| Jon Rauch, P, Washington Nationals | Friday 4/4, 11:48 PM CT |
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| With Chad Cordero going on the DL, Jon Rauch will continue to serve as the Nats' ninth-inning option. Rauch has picked up a save and a win in his first two appearances this year. Cordero will be eligible to return in a week, but Rauch is a good pickup in the meantime. |
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| Chad Cordero, P, Washington Nationals | Friday 4/4, 11:46 PM CT |
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| The Nationals placed Chad Cordero on the DL Friday with right shoulder tendinitis, according to the AP. It will be retroactive to March 27, making Cordero eligible to return next Friday. “We just felt this was the best for him,” manager Manny Acta said. “We didn’t want to rush him back.” Jon Rauch will serve as the team's stopper while Cordero is out. |
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| Rick Ankiel, CF, St. Louis Cardinals | Friday 4/4, 11:01 PM CT |
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| Rick Ankiel hit a mammoth two-run homer in Friday's win over Washington. It's the pitcher-turned-hitter's second dinger on the year, to go along with four RBI and a .333 batting average. It's still tough to know what to expect from Ankiel. He's sure to go through plenty of rough patches, but his power is absolutely legit. |
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| Brian Barton, LF, St. Louis Cardinals | Friday 4/4, 10:54 PM CT |
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| Brian Barton was 2-for-4 with a run scored Friday in his first career start. He played left field and batted leadoff for the Cards. The Rule 5 pick has three hits in six at-bats this year and should start getting more playing time against lefties. |
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| Javier Valentin exited Friday's game in the sixth inning with an apparent leg injury, according to the AP. Paul Bako replaced Valentin in the game. With David Ross already on the DL, the Reds can ill afford to lose Valentin for an extended period of time. |
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| Ryan Doumit, C, Pittsburgh Pirates | Friday 4/4, 9:29 PM CT |
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| Ryan Doumit is making it hard for the Pirates to sit him. Doumit got another start Friday and responded with three hits, including his first homer of the year. He's batting .533 in 15 at-bats this year and is starting to distance himself from Ronny Paulino in the battle for playing time behind the plate. |
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| With Friday's game being washed out by rain, John Smoltz will now come off the DL on Monday, not Sunday, as originally planned, according to the AP. The veteran gets a break in one sense because he no longer has to go up against Johan Santana, but the downside is he'll now have to make his start at Coors Field. |
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| Tim Hudson, P, Atlanta Braves | Friday 4/4, 8:10 PM CT |
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| Tim Hudson will pitch Saturday now with Friday's rainout, according to the AP. He'll face John Maine and the Mets. |
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| John Maine, P, New York Mets | Friday 4/4, 8:08 PM CT |
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| John Maine will be bumped back a day with Friday's rainout, according to the AP. He has the exact same matchup - vs. Tim Hudson and the Braves - so use him just as you would have had he started Friday. |
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| With Friday's rainout, the Mets will skip Mike Pelfrey in the rotation, according to the AP. He was to start Saturday, but John Maine will now start Saturday and Johan Santana Sunday. Pelfrey will now figures to start against the Phillies next week. |
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| Micah Owings got his 2008 season off on the right foot Friday, allowing just one run on two hits and two walks while striking out nine over 6 2/3 innings. Making the outing more impressive is the fact that it was at Coors Field. Owings had an impressive rookie campaign last year and could really break out this season. |
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| Chris Duncan isn't ready to play yet because of a strained hamstring, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The outfielder has one hit in just three at-bats so far this year. He probable wasn't going to play tonight, anyway, against the left-hander. He could be back on Sunday. |
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| Dmitri Young, 1B, Washington Nationals | Friday 4/4, 5:44 PM CT |
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| Dmitri Young has been sent back to Washington for treatment and further examination on his ailing back, according to the AP. An MRI on Young's back revealed inflammation, but manager Manny Acta said it was too soon to consider placing Young on the DL. The manager expects the situation to be resolved by the time the team returns home from St. Louis Monday. Keep Young on your bench until further notice. |
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| Bill Hall, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers | Friday 4/4, 5:06 PM CT |
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| Bill Hall had a career day Friday, belting a pair of homers while driving in six runs in a 13-4 spanking of the Giants. Hall will gain back third base eligibility in the majority of leagues shortly, which will increase his fantasy value. |
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| Freddy Sanchez will play tonight's game against the Marlins despite leaving last night's game with stiffness in his surgically repaired shoulder, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Sanchez is off to a great start, hitting .417 in 12 at-bats, so go ahead and stick him in your lineup. |
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| Jose Valverde picked up his first save of the season on Friday, although he also served up a solo homer. Luckily, the Astros were up by two runs when Jose entered in the ninth inning. |
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| Kosuke Fukudome keeps on producing. He went 2-for-4 with a run against the Astros on Friday. Fukudome is 6-for-12 with four walks and four runs through four games. |
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| Miguel Tejada went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, one run, and one RBI in a win over the Cubs on Friday. He is 5-for-19 on the season and three of his hits have gone for extra bases. Unfortunately, Miggy doesn't have a homer yet, but we're not too worried. |
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| Geovany Soto drove in another two runs on Friday. He is only hitting .167 on the young season, but he has notched in RBI in three straight games. |
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| Chris Sampson justified his spot in the rotation by holding the Cubs to six hits and two runs over 6.2 innings on Friday. Sampson earned a no-decision, but it was a solid outing by the right-hander. He didn't walk a batter and struck out one. Sampson has value in NL-only leagues and is worth keeping an eye on in deeper mixed leagues. |
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| Felix Pie, CF, Chicago Cubs | Friday 4/4, 3:54 PM CT |
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| Felix Pie started on Friday despite a bruised right hand/wrist. He went 0-for-4 against the Astros. Maybe he should have taken a day off, huh? |
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| J.R. Towles hit his first homer of the season on Friday, a two-run shot off of Cubs starter Rich Hill. It was Towles' only hit of the day. The rookie has driven in three runs over the past two games. |
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| Kelly Johnson is not listed as a starter for Friday's game against the Mets, according to the New York Post. He has been out due to right knee soreness. Johnson could catch a break, though, as forecasts indicate the game may be rained out. Martin Prado is starting in his place. |
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| The Marlins won't be shy about calling up pitcher Burke Badenhop, MLB.com reports. The 25-year-old right-hander picked up a Double-A win on Thursday night, and he posted a 1.88 ERA over 14.1 innings this spring. He came over in the offseason deal with the Tigers. Badenhop only worked three games at Double-A in 2007, but it's not like the Marlins have a bunch of starters locked into the rotation. This is a name to know in NL-only leagues, although he's not expected to be a high strikeout guy. |
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| The Marlins are being patient with Cameron Maybin. Even if they have more outfield injuries, the club wants Maybin to stick in the minors and gather valuable at-bats, MLB.com reports. There isn't a known timetable for his ascension to the majors, which means the talented prospect mainly has fantasy value only in keeper leagues. |
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| Conor Jackson remains out of the lineup, but he tells the Arizona Republic that he's feeling better. He is out due to an illness, possibly a viral infection or pneumonia. Jackson has no timetable for his return, and he's simply day-to-day. Chris Burke is starting at first in his place. |
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| Matt Capps, P, Pittsburgh Pirates | Friday 4/4, 2:55 PM CT |
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| Matt Capps signed a two-year contract with the Pirates on Friday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. The deal buys out the closer's first year of arbitration. We're surprised they didn't hammer out a longer contract, but, hey, it's a start. |
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| Kazuo Matsui will be checked out on Monday and could begin a rehab assignment at Double-A as soon as Tuesday, MLB.com reports. He is aiming to return on April 15. Matsui had surgery to repair an anal fissure this spring. |
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| Rickie Weeks scored in the first inning on Friday. It's the 17th straight game with a run, which is a new franchise record. Fantasy owners are simply happy that Weeks has played in 17 consecutive games without suffering an injury. |
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| Ray Durham, 2B, San Francisco Giants | Friday 4/4, 1:44 PM CT |
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| Ray Durham is back on the bench on Friday, due in part to a bruised left shoulder. The Giants also want to give more time to Eugenio Velez. "A little bit of both, but more my decision [to play Velez]," manager Bruce Bochy admits to MLB.com. "I figured Durham still would be a little sore, but, honestly, I haven't talked with him. Velez is 100 percent [healthy] and he's playing well." |
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| Aaron Rowand, CF, San Francisco Giants | Friday 4/4, 1:42 PM CT |
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| Aaron Rowand bruised his ribs on Thursday, but the ailment didn't keep him out of Friday's lineup. Manager Bruce Bochy made the game-time decision to use Rowand over Fred Lewis, MLB.com reports. |
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| Vinnie Chulk will work an inning for Triple-A Fresno on Friday night, MLB.com reports. He is dealing with right shoulder tendinitis, and this news suggests he could return fairly soon. |
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| Omar Vizquel, SS, San Francisco Giants | Friday 4/4, 1:38 PM CT |
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| Omar Vizquel is unlikely to return to the lineup in time for the Giants home opener on Monday, MLB.com reports. The veteran shortstop has been rehabbing following left knee surgery, but recent soreness has caused him to "back off a little bit." Brian Bocock has been starting in Vizquel's place. |
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| Mike Zagurski underwent successful Tommy John surgery on Thursday, the Phillies announced on Friday. Dr. James Andrews performed the ligament replacement procedure on Zagurski's left elbow, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The reliever's season is over. |
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| The Dodgers designated Angel Chavez for assignment on Friday. The move will make room for Chan Ho Park. |
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| The Braves placed Mike Hampton on the 15-day disabled list on Friday and called up Jo-Jo Reyes from Triple-A Richmond. Hampton was scratched from his Thursday start due to a strained left pectoral muscle. Reyes is a temporary fill-in until Chuck James is called upon to fill Hampton's rotation spot. |
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| Tony Gwynn, CF, Milwaukee Brewers | Friday 4/4, 11:56 AM CT |
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| Tony Gwynn will not play on Friday and will not be available on Saturday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes. He injured his left hamstring on Thursday, and the team is unsure of a return date. Gabe Kapler will start in his place. |
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| The Brewers continue to have "ongoing discussions" with Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun about contract extensions, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports. Owner Mark Attanasio says the club has also extended multi-year offers to some other young players, although he didn't disclose any names. |
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| Gabe Kapler, CF, Milwaukee Brewers | Friday 4/4, 10:46 AM CT |
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| Gabe Kapler will start in center on Friday, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports. He is getting the call because the Brewers are facing a left-hander and because Tony Gwynn injured his hamstring on Thursday. |
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| Scott Olsen is ready to make his season debut on Friday. He missed most of spring training due to shoulder tendinitis and is dealing with bone spurs in his elbow. "Bone spurs have never bothered me, and I still got it," Olsen tells the Miami Herald. "They say you can throw with it. The team gave me an option in 2005 if I wanted to have surgery or not. I asked them if I could throw with [bone spurs], and they said many guys have them and throw with them. I feel fine with my shoulder and elbow." Fantasy owners should avoid Olsen until he proves he's healthy and ready to work with some consistency. |
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| Mark Prior, P, San Diego Padres | Friday 4/4, 9:16 AM CT |
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| Mark Prior cut his throwing session short on Thursday due to tightness in his right shoulder. "This isn't a setback," pitching coach Darren Balsley tells the San Diego Union-Tribune. Prior will throw again in three days. |
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| Brian Giles, RF, San Diego Padres | Friday 4/4, 9:13 AM CT |
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| Brian Giles received a day off on Thursday to rest his surgically repaired right knee. He had microfracture surgery over the winter. Giles tells the San Diego Union-Tribune that the joint "feels great," and he adds, "We're not really out of the woods on that until June, when the tissue is supposed to be fully settled on the bone." |
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| Darin Erstad will get a start this weekend in place of either Carlos Lee or Hunter Pence. "I am going to have to force (Lee) sometimes to take a day off, and Hunter is the same way," manager Cecil Cooper tells the Houston Chronicle. "We just have to do it. These guys have to get at-bats. You can't depend on them if you don't play them." Fantasy owners shouldn't panic if Lee or Pence isn't in the lineup on one of these upcoming days. |
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| Jose Cruz Jr. went 1-for-3 with a run on Thursday, as he started in place of a resting Michael Bourn. "I talked to Bourn (Wednesday), and I told him it didn't matter if he went 4-for-4, we're going to get Cruz in there and get him some at-bats," manager Cecil Cooper tells the Houston Chronicle. Fantasy owners need not be worried about Bourn's health or status as a starter. |
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| Scott Eyre has yet to begin throwing off a mound and isn't on the verge of returning, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Eyre is on DL due to left elbow inflammation. We imagine some mound work and a short rehab stint will be in order before the southpaw joins the big club. |
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| Felix Pie, CF, Chicago Cubs | Friday 4/4, 8:53 AM CT |
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| Felix Pie bruised his hand/wrist when he was hit by a pitch on Thursday. He stayed in the game and didn't need X-rays, but Reed Johnson may start in his place on Friday, the Chicago Sun-Times notes. |
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| Tony Gwynn, CF, Milwaukee Brewers | Friday 4/4, 8:49 AM CT |
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| Tony Gwynn is considered day-to-day after tweaking his left hamstring on Thursday. He tells the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he broke up scar tissue in the area earlier in the game. Gwynn dealt with a similar injury in 2007. "It doesn't seem as severe as last year. Right now it's just sore," he explains. Gabe Kapler stands to start while Gwynn is out. |
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| Jeff Baker, 2B, Colorado Rockies | Friday 4/4, 8:44 AM CT |
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| Jeff Baker made his major league debut at second base on Thursday, as he replaced starter Jayson Nix for an afternoon. Baker went 1-for-4 with a double and fielded his position well. "I felt comfortable out there," he tells the Denver Post. "Nothing is ideal, but I made all the routine plays." Baker will be a backup at multiple positions throughout the season. |
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| Joel Pineiro worked five innings in an extended spring training game on Thursday. He threw 68 pitches and will work a side session on Saturday. If all goes well, Pineiro could make a Double-A rehab start on Tuesday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. He is dealing with a sore right shoulder but could be back with the Cards in the next week or two. |
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| Albert Pujols fought through a painful cuticle injury on Thursday. He cut his right middle finger while sliding in the first inning, but he stuck around to finish the contest. Pujols did not undergo X-rays and is expected to play Friday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes. |
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| Anthony Reyes had no problem in his first outing as a reliever. In fact, he struck out all three batters he faced as he worked a perfect eighth inning on Thursday. "It was fun. It was my first time this year. All those guys down there, it’s a different game in the bullpen," Reyes tells the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. |
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| Brad Lidge, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Friday 4/4, 8:17 AM CT |
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| Brad Lidge worked an inning for Single-A Clearwater on Thursday, and it wasn't pretty. He served up a homer, a double, and a walk but managed to strike out two batters and depart with only one walk allowed. Lidge could rejoin the Phillies as soon as Saturday. |
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| Colby Rasmus clearly doesn't want to stick around Triple-A too long. He batted leadoff for Memphis on Thursday and collected hits (double, two singles) in his first three at-bats. Rasmus finished 3-for-5 with one run and a stolen base. |
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| Matt LaPorta is off to a strong start in his first stop at Double-A ball. He went 2-for-4 with a grand slam in a win over the Mississippi Braves. LaPorta, 23, is in his first full pro season, and unless there's an injury, he'll be working to earn a move up to Triple-A and potentially a September call-up. |
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| Homer Bailey took a loss in his first Triple-A outing on Thursday, but you can't fault him much. He held Syracuse to five hits and one run over seven innings. Bailey's only flaw was a solo homer given up to Adam Lind. He walked one and struck out two. |
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| David Ross, C, Cincinnati Reds | Friday 4/4, 7:37 AM CT |
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| David Ross headed to Single-A Sarasota on Thursday to begin a rehab assignment, the Cincinnati Enquirer notes. Ross is dealing with back spasms, and we imagine he'll only need 3-5 days before jumping back to the majors. |
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| The Diamondbacks praised Johnny Cueto after the Reds rookie burned through their lineup on Thursday. "That's Jake Peavy-like - he's got that type of stuff," Orlando Hudson tells the Arizona Republic. Eric Byrnes adds, "He's got great stuff. Fastball spotted to both sides. Good breaking ball, threw his change-up. He had everything." It sounds like fantasy owners can expect many more solid outings of out Cueto, as long as he stays healthy and consistent. |
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| Jason Bay, LF, Pittsburgh Pirates | Friday 4/4, 7:30 AM CT |
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| Jason Bay is having no trouble getting on base, although he isn't helping fantasy owners much. He has reached first in seven of his last eight plate appearances thanks to a pair of singles and five walks. Bay owns a .500 OBP, but he is hitting .200 and has yet to manage an extra-base hit. The patience is nice, but fantasy owners want the pop. |
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| Kelly Johnson could be back in the lineup on Friday. He left Wednesday's contest due to lingering soreness in his right knee and did not play on Thursday. "Hopefully he'll be ready for tomorrow," manager Bobby Cox tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday. Martin Prado has started in his place. |
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| Freddy Sanchez might get the night off on Friday after playing only five innings on Thursday. He has lingering soreness in his right shoulder, and the issue was exacerbated by the cold weather. "We want to make sure the shoulder doesn't get irritated again," manager John Russell informs the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We don't expect any of our guys to play 162 games, and there's a chance we'll give Freddy a day off." Luis Rivas or Chris Gomez would start if Sanchez were out on Friday. |
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| Jack Wilson, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates | Friday 4/4, 7:14 AM CT |
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| Jack Wilson will not play on Friday night, one day after straining his left calf, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review notes. "I pulled it pretty good," Wilson says. He will be re-evaluated prior to the contest against the Marlins. Luis Rivas or Chris Gomez will start in his place. |
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| Randy Johnson, who is still recovering from offseason back surgery, allowed five runs on eight hits in four innings of work Thursday, this according to the East Valley Tribune. The Big Unit struck out one, walked two and dodged trouble in his first three innings. The Sidewinders beat the Colorado Springs Sky Sox 12-10.
“It’s frustrating because I put in a lot of time and effort this whole offseason into being ready,” Johnson said. “The biggest reward is when you can go and get the results that you want and feel confident and feel like you’re making progress.”
That did not happen Thursday. Johnson, who threw 53 of his 78 pitches for strikes, said he felt like he was “regressing” since allowing one hit in three innings against the Angels on March 15.
Johnson will pitch Tuesday against Salt Lake at TEP, and at that time the organization will make a determination on whether he will return to the D'backs rotation. |
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| Tim Redding, P, Washington Nationals | Friday 4/4, 5:26 AM CT |
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| MLB.com reports that GM Jim Bowden and skipper Manny Acta indicated they don't want right-handers Tim Redding or Jason Bergmann to pitch on four days' rest.
Right now, the team has only four starters in the rotation, and based on the schedule, Redding would pitch Sunday against the Cardinals and Bergmann would go on Monday against the Marlins.
Bowden and Acta said the Nationals have not ruled out using a bullpen-by-committee for one of those games and starting John Lannan in the other. |
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