This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
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Projected Starters – A look at Saturday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Reds (Bronson Arroyo - R) at Cubs (Casey Coleman - R), 1:10 PM
Twins (Brian Duensing - L) at Red Sox (Clay Buchholz - R), 1:10 PM
Rays (Jeremy Hellickson - R) at Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie - R), 1:10 PM
Tigers (Justin Verlander - R) at Blue Jays (Ricky Romero - L), 4:07 PM
Brewers (Yovani Gallardo - R) at Cardinals (Kyle Lohse - R), 4:10 PM
Braves (Julio Teheran - R) at Phillies (Kyle Kendrick - R), 7:05 PM
Astros (Bud Norris - R) at Pirates (Charlie Morton - R), 7:05 PM
Dodgers (Jon Garland - R) at Mets (Chris Young - R), 7:10 PM
A's (Brandon McCarthy - R) at Royals (Luke Hochevar- R), 7:10 PM
Nationals (Tom Gorzelanny - L) at Marlins (Chris Volstad - R), 7:10 PM
Yankees (Bartolo Colon - R) at Rangers (Derek Holland - L), 8:05
Diamondbacks (Daniel Hudson - R) at Padres (Dustin Moseley - R), 8:35 PM
Indians (Alex White - R) at Angels (Jered Weaver - R), 9:05 PM
Rockies (Jhoulys Chacin - R) at Giants (Madison Bumgarner - L), 9:05 PM
Whtie Sox (Gavin Floyd - R) at Mariners (Doug Fister - R), 10:10 PM
Day game after a night game: MIN, BOS, TB, BAL, DET, TOR, MIL, STL
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)
Roy Oswalt, SP, PHI - (Back) Won't start Saturday; could be placed on disabled list
Andre Ethier, OF, LAD - (Elbow) Returned to the lineup Friday
Derek Jeter, SS, NYY - (Hip) Returned to the lineup Friday
Kevin Youkilis, 3B, BOS - (Wrist) Started Friday despite suffering apparent minor injury Thursday
Nelson Cruz, OF, TEX - (Quad) Did not start Friday' remains day-to-day
Jose Tabata, OF, PIT - (Hamstring) Returned to the lineup Friday
Pedro Alvarez, 3B, PIT - (Quad) Did not start Friday; remains day-to-day
Luke Scott, DH, BAL - (Shoulder) In the lineup Friday, but will undergo MRI Monday
Mike Morse, OF, WAS - (Knee) Did not start again Friday; remains day-to-day
Rick Ankiel, OF, WAS - (Wrist) Did not start Friday and could miss a couple more games
Nick Swisher, OF, NYY - Scratched from Friday's lineup due to an illness
Alexi Ogando, P, TEX - Dealing with blister again and could be skipped Sunday
Players on the DL
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI - (Knee) Will play in extended spring training game Saturday
Jonathan Broxton, RP, LAD - (Elbow) Will not throw for 2-to-3 weeks
Andrew Bailey, RP, OAK - (Forearm) Will throw again Saturday
Jake Peavy, SP, CWS - (Shoulder) Threw seven innings in rehab start Thursday; will likely return next week
Aaron Hill, 2B, TOR - (Hamstring) On track to return Sunday
Angel Pagan, OF, NYM - (Oblique) Suffered setback Thursday; likely out a couple more weeks
Andres Torres, OF, SF - (Achilles) Not yet ready to return to the major league roster
Logan Morrison, OF, FLA - (Foot) Now targeting May 13 return
Nyjer Morgan, OF, MIL - (Finger) Believes he will return around shorter end of 2-to-4 week estimate
Randy Wells, SP, CHC - (Forearm) Threw side session Friday
Andrew Cashner, SP, CHC - (Shoulder) Threw side session Friday
Tsuyoshi Nishioka, 2B, MIN - (Leg) Still several weeks away from returning
Tommy Hunter, P, TEX - (Groin) Will likely make two more rehab starts before returning
Ross Ohlendorf, SP, PIT - (Shoulder) Threw batting practice Friday but still not ready for rehab assignment
Mitch Talbot, P, CLE - (Elbow) Threw bullpen session Friday
Adam Rosales, 2B, OAK - (Foot) Took batting practice earlier in the week
Bobby Parnell, RP, NYM - (Finger) Will pitch in extended spring game Saturday
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)
Jonathan Broxton, RP, LAD
Jeff Niemann, SP, TB
Nyjer Morgan, OF, MIL
Eric Chavez, 3B, NYY
Nick Hundley, C, SD
Jarrett Hoffpauir, 3B, SD - transferred to 60-day DL
Activated from DL
Neftali Feliz, RP, TEX
Called Up
Brandon Guyer, OF, TB
Kenley Jansen, RP, LAD
Brandon Boggs, OF, MIL
Alfredo Aceves, RP, BOS
Ramiro Pena, 3B, NYY
Rene Rivera, C, MIN
Kyle Phillips, C, SD
Sent Down
Taylor Teagarden, C, TEX
Scott Atchison, RP, BOS
Designated For Assignment
Kevin Russo, OF, NYY
Claimed off Waivers
Jess Todd, P, NYY - optioned to Triple-A
Closer Watch – A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (also check out our Closer Grid)
Atlanta - Craig Kimbrel pitched a perfect ninth inning Thursday to pick up his first save since April 23. Kimbrel struggled a bit in late May, but he still sports a 1.98 ERA and 19:5 K:BB ratio over 14 appearances.
Cleveland - Chris Perez picked up the save Thursday despite allowing at least one run for the fourth time in seven appearances. Perez has struggled a bit of late, but he has blown just one save this season and is by far the Indians' best option in the ninth-inning role.
St. Louis - Five different relievers have picked up a save for the Cardinals this season, but Eduardo Sanchez has jumped to the top of the list of late. Sanchez recorded the save Tuesday, and despite giving up a two-run home run in the ninth inning to lose Wednesday's game, he got the ball in the ninth again Thursday and closed the door despite issuing two walks. It's not clear how long Sanchez will hold the closer's role, but he it appears it's his for the time being.
Key Matchups
Hot
Marlon Byrd v. Bronson Arroyo - 5-for-16 (.313), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0:5 BB:K (.875 OPS)
B.J. Upton v. Jeremy Guthrie - 10-for-33 (.303), 1 HR, 9 RBI, 5:9 BB:K (.869 OPS)
Reid Brignac v. Jeremy Guthrie - 5-for-13 (.385), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (1.198 OPS)
Casey Kotchman v. Jeremy Guthrie - 6-for-14 (.429), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (1.214 OPS)
Adam Lind v. Justin Verlander - 4-for-12 (.333), 2 HR, 7 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (1.190 OPS)
Jose Bautista v. Justin Verlander - 3-for-10 (.300), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (1.164 OPS)
Victor Martinez v. Ricky Romero - 8-for-21 (.381), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.790 OPS)
Miguel Cabrera v. Ricky Romero - 5-for-11 (.455), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (1.084 OPS)
Albert Pujols v. Yovani Gallardo - 6-for-16 (.375), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4:3 BB:K (1.101 OPS)
Yadier Molina v. Yovani Gallardo - 4-for-13 (.308), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4:2 BB:K (1.192 OPS)
Ryan Theriot v. Yovani Gallardo - 5-for-13 (.385), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:3 BB:K (.962 OPS)
Colby Rasmus v. Yovani Gallardo - 4-for-11 (.364), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3:4 BB:K (1.136 OPS)
Craig Counsell v. Kyle Lohse - 11-for-24 (.458), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (1.188 OPS) *career cycle
Ryan Braun v. Kyle Lohse - 8-for-20 (.400), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (1.129 OPS)
Brian McCann v. Kyle Kendrick - 7-for-23 (.304), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4:0 BB:K (.886 OPS)
Chipper Jones v. Kyle Kendrick - 7-for-18 (.389), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (1.365 OPS)
Nate McLouth v. Kyle Kendrick - 4-for-14 (.286), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (1.089 OPS)
Garrett Jones v. Bud Norris - 3-for-11 (.273), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (1.112 OPS)
Carlos Lee v. Charlie Morton - 4-for-11 (.364), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.818 OPS)
Carlos Beltran v. Jon Garland - 11-for-37 (.297), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 8:6 BB:K (.975 OPS)
Andre Ethier v. Chris Young - 12-for-29 (.414), 6 HR, 10 RBI, 5:4 BB:K (1.603 OPS)
James Loney v. Chris Young - 6-for-17 (.353), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.892 OPS)
Matt Kemp v. Chris Young - 5-for-15 (.333), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:5 BB:K (.908 OPS)
Dioner Navarro v. Chris Young - 4-for-4 (1.000), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (2.750 OPS)
Melky Cabrera v. Brandon McCarthy - 3-for-5 (.600), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (2.600 OPS)
Ian Desmond v. Chris Volstad - 9-for-15 (.600), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (1.588 OPS)
Adrian Beltre v. Bartolo Colon - 16-for-48 (.333), 4 HR, 13 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (1.048 OPS)
Derek Jeter v. Derek Holland - 4-for-10 (.400), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.955 OPS)
Mark Teixeira v. Derek Holland - 4-for-10 (.400), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (1.364 OPS)
Robinson Cano v. Derek Holland - 3-for-10 (.300), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (1.000 OPS)
Shin-Soo Choo v. Jered Weaver - 10-for-22 (.455), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (1.136 OPS)
Grady Sizemore v. Jered Weaver - 6-for-23 (.261), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 1:5 BB:K (.857 OPS)
Aubrey Huff v. Jhoulys Chacin - 2-for-9 (.222), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (1.111 OPS)
Carlos Gonzalez v. Madison Bumgarner - 3-for-8 (.375), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (1.750 OPS)
Ichiro Suzuki v. Gain Floyd - 9-for-25 (.360), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.869 OPS)
Bronson Arroyo v. Cubs - Though Arroyo is just 9-7 against Chicago in his career, he has posted a 2.80 ERA and 1.09 WHIP against them in 22 career appearances, 20 of them starts. Current Cubs have combined to hit just .194./.238/.303 against Arroyo in 214 plate appearances, so even though he is not guaranteed to get the win, it's unlikely he will get hit hard.
Cold
Aramis Ramirez v. Bronson Arroyo - 9-for-45 (.200), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4:4 BB:K (.554 OPS)
Alfonso Soriano v. Bronson Arroyo - 8-for-42 (.190), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:13 BB:K (.603 OPS)
Kosuke Fukudome v. Bronson Arroyo - 3-for-19 (.158), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.516 OPS)
Reed Johnson v. Bronson Arroyo - 3-for-15 (.200), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.450 OPS)
Evan Longoria v. Jeremy Guthrie - 4-for-23 (.174), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0:5 BB:K (.428 OPS)
Juan Rivera v. Justin Verlander - 0-for-10 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.091 OPS)
Ryan Raburn v. Ricky Romero - 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.200 OPS)
Corey Hart v. Kyle Lohse - 1-for-12 (.083), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.167 OPS)
David Wright v. Jon Garland - 1-for-13 (.077), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.154 OPS)
Juan Uribe v. Chris Young - 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.523 OPS)
Jayson Werth v. Chris Volstad - 1-for-22 (.045), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:7 BB:K (.132 OPS)
Travis Hafner v. Jered Weaver - 1-for-21 (.048), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.262 OPS)
Asdrubal Cabrera v. Jered Weaver - 3-for-19 (.158), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.421 OPS)
Jack Hannahan v. Jered Weaver - 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.273 OPS)
Yovani Gallardo v. Cardinals - Gallardo has really struggled over his last several starts, and things won't get any easier for him Saturday. Several Cardinals have hit Gallardo hard (see above), and he is 0-4 with a 5.63 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in seven starts against them in his career.
Chris Young v. Dodgers - Young has allowed just five earned runs in 24.0 innings this season (1.87 ERA), but he will have his work cut out for him Saturday. The Dodgers saw Young a lot when he pitched for San Diego, and the team's best two hitters - Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp - have hit him hard. He will have to navigate the middle of the Dodgers' lineup if he hopes for another strong outing Saturday.
Recommended Pickup
Eric Hosmer, 1B, KC - Hosmer was called up by the Royals on Thursday and will take over as the team's primary first baseman. He is long gone in keeper leagues - and probably most AL-only leagues as well - but given his pedigree and minor league numbers, those in redraft/mixed leagues should consider adding him as well. Hosmer, who entered this season as the eighth-rated player in Baseball America's Top 100 prospect list, has posted an .886 OPS in his minor league career. He has been even better this season, hitting a sizzling .439 with three home runs and 15 RBI in 26 games with Triple-A Omaha - numbers that helped him achieve a 1.107 OPS. It remains to be seen if Hosmer will be able to match the home run production of his first-base counterparts, but he should provide a .300+ batting average and will get consistent at-bats. Those in standard leagues in need of offense should look no further.
Other recent recommendations:Josh Tomlin, Mark Melancon, Tom Gorzelanny, Justin Smoak, Michael Brantley
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C – Brian McCann, ATL ($5,013)
1B – Mark Teixeira, NYY ($8,751)
2B – Robinson Cano, NYY ($8,940)
3B – Chipper Jones, ATL ($8,435)
SS – Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL ($6.795)
OF – Ryan Braun, MIL ($9,065)
OF – Andrew McCutchen, PIT ($6,140)
OF – Carlos Beltran, NYM ($7,733)
UTIL – Adrian Gonzalez, BOS($7,392)
UTIL – Reid Brignac, TB ($3,166)
SP – Bronson Arroyo, CIN ($9,299)
SP – Charlie Morton, PIT ($6,931)
RP – Francisco Cordero, CIN ($1,877)
P – Chris Young, NYM ($10,451)
Total: $99,988
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