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| Dickerson will only play against righties | Wednesday 8/13, 11:45 PM CT |
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Reds outfielder Chris Dickerson, a left-handed hitter, will only play against right-handed pitchers because he struggles against southpaws, according to Reds.com. "Dickerson has had some problems with lefties in the Minors," Reds manger Dusty Baker said.
Our View: Dickerson was just called up and he went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Tuesday's game. He will be in a platoon with right-handed hitter Jolbert Cabrera, limiting his already flimsy fantasy value. |
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| Berry has hit in 30 straight | Wednesday 8/13, 11:15 PM CT |
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Phillies prospect Quintin Berry got a base hit in tonight's game for Advanced Single-A Clearwater to extend his hitting streak to 30 games, the longest in the minor leagues this season, according to Phillies.com.
Our View: Berry was ranked as one of the Phillies top 30 prospects by Baseball America, and the former fifth-round draft pick has been showing why. His best asset, and something that has certainly helped this streak, is his speed. He has stolen 44 bases so far this season. |
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| Drew gets two base knocks | Wednesday 8/13, 11:01 PM CT |
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Stephen Drew went 2-for-5 as Arizona's leadoff hitter, scoring a run and picking up an RBI while hitting his 30th double of the year in his squad's 6-5 loss to the Rockies.
Our View: Drew is definitely a guy you can put on fantasy teams, especially if he can just bump that average up a smidgen. However, the real payoff may come next year if Drew makes the leap into the elite class that many believe he is capable of. |
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| Francis shows improvement | Wednesday 8/13, 10:58 PM CT |
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Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis did not factor into the decision, but he did throw a solid game, which was a vast improvement from previous starts. Francis went six innings and allowed three runs in the Rockies win over Arizona.
Our View: Francis has been dreadful this season after such a solid year in 2007. He does not belong in fantasy leagues right now, but he does possess enough talent that he could be a factor later in the season should he straighten out. |
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| Rauch takes loss | Wednesday 8/13, 10:55 PM CT |
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Jon Rauch got the loss by allowing two runs on Brad Hawpe's two-run home run in the eighth inning, as the Diamondbacks lost to Colorado 6-5.
Our View: Rauch has a 5.14 ERA in August, though he also has three holds during the month. If you are in a league that uses that statistic, he is certainly a valuable performer. Otherwise, fantasy teams can do without him. |
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| Hawpe has big night | Wednesday 8/13, 10:52 PM CT |
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Brad Hawpe went 3-for-3 with his 19th home run of the season and three RBI to help lead the Rockies past Arizona by a score of 6-5.
Our View: Hawpe is 5-for-12 with two home runs and five RBI in his last three games, and he seems to be really locked in lately, which should please fantasy owners. |
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| Spilborghs nearing return date | Wednesday 8/13, 10:48 PM CT |
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Ryan Spilborghs took some swings in a batting cage as he continues to rehab his left oblique strain, but maintained that there was no timetable for his return, according to the Rocky Mountain News.
Our View: Spilborghs was having a very solid season with a .314 batting average, six home runs and seven RBI. He wasn't a mixed league option, but those in NL-only leagues may have given him a look. |
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| Washburn, Ibanez claimed off waivers | Wednesday 8/13, 10:47 PM CT |
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We are receiving reports that indicate Mariners' LHP Jarrod Washburn and outfielder Raul Ibanez were both claimed off waivers today, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Our View: The claiming teams are not yet known, but the Mariners have until 1:30 p.m. Thursday to work out a deal with those respective clubs. Rosenthal suggests the Rays may be seeking Ibanez but he fails to mention thoughts on Washburn. Once we get more news, we'll pass it along. |
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| Barton ready to return | Wednesday 8/13, 10:26 PM CT |
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Cardinals outfielder Brian Barton is with the team and ready to return from his stint on the DL, according to StLCardinals.com.
Our View: Barton is hitting .246 in limited at-bats and is not a fantasy option. |
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| Buautista sent to minors | Wednesday 8/13, 10:15 PM CT |
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In order to clear room on the roster for first baseman Adam LaRoche, the Pirates sent Jose Bautista to Triple-A Indianapolis, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Our View: Bautista was fairly productive, with 12 home runs and 44 RBI. However, Adam's brother, Andy LaRoche, will likely see the bulk of playing time at third base. |
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| Purcey gets the win | Wednesday 8/13, 10:15 PM CT |
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The Blue Jays found all the work they needed from starter David Purcey this evening, getting the 4-3 win despite a lack of offensive support. Purcey pitched six innings, allowing no runs on two hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
Our View: Purcey moves to 2-3 on the season with a 5.93 ERA. He halts a string of two losses in which he surrendered eight combined earned runs. Needless to say, there is room for improvement. |
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| Wells hits granny in win over Detroit | Wednesday 8/13, 10:09 PM CT |
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The Blue Jays and Tigers fought through mundane performances on offense tonight, but give Toronto credit for getting the win on the one swing of worth they found this evening. Designated hitter Vernon Wells pounded a grand-slam homer in the top of the third, proving to be the winning runs scored in the 4-3 victory. It was the only hit Wells got on the night, going 1-for-3 with a walk.
Our View: Wells is struggling to find his power stroke (and health) this season, but tonight shows he is still a force to fear. He is 5-for-15 thus far this month. |
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| Berkman 1-for-3 | Wednesday 8/13, 10:05 PM CT |
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Lance Berkman went 1-for-3 with a run, RBI, walk and strikeout to help lead the Astros to a 6-2 win over the Giants.
Our View: Berkman is having a rough month, and is hitting just .222 in August. The good news is he has two home runs in his last four games, but has just one multi-hit game this month. |
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| Wolf wins | Wednesday 8/13, 10:02 PM CT |
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Randy Wolf saw his record go to 8-10, helping lead the Astros to a 6-2 win over San Francisco with a seven inning, six hit, two earned run performance.
Our View: Wolf had been a solid fantasy contributor in the past, but he isn't consistent enough for owners to be able to depend on him at this point. |
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| Buehrle puts the shutout on KC | Wednesday 8/13, 10:01 PM CT |
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The White Sox put the shutout win on the Royals tonight, giving LHP Mark Buehrle a stage to shine. Buehrle pitched seven innings of shutout baseball, giving up five hits with no walks and five strikeouts.
Our View: Buehrle evens out at 10-10 on the season, touting an ERA of 3.77. He has an eerie pattern of two wins followed by two losses working, but for just the second time over his last eight starts, he failed to surrender a single home run. |
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| Zito loses again | Wednesday 8/13, 9:59 PM CT |
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Barry Zito lost game number 15 on the season as he went 5.2 innings, allowing six earned runs on four hits and five walks in the team's loss to Houston.
Our View: Zito's nightmare of a season continues, and he now has 83 strikeouts compared to 80 walks on the year. |
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| Hochevar falls (again) | Wednesday 8/13, 9:55 PM CT |
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The Royals found no semblence of offense tonight, falling 4-0 to the Chicago White Sox and leaving RHP Luke Hochevar with no support despite his strong effort. Hochevar pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
Our View: The lack of offense is not surprising but still ranks as frustrating. Hochevar falls to 6-11 on the season with a 5.44 ERA, going 1-6 since July 1. |
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| Langerhans leaves game | Wednesday 8/13, 9:53 PM CT |
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Ryan Langerhans left tonight's game against the Mets early because of lower back stiffness, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Langerhans has little fantasy value, as he is hitting just .261 on the year with one home run and six RBI. |
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| Lester wins again | Wednesday 8/13, 9:49 PM CT |
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Boston's Jon Lester is quickly becoming the gem of the franchise, tonight earning his 11th win in a dominating performance against the Texas Rangers. Lester pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with one walk and six strikeouts.
Our View: Lester moves to 11-4 on the season with a 3.25 ERA. The loss in his last outing is the only blemish on his '08 resume since May 25th, boasting a record of 8-1 since. |
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| Victorino out of lineup | Wednesday 8/13, 9:49 PM CT |
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Shane Victorino was out of tonight's lineup against the Dodgers because of a stiff back, according to Phillies.com.
Our View: Victorino is valuable both to his team and fantasy owners, and the good news is the injury isn't considered serious. He could be out for a few days, though. |
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| Bay swinging the stick for Boston | Wednesday 8/13, 9:44 PM CT |
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Jason Bay was on his game tonight, going 2-for-3 at the dish with one walk and his 26th double of the season, posting two RBIs and one run scored.
Our View: Bay is hitting .319 on the month with hits in 14 of his last 15 games. |
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| Three doubles for Youkilis | Wednesday 8/13, 9:38 PM CT |
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The Red Sox picked up where they left off last night... hitting. They threw the 8-4 win against Texas on the board with help from corner infielder Kevin Youkilis, going 3-for-4 at the dish with three doubles, totaling two RBIs and three runs scored.
Our View: Youk already has four homers on the month and was hitting a whopping .375 coming into tonight. He's on fire and keeps getting better. Maybe moving Manny was just what he needed. |
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| Jacobs goes 2-for-4 | Wednesday 8/13, 9:38 PM CT |
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Mike Jacobs went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two strikeouts in Florida's 6-4 loss to St. Louis.
Our View: Jacobs will give you power and RBI, but his batting average and especially on-base percentage is problematic for fantasy owners. Still, he will likely help more than he hurts with the amount of home runs he is capable of hitting. |
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| Glaus has four hits | Wednesday 8/13, 9:35 PM CT |
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Troy Glaus had a great night, going 4-for-4 with one run scored, one RBI and a walk to help lead the Cardinals in their victory over the Marlins.
Our View: Tonight saw Glaus' August batting average jump 64 points from .231 to .295. Keep him in the lineup, as he will always be a streaky hitter, but one that can provide power. |
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| Bradley homers in loss | Wednesday 8/13, 9:33 PM CT |
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It wasn't as exciting as last night, but the Rangers and Red Sox still brought the offense to the park and put on a show. In the end, it was Boston emerging the victor once again, this time by a score of 8-4, though Texas designated hitter Milton Bradley tried to change the outcome. Bradley went 1-for-3 at the dish with one walk and his 20th home run of the season, totaling three RBIs and one runs scored.
Our View: Bradley had not homered since July 13th, though he hit .328 last month and is hitting .333 thus far in August. He's been a bit limited by health issues, but the hitting is there when he's on the field. |
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| Nolasco solid | Wednesday 8/13, 9:31 PM CT |
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Ricky Nolasco was solid in his effort against St. Louis tonight. He went six innings, and though he gave up 10 hits, he surrendered just two earned runs and struck out five.
Our View: Nolasco is certainly worthy of a roster spot on fantasy squads. He has good strikeout totals, a solid WHIP, 11 wins and an ERA that remains under 4.00. |
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| Perez picks up five-out save | Wednesday 8/13, 9:29 PM CT |
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Chris Perez may not have been officially announced as the Cardinals closer, but make no mistake about it, that's exactly what he is. Perez went 1.2 innings to get his third save of the season in the Cardinals 6-4 win over Florida.
Our View: Perez can now claim the spot as closer, likely for the rest of the season. If Tony LaRussa didn't trust him, he would not have put him out there to get five outs in an important game. |
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| Guthrie dominates Cleveland | Wednesday 8/13, 9:26 PM CT |
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Baltimore RHP Jeremy Guthrie was strong off the hill in support of the O's 6-1 win over the Cleveland Indians tonight, pitching seven innings to allow one run on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
Our View: That's four consecutive wins for Guthrie, going at least six innings in all with just one earned run allowed in each. |
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| Johnson strikes out twice | Wednesday 8/13, 9:26 PM CT |
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Second baseman Kelly Johnson did his part to contribute to the Braves 8-0 loss by going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts against the Cubs.
Our View: Johnson is having a decent August, but his high volume of strikeouts should be concerning to fantasy owners. He has struck out in 38% of his at-bats this month. |
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| Ramirez gets two RBI | Wednesday 8/13, 9:23 PM CT |
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Cubs slugger Aramis Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Chicago's 8-0 win over Atlanta.
Our View: Ramirez is having a great year and is tearing it up in August with a batting average of .343, which should instill confidence in fantasy owners who saw him hit just .228 in July. |
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| Markakis keeps it hot | Wednesday 8/13, 9:22 PM CT |
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The Orioles enjoyed a bevy of offense to get the 6-1 over Cleveland this evening, an effort led by outfielder Nick Markakis. Markakis went 3-for-4 at the plate, including his 36th double of the season to total two RBIs and one run scored.
Our View: Markakis has been lighting it up with the stick, hitting .386 on the month coming into this evening with 17 RBIs and nine runs scored. He adds to all of those numbers with another strong outing. |
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| Campillo loses | Wednesday 8/13, 9:20 PM CT |
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Jorge Campillo lost his fifth game of the season by allowing Chicago five runs on seven hits in seven innings in the Cubs 8-0 win over Atlanta.
Our View: This is two rocky starts in a row, and Campillo's ERA is now above 3.00. Continue using him in fantasy play unless he really starts to fall apart. |
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| Tribe waste strong outing from Reyes | Wednesday 8/13, 9:18 PM CT |
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Cleveland couldn't get the offense going this evening, falling 6-1 to the Orioles to waste a strong outing from RHP Anthony Reyes. Reyes pitched six innings, allowing two runs (both earned) on six hits with two walks and no strikeouts.
Our View: Reyes falls to 3-2 with the loss, touting an ERA of 3.67. In his two starts since returning to the Indians, Reyes has gone six innings and allowed just three combined earned runs. He appears to be on track to contribute, but the Indians need to find offense to support his cause. |
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| Harden gets win | Wednesday 8/13, 9:18 PM CT |
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Rich Harden picked up his second win with Chicago by throwing five shutout innings and allowing just two hits in the Cubs 8-0 blowout of Atlanta. Harden walked five and struck out two.
Our View: Harden has been fantastic for the Cubs since they acquired him, and despite his control issues tonight, he remains a valuable fantasy contributor. |
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| Maine allows one hit | Wednesday 8/13, 9:15 PM CT |
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In his first start since coming off the disabled list, Mets pitcher John Maine went five innings, allowing just one hit while walking four and striking out six and earning his tenth win of the year in New York's 12-0 victory over Washington.
Our View: Okay, so he did this against the Nationals, one of the worst offensive teams in baseball, but it was still an impressive performance. If you hadn't activated him in your fantasy team yet, don't hesitate to do so. |
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| Bergmann rocked | Wednesday 8/13, 9:12 PM CT |
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Jason Bergmann was crushed by the New York Mets, pitching just three innings and allowing 10 runs (six earned) on eight hits and six walks in the Mets 12-0 demolition of Washington.
Our View: Bergmann hasn't pitched too bad this season, but this was a dreadful performance. His two wins make him ineligible for consideration in fantasy leagues of any format. |
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| Guzman goes oh-fer | Wednesday 8/13, 9:10 PM CT |
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Cristian Guzman went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in the Nats 12-0 loss to the New York Mets. He left four runners on base and also made an error.
Our View: Guzman was one of Washington's only fantasy options, but he is struggling lately with a .172 average in August. |
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| Tatis goes deep | Wednesday 8/13, 9:07 PM CT |
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Fernando Tatis hit a home run in a 2-for-5 effort, helping lead the Mets to an easy 12-0 victory over Washington.
Our View: Tatis' surprising season continues, and he remains a solid option in fantasy leagues. |
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| Bartlett nearing return to the field | Wednesday 8/13, 8:52 PM CT |
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Tampa Bay shortstop Jason Bartlett has been hitting for a couple of days and serving the team as a designated hitter, but tonight the Rays report he is close to return to full field duties, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Barlett played catch with infield coach Tom Foley this evening and reports indicate he looked just fine. Rays manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday he expected Bartlett to return to shortstop by the start of the Texas series Friday, but Wednesday Maddon did not rule out using him as a late-inning replacement against the A's on Wednesday night, nor did he rule out the possibility of starting Bartlett at shortstop Thursday afternoon. |
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| Lincecum to start Sunday | Wednesday 8/13, 8:40 PM CT |
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Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum says he will make his next scheduled start on Sunday against the Braves, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Good news for the Giants and great news for fantasy owners of Lincecum, who has been fabulous this season in every aspect. |
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| Guillen giving Broadway the Thursday start | Wednesday 8/13, 8:38 PM CT |
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White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has tabbed the recently-promoted Lance Broadway to start Thursday's finale against Kansas City, according to MLB.com.
Our View: It will be his first start at the Major League level this season, and second start of his career. He faced the Royals back on Sept. 27, 2007, pitching six shutout innings and picking up the win. |
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| Hamilton's gone to attend to bigger matters... | Wednesday 8/13, 8:36 PM CT |
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We reported the Rangers had pulled Josh Hamilton in the 6th inning of their battle with Boston this evening, and we have now learned why, according to Boston Globe.
Our View: Hamilton's wife has gone into labor, and Josh is on his way to be with her for the birth of their child. |
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| Phillips does not get a hit | Wednesday 8/13, 8:35 PM CT |
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Brandon Phillips went 0-for-4 to contribute to his team's 5-2 loss to Pittsburgh.
Our View: Phillips' batting average dropped below .200 for the month of August, and he is struggling with his plate discipline with an OBP under .270. |
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| LaRoche continues to struggle | Wednesday 8/13, 8:33 PM CT |
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Andy LaRoche is still struggling after his move to Pittsburgh from L.A., and his 0-for-3 performance in Pittsburgh's 5-2 win over the Reds moved his average down to .176.
Our View: LaRoche was a hot fantasy option after being shipped to the Pirates, but needless to say, that fervor has died down, and he is hitting only .115 in August. |
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| Fogg ineffective | Wednesday 8/13, 8:30 PM CT |
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Josh Fogg threw another ineffective game, going 4.2 innings, surrendering four earned runs on six hits in his team's 5-2 loss to Pittsburgh.
Our View: Fogg has been bad this season, and believe it or not, his ERA actually dropped after this performance, from 7.98 to 7.96. |
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| Maholm wins | Wednesday 8/13, 8:28 PM CT |
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Pirates hurler Paul Maholm won his eighth game of the season by throwing eight innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out five in the team's 5-2 win over Cincinnati.
Our View: Four out of Maholm's last five starts have been dazzling. He has a 2.25 ERA during that time, and if you take out the one start where he gave up five earned runs, his ERA is 1.20. He is certainly an option for mixed fantasy leagues. |
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| Matsui is out | Wednesday 8/13, 8:21 PM CT |
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Kazuo Matsui is still out due to a sore back, and it is unknown if he will be ready to play this weekend during the Astros series versus Arizona, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Matsui is a decent fantasy option due to his stolen base potential, so if you have him in your lineup, be sure to monitor his situation. He has had a sore back from time to time throughout his career, so it's not likely a serious injury. |
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| Jones out of lineup | Wednesday 8/13, 8:18 PM CT |
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Chipper Jones was held out of the Braves lineup for tonight's affair against Chicago due to a stomach virus, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Jones should be okay and ready to help fantasy owners in no time. |
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| Rangers stressing deadline to sign Smoak | Wednesday 8/13, 8:17 PM CT |
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The Rangers are two days away from finding out whether or not they'll sign Justin Smoak, the switch-hitting first baseman from the University of South Carolina who was their first pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, according to MLB.com.
Our View: As Friday's deadline to get these incoming players sign looms, little is known about the true status of this negotiation. Both sides have agreed not to negotiate in the media, and Smoak's advisor, Dustin Bledsoe, has yet to comment at all. Smoak has not informed the club of any desire to return to South Carolina for his senior season. That's his only option. |
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| Surgery a success for Chavez | Wednesday 8/13, 8:12 PM CT |
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Oakland trainer Steve Sayles reports third baseman Eric Chavez has emerged from a 2 1/2 hour surgery today and all indications suggest the procedure was a success, according to the San Francisco Gate.
Our View: Chavez had three items repaired while under the knife, including the repair of an anterior labral, a SLAP lesion repair, and having his biceps tendon transposed. This is great news for a player we feared might see a premature end to his career. Sayles said that recovery will take six months and Chavez should be ready to go at that point. |
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| Rangers pull Hamilton in the 6th | Wednesday 8/13, 8:07 PM CT |
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Josh Hamilton has been replaced by Jason Ellison with the Red Sox leading 8-0 in the 6th inning, according to the Star Telegram.
Our View: Hamilton was removed from a game at Baltimore over the weekend with the Orioles whipping up on the Rangers, so the initial thought is that Ron Washington is resting his center fielder and MVP candidate. No report of injury has come forth, but if it does, we will bring it to you. |
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| Pirates not close with Alvarez | Wednesday 8/13, 8:03 PM CT |
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The Pittsburgh Pirates may not get a deal done with the second overall pick in the draft, Vanderbilt infielder Pedro Alvarez, as the two sides are quite a distance apart in negotiations, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Alvarez is a Scott Boras client, and he clearly will want a huge sum. "We're not going to give all that money to a player who has yet to take a swing in professional baseball," Pirates president Frank Coonelly said. The deadline to get a deal done is August 15, and if it does not happen, they would get the third overall pick next season. |
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| Guillen out with pinched nerve | Wednesday 8/13, 7:49 PM CT |
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Tigers third baseman Carlos Guillen said an MRI exam he underwent on Tuesday night revealed a pinched nerve in his lower back and he will rest for the next two or three days before considering a return to the lineup, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Guillen, who has experienced back trouble twice in the last six days, reported numbing pain in his right lower back, right leg and right foot. He said he has trouble lifting his right leg, which hinders his ability to run and hit. A three-time All-Star, Guillen said he has felt the pain for about one week, but the pain just recently became unbearable. Ramon Santiago started at third in place of Guillen in Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays. Brandon Inge and Ryan Raburn represent other options Leyland could use while one of his team leaders recovers. |
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| Thompson will make start | Wednesday 8/13, 7:18 PM CT |
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Updating an earlier story, Brad Thompson will make the start on Friday in place of Chris Carpenter, who is out with a shoulder strain, according to StLCardinals.com.
Our View: Thompson has decent numbers having been used as both a reliever and starter this season. Still, they are not good enough to warrant a spot on fantasy teams. |
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| Sweeney sent to DL | Wednesday 8/13, 7:17 PM CT |
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Updating a report from earlier today, the Oakland A's have officially placed Ryan Sweeney on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right thumb, according to the San Francisco Gate.
Our View: Sweeney hurt the thumb making a sliding catch on his stomach on Tuesday night; he's also been playing with a bruised right hand and a torn left pinkie tendon to go along with an ankle sprain. The rookie has been one of the A's few consistent offensive performances this year, and considering how little the team has produced in the second half, his loss certainly won't help. |
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| Slaten off DL | Wednesday 8/13, 7:14 PM CT |
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Left-handed reliever Doug Slaten was activated from the 15-day disabled list, and Billy Buckner was sent down to make room on the roster, according to The Sports Network.
Our View: Slaten is a situational lefty who has no value as it pertains to fantasy baseball. |
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| Hafner, Martinez, Barfield all set for rehab | Wednesday 8/13, 7:04 PM CT |
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The Indians have announced three of their key contributors will begin rehab assignments in the minors in the coming days, a list that includes Josh Barfield, Victor Martinez, and Travis Hafner , according to MLB.com.
Our View: Barfield (sprained left middle finger) and Martinez (right elbow inflammation and sore left hamstring) both took batting practice with the team before Wednesday's game against the Orioles. Martinez also worked on his throwing earlier in the day, making throws to first base on practice bunts in full catcher's gear. Barfield, who has been sidelined since June 12th -- just three days after he was called up from Triple-A Buffalo -- will begin a rehab assignment Thursday at Double-A Akron, where he will play at second base for three innings. Martinez, out since June 11th, will head to Akron on Friday and bat as a designated hitter. He will return to Cleveland on Saturday for more throwing work and will return to Akron for a game Sunday. Hafner literally took some big steps forward Wednesday when he ran the bases before the game. Pronk, who has been on the disabled list since May 30th with a sore right shoulder, will take batting practice Thursday. |
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| Atkins out of lineup | Wednesday 8/13, 6:52 PM CT |
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Garrett Atkins will miss his second game in as many nights tonight due to a case of strep throat, according to the Denver Post. It is probable that he will miss Thursday's game as well.
Our View: Atkins should be back and ready to go by the weekend, but for the time being, make your lineup adjustments as necessary. |
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| Pads claim Falkenborg | Wednesday 8/13, 6:50 PM CT |
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The San Diego Padres have claimed Brian Falkenborg off waivers from the Dodgers, according to Scout.com
Our View: Falkenborg has a 6.17 ERA in 11.2 innings and has no fantasy value. |
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| Ranges to start Padilla on Sunday | Wednesday 8/13, 6:29 PM CT |
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The Rangers have announced their plans for the pitching rotation, a group under stress due to injury, for the coming days, according to the Dallas Morning News. The Rangers will send Tommy Hunter to the mound tomorrow, followed by Kevin Millwood on Friday, Matt Harrison on Saturday, and with a bit of surprise, Vicente Padilla on Sunday.
Our View: Padilla underwent an MRI exam on Monday and received a cortisone injection in attempt to ease discomfort in his neck. This schedule gives him a bit of rest, but we will see if he is truly ready for action on Sunday. We'll continue to track the situation moving forward. |
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| Mariners release Vidro | Wednesday 8/13, 6:23 PM CT |
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The Seattle Mariners have officially released Jose Vidro , one week after designated the embattled designated hitter for assignment, according to the Sports Network.
Our View: Through 85 games this season, Vidro was hitting .234 with 11 doubles, seven home runs, and 45 RBIs, one of several disappointing performances of this season for the M's. |
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| Sheffield didn't request trade | Wednesday 8/13, 6:16 PM CT |
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Gary Sheffield reports he has no concerns about the Tigers decision to place him on waivers, according to the Associated Press. "I don't pay attention to it -- I've been on waivers plenty of times," he said Wednesday. "I don't know why it is a big deal that I've been put on waivers. That's nothing new. Lots of great players are put on waivers but it is only a story when it is someone like Manny [Ramirez] or me -- someone that people have an opinion about."
Our View: Sheffield claims to have no hopes or expectations of being traded, though the decision indicates it is a possibility. His lawyer, Rufus Williams, confirmed Sheffield hasn't asked to be dealt. Sheffield homered twice on Tuesday but is hitting just .223 with 12 homers in an injury-plagued season. |
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| Soriano upset with being thrown at by Braves | Wednesday 8/13, 5:46 PM CT |
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After engaging in a beanball war for the past couple seasons with the Cubs, the Atlanta Braves threw another pitch that got close to Alfonso Soriano in today's game, and he is not particularly pleased about it, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. `Yeah, they like to do that. It’s part of the game. We can’t do anything about it. But we’ve got some pitchers who can throw at hitters, too," Soriano said.
Our View: The incident happened in today's game, which the Cubs won 10-2 and which also happened to be the first part of a double header. We'll see if there is any extra-curricular business tonight, and it sounds like if it were up to Soriano, there would be. |
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| Jackson bludgeons Francis | Wednesday 8/13, 5:22 PM CT |
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If you have Conor Jackson on your fantasy squad, double and triple check that he is active tnight. The reason being is that usually when he faces off against Colorado hurler Jeff Francis, he abuses him. Jackson is hitting .375 (12-for-32) with four home runs off the lefty. He also has two doubles and ten RBI off of him, with a slugging percentage of .813.
Our View: You gotta love that if you are a fantasy owner. Jackson has had a very solid year this season and looks to continue that tonight against one of his favorite pitchers to hit off of. |
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| Ishikawa, two others promoted | Wednesday 8/13, 5:15 PM CT |
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There is no time like the present for a struggling team to take a gander at the future of the club, and that's exactly what the San Francisco Giants are doing, according to the San Jose Mercury News. The Giants recalled first baseman Travis Ishikawa, third baseman Ryan Rohlinger and catcher Pablo Sandoval today.
Our View: Ishikawa was having a solid year by hitting nearly .300 with 16 home runs in the minors. Rohlinger was hitting .290 with 13 bombs, but the best numbers belong to Sandoval. He was hitting a combined .350 with 20 home runs and 96 RBI for the year in two different minor league stops. Sandoval, especially, will be someone that fantasy owners should keep an eye on to see what kind of playing time he gets, and how he is producing. |
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| Giants shake up roster | Wednesday 8/13, 5:10 PM CT |
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The San Francisco Giants underwent a major roster change, sending first baseman John Bowker and catcher Steve Holm to Triple-A while designating third baseman Jose Castillo for assignment, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
Our View: Bowker and Castillo each had on-base percentages under .300, while Holm was moved so the team could take a look at promising catcher Pablo Sandoval. |
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| Wright has bad match-up | Wednesday 8/13, 4:47 PM CT |
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Mets third baseman David Wright does not have a quality match-up tonight when he and his squad face off against the Nationals and hurler Jason Bergmann. Wright is only 1-for-14 in his career off Bergmann, and has been struck out six times.
Our View: Wright has a seven-game hitting streak going, so one of these trends will come to a halt. Fantasy owners should keep him in their lineup, but don't be surprised if he has a difficult time of it this evening. |
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| Lopez returns to lineup | Wednesday 8/13, 4:44 PM CT |
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Second baseman Jose Lopez returned to the team's lineup yesterday after being pulled during the middle of the game on Sunday after making an error, according to the Tacoma News Tribune. Mangaer Jim Riggleman wanted to make sure Lopez understood that you have to focus at all times.
Our View: Lopez is one of the few viable fantasy players on Seattle's team, so owners are happy to see there will be no long-term consequences. |
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| Ibanez claimed on waivers | Wednesday 8/13, 4:39 PM CT |
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Raul Ibanez was put on waivers and was claimed, according to FoxSports.com. Though the team that claimed him is unknown at this point, if Seattle wishes to deal Ibanez, they will be able to accomplish that.
Our View: Without Ibanez, the M's, who are already a bad offensive team, would get that much worse. Ibanez being moved would have a ripple effect on fantasy teams, as it would likely mean Ichiro would score fewer runs. |
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| Wagner begins rehab assignment | Wednesday 8/13, 4:29 PM CT |
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Mets closer Billy Wagner is starting his rehab assignment with 20 pitches tomorrow for New York's Double-A affiliate in Binghamton, according to MetsBlog.com.
Our View: Wagner will throw a couple times and then will be activated on Monday and put back in as the team's closer. |
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| Kotchman has tough day at plate | Wednesday 8/13, 3:58 PM CT |
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Casey Kotchman had a tough day at the plate in Wednesday's 10-2 loss to the Cubs, as he went 0-for-4 with a strikeout, while leaving two men on base.
Our View: His struggles with Atlanta continue, as he has now gone hitless in two straight games, and only has one hit over his last three outings. |
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| Morton dealt loss at home | Wednesday 8/13, 3:53 PM CT |
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Charlie Morton surrendered four earned runs on four hits over a mere 2.1 innings of work in Wednesday's disheartening 10-2 loss to the Cubs at home, with four walks and three strikeouts.
Our View: He has now lost four of his last five starts, and should only be considered in deeper NL-only leagues. |
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| Soto leads Cubs to victory | Wednesday 8/13, 3:50 PM CT |
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Geovany Soto led the Cubs in Wednesday's 10-2 win over Atlanta, as he went 3-for-5 with four RBI. He hit a single, a double, and a two-run homer.
Our View: He raised his average a few points to .285 and now has 18 homers and 67 RBI over 110 games. He has registered multiple hits in three of his last four outings, and snapped a 13-game drought without a homer. |
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| Marquis claims eighth win | Wednesday 8/13, 3:45 PM CT |
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Jason Marquis issued two earned runs on six hits over 5.1 innings in Wednesday's 10-2 win over the Braves in Atlanta, with two walks and one strikeout.
Our View: Marquis improves his record to 8-7 and trimmed his ERA to 4.67. He has won two straight starts, but is still best suited for deeper NL-only leagues, as he is too inconsistent to count on. |
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| Betemit goes 2-for-3 | Wednesday 8/13, 3:40 PM CT |
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Wilson Betemit went 2-for-3 in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to Minnesota. Both of his hits were singles, and accounted for two of the Yankees' five hits in the contest. Alex Rodriguez registered the only extra base hit with a double.
Our View: Betemit started the game at shortstop in place of the injured Derek Jeter. Betemit serves solid depth for the Yankees, like today, but isn't likely going to see enough at-bats the rest of the way to make him a favorable fantasy option. |
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| Rasner suffers ninth loss | Wednesday 8/13, 3:35 PM CT |
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Darrell Rasner allowed two earned runs on four hits over five innings in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Twins, with one walk and four strikeouts.
Our View: He pitched well, but was dealt his ninth loss of the season due to poor run support. Rasner only has one win in his last seven outings, and has allowed four or more earned runs three times over the span. Rasner is only worth keeping in larger AL-only leagues for depth. |
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| Young crushes three-run homer in win | Wednesday 8/13, 3:30 PM CT |
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Delmon Young went 2-for-4 and crushed a three-run homer in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Yankees at home. His other hit was a single.
Our View: Young is enjoying a power surge, as he homered in two straight games, and in three of his last five outings. Young could serve as a solid sleeper down the stretch in the power department. |
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| Slowey in control | Wednesday 8/13, 3:26 PM CT |
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Kevin Slowey was in control in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Yankees, as he only surrendered one earned run on three hits over six innings, with one walk and one strikeout.
Our View: He improves to 9-8 and lowered his ERA to 3.94. He is 3-2 over his last five starts, and has allowed one earned run in each of his last two outings. Keep him active in fantasy lineups while he is pitching well. |
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| Jackson recalled | Wednesday 8/13, 3:16 PM CT |
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Zach Jackson has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo, according to the AP. He will take the roster spot left open by Paul Byrd's departure to Boston.
Our View: The 25-year-old lefty went 3-1 with a 4.05 ERA in four starts and four relief appearances at Buffalo. He allowed two earned runs and five hits over 3.2 innings with the Indians, with one strikeout. He is slated to start Thursday in the rotation in place of Byrd. Jackson only merits fantasy consideration in deeper AL-only leagues.
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| Pauley recalled | Wednesday 8/13, 3:09 PM CT |
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David Pauley has been recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket, according to the Boston Globe. Mike Lowell has been placed on the 15-day DL as the corresponding move.
Our View: Pauley will initially work out of the bullpen, but could be a candidate for a spot start if needed. |
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| Lowell lands on DL | Wednesday 8/13, 3:06 PM CT |
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Mike Lowell has landed on the 15-day DL due to his strained right oblique, according to the Boston Globe. David Pauley has been recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to fill his spot on the roster.
Our View: Kevin Youkilis should see time at third base with Sean Casey covering first. Oblique injuries can linger and are known to be slow to heal, meaning Lowell may be out of action for more than 15 days. |
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| Giese leaves with stiff shoulder | Wednesday 8/13, 2:53 PM CT |
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Dan Giese left Wednesday's game against the Twins in the sixth inning due to a stiff right shoulder, according to the AP.
Our View: We will keep you posted when more details are released regarding the injury. |
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| Podsednik given clearance | Wednesday 8/13, 2:49 PM CT |
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Scott Podsednik was given clearance to begin swinging a bat on Tuesday and hopes to be on a minor league rehab assignment by this weekend, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He has been out since July 28 with a fractured little finger on his left hand.
Our View: Barring a setback, he would be on pace to be ready to rejoin the Rockies' active roster next week in Los Angeles. He would serve as a backup in the Rockies' outfield, but would be worth a look in deeper NL-only leagues if you gravely need help in the speed department, as he notched 10 stolen bases this season. |
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| Beltran recalled | Wednesday 8/13, 2:43 PM CT |
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Francis Beltran has been recalled from Triple-A Toledo, according to the AP. Joel Zumaya has been placed on the 15-day DL as the corresponding move.
Our View: Beltran will work out of the bullpen, and does not merit fantasy consideration in standard leagues, as he issued three earuned runs and four walks over 4.2 innings of work in his previous stint this season. |
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