Saturday Lineup Card: A Pick-up For Posey

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Pirates (Paul Maholm - L) at Cubs (Randy Wells - R), 1:05 PM
Padres (Tim Stauffer - R) at Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann - R), 1:05 PM
White Sox (Edwin Jackson - R) at Blue Jays (Carlos Villanueva - R), 1:07 PM
Indians (Carlos Carrasco - R) at Rays (James Shields - R), 4:10 PM
Giants (Jonathan Sanchez - L) at Brewers (Randy Wolf - L), 4:10 PM
Diamondbacks (Zach Duke - L) at Astros (Bud Norris - R), 7:05 PM
Angels (Jered Weaver - R) at Twins (Francisco Liriano - L), 7:10 PM
Red Sox (Clay Buchholz - R) at Tigers (Andrew Oliver - L), 7:10 PM
Reds (Bronson Arroyo - R) at Braves (Derek Lowe - R), 7:10 PM
Royals (Sean O'Sullivan - R) at Rangers (Matt Harrison - L), 7:10 PM
Phillies (Cole Hamels - L) at Mets (Mike Pelfrey - R), 7:10 PM
Cardinals (Jaime Garcia - L) at Rockies (Juan Nicasio - R), 7:10 PM
Orioles (Brad Bergesen - R) at A's (Josh Outman - L), 10:05 PM
Marlins (Brian Sanches - R) at Dodgers (Hiroki Kuroda - R), 10:10 PM
Yankees (Ivan Nova - R) at Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R), 10:10 PM

Day game after a night game: SD, WAS, CWS, TOR, CLE, TB, SF, MIL

Injuries – A brief look at players who have been missing time with minor ailments and their expected returns

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)
Tim Hudson, SP, ATL - (Back) Feeling better; scheduled to start Monday's game against the Padres
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, CHC - (Hamstring) Returned to the lineup Friday
Carlos Zambrano, SP, CHC - (Neck) Receiving treatment, but not in danger of missing next start
J.D. Drew, OF, BOS - (Hamstring) Could pinch-hit Friday; might rejoin lineup Saturday
Michael Cuddyer, OF, MIN - (Hip) Returned to the lineup Friday
Jeff Keppinger, 2B, HOU - (Foot) Returned to the lineup Friday
R.A. Dickey, SP, NYM - (Foot) MRI revealed partial tear in plantar fascia, but remains day-to-day for now
Wandy Rodriguez, SP, HOU - Scratched from Saturday's start due to an elbow injury
Jose Tabata, OF, PIT - Twisted right ankle during Friday's contest but was able to stay in the game
Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, TOR - Available only on an emergency basis due to toe injury
John McDonald, 2B, TOR - Battling hamstring injury; limited to pinch-hitting duty Friday

Players on the DL
Josh Johnson, SP, FLA - (Shoulder) Hopes to throw bullpen session Saturday and return next week
Buster Posey, C, SF - (Leg) Believes he is likely out for the season
Jason Heyward, OF, ATL - (Shoulder) Underwent second MRI that revealed no structural damage
Andrew Bailey, RP, OAK - (Forearm) Will likely be eased into closer's role upon pending return
Brad Lidge, RP, PHI - (Shoulder) Will throw one inning in an extended spring game Saturday
Kendrys Morales, 1B, LAA - (Ankle) Underwent second surgical procedure Thursday; out until 2012
John Lackey, SP, BOS - (Elbow) Remains on track to make rehab start Tuesday
Magglio Ordonez, OF, DET - (Ankle) Expected to be sent on rehab assignment before returning
Adam Lind, 1B, TOR - (Back) Scheduled extended spring training appearance pushed back to Monday
Brandon Beachy, SP, ATL - (Oblique) Still likely 3-to-4 weeks away from returning
Pedro Alvarez, 3B, PIT - (Quad) Set to begin playing in extended spring games
Brandon Webb, SP, TEX - (Shoulder) Remains on track to make rehab start Monday
Julio Borbon, OF, TEX - (Hamstring) Ran the bases Friday; will likely be sent on rehab assignment next week
Esmil Rogers, SP, COL - (Lat) Threw both Wednesday and Thursday and reported no problems
Mark Teahen, 3B, CWS - (Oblique) Will play the field in a short minor league stint before returning

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

Placed on the DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Homer Bailey, SP, CIN
Orlando Hudson, 2B, SD

Activated from DL
Grady Sizemore, OF, CLE
Nyjer Morgan, OF, MIL
Angel Pagan, OF, NYM
Casey Blake, 3B, LAD
Jeff Keppinger, 2B, HOU

Called Up
Mike Leake, SP, CIN
Eric Young, 2B, COL
Logan Forsythe, 2B, SD
James Hoey, RP, MIN
Dale Thayer, P, NYM
Danny Worth, 2B, DET
Bobby Cramer, P, OAK
Michael Kirkman, P, TEX

Sent Down
Fernando Martinez, OF, NYM
Brett Tomko, P, TEX
Russ Mitchell, 1B, LAD
Mike Rivera, C, MIL
Justin Berg, RP, CHC
Rob Delaney, RP, TB

Designated For Assignment
Jose Lopez, 3B, COL
Robinson Tejeda, P, KC
Robert Coello, P, CHC
Pat Misch, P, NYM

Traded
Felipe Paulino, P - from COL to KC
Scott Sizemore, 2B - from DET to OAK
David Purcey, P - from OAK to DET

Closer Watch – A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (also check out our Closer Grid)

Arizona - WIth J.J. Putz unavailable after pitching four times in the previous five days, David Hernandez picked up the save Thursday by getting the final five outs in the Diamondbacks' victory over the Rockies. Putz has not given up an earned run - and has only allowed eight runners to reach base - in 11 innings this month, so his job is more than safe. Expect Putz to get the ball next time the Diamondbacks are in a save situation.

Chicago (AL) - Sergio Santos pitched a scoreless ninth inning to lock up the White Sox's victory over the Blue Jays Thursday night. Though Santos blew his first save of the season last Friday by giving up four earned run, he has picked up two saves since and has yet to allow a run in any other outing this season. Santos remains the closer on the South Side.

Oakland - Though Grant Balfour entered Thursday's game in a non-save situation, he made things interesting by allowing a three-run home run to Los Angeles' Mark Trumbo that cut the A's lead from four to one. Balfour still picked up the necessary three outs to secure the victory, but A's fans must be clamoring for Andrew Bailey to return. The wait shouldn't be long - Bailey could be back in the bullpen as soon as this weekend.

Recommended Pickup

Jonathan Lucroy, C, MIL - Big offensive numbers were not expected of Lucroy after he hit just .253 with four home runs in 75 games a year ago, but he has provided surprising fantasy production since making his season debut April 13. Lucroy missed the first couple weeks of the season with a broken finger; but since his return he has hit .321 with five home runs and 22 RBI, numbers that make him well worth owning in nearly any format. Lucroy has even picked up the pace a bit of late, hitting .375 over his last 14 games. Fantasy owners looking for a replacement for Buster Posey - and even those looking for some catching help - would be wise to give Lucroy a shot.

Other recent recommendations:Brandon Belt, Mike Minor, Allen Craig, Justin Turner, Josh Outman

Draft Street Competition

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Be sure to come back to RotoWire's Daily Lineup Card on Friday for all the analysis you need to dominate the competition and take home cash on DraftStreet.

Recommended Lineup

C – Brian McCann, ATL ($6,163)
1B – Ryan Howard, PHI ($6,427)
2B – Chase Utley, PHI ($7,513)
3B – Chipper Jones, ATL ($5,342)
SS – Starlin Castro, CHC - ($6,750)
OF – Josh Hamilton, TEX ($9,724)
OF – Ryan Braun, MIL ($9,491)
OF – Andrew McCutchenl, PIT ($7,883)
UTIL – Alfonso Soriano, CHC ($6,102)
UTIL – Bill Hall, HOU ($2,393)
SP – Jordan Zimmermann, WAS ($10,498)
SP – Edwin Jackson, CWS ($10,050)
RP – John Axford, MIL ($3,229)
P – Randy Wolf, MIL ($7,700)

Total: $99,215

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