Wednesday Lineup Card: Closer-By-Committee Succeeds?

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

Tigers (Justin Verlander – R) at Orioles (Kevin Gausman – R), 12:35
Angels (Garrett Richards – R) at Phillies (A.J. Burnett – R), 1:05
Rockies (Jhoulys Chacin – R) at Royals (Jason Vargas – L), 2:10
White Sox (Andre Rienzo – R) at Athletics (Tommy Milone – L), 3:35
Rays (Jake Odorizzi – R) at Mariners (Brandon Maurer – R), 3:40
Nationals (Doug Fister – R) at Diamondbacks (Brandon McCarthy – R), 3:40
Braves (Julio Teheran – R) at Giants (Madison Bumgarner – L), 3:45
Indians (Corey Kluber – R) at Blue Jays (Dustin McGowan – R), 7:07
Yankees (Masahiro Tanaka – R) at Mets (Rafael Montero – R), 7:10
Padres (Ian Kennedy – R) at Reds (Johnny Cueto – R), 7:10
Rangers (Nick Tepesch – R) at Astros (Scott Feldman – R), 8:10
Red Sox (Felix Doubront – L) at Twins (Kevin Correia – R), 8:10
Pirates (Francisco Liriano – L) at Brewers (Wily Peralta – R), 8:10
Cubs (Jason Hammel – R) at Cardinals (Michael Wacha – R), 8:15
Marlins (Undecided – R) at Dodgers (Paul Maholm – L), 10:10

Day Game After Night Game: BOS/MIN, CHC/STL, SD/CIN, PIT/MIL

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, NYY (Back) – Did not play on Tuesday, could miss Wednesday as well.
Carlos Beltran, OF, NYY (Elbow) – Received cortisone shot with the expectation of missing a few games.
Colby Rasmus, OF, TOR (Hamstring) – Did not play on Tuesday, but expected to avoid a trip on the DL.
Chris Tillman, SP, BAL (Groin) – Next start in question, although could avoid the DL.
Rick Porcello, SP, DET (Oblique) – Expected to be fine for his next start in Boston on Saturday.
Juan Uribe, 3B, LAD (Hamstring) – Available to pinch hit on Tuesday, but could be back Wednesday.
David Ross, C, BOS (Foot) – Hurt left foot during batting practice on Tuesday.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK (Neck) – Not expected to return to action until Friday.
Michael Saunders, OF, SEA (Knee) – Expected to miss Wednesday's game even with showed improvement.
Starling Marte, OF, PIT (Back) – May miss a few games due to spasms and tightness.

Players on the DL

Devin Mesoraco, C, CIN (Hamstring) – Started rehab assignment on Tuesday.
Anibal Sanchez, SP, DET (Finger) – Will start on Sunday against Boston.
Jay Bruce, OF, CIN (Knee) – Resumed light running and expected to continue with batting practice this week.
Josh Hamilton, OF, LAA (Thumb) – Will start rehab assignment next week.
Michael Pineda, SP, NYY (Ribs) – Threw from 90-feet on Tuesday, with an expected return late May.
Jason Kipnis, 2B, CLE (Oblique) – No pain after hitting off a tee on Tuesday.
Jason Grilli, RP, PIT (Oblique) – Will throw a simulated game on Wednesday.
Eric O'Flaherty, RP, OAK (Elbow) – Faced live hitters on Monday for the second time since Tommy John surgery.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, LAD (Shoulder) – Threw 45-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday.
Logan Morrison, 1B, SEA (Hamstring) – No setbacks after running the bases, but still not expected to return until late May.
Tanner Scheppers, RP, TEX (Elbow) – Return unclear after bullpen session on Tuesday.
Alex Cobb, SP, TB (Oblique) – Should return to rotation next week after a rehab start on Saturday.
A.J. Ellis, C, LAD (Knee) – Not expected to be activated until Wednesday at the earliest.
Taijuan Walker, SP, SEA (Shoulder) – Expected to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday.
Chad Billingsley, LAD (Elbow) – Could be activated in mid June if positive progress continues.
Bruce Chen, SP, KC (Back) – Bullpen session likely on Wednesday.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS (Thumb) – Likely out another 2-to-4 weeks after X-rays show bone is not fully healed.
Ryan Cook, RP, OAK (Forearm) – Reports show no pain after a throwing session.
Tom Gorzelanny, RP, MIL (Shoulder) – Starting a rehab assignment on Wednesday.
Shawn Kelley, RP, NYY (Back) – Placed on DL with strained lumbar spine.
Alex White, SP, HOU (Elbow) – May be assigned rehab assignment as early as next week.
Josh Willingham, OF, MIN (Wrist) – Will continue with batting practice over the next few days.
Asher Wojciechowski, SP, HOU (Back) – Rehab assignment likely next week.
Jesse Crain, RP, HOU (Elbow, Biceps) – On target for a rehab assignment by end of month.
Jaime Garcia, SP, STL (Shoulder) – Could rejoin rotation on Saturday.
Ethan Martin, RP, PHI (Shoulder) – Likely to see more rehab work before returning to action.
Darin Ruf, OF, PHI (Oblique) – Will continue rehab work without being rushed back.

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

Activated from the DL

Ryan Braun, OF, MIL
Carlos Quentin, OF, SD

Placed on the DL (15-day DL, unless otherwise noted)

Gonzalez Germen, RP, NYM (Virus)
Tyler Lyons, SP, STL (Shoulder)
Omar Infante, 2B, KC (Back)
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, MIL (Hamstring)
Shawn Kelley, RP, NYY (Back)

Called Up

Jacob deGrom, SP, NYM
Kevin Pillar, OF, TOR
Sam Freeman, RP, STL
Jorge Rondon, RP, STL
Pedro Ciriaco, 2B, KC
Zoilo Almonte, OF, NYY
Elian Herrera, SS, MIL
Kevin Quackenbush, SD
Cesar Hernandez, 2B, PHI

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

Josh Rutledge, 2B, COL
Eric Fornataro, RP, STL
Jonathan Diaz, SS, TOR
Kyle Blanks, OF, SD
Cory Rasmus, RP, LAA
Caleb Gindl, OF, MIL
Chris Getz, 2B, TOR

Paternity List

Dale Thayer, RP, SD

Signed

Justin Greene, OF, ATL (minor league contract)

Closer Watch

Oakland Athletics – The revolving door continues in Oakland as Sean Doolittle picked up his second save of the season on Monday for the Athletics. Manager Bob Melvin is sticking by his guns and relying on a closer-by-committee situation, with Luke Gregerson and Jim Johnson in the mix with Doolittle. Doolittle is the least likely to get save opportunities moving forward considering he's a lefty, although that doesn't remove him from the mix. Doolittle hasn't given up a run since April 26, so that's a good sign if he's still available in leagues.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – May 14, 2014

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
J. Hardy	SS	BAL vs DET 12:35PM	J. Verlander	31	8	4	3	7	1	6	.258	.273	.581	.853
D. Span	OF	WAS @ ARI 3:40PM	B. McCarthy	12	4	2	0	0	0	0	.333	.333	.583	.917
J. Upton	OF	ATL @ SF 3:45PM	M. Bumgarner	23	9	2	1	1	4	4	.391	.481	.565	1.047
S. Schumaker	2B	CIN vs SD 7:10PM	I. Kennedy	19	8	3	0	2	2	1	.421	.476	.579	1.055
C. Headley	3B	SD @ CIN 7:10PM	J. Cueto	15	7	2	0	3	0	3	.467	.500	.600	1.100
S. Victorino	OF	BOS @ MIN 8:10PM	K. Correia	17	8	2	1	6	1	1	.471	.526	.706	1.232
R. Braun	OF	MIL vs PIT 8:10PM	F. Liriano	15	4	1	1	5	5	6	.267	.450	.467	.917
C. Gomez	OF	MIL vs PIT 8:10PM	F. Liriano	18	9	4	2	4	3	3	.500	.571	1.000	1.571
E. Nunez	SS	MIN vs BOS 8:10PM	F. Doubront	10	5	3	0	1	1	1	.500	.545	1.000	1.545
A. Rios	OF	TEX @ HOU 8:10PM	S. Feldman	38	11	6	2	5	1	4	.289	.308	.553	.860
J. Peralta	SS	STL vs CHC 8:15PM	J. Hammel	17	8	3	2	8	2	1	.471	.526	.882	1.409
J. Baker	OF	MIA @ LAD 10:10PM	P. Maholm	23	9	5	1	5	0	1	.391	.375	.696	1.071
R. Johnson	OF	MIA @ LAD 10:10PM	P. Maholm	18	8	3	0	0	1	1	.444	.524	.611	1.135
C. McGehee	3B	MIA @ LAD 10:10PM	P. Maholm	25	8	3	1	5	5	2	.320	.433	.560	.993

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Hot Pitcher Matchups – May 14, 2014

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Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Justin Verlander	DET @ BAL 12:35PM	218	43	14	4	17	14	60	.197	.247	.303	.550
A.J. Burnett	PHI vs LAA 1:05PM	64	12	5	1	10	7	19	.187	.261	.289	.551
Madison Bumgarner	SF vs ATL 3:45PM	121	26	7	3	8	13	40	.215	.289	.326	.616
Scott Feldman	HOU vs TEX 8:10PM	108	22	10	4	15	9	15	.204	.278	.363	.641

Hot Pitcher Matchups – May 14, 2014

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Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Justin Verlander	DET @ BAL 12:35PM	218	43	14	4	17	14	60	.197	.247	.303	.550
A.J. Burnett	PHI vs LAA 1:05PM	64	12	5	1	10	7	19	.187	.261	.289	.551
Madison Bumgarner	SF vs ATL 3:45PM	121	26	7	3	8	13	40	.215	.289	.326	.616
Scott Feldman	HOU vs TEX 8:10PM	108	22	10	4	15	9	15	.204	.278	.363	.641

Cold Batter Matchups – May 14, 2014

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
N. Cruz	OF	BAL vs DET 12:35PM	J. Verlander	22	3	1	0	2	1	6	.136	.174	.182	.356
C. Davis	1B	BAL vs DET 12:35PM	J. Verlander	21	4	0	0	1	2	10	.190	.261	.190	.451
A. Jones	OF	BAL vs DET 12:35PM	J. Verlander	30	4	2	1	4	1	9	.133	.156	.267	.423
D. Lough	OF	BAL vs DET 12:35PM	J. Verlander	16	2	1	0	0	0	3	.125	.125	.188	.313
D. Young	OF	BAL vs DET 12:35PM	J. Verlander	30	6	0	0	1	2	10	.200	.273	.200	.473
E. Aybar	SS	LAA @ PHI 1:05PM	A. Burnett	12	1	1	0	1	1	3	.083	.143	.167	.310
H. Kendrick	2B	LAA @ PHI 1:05PM	A. Burnett	17	4	1	0	3	1	7	.235	.278	.294	.572
A. Pujols	1B	LAA @ PHI 1:05PM	A. Burnett	15	3	2	1	3	1	3	.200	.250	.467	.717
C. Pennington	SS	ARI vs WAS 3:40PM	D. Fister	21	1	1	0	0	1	5	.048	.091	.095	.186
J. Heyward	OF	ATL @ SF 3:45PM	M. Bumgarner	15	3	1	1	5	1	4	.200	.235	.400	.635
C. Johnson	3B	ATL @ SF 3:45PM	M. Bumgarner	16	4	1	0	0	0	8	.250	.250	.375	.625
D. Uggla	2B	ATL @ SF 3:45PM	M. Bumgarner	20	1	1	0	0	2	8	.050	.136	.100	.236
H. Pence	OF	SF vs ATL 3:45PM	J. Teheran	10	1	0	0	0	0	2	.100	.100	.100	.200
N. Swisher	1B	CLE @ TOR 7:07PM	D. McGowan	15	2	2	0	1	0	8	.133	.133	.267	.400
R. Ludwick	OF	CIN vs SD 7:10PM	I. Kennedy	13	2	1	0	1	1	7	.154	.267	.231	.497
B. Phillips	2B	CIN vs SD 7:10PM	I. Kennedy	13	1	0	0	1	0	2	.077	.071	.077	.148
D. Ross	C	BOS @ MIN 8:10PM	K. Correia	15	3	1	0	0	1	5	.200	.250	.267	.517
A. Beltre	3B	TEX @ HOU 8:10PM	S. Feldman	21	4	2	1	4	1	2	.190	.250	.381	.631
S. Choo	OF	TEX @ HOU 8:10PM	S. Feldman	14	1	0	0	1	3	3	.071	.263	.071	.335

Cold Pitcher Matchups – May 14, 2014

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Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Johnny Cueto	CIN vs SD 7:10PM	67	21	6	3	10	3	17	.313	.361	.489	.850
Francisco Liriano	PIT @ MIL 8:10PM	99	27	9	5	19	18	29	.273	.389	.474	.863
Paul Maholm	LAD vs MIA 10:10PM	119	42	17	4	15	13	14	.353	.423	.587	1.010

Johnny Giavotella, 2B, KC – A one-time prized prospect in the Royals organization, Giavotella has cooled in expectations considering his development through 2013. Giavotella has a decent chance to play every day while Kansas City regular second baseman Omar Infante is laid up on the disabled list. Giavotella has played very well at the AAA level in 2014, with a .352/.410/.484 slash line, while already hitting one home run since his call-up on May 9. At the very minimum, Giavotella gives deep-league owners a decent middle infield short-term play; however, there is a small chance that he can stick with the Royals even after Infante returns from injury.

Other Recent Recommendations:Rafael Montero, Gerardo Parra, Roenis Elias, Wilmer Flores, Rougned Odor

DraftStreet Value Picks

SP: Jacob Turner, MIA ($11,669)
C: Derek Norris, OAK ($5,024)
1B: Justin Smoak, SEA ($4,238)
2B: Danny Espinosa, WAS ($3,993)
SS: Ian Desmond, WAS ($4,621)
3B: Evan Longoria, TB ($6,845)
OF: Matt Kemp, LAD ($6,780)