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| Hart picks up three hits, including homer | Monday 8/18, 10:24 PM CT |
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Corey Hart had three hits, including his 19th homer of the year, Monday in a win over Houston.
Our View: Hart is one homer shy of his second straight 20/20 season. |
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| Sabathia goes the distance again | Monday 8/18, 10:22 PM CT |
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CC Sabathia was dynamite for the Brewers again Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) on 11 hits and two walks while striking out nine in a 9-3 win over Houston. C.C. completed his fifth game for the Brew Crew, and he's now 8-0 with a 1.60 ERA since arriving in Milwaukee.
Our View: It was surprising to see the Brewers let Sabathia throw 130 pitches in a lopsided game, but at least he'll get an extra day of rest before his next start. |
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| Church goes through rehab game | Monday 8/18, 9:43 PM CT |
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Ryan Church, coming back from concussion symptoms, played five innings in a rehab game for Triple-A New Orleans Monday. "Everything was fine," Church told the NY Daily News. "It felt good to get in the field again."
Our View: Church will surely have to get in at least a handful more of rehab games before the Mets will consider activating him. |
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| Braun leaves after re-injuring back | Monday 8/18, 9:34 PM CT |
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Ryan Braun left Monday's game after apparently re-injuring his back following a swing, according to the AP. Braun had missed seven starts last week with what the team called tightness in his lower back before returning to the lineup on Sunday.
Our View: This is no good for the Brewers or fantasy owners. We'll update you on Braun's status when more is known. |
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| Dodgers acquire Maddux | Monday 8/18, 7:45 PM CT |
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The Dodgers have acquired Greg Maddux from the Padres, according to the LA Times. It is not known what the Dodgers are giving up in the deal.
Our View: It had looked like this long-rumored deal wouldn't get done, but it looks like the Pads and Dodgers worked it out. Maddux gets to stay on the West Coast like he wanted and will get to pitch for a contender. |
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| Campillo knocked around again | Monday 8/18, 6:43 PM CT |
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Jorge Campillo allowed five runs on seven hits and a while with two strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings Monday in a loss to the Giants.
Our View: Campillo has finally come back to earth, as this is the third straight game in which he's allowed five runs. Hopefully you solid high on him when you had the chance. |
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| Zito shuts out Braves over seven | Monday 8/18, 6:40 PM CT |
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Barry Zito tossed seven shutout innings Monday in a 5-0 win over the Braves. He allowed five hits and two walks while striking out three.
Our View: Zito has gone 7-8 after starting the year 0-7. He's still not usable in mixed leagues, but he's worth an NL-only roster spot. |
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| Reyes refuses assignment, becomes free agent | Monday 8/18, 5:32 PM CT |
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Al Reyes has declined an assignment to Triple-A Durham and is now a free agent, according to the St. Petersburg Times.
Our View: Reyes was disappointing this year, but he should be able to catch on with a team looking for right-handed relief help down the stretch. |
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| Flores has strained knee | Monday 8/18, 5:20 PM CT |
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Jesus Flores is day-to-day with a sprained right knee, according to the AP. The catcher suffered the injury in a collision Saturday, but the ailment was originally diagnosed as a calf strain. An MRI Monday revealed the injury was in his knee.
Our View: Wil Nieves will handle the duties behind the plate while Flores is out. |
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| Weeks not in Monday's lineup | Monday 8/18, 4:49 PM CT |
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Rickie Weeks has said that he'll play through the thumb injury that he suffered Sunday, but he is not in Monday's starting lineup, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Our View: Ray Durham is playing second despite the fact that the Astros are sending the left-handed Randy Wolf to the mound. We would expect Weeks and Durham to share playing time until Rickie's thumb is better. |
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| Blanco has bone spurs in ankle | Monday 8/18, 4:44 PM CT |
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Gregor Blanco has been playing with a bone spur in his right ankle, according to MLB.com. "I've had it the last two months, but it's getting worse," Blanco said.
Our View: Gregor is hitting under .200 with just one steal this month, and the ankle could likely explain some of his troubles. |
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| Moss day-to-day | Monday 8/18, 4:24 PM CT |
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Brandon Moss said tests to his sprained left ankle showed no further damage, according to the AP. Moss was forced out of Sunday's game after twisting his left ankle coming out of the batter's box.
Our View: Moss is considered day-to-day. |
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| Wigginton named NL co-Player of Week | Monday 8/18, 3:46 PM CT |
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Ty Wigginton has been named the NL co-Player of the Week (with hurler Johan Santana of the Mets), according to the AP. Wigginton led the NL with a .571 (16-for-28) batting average, 11 RBI, 16 hits, 32 total bases, and tied for the league-lead with four home runs and nine runs scored. He registered multiple hits in six of seven games.
Our View: Wigginton raised his season average to .308 with 15 homers and 42 RBI. |
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| Morgan to be recalled | Monday 8/18, 3:13 PM CT |
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Nyjer Morgan is being recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Doug Mientkiewicz has been placed on the bereavement list as the adjoining move.
Our View: Morgan could develop into a solid pro in the future for the Pirates, but he is not yet ready to make an impact, as he held a .143 average over 42 at-bats with the team this season. He was also caught twice on three steal attempts. He should only be considered for deeper NL-only leagues. |
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| Mientkiewicz on bereavement list | Monday 8/18, 3:08 PM CT |
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Doug Mientkiewicz has been placed on the bereavement list by the Pirates after his wife underwent heart surgery at Allegheny General Hospital today, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Nyjer Morgan will be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to fill his spot on the roster.
Our View: We wish him well while he is away to attend to his wife. |
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| Beltran collects RBI in loss | Monday 8/18, 3:02 PM CT |
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Carlos Beltran went 1-for-2 with an RBI in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Pirates. His hit went for a double, his 32nd of the season. He also drew a walk.
Our View: Beltran collected his 83rd RBI of the season, with seven coming over his last seven games. |
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| Maine pitches well in no-decision | Monday 8/18, 2:57 PM CT |
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John Maine hurled five scoreless innings, with only two hits allowed, in Monday's disappointing 5-2 loss to the Pirates, with four walks and three strikeouts. He exited the game with the Mets leading 2-0, and a late Pirates' rally left him with a no-decision.
Our View: He pitched well, other than the four free passes, and poor run support prevented him from claiming his 11th win of the season. Maine is 2-0 over his last four starts, and has only allowed one earned run over his last three outings (14.1 innings). |
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| LaRoche leads Pirates in win | Monday 8/18, 2:52 PM CT |
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Adam LaRoche led the Pirates in Monday's 5-2 win over the Mets at home, as he went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer. His other hit was a single.
Our View: LaRoche is past his ribcage injury and looks to be a solid contributor down the stretch. |
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| Maholm dealt no-decision | Monday 8/18, 2:47 PM CT |
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Paul Maholm only surrendered two earned runs on five hits over seven innings in Monday's 5-2 win over the Mets, with three walks and four strikeouts. He exited the game in a 2-2 tie, giving him a no-decision.
Our View: Maholm is 1-0 over his last three starts, allowing two or less earned runs in all three outings. He is worth employing in NL-only leagues while he is pitching well. |
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| Capps set to return Friday | Monday 8/18, 1:03 PM CT |
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Matt Capps is expected to be activated from the DL Friday following his bout with a bursitis in his right shoudler, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Our View: Capps will throw at Double-A Altoona Wednesday, serve in the bullpen Thursday, and then return to the Pirates Friday, assuming there isn't a setback. He has been solid this season, and should resume his role as the Pirates' closer upon his return. |
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| Castillo remains on DL | Monday 8/18, 12:16 PM CT |
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Luis Castillo remains on the DL (strained left hip flexor) and the Mets are in no hurry of activating him, according to the NY Daily News.
Our View: His 20-day minor league rehab clock is close to running out, but the team is not concerned with bringing him back while Damion Easley and Argenis Reyes are performing well at second base. |
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| Barrett to undergo vision exercises | Monday 8/18, 12:12 PM CT |
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Michael Barrett, who is on the DL while recovering from a broken nose, will undergo vision exercises and therapy, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Our View: There remains no timetable for his return to San Diego, and he is not worth waiting for with a .202 batting average over 30 games this season. |
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| Hundley scratched Sunday | Monday 8/18, 12:07 PM CT |
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Nick Hundley was scratched from the Padres' lineup Sunday due to a sprained left ankle, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. There was some swelling and soreness in the ailing ankle.
Our View: Huntley is only hitting .198 over 86 at-bats with San Diego this season, and he only has two home runs, as his power has been hindered by playing his home games at PETCO Park. |
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| Feliz to begin rehab | Monday 8/18, 11:32 AM CT |
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Pedro Feliz, who is recovering from lower back inflammation, is slated to begin a rehab assignment Monday with Double-A Reading, according to the AP.
Our View: Feliz is expected to play two games in Reading. It is unknown when he will rejoin the Phillies. |
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| Weeks plans to fight through injury | Monday 8/18, 11:29 AM CT |
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Rickie Weeks sprained his left thumb Sunday, but stated that he plans to fight through the injury, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. He said, "It's just sore right now. It's just bruised. It has some pain to it."
Our View: Weeks has been hitting well as of late with hits in five of his last six games, but the injury could affect his swing and production, even though he feels he can play through it. Ray Durham would step in at second base if needed. |
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| Reyes to be recalled | Monday 8/18, 11:09 AM CT |
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Jo-Jo Reyes is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Richmond to start Tuesday in place of Tom Glavine, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Our View: Reyes was dealt a loss in five of his last six outings with the Braves, and is only worth consideration in deeper NL-only leagues for roster depth. |
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| Kunz sent down | Monday 8/18, 10:32 AM CT |
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Eddie Kunz has been optioned to Triple-A New Orleans to make room for reliever Luis Ayala on the roster, according to the AP.
Our View: Kunz failed to make an impact with the Mets during his stint, as he allowed four earned runs and five hits over 2.2 innings of relief. |
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| Taveras extends hit and theft streak | Monday 8/18, 10:31 AM CT |
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Willy Taveras extended his five game hitting streak on Sunday with a 3-4 performance. More important for most of his owners, he also stole a base for the fifth straight game.
Our View: Taveras has become the Juan Pierre of past seasons, and with a crowed outfield in LA, Taveras is more reliable. The Roks speedster has now stolen double digit bases each month this season, save May when he registered nine. |
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| Flores out Sunday | Monday 8/18, 10:19 AM CT |
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Jesus Flores was out of the lineup Sunday. The rookie catcher is obviously still feeling the effects of a hard slide at the plate during Saturday night's game. Flores was diagnosed with a strained right calf, but the MRI came back negative. The Nats have Monday off so there is no definitive news on his return.
Our View: Flores could be back in the lineup Tuesday, but comes with some risk this week. The Nationals are not always forthright with their injuries and possible returns. |
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| Maholm to face red-hot Mets | Monday 8/18, 10:11 AM CT |
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Paul Maholm's two run victory over the Reds on Wednesday came on the heels of a career-high 10 strikeout performance against the Phillies. The Pirates lefty is 3-0 with a 2.37 ERA in his last three starts against the Mets, the Pirates opponent in the early Monday MLB affair.
Our View: In his third full season, Maholm's maturation process is peaking. His 6.4 K rate and 2.4 BB rate are overwhelmingly good for a left-hander that makes a living with his sinking fastball (52% groundball percentage). His numbers have improved each month of the season. The southpaw has a 2.70 ERA, 7.7 K rate and a 2.0 BB rate since the first week of July.
The Mets have hit only 29 home runs this year against left-handed starters, 22nd in the league. Against a sinker-baller like Maholm this afternoon, runs will be hard to come by.
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| Maine faces second soft OPS | Monday 8/18, 10:09 AM CT |
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John Maine (10-7, 3.97 ERA) allowed just one hit and struck out six is five scoreless innings in his return start from the disabled list against the soft-hitting Nats, and looked dominant in the process. The Pirates and Nats have similar peripherals, at least after Pittsburgh traded Jason Bay and Xavier Nady. The Pirates sport a .652 OPS in August, which is 29th in the league.
Our View: Maine is 2-0 with a 3.75 ERA in his last two starts against the Pirates, in those 12 innings he has 15 strikeouts. |
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| Carpenter could return in August | Monday 8/18, 9:42 AM CT |
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Pitching coach Dave Duncan stated that Chris Carpenter could rejoin the Cardinals' rotation as soon as August 26, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He is recovering from a strained pitching shoulder.
Our View: Carpenter is scheduled to throw off flat ground on Tuesday. Duncan believes there is a way that Carpenter could start in the two-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers on August 26 or 27, but his return is not guaranteed. |
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| Rohlinger struggling | Monday 8/18, 7:52 AM CT |
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Ryan Rohlinger has been struggling since his call-up from Double-A Connecticut, according to the SF Chronicle. He is 2-for-18 (.111) over five games.
Our View: He should be avoided as a fantasy prospect, and the Giants truly lack depth at third base. |
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| Ausmus ends hitting drought | Monday 8/18, 7:44 AM CT |
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Brad Ausmus snapped an 0-for-11 hitting drought with a single against Arizona Sunday, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Our View: Ausmus should continue to be ignored as a fantasy back-stop. |
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| Votto to return Tuesday? | Monday 8/18, 7:26 AM CT |
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Joey Votto was out of the starting lineup again Sunday, but will probably return Tuesday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. He spent time on the bereavement list and manager Dusty Baker said, "He hasn't swung the bat in a week. He worked out a couple times. I'll give him another day, he'll come in early tomorrow and hit, and we'll get him ready for Chicago. It ain't that easy to just come in and hit."
Our View: Votto should be safe to pencil into fantasy lineups for the week. |
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| LaRoche struggling in field | Monday 8/18, 7:12 AM CT |
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Andy LaRoche has been struggling in the field as of late with the Pirates, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He made two errors on ground balls Sunday, giving him four in 12 games with Pittsburgh. Infield instructor Tony Beasley supported him by saying, "Those were not routine plays. This is a good third baseman."
Our View: He is performing fine with his bat, however. He has a four-game hitting streak, with one homer and two RBI over the span. He shouldn't be in jeopardy of losing his spot at third base. |
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| Morgan to get called up | Monday 8/18, 7:08 AM CT |
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The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette states that Nyjer Morgan is a "virtual lock" to get called up in September. He has been the best player at Triple-A Indianapolis for a month.
Our View: Morgan could develop into a solid pro for the Pirates, but he is not yet ready to make an impact, as he held a .143 average over 42 at-bats with the team this season. He was also caught twice on three steal attempts. |
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