This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters -- A look at Wednesday's matchups (all times Eastern)Brewers (Matt Garza -- R) at Cardinals (Shelby Miller -- R), 1:45
Tigers (Max Scherzer -- R) at White Sox (Hector Noesi -- R), 2:10
Indians (Zach McAllister -- R) at Angels (C.J. Wilson -- L), 7:05
Mets (Bartolo Colon -- R) at Phillies (Kyle Kendrick -- R), 7:05
Pirates (Charlie Morton -- R) at Orioles (Chris Tillman -- R), 7:05
Mariners (Roenis Elias -- L) at Yankees (David Phelps -- R), 7:05
Braves (Aaron Harang -- R) at Marlins (Nathan Eovaldi -- R), 7:10
Cubs (Edwin Jackson -- R) at Reds (Tony Cingrani -- L), 7:10
Rays (Chris Archer -- R) at Red Sox (Felix Doubront -- L), 7:10
Athletics (Jesse Chavez -- R) at Rangers (Robbie Ross -- L), 8:05
Dodgers (Zack Greinke -- R) at Twins (Kyle Gibson -- R), 8:10
Blue Jays (Drew Hutchison -- R) at Royals (Yordano Ventura -- R), 8:10
Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann -- R) at Astros (Brett Oberholtzer -- L), 8:10
Rockies (Jordan Lyles -- R) at Diamondbacks (Josh Collmenter -- R), 9:40
Padres (Robbie Erlin -- L) at Giants (Tim Hudson -- R), 10:15
Day Game After Night Game: MIL/STL, DET/CWS
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Matt Albers, RP, HOU (shoulder) -- Will attempt to throw this week.
Alex Avila, C, DET (back) -- Scratched from the Detroit lineup Tuesday due to back spasms after previously missing time due to a left shin contusion.
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL (oblique) -- Missed his third straight game due to the oblique injury and is expected to sit out Wednesday's series finale against the Cardinals.
Matt Cain, SP, SF (finger) -- Scratched from Tuesday's start against the Padres with a cut on his right index finger.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, OAK (hamstring) -- Returned to Tuesday's lineup as the designated hitter.
Bruce Chen, SP, KC (back) -- Received an epidural for an inflamed disc in his back, putting Saturday's scheduled start in question.
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, TEX (ankle) -- Returned to the lineup Tuesday, handling DH duties and batting leadoff.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, NYY (hand) -- Held out of Tuesday's lineup due to a sore left hand.
Danny Espinosa, 2B, WSH (knee) -- Returned to the lineup Tuesday against the Astros.
Brett Gardner, OF, NYY (foot) -- Returned to the starting lineup Tuesday against the Mariners.
Gio Gonzalez, SP, WSH (shoulder) -- Received clearance to make start Tuesday against the Astros.
Jedd Gyorko, 2B, SD (personal) -- Remained on the paternity list and was not available Tuesday against the Giants.
Derek Holland, SP, TEX (knee) -- Threw a bullpen session Tuesday.
Donnie Murphy, 2B, TEX (heel) -- Was held out of the lineup Tuesday against the Athletics.
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, MIL (elbow) -- Was held out of the lineup Tuesday against the Cardinals.
Wilin Rosario, C, COL (hand) Remained out of the lineup Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, but an MRI on Monday showed no broken bones or structural damage to his hand.
Seth Smith, OF, SD (groin) -- Remained out of the lineup Tuesday against the Giants.
Yangervis Solarte, 2B, NYY (shoulder) -- Returned to the starting lineup Tuesday.
Disabled List
Jake Arrieta, SP, CHC (shoulder) -- Expected to make his season debut Saturday against the Cardinals.
Archie Bradley, SP, ARI (elbow) -- Placed on Triple-A Reno's 7-day DL with a mild flexor strain, which will require at least two weeks of rest. An MRI of his UCL showed no fraying.
Sean Burnett, RP, LAA (elbow) -- Will throw a simulated game Wednesday.
Byron Buxton, OF, MIN (wrist) -- Has played in extended spring training games the last four days and will join High-A Fort Myers for several games once he's cleared to play nine innings.
Aroldis Chapman, RP, CIN (head) -- Threw a 25-pitch batting practice session Tuesday and will now begin a rehab assignment.
Alex Cobb, SP, TB (oblique) -- Has progressed to throwing from 90 feet in his rehab program.
Jesse Crain, RP, HOU (biceps) -- Has resumed throwing off flat ground.
Chris Davis, 1B, BAL (oblique) -- Received a platelet-rich plasma injection Monday.
Dane De La Rosa, RP, LAA (shoulder) -- Will throw a simulated game Wednesday.
Neftali Feliz, RP, TEX (general soreness) -- Reported that he's feeling pain-free and could resume a throwing program within the next few days.
Scott Feldman, SP, HOU (biceps) -- Threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday without any issues.
A.J. Griffin, SP, OAK (elbow) -- Will undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his season.
Josh Hamilton, OF, LAA (thumb) -- Considered a week away from baseball activities, but was running the bases and hitting with one hand Tuesday.
Bryce Harper, OF, WSH (thumb) -- Had successful surgery Tuesday to repair the UCL in his left thumb. Expected to miss the next two months.
Johnny Hellweg, SP, MIL (elbow) -- Will undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his season.
Hisashi Iwakuma, SP, SEA (finger) -- On track to start Friday against the Astros.
Casey Janssen, RP, TOR (back) -- Has traveled with the team to Kansas City and is expected to throw a side session Wednesday before the team decides on the next course of action.
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, TEX (back) -- Expected to undergo surgery for a herniated disc.
Adam Lind, 1B, TOR (back) -- Did not play in an extended spring training game Tuesday, as had been planned.
Manny Machado, 3B, BAL (knee) -- In line to be activated from the disabled list Wednesday following Tuesday's rainout.
Mike Minor, SP, ATL (shoulder) -- Will start Friday against the Giants.
Ivan Nova, SP, NYY (elbow) -- Underwent successful surgery Tuesday to repair the UCL in his right elbow.
Troy Patton, RP, BAL (suspension) -- Set to be available out of the bullpen Wednesday against the Pirates after completing his 25-game suspension.
Michael Pineda, SP, NYY (suspension) -- Left his simulated game Tuesday early due to a tight right lat.
Jurickson Profar, 2B, TEX (shoulder) -- Has been cleared to begin hitting after his MRI came back clean Tuesday.
Matt Reynolds, RP, ARI (elbow) -- Played catch from 120 feet Monday, and will look to increase distance to 135 feet later this week.
Chris Sale, SP, CWS (arm) -- Unlikely to return to the rotation for their weekend series with the Indians.
Anibal Sanchez, SP, DET (finger) -- Has reported improvement with his injury but a exact return timetable still has yet to be established.
Joe Saunders, SP, TEX (ankle) -- Will throw three innings at extended spring training Friday.
Tanner Scheppers, P, TEX (elbow) -- Will begin a throwing program Wednesday.
Jacob Turner, SP, MIA (shoulder) -- Looked strong during his second rehab outing for High-A Jupiter on Monday, giving up one run over seven innings of work.
Josh Willingham, OF, MIN (wrist) -- Said he's pain-free, but was forced to cut Tuesday's batting practice session short.
Transactions -- Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.
Activated from DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Ed Lucas, 3B, MIA
Fernando Rodriguez, RP, OAK
Called Up (from Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Chris Getz, 2B, TOR
Ryan Mattheus, RP, WSH
Sent Down (to Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Greg Dobbs, 1B, MIA (designated for assignment)
Fernando Rodriguez, RP, OAK
Signed
Steve Pearce, OF, BAL
Released
Mickey Storey, RP, TOR
Closer Watch
Colorado -- Though most assumed Rex Brothers would quickly displace LaTroy Hawkins as the Rockies' closer this season, a ninth-inning change doesn't seem even remotely forthcoming at this juncture. Hawkins breezed through another 1-2-3 ninth Monday night to record his eighth save in as many chances, lowering his season ERA to 2.61. While Hawkins doesn't possess typical closer makeup as a reliever that relies heavily on contact rather than striking out batters, his avoidance of walks and ability to generate a healthy amount of groundballs is exactly the template needed to succeed in an environment like Coors Field, where keeping the ball down is of the utmost importance. Brothers probably has the better skills of the two pitchers, but his command issues have prevented the team from trusting him to claim the closer gig for the long haul during his four seasons in the bigs. He's been especially porous in that regard this season, with a total of nine walks over 10.2 innings of work. It may be time for owners holding Brothers in anticipation that he'd claim the top relief job to cut bait at this point.
Hot Batter Matchups – April 30, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| S. Gennett | 2B | MIL @ STL 1:45PM | S. Miller | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .400 | .400 | .400 | .800 |
| A. Ramirez | 3B | MIL @ STL 1:45PM | S. Miller | 13 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | .462 | .467 | .923 | 1.390 |
| J. Jay | OF | STL vs MIL 1:45PM | M. Garza | 12 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | .583 | .615 | .917 | 1.532 |
| J. Peralta | SS | STL vs MIL 1:45PM | M. Garza | 28 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 7 | .464 | .464 | .643 | 1.107 |
| A. Dunn | 1B | CWS vs DET 2:10PM | M. Scherzer | 38 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 17 | .237 | .310 | .474 | .783 |
| D. Viciedo | OF | CWS vs DET 2:10PM | M. Scherzer | 22 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 8 | .364 | .391 | .818 | 1.209 |
| M. Bourn | OF | CLE @ LAA 7:05PM | C. Wilson | 17 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 4 | .412 | .474 | .647 | 1.121 |
| N. Swisher | 1B | CLE @ LAA 7:05PM | C. Wilson | 32 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 8 | .344 | .475 | .625 | 1.100 |
| D. Wright | 3B | NYM @ PHI 7:05PM | K. Kendrick | 41 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 7 | .317 | .341 | .512 | .853 |
| J. Rollins | SS | PHI vs NYM 7:05PM | B. Colon | 15 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .333 | .375 | .600 | .975 |
| J. Heyward | OF | ATL @ MIA 7:10PM | N. Eovaldi | 15 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .400 | .438 | .533 | .971 |
| J. Votto | 1B | CIN vs CHC 7:10PM | E. Jackson | 18 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | .389 | .421 | .833 | 1.254 |
| G. Jones | 1B | MIA vs ATL 7:10PM | A. Harang | 16 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | .375 | .444 | .688 | 1.132 |
| G. Stanton | OF | MIA vs ATL 7:10PM | A. Harang | 11 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | .273 | .273 | .636 | .909 |
| E. Longoria | 3B | TB @ BOS 7:10PM | F. Doubront | 17 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | .353 | .455 | .529 | .984 |
| J. Kubel | OF | MIN vs LAD 8:10PM | Z. Greinke | 32 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 8 | .313 | .405 | .625 | 1.030 |
| C. Gonzalez | OF | COL @ ARI 9:40PM | J. Collmenter | 10 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .400 | .500 | .900 | 1.400 |
| T. Tulowitzki | SS | COL @ ARI 9:40PM | J. Collmenter | 12 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .250 | .308 | .583 | .891 |
| C. Maybin | OF | SD @ SF 10:15PM | T. Hudson | 16 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | .375 | .444 | .563 | 1.007 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Hot Pitcher Matchups – April 30, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Shelby Miller | STL vs MIL 1:45PM | 88 | 19 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 21 | .216 | .279 | .277 | .556 |
| Kyle Kendrick | PHI vs NYM 7:05PM | 146 | 32 | 12 | 4 | 13 | 11 | 25 | .219 | .285 | .353 | .638 |
| Nathan Eovaldi | MIA vs ATL 7:10PM | 95 | 21 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 24 | .221 | .295 | .304 | .599 |
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Batter Matchups – April 30, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| C. Gomez | OF | MIL @ STL 1:45PM | S. Miller | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | .077 | .143 | .077 | .220 |
| J. Segura | SS | MIL @ STL 1:45PM | S. Miller | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| A. Craig | 1B | STL vs MIL 1:45PM | M. Garza | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .100 | .100 | .100 | .200 |
| M. Ellis | 2B | STL vs MIL 1:45PM | M. Garza | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .083 | .083 | .083 | .167 |
| Y. Molina | C | STL vs MIL 1:45PM | M. Garza | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | .167 | .154 | .167 | .321 |
| J. Danks | OF | CWS vs DET 2:10PM | M. Scherzer | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .200 | .273 | .200 | .473 |
| P. Konerko | 1B | CWS vs DET 2:10PM | M. Scherzer | 42 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 16 | .238 | .273 | .381 | .654 |
| A. Ramirez | SS | CWS vs DET 2:10PM | M. Scherzer | 44 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | .091 | .180 | .114 | .294 |
| M. Brantley | OF | CLE @ LAA 7:05PM | C. Wilson | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .071 | .188 | .071 | .259 |
| A. Cabrera | SS | CLE @ LAA 7:05PM | C. Wilson | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | .200 | .200 | .200 | .400 |
| C. Santana | C | CLE @ LAA 7:05PM | C. Wilson | 17 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | .176 | .222 | .471 | .693 |
| L. Duda | OF | NYM @ PHI 7:05PM | K. Kendrick | 16 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | .188 | .278 | .500 | .778 |
| D. Murphy | 2B | NYM @ PHI 7:05PM | K. Kendrick | 27 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | .185 | .267 | .222 | .489 |
| R. Tejada | SS | NYM @ PHI 7:05PM | K. Kendrick | 19 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .211 | .211 | .211 | .421 |
| C. Young | OF | NYM @ PHI 7:05PM | K. Kendrick | 15 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .200 | .250 | .467 | .717 |
| F. Freeman | 1B | ATL @ MIA 7:10PM | N. Eovaldi | 17 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | .176 | .263 | .235 | .498 |
| D. Uggla | 2B | ATL @ MIA 7:10PM | N. Eovaldi | 15 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | .200 | .368 | .400 | .768 |
| J. Upton | OF | ATL @ MIA 7:10PM | N. Eovaldi | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .231 | .231 | .231 | .462 |
| W. Castillo | C | CHC @ CIN 7:10PM | T. Cingrani | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .100 | .182 | .400 | .582 |
| S. Castro | SS | CHC @ CIN 7:10PM | T. Cingrani | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .083 | .083 | .083 | .167 |
| A. Rizzo | 1B | CHC @ CIN 7:10PM | T. Cingrani | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | .200 | .385 | .300 | .685 |
| J. Bruce | OF | CIN vs CHC 7:10PM | E. Jackson | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | .188 | .235 | .250 | .485 |
| Z. Cozart | SS | CIN vs CHC 7:10PM | E. Jackson | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .083 | .077 | .167 | .244 |
| R. Ludwick | OF | CIN vs CHC 7:10PM | E. Jackson | 14 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | .214 | .313 | .357 | .670 |
| J. Loney | 1B | TB @ BOS 7:10PM | F. Doubront | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .182 | .250 | .182 | .432 |
| D. Fowler | OF | HOU vs WAS 8:10PM | J. Zimmermann | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | .200 | .385 | .200 | .585 |
| X. Nady | OF | SD @ SF 10:15PM | T. Hudson | 17 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | .235 | .235 | .294 | .529 |
| S. Smith | OF | SD @ SF 10:15PM | T. Hudson | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .182 | .308 | .182 | .490 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Pitcher Matchups – April 30, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Matt Garza | MIL @ STL 1:45PM | 121 | 41 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 10 | 21 | .339 | .388 | .429 | .818 |
| Aaron Harang | ATL @ MIA 7:10PM | 64 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 15 | .375 | .398 | .532 | .930 |
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Recommended Pickup
Chris Denorfia, OF, SD -- As a 33-year-old playing at Petco Park who has been a fourth outfielder for most of his career, Denorfia hardly strikes anyone as the sort of player that offers a ton of upside in the fantasy game. However, when he receives enough at-bats, he's proven to be at least moderately useful in deeper and NL-only leagues, as he contributes modestly in just about every category. He compiled a respectable .279 average, 10 homers and 11 stolen bases in 473 at-bats this season, and injuries to Seth Smith and Carlos Quentin appear to have opened up playing time for him once again. Entering Tuesday, he's started the last nine games, batting in either the No. 2 or No. 3 hole. As expected, the returns haven't been anything special, but sometimes, just having a player who is merely adequate across the board can prove valuable in deep formats, where few attractive options are likely to exist on the waiver wire.
Other Recent Recommendations: Jon Niese, James Loney, Matt Harrison, Mark Melancon and Alberto Callaspo
DraftStreet Value Picks
SP: Yordano Ventura, KC ($10,138)
C: Derek Norris, OAK ($5,656)
1B: Joey Votto, CIN ($7,173)
2B: Danny Espinosa, WSH ($4,430)
3B: Pablo Sandoval, SF ($4,904)
SS: Chris Owings, ARI ($4,640)
OF: Billy Hamilton, CIN ($6,452)
