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| Tulowitzki to continue rehab | Sunday 6/15, 11:07 PM CT |
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Troy Tulowitzki has completed his rehab work with Single-A Modesto on Sunday (as a DH), and will now continue his rehab assignment with Triple-A Colorado Springs, according to MLB.com. Modesto manager Jerry Weinstein said, "Troy was a good role model for our players and is a first-class kid. If our guys are smart, and I think they are, they will pay attention."
Our View: Tulowitzki targeted next Friday as his return date to the Rockies, and seemingly remains on track to do so, as he completed his stint at Modesto pain-free. |
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| Kotchman provides only scoring | Sunday 6/15, 9:52 PM CT |
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Casey Kotchman went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, and provided the only scoring in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Braves.
Our View: That was his first homer since April 23, and his first RBI since May 30. Yet he is hitting a solid .303 for the season. |
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| Escobar goes 2-for-3 in shutout loss | Sunday 6/15, 9:37 PM CT |
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Yunel Escobar went 2-for-3 with a walk in Sunday's 2-0 shutout loss to the Angels in inter-league play. Escobar accounted for two of the Braves' six hits.
Our View: He raised his average to .303, and that was his third straight multi-hit game, and his seventh in June. |
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| Campillo pitches well in first loss | Sunday 6/15, 9:32 PM CT |
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Jorge Campillo only allowed two earned runs on seven hits over eight innings or work in Sunday's 2-0 loss against the Angels, with no walks and seven strikeouts.
Our View: He pitched very well but was handed his first loss of 2008 due to no run support from his team-mates. He holds a solid 2.17 ERA over 54 innings this season (six starts). |
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| Jackson goes 2-for-4 | Sunday 6/15, 8:51 PM CT |
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Conor Jackson went 2-for-4 in Sunday's 8-3 loss to the Royals. He accounted for two of Arizona's five hits.
Our View: That was his fifth multi-hit game in June, and his second straight against the Royals. |
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| Owings rocked for seven runs | Sunday 6/15, 8:48 PM CT |
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Micah Owings was rocked for seven runs on eight hits over 5.1 innings in Sunday's 8-3 loss to Kansas City, with two walks and four strikeouts. Most of the damage came on a three-run homer by David DeJesus.
Our View: Owings drops to 6-5 for the season, with a 5.18 ERA. He has now allowed at least four earned runs in four straight starts. |
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| Milledge goes 3-for-4 | Sunday 6/15, 8:16 PM CT |
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Lastings Milledge went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Mariners.
Our View: That was his fourth multi-hit game of June, but only has five RBI over 14 games in the month. |
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| Redding fares well in no-decision | Sunday 6/15, 8:13 PM CT |
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Tim Redding only surrendered two runs (one earned) on five hits over six innings in Sunday's 6-2 win over Seattle, with two walks and four strikeouts. He exited the game with a no-decision, and Washington rallied with four runs in the eighth inning to break a 2-2 tie.
Our View: Redding still holds a 6-3 record over 15 starts, and trimmed his ERA to 4.10. He would have won if the Nationals' bats woke up a few innings earlier. |
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| Molina update | Sunday 6/15, 7:43 PM CT |
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It has been disclosed that Yadier Molina suffered a mild concussion during Sunday's brutal collision at home plate against the Phillies, and he will be kept overnight in the hospital as a precaution, according to MLB.com.
Our View: The severity of the ailment is yet to be determined. Jason LaRue will handle the catching duties while he Molina is out of action. |
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| Wright picks up 50th RBI | Sunday 6/15, 7:37 PM CT |
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David Wright went 3-for-4 and picked up his 50th RBI of the season in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Rangers in the late game of a double-header.
Our View: Wright has notched an RBI in three straight games, and has 10 so far in June, but was only hitting .220 in the month prior to tonight's strong outing. |
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| Pedro nails down win against Texas | Sunday 6/15, 7:34 PM CT |
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Pedro Martinez only surrendered two runs (one earned) on six hits over six innings in Sunday's 4-2 victory in the second game of a double-header against the Rangers, with one walk and four strikeouts.
Our View: Pedro improves to 2-0 over four starts. This was his best outing of the season, and is seemingly back in solid form. |
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| Molina records 43rd RBI in loss | Sunday 6/15, 7:18 PM CT |
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Bengie Molina went 0-for-4 but collected his 43rd RBI of the season on a sacrifice fly in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Athletics.
Our View: Molina is enjoying a strong season, but is in a bit of a slump as he hasn't registered a hit in six straight games. |
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| Correia loses in return to action | Sunday 6/15, 7:14 PM CT |
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Kevin Correia struggled in his first start back from his stint on the DL with a strained left oblique, as he allowed five earned runs on seven hits over 5.1 innings in Sunday's 5-3 loss to Oakland, with two walks and four strikeouts.
Our View: He falls to 1-4 for the season, with a 5.17 ERA. Keep him reserved until he proves worthy of your fantasy rotation. |
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| Hawpe hits another homer | Sunday 6/15, 6:49 PM CT |
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Brad Hawpe went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Sunday's 5-3 victory over the White Sox.
Our View: Hawpe has homered in back-to-back outings against the Sox, and has hit four of his seven homers in June. |
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| Podsednik hurts former team | Sunday 6/15, 6:46 PM CT |
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Scott Podsednik hurt his former team as he went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Sunday's 5-3 win over the White Sox in inter-league play.
Our View: Those were his first RBI since June 3, and his first hit since June 1. |
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| Cook stirs up 10th win | Sunday 6/15, 6:42 PM CT |
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Aaron Cook gave up three earned runs on 10 hits over six innings in Sunday's 5-3 win over the White Sox in Chicago, with two walks and three strikeouts. Most of the damage came on a two-run homer by Jermaine Dye.
Our View: Cook is 10-3 for the season, with a 3.29 ERA. It wasn't a great outing, but was good enough to get the job done. |
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| Lee has tough day at the plate | Sunday 6/15, 6:36 PM CT |
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Carlos Lee had a tough day at the plate in Sunday's 13-0 shutout loss to the Yankees, as he went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
Our View: Lee went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBI in last night's loss to the Yankees, and the club figured him out on Sunday. |
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| Oswalt suffers seventh loss | Sunday 6/15, 6:30 PM CT |
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Roy Oswalt surrendered seven runs (three earned) on eight hits over 5.2 innings in Sunday's 13-0 loss to the Bronx Bombers in inter-league play, with four walks and six strikeouts.
Our View: Oswalt has been erratic from start to start this season, as he only allowed one run in his last outing. He falls to 5-7 with a 5.04 ERA. |
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| Nolasco nails down seventh win | Sunday 6/15, 5:58 PM CT |
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Ricky Nolasco allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits over 8.2 innings in Sunday's convincing 9-3 win over the Rays, with one walk and an eye-opening 12 strikeouts. He is now 7-4 for the season.
Our View: He just missed his first complete game of the season, and his 12 strikeouts are a season-high. He allowed three runs in his last start, none earned, and is pitching very well right now. He is worth targeting if still dangling on the waiver wire. |
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| Cameron chips in two RBI in win | Sunday 6/15, 5:46 PM CT |
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Mike Cameron went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 4-2 victory over Minnesota.
Our View: That was his 10th homer of the season, with three coming over his last five games. Too bad he is still hitting a mere .225, with 53 strikeouts. |
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| McClung claims fourth win | Sunday 6/15, 5:42 PM CT |
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Seth McClung only allowed a pair of earned runs on four hits over six innings in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Twins, with no walks and four strikeouts.
Our View: McClung has allowed two or less earned runs in three straight starts, with only one walk issued over the span. He is pitching very well right now, and is worth a look if you need help at the position. |
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| Bellorin recalled | Sunday 6/15, 5:26 PM CT |
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Catcher Edwin Bellorin has been recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs, according to the AP. The team made the move as Yorvit Torrealba serves his two-game suspension. To make room on the roster, the Rockies optioned infielder Jonathan Herrera to Triple-A.
Our View: Bellorin registered no hits over two at-bats with Colorada earlier this season, and will likely be sent back to Triple-A after Torrealba serves his suspension. |
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| Howard collects four RBI in loss | Sunday 6/15, 5:17 PM CT |
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Ryan Howard went 2-for-4 and collected four RBI in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Cardinals. He hit one double and one single.
Our View: That was the third time in his last seven games that he recorded four or more RBI, with five coming on June 13 in the series opener against St. Louis. He has 58 RBI for the season. |
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| Myers rocked for six runs | Sunday 6/15, 5:13 PM CT |
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Brett Myers was rocked for six earned runs on eight hits over six innings in Sunday's tough 7-6 loss to the Cardinals, with no walks and three strikeouts.
Our View: He gave up two home runs in the game, and has now allowed 20 over his 15 starts. He left the game with a no decision, avoiding his ninth loss, but his ERA climbed to 5.56. |
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| Boggs exits with no decision | Sunday 6/15, 5:08 PM CT |
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Mitchell Boggs allowed four earned runs on six hits over 4.1 innings in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Phillies, with two walks and three strikeouts. He exited the contest with a no-decision.
Our View: This was Boggs' worst outing of the season, as he allowed two or less runs in his previous two. He should bounce back and the rookie has a promising future ahead of him in St. Louis. |
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| Glaus crushes sixth homer of June | Sunday 6/15, 5:04 PM CT |
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Troy Glaus went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Phillies, which took 10 innings to decide.
Our View: That was his sixth homer of June, and 10th RBI of the month as well. Continue to pencil him into your lineups while he remains hot. |
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| Gagne throws off mound | Sunday 6/15, 4:59 PM CT |
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Eric Gagne, who is recovering from right rotator cuff tendinitis, threw about 25 pitches off a mound on Sunday, according to the AP. He did not speak after the session, but said he felt about 90% healthy on Saturday.
Our View: There remains no timetable for his return, but is likely a couple of weeks away. |
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| Martin generates two-run homer | Sunday 6/15, 4:37 PM CT |
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Russell Martin went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Tigers.
Our View: That was only his second homer in June, and his sixth of the season. He is still hitting a solid .311 for the season, and remains in the top class among fantasy catchers. |
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| Kershaw hurls four scoreless | Sunday 6/15, 4:33 PM CT |
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Clayton Kershaw hurled four scoreless innings, with only two hits allowed, in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Tigers, with two walks and two strikeouts.
Our View: There was a 47-minute rain delay, and he was pulled when action resumed, which is disappoining because he was enjoying his best outing of the season. |
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| Molina injured in collision | Sunday 6/15, 4:23 PM CT |
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Yadier Molina was involved in a collision at home plate with Eric Bruntlett of the Phillies. During an attempted tag -- Molina took a hard hit in an awkward position -- and had to be carried off the field after the medical team secured his neck. Molina landed as if he had no movement in his lower extremities and never moved during the five minutes he laid on the ground waiting for the doctor to arrive. The injury looks to be serious.
Our View: We will update you as soon as information becomes unavailable. |
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| Buckner optioned | Sunday 6/15, 4:08 PM CT |
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Billy Buckner has been optioned to Triple-A Tucson, according to the AP. The team recalled righty Leo Rosales from Tucson.
Our View: Buckner allowed two runs and four hits (two homers) over 2.2 innings of work with Arizona this season. He held no fantasy value prior to his demotion. |
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| Rosales recalled | Sunday 6/15, 4:05 PM CT |
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Leo Rosales has been recalled from Triple-A Tucson, according to the AP. As an adjoining move, the team optioned righty Billy Buckner to Tuscon.
Our View: The 27-year old Rosales was 2-1 with a 4.08 ERA at Tucson, and did not appear in a game with the D-Backs. He holds no fantasy value.
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| Bailey bombed by Boston | Sunday 6/15, 3:55 PM CT |
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The Red Sox hit four homers off Homer Bailey and routed the Cincinnati Reds 9-0 on Sunday afternoon. The Reds have lost each of Bailey's three starts this season who allowed five runs on four hits and lasted only 2.1 innings in the loss.
Our View: With Bailey's three walks in the game he's now allowed 10 free passes in 12.1 innings since being called up. |
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| Maine gives up two HR in loss | Sunday 6/15, 3:47 PM CT |
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John Maine allowed five runs on seven hits, walked none and struck out five Texas Rangers over 6.1 innings on Sunday afternoon. Maine lost his fifth game of the season against six wins.
Our View: Maine threw 105 pitches and all of the damage came via Texas long balls. Two two-run home runs (Ian Kinsler and Ramon Vazquez) and a solo shot by Milton Bradley. |
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| Ramirez hits 10th HR in win | Sunday 6/15, 3:26 PM CT |
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Aramis Ramirez hit his tenth home run of the season in the seventh inning of the Cubs 7-4 win over the Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon.
Our View: The long ball was Ramirez's only hit of the day but raised his RBI total to 45 on the season. |
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| Lee drives in three in Cubs win | Sunday 6/15, 3:24 PM CT |
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Derrek Lee went 2-for-4, drove in three runs and the Chicago Cubs scored their second straight victory over the Toronto Blue Jays winning two of the three-game interleague tilt.
Our View: Lee continues to have an MVP-like season. The first baseman is hitting .290 and has recorded 44 RBI and 48 runs scored in 69 games. |
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| Lilly throws six scoreless in win | Sunday 6/15, 3:18 PM CT |
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Ted Lilly threw six shutout innings allowing one hit, walking five and striking out six to help the Cubs to a 7-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon.
Our View: Lilly struggled with his command, but with the assistance of the big strike zone of home plate umpire Jeff Nelson he was able to strand runners in nearly every inning and record his seventh win. |
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| Maholm goes six strong vs. Birds | Sunday 6/15, 3:12 PM CT |
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Paul Maholm allowed two runs on four hits, walked three and struck out four over six innings on Sunday afternoon. Maholm handed the ball to John Grabow with a 4-2 lead and was in line to even his record to 5-5 when he departed.
Our View: Maholm has been up and down in the first two months of the season. His K Rate is under six and his BB Rate is far too high (2.40) in relation. The left-hander allows over 10 hits per nine innings and the combination of the three make him a suspect starter in anything but AL-only formats. |
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| Maddux losses fifth | Sunday 6/15, 2:56 PM CT |
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Greg Maddux allowed two runs on eight hits, walked none and struck out two in six innings of work on Sunday.
Our View: Maddux threw 104 pitches and never seemed to have command of the strike zone. The loss is his fifth of the season. |
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| Sabathia strikes out 10 | Sunday 6/15, 2:53 PM CT |
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C.C. Sabathia allowed three runs on six hits, wallked one and struck out 10 Padres on Sunday afternoon. The big left-hander gave way to Masahide Kobayashi in the top of the ninth inning after throwing 112 pitches.
Our View: Sabathia won his five game against eight losses and lowered his ERA to 4.26. |
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| Boone starting for Nats | Sunday 6/15, 2:40 PM CT |
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Aaron Boone, who returned to action as a defensive replacement on Saturday night, is back in the starting lineup at third base. Boone is hitting seventh in the batting order.
Our View: Boone has been limited due to a strained neck that he suffered on Thursday. |
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| Dobbs starts at 3B for Feliz | Sunday 6/15, 12:32 PM CT |
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Greg Dobbs is starting at third base today in the final game of the three-game tilt against the Cardinals in St. Louis. The veteran Pedro Feliz will take the day off.
Our View: Dobbs has played in 59 games this year, hitting a lofty .364 in 88 at-bats -- and has two home runs, 18 RBI and 10 runs scored. The reserve has one stolen base in two attempts. |
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| Nixon starts in RF; hitting sixth | Sunday 6/15, 12:21 PM CT |
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Recently acquired outfielder Trot Nixon is in the starting lineup for the Mets today, playing right field and hitting sixth.
Our View: Nixon was hitting .309/.437/.558 with 10 home run for Triple-A Tucson. Endy Chavez and Marlon Anderson will lose at-bats now that Nixon has joined the 25-man roster. |
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| Church ready to begin exercising | Sunday 6/15, 12:16 PM CT |
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Ryan Church was at Shea on Saturday for the first time since he went on the disabled because of concussion symptoms. He emphatically said, according to Newsday, he feels great--better than he had when he insisted before that he had recovered and insisted on playing, which he admits was a mistake.
Our View: Church has been cleared to start exercising today and believes it is only a matter of waiting for the required 15 days on the disabled list to pass before he is playing. |
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| Berroa get's the nod vs. Robertson | Sunday 6/15, 12:01 PM CT |
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Angel Berroa, who was picked up from the Royals earlier in the month, was called up from Triple-A last Saturday. The former AL Rookie of the Year is starting at shortstop against Detroit southpaw Nate Robertson today and is hitting eighth. Berroa is 7-for-21 (.333) lifetime against Robertson.
Our View: He's expected to share time with Chin-Lung Hu until Rafael Furcal returns from the disabled list. |
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| Ardoin starting for Martin | Sunday 6/15, 11:55 AM CT |
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Danny Ardoin, who is back in the majors for the first time since September 2006, has been serving as Russell Martin's backup with veteran Gary Bennett on the disabled list. Ardoin is starting this afternoon for Martin and hitting ninth.
Our View: Ardoin has seen very little action since being called up on May 20th. He has 10 at-bats, two hits and two RBI. |
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| Maza starting for Kent | Sunday 6/15, 11:52 AM CT |
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Luis Maza is starting at second base for veteran Jeff Kent in this afternoon's game in Detroit. The Dodgers are resting many of their starters that include the aforementioned Kent along with catcher Russell Martin and shortstop Chin-Lung Hu.
Our View: Maza has 35 official plate appearances this year and is hitting .171 with one RBI and two runs scored. |
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| Clark gets start against C.C. | Sunday 6/15, 11:46 AM CT |
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Tony Clark is serving as the San Diego Padres designated hitter in today's game at Cleveland. The left-handed slugger squares off against Indians' starter C.C. Sabathia. Starting Clark against the Cy Young winner is surprising as he is 0-for-5 against the southpaw in his career.
Our View: Clark has played in 51 games this year but has only 62 at-bats. The left-handed veteran is hitting .242 with one home run and seven RBI. |
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| Harden injury free; for now | Sunday 6/15, 11:06 AM CT |
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Rich Harden is getting almost predictable. Each time he takes the ball he dominated his opponent. For the second start in a row, Harden recorded nine strikeouts and kept his record perfect, helping Oakland to a 4-0 victory over the Giants.
Our View: Can owners put Harden's health issues aside? The A's right-hander has delivered one strong start after another, with his best of the season coming Saturday, albeit against the Giants. Or is it time to sell high on the ace? History tells us he will suffer an injury, and conservative owners sitting in the league catbird seat right now would be well advised to find out what Harden's worth on the open market. |
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| Eaton strong despite loss | Sunday 6/15, 11:02 AM CT |
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Adam Eaton turned in another solid start on Saturday despite suffering the loss. He went 6 2/3 innings and allowed just three runs. The righthander has pitched at least six innings in his last five starts and has allowed no more than three runs in each.
Our View: He made an early mistake yesterday and got a fastball up to Adam Kennedy, who hit it for a two-run homer in the first. Eaton allowed another run in the third on three singles, all the Cardinals would muster against the right-hander. |
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| Gordon's role to diminish | Sunday 6/15, 10:59 AM CT |
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Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has a plan for lessening 40-year-old reliever Tom Gordon's workload without suffering the eighth-inning blues, this according to the team website. That plan has come about largely because of Manuel's trust in relievers Chad Durbin and Ryan Madson, and that duo doesn't intend to blink if the spotlight on them becomes a little brighter.
Our View: Gordon's value in traditional fantasy formats is zero, but he's been a mainstay in leagues that offer hold and as a backup to the Brad Lidge who had knee surgery in March. This news all but dimishes Gordon and his fantasy worth in most formats. |
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| LaRoche back in the lineup | Sunday 6/15, 10:56 AM CT |
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After a two-game absence, Adam LaRoche was back in the lineup yesterday as the Pirates designated hitter. Doug Mientkiewicz started at first base. This afternoon, expect to see Ryan Doumit in the designated hitter role and Raul Chavez behind the plate. LaRoche likely will be at first base.
Our View: Playing LaRoche at DH was done to give the slumping first baseman time to focus on his swing. |
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| Headley promoted from Portland | Sunday 6/15, 10:26 AM CT |
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Chase Headley finally landed his long-anticipated promotion. The team made the call for the left fielder to join them in Cleveland, general manager Kevin Towers told the team website. Headley was batting a .305 with 13 home runs, 40 RBIs and 49 runs scored with Triple-A Portland, capping a six-week hot streak by blasting three home runs with eight RBI in his last 18 at-bats.
Our View: Headley is expected to be activated either today or before the team begins a three-game series in New York against the Yankees on Tuesday. |
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| Correia set to start | Sunday 6/15, 10:14 AM CT |
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Kevin Correia will make his first start in six weeks today in the final game of a three-game tilt against the Washington Nationals. Correia was 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in four starts this season before he sustained a strained oblique muscle six pitches into his start against Cincinnati on April 26.
Our View: The Giants have lost 10 of their past 12 games at AT&T Park and had a dismal 13-20 overall mark at the waterfront stadium. Correia has just a .500 career record as a starter, but the Giants are 12-5 in games Correia has started at home since his debut in 2003. |
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| Ortmeier still not right | Sunday 6/15, 10:12 AM CT |
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Dan Ortmeier had another X-ray of his broken left middle finger on Friday that revealed the finger is healing but still fractured, this according to the Mercury News. Ortmeier, who has been on the disabled list for two weeks, said he believes he broke the finger just above the top knuckle during early work in Florida or Arizona when he was catching flyballs at the outfield wall, often crashing into the wall fingers-first.
Our View: Ortmeier said he will meet with a hand specialist this week to further evaluate his progress, but no timetable has been established for his return. |
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| Mulder develops new delivery | Sunday 6/15, 9:53 AM CT |
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According to the St Louis Post Dispatch, Mark Mulder said he is going to come back as a sidearm reliever. The statement, obviously a half hearted joke out of frustration, formed new developments in Mulder's rehab. Introducing a delivery one tick above sidearm, Mulder started his fourth rehab assignment in the past three seasons with five shutout innings Saturday for Class AA Springfield. "It was night and day compared to what I was doing a month ago," Mulder said. "I feel myself getting closer, compared to where I've been. It's that release point, the way the ball comes out of my hand. Before it just wasn't there. Is it perfect? No. Not yet."
Our View: He not only threw freer and easier in his first time facing hitters with the new arm slot, he also threw consistently with considerably more velocity than he's had in other rehab starts. The new delivery is no longer a joke. |
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| Wellemeyer admits being sore | Sunday 6/15, 9:49 AM CT |
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According to the St Louis Post Dispatch, starting pitcher Todd Wellemeyer was examined Saturday morning after admitting to elbow and forearm discomfort during and after Friday night's 10-out appearance against the Philadelphia Phillies. Wellemeyer described himself as "gator-arming" the ball in his last two innings as he found it impossible to straighten his elbow. "If it doesn't improve, I'm telling them I can't pitch," he said. "I'm not going out there to be a hero."
Our View: He said the condition had eased Saturday but that some of the tightness that radiated from the elbow remained. Wellemeyer is scheduled to throw a side session Tuesday, but his next start could be in question if the condition does not improve significantly. |
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| Johnson to leadoff for Cubs | Sunday 6/15, 9:30 AM CT |
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Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Reed Johnson would likely get the bulk of the at-bats in the leadoff spot while left fielder Alfonso Soriano is on the disabled list with a broken left hand, this according to the Daily Herald.
Our View: Piniella has tried with Eric Patterson and Ryan Theriot but Johnson is his No. 1 hitter moving forward.
Johnson hit a 3-run homer in the second inning on Saturday to lead the Cubs to a victory. |
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| Willie's still the man - for now | Sunday 6/15, 8:46 AM CT |
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When John Maine takes the mound today for the first game of the Sunday double header against the Rangers, Willie Randolph will be the Mets manager, and even if he ends it that way, there is still a strong sense that some sort of shake-up must occur, according to SI.com.
Our View: The report notes that Omar Minaya could shift his focus to jolting the coaching staff, most likely the pitching coach Rick Peterson, with the hope that such a move could inspire his sagging team. |
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| Perez to miss three starts | Sunday 6/15, 8:13 AM CT |
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When the Nationals placed Odalis Perez on the 15-day disabled list after Friday night's game, they could have made the move retroactive to June 4 (the day after he last pitched). That would have made him eligible to return later this week. But backdating the roster move would have prevented the club from recalling Tyler Clippard from Triple-A Columbus to make Saturday night's start. The Nationals optioned Clippard to Columbus on Monday -- and major league rules require a demoted player to remain in the minors at least 10 days before returning. Perez is nursing left shoulder soreness.
Our View: Thus Perez will miss more than one start. Washington was forced to make the Perez move retroactive only to June 11 so he is not eligible to return until June 26. |
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| Rauch could be Nats All Star | Sunday 6/15, 8:04 AM CT |
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Nationals relief pitcher Jon Rauch has filled in admirably for injured Chad Cordero. His new role means a higher profile and a place among the National League leaders in saves. It means that some -- according to the Washington Post -- place him on a short list of choices to represent the team in the All-Star Game.
Our View: Rauch saved his 15 in a 5-2 win Saturday night in Seattle. The huge right-hander has a 2.60 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and has struck out 31 in 34.2 innings. |
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| Boone could return to the lineup | Sunday 6/15, 8:00 AM CT |
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Aaron Boone, who has missed the past three games because of a stiff neck, was able to take batting practice in the cage and on the field on Saturday afternoon and eventually enter the 5-2 Nationals win over the Mariners as a replacement on Saturday night. Ronnie Belliard has been starting at third baseman with Ryan Zimmerman on the disabled list.
Our View: Boone is expected to be available today but there has been no information yet as to whether he will start. |
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| Penny injured; sent back to LA | Sunday 6/15, 7:19 AM CT |
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According to the Los Angeles Times, Brad knew something was wrong with his right shoulder when warming up for his Saturday start against the Tigers.
Penny confirmed this when he lasted only 3.2 innings in the Dodgers' 12-7 loss to the Detroit Tigers giving up seven runs on seven hits. The right-hander was immediately booked for a return flight to Los Angeles today to be examined by team physician Neal ElAttrache.
Our View: The probable candidate to take the rotation spot of Penny would be left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo, who has posted a 3-1 record and 2.01 ERA primarily as a middle reliever.
Chan Ho Park would also probably be considered, though mild discomfort in his shoulder made him unavailable to pitch out of the bullpen Saturday. Torre has said that he would be more inclined to start Kuo than Park because Kuo is more economical with his pitches. |
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| Flores gets Washington the win | Sunday 6/15, 12:08 AM CT |
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Washington needed an offensive surge late in the game to get the 5-2 win over Seattle in interleague action today, and catcher Jesus Flores was there to provide. Flores went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer (his fourth of the year) in the seventh to secure the win. Flores ended with three RBIs and one run scored on the day.
Our View: Flores hit .340 through May but has fallen a bit in June, hitting. 273. However, he is now 4-for-9 against Seattle with five RBIs over two days. |
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