Thursday Lineup Card: The Good, the Bad, and the Uggla

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

Projected Starters - A look at Thursday's matchups (all times Eastern)

Rays (Roberto Hernandez - R) at Tigers (Max Scherzer - R), 1:08
Orioles (Miguel Gonzalez - R) at Astros (Bud Norris - R), 2:10
Mets (Shaun Marcum - R) at Nationals (Gio Gonzalez - L), 7:05
Rangers (Derek Holland - L) at Red Sox (Jon Lester - L), 7:10
Diamondbacks (Ian Kennedy - R) at Cardinals (Shelby Miller - R), 7:15
Athletics (Dan Straily - R) at White Sox (Jose Quintana - L), 8:10
Twins (Mike Pelfrey - R) at Royals (Wade Davis - R), 8:10
Phillies (Tyler Cloyd - R) at Brewers (Wily Peralta - R), 8:10
Padres (Andrew Cashner - R) at Rockies (Jhoulys Chacin - R), 8:40
Braves (Tim Hudson - R) at Dodgers (Zack Greinke - R), 10:10
Yankees (Phil Hughes - R) at Mariners (Aaron Harang - R), 10:10

Day Game After Night Game: TB, DET, BAL, HOU

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Yonder Alonso, 1B, SD (Hand) - Out for a fifth consecutive game Wednesday due to a bruised hand but unlikely to land on the disabled list.
Tyler Chatwood, P, COL (Triceps) - A recent MRI revealed a mild hyperextension in his right triceps.
Chris Coghlan, OF, MIA (Calf) - Did not play Wednesday due to a sore calf.
Mark Ellis, 2B, LAD (Groin) - Missed Wednesday's outing but will continue to play through his sore groin.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, BOS (Groin) - Intends to return to the lineup Thursday, after taking batting practice Wednesday and feeling much improvement with his groin.
Dexter Fowler, OF, COL (Illness) - Held out of the lineup Wednesday due to an illness.
Matt Guerrier, P, LAD (Thumb) - Sustained a bruised right thumb after he was hit by a line drive Tuesday, but X-rays were returned negative, and he may avoid a DL stint.
Kelly Johnson, 2B, TB (Back) - Scratched Wednesday due to tightness in his back.
Ted Lilly, P, LAD (Neck) - Dealing with a stiff neck, after allowing five runs (four earned) in four innings Tuesday.
Mitch Moreland, 1B, TEX (Hamstring) - Will return to Texas (from Boston) on Thursday in order to have an MRI on his hamstring.
Jon Niese, P, NYM (Shoulder) - Felt good following a throwing session Wednesday and is slated to make his upcoming start Saturday.
Angel Pagan, OF, SF (Hamstring) - Missed Wednesday's game due to a hamstring injury and has not played since May 25.
Jake Peavy, P, CHW (Ribs) - An MRI on Wednesday revealed a non-displaced rib fracture, which will keep him out for 4-to-6 weeks.
Brandon Phillips, 2B, CIN (Forearm) - Held out of the lineup Wednesday but should return for Friday's game.
Wandy Rodriguez, P, PIT (Forearm) - Left Wednesday's start in the first inning due to a tight left forearm.
Jesus Sucre, C, SEA (Hand) - Suffered a hand injury Tuesday and will sit out the next 3-to-4 days.

Players on the DL
Brandon Beachy, P, ATL (Elbow) - Struggled to loosen up during a rehab start Monday at Double-A Mississippi.
Josh Beckett, P, LAD (Finger) - Shut down for four weeks due to nerve irritation in his right hand and arm, and will have surgery, if rehab doesn't work.
Wilson Betemit, 3B, BAL (Knee) - Recovering more slowly than expected and has no timetable for a return.
Peter Bourjos, OF, LAA (Hamstring) - Expects to be activated from the disabled list Monday.
Sean Burnett, P, LAA (Elbow) - Nearly ready to toss a bullpen session and expected to avoid a rehab assignment.
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, CLE (Quadriceps) - Could be sidelined for 3-to-4 weeks when considering similar quadriceps injuries.
Chris Capuano, P, LAD (Triceps) - Will resume throwing Thursday and expects to spend the minimum 15 days on the disabled list.
Chris Carpenter, P, STL (Shoulder) - Will toss live batting practice for the second time Thursday.
Wei-Yin Chen, P, BAL (Oblique) - Able to fit in a side session Tuesday but has no timetable for a return.
Ross Detwiler, P, WAS (Oblique) - Completed a successful bullpen session Wednesday but will not start Saturday for the injured Stephen Strasburg (oblique).
Danny Duffy, P, KC (Elbow) - Moving up his rehabilitation from Double-A Northwest Arkansas to Triple-A Omaha, where he will make his next nod Monday.
Scott Elbert, P, LAD (Elbow) - Suffered a complete tear of the UCL in his left elbow and will have season-ending Tommy John surgery performed next week.
Nathan Eovaldi, P, MIA (Shoulder) - Expected to make another rehab start at Double-A Jacksonville, at which point the Marlins may activate him from the DL.
Danny Espinosa, 2B, WAS (Wrist) - Paid a visit Wednesday to a hand specialist in Baltimore.
Jeurys Familia, P, NYN (Forearm) - May not play again this season, as he recovers from surgery to remove bone spurs in his right elbow.
Roy Halladay, P, PHI (Shoulder) - Stated Wednesday that he's pleased with his recovery from shoulder surgery but has no timetable for a return.
Chris Heisey, OF, CIN (Hamstring) - Starting a rehab assignment Friday at Triple-A Louisville.
Jim Henderson, P, MIL (Hamstring) - Scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Low-A Wisconsin on Friday.
Aaron Hill, 2B, ARI (Hand) - Has fit in two days each of hitting off a tee and via soft toss.
Dan Hudson, P, ARI (Elbow) - Was removed from a rehab start Tuesday after two innings at Double-A Mobile due to elbow stiffness.
Matt Kemp, OF, LAD (Hamstring) - Will embark upon a rehab assignment before returning to the Dodgers.
Ian Kinsler, 2B, TEX (Ribs) - Has displayed improved mobility but has yet to begin swinging a bat.
John Lannan, P, PHI (Knee) - Either pitching at extended spring training or starting a rehab assignment Thursday.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR (Ankle) - Has experienced no noticeable improvement with his sore left ankle, after residing on the DL for a week.
Brandon McCarthy, P, ARI (Shoulder) - Had an MRI performed on his right shoulder that confirmed no structural damage.
James McDonald, P, PIT (Shoulder) - In line to make his next rehab start Thursday at Triple-A Indianapolis.
Brett Myers, P, CLE (Elbow) - Could be cleared to continue throwing this weekend.
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, BOS (Back) - May not be activated from the disabled list when eligible this weekend, if his rehab assignment doesn't go well.
Charlie Morton, P, PIT (Elbow) - Expected to start Saturday at Triple-A Indianapolis.
Chris Narveson, P, MIL (Finger) - Lasted just two innings during a rehab start Tuesday at Triple-A Nashville in which he gave up six runs.
David Price, P, TB (Triceps) - Slated to toss a bullpen session Friday.
Wilson Ramos, C, WAS (Hamstring) - Will resume baseball activities Thursday at extended spring training.
Jose Reyes, SS, TOR (Ankle) - Is progressing in his recovery and may start a rehab assignment in two weeks.
Eric Surkamp, P, SF (Elbow) - Made a rehab start Wednesday at Triple-A San Jose.
Jose Tabata, OF, PIT (Oblique) - Unlikely to be activated from the 15-day DL when he's first eligible Saturday, as he has yet to begin a rehab assignment.
Shane Victorino, OF, BOS (Hamstring) - Will begin a rehab assignment Thursday, which should last 3-to-4 games.
Jake Westbrook, P, STL (Elbow) - Slated to make a second rehab start Sunday at Low-A Peoria.

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)
Johnny Cueto, P, CIN
Marco Estrada, P, MIL
Franklin Gutierrez, OF, SEA (Transferred to 60-day DL)
Stephen Strasburg, P, WAS

Activated from DL
Alexi Ogando, P, TEX
Taylor Teagarden, C, BAL

Called Up
Brandon Bantz, C, SEA
Maikel Cleto, P, STL
Tyler Thornburg, P, MIL
Pedro Villarreal, P, CIN

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Victor Marte, P, STL
Joe Ortiz, P, TEX
Eric Smith, P, ARI
Carlos Triunfel, 2B, SEA

Designated for Assignment
Chris Snyder, C, BAL

Signed
Caleb Brewer, P, MIN
Ryan Buch, P, COL
Enrique De Los Rio, P, CHC
Jesus Flores, C, TB
Salvador Jerez, P, CHC
Paddy Matera, IF, CLE
Anderson Placido, P, ARI

Closer Watch

Marlins - Steve Cishek, Miami's closer, amazingly received just his first save opportunity since May 10 on Tuesday, only to blow it immediately by surrendering a leadoff homer in the 10th inning against Philadelphia. He quickly induced two groundouts, but a subsequent walk forced him from the game, as he collected his second blown save (in a measly seven chances) in 2013. In actuality, he is not in danger of losing the late-inning gig, mostly due to a dearth of quality relievers in the Marlins' organization, but Cishek could stand to hone in his control. Since his last successful save, he holds a 4.50 ERA and 5:7 K:BB ratio in 10 frames, which leaves much to be desired.

Mets - Yet another closer was roughed up Tuesday: the Mets' Bobby Parnell. Entering the bottom of the ninth inning with a 2-1 advantage at Washington, he showed little regard for the situation, considering Ryan Zimmerman promptly doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch. The next batter knocked him home, a double left runners on second and third, and an intentional walk soon juiced the bases. When Parnell finally achieved an out, his left fielder, Mike Baxter, was so out of position that the throw home had no chance of nabbing the Nationals' Adam LaRoche, sending the locals home happy with a walkoff victory. Overall, though, Parnell has total job security, despite the occasional strife, having racked up four wins, nine saves, and a 23:8 K:BB ratio in 24.2 innings this year.

Dan Uggla, 2B, ATL - On the season, Uggla has been nasty at the plate, and not in a friendly sense. In 184 at-bats, he carries a .179/.309/.375 slash line with 10 homers, 21 RBI, and 30 runs scored. Only one aspect of the preceding is desirable -- the long balls -- but his endorsement Thursday is a result of a matchup to be exploited. Versus the Dodgers' scheduled starter, Zack Greinke, Uggla has tallied three hits in six career at-bats with one double and two RBI. Of course, the sample size is small, but because he has reached base in six of his last nine outings, with three hits (but nine walks) in 26 at-bats, he may be primed for his prototypical, but brief, outburst from his home below the Mendoza Line. The matchup is somewhat good and the player is generally bad, but Uggla is the man Thursday.

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