Saturday Lineup Card: Rendon Is The Keystone

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Twins (Samuel Deduno - R) at Yankees (Phil Hughes - R), 1:05 PM
White Sox (John Danks - L) at Phillies (Jonathan Pettibone - R), 3:05 PM (Game 1)
Reds (Homer Bailey - R) at Braves (Mike Minor - L), 4:05 PM
Blue Jays (Todd Redmond - R) at Orioles (Jason Hammel - R), 4:05 PM
Astros (Dallas Keuchel - L) at Rays (Roberto Hernandez - R), 4:10 PM
Royals (Jeremy Guthrie - R) at Indians (Scott Kazmir - L), 7:05 PM
Rockies (Tyler Chatwood - R) at Dodgers (Zack Greinke - R), 7:15 PM
Mets (Carlos Torres - R) at Pirates (A.J. Burnett - R), 7:15 PM
Cardinals (Lance Lynn - R) at Cubs (Matt Garza - R), 7:15 PM
Rangers (Derek Holland - L) at Tigers (Max Scherzer - R), 7:15 PM
Nationals (Dan Haren - R) at Marlins (Jose Fernandez - R), 7:15 PM
White Sox (Hector Santiago - L) at Phillies (John Lannan - L), 8:15 PM (Game 2)
Red Sox (Jon Lester - L) at Athletics (A.J. Griffin - R), 10:05 PM
Angels (Jered Weaver - R) at Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R), 10:10 PM
Brewers (Kyle Lohse - R) at Diamondbacks (Randall Delgado - R), 10:10 PM
Giants (Tim Lincecum - R) at Padres (Edinson Volquez - R), 10:10 PM

Day Game After Night Game: MIN/NYY, CHW/PHI, CIN/ATL, TOR/BAL, HOU/TB

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Carl Crawford, OF, LAD (Lower Back) - Scratched from lineup Friday with lower back stiffness.
Chris Dickerson, OF, BAL (Shoulder) - Expected to avoid the DL.
Nick Franklin, 2B, SEA (Knee) - Still out of the lineup Friday.
Justin Grimm, SP, TEX (Forearm) - Left his start Friday with forearm soreness.
Derek Jeter, SS, NYY (Quad) - Has a Grade 1 quad strain and will be out until after the All-Star break.
Matt Harvey, SP, NYM (Finger) - Threw a bullpen session Friday.
Jason Heyward, OF, ATL (Hamstring) - Not in the lineup Friday.
Matt Holliday, OF, STL (Hamstring) - Hopes to avoid DL with rest over the All-Star break.
Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD (Hip) - Left the game on Thursday after aggravating hip.
Chad Qualls, RP, MIA (Personal) - Placed on the paternity list and will miss the games leading up to the All-Star break.
B.J. Upton, OF, ATL (Leg) - Left the game Friday with a muscle strain.
Jordan Zimmermann, SP, WAS (Neck) - Dealing with a sore neck and will skip the All-Star Game.

Players on the DL
Jeff Baker, OF, TEX (Thumb) - Will make rehab start with Double-A on Monday.
Lance Berkman, 1B, TEX (Hip) - Still expects to return from DL when eligible on July 22.
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS (Neck) - Threw bullpen session Friday. Will throw another bullpen Sunday.
Chris Coghlan, OF, MIA (Back) - Was cleared to return to baseball activities.
Jesse Crain, RP, CHW (Shoulder) - Is still dealing with soreness in his shoulder.
Trevor Crowe, OF, HOU (Shoulder) - Not expected back until after the All-Star break.
Marco Estrada, SP, MIL (Hamstring) - Will throw a bullpen session Saturday.
Frank Francisco, RP, NYM (Elbow) - Pitched in a GCL game Friday.
Craig Gentry, OF, TEX (Hand) - Will make a rehab start with Double-A Frisco on Monday.
Austin Kearns, OF, MIA (Personal) - Is not expected to return to the team this season.
Matt Kemp, OF, LAD (Shoulder) - Will not swing a bat for a week.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR (Ankle) - Was not activated for the game Friday.
Ted Lilly, SP, LAD (Neck) - Scheduled for simulated game Friday and could be moved to the bullpen when he returns.
Lou Marson, C, CLE (Shoulder) - Practiced throws to second and third base from behind the plate.
Darin Mastroianni, OF, MIN (Ankle) - Will move on to playing in simulated games.
Jon Niese, SP, NYM (Shoulder) - Began throwing long-toss Friday.
Alexi Ogando, SP, TEX (Shoulder) - Needs two more rehab starts and will return later in July.
Clayton Richard, SP, SD (Shoulder) - Will have surgery on his injured shoulder and will miss the rest of the season.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY (Hip) - Will not return before July 22.

Placed on the DL
Kyle Blanks, OF, SD
James McDonald, SP, PIT (transferred to 60-day DL)
Clayton Richard, SP, SD (transferred to 60-day DL)

Activated from the DL
Yonder Alonso, 1B, SD
Jedd Gyorko, 2B, SD

Called Up
Jairo Asencio, RP, BAL
Jarred Cosart, SP, HOU
Khris Davis, OF, MIL
Bobby LaFromboise, RP, SEA
C.C. Lee, RP, CLE
Juan Nicasio, SP, COL
Hector Noesi, RP, SEA
Sean O'Sullivan, SP, SD

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Blake Beavan, SP, SEA
Miles Mikolas, RP, SD
Drew Pomeranz, SP, COL
Erasmo Ramirez, SP, SEA (to Low-A)
Adam Rosales, 2B, OAK
Danny Salazar, SP, CLE
Josh Stinson, SP, BAL

Designated for Assignment
Jair Jurrjens, SP, BAL

Traded
Tim Alderson, RP, BAL (from PIT)
Russ Canzler, 3B, PIT (from BAL)

Closer Watch

Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks have had one of the most turbulent closing situations in the league this season. On Thursday, rather than use Heath Bell or J.J. Putz, manager Kirk Gibson turned to Brad Ziegler for the save chance against the Brewers. Ziegler, a side-armer, converted the save, despite allowing two baserunners in the inning. He has two saves on the season and could be used in the closing spot temporarily. It is a risky investment in Ziegler, as Putz is expected to eventually retain the spot, but it is a situation worth watching over the next few weeks with the Trade Deadline approaching.

Indians: Closer Chris Perez earned his 11th save of the season Thursday against the Blue Jays, despite allowing a run on two hits and one walk. Since his return from the disabled list on June 28, he has re-established himself as the unquestioned closer for the Indians. He has converted all five save opportunities and has a 1.13 ERA over eight games. With the All-Star break to rest, he appears to have settled the closing situation in Cleveland for the time being.

Key Matchups

Recommended Pickup

Anthony Rendon, 2B, WAS - Rendon has earned his stay in the major leagues the second time around by hitting the cover off the ball. With Danny Espinosa on the disabled list, Rendon has made the transition to second base to stay in the lineup. Since being called up on June 5, he has hit .315/.350/.492 with four home runs and 12 RBI. At 23 years old, it was initially thought there was not a place in the big leagues for him, but with Espinosa out, he was able to work his way into the lineup. With Bryce Harper returning to the field, Rendon has been batting seventh in the order, which can limit RBI opportunities. Another concern is that his power numbers are not outstanding, but there are signs these are developing. Three of his four home runs this season have been over the last nine games. An added bonus is his position eligibility is for second base and third base.

Other Recent Recommendations: Danny Salazar, Ricky Nolasco, Wade Miley, Grant Green, and Rajai Davis

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DraftStreet Value Picks

SP: Edinson Volquez, SD ($9,938)
C: A.J. Pierzynski, TEX ($5,424)
1B: Adam LaRoche, WAS ($5,922)
2B: Rickie Weeks, MIL ($4,873)
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