The Lineup Card: Reyes the Roof

There are no hot or cold pitchers today for several reasons - lack of major league experience, few at-bats by an opposing lineup, no outstanding numbers in either direction - so the games should be interesting.

Projected Starters – A look at Monday's matchups:

Phillies (Kyle Kendrick - R) at Cardinals (Blake Hawksworth - L), 7:05
Brewers (Chris Capuano - L) at Pirates (Jeffrey Karstens - R), 7:05
Rays (Wade Davis - L) at Orioles (Chris Tillman - R), 7:05
Rangers (Scott Feldman - R) at Tigers (Jeremy Bonderman - R), 7:05
Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez - R) at Marlins (Anibal Sanchez - R), 7:10
Nationals (J.D. Martin - R) at Reds (Johnny Cueto - R), 7:10
Astros (Wandy Rodriguez - L) at Cubs (Carlos Silva - R), 8:05
Indians (Aaron Laffey - L) at Twins (Scott Baker - R), 8:10
Blue Jays (Brett Cecil - R) at Royals (Kyle Davies - R), 8:10
Mets (Mike Pelfrey - R) at Diamondbacks (Ian Kennedy - R), 9:40
Red Sox (Daisuke Matsuzaka - R) at A's (Ben Sheets - R), 10:05
Giants (Madison Bumgarner - L) at Dodgers (James McDonald - R), 10:10
White Sox (Dan Hudson - R) at Mariners (David Pauley - R), 10:10

Day game following night game: None

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

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)

Jose Reyes, SS, NYN - (Oblique) Did not play on Sunday. Expected to play on Monday for the first time since July 10
Chris Coghlan, OF, FLA - (Back) Expected to be out at least three days and could be placed on the disabled list
Chipper Jones, 3B, ATL - (Hamstring) Scratched from Sunday's lineup. Remains day-to-day
Jhonny Peralta, 3B, CLE - (Illness) Returned to the lineup on Sunday
James Loney, 1B, LAD - (Hamstring) Did not start on Sunday
Carl Crawford, OF, TB - (Shoulder) Limited to DH duties on Sunday
Ryan Sweeney, OF, OAK - (Knee) Sat out for the third straight day on Sunday. Remains day-to-day
Russell Martin, C, LAD - (Thumb) Did not play on Sunday but is likely to return to the lineup on Monday
James Loney, 1B, LAD - (Hamstring) Did not play on Sunday. His status for Monday's game has yet to be determined
Manny Ramirez, OF, LAD - (Calf) Did not play on Sunday and is unlikely to play on Monday either
Carlos Zambrano, P, CHN - (Suspension) Will pitch a simulated game on Monday
Albert Pujols, 1B, STL - Did not start on Sunday due to a bruised ankle. Expected to return to the lineup on Monday
Roy Oswalt, SP, HOU - Removed from Sunday's game for precautionary reasons with a right ankle contusion
Andy Pettitte, SP, NYA - Removed from Sunday's game with a Grade 1 strain in his left groin. He is headed for the disabled list and is expected to miss at least a month
Andrew McCutchen, OF, PIT - Removed from Sunday's game with a shoulder injury. Status for Monday has yet to be determined
Carlos Quentin, OF, CHA - Removed from Sunday's game with a bruised right hand
Corey Patterson, OF, BAL - Scratched from Sunday's lineup with a bruised left heel. Considered day-to-day
Justin Masterson, SP, CLE - Scheduled start on Sunday pushed back to Tuesday due to an ankle injury

Players on the DL

Josh Beckett, SP, BOS - (Back) On track to return to the rotation on Friday
Mat Latos, SP, SD - (Oblique) Threw a bullpen session on Sunday and is expected to be activated on Saturday
Anthony Reyes, P, CLE - (Elbow) Began a rehab assignment on Saturday
Oliver Perez, P, NYN - (Knee) Nearing a return but will pitch out of the bullpen when activated
Luis Castillo, 2B, NYN - (Foot) Expected to be activated on Monday
Chris Young, SP, SD - (Shoulder) Feeling good during throwing program but still unlikely to return before September
Ramon Hernandez, C, CIN - (Knee) Will not need a rehab assignment but probably will not be activated when eligible on Tuesday. Could return later in the week
Luke Scott, OF, BAL - (Hamstring) Expected to be activated on Monday
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, CLE - (Thumb) Will rehab with Double-A Akron early this week and is on track to return on Friday
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, CLE - (Forearm) Will rehab with Double-A Akron this week and is expected to return on Friday
Maicer Izturis, SS, LAA - (Forearm) Could rejoin the team as early as Tuesday
Casey Crosby, RP, DET - (Elbow) Will miss the rest of the season to rest his arm
Chris Resop, P, ATL - (Oblique) Threw two scoreless innings in a rehab appearance on Saturday
Clay Condrey, RP, MIN - (Elbow) Leaning towards season-ending surgery
Rich Harden, SP, TEX - (Strained glute) Will make at least one more rehab start. Rangers have stated he will need to be more consistent when he returns to maintain a spot in the rotation
Derek Holland, SP, TEX - (Knee/shoulder) Will throw in the bullpen on Tuesday and is on track to begin a rehab assignment on Friday
Todd Wellemeyer, SP, SF - (Quad) Will make a rehab appearance on Monday

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

Activated from DL
Shaun Marcum, SP, TOR

Called Up
Michael Bowden, P, BOS
Jeanmar Gomez, SP, CLE - see 'Sent Down'
Bryan Petersen, OF, FLA
Fernando Salas, RP, STL
Gary Majewski, RP, HOU
Jess Todd, RP, CLE

Sent Down
Jeanmar Gomez, SP, CLE - only needed for a spot start on Sunday and will return to Triple-A
Jon Link, RP, LAD
Evan MacLane, RP, STL

Designated For Assignment
Mike Lamb, 1B, FLA
Nick Green, SS, TOR
Gustavo Molina, C, BOS
Anderson Hernandez, SS, CLE
Casey Daigle, RP, HOU

Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out Dave Regan's Closer Grid with the link to the left).

Chicago (AL) - Bobby Jenks entered Sunday's game in the ninth inning with a three run lead, but he gave up four runs, three earned, and suffered his second loss of the season as the Twins came all the way back for the walk-off victory. Jenks wasn't the only player at fault for the loss - Sergio Santos allowed two baserunners after replacing him and Alex Rios committed a throwing error that allowed the winning run to score - but he probably receives the most blame for allowing the first four Twins that faced him to reach base. Jenks gave up one earned run in all of June, but he has already been scored upon in three of six outings this month. Meanwhile, J.J. Putz has not been scored upon since May 7 and owns a 42:6 K:BB ratio. The White Sox have not made any announcements regarding Jenks' status as the closer, but this situation is definitely one to keep an eye on again.

Los Angeles (NL) - Jonathan Broxton blew his third save of the season in Dodgers' loss to the Cardinals on Sunday. Broxton has given up at least one earned run in four of his last seven outing, but he is about as safe as they come in the closer's role.

New York (NL) - Francisco Rodriguez blew his fifth save of the season by giving up two earned runs in the ninth inning on Sunday, but he remained in the game for the 10th inning and and least picked up the win. Depending on your league, the win may have been more valuable than the save anyways.

San Francisco - Brian Wilson entered the game in the top of the 10th inning and served up what turned out to be the game-winning run on a long double by Ike Davis. The run was the first Wilson has allowed in eight appearances since June 25 and the loss was his first of the season.

Key Matchups – Spotlight on hitters and pitchers with favorable matchups against their opponent on a particular day (generally, individual matchups with fewer than 10 at-bats are not included). **Check Status

Hot

Skip Schumaker v. Kyle Kendrick - 6-for-12 (.500), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.500 OBP) *check lineup
Ryan Braun v. Jeff Karstens - 6-for-13 (.462), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.563 OBP) *career cycle
Michael Young v. Jeremy Bonderman - 7-for-21 (.333), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4:2 BB:K (.440 OBP)
Derrek Lee v. Wandy Rodriguez - 14-for-32 (.438), 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7:6 BB:K (.525 OBP)
Ryan Theriot v. Wandy Rodriguez - 10-for-27 (.370), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (.414 OBP)
Geovany Soto v. Wandy Rodriguez - 4-for-11 (.364), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.462 OBP)
Michael Cuddyer v. Aaron Laffey - 7-for-18 (.389), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 4:1 BB:K (.500 OBP) *career cycle
Joe Mauer v. Aaron Laffey - 8-for-17 (.471), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4:1 BB:K (.571 OBP)
Denard Span v. Aaron Laffey - 6-for-13 (.462), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Travis Hafner v. Scott Baker - 13-for-34 (.382), 4 HR, 7 RBI, 3:6 BB:K (.432 OBP)
Andy Marte v. Scott Baker - 5-for-13 (.385), 3 HR, 6 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.438 OBP) *check lineup
Mark Ellis v. Daisuke Matsuzaka - 5-for-16 (.313), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.353 OBP)
Jack Cust v. Daisuke Matsuzaka - 4-for-12 (.333), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:6 BB:K (.467 OBP)
J.D. Drew v. Ben Sheets - 10-for-34 (.294), 4 HR, 7 RBI, 3:9 BB:K (.368 OBP)

Cold

Felipe Lopez v. Kyle Kendrick - 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Ronny Cedeno v. Chris Capuano - 2-for-15 (.133), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.133 OBP)
Corey Hart v. Jeff Karstens - 2-for-16 (.125), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.176 OBP)
Vladimir Guerrero v. Jeremy Bonderman - 5-for-24 (.208), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2:10 BB:K (.296 OBP)
Aramis Ramirez v. Wandy Rodriguez - 8-for-32 (.250), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:5 BB:K (.273 OBP)
Alfonso Soriano v. Wandy Rodriguez - 1-for-20 (.050), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:8 BB:K (.174 OBP)
Jason Kubel v. Aaron Laffey - 4-for-18 (.222), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:5 BB:K (.263 OBP)
Nick Punto v. Aaron Laffey - 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.308 OBP)
Jose Bautista v. Kyle Davies - 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Kelly Johnson v. Mike Pelfrey - 4-for-20 (.200), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3:4 BB:K (.280 OBP)
Ryan Sweeney v. Daisuke Matsuzaka - 3-for-13 (.231), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.231 OBP)
Adrian Beltre v. Ben Sheets - 4-for-18 (.222), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:5 BB:K (.300 OBP)

The Middle Man

Prince Fielder v. Jeff Karstens - 2-for-12 (.167), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4:3 BB:K (.375 OBP) - poor average but .958 OPS
Rickie Weeks v. Jeff Karstens - 2-for-15 (.133), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.133 OBP) - boom or bust against the Pittsburgh starter

Recommended Pickup

Yunel Escobar, SS, TOR - I considered putting Escobar here when I filled out Saturday's card, but I went with Vicente Padilla instead because my recommendation for Escobar would have been purely speculative based on the powerful Blue Jays offense, his new surroundings, and the lack of quality shortstop options in fantasy baseball. The previous reasons still apply, but now I have some stats to back up the selection. Escobar went 3-for-4, hit a grand slam, and drove in five runs on Sunday; and he has already reached base seven times in three games since the trade from Atlanta. He is batting in the two hole in the Blue Jays' order, so he'll have a good chance to score a lot of runs considering the Jays propensity for hitting lots o' bombs. And, while Escobar hit just .238 this season in Atlanta and had some letdowns in the field, he will get a fresh start in Toronto and will play every day. Escobar hit at least .288 in each of his previous three seasons and has increased his home run total each of the last two years, so it's clear he's a much better offensive player than he's shown this season. Lastly, considering the fact that only a handful of shortstops have remained healthy and productive this season, it's probably worth taking a chance on a guy who was a top 10 fantasy shortstop as recently as last year. Escobar is available in over half of all leagues on ESPN and Yahoo!, so give him a shot if you have been struggling to fill your shortstop position. I wish I would have went out on a limb on Saturday so today's numbers would have counted in your league; but hey, at least Padilla pitched six innings of scoreless baseball on Sunday and gave up just one hit.

Other Recent Recommendations:Chris Perez, Vicente Padilla, Edinson Volquez, Chris Iannetta, Chris Davis