Saturday Lineup Card: The Grilli Still Burns

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Updated on May 23, 2014 11:42PM EST

Projected Starters - A look at Saturday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Indians (Corey Kluber - R) at Orioles (Ubaldo Jimenez - R), 12:35
Athletics (Jesse Chavez - R) at Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey - R), 1:07
Yankees (Vidal Nuno - L) at White Sox (John Danks - L), 2:10
Dodgers (Dan Haren - R) at Phillies (David Buchanan - R), 3:05
Rangers (Nick Martinez - R) at Tigers (Rick Porcello - R), 4:08
Rockies (Juan Nicasio - R) at Braves (Mike Minor - L), 4:10
Diamondbacks (Josh Collmenter - R) at Mets (Zack Wheeler - R), 4:10
Brewers (Wily Peralta - R) at Marlins (Jacob Turner - R), 4:10
Red Sox (Jake Peavy - R) at Rays (David Price - L), 4:10
Royals (James Shields - R) at Angels (Matt Shoemaker - R), 7:15
Cardinals (Jaime Garcia - L) at Reds (Tony Cingrani - L), 7:15
Nationals (Stephen Strasburg - R) at Pirates (Gerrit Cole - R), 7:15
Twins (Ricky Nolasco - R) at Giants (Ryan Vogelsong - R), 10:05
Astros (Dallas Keuchel - L) at Mariners (Brandon Maurer - R), 10:10
Cubs (Travis Wood - L) at Padres (Donn Roach - R), 10:10

Day Game After Night Game
CLE/BAL, OAK/TOR, NYY/CWS, LAD/PHI, TEX/DET, COL/ATL, AZ/NYM, MIL/MIA, BOS/TB
Injuries

Day-to-Day
Nolan Arenado, 3B, COL - (Finger) Left Friday's game with a left mallet finger fracture.
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL - (Oblique) Lifted from Thursday's game in the fifth inning and was not in the lineup Friday, but said he's hoping to return Saturday.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL - (Finger) Held out of the lineup Friday for a second straight day.
Manny Machado, 3B, BAL - (Groin) Removed from Thursday's game with tightness and held out of the lineup Friday.
Evan Gattis, C, ATL - (Illness) Missed another start Friday but is expected to return to the lineup this weekend.
George Springer, OF, HOU - (Hip) Left Thursday's game with a hip flexor strain and was held out of the lineup Friday.
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, CLE - (Knee) Held out of Friday's lineup with soreness.
Salvador Perez, C, KC - (Hand) Considered questionable for Saturday's game.
Yovani Gallardo, P, MIL - (Foot) Appears unlikely to start Sunday but is expected to avoid the DL.
Chris Tillman, P, BAL - (Groin) Reports have suggested he's in danger of missing his next start but he insisted he's fine physically.
Carlos Quentin, OF, SD - (Groin) Expected to avoid the DL and GM Josh Byrnes said he has a pretty good chance to rejoin the lineup by Monday.
Brad Peacock, P, HOU - (Forearm) Scratched from his scheduled start Friday but GM Jeff Luhnow said he doesn't think it's a DL situation.

Players on the DL
Prince Fielder, 1B, TEX - (Neck) Officially placed on the 15-day DL and season-ending surgery is scheduled for Tuesday.
Josh Hamilton, OF, LAA - (Thumb) Scratched from the lineup at Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday with discomfort after getting jammed by a fastball Thursday.
Mat Latos, P, CIN - (Elbow) Scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.
Gio Gonzalez, P, WAS - (Shoulder) Felt stiffness while throwing Friday but will attempt to play catch Saturday.
Adam LaRoche, 1B, WAS - (Shoulder) Moved up to Double-A Harrisburg on Friday and could come off the DL on Sunday.
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, BOS - (Finger) Stayed back in Boston to undergo further X-rays.
Colby Rasmus, OF, TOR - (Hamstring) Making progress in his recovery but not enough for the team to start thinking about a rehab assignment.
Taijuan Walker, P, SEA - (Shoulder) Completed a 55-pitch simulated game Friday and said afterward that he's ready for a rehab start.
James Paxton, P, SEA - (Back) Begins a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday.
Michael Pineda, P, NYY - (Ribs) Set to throw live batting practice Saturday.
Joe Saunders, P, TEX - (Ankle) Feels he's ready to return to the rotation but the Rangers may send him out for a fifth rehab appearance.
Gonzalez Germen, P, NYM - (Illness) Suffered a setback in his recovery but is expected to resume throwing soon.
Jeremy Hellickson, P, TB - (Elbow) Threw 35 pitches in a live batting practice session Thursday.

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

Placed on the DL
Prince Fielder, 1B, TEX

Activated from the DL
Jason Grilli, P, PIT
Donnie Murphy, 3B, TEX

Called Up (from Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Corey Knebel, P, DET
Donald Lutz, OF, CIN
Liam Hendriks, P, TOR
Rudy Owens, P, HOU
Alex Wilson, P, BOS
Jimmy Paredes, OF, KC
T.J. McFarland, P, BAL

Sent Down
Neftali Soto, 1B, CIN
Josh Zeid, P, HOU
Tony Sanchez, C, PIT
Robbie Ray, P, DET
Preston Guilmet, P, BAL
Stephen Drew, SS, BOS

Designated for Assignment
Esmil Rogers, P, TOR

Outrighted
Francisco Martinez, OF, DET

Released
Joey Butler, OF, STL

Closer Watch

Toronto Blue Jays - Since coming off the DL on May 11, Casey Janssen has allowed just five hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings. With a clean frame against the A's on Friday, the right-hander has now racked up six saves in less than a two-week span, and while his strikeouts are way down (just four in seven appearances thus far), he's been successful by keeping the ball on the ground and minimizing baserunners. His stabilizing presence in the ninth inning has been key to the team's recent success.

Pittsburgh Pirates - Hours after being activated from the DL on Friday, Jason Grilli was thrust into a save situation in a one-run game against the Nationals. He issued a walk to Anthony Rendon to lead off the inning, but got Jayson Werth swinging and both Wilson Ramos and Ian Desmond to fly out to earn his fifth save of the season. There was some uncertainty as to whether manager Clint Hurdle would return Grilli to the closer role immediately or if he'd ease him back in with some low-stress innings, but it's clear the skipper still trusts Grilli over Mark Melancon with the game on the line.

Hot Batter Matchups – May 24, 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. Ellsbury	OF	NYY @ CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	11	6	1	0	1	0	0	.545	.583	.636	1.220
D. Jeter	SS	NYY @ CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	17	6	2	0	0	2	2	.353	.421	.471	.892
B. Roberts	2B	NYY @ CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	27	9	2	1	5	4	3	.333	.419	.481	.901
M. Teixeira	1B	NYY @ CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	12	7	2	1	5	1	0	.583	.615	.917	1.532
D. Brown	OF	PHI vs LAD 3:05PM	D. Haren	12	4	1	1	2	3	1	.333	.467	.583	1.050
M. Byrd	OF	PHI vs LAD 3:05PM	D. Haren	24	12	7	2	5	1	4	.500	.538	1.000	1.538
R. Howard	1B	PHI vs LAD 3:05PM	D. Haren	14	3	2	2	5	1	8	.214	.267	.643	.910
C. Utley	2B	PHI vs LAD 3:05PM	D. Haren	18	5	2	1	4	2	2	.278	.350	.500	.850
A. Beltre	3B	TEX @ DET 4:08PM	R. Porcello	16	6	2	0	0	1	2	.375	.412	.500	.912
S. Choo	OF	TEX @ DET 4:08PM	R. Porcello	28	9	4	0	4	3	7	.321	.387	.464	.851
A. Rios	OF	TEX @ DET 4:08PM	R. Porcello	38	8	4	3	7	0	7	.211	.211	.474	.684
J. Schafer	OF	ATL vs COL 4:10PM	J. Nicasio	11	5	2	0	0	0	3	.455	.455	.727	1.182
D. Wright	3B	NYM vs ARI 4:10PM	J. Collmenter	11	2	2	2	5	0	2	.182	.182	.727	.909
J. Loney	1B	TB vs BOS 4:10PM	J. Peavy	33	10	7	2	5	2	3	.303	.343	.636	.979
C. Heisey	OF	CIN vs STL 7:15PM	J. Garcia	15	4	4	0	1	0	4	.267	.267	.600	.867
R. Ibanez	OF	LAA vs KC 7:15PM	J. Shields	24	5	5	2	7	5	2	.208	.345	.625	.970
H. Kendrick	2B	LAA vs KC 7:15PM	J. Shields	23	13	6	1	3	0	5	.565	.565	.957	1.522
I. Davis	1B	PIT vs WAS 7:15PM	S. Strasburg	13	4	2	2	2	2	4	.308	.400	.769	1.169
G. Blanco	OF	SF vs MIN 10:05PM	R. Nolasco	19	8	1	0	1	2	5	.421	.476	.474	.950
H. Pence	OF	SF vs MIN 10:05PM	R. Nolasco	32	10	6	4	11	3	4	.313	.389	.750	1.139
B. Posey	C	SF vs MIN 10:05PM	R. Nolasco	20	8	2	0	1	1	2	.400	.429	.500	.929
P. Sandoval	3B	SF vs MIN 10:05PM	R. Nolasco	18	9	7	3	6	2	1	.500	.550	1.222	1.772
C. Headley	3B	SD vs CHC 10:10PM	T. Wood	15	6	2	2	4	0	3	.400	.400	.800	1.200

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

Hot Pitcher Matchups – May 24, 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
Jake Peavy	BOS @ TB 4:10PM	125	26	14	6	15	11	23	.208	.272	.425	.698
Stephen Strasburg	WAS @ PIT 7:15PM	80	17	6	5	10	7	27	.212	.292	.411	.703
Jaime Garcia	STL @ CIN 7:15PM	143	37	9	3	15	3	27	.259	.272	.368	.640

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Cold Batter Matchups – May 24, 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
C. Crisp	OF	OAK @ TOR 1:07PM	R. Dickey	18	2	0	0	1	1	4	.111	.150	.111	.261
T. Gwynn Jr.	OF	PHI vs LAD 3:05PM	D. Haren	15	2	1	0	2	4	3	.133	.316	.267	.582
E. Andrus	SS	TEX @ DET 4:08PM	R. Porcello	12	1	0	0	1	2	3	.083	.214	.083	.298
J. Gomes	OF	BOS @ TB 4:10PM	D. Price	20	4	1	0	1	1	6	.200	.238	.250	.488
M. Napoli	1B	BOS @ TB 4:10PM	D. Price	27	7	3	1	1	1	15	.259	.286	.444	.730
A. Pierzynski	C	BOS @ TB 4:10PM	D. Price	14	2	0	0	0	0	2	.143	.200	.143	.343
S. Victorino	OF	BOS @ TB 4:10PM	D. Price	19	4	0	0	1	2	3	.211	.286	.211	.496
D. DeJesus	OF	TB vs BOS 4:10PM	J. Peavy	24	4	2	1	5	3	8	.167	.259	.375	.634
Y. Escobar	SS	TB vs BOS 4:10PM	J. Peavy	12	1	0	0	0	2	1	.083	.214	.083	.298
M. Joyce	OF	TB vs BOS 4:10PM	J. Peavy	10	1	1	1	1	2	2	.100	.250	.400	.650
E. Longoria	3B	TB vs BOS 4:10PM	J. Peavy	18	4	2	1	2	0	3	.222	.222	.500	.722
J. Bruce	OF	CIN vs STL 7:15PM	J. Garcia	33	9	1	1	4	1	8	.273	.286	.364	.649
Z. Cozart	SS	CIN vs STL 7:15PM	J. Garcia	21	4	0	0	0	1	3	.190	.227	.190	.418
T. Frazier	3B	CIN vs STL 7:15PM	J. Garcia	11	1	0	0	1	0	2	.091	.091	.091	.182
R. Ludwick	OF	CIN vs STL 7:15PM	J. Garcia	13	2	0	0	0	1	2	.154	.214	.154	.368
B. Phillips	2B	CIN vs STL 7:15PM	J. Garcia	38	11	4	2	7	0	7	.289	.289	.500	.789
E. Aybar	SS	LAA vs KC 7:15PM	J. Shields	16	4	1	1	1	0	3	.250	.294	.438	.732
A. McCutchen	OF	PIT vs WAS 7:15PM	S. Strasburg	10	1	0	0	1	2	4	.100	.250	.100	.350
G. Sanchez	1B	PIT vs WAS 7:15PM	S. Strasburg	12	2	1	0	1	1	3	.167	.231	.250	.481
M. Morse	OF	SF vs MIN 10:05PM	R. Nolasco	18	5	1	0	2	0	5	.278	.278	.333	.611
K. Seager	3B	SEA vs HOU 10:10PM	D. Keuchel	13	3	0	0	0	0	3	.231	.231	.231	.462

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

Cold Pitcher Matchups – May 24, 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
John Danks	CWS vs NYY 2:10PM	140	45	10	3	15	16	16	.321	.398	.428	.826
James Shields	KC @ LAA 7:15PM	95	29	13	4	11	6	16	.305	.354	.558	.912
Ricky Nolasco	MIN @ SF 10:05PM	155	51	20	7	24	13	22	.329	.382	.554	.936

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Recommended Pickup
Jimmy Nelson, P, MIL - Yovani Gallardo's status for Sunday is up in the air after he suffered a sprained ankle in his last start, but the Brewers' decision to scratch Nelson from his scheduled outing for Triple-A Nashville on Friday suggests Gallardo is closer to doubtful. Moreover, when asked about the situation, manager Ron Roenicke told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he is "leaning toward" calling somebody up to start in Gallardo's place. Enter Nelson, who has been outstanding with Nashville this season, posting a 5-1 record with a 1.71 ERA, a .180 BAA and a 58:17 K:BB ratio in nine starts. It could end up being a one-off appearance for Nelson, as Gallardo is not expected to hit the DL, but another injury to a Brewers' starter could result in a lengthy audition in the rotation. Those in shallow leagues may not want to take the risk, but Nelson is at least worth consideration as a streaming option.

Other Recent Recommendations:Seth Smith, Kole Calhoun, Stephen Drew and Rickie Weeks

DraftStreet Value Plays
P - Travis Wood, CHC ($14,710)
C - Brayan Pena, CIN ($3,558)
1B - Eric Hosmer, KC ($4,923)
2B - Brandon Phillips, CIN ($4,910)
SS - Erick Aybar, LAA ($4,814)
3B - Pedro Alvarez, PIT ($4,653)
OF - A.J. Pollock, AZ ($5,577)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.