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| Miller designated for assignment | Friday 8/15, 11:44 PM CT |
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The Marlins designated Justin Miller for assignment Friday to clear a roster spot for Paul Lo Duca.
Our View: This is surprising given that Miller had a terrific 2007 season and a pretty good year so far in 2008. Someone will snatch him up. |
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| Lo Duca called up by Fish | Friday 8/15, 11:43 PM CT |
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The Marlins called up Paul Lo Duca from Triple-A Albuquerque after Friday's game. He was signed last week to a minor league deal after being released by the Nationals.
Our View: Lo Duca could work his way into the stating lineup pretty regularly, as the Marlins' current crop of catchers is less than imposing. |
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| Rowand will be back in lineup Saturday | Friday 8/15, 11:39 PM CT |
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Bruce Bochy expects Aaron Rowand to return to the lineup Saturday, according to the AP.
Our View: Rowand sat out tonight's game with tightness in his back. |
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| Webb garners 18th win | Friday 8/15, 10:36 PM CT |
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Brandon Webb made another case for his second Cy Young award Friday, giving up only two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six over eight innings.
Our View: Webb has 18 wins now and is a clear favorite for the Cy. |
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| Wigginton gets three hits, including homer | Friday 8/15, 10:34 PM CT |
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Ty Wigginton was the only Astro to solve Brandon Webb Friday, picking up three hits, including his 14th homer, in loss to Arizona.
Our View: Wigginton might not get to 20 homers again this year, but you can't argue with 14 dingers from a guy with second base eligibility. Too bad he won't be eligible there next year. |
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| Snyder homers again | Friday 8/15, 10:31 PM CT |
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Chris Snyder homered for the second straight game Friday while collecting four RBI.
Our View: Snyder got off to a slow start this year but now has a solid .249-12-54 line. |
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| Jurrjens terrific in loss | Friday 8/15, 10:26 PM CT |
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Jair Jurrjens was dynamite for the Braves Friday, allowing just two runs on eight hits while striking out nine over seven innings. He picked up his eighth loss, though, as Matt Cain was just a bit better.
Our View: Jurrjens just might be your NL Rookie of the Year with a 3.15 ERA in 24 starts. |
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| Cain holds Atlanta in check | Friday 8/15, 10:23 PM CT |
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Matt Cain silenced the Braves' bats Friday, holding them to one run on six hits and a walk while striking out five over seven innings.
Our View: Cain has a nifty 3.57 ERA with 153 Ks in 169 innings despite an 8-9 record. |
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| Molina gets four hits | Friday 8/15, 10:20 PM CT |
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Bengie Molina hasn't done much at the plate since July, but he had a big game Friday, picking up four singles and two RBI.
Our View: Molina has put together a solid .286-9-68 line on the year. |
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| Winn belts 100th career homer | Friday 8/15, 10:18 PM CT |
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Randy Winn was 4-for-4 with a home run in San Fran's win over Atlanta Friday. The dinger was Randy's 100th of his career.
Our View: Winn has been his usual solid self this year, hitting .302 with 22 steals to go along with six homers, 52 RBI and 65 runs scored. |
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| De La Rosa has nice outing | Friday 8/15, 9:59 PM CT |
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Jorge De La Rosa put together a rare solid start Friday, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven over six innings in a win over Washington.
Our View: De La Rosa holds a 3.46 ERA against the Nats this year and a 6.63 ERA against everyone else. |
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| Hawpe notches 20th homer | Friday 8/15, 9:51 PM CT |
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Brad Hawpe continued his recent hot streak with a single and his 20th homer of the season Friday. Hawpe is batting .522 with three homers and seven RBI over the last six games.
Our View: This is Hawpe's third straight 20-homer season. |
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| Taveras steals two more | Friday 8/15, 9:48 PM CT |
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Willy Taveras didn't start Friday, but he came into the game as a pinch hitter and picked up two hits and two steals in the Rockies' win.
Our View: Taveras has a league-high 55 thefts on the year, which has allowed him to be a fantasy asset despite his .257 batting average. |
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| Lopez continues hot hitting with Cards | Friday 8/15, 9:46 PM CT |
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Felipe Lopez tripled and singled and scored two runs in the Cards' 5-3 win over Cincinnati Friday. He is batting .357 (10-for-28) since joining St. Louis.
Our View: Lopez has been playing pretty much every day and could be a sneaky MI play over the final six weeks. |
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| Pujols snaps out of mini-slump | Friday 8/15, 9:43 PM CT |
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Albert Pujols broke out of a mini-slump Friday with a couple doubles and a single in a win over the Reds.
Our View: Pujols' power numbers are down a bit, but it's hard to be too upset with a line of .345-24-75. |
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| Dickerson homers, doubles in loss | Friday 8/15, 9:39 PM CT |
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Chris Dickerson hit a leadoff homer and also doubled in the loss to the Cardinals Friday. He is batting .462 in 13 at-bats since his recall.
Our View: Dickerson has started three of four games since getting called up to replace Adam Dunn, and he should continue to get regular playing time. He's worth owning in NL-only formats. |
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| Perez gets another save | Friday 8/15, 9:36 PM CT |
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Chris Perez picked up his fourth save of the season Friday, allowing a hit but striking out two in 2/3 of an inning.
Our View: Tony La Russa refuses to officially name Perez the closer, but he is officially the stopper in the minds of fantasy owners. |
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| Ankiel jacks two-run homer | Friday 8/15, 9:34 PM CT |
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Rick Ankiel hit a two-run homer Friday in his fourth game since returning to the starting lineup following a bout with a strained abdominal muscle.
Our View: It was Rick's first homer since July 18, and he seems poised to make a run at 30 homers. |
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| Gregg blows seventh save | Friday 8/15, 9:21 PM CT |
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Kevin Gregg blew his seventh save of the season Friday, giving up a three-run homer in the ninth to the Cubs' Daryl Ward in a 6-5 loss.
Our View: Gregg's overall numbers on the year have been good, but his 76 percent save success rate is not. |
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| Johnson outing spoiled | Friday 8/15, 9:19 PM CT |
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Closer Kevin Gregg blew what was another solid outing by Josh Johnson Friday, as Johnson allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out eight over six innings.
Our View: Johnson has pitched respectably in all seven outings since returning from Tommy John surgery. He should be starting in all formats. |
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| Ward's pinch hit homer lifts Cubs to another win | Friday 8/15, 9:16 PM CT |
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Daryle Ward hit a go-head and ultimately game-winning pinch hit three-run homer Friday in the Cubs' 6-5 win over Florida.
Our View: Ward is just 4-for-41 on the year as a pinch hitter, though this was his second homer. |
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| Braun takes BP tonight | Friday 8/15, 9:07 PM CT |
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Ryan Braun will take BP before Friday's game for the first time since straining his ribcage, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. If he does well, he'll likely be available to pinch hit Saturday and return to the lineup Sunday.
Our View: We have a hunch that Braun will talk his way into tomorrow's lineup if tonight's session goes well, but either way it sounds like he'll play in LA this weekend. |
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| LaRoche picks up three hits | Friday 8/15, 8:55 PM CT |
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Adam LaRoche's first game back from the DL was not good, but his second game back was, as he picked up three base hits in a loss to the Mets.
Our View: Hopefully LaRoche can get hot over the final six weeks to make his 2008 digits look a little more respectable. |
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| Heilman picks up third save | Friday 8/15, 8:53 PM CT |
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With Billy Wagner still unavailable, Aaron Heilman picked up the save Friday for the Mets, allowing a walk and striking out one in a scoreless ninth.
Our View: Wagner is slated to return on Monday, but Heilman is the best bet for saves over the weekend. |
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| Davis strong again for Bucs | Friday 8/15, 8:49 PM CT |
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Jason Davis put together another strong outing Friday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over seven innings.
Our View: Davis had allowed just two runs over 13 innings in his two starts for the Bucs, but we're still not confident enough in him to recommend him outside of deep NL-only leagues. |
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| Pelfrey tosses seven shutout frames | Friday 8/15, 8:47 PM CT |
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Mike Pelfrey befuddled the Pittsburgh bats Friday, tossing seven shutout innings while allowing just seven hits with one strikeout.
Our View: Pelfrey has had a hiccup every now and then, but in general he's been very good since June. |
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| Helton's return nowhere in sight | Friday 8/15, 8:40 PM CT |
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Todd Helton is nowhere near recovered from his strained back, according to MLB.com. Head trainer Keith Dugger said Helton progresses as long as the team keeps him on light activity. That means no swinging the bat.
Our View: We're not sure, but Helton will probably have to be able to swing the bat before he's able to return. At this point, you have to consider the possibility that he may not come back at all this year. |
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| Spilborghs gradually increasing baseball-related activity | Friday 8/15, 8:37 PM CT |
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Ryan Spilborghs is gradually increasing his baseball-related activity and may be ready to begin a rehab assignment soon, according to MLB.com. He's been out since July 9 with a left oblique strain.
Our View: The Rox could obviously use Spilborghs' stick. They have taken their time with bringing him back, as they know it's easy to re-injure yourself when dealing with an oblique ailment. |
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| Pods could begin rehab next week | Friday 8/15, 8:34 PM CT |
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Scott Podsednik will take full-scale batting practice on Saturday and likely begin a rehab assignment next week, according to MLB.com. He has been sidelined with a fractured pinky on his left hand.
Our View: We'll let you know how Pods' BP and presumptive rehab assignment go. |
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| Torrealba could be back Saturday | Friday 8/15, 8:32 PM CT |
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Yorvit Torrealba's left knee felt much better Friday and he went through normal pregame activity, according to MLB.com. Manager Clint Hurdle said Torrealba may start on Saturday.
Our View: Torrealba hasn't played since Sunday, but with the way Chris Iannetta has hit this year, the Rox haven't missed him. |
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| Atkins back in starting lineup | Friday 8/15, 8:29 PM CT |
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Garrett Atkins was back in the starting lineup Friday after missing three starts with strep throat.
Our View: Jeff Baker is back on the bench with Atkins' return. |
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| Cook to start on Sunday | Friday 8/15, 8:26 PM CT |
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Aaron Cook will start Sunday's series finale with the Nationals, according to MLB.com. He was scratched from Thursday's outing because of fatigue and tightness in the small of his back.
Our View: Cook has been fighting it the last three times out. Hopefully the extra rest will allow his to get back on track. |
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| Agent: Bonds has been blackballed by MLB | Friday 8/15, 8:09 PM CT |
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Barry Bonds won't be signing with the Rays or any other team anytime soon, and his agent is blaming major league baseball. "With (Carl) Crawford and (Evan) Longoria going down simultaneously, I thought I'd make one last vain attempt to reach out to Tampa Bay, and to no avail," Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris told FOXSports.com. "That's because major league baseball has been successful in their pursuit in blackballing Barry out of the game." The players union is investigating possible collusion against Bonds, but a grievance is unlikely.
Our View: Despite Borris' claims, you can't blame any team unwilling to take on Bonds' baggage. He won't play this year, and his career is likely over. |
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| Rowand sits out with tight back | Friday 8/15, 8:01 PM CT |
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Aaron Rowand sat out Friday's game, a day after exited a game with tightness in his back, according to MLB.com. "I feel a lot better today," said Rowand.
Our View: Manager Bruce Bochy said he'd like to have Rowand available for Saturday's game, and there's a good chance he will. |
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| Guzman out of lineup again | Friday 8/15, 6:38 PM CT |
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Cristian Guzman was out of the lineup Friday for a second straight game because of a sore left thumb, according to the AP. "We're going to give him a couple more days," manager Manny Acta said. "It's still hurting him."
Our View: Don't expect to see Guzman over the weekend, but he should be good to go for next week. |
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| Burton throws bullpen session | Friday 8/15, 6:33 PM CT |
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Jared Burton threw a bullpen session Friday at 70 percent intensity, according to MLB.com. Recovering from a strained lat muscle, Burton has been on the disabled list since July 19. "I will hopefully test it out a little more on Sunday and see how it goes," Burton said.
Our View: There is no timetable for Burton's return. |
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| Ramirez held out of lineup | Friday 8/15, 5:57 PM CT |
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Aramis Ramirez is out of Friday's lineup due to a bruised left hip, according to MLB.com. He was injured last night on a slide at home. Ramirez is available to pinch hit.
Our View: Mark DeRosa started in A-Ram's place. Expect Ramirez to return sometime this weekend. |
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| Church serves as DH in rookie league game | Friday 8/15, 4:19 PM CT |
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Ryan Church went 1-for-3 with an RBI single Friday, serving as the DH for the Mets' Gulf Coast League affiliate, according to MetsBlog.com. Church, who went on the DL on July 6 with post-concussion syndrome, is expected to work his way into playing the outfield in the next couple of days.
Our View: The Mets aren't getting their hopes up for Church returning this year, and neither should you. We'll continue to track his progress. |
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| Wagner to throw sim game, then be activated | Friday 8/15, 4:16 PM CT |
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Billy Wagner will join the Mets in Pittsburgh on Saturday to throw a simulated game before coming off the DL on Monday, according to MetsBlog.com. He tossed a scoreless inning Thursday in his first and only rehab appearance for a strained left forearm.
Our View: Wagner will be re-inserted into the closer role immediately upon return. |
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| DeSalvo recalled | Friday 8/15, 3:50 PM CT |
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Matt DeSalvo has been recalled from Triple-A Richmond, according to the AP. He will fill the roster spot for Tom Glavine, who was placed back on the 15-day DL as the adjoining move.
Our View: DeSalvo struggled with a 6.18 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over 27.2 innings (six starts) with the Yankees in 2007, and isn't likely going to make a favorable impact with Atlanta. |
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| Glavine returns to DL | Friday 8/15, 3:45 PM CT |
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Tom Glavine has returned to the DL due to a sore elbow, according to the AP. Matt DeSalvo has been recalled from Triple-A Richmond to fill Glavine's spot on the roster.
Our View: Glavine gave up seven runs, seven hits and four walks in an 11-7 loss to the Cubs in his first game back Thursday night. The 42-year-old, who has a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow, has been hoping to avoid surgery. He experienced more pain on the mound against Chicago.
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| Barton activated | Friday 8/15, 3:07 PM CT |
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Brian Barton has been activated from the DL, according to the AP. He has been out since July 6 with a deep bone bruise on his right wrist. The Cardinals placed Chris Carpenter on the 15-day DL as the adjoining move.
Our View: Barton batted .246 with two homers and 11 RBI over 63 games with St. Louis this season, and is only worth consideration in deeper NL-only leagues. |
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| Carpenter lands on DL | Friday 8/15, 3:01 PM CT |
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Chris Carpenter has landed on the 15-day DL due to his strained pitching shoulder, according to the AP.
Our View: Carpenter had reconstructive elbow surgery in July 2007 and made three starts with St. Louis before the latest problem developed. Carpenter felt pain in the shoulder while throwing a fastball last Sunday during his start against the Cubs. An MRI on Tuesday detected a strain. Brad Thompson takes his next turn in the rotation Friday against the Reds.
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| De La Rosa returns to the rotation | Friday 8/15, 11:56 AM CT |
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Jorge De La Rosa returns to the rotation tonight for the first time in nearly two weeks against the Nationals. De La Rosa is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA in two career starts against the Nationals, but his last start came against what is expected to be the same lineup tonight when he allowed two runs on six hits striking out six and walking two at Coors Field.
Our View: After last night's ninth inning debacle against the Mets, any wind in the Manny Acta sail is gone.
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| Parra not as good on the road | Friday 8/15, 11:53 AM CT |
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Manny Parra has lost three straight games and has a 5.00 ERA on the road. His home and road splits are significant, especially in the long ball department.
Our View: The left-hander is 0-3 with a 5.55 ERA in his last four starts. The Dodgers have a .763 OPS against left-handers compared to their puny .699 against righties. |
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| Billingsley rolling since May | Friday 8/15, 11:51 AM CT |
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Chad Billingsley is 10-5 with a 2.58 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 19 starts since May 1, and his teammates handle left-handers better than right-handers. The Dodgers have a .763 OPS against left-handers compared to their puny .699 against righties.
Our View: A solid effort by Billingsley tonight and he should register his 12th win of the season. |
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| Dodgers put in claim for Belliard | Friday 8/15, 11:05 AM CT |
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The Dodgers have put in a waiver claim for Ronnie Belliard of the Nationals, according to the LA Times.
Our View: the Dodgers reportedly made the move to prevent Belliard from going to Arizona, who lost Orlando Hudson for the season due to injury. |
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| Acosta could start rehab assignment | Friday 8/15, 10:58 AM CT |
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Manny Acosta threw his second bullpen session Thursday, and if his strained right hamstring responds favorably he could be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment next week, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Our View: He has a shot to return to the Braves' bullpen in early September. He would be a welcome addition back to Atlanta, but only holds fantasy value in deeper NL-only leagues that use middle men. |
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| Diaz suffers setback | Friday 8/15, 10:54 AM CT |
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Matt Diaz was forced out of Wednesday's rehab game at Triple-A Richmond with pain in his left knee, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is trying to return from a torn ligament in his left knee.
Our View: He is back in Atlanta for evaluation. This is the second setback he has suffered during his rehab, and it is looking less likely he will return to the Braves' outfield this season. |
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| Young's return unlikely | Friday 8/15, 10:49 AM CT |
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Dmitri Young, who is dealing with diabetes, is not likely to return to the Nationals this season, according to the Washington Post.
Our View: Even if Young makes a quick turnaround, it won't come before the end of the minor league season, making a rehab assignment impossible.
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| Anderson not expected back soon | Friday 8/15, 10:46 AM CT |
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Marlon Anderson is not expected to return from the DL anytime soon, according to the NY Daily News. He is dealing with a torn left hamstring.
Our View: He is eligible to be activated from the DL Sunday, but that won't happen. The team may wait until September expansion to activate him. |
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| Wood officially reclaims closer's role | Friday 8/15, 10:30 AM CT |
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Kerry Wood has officially reclaimed the closer's role with Chicago, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Our View: He hurled a scoreless ninth inning against Atlanta Thursday. He should be penciled back into fantasy lineups for the next fantasy week. |
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| Reineke likely to be recalled | Friday 8/15, 10:26 AM CT |
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Chad Reineke is likely to be recalled from Triple-A Portland to cover Chris Young's spot in the rotation, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Our View: The former Astros' hurler is 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA with Portland. Reineke could rack up solid strikeout totals and will be helped out by playing his home games at pitcher-friendly PETCO Park. He would be worth a look in deeper NL-only leagues if he lands in the Padres' rotation. |
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| Dempster moved to Sunday | Friday 8/15, 10:22 AM CT |
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Ryan Dempster's next start has been moved from Saturday to Sunday due to a personal matter, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Our View: Sean Marshall will take Dempster's spot Saturday. The team did not disclose any details regarding his "personal matter." |
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| Castillo dealt to Reds | Friday 8/15, 9:41 AM CT |
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Wilkin Castillo has been dealt from the Diamondbacks to the Reds, according to the Arizona Republic. He is part of the trade that brought slugger Adam Dunn to Arizona.
Our View: The 24-year-old catcher is not considered a top prospect and shouldn't be considered as a fantasy option. |
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| Wilson back in action | Friday 8/15, 8:13 AM CT |
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Jack Wilson returned to the diamond Thursday after missing six starts due to right shoulder tendinitis, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Our View: His first game back was successful, as he went 2-for-5 against the Reds. He is worth penciling back into lineups in deeper NL-only leagues. |
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| Capps getting closer | Friday 8/15, 8:09 AM CT |
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Matt Capps, who is recovering from bursitis in his right shoulder, threw a perfect seventh inning with two strikeouts in his second rehab appearance with Double-A Altoona, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Our View: Capps will make a weekend appearance with Triple-A Indianapolis, then one more with Altoona Tuesday before the next step is determined. He could return to Pittsburgh as some point next week, and should resume his closer's role.
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| Gorzelanny to be recalled for Sept. | Friday 8/15, 8:04 AM CT |
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Tom Gorzelanny and Ross Ohlendorf will be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis for September (if not sooner), according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Our View: Six starters will be in the mix for the rotation. Gorzelanny is not worth holding for his return, as he was 6-7 with a 6.57 ERA and 1.83 WHIP over 17 starts prior to his demotion. |
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| Matsui misses another game | Friday 8/15, 7:44 AM CT |
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Kazuo Matsui was out of the Astros' lineup for his second straight game Thursday due to a sore lower back, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Our View: An MRI revealed no structural damage, and manager Cecil Cooper expects him to play as early as today. Cooper noted that he planned on giving Matsui the day off Thursday even before he got hurt. |
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| Lincecum update | Friday 8/15, 7:23 AM CT |
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Tim Lincecum, who is recovering from a bruised right knee, played catch Thursday and is scheduled to throw off a bullpen mound today, according to the SF Chronicle. Manager Bruce Bochy said that making his next start Sunday is "not a question mark."
Our View: The fantasy ace shall remain active in lineups. |
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| Espineli sent down | Friday 8/15, 7:17 AM CT |
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Geno Espineli has been sent down to Triple-A Fresno, according to the SF Chronicle. Matt Palmer was recalled from Fresno as the corresponding move.
Our View: Espineli gave up his roster spot in the Olympics to pitch for the Giants. He struggled over 10.2 innings with the club, as he allowed seven earned runs, 14 hits, and three walks. |
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| Palmer recalled | Friday 8/15, 7:14 AM CT |
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Matt Palmer has been recalled from Triple-A Fresno, according to the SF Chronicle. Geno Espineli was sent down to Fresno as the adjoining move.
Our View: The 29-year-old reliever should be left for deeper NL-only leagues that use middle men. |
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