Thursday Lineup Card: Safety Valve

Thursday Lineup Card: Safety Valve

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.


Projected Starters - A look at Monday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Cardinals (Lance Lynn – R) at Reds (Homer Bailey – R), 12:35
Cubs (Jason Hammel – R) at Pirates (Wandy Rodriguez – L), 12:35
Rockies (Juan Nicasio – R) at Marlins (Jacob Turner – R), 12:40
Royals (Yordano Ventura – R) at Tigers (Anibal Sanchez – R), 1:08
Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann – R) at Mets (Zack Wheeler – R), 1:10
Twins (Phil Hughes – R) at White Sox (Jose Quintana – L), 2:10
Giants (Tim Lincecum – R) at Diamondbacks (Bronson Arroyo – R), 3:40
Red Sox (Felix Doubront – L) at Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen – L), 7:05
Blue Jays (Brandon Morrow – R) at Rays (Chris Archer – R), 7:10
Yankees (Ivan Nova – R) at Astros (Brett Oberholtzer – L), 8:10
Mariners (Roenis Elias – L) at Athletics (Jesse Chavez – R), 10:05

Day Game After Night Game: STL/CIN, CHC/PIT, COL/FLA, WAS/NYM, SF/AZ

Injuries

Day-to-Day
David DeJesus, OF, TB – (Foot) Hopes to be in Thursday's lineup.
Brian Duensing, P, MIN – (Personal) Should be back from paternity leave Thursday.
Casey Fien, P, MIN – (Ankle) Bruised ankle by batted ball Wednesday, limped off field.
Jason Giambi, DH, CLE – (Ribs) May have to go on rehab since Indians have skipped batting practice in rainy Oakland.
Conor Gillaspie, 3B, CHW – (Illness) Out of Wednesday's lineup.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL – (Illness) Left Wednesday's game with dizziness, thinks he was dehydrated and can start Thursday.
Tim Lincecum, P, SF – (Illness) Says he will make Thursday's start.
Chris Young, OF, NYM – (Quadriceps) Left Wednesday's game with tightness.

Players on the DL
Mike Adams, P, PHI – (Shoulder) Will begin rehab at Triple-A Thursday.
Josh Beckett, P, LAD – (Thumb) Will make minor league rehab start Friday.
Engel Beltre, OF, TEX – (Leg) Out at least 10 weeks after surgery.
Jonathan Broxton, P, CIN – (Elbow) Could be activated next week, closer role awaits?
Sean Burnett, P, LAA – (Elbow) Continuing with bullpen sessions.
Louis Coleman, P, KC – (Finger) Was to throw bullpen session Wednesday.
Jesse Crain, P, HOU – (Biceps) Could be back in early-May.
Yu Darvish, P, TEX – (Neck) Slated to start Sunday.
Erik Davis, P, WAS – (Elbow) Had Tommy John surgery.
Dane De La Rosa, P, LAA – (Forearm) Threw simulated game, will head to rehab at Double-A.
Doug Fister, P, WAS – (Back) Will resume throwing program but out most or all of April.
Craig Gentry, OF, OAK – (Back) On paternity leave, likely headed for minors when activated.
Cole Hamels, P, PHI – (Biceps) First rehab start will be Sunday at High-A.
Matt Harrison, P, TEX – (Back) Will begin rehab at Double-A Thursday.
Derek Holland, P, TEX – (Knee) Threw for first time since surgery Wednesday, out until June.
Dan Hudson, P, AZ – (Elbow) Plan is for Hudson to be a reliever when he returns this summer.
Hisashi Iwakuma, P, SEA – (Finger) Probably a week from throwing bullpen session.
Daniel Murphy, 2B, NYM – (Personal) On paternity list Wednesday, should rejoin team Thursday.
Jose Oviedo, P, TB – (General Soreness) Could begin rehab this weekend and be activated in middle of the month.
Bobby Parnell, P, NYM – (Elbow) Will be evaluated over next six weeks to determine if he can try to come back or if Tommy John is necessary.
Troy Patton, P, BAL (Suspension) Will pitch in extended spring training Monday.
Francisco Peguero, OF, BAL – (Wrist) Will try to strengthen wrist after having cast removed.
Stephen Pryor, P, SEA – (Back) Started rehab at Double-A.
Wilson Ramos, C, WAS – (Wrist) Will miss four-to-five weeks after surgery Wednesday.
Nolan Reimold, OF, BAL – (Neck) Set to play in extended spring training games.
Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI – (Personal) Away for birth of child, could be away from team until Monday.
Fernando Rodriguez, P, OAK – (Elbow) Began rehab at Triple-A.
Taijuan Walker, P, SEA – (Shoulder) Began rehab Wednesday at High-A.
Joe Wieland, P, SD – (Elbow) Cleared spot on 40-man by moving to 60-day DL.
Brian Wilson, P, LAD – (Elbow) Placed on DL after getting hit hard Sunday.

Placed on the DL
Tyler Chatwood, P, COL
Daniel Murphy, 2B, NYM – paternity list
Bobby Parnell, P, NYM
Wilson Ramos, C, WAS
Joe Weiland, P, SD – transferred to 60-day DL
Brian Wilson, P, LAD

Activated from the DL
None

Called Up
Jose Dominguez, P, LAD
Kyle Farnsworth, P, NYM
Wilmer Flores, 2B, NYM
C.C. Lee, P, CLE
Sandy Leon, C, WAS
Josh Lindblom, P, OAK
Jordan Lyles, P, COL

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Brian Bogusevic, OF, MIA
Carlos Peguero, OF, KC
Ryan Reid, P, NYM

Traded/Signed/Claimed
Mitchell Boggs, signed by CWS to minor league contract
Michael Brady, P, claimed by LAA from MIA and optioned to minors
Juan Francisco, signed by TOR to minor league contract
Bobby LaFromboise, P, claimed by SD from SEA and optioned to minors
Carlos Triunfel, SS, claimed by LAD from SEA and optioned to minors

Closer Watch
Chicago Cubs – Newly anointed Cubs closer Jose Veras blew his first opportunity by allowing a run on a hit and two walks Wednesday. Pedro Strop delivered a good inning and threw 11 of 15 pitches for a strike. Veras is not worthy of an extended opportunity if he cannot right the ship quickly.

Colorado – Were you one of those wondering if LaTroy Hawkins could hold on to a closing job? Hawkins was shaky, allowing a run on two hits and a walk Wednesday, but he still managed to bag his first save opportunity.

Minnesota – Glen Perkins gave up two runs on three hits and a walk as the White Sox tied Wednesday's game in the ninth. While setting up in the eighth, Burton threw 11 of 12 pitches for a strike. The only one that wasn't a strike was served up as a home run to Adam Dunn.

Philadelphia – Blown saves were abound Wednesday, but perhaps none was worse that Jonathan Papelbon's. He retired just one batter and allowed three runs on four hits and two walks as the Rangers walked off for a win. The Phillies will give Papelbon a much longer lease than just one game.

Pittsburgh – How often did Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli squander leads last lear? Not very often. Each pitcher allowed a run to the Cubs Wednesday to send the game to extras. It is too early for Pittsburgh to think about making a move with Grilli, especially when Melancon was not much better.

Toronto – Don't read too much into this one. Brett Cecil earned a save due to a lefty-lefty matchup after Mark Buehrle could not complete the game. Sergio Santos should be in line for most saves.

Hot Batter Matchups – April 3, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
M. HollidayOFSTL @ CIN
12:35PM
H. Bailey251152627.440.481.8401.321
J. JayOFSTL @ CIN
12:35PM
H. Bailey14530110.357.400.6431.043
Y. MolinaCSTL @ CIN
12:35PM
H. Bailey16642310.375.412.8751.287
P. Goldschmidt1BARI vs SF
3:40PM
T. Lincecum148651024.571.5881.7142.303
A. Hill2BARI vs SF
3:40PM
T. Lincecum13740233.538.625.8461.471
H. PenceOFSF @ ARI
3:40PM
B. Arroyo351272534.343.395.6861.080
C. Davis1BBAL vs BOS
7:05PM
F. Doubront10521200.500.545.9001.445
D. JenningsOFTB vs TOR
7:10PM
B. Morrow13754440.538.6471.5382.186
S. RodriguezSSTB vs TOR
7:10PM
B. Morrow14532656.357.500.8571.357
Hot Pitcher Matchups – April 3, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Anibal SanchezDET vs KC
1:08PM
7316215213.219.240.271.511
Cold Batter Matchups – April 3, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
S. CastroSSCHC @ PIT
12:35PM
W. Rodriguez19400030.211.318.211.529
T. Ishikawa1BPIT vs CHC
12:35PM
J. Hammel14200003.143.143.143.286
O. Infante2BKC @ DET
1:08PM
A. Sanchez18300213.167.211.167.377
A. RamirezSSCWS vs MIN
2:10PM
P. Hughes11100011.091.167.091.258
M. MonteroCARI vs SF
3:40PM
T. Lincecum509402312.180.226.260.486
C. PenningtonSSARI vs SF
3:40PM
T. Lincecum13110005.077.077.231.308
A. JonesOFBAL vs BOS
7:05PM
F. Doubront12200006.167.167.167.333
M. WietersCBAL vs BOS
7:05PM
F. Doubront10000017.000.091.000.091
B. Zobrist2BTB vs TOR
7:10PM
B. Morrow304212511.133.257.267.524
Cold Pitcher Matchups – April 3, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Homer BaileyCIN vs STL
12:35PM
772913512612.377.422.6981.120
Bronson ArroyoARI vs SF
3:40PM
92281341178.304.359.557.915
Brandon MorrowTOR @ TB
7:10PM
130351811242132.269.370.599.969

Recommended Pickup
Jose Valverde, P, Mets – The news is not good for Bobby Parnell. It seems rare that pitchers with elbow ailments such as is as able to return without having Tommy John surgery. Parnell will miss six weeks at the minimum just to be evaluated. That opens the door for Valverde, who retired four batters in a row, including three on strikeouts on Opening Day.

Other Recent Recommendations:Francisco Rodriguez, Grady Sizemore, Oswaldo Arcia

DraftStreet Value Picks
P: Jacob Turner ($9,130)
C: Jason Castro (5,532)
1B: Mike Napoli ($5,460)
2B: Emilio Bonifacio ($3,616)
3B: Evan Longoria ($6,143)
SS: Starlin Castro ($4,856)
OF: Dexter Fowler ($4,907)

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The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anthony Tynan
Anthony Tynan writes about fantasy sports for RotoWire
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