Friday Lineup Card: Feeling Lowe

Projected Starters – A look at Friday's matchups:

Blue Jays (Brandon Morrow – R) at Yankees (Javier Vazquez – R), 1:05
Mets (R.A. Dickey – R) at Cubs (Randy Wells – R), 2:20
Nationals (Livan Hernandez –R) at Pirates (Zach Duke – L), 7:05
Brewers (Chris Capuano – L) at Phillies (Cole Hamels – L), 7:05
Rays (Matt Garza – R) at Orioles (Kevin Millwood – R), 7:05
Braves (Kenshin Kawakami – R) at Marlins (Andrew Miller – L), 7:10
White Sox (John Danks – L) at Red Sox (Clay Buchholz – R), 7:10
Rangers (Derek Holland – L) at Twins (Nick Blackburn – R), 8:10
Tigers (Alfredo Figaro – R) at Royals (Zack Greinke – R), 8:10
Reds (Bronson Arroyo – R) at Cardinals (Jaime Garcia – L), 8:15
Astros (Brett Myers – R) at Diamondbacks (Daniel Hudson – R) 9:40
Rockies (Aaron Cook – R) at Padres (Cory Luebke – L), 10:05
Angels (Scott Kazmir – L) at Athletics (Gio Gonzalez – L), 10:05
Giants (Barry Zito – L) at Dodgers (Chad Billingsley – R), 10:10
Indians (Fausto Carmona – R) at Mariners (Luke French – L), 10:10

Day game after night game: NYM

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)

Derek Lowe, SP, ATL – (Elbow) Has been scratched from his scheduled start on Friday.
Tom Gorzelanny, RP, CHC – (Hand) X-ray showed no fracture, but he'll undergo an MRI on Thursday.
Brett Hayes, C, FLA – (Shoulder) Suffered a separated left shoulder on Tuesday. He'll likely sit out the rest of the season.
Dan Uggla, 2B, FLA – (Groin) Scratched from Wednesday's lineup, and he'll likely remain out until he is back to full
speed.
Jay Bruce, OF, CIN – (Abdomen) Could return this weekend.
Jose Reyes, SS, NYM – (Oblique) Took full batting practice on Wednesday and may return this weekend.
Angel Pagan, OF, NYM – (Wrist) Sat out Thursday, but he may return on Friday.
Lucas Duda, OF, NYM – (Hamstring) Started in Thursday's game against the Braves after leaving Wednesday's game with
a leg cramp.
Yunel Escobar, SS, TOR – (Back) Will not return to the lineup until the pain in his back dissipates.
Lyle Overbay, 1B, TOR – (Illness) Could return to the lineup this weekend.
Felix Doubront, SP/RP, BOS – (Chest) Will be out until at least Friday with a mildly strained right pectoral muscle.
Fred Lewis, OF, TOR – (Elbow) Left Wednesday's game with a right elbow strain.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP, BOS – (Back) Made his scheduled start on Thursday.
Cliff Lee, SP, TEX – (Back) Will throw a bullpen Saturday before his status for next week is determined.
Josh Hamilton, OF, TEX – (Knee) Will continue to play through his injury, but he'll likely need offseason knee surgery.
Nick Swisher, OF, NYY – (Knee) Left Thursday's game with stiffness in his left knee.
Dallas Braden, SP, OAK – (Leg) Left Thursday's start after suffering cramping due to the heat.
Adam Jones, OF, BAL – (Shoulder) Re-injured his shoulder Wednesday and was scratched from Thursday's lineup.
Ryan Raburn, OF, DET – (Shoulder) Is available to pinch hit, but he isn't healthy enough to play a full game.
Jason Kubel, OF, MIN – (Wrist) Scratched with from Thursday's lineup. His wrist is too sore to swing a bat.
Jim Thome, DH, MIN – (Back) Pinch hit on Wednesday but was left out of Thursday's starting lineup.
Orlando Hudson, 2B, MIN - (Foot) Out of Thursday's lineup but should return soon.

Players on the DL

Sean West, RP, FLA – (Knee) Will remain on the DL until he stops feeling pain while doing baseball activities.
Manuel Corpas, RP, COL – (Elbow) Will undergo Tommy John surgery next Wednesday.
Orlando Cabrera, SS, CIN – (Oblique) Could be activated Friday.
Kris Medlen, SP, ATL – (Elbow) Transferred to the 60-Day DL.
Jeff Francis, SP, COL – (Shoulder) Scheduled to throw a bullpen Thursday.
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS – (Elbow) Transferred to the 60-Day DL.
Ricky Nolasco, SP, FLA – (Knee) Will undergo surgery on his right knee and miss the rest of the season.
John Maine, SP, NYM – (Shoulder) Transferred to the 60-Day DL.
John Baker, C, FLA – (Forearm) Will undergo Tommy John surgery on Friday. He'll miss most of next season.
Donnie Murphy, SS, FLA – (Wrist) Underwent surgery on his right wrist Thursday. He should be ready to return by spring
training.
Andy Pettitte, SP, NYY – (Groin) Remains on track to return sometime in mid-September.
Jason Kendall, C, KC – (Shoulder) Will miss eight-to-10 months with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
Damaso Marte, RP, NYY – (Shoulder) Transferred to the 60-Day DL.
David Hernandez, RP, BAL – (Ankle) Could rejoin the Orioles sometime next week.
Jason Varitek, C, BOS – (Foot) Expects to be medically cleared to begin a rehab assignment after he undergoes a CT scan
on Friday.
Matt Thornton, RP, CHW – (Forearm) Could return from the DL on Friday.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY – (Calf) Remains on track to return from the DL when eligible on Sunday.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS – (Foot) Expected to undergo surgery on Friday, ending his season.
Conor Jackson, OF, OAK – (Abdomen) Underwent successful sports hernia surgery on Wednesday and will resume
baseball activities in a few weeks.
Nick Punto, SS, MIN – (Hamstring) Will not be able to return from the DL on Sunday, but he should return sometime in
September.

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

Placed on the DL (15-Day unless otherwise noted)
John Maine, SP, Mets (transferred to the 60-Day DL)

Called Up
Mike Nickeas, C, Mets
Wellington Castillo, C, Cubs

Sent Down
Chris Sampson, RP, Astros

Closer Watch – A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out Dave Regan's Closer Grid with the link to the
left).

Arizona – Juan Gutierrez converted his third consecutive save opportunity on Wednesday against the Padres. He seems
to have firmly planted himself into the closer role. He's an inconsistent pitcher. A blown save is likely on the horizon,
but his contributions cannot be ignored. If you're in need of a closer, Gutierrez is still available in a lot of leagues.

Houston – Matt Lindstrom returned from the DL on Wednesday, but Brandon Lyon will stay in the closer role. Manager
Brad Mills hasn't ruled out Lindstrom regaining the ninth inning duties, but he's believes the job is now Lyon's to lose.
Make sure Lyon isn't available in your league, and Lindstrom is probably safe to drop in standard-sized leagues.

Key Matchups – Spotlight on hitters and pitchers with favorable matchups against their opponent on a particular day
(generally, individual matchups with fewer than 10 at-bats are not included). *Check Status

Hot

Adam Dunn v. Zach Duke – 7-for-14 (.500), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.588 OBP)
Jimmy Rollins v. Chris Capuano – 3-for-9 (.333), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Felipe Lopez v. Bronson Arroyo – 15-for-39 (.385), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.429 OBP)
Colby Rasmus v. Bronson Arroyo – 6-for-19 (.316), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4:1 BB:K (.435 OBP)
Pedro Feliz v. Bronson Arroyo – 4-for-14 (.286), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3:4 BB:K (.412 OBP)
Chase Headley v. Aaron Cook – 6-for-14 (.429), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 4:2 BB:K (.556 OBP)
Melvin Mora v. Jon Garland – 11-for-31 (.355), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2:5 BB:K (.394 OBP)
Rod Barajas v. Barry Zito – 10-for-32 (.313), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2:4 BB:WK (.353 OBP)
Aaron Rowand v. Chad Billingsley – 7-for-20 (.350), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4:5 BB:K (.423 0OBP)
Nate Schierholtz v. Chad Billingsley – 6-for-10 (.600), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.636 OBP)
Jorge Posada v. Brandon Morrow – 6-for-13 (.462), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 4:3 BB:K (.588 OBP)
Adam Jones v. Matt Garza – 8-for-21 (.381), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.409 OBP)
Cesar Izturis v. Matt Garza – 3-for-9 (.333), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (.455 OBP)
J.D. Drew v. John Danks – 4-for-11 (.364), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.364 OBP)
Johnny Damon v. Zack Greinke – 7-for-20 (.350), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.381 OBP)
Coco Crisp v. Scott Kazmir – 11-for-34 (.324), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5:11 BB:K (.410 OBP)
Rajai Davis v. Scott Kazmir – 6-for-12 (.500), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.500 OBP)
John McDonald v. Javier Vazquez – 3-for-9 (.333), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.455 OBP)
Dan Uggla v. Kenshin Kawakami – 4-for-9 (.444), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3:3 BB:K (.538 OBP)

Daniel Hudson v. Houston Astros – Hudson has gone 4-1 in six starts since being traded to the Diamondbacks. The
southpaw hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his starts for Arizona, and he's going up against a volatile Astros
lineup on Friday. Hudson has a 42:8 K:BB rate over his last 43.2 innings. He should be owned in all standard-sized leagues.

Brett Myers v. Arizona Diamondbacks – Myers has limited the Diamondbacks' current lineup to a slash line
of .217/.266/.417 through 126 batters faced. He threw seven innings of two-run ball while picking up the win in his only
other start against the Diamondbacks this season. Arizona is a free-swinging club that can be a boon for quality pitchers'
strikeout rate. Make sure Myers is in your lineup on Friday.

Javier Vazquez v. Toronto Blue Jays – Vazquez has had an up-and-down season, but he's brought his good stuff to the
mound against the Blue Jays. In two starts against them this season, Vazquez has a 1-0 record with a 2.38 ERA, 0.71 WHIP,
and 0.81 BAA. He may have been dropped after losing his spot in the starting rotation two weeks ago, but Vazquez is
making his return with a favorable matchup that fantasy managers should take advantage of.

Cold

Rickie Weeks v. Cole Hamels – 2-for-15 (.133), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:6 BB:K (.278 OBP)
Randy Winn v. Bronson Arroyo – 4-for-26 (.154), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:5 BB:K (.154 OBP)
Yadier Molina v. Bronson Arroyo – 7-for-30 (.233), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.258 OBP)
Kelly Johnson v. Brett Myers – 4-for-26 (.154), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:8 BB:K (.214 OBP)
Adam LaRoche v. Brett Myers – 6-for-33 (.182), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3:8 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Ryan Church v. Brett Myers – 3-for-20 (.150), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:10 BB:K (.190 OBP)
David Eckstein v. Aaron Cook – 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.091 OBP)
Nick Hundley v. Aaron Cook – 2-for-10 (.200), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.200 OBP)
James Loney v. Barry Zito – 2-for-26 (.077), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:7 BB:K (.077 OBP)
Ryan Theriot v. Barry Zito – 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (.231 OBP)
Pablo Sandoval v. Chad Billingsley – 4-for-21 (.190), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.261 OBP)
Pat Burrell v. Chad Billingsley – 4-for-15 (.267), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.267 OBP)
Curtis Granderson v. Brandon Morrow – 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:8 BB:K (.231 OBP)
Nick Markakis v. Matt Garza – 4-for-31 (.129), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 5:4 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Brian Roberts v. Matt Garza – 4-for-28 (.143), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2:5 BB:K (.200 OBP)
Julio Lugo v. Matt Garza – 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.167 OBP)
B.J. Upton v. Kevin Millwood – 3-for-13 (.231), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:5 BB:K (.231 OBP)
Kurt Suzuki v. Scott Kazmir – 2-for-19 (.105), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Tori Hunter v. Gio Gonzalez – 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Vernon Wells v. Javier Vazquez – 7-for-39 (.179), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 0:7 BB:K (.179 OBP)
Aaron Hill v. Javier Vazquez – 2-for-16 (.125), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.176 OBP)

Recommended Pickup

Desmond Jennings, OF, TB – Jennings was one of three players the Rays added to their expanded roster on Wednesday.
He was the biggest name to get a September call up on Wednesday, and the Rays quickly inserted him into their lineup.
Baseball America ranked Jennings as the Rays' top prospect coming into the 2010 season. Many people thought he'd be
called up earlier in the season, but an injury slowed his ascension. Manager Joe Maddon said that he'll shift the lineup
around in September so he can see what he has and who he wants to take on his playoff roster. Jennings is known for his
speed on the base paths. He had 37 steals in 109 games for Triple-A Durham this season. The Rays may not play Jennings
every day, but he could put up a good number of steals over the final month for teams in deep leagues. A commitment from
the Rays to keep Jennings in the lineup daily could make him worthy a roster spot in standard leagues before the season
ends.

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