Thursday Lineup Card: Arenado Set To Return

Written by

Updated on July 2, 2014 9:44PM EST

Projected Starters - A look at Thursday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Cardinals (Carlos Martinez - R) at Giants (Madison Bumgarner - L), 3:45
Phillies (Kyle Kendrick - R) at Marlins (Brad Hand - L), 6:10
Rangers (Yu Darvish - R) at Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen - L), 7:05
Diamondbacks (Brandon McCarthy - R) at Pirates (Vance Worley - R), 7:05
Rays (Erik Bedard - L) at Tigers (Max Scherzer - R), 7:08
Yankees (Masahiro Tanaka - R) at Twins (Phil Hughes - R), 8:10
Dodgers (Zack Greinke - R) at Rockies (Franklin Morales - L), 8:10
Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey - R) at Athletics (Sonny Gray - R), 9:05
Astros (Brett Oberholtzer - L) at Angels (Matt Shoemaker - R), 10:05

Day Game After Night Game: STL/SF

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Hanley Ramirez, SS, LAD - (Calf) Decision on DL stint will be made prior to Thursday's series opener against the Rockies.
Victor Martinez, DH, DET - (Ribs) Held out of the lineup again Wednesday.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY - (Knee) Missed Wednesday's game after having his left knee drained Tuesday night.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, NYY - (General Soreness) - Sat out Wednesday's game, with manager Joe Girardi saying he's "a little beat up."
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, LAD - (Neck) Held out of Wednesday's lineup due to soreness.
Khris Davis, OF, MIL - (Shoulder) Expected to return to the lineup Friday.
Manny Parra, P, CIN - (Neck) Has not pitched since June 20 due to a "balky neck," according to manager Bryan Price.

Players on the DL
Nolan Arenado, 3B, COL - (Finger) Will be activated from the DL prior to Thursday's game.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL - (Finger) Cleared to take batting practice in a cage when the Rockies return home Thursday.
Cliff Lee, P, PHI - (Elbow) Begins a rehab assignment with High-A Clearwater on Sunday.
Joe Mauer, C, MIN - (Oblique) Placed on the 15-day DL on Wednesday.
Evan Gattis, C, ATL - (Back) Remains without a timetable for a return, but said Tuesday that he felt none of the pain patients typically experience after an epidural injection.
Dexter Fowler, OF, HOU - (Back) Expected to resume baseball activities Monday and should be able to come off the DL when eligible July 12.
Shane Victorino, OF, BOS - (Hamstring) May be cleared to take batting practice Thursday.
Norichika Aoki, OF, KC - (Groin) Unlikely to be activated on the team's current road trip.
Kolten Wong, 2B, STL - (Shoulder) Went 2-for-3 with a homer, a double, a walk and three RBI in his first rehab game with Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.
Everth Cabrera, SS, SD - (Hamstring) Landed on the 15-day DL on Wednesday.
Eddie Butler, P, COL - (Shoulder) Set to throw a live batting practice session Saturday.
Bud Norris, P, BAL - (Groin) Must complete a simulated game or rehab start before being activated from the DL.
James Paxton, P, SEA - (Back) Slated to throw a bullpen session Friday and should attempt a simulated game next week.
Corey Hart, 1B, SEA - (Hamstring) Plan was for him to play the outfield for Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.
Mike Pelfrey, P, MIN - (Elbow) Does not think he'll be able to build up his pitch count enough to start again this season.
Jhoulys Chacin, P, COL - (Shoulder) Diagnosed with strained rotator cuff and will receive a receive a second opinion on the injury become determining a course of action.
Brad Hand, P, MIA - (Ankle) Will be activated from the DL and Thursday and will start the series finale against the Phillies.
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, BOS - (Finger) Served as the DH for Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday, going 1-for-3 with a triple.
Joe Kelly, P, STL - (Hamstring) Gave up three hits and two walks over four shutout innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.
Derek Holland, P, TEX - (Knee) Expected to make at least two rehab starts once he is cleared to begin an assignment.
Fernando Salas, P, LAA - (Arm) Likely to be activated prior to Thursday's game.
Wil Nieves, C, PHI - (Quadriceps) Started a rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast League Phillies on Wednesday.
Troy Patton, P, SD - (Shoulder) Transferred to the 60-day DL on Wednesday.
Mike Adams, P, PHI - (Shoulder) Transferred to the 60-day DL on Wednesday.

Out
Domonic Brown, OF, PHI - (Personal) Placed on the paternity list Wednesday.

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

Placed on the DL (15-day, unless otherwise noted)
Joe Mauer, 1B, MIN
Everth Cabrera, SS, SD
Domonic Brown, OF, PHI (paternity list)
Mike Adams, P, PHI (transferred to 60-day DL)
Troy Patton, P, BAL (transferred to 60-day DL)

Activated from the DL (15-day, unless otherwise noted)
Tyler Skaggs, P, LAA
David Carpenter, P, ATL
Anthony Bass, P, HOU

Called Up (from Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Chris Colabello, 1B, MIN
Casey Coleman, P, KC
Aaron Altherr, OF, PHI
Justin Bour, 1B, MIA
Brooks Conrad, 3B, SD

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
David Carpenter, P, LAA
Michael Mariot, P, KC
Juan Jaime, P, ATL
Kevin Chapman, P, HOU
Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, P, PHI (to Double-A)
Angel Sanchez, P, CHW (to High-A)

Claimed off Waivers
Angel Sanchez, P, CHW (from TB)

Closer Watch

Tampa Bay Rays - Called upon to preserve a 6-3 lead over the Yankees on Wednesday, Brad Boxberger struck out two and retired the side on 15 pitches to earn his first save of the season. It came a day after manager Joe Maddon turned back to Grant Balfour to nail down a save, a decision he made after watching Balfour walk his grandmother through the lobby of the team hotel earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Jake McGee has worked the eighth inning in his last two appearances, adding to the confusion in regard to the Rays' closer situation moving forward. McGee has posted outstanding numbers to this point (1.21 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 10.6 K/9) and still seems like the top candidate for save opportunities, but Maddon seems intent -- at least at the moment -- on taking the literal approach to the "closer by committee."

Cleveland Indians - Cody Allen gave up a hit and a walk but recorded the final four outs of Wednesday's game against the Dodgers en route to his eighth save of the season. It was his first save opportunity since June 14, but it's clear that Allen is the preferred ninth-inning option for manager Terry Francona, and the right-hander seems like a fairly good bet to hold onto the job the rest of the way. In 40 appearances this season, Allen has posted a 2.50 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 46 strikeouts, to go along with just one blown save. Bryan Shaw is coming off a rocky month of June (6.52 ERA) and doesn't have the swing-and-miss stuff that Allen has, and John Axford continues to underwhelm.

Hot Batter Matchups – July 3, 2014

Edit Matchup Criteria

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
G. Jones	1B	MIA vs PHI 6:10PM	K. Kendrick	14	5	2	1	3	1	4	.357	.375	.643	1.018
C. McGehee	3B	MIA vs PHI 6:10PM	K. Kendrick	11	4	2	1	5	2	1	.364	.462	.727	1.189
M. Cabrera	3B	DET vs TB 7:08PM	E. Bedard	17	5	2	1	3	1	6	.294	.333	.529	.863
T. Hunter	OF	DET vs TB 7:08PM	E. Bedard	28	9	4	2	6	1	6	.321	.345	.607	.952
D. Stubbs	OF	COL vs LAD 8:10PM	Z. Greinke	21	9	2	0	0	1	9	.429	.455	.524	.978
J. Ellsbury	OF	NYY @ MIN 8:10PM	P. Hughes	19	7	2	0	0	4	2	.368	.478	.474	.952

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

Hot Pitcher Matchups – July 3, 2014

Edit Matchup Criteria

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Madison Bumgarner	SF vs STL 3:45PM	99	16	5	0	6	3	25	.162	.185	.215	.400
Max Scherzer	DET vs TB 7:08PM	82	13	6	4	11	7	25	.159	.225	.330	.554
R.A. Dickey	TOR @ OAK 9:05PM	102	23	5	2	7	4	15	.225	.254	.323	.578

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 – July 3, 2014

Edit Matchup Criteria

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
A. Craig	1B	STL @ SF 3:45PM	M. Bumgarner	16	3	2	0	3	0	3	.188	.176	.313	.489
M. Ellis	2B	STL @ SF 3:45PM	M. Bumgarner	20	2	0	0	0	0	5	.100	.100	.100	.200
M. Holliday	OF	STL @ SF 3:45PM	M. Bumgarner	14	2	0	0	0	1	5	.143	.200	.143	.343
Y. Molina	C	STL @ SF 3:45PM	M. Bumgarner	12	2	0	0	0	1	0	.167	.231	.167	.397
M. Ozuna	OF	MIA vs PHI 6:10PM	K. Kendrick	13	3	1	0	2	0	4	.231	.231	.308	.538
G. Stanton	OF	MIA vs PHI 6:10PM	K. Kendrick	23	3	2	1	3	2	8	.130	.200	.304	.504
R. Davis	OF	DET vs TB 7:08PM	E. Bedard	10	1	0	0	0	0	2	.100	.100	.100	.200
D. Jennings	OF	TB @ DET 7:08PM	M. Scherzer	12	1	0	0	0	0	5	.083	.083	.083	.167
M. Joyce	OF	TB @ DET 7:08PM	M. Scherzer	15	2	2	1	4	2	4	.133	.235	.400	.635
E. Longoria	3B	TB @ DET 7:08PM	M. Scherzer	12	2	1	1	1	1	5	.167	.231	.417	.647
B. Zobrist	2B	TB @ DET 7:08PM	M. Scherzer	15	2	1	1	1	2	2	.133	.235	.333	.569
C. Dickerson	OF	COL vs LAD 8:10PM	Z. Greinke	11	2	0	0	1	2	2	.182	.308	.182	.490
D. LeMahieu	2B	COL vs LAD 8:10PM	Z. Greinke	12	1	1	0	2	0	4	.083	.083	.167	.250
J. Morneau	1B	COL vs LAD 8:10PM	Z. Greinke	41	7	2	0	1	2	8	.171	.209	.220	.429
T. Tulowitzki	SS	COL vs LAD 8:10PM	Z. Greinke	26	8	1	0	0	0	7	.308	.308	.346	.654
B. Roberts	2B	NYY @ MIN 8:10PM	P. Hughes	20	2	1	0	1	0	5	.100	.095	.150	.245
C. Crisp	OF	OAK vs TOR 9:05PM	R. Dickey	22	2	0	0	1	1	5	.091	.125	.091	.216
E. Sogard	SS	OAK vs TOR 9:05PM	R. Dickey	10	2	0	0	0	0	1	.200	.200	.200	.400

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

Cold Pitcher Matchups – July 3, 2014

Edit Matchup Criteria

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
There are no pitchers who qualify as "cold" today.

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
Caleb Joseph, C, BAL - Injuries to Evan Gattis (back) and Carlos Ruiz (concussion) have put many in two-catcher leagues in a tough spot, and those owners could do worse than to consider Joseph. Nick Hundley seemed likely to take the reins as primary catcher for the Orioles upon his arrival in late May, but that job seems to have fallen to Joseph, who has now started 12 of the team's last 16 games. The overall numbers still look ugly (.170/.257/.318 entering Wednesday), but the power that Joseph displayed in the minors -- he hit 22 homers in 135 games with Double-A Bowie last season -- has finally started to show up. Coming into Wednesday's action, Joseph had hit three homers while driving in seven in his last eight games, and while he may eventually fall into a more even timeshare with Hundley, Matt Wieters (elbow) is out for the year, so the door is open for Joseph to continue seeing regular time near the bottom of the order.

Other Recent Recommendations:Jesse Hahn, Mookie Betts, Dayan Viciedo and Josh Harrison

DraftStreet Value Plays
SP - Matt Shoemaker, LAA ($14,064)
C - A.J. Ellis, LAD ($4,643)
1B - Chris Davis, BAL ($4,696)
2B - Aaron Hill, AZ ($3,893)
SS - Derek Jeter, NYY ($4,239)
3B - Juan Francisco, TOR ($3,804)
OF - Collin Cowgill, LAA ($5,206)

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.