1BHOU vs LAA
5/8 8:10 PM
Joe Blanton5-10.50001122.600.5831.183
Lance Berkman - 1BTEX @ MIL
5/8 8:10 PM
Kyle Lohse9-31.29046864.742.4051.147
Geovany Soto - CTEX @ MIL
5/8 8:10 PM
Kyle Lohse6-18.33303414.500.368.868
 
Hot Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
Jake WestbrookSTL @ CHC
5/8 2:20 PM
Cubs Batters29-134.216147913.261.270.531
Anibal SanchezDET @ WAS
5/8 7:05 PM
Nationals Batters38-191.19931081556.289.264.553
Ricky RomeroTOR @ TB
5/8 7:10 PM
Rays Batters26-126.206511192229.375.328.703
Clayton KershawLAD vs ARI
5/8 10:10 PM
Diamondbacks Batters17-96.177084733.259.239.498

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD

Cold Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Jordan Schafer - OFATL @ CIN
5/8 12:35 PM
Mike Leake3-12.25000104.250.250.500
Brandon Inge - 3BPIT vs SEA
5/8 12:35 PM
Felix Hernandez4-22.18201509.227.182.409
Russell Martin - CPIT vs SEA
5/8 12:35 PM
Felix Hernandez3-17.17600216.176.222.399
Darwin Barney - 2BCHC vs STL
5/8 2:20 PM
Jake Westbrook3-16.18801010.250.235.485
Alfonso Soriano - OFCHC vs STL
5/8 2:20 PM
Jake Westbrook3-30.10000123.100.156.256
Yadier Molina - CSTL @ CHC
5/8 2:20 PM
Carlos Villanueva3-18.16700101.167.211.377
Ty Wigginton - 3BSTL @ CHC
5/8 2:20 PM
Carlos Villanueva2-10.20000004.200.200.400
Greg Dobbs - 3BMIA @ SD
5/8 3:40 PM
Jason Marquis2-11.18201101.273.182.455
Ryan Howard - 1BPHI @ SF
5/8 3:45 PM
Barry Zito1-10.10001115.200.250.450
Josh Reddick - OFOAK @ CLE
5/8 7:05 PM
Justin Masterson2-14.14322313.571.200.771
Roger Bernadina - OFWAS vs DET
5/8 7:05 PM
Anibal Sanchez2-20.10000038.100.217.317
Danny Espinosa - 2BWAS vs DET
5/8 7:05 PM
Anibal Sanchez1-13.07700016.077.200.277
Adam LaRoche - 1BWAS vs DET
5/8 7:05 PM
Anibal Sanchez6-30.20000119.200.226.426
Jayson Werth - OFWAS vs DET
5/8 7:05 PM
Anibal Sanchez5-30.167131119.333.194.527
David Wright - 3BNYM vs CWS
5/8 7:10 PM
Jake Peavy2-14.14301046.214.333.548
Matt Joyce - OFTB vs TOR
5/8 7:10 PM
Ricky Romero2-17.11811223.294.211.505
Sean Rodriguez - SSTB vs TOR
5/8 7:10 PM
Ricky Romero1-16.06301073.125.348.473
Luke Scott - DHTB vs TOR
5/8 7:10 PM
Ricky Romero1-17.05911314.235.105.341
Albert Pujols - 1BLAA @ HOU
5/8 8:10 PM
Bud Norris5-26.19202223.269.250.519
A.J. Pierzynski - CTEX @ MIL
5/8 8:10 PM
Kyle Lohse2-10.20000001.200.333.533
Paul Goldschmidt - 1BARI @ LAD
5/8 10:10 PM
Clayton Kershaw1-11.09100025.091.231.322
Miguel Montero - CARI @ LAD
5/8 10:10 PM
Clayton Kershaw4-20.20003309.350.200.550
Martin Prado - 3BARI @ LAD
5/8 10:10 PM
Clayton Kershaw1-15.06700003.067.067.133
Cody Ross - OFARI @ LAD
5/8 10:10 PM
Clayton Kershaw3-17.17602026.294.263.557
 
Cold Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
A.J. BurnettPIT vs Sea
5/8 12:35 PM
Mariners Batters26-81.32128151318.465.429.894
Jason MarquisSD vs Mia
5/8 3:40 PM
Marlins Batters31-110.2822101499.440.358.799
Ricky NolascoMIA @ SD
5/8 3:40 PM
Padres Batters24-69.3485911415.645.3841.028
Kyle LohseMIL vs Tex
5/8 8:10 PM
Rangers Batters19-75.25351013713.536.333.869
 

Recommended Pickup

Junichi Tazawa, RP, BOS – As was mentioned in the Closer Watch, Tazawa will take over the ninth inning gig temporarily with both Andrew Bailey and Joel Hanrahan sidelined for at least the next two weeks. While either Bailey or Hanrahan will likely take over as soon as returning, Tazawa is an attractive pickup based on the incredible ratios he's provided over the last two seasons. Since the start of the 2012 season, Tazawa boasts a 1.69 ERA and an insane 63:8 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 58.1 innings. That sort of superb command could make him an above-average closing option while he remains in the role, as he'll also be finishing games for a Red Sox club that had racked up a league-leading 21 wins heading into Tuesday's games. The save opportunities should be plentiful.

Other Recent Recommendations:Dee Gordon, Marcell Ozuna, Ryan Raburn, Matt Joyce and Delmon Young

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DraftStreet Lineup
C: Brian McCann, ATL ($7,383)
1B: Edwin Encarnacion, TOR ($7,402)
2B: Danny Espinosa, WAS ($4,635)
3B: Chase Headley, SD ($8,141)
SS: Adeiny Hechavarria, MIA ($6,064)
OF: Adam Jones, BAL ($10,074)
OF: Desmond Jennings, TB ($7,736)
OF: Nolan Reimold, BAL ($5,841)
U: Nolan Arenado, COL ($8,941)
SP: Jake Westbrook, STL ($10,924)
SP: Justin Masterson, CLE ($11,351)
P: Wade Miley, ARI ($11,397)

Total: $99,889

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam Wolf
Adam previously headed the site's NHL and NBA coverage and now works primarily as an NFL and MLB contributor. He began writing for RotoWire in 2012 as a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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