| Jeff Kent, 2B, Los Angeles Dodgers | Monday 4/7, 11:40 PM CT |
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| Jeff Kent had two RBI on Monday night though it wasn't nearly enough in the Dodgers 9-3 loss to the D'backs. Kent is only hitting .238 early on as he struggles with a leg issue, but with the team needing a veteran presence in the middle of the lineup he is playing through the pain. Don't worry about Kent, by the time the year is done he will get his, you can count on it. |
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| Juan Pierre, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers | Monday 4/7, 11:38 PM CT |
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| Juan Pierre had another rough night on Monday as he went 0-for-4 to drop his average to .067 in 15 AB this season. Joe Torre keeps trying to give Pierre the chance to hit his way out of his current slump, but it's just not happening as it's clear to all that Pierre is pressing. If we had to guess we would look for Matt Kemp to get back in the lineup here the next couple of days. |
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| Dan Haren, P, Arizona Diamondbacks | Monday 4/7, 11:36 PM CT |
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| Dan Haren won his first game as a Diamondback on Monday night as he held the Dodgers to just one earned run in six innings. Haren also displayed his trademark control on Monday night as he struck out five without a single walk. Haren should settle in quite nicely behind Brandon Webb and he just might be the best starter in all of baseball this season. |
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| Chris Young, CF, Arizona Diamondbacks | Monday 4/7, 11:34 PM CT |
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| Chris Young continued with his torrid pace on Monday night as he blasted his fourth home run of the early season. Young also had another hit, two runs scored and two RBI on the evening as his averaged moved up to .259. HR and SB should be come in abundance with Young this year but he will be a fantasy stud only if he can get that batting average up as he currently possesses a .239 batting average in 666 career AB. |
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| Mark Reynolds launched two home runs on Monday night on his way to three RBI for the Diamondbacks. With Conor Jackson settling in at first base Reynolds will need to keep on hitting to avoid giving away AB to Chad Tracy when he returns from his knee injury. Reynolds certainly has pop with 21 HR in 393 career AB, but he also has 137 K and just 40 BB, and numbers like that will likely lead to a lowish batting average moving forward. |
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| Aaron Cook, P, Colorado Rockies | Monday 4/7, 10:43 PM CT |
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| Aaron Cook was magnificent on Monday night as he allowed just one run and three base runners in seven innings against the Braves. Cook now sports a 3.46 ERA over his first 13 innings and he should be able to maintain solid value in NL Only leagues this season if he can stay healthy. |
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| Tom Glavine limited the Rockies to three hits, three walks and no runs in 6.1 innings on Monday night. Glavine can still pitch when everything falls into place, but nights like this come around rarely for the aging vet. Don't expect this type of production from Glavine this season, and it might even be wise to start exploring trade offers already. |
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| Mark Teixeira went 0-for-3 on Monday night to drop his average to just .172 through 29 AB this season. It's no time to panic if you own Teixeira, though it certainly would be nice to see him produce a few more hits. The good news is that he still has two home runs and five RBI in seven games on the year. |
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| Matt Holliday finally made a splash on Monday night as hit a 2-run home run to lead the Rockies to a 2-1 victory. Holliday is still hitting only .192 on the year, but this will likely be just the start of another fantastic offensive display from Holliday in '08. |
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| Hanley Ramirez upped his average to .440 with three hits in five AB on Monday night. Ramirez blasted his second dinger of the year and had two runs scored and three RBI on the night. Maybe he doesn't need Miguel Cabrera to be successful? It's certainly a long year but nothing he has done up until this point has painted him as any thing other than a top fantasy player this season, though he does have only one SB in seven games. |
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| Felipe Lopez, 2B, Washington Nationals | Monday 4/7, 10:00 PM CT |
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| Felipe Lopez played another game in the outfield on Monday night and he was able to produce two hits, an RBI, a run scored and a SB on the night. That's five games in the outfield and counting. Since most leagues use an in-season count of five or 10 games to be elgible at a new position, Lopez is about to join Mark DeRosa as two of the most valuable players in NL Only leagues because of their versatility. |
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| Lastings Milledge had two hits and three RBI for the Nationals on Monday night from the number two spot in the batting order. Milledge now has five RBI on the young season to go with a .294 batting average in a solid start to what many predict will be his breakout season. |
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| Cristian Guzman had a splendid evening for the Nationals with three hits, three RBI and two runs scored from the leadoff spot. Something about wearing a Nationals uniform really agrees with Guzman who despite a career .263 batting average now owns a .307 average over his past 54 games with the club. |
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| Tim Redding, P, Washington Nationals | Monday 4/7, 9:52 PM CT |
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| Tim Redding allowed seven runs on Monday night in just four innings, though only one of the runs was earned. As a result of all the unearned runs, Redding has a 0.82 ERA with a 1-1 record in his first 11 innings this season. Redding doesn't miss enough bats to be successful to this degree, of course that success is relative since he did still allow seven runs on the night. |
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| Andrew Miller had a brutal outing on Monday night allowing six runs in just 3.1 innings for the Marlins. Miller needed 91 pitches to to pick up 10 outs as he allowed eight hits and one walk to the Nationals. At least Miller didn't walk everyone in the park, but with a 12.91 ERA after two starts he might find himself walking back to the minors if he doesn't turn things around soon. |
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| Carl Crawford went 0-for-4 on Monday to drop his average to .148 in 27 AB this season. Crawford will bounce back from this slow start and when he does pity the pitchers who get in his way. Bide your time until that occurs. |
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| Jonny Gomes hit his second home run of the season on Monday night for the Rays. Gomes now has two HR and five RBI in just eight AB on the year which begs the question; why does he have only eight AB on the year? |
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| Hideki Matsui had two hits and two RBI on Monday night for the Yankees. Matsui is now hitting .375 with six RBI though seven games as his knee hasn't gotten in the way of him spraying balls all over the field. |
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| Bobby Abreu, RF, New York Yankees | Monday 4/7, 9:35 PM CT |
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| Bobby Abreu had a big night on Monday as he went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI for the Yankees. Abreu is often overlooked due to his declining home run totals, but hitting in the third spot in the Yankees order should pretty much guarantee him a shot at 90 RBI and 90 runs, numbers he has reached in each of the past five seasons. |
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| Rich Harden, P, Oakland Athletics | Monday 4/7, 9:30 PM CT |
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| You knew it was too good to be true didn't you? On Monday night the A's announced that Rich Harden would be scratched from his start on Tuesday night and replaced by Chad Gaudin, this according to the San Francisco Chronicle. At this point we have no idea why Harden will be held out of the start, but the report hints that a DL trip is possible, then again, the same thing could be said for Harden every day of the year. |
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| Jason Hammel worked his way through six innings against the Yankees on Monday as he allowed eight hits and a walk on his way to limiting the Bronx Bombers to four runs on the night. About what we expected. Hammel is nothing more than an end of the rotation hurler at this point, and given his poor 1.60 K/BB ratio in his short career, it might be considered an accomplishment that he allowed only four runs on this night. |
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| Mike Mussina earned his first victory of the season, the 251st of his career, to tie Bob Gibson for 42nd on the all-time list on Monday night. Mussina was sharp as he mixed his pitches all night allowing only one run over six innings against the Rays. Mussina will live on the edge all season as his stuff has declined to the point that his margin of error is razor thin. |
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| Troy Glaus, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals | Monday 4/7, 8:58 PM CT |
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| Troy Glaus went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored from the cleanup spot for the Cardinals on Monday. The team needs Glaus to stay healthy enough to provide that big home run bat behind Albert Pujols, but that is far from certain to occur as Glaus has failed to see action in 120 games in three of the past five seasons. |
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| Todd Wellemeyer had another excellent outing for the Cardinals on Monday as he limited the Astros to five hits, one walk and two runs in seven innings. Wellmeyer allowed two solo home runs on the evening, but this performance, combined with the work of other Cardinals starters, has turned a major concern into a huge strength thus far. |
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| Jose Valverde picked up his second victory of the season on Monday, this after he suffered a blown save in the ninth inning. So is the life of a relief pitcher. Valverde was awful on the night allowing three hits, two walks and three runs in one inning, but when Miguel Tejada homered in the bottom of the ninth inning, Valverde picked up a totally unwarranted victory. |
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| Wandy Rodriguez dominated the Cardinals on Monday as he limited them to three hits and no runs over seven innings. Jose Valverde blew what seemed like a sure victory, but through two starts Wandy has looked excellent with 12 K and only one BB over his first 12 innings. |
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| Michael Bourn had two hits on Monday to boost his average to .250, but it is on the bases where he continues to impress with six SB on the young season. At this pace Bourn could challenge Rickey Henderson's all-time record of 130 SB in a season. We doubt he will get there, but he could be in his way to a 50-steal season if he can get on base enough to flash the wheels. |
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| Lance Berkman had a successful return from an injured neck on Monday night as he hit his second home run of the season. Berkman is off to a slow start due to a few nagging injuries, but when the season is over look for Berkman to post his standard .300-30-100 line for the Astros. |
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| Miguel Tejada hit a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead the Astros to a 5-3 victory over the Cardinals. Tejada had two hits and two RBI on the night and seems to be settling into the fifth spot in the order quite nicely as he has started to hit NL pitching like he did for so many years in the AL. |
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| Francisco Liriano will make his second minor league start this Tuesday, and if that outing goes well he could return to pitch for the Twins on Sunday if Kevin Slowey (biceps) is unable to go, this according to MLB.com. "First, we've got to see how [Liriano] does," Gardenhire said. "Then we'll make a decision on what we'll do. He should be stretched out to pretty close to 100 pitches tomorrow. Then we'll make a decision after the ballgame as to what we're going to do next. If it goes good, bring him up here." Even if he isn't called up later this week it appears that Liriano is very close to making his 2008 major league debut, so if you drafted him this season you are about ready to start reaping the reward for your patience. |
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| Kevin Slowey is still working his way back from an injured biceps muscle as he hasn't picked up a ball since last Thursday, this according to MLB.com. "It feels better now than it did when I hurt it," Slowey said. "I at least know that I'm progressing. Whether I'm 100 percent right now or I'll be 100 percent in a day or two, we'll see." Slowey will throw on Monday and Tuesday to see if he will be available to make a start this Sunday in Kansas City. |
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| Chris Duncan (hamstring) was back in the lineup on Monday for the Cardinals, this according to MLB.com. "He's ready to go," manager Tony La Russa said on Monday afternoon. "I don't want to hold him back if he's ready to go. He was one of our better guys against the Astros. It's time to bring him out." Duncan is a vital bat to stretch out the Cardinals lineup and he figures to push 30 home runs this season if he can figure out a way to hit left-handed pitching. |
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| Cliff Floyd was scratched from a start on Monday because of soreness in his right knee, this according to the AP. Floyd is hitting .333-2-5 in four games this season, but his talent has never been in question. Floyd just cannot stay healthy having totaled 400 AB only once in the past five years. If you are counting on more than 350 AB from Floyd, it's already time to go with Plan B. |
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| Khalil Greene beat out two hits on Monday, one being a triple, as he knocked in three runs for the Padres. Greene continues to be an undervalued power option at shortstop who may not match his 27 home runs of a year ago, but the 97 RBI he plated last year could be threatened once again. |
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| Greg Maddux turned in a very Maddux-like performance on Monday as he limited the to a single run over seven innings to pick up the victory. Maddux showed off his gold glove skills on defense snaring multiple balls hit up the middle which helped to limit the Giants to only three hits and two walks on the day. |
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| Adrian Gonzalez beat out four hits on Monday which led to four runs scored and two RBI for the Padres. Thats more like it. Adrian started the year hitting .259 in 27 AB, but with today's effort his average now rests at .344. Gonzalez also hit in the third spot in the order where he should bat consistently despite being the team's best power-hitter. |
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| Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees | Monday 4/7, 7:17 PM CT |
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| Derek Jeter was forced to leave the Yankees game on Monday after injuring his left quadriceps. There is no word on the severity of the injury, but the fact that he stayed in the game for a half-inning on defense after the injury occurred would seem to mean that this could be a short-term issue. Stay tuned for an update. |
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| Bengie Molina had two hits on Monday which led to three RBI against the Padres for the Giants. Though he might be the worst cleanup hitter in the majors, Molina knows how to knock in runs, so as long as someone can get on base ahead of him he would figure to have a shot at a second straight 80-RBI season in San Francisco. |
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| Matt Cain, P, San Francisco Giants | Monday 4/7, 7:09 PM CT |
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| Matt Cain had a rough outing on Monday as he struggled all day to find the strike zone as he ultimately allowed four earned runs with five walks in 4.1 innings to pick up his first loss of the season. Cain threw only 56 strikes in 96 pitches which led to seven hits on the day. Cain could once again struggle for victories with an anemic offense behind him, but he certainly has the stuff to be a top-35 starter if he can harness his pitches. |
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| Brian Wilson had a rough outing on Monday pitching in a non-save situation as he allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in 0.2 innings. It could have been much worse as Tyler Walker came in to save his bacon as he entered the game with the bases loaded and induced an out without allowing a run. It will likely be a bumpy road with Wilson this year, but the Giants are committed to him being their closer moving forward so unless he blows up he should be out there on the hill if the Giants ever have the chance to actually win a game. |
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| Mike Lamb, 3B, Minnesota Twins | Monday 4/7, 6:56 PM CT |
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| Mike Lamb, off to a terrible start in his first year in Minnesota, had two hits and two RBI on Monday for the Twins. Lamb is hitting .167 in 24 AB to open the year, and though he should still see the majority of work at third base, if he doesn't start hitting soon Nick Punto could start to steal some at-bats. |
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| Pat Neshek, P, Minnesota Twins | Monday 4/7, 6:54 PM CT |
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| Pat Neshek had an awful outing on Monday as he allowed three runs on three hits in just 0.2 innings to pick up his first blown save of the season for the Twins. Last season in 74 appearances, Neshek allowed three earned runs only twice so don't expect another repeat of this outing any time soon. |
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| Nick Blackburn had another strong outing on Monday as he held the White Sox to only two runs in five innings for the Twins. Blackburn has looked solid with 11 K and just three BB over his first 12 innings and this start bodes well for him being a potentially solid starter in AL Only leagues. |
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| Jermaine Dye continued his hot start by picking up two more hits on Monday to raise his average to .429 in 28 AB on the season. Dye also had a run and RBI on Monday and now has eight runs in seven games as he seeks to put behind him a merely average 2007 season. |
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| Javier Vazquez picked up his first win of the season on Monday as he allowed three runs and eight base runners in seven solid innings for the Sox. Vazquez, who picked up eight K now has 14 in his first 12 innings and he should continue to be one of the more consistent pitchers in the AL this season. |
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| Joe Crede, 3B, Chicago White Sox | Monday 4/7, 6:41 PM CT |
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| Joe Crede was the hero on Monday as he hit a grand slam to lead the Sox to a 7-4 victory over the Twins. Crede is now batting .393 with 10 RBI in just seven games this year, so he is clearly proving that his back woes of last year are behind him. If he keeps hitting like this the team may choose to hold on to him and not move him in a trade which would torpedo the value of Josh Fields completely. |
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| Jon Coutlangus was traded to the Diamondbacks on Monday in exchange for minor league infielder Daniel Perales, this according to the AP. Coutlangus, a left-handed pitcher who went 4-2 with a 4.39 ERA last season, failed to make the Reds out of camp which necessitated this trade for Perales who hit .282 with 92 RBI last season in Single-A ball. |
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| Jose Guillen could be forced to serve his 15-day suspension starting Thursday unless a new agreement can be worked out between the players union and the owners, this according to the AP. At this point this situation has little to do directly with Guillen, but unless to the two sides can agree on a new testing program of some kind, the league may be forced to reinstate the suspension of Guillen. Stay tuned. |
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| Bobby Jenks, P, Chicago White Sox | Monday 4/7, 6:23 PM CT |
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| As if he wasn't difficult enough to hit, word is now leaking out that Bobby Jenks has added a changeup to his repertoire, this according to MLB.com. "I've been working on it all spring," Jenks said. "I'm not saying it's something to be used every day, but I've shown it and it's in the [scouting] report." Jenks is off to a quick start with four saves, though he has only one K and three BB in the early going. Look for another 35+ save season from the big guy provided he stays healthy. |
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| Chad Cordero (shoulder) threw 35 pitches in the bullpen on Monday and the reports are that it went well, this according to the Washington Post. Cordero is nearing a return to the majors on Friday if his scheduled appearance on Wednesday goes well. Cordero owners should still keep a roster spot open for Jon Rauch as there is still the possibility of Cordero re-injuring his shoulder or eventually being traded. |
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| Shawn Hill, P, Washington Nationals | Monday 4/7, 6:12 PM CT |
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| Shawn Hill says that his pitching forearm feels much better, and the plan is for him to throw 80 pitches at Single-A Potomac on Tuesday, this according to the Washington Post. If all goes well in that outing, Hill hopes to be on the hill for the Nationals on Sunday. Hill is still experiencing discomfort in his pitching arm, so he will need to be monitored closely as any little tweak could cause the Nats to baby him even more than they have so far. When he returns, the team will likely send down Matt Chico. |
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| Tom Gorzelanny had a terrible outing on Monday as he allowed seven runs in just 2.1 innings against the Cubs. Gorzelanny now owns a 10.80 ERA over 8.1 innings this year, and he has walked seven batter with only five strike outs. He may or may not be injured, but the bottom line is that he has a ton of work to do before he is worth using in any league at the moment. |
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| Ryan Doumit, C, Pittsburgh Pirates | Monday 4/7, 6:01 PM CT |
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| Ryan Doumit picked up another start at catcher for the Pirates on Monday and he produced two hits and and RBI in the game. Doumit is now batting .458 in 24 AB to open the year, and it's starting to look like he just might be in line to at least pick up 300 AB for the first time of his career with the potential for a whole lot more in Pittsburgh. |
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| Nate McLouth continued his assault on pitchers as he had three hits and two RBI on Monday leaving him with a .441 average through 34 AB. We told you a breakout could be in the offing with this guy, and he is sure making us look good right now. As long as the Pirates just leave him alone and let him play he could end up being one of the better late round picks this season. |
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| Geovany Soto had his first big day of the season as he went 3-for-7 with a run scored and two RBI for the Cubs. As great as that day was Soto left seven men on base so it could have been a really big afternoon. Soto should be able to hit, but he will need to improve his ability to throw out runners or he could start to lose a few starts moving forward. |
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| Kosuke Fukudome did it all on Monday as he had three hits, two walks, scored a run and stole a base for the Cubs. Who said this United States baseball was difficult? So far so good for this Japanese import as he it hitting .458 in his first 24 AB. |
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| Ted Lilly, P, Chicago Cubs | Monday 4/7, 5:50 PM CT |
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| Ted Lilly was awful on Monday as he allowed five runs and nine baserunners in just 3.2 innings before being removed from a game the Cubs came back to win. That's two ugly outings in a row for Lilly who has thrown only 8.1 innings with a 9.72 ERA. A lot will have to go right for Lilly to approach the career best numbers he posted last season, and if this start is any indicator it looks like a regression is coming down the pipe for Lilly. |
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| Carlos Marmol picked up his first save of the season on Monday as the Cubs defeated the Pirates 10-8 in 12 innings. Don't go freaking out if you own Kerry Wood as this was a 12 inning game and Wood had pitched each of the past two days. Still, it just goes to show you how valuable Marmol is this season even if he isn't in the closers role as the Cubs will certainly keep a close eye on Wood's workload this season. |
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| Coco Crisp, CF, Boston Red Sox | Monday 4/7, 5:41 PM CT |
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| Coco Crisp will start over Jacoby Ellsbury on Tuesday against a left-handed pitcher, this according to the Boston Globe. The Sox will be facing crafty lefty Kenny Rogers meaning that leaning on the veteran in Crisp makes sense, but Ellsbury owners have to be getting very concerned that Crisp is taking so much of Ellsbury's playing time early on. |
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| Juan Pierre, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers | Monday 4/7, 5:37 PM CT |
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| Juan Pierre is making his third straight start over Matt Kemp on Monday, this according to the Los Angeles Daily News. Pierre is batting eighth in the order limiting his runs scored potential, but he can run just as easily from that spot as at the top of the order. As for Matt Kemp owners this is extremely distressing news as he now appears to be behind both Pierre and Andre Ethier for playing time in the Dodgers outfield. |
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| Carlos Silva allowed four runs on Monday to the Orioles in seven innings to pick up a no-decision. Silva actually struck out five on the day, of course he walked no one, and he now owns a 3.21 ERA through his first 13 innings. Silva just doesn't strike enough hitters out to have a lot of value in mixed leagues, but he keeps the ball around the strike zone and gives his team a chance to win most of the time. |
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| Raul Ibanez, LF, Seattle Mariners | Monday 4/7, 5:24 PM CT |
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| After a slow start to the season, Raul Ibanez now has two HR and five hits in his past two games thanks to a two hit, two RBI outing on Monday against the Orioles. One of the most overlooked bats in the game, all Ibanez does is produce solid number as he has hit at least .280 with 89 RBI in each of the past three seasons. Look for more of the same this year. |
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| Eric O'Flaherty had yet another poor outing for the Mariners on Monday as he allowed one hit, one walk and one run while picking up just one out in his first loss of the season. In 3.2 innings this year spread over five appearances, Eric has an ERA of 14.73 while he has allowed 10 base runners in 3.2 innings. If you picked him up hoping for saves, now might be a good time to bench him as he has looked awful so far. |
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| George Sherrill needed 14 pitches on Monday to close out his fourth save of the early going for the Orioles. Sherrill has allowed two walks in 3.2 innings this season though batters have yet to reach base via a hit. It's too early to tab him an all-star, but this strong start should waylay any fears that anyone had that he couldn't handle the closers role. |
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| Brian Roberts continued his strong start to the season on Monday as he had three hits and two RBI for the Orioles. Roberts continues to cause all kinds of havoc from the top of the Orioles order and if is finally traded to the Cubs there will be little reason to watch an Orioles game the rest of this season. |
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| Daniel Cabrera had another rough outing on Monday as he allowed five hits and four walks, not to mention four runs, in six innings of work. Cabrera was actually done in today by allowing a couple of home runs, but until he get that amazing stuff under control, he is nothing more than a bench pitcher in AL Only leagues. |
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| Melvin Mora, 3B, Baltimore Orioles | Monday 4/7, 5:12 PM CT |
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| Melvin Mora had only one hit on Monday but it was his second home run of the season for the Orioles. Mora has seen his production dwindle the past few years, but hitting second in the Orioles lineup figures to still give him the chance to be a useful corner infielder in most leagues this season. |
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| Aaron Rowand, CF, San Francisco Giants | Monday 4/7, 3:57 PM CT |
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| Aaron Rowand is back in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Padres. He bruised his ribs last Wednesday and had played just once since that time. X-rays on the ribs have been inconclusive, and Rowand may undergo an MRI, MLB.com reports. |
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| Fred Lewis, LF, San Francisco Giants | Monday 4/7, 3:55 PM CT |
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| Fred Lewis is starting in right field on Monday. It's his second straight day in the lineup after coming off the bench in the first five games. Lewis is only 1-for-9 this season, but he is one of the team's few younger options. |
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| Eugenio Velez got another start on Monday, this time at second base. It's his fifth start in a row, and he has appeared at second, right field, and left field this year. Velez is batting .278 with one steal through the opening week. |
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| Ross Detwiler threw five scoreless innings and struck out seven in his High-A debut. A few more starts like this one could get him to Double-A and even the majors sooner than expected. The Nationals’ lack of blue chip talent in their current rotation makes Detwiler an interesting late-season possibility. |
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| Ricky Romero was blasted over the weekend at Double-A, allowing four runs, three earned in 3.2 innings. The former first-round draft choice still has a chance to make it to the majors, but he is certainly not the prospect that he seemed to be after being drafted by the Jays. |
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| Colby Rasmus hit his first home run of the season at Triple-A Memphis. He is hitting .368 on the season. The early-season struggles of Skip Schumaker are good news for Rasmus’ major league arrival, though it still could be a few months before the Cardinals’ top prospect is called up. |
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| Despite losing out on the third base competition for Florida during spring training, Dallas McPherson is off to a hot start at Triple-A. He already has three home runs and is hitting .400 on the season. McPherson, a former top prospect with the Angels, could still make something of himself in the majors, but the acquisition of Wes Helms hurts his chances of helping the Marlins. |
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| Javier Brito, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks | Monday 4/7, 2:51 PM CT |
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| Javier Brito hit his second home run of the season at Triple-A Tucson during the weekend. Brito is an excellent hitting prospect (.327-11-72 at Double-A last season), but there is some concern about his defense. |
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| Jimmy Rollins socked his second homer of the year on Monday. It was a solo shot against the Reds. Rollins added a single and a walk in a 2-for-4 day. |
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| Bartolo Colon was placed on the minor league DL and will be examined in Boston on Tuesday, the Boston Globe reports. He is dealing with some pain in his right side. "I think it's more with those types of things, we don't want it to turn into something," manager Terry Francona explains. There's not word on if Colon can currently only turn to his left when picking up items off the buffet. |
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| Chris Young, CF, Arizona Diamondbacks | Monday 4/7, 2:38 PM CT |
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| Chris Young and the Diamondbacks agreed to terms on a six-year contract extension on Monday, MLB.com reports. The deal will lock up the young outfielder through 2013. Terms were not disclosed, and the team will formally announce the contract on Tuesday. |
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| A.J. Pierzynski was named the AL Player of the Week on Monday. He hit .500 with two homers, seven RBI, and seven runs over his opening five games. There's no word on how many opponents he taunted or upset in the process. |
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| Brad Lidge, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Monday 4/7, 2:28 PM CT |
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| Brad Lidge picked up his first save of the season on Monday, albeit in interesting fashion. Lidge got the first two hitters out before a walk, error, and intentional walk loaded the bases. The closer then threw a wild pitch before striking out the final batter. |
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| Xavier Nady, RF, Pittsburgh Pirates | Monday 4/7, 2:25 PM CT |
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| Xavier Nady was named the NL Player of the Week for the opening days of 2008 season. He hit .385 with three homers, nine RBI, six runs, and one stolen base over six games. |
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| Cole Hamels, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Monday 4/7, 2:21 PM CT |
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| Cole Hamels picked up his first win of the season on Monday. He worked seven innings against the Reds and allowed five hits and two runs (one earned). Hamels walked three and struck out four. The victory this time almost makes up for his disappointing loss when he tossed a gem in his season debut. |
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| Bronson Arroyo wasn't at his best on Monday. He served up four homers over 5.2 innings against the Phillies. Fortunately, the four long balls (plus two doubles and three singles) turned into only five runs. Arroyo took the loss and dropped to 0-1. |
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| Pat Burrell, LF, Philadelphia Phillies | Monday 4/7, 2:15 PM CT |
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| Pat Burrell homered in his first two at-bats on Monday and finished 2-for-4 with a couple runs and three RBI in a win over the Reds. The outfielder is hitting .435 with three homers and nine RBI on the young season. |
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| Scott Spiezio was sentenced to three months probation after pleading guilty to charges on Monday, ESPN.com reports. He faced charges of assault, battery, driving under the influence, and assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a car crash on December 30. Spiezio will also pay a $390 fine, participate in AA and an alcohol program, perform 80 hours of community service, pay an undisclosed amount to a fund, and now play for the Orioles. Okay, so we made that last part up. |
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| Kerry Wood, P, Chicago Cubs | Monday 4/7, 12:53 PM CT |
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| Kerry Wood will get the day off on Monday, even if there is a save opportunity. "We're just trying to be a little prudent," manager Lou Piniella tells MLB.com. The Cubs are off on Tuesday, which gives Wood two days to rest his arm. Carlos Marmol will work the ninth if necessary on Monday. |
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| The Mariners will drop Richie Sexson from fourth to sixth in the lineup on Monday. Adrian Beltre will hit fourth, and Brad Wilkerson will hit fifth, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer notes. Manager John McLaren has not given a reason for the move, but it's not a good sign for Sexson's fantasy owners. |
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| Scott Moore, 3B, Baltimore Orioles | Monday 4/7, 12:42 PM CT |
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| Scott Moore hasn't started a game yet, but his time is coming. The utility infielder will start at third base on Tuesday, second base on Wednesday, and first base on Friday, according to the Baltimore Sun. His versatility will allow those regulars to get a day off. |
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| Norris Hopper got the start on Monday in place of Ken Griffey Jr., who is simply resting. "I'm trying to keep him strong," manager Dusty Baker tells the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We've had a lot of day games. He's going to play a lot on this road trip because of the teams we're playing. He hasn't seen (Cole) Hamels much. It's a good day to rest him." |
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| Freddy Sanchez will start on Monday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review confirms. He has missed time due to lingering soreness in his right shoulder. |
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