| Santana improves to 8-2 | Monday 6/2, 11:54 PM CT |
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Ervin Santana won his eighth game of the season on Monday by silencing the anemic Mariners. He held the AL West foe to six hits and two runs over 7.2 innings. Santana walked one, struck out three, and lowered his ERA to 3.02.
Our View: It's nice to see Santana bounce back in his recent two outings after hitting a rough patch. He has clearly matured this season, and fantasy owners are enjoying the ride. |
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| Lopez drives in both runs | Monday 6/2, 11:51 PM CT |
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Jose Lopez went 2-for-4 with a homer and an RBI double on Monday night. Unfortunately, he accounted for all two of the Mariners' runs against the Angels.
Our View: What's new? Lopez is hitting pretty well out of the No. 2 hole this year, but the Mariners rarely hit well as a team. |
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| Lowe keeps it going | Monday 6/2, 11:49 PM CT |
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Derek Lowe is on a roll. He held the Rockies to five hits and one run over eight innings on Monday night. Lowe improved to 3-5, and he has served up only three runs over his last three starts (23 innings).
Our View: Lowe had an awful three weeks from late April to mid-May, but he is safe to use in all fantasy leagues again. |
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| Helton can't do it alone | Monday 6/2, 11:46 PM CT |
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Todd Helton couldn't carry the Rockies on Monday night. He went 3-for-4 with one run, but the club scored just two times.
Our View: Helton has a nine-game hitting streak, and he's piled up eight runs, two homers, and six RBI during that time. He won't keep that pace up, of course, but the veteran is showing he can still rake a little bit. |
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| Another three hits for Kemp | Monday 6/2, 11:44 PM CT |
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Matt Kemp went 3-for-5 with a solo homer and three runs in Monday's win over the Rockies. It was his second straight three-hit game.
Our View: Kemp hadn't gone deep since May 5, and we hope he doesn't wait so long before bashing another one. That's the only negative in the outfielder's fantasy game right now. |
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| Pelfrey to stick in rotation | Monday 6/2, 11:34 PM CT |
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Mike Pelfrey won't be bumped from the rotation, yet. The Mets plan to keep him in the majors, move Claudio Vargas to a long relief role, and send down reliever Carlos Muniz, MLB.com reports.
Our View: Pelfrey is 27 starts into his major league career, and he has yet to show any signs of consistency. He has lost six straight decisions and shouldn't be in any fantasy lineups. |
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| Ortiz out at least one month | Monday 6/2, 11:31 PM CT |
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David Ortiz is expected to miss at least one month due to his left wrist injury. The slugger has a partial tear of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon sheath, and a source informs the Boston Herald that Ortiz will immobilize the joint for the next month. If that doesn't work, he may face season-ending surgery.
Our View: Sheesh. The news gets worse by the hour. Manny Ramirez can expect to continue playing the DH role in the near future, and the Red Sox outfield won't be as jammed. There's no way the Red Sox or fantasy owners can hope to replace Ortiz's production, though. |
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| Perez doesn't last one inning | Monday 6/2, 11:25 PM CT |
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Oliver Perez couldn't make it out of the first inning on Monday night. He allowed a homer, double, single, walk, double, homer, and walk before being pulled after getting just one out. The sum total was five runs.
Our View: The Mets-Giants game isn't over yet, but it doesn't matter when it comes to Perez's night. Oli remains an enigmatic, inconsistent hurler who should be on fantasy benches right now. |
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| Zimmerman headed to DL | Monday 6/2, 11:20 PM CT |
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Ryan Zimmerman will be placed on the DL on Tuesday, the Washington Post confirms. The club doesn't know how much time he'll miss due to a small labral tear in his left shoulder. "I've had players who've had the same injury who took 10 days off, then played for five years," general manager Jim Bowden says. "Then I've had some who've been operated on. It can be anywhere in between, and we just don't know yet." Dr. James Andrews (Alabama), Dr. Timothy Kremchek (Cincinnati), and Dr. Robert Cofield (Minnesota) will all be consulted on Zimmerman's ailment.
Our View: The Nats are sparing no expense when it comes to assessing Zimmerman's injury. He is the cornerstone of the franchise's future, and they aren't going to fool around with this injury. All we can do is wait and see if he'll need surgery. |
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| Rangers rock Laffey | Monday 6/2, 11:10 PM CT |
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Aaron Laffey's hot streak came to a halt on Monday night. The young lefty allowed 11 hits and eight runs over five innings against the Rangers. Laffey allowed a grand slam and a two-run homer.
Our View: We didn't expect Laffey to maintain his 1.59 ERA, and we'll learn a lot about the 23-year-old in the near future. It's always interesting to see how youngsters bounce back from outings like this. |
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| Hamilton keeps rolling | Monday 6/2, 11:07 PM CT |
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Josh Hamilton celebrated his May Player of the Month award by homering again on Monday night. He added a single and a second run in the loss to the Indians.
Our View: Word on the street is that pitchers may start turning around and throw the ball over the fence rather than pitching to Hamilton. It saves time. |
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| Francisco goes deep | Monday 6/2, 11:05 PM CT |
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Ben Francisco went 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBI in Monday's win over the Rangers.
Our View: The rookie had cooled off a bit after tearing it up in mid-May. AL-only fantasy owners are already on board, and Francisco may deserve a look in larger mixed formats. |
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| Byrd hits a grand slam | Monday 6/2, 11:02 PM CT |
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Marlon Byrd socked a grand slam off Indians starter Aaron Laffey on Monday night. In doing so, Byrd doubled his RBI total for the season.
Our View: Byrd has hit decently over the past two-plus weeks, but he hasn't played well enough to be useful in fantasy leagues. |
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| Blake drives in seven runs | Monday 6/2, 10:58 PM CT |
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Casey Blake had a monster night in Texas. The third baseman homered twice, doubled, and drove in seven runs against the Rangers. Blake did that all by the fourth inning but was quiet thereafter.
Our View: Blake now owns seven- and six-RBI outings this season. His other 48 games have been much less exciting. Inconsistency is a big reason why Blake is hitting just .236, but maybe he'll heat up with the weather. |
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| Hernandez designated for assignment | Monday 6/2, 10:53 PM CT |
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The Orioles designated Luis Hernandez for assignment on Monday night, the AP reports.
Our View: Hernandez opened the season as the starting shortstop, but he lost the job to Freddie Bynum in early May. We don't suspect this news hurts any fantasy clubs. |
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| Liz to start on Tuesday | Monday 6/2, 10:48 PM CT |
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The Orioles recalled Radhames Liz on Monday night, and he will start on Tuesday against the Twins, the Ticker reports. Liz was 1-5 with a 4.05 ERA over 11 starts at Triple-A Norfolk, but he was better in his two most recent starts.
Our View: What does Matt Albers need to do to get a start? Liz is one of the Orioles' best prospects and promises to post a good amount of strikeouts, but Albers is currently pitching well at the major league level. Anyway, we like Liz's arm but not his lack of control. |
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| Gorzelanny starts poorly, ends well | Monday 6/2, 10:25 PM CT |
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It was a tale of two nights for Tom Gorzelanny on Monday. The southpaw allowed six hits, four runs, and two walks over the first three innings, but he settled in and served up only one hit over the next three frames. Gorzelanny ended up with a no-decision.
Our View: We'll find out in the next few days if Gorzelanny saved himself from a demotion or not. He's not worth trusting in fantasy leagues. |
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| Michaels has grand night | Monday 6/2, 10:20 PM CT |
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Jason Michaels socked his first homer of the year on Monday, and it was a good one. The outfielder came off the bench and hit a grand slam off Adam Wainwright.
Our View: Michaels is hitting .324 since the trade from the Indians to the Pirates, but he doesn't play regularly enough to be useful in most fantasy leagues. |
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| Wainwright loses to Pirates | Monday 6/2, 10:18 PM CT |
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It took seven innings, but the Pirates finally got to Adam Wainwright on Monday night. Wainwright tossed six scoreless before serving up four runs (a grand slam) in the seventh frame and another run in the eighth. He took the loss and slipped to 5-3.
Our View: Wainwright was cruising for a while, but it obviously unraveled on him. He remains a very solid fantasy pitcher despite this glitch. |
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| Torres earns sixth save | Monday 6/2, 10:13 PM CT |
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It wasn't pretty (one hit, one walk), but Salomon Torres earned his sixth save on Monday. The right-hander has five saves and one win since May 24, and he has allowed only two hits over his last 5.2 innings.
Our View: The Brewers have said that Eric Gagne won't return this week, and it doesn't look like Torres is ready to give up the role. We don't have a ton of faith in Salomon, but it's tough to argue with his recent work. |
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| Carmona to play catch | Monday 6/2, 10:11 PM CT |
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Fausto Carmona will play catch from 60 feet on Tuesday. It will be his first rehab step as his returns from a left hip strain, the AP reports.
Our View: Sons and fathers across the world will also be playing catch on Tuesday. Call us when Carmona is throwing off a mound. Fausto is roughly one week into his four-week timetable. |
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| Fielder homers again | Monday 6/2, 10:08 PM CT |
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Prince Fielder continues to flex his muscles. He went 3-for-4 with a solo homer, two runs, and a stolen base on Monday. Fielder has gone deep in three of the last four games.
Our View: Finally! Fantasy owners are beginning to be rewarded for their patience with the portly slugger. |
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| Hafner not swinging yet | Monday 6/2, 10:06 PM CT |
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Travis Hafner has been performing exercises to strengthen his right shoulder, but he hasn't swung a bat since going on the DL, the AP reports.
Our View: This news isn't too surprising. The Indians will likely show some patience with Hafner, as we saw the results when his shoulder didn't feel well. Fantasy owners will also need to be patient. |
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| Snyder homers, drives in two | Monday 6/2, 10:05 PM CT |
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Chris Snyder led the D'Backs with a double, homer, and two RBI in Monday's loss to the Brewers.
Our View: Snyder is coming off a .309-3-14 month of May, and he's quietly turned into a very nice No. 2 fantasy backstop. |
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| Westbrook going back on DL | Monday 6/2, 10:03 PM CT |
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Jake Westbrook is going back on the disabled list. The Indians scratched him from his scheduled start on Tuesday due to right elbow inflammation, the AP reports. The club did not say who they will call up to start in his place.
Our View: Jeremy Sowers pitched on Sunday, so he's not an option. The Indians may need to find a one-start guy before turning the spot over to Sowers. We don't yet know how long Westbrook is expected to be out. |
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| Ortiz lands on DL | Monday 6/2, 10:00 PM CT |
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David Ortiz has landed on the 15-day DL due to a partially torn tendon in his left wrist, the AP reports. "Surgery is very unlikely," manager Terry Francona explains. "We'll certainly have more information (Tuesday)." The skipper did not want to speculate on a timetable for Ortiz's return.
Our View: Between Ortiz, Travis Hafner, and Jim Thome, it's been a rough year for DHs. We hope to hear a timetable for Big Papi within the coming days. The Red Sox will likely continue to use Manny Ramirez at DH and Jacoby Ellsbury, J.D. Drew, and Coco Crisp across the outfield. Brandon Moss could join that outfield group soon, too. |
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| Smoltz roughed up in return | Monday 6/2, 9:56 PM CT |
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John Smoltz didn't have a storybook return to the bullpen. Far from it. He allowed three hits and two runs to the Marlins on Monday and blew a save chance.
Our View: Yeah, but did you really expect Smoltz to set down such studs as Matt Treanor and Wes Helms? We don't want to worry too much after one outing, but fantasy owners were obviously hoping Smoltz would show up and turn into a lights-out closer. |
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| Gregg blows second straight save | Monday 6/2, 9:53 PM CT |
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Kevin Gregg blew his second straight save (third overall) on Monday. He got one out against the Braves before walking two batters, allowing a fielder's choice, and throwing a wild pitch. Gregg allowed a run without giving up a hit.
Our View: Gregg also got in trouble by walking two batters on May 28. There's not enough to cause concern or start talking about a change, but it's mildly troublesome. |
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| Teixeira keeps hitting 'em out | Monday 6/2, 9:50 PM CT |
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Mark Teixeira went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI in Monday's win over the Marlins. He has gone deep in four of the last five games and has 11 RBI over that span.
Our View: It's amazing how quickly Tex has turned a disappointing season into a decent-looking campaign. This hot streak bodes well for the coming summer months. |
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| Ramirez still struggling | Monday 6/2, 9:48 PM CT |
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Hanley Ramirez went 0-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts on Monday night. The stud shortstop has whiffed in 16 straight contests (28 total strikeouts). It's also been a while since his last homer (May 12), RBI (May 13), and stolen base (May 8).
Our View: There's not much fantasy owners can do with this top draft pick. We're not sure what the issue is with Hanley right now, but it's awfully frustrating. |
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| Escobar hits walk-off homer | Monday 6/2, 9:44 PM CT |
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Yunel Escobar hit a two-run, walk-off homer in the 10th inning to lead the Braves over the Marlins on Monday night. The shortstop also has two singles on the night and finished with a pair of runs and three RBI.
Our View: Escobar had gone 11 games without an extra-base hit and had been in a bit of a funk. That's a nice way to snap out of it. He remains a useful player in all fantasy leagues. |
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| Farnsworth's struggles continue | Monday 6/2, 9:42 PM CT |
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Kyle Farnsworth took the loss on Monday when he allowed three hits and one run in the eighth inning against the Twins. The reliever had served up 12 hits and seven runs over his last seven appearances.
Our View: Joba Chamberlain is moving to the rotation, huh? The Yankees may need to begin leaning on someone other than Farnsworth in the eighth inning. Edwar Ramirez comes to mind. |
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| Crisp snaps hitless streak | Monday 6/2, 9:38 PM CT |
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Coco Crisp went 1-for-2 with one walk on Monday night. The effort is only notable because the outfielder managed to snap an 0-for-23 slump.
Our View: Crisp has seen his average plummet from .315 on May 17 to .246 heading into Monday night. He'd probably be taking more heat if the Red Sox weren't playing so well. We haven't failed to notice that Brandon Moss is tearing it up at Triple-A. |
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| Young collects three hits, three RBI | Monday 6/2, 9:34 PM CT |
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Delmon Young continues to search for that elusive first homer, but he did go 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI on Monday. He was also caught stealing.
Our View: Young will need a lot more of these days to wash the disappointing taste out of our mouths. |
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| A-Rod has solid night | Monday 6/2, 9:30 PM CT |
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Alex Rodriguez got the Yankees on the board early on Monday with a two-run homer in the first inning. He added a single, double, and a second run later in the game. Rodriguez pushed his average to .300.
Our View: A-Rod has been doing a bit of everything since coming off the DL on May 20, and fantasy owners should be pleased with his recent play. |
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| Mauer finally goes deep | Monday 6/2, 9:27 PM CT |
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Joe Mauer went 2-for-4 on Monday and socked his first homer of the season. It only took him 51 games.
Our View: You know what they say... the first one is always the toughest. It's hard to believe a guy of his size and with his sweet swing doesn't hit a few more over the fence. |
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| Jones drives in three | Monday 6/2, 9:24 PM CT |
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Adam Jones drove in a career-high three RBI on Monday night thanks to a bases-loaded double. It was his third straight game with a run batted in.
Our View: Jones hasn't lived up to his potential this year, but we have to remember he's only 22. We still like his upside in keeper leagues. |
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| Okajima roughed up by Orioles | Monday 6/2, 9:19 PM CT |
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Hideki Okajima posted the worst line of his major league career on Monday. The reliever allowed four hits and four runs over 0.2 innings against the Orioles. Okajima allowed three straight singles, a sacrifice fly, a fielder's choice, a walk, and a double before being pulled. He had never served up four hits in an outing before. Okajima's ERA jumped from 0.72 to 2.10.
Our View: We don't think there's anything wrong with the southpaw specialist, and he was probably due to have a rough outing sooner or later. Nobody maintains such a low ERA. |
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| Guthrie cools Red Sox | Monday 6/2, 9:14 PM CT |
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Jeremy Guthrie had another sharp outing on Monday. He held the Red Sox scoreless for five innings before allowing a run in the sixth and seven frames. Guthrie finished with eight hits and two runs served up over 6.1 innings, but he took a no-decision. It was his fifth straight quality start.
Our View: The run support for Guthrie has been terrible this year. The Orioles scored 2, 0, and 1 runs in his previous three showings, and they waited until the eighth inning to get hot on Monday. Guthrie is a decent back-end option in larger mixed leagues despite the 2-6 record. |
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| Ramirez socks No. 502 | Monday 6/2, 9:10 PM CT |
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Manny Ramirez seems to be enjoying his days in the 500 club. He sent a ball over the fence for the third straight game on Monday and is up to 502 career long balls. However, Ramirez also flied out with two men on and two outs in the ninth. The Red Sox lost 6-3.
Our View: There was never much doubt that Manny could still hit when healthy. Ramirez has now played in 56 of a possible 60 games. That was a bigger worry than his bat coming into this fantasy season. Hopefully he can continue to avoid the DL. |
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| Roberts steals two bases | Monday 6/2, 9:06 PM CT |
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Brian Roberts only went 1-for-4 on Monday, but he swiped two bags against Tim Wakefield and the Red Sox. It was his first multi-steal effort since April 5.
Our View: Roberts' stolen base pace is down from last year, when he pilfered 50 pillows. He took advantage of the knuckleballer in order to help fantasy owners on Monday, though. |
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| Schmidt sets new rehab clock | Monday 6/2, 8:59 PM CT |
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Jason Schmidt has reset his 30-day minor league rehab clock by coming down with a left calf injury, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. The veteran is coming back from a right shoulder surgery.
Our View: The Daily News basically says the Dodgers made up this injury in order to keep Schmidt in the minors. The team was due to face a tough decision on June 10, but Schmidt now presumably has a few more weeks to gain strength in his shoulder. |
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| Victorino keeps hit streak alive | Monday 6/2, 8:54 PM CT |
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Shane Victorino only went 1-for-4 on Monday, but the effort was good enough to push his hitting streak to 14 games. He is 24-for-60 (.400) with 18 runs, seven RBI, and six steals during that span.
Our View: Victorino battled injuries and bad play in April, but he made a major turn in May and is quietly producing solid numbers for fantasy squads. |
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| Arroyo rocked by Phillies | Monday 6/2, 8:50 PM CT |
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It wasn't Bronson Arroyo's night on Monday. The right-hander served up 10 hits and five runs over 4.1 innings against the Phillies. Three of the balls went over the fence. Arroyo also walked two and struck out four.
Our View: Arroyo had pitched pretty darn well over his previous five starts, and we generally think he's headed in the right direction. This outing helps fantasy owners to recall why he's no better than a back-end, good-matchup starter for our rosters. |
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| Lidge continues to cruise | Monday 6/2, 8:47 PM CT |
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Brad Lidge shut the door on the Reds on Monday night and earned his 14th save. The right-hander struck out two batters, and he now owns a ridiculous 17 whiffs over his last nine innings.
Our View: Maybe Lidge really did just need to get out of Houston. The closer had blow-up periods in 2006 and 2007, but he's been wicked thus far. |
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| Bruce's batting average drops | Monday 6/2, 8:45 PM CT |
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Jay Bruce continues to prove that the Reds are idiots for not calling him up sooner. The rookie went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs in Monday's loss to the Phillies. Bruce has four straight multi-hit efforts and has homered in each of the last three contests. His batting average actually dropped to .577.
Our View: We echo the sentiments of many Cincinnati-area females. Bruce, will you marry us? |
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| Utley goes deep again | Monday 6/2, 8:42 PM CT |
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Chase Utley went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer in Monday's win over the Reds. He leads the majors with 21 homers and currently trails only Josh Hamilton (63) in RBI.
Our View: Seriously, what else can we say at this point? This is like Bret Boone in 2001 all over again. Except without as much back acne, we presume. |
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| Casto coming up | Monday 6/2, 8:38 PM CT |
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The Nationals will call up Kory Casto from Triple-A Columbus when they place Ryan Zimmerman on the DL, the Washington Post reports. Casto, 26, is hitting .315 with three homers and 16 RBI over 22 games.
Our View: Casto can play a little third base, but that spot will likely belong to Aaron Boone in the near future. Ronnie Belliard also has hot corner skills but is on the DL. Anyway, we don't expect much out of Casto. |
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| Hudson doesn't expect to miss start | Monday 6/2, 8:26 PM CT |
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Tim Hudson expects to make his next start despite a mild left hamstring strain. "Hopefully, the next few days it'll gradually get a little better," Hudson informs MLB.com. "But even if it stays the way it is, it should be OK to go out there and pitch." He suffered the injury on Sunday and is slated to face the Phillies on Friday.
Our View: It's good news that Hudson is so positive early in the week. We anticipate updates as Friday nears. |
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| Price is right again | Monday 6/2, 8:23 PM CT |
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David Price looks ready for a promotion to Double-A. The southpaw earned a no-decision on Monday night, but he tossed seven scoreless innings. The southpaw allowed three hits, walked one, and struck out six. Price has yet to serve up a run over three starts (18.0 innings) at High-A Vero Beach.
Our View: Everyone is eager to see this kid in the majors, but the Rays know how to deal with young pitching and won't want to rush him too fast. His early numbers are awfully impressive, no matter what the level. |
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| Guerrero sits with sore knee | Monday 6/2, 8:07 PM CT |
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Vladimir Guerrero is out of the lineup on Monday night due to a sore right knee, the AP reports. Manager Mike Scioscia says the injury is not serious, and Guerrero could return on Tuesday.
Our View: The bad news continues to pile up for Vlad. He's having a rough season, and we're trying to be patient. It's probably not a bad time to try and buy low. |
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| Ankiel sits versus southpaw | Monday 6/2, 8:04 PM CT |
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Rick Ankiel was not in the lineup on Monday because of the matchup against left-hander Tom Gorzelanny, MLB.com reports. Manager Tony La Russa explains that Ankiel didn't sit due to the injury he suffered on his left hand on Sunday.
Our View: Ankiel is a career .276 hitter with a .504 slugging percentage against southpaws, so that makes perfect sense. Or not. We imagine the injury had something to do with La Russa's decision. Ankiel is day-to-day. |
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| Riske not close | Monday 6/2, 8:01 PM CT |
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David Riske has yet to throw off a mound and isn't close to returning from a right elbow injury, the AP reports. "He's playing catch today. Right now, we're not much past that," manager Ned Yost explains. "We're going to take it day by day, but he's feeling much, much better." Riske has been out since May 14.
Our View: We imagine Riske will need a minor league rehab appearance before he comes back to the majors. He is a solid setup man when he's healthy, but Riske has no fantasy value right now. |
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| Gagne won't return this week | Monday 6/2, 7:58 PM CT |
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Eric Gagne has been playing catch, but he has yet to throw off a mound. He won't be ready to return when he's eligible to come off the DL on Thursday, the AP reports. Gagne is out due to right rotator cuff tendinitis.
Our View: The report didn't give us a good sense of when Gagne will return, only that it wouldn't be this week. He probably needs to chuck a few off a mound and show good stuff before the Brewers are willing to concede a timeline. Salomon Torres will continue to close games, at least until Gagne is ready. |
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| Stewart at second base again | Monday 6/2, 7:51 PM CT |
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Ian Stewart is listed as the starter at second base on Monday. It will be his fifth appearance at the position.
Our View: Depending on your fantasy league rules, Stewart may now qualify to be used at the spot. It could end up being a big boost to this prospect's fantasy stock. |
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| Spilborghs back in lineup | Monday 6/2, 7:50 PM CT |
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Ryan Spilborghs is back in the lineup on Monday, the Rocky Mountain News reports. He took a pitch off the left wrist on Saturday and sat out on Sunday.
Our View: Spilborghs should play a prominent role for a few more days, but Brad Hawpe and Matt Holliday could both return from the DL before the end of the weekend. |
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| Sexson back on Monday | Monday 6/2, 7:42 PM CT |
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Richie Sexson will start on Monday against the Angels. Miguel Cairo worked at first base the previous five days, which apparently was the plan. The Seattle Times reports that Sexson and hitting coach Jeff Pentland have spent the time making major changes to the slugger's swing. "What I was thinking was, I wanted him with a fresh start," manager John McLaren explains regarding why Sexson didn't pinch-hit on Sunday. "He cleared his mind, he worked hard and tonight he's going to get that start."
Our View: We're sure Richie is going to turn into a .300 hitter after all the changes. Whatever. Fantasy owners should continue to be wary. The dude is hitting .204 since 2006. |
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| Loewen could begin rehab soon | Monday 6/2, 7:34 PM CT |
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Adam Loewen could begin a rehab assignment soon and return before the All-Star break. "Hopefully by the end of the month, he'll be ready to go," manager Dave Trembley informs MLB.com. "Maybe sooner." Loewen underwent surgery in 2007 to repair a stress fracture in his left elbow, and he has had soreness in the joint this year. The southpaw was scheduled to throw batting practice on Monday and Wednesday.
Our View: We're still like Loewen a little bit in keeper fantasy leagues, but we're not expecting much this year. We'll just be happy if he returns and shows some signs of his 2006 self. |
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| Alou aims for Friday return | Monday 6/2, 7:29 PM CT |
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Moises Alou believes he can be back in the Mets lineup by Friday, the New York Post reports. He strained his left calf on May 21 and landed on the DL. Friday is his first possible date for a return.
Our View: Fantasy owners may want to see if Alou can actually return and make it through the weekend without hurting himself again. |
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| Hernandez's job in jeopardy? | Monday 6/2, 7:28 PM CT |
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Ramon Hernandez could be in danger of losing his starting spot to Guillermo Quiroz. "I'm all for what's best for the team," manager Dave Trembley tells MLB.com. "I think you have to give respect to the veteran guys who have been here and have played for a long time, and I think you have to go the extra mile before you go to that measure. But once you go to that measure, I think you communicate that to all concerned parties and you move forward." Hernandez is hitting .22 and has thrown out only nine of 53 base stealers.
Our View: Fantasy owners were counting on a bounceback season from Hernandez, but it hasn't happened yet. At some point, the Orioles need to think about the future. Hernandez is 32, Quiroz is 26, and there's a significant salary difference. |
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| Wilson back in action | Monday 6/2, 6:53 PM CT |
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Jack Wilson is listed as the starter for Monday's game against the Cardinals. He has missed the last two contests due to tightness in the muscles above his left calf and behind his knee.
Our View: Fantasy owners may want to wait a few days to use Wilson, as he needs to prove his calf and knee are sound. |
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| Hampson activated | Monday 6/2, 6:50 PM CT |
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The Padres activated Justin Hampson from the 15-day DL on Monday, the Ticker reports. He had been out due to tendinitis in his left shoulder. Sean Henn was optioned to Triple-A in order to open up a roster spot.
Our View: Hampson pitched well out of the bullpen in 2007 (2.70 ERA), but he doesn't have any fantasy value at this point. |
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| Boyer is okay | Monday 6/2, 6:23 PM CT |
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Blaine Boyer was cleared to continue pitching after an MRI showed no issues with the knee he tweaked on Sunday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Our View: He's no John Smoltz or Rafael Soriano, but Boyer has done a nice job this year as a setup man. His 31 appearances rank second in the majors, and he's mildly useful in NL-only formats. |
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| Cox could use closer-by-committee | Monday 6/2, 6:18 PM CT |
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Manager Bobby Cox informs the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he'll split the closer duties between John Smoltz, Rafael Soriano, and Manny Acosta in the near future. "We'll play it by ear every day," Cox explains.
Our View: We can't blame Cox for thinking this way. Smoltz and Soriano are coming off arm injuries, and neither right-hander is a safe bet to work every day. We believe Smoltz will be the man in the long run, but fantasy owners may have to put up with some switching in the short term. |
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| Parisi to start Thursday | Monday 6/2, 6:12 PM CT |
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Mike Parisi will get a second start on Thursday against the Nationals despite getting rocked by the Pirates on Saturday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Our View: Parisi could hardly ask for a better opponent. The rookie doesn't have any fantasy value and could be making his last start before Joel Pineiro returns. |
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| Zimmerman has tear in shoulder | Monday 6/2, 6:08 PM CT |
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An MRI has revealed a small labral tear in Ryan Zimmerman's left shoulder, the Ticker reports. Team physician Dr. Benjamin Shaffer has recommended anti-inflammatory injections and rest. Zimmerman will seek second, third and fourth opinions around the country.
Our View: We imagine Zimmerman is headed to the DL, at the very least. He can probably field decently, but hitting is going to be awful tough with a bum front shoulder. We'll let you know when more information and a timeline are provided. |
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| Ortiz update vague, scary | Monday 6/2, 5:54 PM CT |
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The Red Sox are trying to figure out the next move with David Ortiz, the Boston Globe reports. Spokesman John Blake informs the locals that the Ortiz, general manager Theo Epstein, and team doctors need to "evaluate a course of action." Ortiz underwent an MRI on his left wrist on Monday.
Our View: If the MRI was clear, wouldn't the team say so? That's the big reason why this news doesn't sound good. We'll let you know when more information is available. |
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| Benson scratched from start. | Monday 6/2, 5:50 PM CT |
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Sigh. Kris Benson was scratched from his scheduled start on Monday due to tightness and soreness in his right biceps, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. "It's a concern enough for him not to pitch," assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. says. "He didn't feel comfortable pitching. He kind of tested it this morning and didn't feel comfortable posting up and pitching tonight. We're concerned about it." Benson was slated to make his first minor league rehab appearances for High-A Clearwater.
Our View: Benson is coming back from a torn rotator cuff, and this news is disheartening. Fantasy owners aren't (or shouldn't be) counting on him. |
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| Murray to start on Tuesday | Monday 6/2, 5:46 PM CT |
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A.J. Murray has been called up and will start against the Indians on Tuesday, the Dallas Morning News confirms.
Our View: This will likely be another one-and-done showing for the 26-year-old southpaw. He's not worth pursuing in fantasy leagues. |
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| Snelling activated | Monday 6/2, 5:44 PM CT |
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The Phillies activated outfielder Chris Snelling on Monday night, MLB.com confirms. Outfielder T.J. Bohn was optioned to Triple-A to open up a spot. Snelling was out due to left knee inflammation.
Our View: Based on Snelling's history, the over/under on his return to the DL is 15 days. |
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| Millwood pushed back | Monday 6/2, 5:27 PM CT |
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Kevin Millwood has had his next scheduled start pushed from Wednesday to Thursday due to a personal matter, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Sidney Ponson will move up a day and work on short rest.
Our View: Millwood will still be facing the Indians in a night game, so this news doesn't much affect his value. |
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| Padilla placed on bereavement list | Monday 6/2, 5:25 PM CT |
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Vicente Padilla will miss his scheduled start on Tuesday. The Rangers placed him on the bereavement list on Monday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. A.J. Murray will start in his place. Padilla is tending to a family emergency in Nicaragua but could be back by this weekend.
Our View: Fantasy owners should bench Padilla until we know when he'll be back. We obviously wish him and his family the best. |
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| Punto aggravated hamstring | Monday 6/2, 5:16 PM CT |
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Nick Punto tweaked his left hamstring on Saturday, which is why he was out of the lineup on Sunday and Monday. He hopes to be ready for Tuesday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Our View: Healthy or not, Punto doesn't belong on fantasy rosters. |
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| Masterson to start Tuesday | Monday 6/2, 5:14 PM CT |
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Justin Masterson will return to the majors and start against the Rays on Tuesday, the Boston Globe reports.
Our View: Masterson will be filling in for Daisuke Matsuzaka, and the rookie is not assured of a second start. He was solid in his previous two outings, though, and is worth a look in daily transaction leagues. |
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| Morneau battles through bruises | Monday 6/2, 5:09 PM CT |
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Justin Morneau fouled a ball of his right knee and tweaked his calf muscle on Sunday, but he convinced manager Ron Gardenhire that he didn't need Monday off, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Our View: Morneau is a hockey player at heart. These bumps and bruises don't slow down pucksters! |
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| Soria may convert prior to 2009 | Monday 6/2, 4:34 PM CT |
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The Royals likely won't attempt to move Joakim Soria to a starting role this year, but they make try it out next spring, MLB.com suggests.
Our View: The Royals would be wise not to mess with his prized arm during this season. This news affects keeper leagues much more than regular scenarios. We could only speculate at what the Royals would do at the back of their bullpen without Soria, but the conversation might include Leo Nunez and Ramon Ramirez. |
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| Stockman sent down (under) | Monday 6/2, 4:27 PM CT |
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The Braves have sent reliever Phil Stockman to Triple-A Richmond, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Our View: Tough break for the Aussie. All Stockman did was come up and pitch 4.1 (nearly) spotless innings. He has no fantasy value. |
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| Smoltz activated | Monday 6/2, 4:24 PM CT |
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As expected, the Braves activated John Smoltz from the 15-day DL on Monday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. He has been out due to right shoulder inflammation, and he has returned as a reliever.
Our View: Smoltz brings a new delivery to his old closer's role, and it will be interesting to see how he looks. |
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| Punto out again | Monday 6/2, 4:21 PM CT |
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Nick Punto is not in the lineup on Monday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune notes. The infielder didn't play on Sunday due to general soreness, and he is coming off a DL stint (hamstring). Brendan Harris will start at shortstop again.
Our View: We have to wonder if Punto's hamstring isn't as healed as the Twins hoped. |
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| Trachsel to remain in bullpen | Monday 6/2, 4:19 PM CT |
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Manager Dave Trembley hasn't named a starter for Tuesday's game against the Twins, but it won't be Steve Trachsel, the Baltimore Sun reports. The veteran right-hander will remain in the bullpen.
Our View: We should know later tonight or tomorrow who the Orioles will use on Tuesday. The top two candidates are Matt Albers and Radhames Liz. Frankly, we'd argue that Albers has earned it. |
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| Pedroia to get night off | Monday 6/2, 4:16 PM CT |
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Dustin Pedroia will get a breather on Monday, with Alex Cora starting at second base, the Boston Globe reports.
Our View: We won't be surprised if Pedroia makes a pinch-hit appearance, but fantasy owners with daily roster changes will want to pull him. |
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| Griffey out on Monday | Monday 6/2, 4:13 PM CT |
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Ken Griffey Jr. is not in the lineup for Monday's tilt against the Phillies. The outfielder is dealing with "general soreness," manager Dusty Baker informs the Ticker. "That’s why we took him out of the game yesterday," Baker adds. "He was ailing a little bit. That’s the time you don’t want to take a chance." Ryan Freel will start in his place.
Our View: It's always wise to be cautious with Mr. Griffey, who has had more than his fair share of ailments. |
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| Kazmir best in May | Monday 6/2, 4:09 PM CT |
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Scott Kazmir has been named the AL Pitcher of the Month for May, the Tampa Tribune confirms. The southpaw went 5-1 with a 1.22 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts over 37.0 innings.
Our View: Fantasy owners everywhere are kicking themselves for not drafting him and waiting as he recovered from an arm injury in April. Kazmir is a stud. |
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| Hamilton named AL Player of Month | Monday 6/2, 3:57 PM CT |
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Josh Hamilton has been named the AL Player of the Month for May, according to the Sports Network. Hamilton cruised through the month, while compiling a .322 average (37-for-115) with eight home runs, 29 RBI and 22 runs.
Our View: This was impressively the second consecutive monthly honor for Hamilton. Hamilton currently ranks first in the AL with 15 home runs and 63 RBI, and ranks third in batting average with a .328 mark, which makes him a serious contender for a Triple Crown.
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| Berkman named NL Player of Month | Monday 6/2, 3:49 PM CT |
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Lance Berkman has been named the NL Player of the Month for May, according to the AP. During the month, Berkman led the majors in batting average (.471), on-base percentage (.553), hits (49) and total bases (85). He also blasted nine homers, with 22 RBI and 31 runs scored.
Our View: He also had a 17-game hitting streak during the month. This is Berkman's second monthly honor, the last time coming in May of 2004.
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| Posada back this week | Monday 6/2, 3:42 PM CT |
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Jorge Posada went 1-for-3 with a walk in an extended spring training game Monday and remains on pace to rejoin the team this week, according to the AP. Posada made two throws to the bases in the game against Philadelphia’s minor leaguers. He made a throw to first on a batted ball near the plate that was ruled foul, and also tried to pick a runner off second. He said, "You keep working on things and try to throw. I threw the ball behind the runner and felt good about it. We’ll see how it feels tomorrow. Be ready for Thursday or Friday."
Our View: His status to resume catching for New York will be evaluated after playing in another extended spring game on Tuesday, but it looks like he will be ready to come off the DL on Thursday or Friday, as Posada estimated.
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| Smoltz expects to be activated | Monday 6/2, 3:06 PM CT |
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As a follow-up to a previous report, John Smoltz expects to be activated from the DL prior to tonight's battle against the Marlins, according to the AP. Smoltz said, "Monday is still the plan."
Our View: Smoltz can no longer handle the strain of a spot in the rotation, but could be effective while working out of the bullpen, as he racked up 36 strikeouts over 27 innings this season, with a favorable 1.11 WHIP. |
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| Gonzalez agrees to minor league deal | Monday 6/2, 2:58 PM CT |
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Outfielder Raul Gonzalez has agreed to a minor league deal with the Mets, according to the AP.
Our View: The 34-year-old Gonzalez played for the Mets back in 2002-03. He hit .278 over 41 games with Vaqueros Laguna of the Mexican League this year before getting released on May 5. He will report to extended spring training in Port St. Lucie, then join Triple-A New Orleans. He holds no fantasy value. |
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| Utley earns NL Player of Week honor | Monday 6/2, 2:54 PM CT |
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Chase Utley was named the NL Player of the Week, according to the AP. Utley crushed five homers and drove in 14 runs last week for the Phillies, and has helped lead the club to the top spot in the NL East Division. He held a .391 average over the award-winning week as well, with 25 total bases.
Our View: Utley is without a doubt the most valuable fantasy second basemam this season, and he could also be the most valuable player in the entire league. |
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| Rivera named AL Player of Week | Monday 6/2, 2:48 PM CT |
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Mariano Rivera has been named the AL Player of the Week, according to the AP. He earned the honor by nailing down three saves, with seven strikeouts, and only one hit allowed.
Our View: He is a perfect 15-for-15 on saves opportunities, and lowered his ERA to 0.36. He ranks third on the all-time saves list, but this is his first Player of the Week honor. |
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| Rodney and Zumaya to begin rehab | Monday 6/2, 1:40 PM CT |
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Relievers Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya are both expected to begin their rehab assignments on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. Rodney will be sent to Triple-A Toledo, and Zumaya will go to Class-A Lakeland.
Our View: Once they begin pitching Tuesday, the Tigers can keep them on rehab for up to 30 days before they must be activated from the DL or moved. Neither is expected to need the full 30 days, and Manager Jim Leyland mentioned that he hopes to have them back sometime this month. They will both provide a sizable boost to the Tigers' bullpen. Rodney recently visited Dr. James Andrews, but he found nothing wrong with his ailing right shoulder other than tendinitis, and he progressed well since then. |
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| Blackburn expects to make next start | Monday 6/2, 1:31 PM CT |
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Nick Blackburn expects to make his next start after getting struck in the face with a line drive in Sunday’s game against the Yankees, according to the AP. He is still scheduled to battle the White Sox on Friday and stated, "It’s part of the game. I’ve been hit in the legs, chest, whatever. It’s never fun to get a ball hit back at you."
Our View: Blackburn was taken to a hospital after sustaining the injury, where X-rays showed no broken bones or teeth. He is officially listed as day-to-day with a bruised nose and upper lip. He is 4-3 with a 3.32 ERA and passable 1.38 WHIP, and this is good news for the Twins' rotation that he is not expected to miss a start.
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| Ramirez hitting fine since injury | Monday 6/2, 1:05 PM CT |
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Hanley Ramirez is hitting 4-for-9 over his last two games since brusing his left thumb on Friday night, according to MLB.com.
Our View: The elite fantasy shortstop has not been hindered by the ailment, and he just needed a few ice treatments to heal. |
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| Reyes looking to build on last start | Monday 6/2, 12:58 PM CT |
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Jo-Jo Reyes will take the hill against Florida tonight, and he will be looking to build upon his last start, when he only allowed one earned run on two hits over seven innings against the Brewers on May 28, according to MLB.com.
Our View: He also struck out a season-high nine batters against the Brewers, but was dealt a loss, in a 1-0 final. Reyes had been bothered by a blister on the index finger on his left hand, but it was healed by his last start as well.
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| Jones still hitting over .400 | Monday 6/2, 12:53 PM CT |
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The season is now into June, and Chipper Jones is still hitting over .400 (.405), according to MLB.com. Jones will battle the Marlins next, a team he is batting .309 over his career against, with 35 homers and 137 RBI.
Our View: The Marlins will use two left-handed pitchers in the series against the Braves, but the switch-hitting Jones should remain hot. |
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| Smoltz ready to close | Monday 6/2, 12:06 PM CT |
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John Smoltz is reportedly ready to close for the Braves' bullpen, according to ESPN.com. Smoltz can no longer handle a starting gig, due to his right shoulder, and moving to the bullpen is his only alternative, other than retire.
Our View: It has been 44 months since Smoltz has served in the bullpen, and he is expected to return as a closer tonight. Adjust your fantasy lineups accordingly. |
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| Geary officially activated | Monday 6/2, 11:47 AM CT |
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The Astros have activated Geoff Geary from the DL, according to the Sports Network. As previously reported, Jack Cassel was optioned to Triple-A to clear a roster spot for Geary.
Our View: He will return to the bullpen in a setup role, and was solid prior to landing on the DL, as he only allowed three runs over 18.1 innings, with 17 strikeouts. He should continue to hold value in NL-only leagues. The team was previously expected to wait until Tuesday to activate him. |
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| Cash to catch Wakefield tonight | Monday 6/2, 11:42 AM CT |
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Kevin Cash will start at catcher tonight against Baltimore, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Knuckle-baller Tim Wakefield is starting for Boston tonight, and Cash typically catches him. Cash has raised his average to .302 over 53 at-bats this season, but is yet to hit a homer. |
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| Varitek will sit tonight | Monday 6/2, 11:38 AM CT |
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Jason Varitek will sit out tonight's game against the Orioles, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Manager Terry Francona wants to give the veteran team captain a night off, and Kevin Cash will start at catcher. Varitek had three hits in his last game on May 31. |
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| Guthrie pitching well, despite record | Monday 6/2, 11:31 AM CT |
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Jeremy Guthrie is pitching well, despite his 2-6 record, according to MLB.com. He holds a 3.64 ERA and a good 1.21 WHIP, and will make his 13th start of the season tonight when the Orioles host the Red Sox.
Our View: Guthrie has allowed three earned runs or less in nine of his 12 starts, but the Orioles have scored a total of eight runs in his six losses. |
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| Wakefield will try to even record | Monday 6/2, 11:27 AM CT |
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Tim Wakefield will try to even his record to 4-4 tonight when he battles the Orioles in Baltimore, according to MLB.com. Wakefield has pitched well at Camden Yards over his career, while going 7-5 with a 3.58 ERA in 22 appearances.
Our View: Wakefield has been moved up one day to pitch Monday, as Dice-K is on the DL with shoulder fatigue. He is still pitching on regular rest, as the team was off on Thursday. |
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| Ortiz scheduled for MRI | Monday 6/2, 10:48 AM CT |
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David Ortiz will undergo an MRI on his injured left wrist on Monday, according to the Boston Herald. Ortiz stated, "I’ve never felt anything like this before. I’ve been swinging my whole life. I just took a swing like I normally do, and pop."
Our View: Initial X-rays, which were negative, had ruled out any type of crack in his hamate bone, although the MRI should definitively pacify those concerns. Ortiz had the hamate bone on his right hand removed in 1998 after cracking it. We will keep you posted on his test results.
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| Patterson was called up | Monday 6/2, 10:42 AM CT |
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Right-hander Scott Patterson has been called up from Triple-A Scranton on Sunday, according to the NY Daily News.
Our View: He pitched Sunday against the Twins, and allowed one run, one hit, and two walks over 1.1 innings of action, along with two strikeouts. That was his big-league debut. The team needed an extra arm for their pen following Saturday's 12th inning victory against Minnesota. Patterson has little to no fantasy value. |
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| Lane can opt out of contract | Monday 6/2, 10:36 AM CT |
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Jason Lane can opt out of his minor league deal if he is not called up to the Yankees by Tuesday, according to the NY Daily News.
Our View: The team needs to decide whether to recall him, or risk losing him. Lane currently leads Triple-A Scranton with 11 homers and 37 RBI. Shelley Duncan would be the most likely candidate to get sent down if Lane is added to the Yankees' outfield. |
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| Aubrey optioned back to Triple-A | Monday 6/2, 10:29 AM CT |
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Michael Aubrey has been optioned back to Triple-A Buffalo, according to the AP. The team recalled reliever Tom Mastny, and felt Aubrey was expendable to make room on the roster.
Our View: Aubrey homered in his first at-bat with Cleveland this season, and hit two overall, but held a dismal .185 average (over 27 at-bats) and needs more work in Triple-A before he can make an impact with the Indians. |
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| Mastny recalled | Monday 6/2, 10:25 AM CT |
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Reliever Tom Mastny has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo, according to the AP.
Our View: This will be his second stint with the Indians this season, and he allowed two runs and two hits over 1.2 innings, with three walks. He does not merit fantasy consideration. |
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| Nothing new on the Furcal front | Monday 6/2, 10:22 AM CT |
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Rafael Furcal’s back-injury has become frustrating for the fantasy nation. The Dodgers' shortstop has been out of action since mid-May and as of today (June 2) the news on Furcal remains questionable.
Our View: Furcal reportedly visited a back specialist this past week, but nothing definitive has surfaced regarding his condition. Until more information is available fantasy owners will have to keep Furcal in reserve for at least another week. |
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| Milledge leading Washington in steals | Monday 6/2, 9:56 AM CT |
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Lastings Milledge currently leads the Nationals with 10 stolen bases, according to the Washington Post. He only stole three bases with the Mets in 2007, but commented, "I've been feeling really good stealing bases. I can't be afraid of getting thrown out. We all know we have to play small ball. We don't have guys who are going to hit us 40 or 50 home runs."
Our View: During the Nationals' six-game road trip, which concluded Sunday, Milledge stole five bases, and has been successful on his last eight attempts. |
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| Zimmerman will undergo MRI today | Monday 6/2, 9:51 AM CT |
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Ryan Zimmerman will undergo an MRI today on his ailing left shoulder, according to the Washington Post. Results of the test will determine whether Zimmerman can play Tuesday, or whether he will require further rest and a possible trip to the DL. Manager Manny Acta said, "Well, I just hope for the best, obviously. He doesn't feel that it's anything serious, but not until we have the results from the MRI will we find out."
Our View: Zimmerman's injury has gotten better every day, but not to the point where he could play. He missed the last seven games. We will keep you posted on his MRI results. |
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