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| Utley has three base hits | Thursday 8/28, 11:35 PM CT |
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Chase Utley had three hits which led to an RBI and a runs scored for the Phillies in their 6-4 loss to the Cubs.
Our View: Utley raised his August average to .278 in what has been his least productive month of his stellar season. Utley is one home run away from tying his career-high of 32, and he needs just 12 more runs scored for a third straight 100-run season. |
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| Dempster struggles to no-decision | Thursday 8/28, 11:33 PM CT |
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Ryan Dempster emerged with a no-decision as he struggled through six innings on Thursday night. Ryan allowed four walks and eight hits leading to four runs against the Phillies.
Our View: This outing raised the ERA of the Cubs ace to 2.95 as this was the first time he allowed four runners to score in a start in eight appearances. |
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| Hamels dominates Cubs | Thursday 8/28, 11:30 PM CT |
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Cole Hamels worked seven dominating innings on Thursday night as he held the Cubs to just one run. On the night, Hamels allowed just five hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out six.
Our View: Hamels continues to post solid outings without racking up the wins (he is 11-8). Over his last 16 starts, Hamels has posted a 2.69 ERA and 0.98 WHIP as he has clearly established himself as one of the top starters in the game. |
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| Ramirez hits grand slam | Thursday 8/28, 11:26 PM CT |
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Aramis Ramirez hit a game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning on Thursday night for the Cubs.
Our View: Ramirez is hitting .283-24-99 on the year in yet another in a long line of excellent campaigns from the third base position. With just two more home runs, Ramirez will have his sixth straight season of 26 dongs and 92 RBI. |
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| Stairs designated for assignment | Thursday 8/28, 11:15 PM CT |
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Matt Stairs was designated for assignment on Thursday, according to MLB.com. Travis Snider will take Stairs place on the roster.
Our View: The Jays are trying to work out a deal to send the vet to a contending team to give him a shot to make the post-season. Still a useful depth play, Stairs is hitting .250 with 11 home runs in 320 AB though his value could diminish in a reduced role with a new club. |
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| Manny hits third, homers | Thursday 8/28, 9:33 PM CT |
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Hitting third for the first time since joining the Dodgers, Manny Ramirez went 1-for-4 with a two run home run.
Our View: Joe Torre swapped Ramirez and Jeff Kent in the order (Kent went 0-for-3). Whether or not the move sticks is unclear, but no matter where he hits in the order there is no need to fret - Manny will hit. |
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| Kershaw struggles to second straight loss | Thursday 8/28, 9:31 PM CT |
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Clayton Kershaw used 54 pitches to pick up just seven outs on Thursday as he allowed five runs to the Nationals in his fifth loss of the year.
Our View: After 5-straight excellent starts, Kershaw has been bombed for 11 runs over his last 6.1 innings. Given his young age (21) and recent performance, the Dodgers might consider dialing back on Kershaw's workload as they want to be exceedingly careful with their arm of the future. |
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| Dukes does it all in win | Thursday 8/28, 9:28 PM CT |
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Elijah Dukes took two Dodgers pitchers deep on Thursday night as he went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and four RBI as he stole his 11th base of the season for the Nationals.
Our View: Though he spent almost a month on the DL, the two bombs tonight give him five long balls in his last 10 games. He could easily be on waivers in your league, so take a look an consider adding him down the stretch if he is available as he has a nice combination of power and speed going right now (he has three steals in the last 10 games). |
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| Guzman hits for cycle | Thursday 8/28, 9:25 PM CT |
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Cristian Guzman had a night to remember on Thursday as he had a single, double, triple and home run against the Dodgers on his way to hitting for the cycle.
Our View: Guzman is only the second National to hit for the cycle (Brad Wilkerson on April 6th, 2005), as he continues to provide more bang for the buck that most players who were left on waivers in most leagues at the start of the year. The effort tonight pushed his average up to .303. |
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| Gonzo has 5-game streak | Thursday 8/28, 9:11 PM CT |
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Luis Gonzalez had two hits and an RBI on Thursday night from the second hole in the order for the Marlins.
Our View: With Josh Willingham and Jeremy Hermida struggle to find any consistency, Gonzalez has found himself in the lineup in five straight games during which time he has produced at least one hit each time. He has no upside but isn't a total waste in NL-only leagues. |
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| Morton wins home game | Thursday 8/28, 9:06 PM CT |
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Charlie Morton won his first home game of the season on Thursday night as he held the Marlins to four hits, two walks and two runs in six innings of work.
Our View: Prior to this game Morton was 0-6 with a 8.18 ERA in Atlanta, and though he looked good tonight, his prospects moving forward aren't anything to get too excited about. |
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| McCann continues great season | Thursday 8/28, 9:04 PM CT |
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Brian McCann had only one hit on Thursday, but it was a three run home run in the Braves 4-2 victory over the Marlins.
Our View: McCann has been a stud this year, especially with the injuries to guys like Victor Martinez and Jorge Posada, on his way to 22 home runs and 75 RBI, not to mention a .292 batting average, from the catchers position. |
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| Will Jays trade with Angels? | Thursday 8/28, 8:55 PM CT |
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David Eckstein, Marc Scutaro and John McDonald are apparently on the Angels radar as the club is looking to bolster a suddenly beat infield, according to MLB.com.
Our View: The Angels have Howie Kendrick on the DL (hamstring), Maicer Izturis out for the season (torn ligament in thumb) and Erik Aybar battling a tight left hamstring. Juan Castro (BAL) and Jamey Carroll (CLE) are also rumored to be on the wish list of the Angels who need to add a player by August 31st if they want him to be available to play in the post season. |
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| Elbert to be promoted on Friday | Thursday 8/28, 8:50 PM CT |
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Scott Elbert will likely be called up to the Dodgers on Friday, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. Elbert, a left handed pitcher who was working at Double-A. is 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA this season working almost exclusively out of the pen.
Our View: Elbert missed most of last season with a shoulder injury that forced his move into the bullpen, and he has taken quite well to to the role this season though he figures to have little if any fantasy value with the Dodgers. |
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| Willingham sent to the bench | Thursday 8/28, 7:22 PM CT |
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Josh Willingham was benched on Thursday night as Jeremy Hermida was reinserted into the starting lineup, according to the Palm Beach Post. As a result, Luis Gonzalez started his fifth straight game in the outfield.
Our View: Willingham is hitting just .241 with only a single home run in his last 33 games as his back injury has limited his performance at the plate substantially. |
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| Hermida back in starting lineup | Thursday 8/28, 7:18 PM CT |
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Jeremy Hermida returned to the Marlins lineup on Thursday night for the first time in five games, according to the Palm Beach Post.
Our View: Hermida had been benched for ineffective play including a .212 average and .593 OPS in August as he has failed, yet again, to live up to the hype that his talent suggest resides in his body. |
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| Soriano has elbow surgery | Thursday 8/28, 7:15 PM CT |
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Rafael Soriano had surgery on his oft injured elbow on Thursday and hopes to be back at 100% in time for spring training next season, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Our View: No update has been given yet on how the procedure went though it was expected that the surgery to move the UCL nerve should solve the problems that dogged Soriano all year. |
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| Wade activated from DL | Thursday 8/28, 6:10 PM CT |
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Cory Wade, out with shoulder inflammation, has been activated from the DL on Thursday, according to the Associated Press. Tanyon Sturtze was designated for assignment to make room for Wade.
Our View: Wade has appeared in 40 games this season posting a 2.56 ERA and 1.06 WHIP for the club as one of their most consistent hurlers this season. |
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| Sturtze designated for assignment | Thursday 8/28, 6:06 PM CT |
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Tanyon Sturtze has been designated for assignment in a move to open up a roster spot for Cory Wade, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Sturtze tossed only 2.1 innings with the Dodgers prior to this move. Of course, whether or not he is on the club has no bearing on his fantasy value as it remains nil. |
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| Perez worth the wait | Thursday 8/28, 4:32 PM CT |
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Chris Perez has become the second rookie right hander to take over closing duties down the stretch, the other was Adam Wainwright, and he has done a marvelous job so far even if he hasn't officially been named the closer, according to MLB.com. "I'm in there in the ninth with the game on the line. That's pretty much what a closer does. It doesn't matter to me if [manager Tony La Russa] comes out and says it or not."
Our View: Perez has more than a K per inning (34 in 33), though he could stand to reduce his 4.64 BB/9 mark. Still, he has done a solid job converting 6-of-8 chances so far and appears the favorite to continue to pick up saves in the Cards pen. |
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| Ojeda starting, not flourishing | Thursday 8/28, 4:28 PM CT |
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Augie Ojeda continues to do a solid job filling in for the injured Orlando Hudson for the D'backs at second base even if his production hasn't been as good as hoped, according to the Arizona Republic.
Our View: Last season Ojeda filled in for Hudson batting .341 in the final 14 games of the year before a big performance in the playoffs. This season the well has dried up as he is just 11-for-57 since the All-Star break (.193). He doesn't deserve to be rostered in anything but the deepest of NL-only leagues. |
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| Hill done for the Year | Thursday 8/28, 4:20 PM CT |
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Shawn Hill will not pitch again this season as the team determined that his injured elbow just isn't responding as hoped to treatment, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Hill is on his way to see Dr. James Andrews on Friday to make sure surgery isn't needed. The 27 year old hurler finishes the year with only 12 starts to his credit leading to a 1-5 record with a 5.83 ERA. |
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| Bruce records first triple | Thursday 8/28, 3:57 PM CT |
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Jay Bruce went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Thursday's 3-2 loss to Houston. His hit went for a triple, the first of his major league career.
Our View: That was only his third extra base hit (the other two were homers) over his last 13 games. |
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| Harang dealt 14th loss | Thursday 8/28, 3:50 PM CT |
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Aaron Harang issued three earned runs on seven hits over seven innings in Thursday's close 3-2 loss to the Astros at Minute Maid Park, with no walks and nine strikeouts. All of the damage came on three solo homers, pushing his season total to 29.
Our View: He was dealt his 14th loss of the season, and is 1-4 over his last five starts. He will remain a risky fantasy hurler in September. |
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| Backe nails down ninth win | Thursday 8/28, 3:45 PM CT |
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Brandon Backe only surrendered two earned runs on six hits over 6.2 innings of work in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Reds in Houston, with one walk and six strikeouts.
Our View: He improves to 9-12, and is 3-2 over his last five starts. He has allowed 11 earned runs in both of his losses over that span, and should remain inconsistent in the final month of the regular season. |
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| Wigginton blasts two homers | Thursday 8/28, 3:41 PM CT |
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Ty Wigginton went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo homers in Thursday's close 3-2 win over the Reds.
Our View: Wigginton now has 19 homers for the season, with three coming over his last two games. Perhaps he is headed for a favorable power surge over the final month of the season. |
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| Ozuna designated for assignment | Thursday 8/28, 1:19 PM CT |
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Pablo Ozuna has been designated for assignment by the Dodgers, according to the LA Daily News. Blake DeWitt was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas as the corresponding move.
Our View: Ozuna hit a mere .200 over 15 plate appearances with the Dodgers, and was viewed as expendable. |
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| Carpenter sent back to Reading | Thursday 8/28, 12:36 PM CT |
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Andrew Carpenter was sent back to Triple-A Reading after pitching one scoreless inning with the Phillies, according to the AP. Reliever Fabio Castro has been recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley as the corresponding move.
Our View: Carpenter may return before the end of the season, but is not worth waiting for as a fantasy reliever. |
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| Stewart's streak snapped | Thursday 8/28, 12:28 PM CT |
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Ian Stewart's 10-game hitting streak was snapped Wednesday against the Giants, according to the Rocky Mountain News.
Our View: He had five multi-hit efforts over the streak, with five doubles, two homers, and 13 RBI. He should remain a strong source of production heading into the final month of the season. |
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| Herges on rehab assignment | Thursday 8/28, 12:22 PM CT |
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Matt Herges, who is recovering from lower back stiffness, flew to Las Vegas on Wednesday night to join Triple-A Colorado Springs for a rehab assignment, according to the Rocky Mountain News.
Our View: Herges is expected to be activated Tuesday, which is the first day he is eligible to come off the DL. He holds no fantasy value with a 5.09 ERA and poor 1.56 WHIP over 58.1 innings of relief. |
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| Zambrano feels fine | Thursday 8/28, 12:14 PM CT |
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Carlos Zambrano said he feels fine and is ready to rebound from a disappointing August, according to the Chicago Tribune. Zambrano assured to the team that his shoulder is fine and GM Jim Hendry said, "He has no discomfort, he feels good and he's very confident he'll rebound, and he probably will. He just, for whatever reason, has hit the wall a little bit, and obviously his velocity was a little down Tuesday night."
Our View: He only won one game in August, with one loss and three no decisions. He allowed five or more earned runs three times over the span. He should remain active in fantasy lineups, and hopefully he can finish the season strong, as he said he will. |
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| Helton not giving up | Thursday 8/28, 12:05 PM CT |
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Todd Helton is not giving up and remains committed to returning to Colorado this season, according to the Denver Post. Helton never considered shutting it down for the season, and said Wednesday the team's surge back into postseason contention has only strengthened his determination. Helton said, "That helps. The guys are doing their part. But also, I would never want it assumed that I wasn't doing everything I can to get back, because that's not who I am. I want to play."
Our View: He is trying to return from an irritated disc in his back, and has already suffered two setbacks in his recovery. He should remain stashed in NL-only leagues but there remains the possibility that he won't be back this season. |
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| Cordero returns | Thursday 8/28, 11:26 AM CT |
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Francisco Cordero has returned to the Reds Wednesday after missing Tuesday's game to be with his newborn son, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Our View: The Reds' closer can now be penciled back into lineups. |
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| Ohman not going anywhere | Thursday 8/28, 11:03 AM CT |
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Will Ohman will not be following Mark Kotsay out of Atlanta before August 31, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Our View: Ohman was claimed on waivers this month, and the Braves pulled him back after no trade could be worked out, meaning he is staying with the Braves for the remainder of the season. The Braves will either re-sign him or get the draft pick (or picks) as compensation when he departs as a free agent.
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| Schafer won't be called up? | Thursday 8/28, 10:57 AM CT |
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution indicates that Jordan Schafer will not likely be called up by the Braves in September.
Our View: Schafer is a candidate for the starting job in center field next season, and GM Frank Wren noted that he didn't tarnish his rep with the club after being suspended for 50 games due to using an illegal growth hormone (HGH). Along with Schafer, other top prospects are not expected to be recalled in September, such as pitchers Tommy Hanson and Kris Medlen. To add any of them (including Schafer) to the 40-man roster now would require the Braves take someone off and possibly lose them in the Rule 5 Draft. Schafer will play winter ball in Mexico, then rejoin the club in spring training to compete for the aforementioned center field job. |
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| Byrnes still hopeful to return | Thursday 8/28, 10:20 AM CT |
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Eric Byrnes took batting practice Tuesday and remains hopeful of returning to Arizona this season, according to the Arizona Republic. He is rehabbing from a left-hamstring tear, and he isn't going to do anything that might set him back for the 2009 campaign.
Our View: If he does come back in September, he isn't going to push himself and would only serve as a pinch-hitter or runner, and defensive replacement in the outfield. |
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| Wagner improving | Thursday 8/28, 10:13 AM CT |
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Billy Wagner's ailing left elbow is improving, according to the NY Post. He is back playing catch at Shea Stadium. GM Omar Minaya said Wagner could be re-examined next week to see if he can start throwing off the mound again or if more rest is needed. Wagner has been on the DL since August 3 with elbow swelling and a strained left forearm.
Our View: For now, Jerry Manuel is sticking with former Nationals' righty Luis Ayala as the closer.
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| Hairston likely headed to DL | Thursday 8/28, 10:07 AM CT |
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Scott Hairston may have sustained a broken thumb while attempting a diving catch in the outfield Wednesday, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. He said, "I thought I jammed the thumb on the dive, but an X-ray seems to show a chipped bone in the thumb."
Our View: He will have an MRI Thursday morning, which will decide if he is headed for the DL. Hairston is not optimistic the exam will have good results. Jody Gerut could be set up for extended playing time in center field, but that will also depend on who the Padres add in September call-ups. |
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| Sabathia yet to lose with Milwaukee | Thursday 8/28, 8:00 AM CT |
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CC Sabathia is yet to lose with Milwaukee as he is 8-0 with a 1.59 ERA since joining the club, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Our View: He has a strong chance to keep his winning streak going on Sunday as he faces a Pirates' club that has lost seven straight games and sits in the cellar of the NL Central. |
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| Capps adds pitch to arsenal | Thursday 8/28, 7:57 AM CT |
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Matt Capps has added a 12-6 curve to his arsenal of pitches, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Our View: He auditioned the new pitch with favorable results Wednesday against the Cubs as he froze Ryan Theriot on a third strike. He has not allowed a hit or earned run over two innings since returning from his bout with bursitis (both outings were losses so he did not have an opportunity for a save). |
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| Dumatrait transferred to 60-day DL | Thursday 8/28, 7:52 AM CT |
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Phil Dumatrait has been transferred from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The team promoted reliever Jesse Chavez from Triple-A Indianapolis as the corresponding move.
Our View: Dumatrait was already ruled out for the season following his surgery to repair damage to his rotator cuff. |
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| Bourn to be active in September | Thursday 8/28, 7:45 AM CT |
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Manager Cecil Cooper stated that Michael Bourn will get most of the starts in center field in September, according to the Houston Chronicle. Cooper said, "We need Michael to go out and play consistently as far as his approach to the plate. I know defensively he’s been pretty good in the outfield and hasn’t had any problems and made some good plays and has made adjustments there. I just want to see the hitting part be more consistent and hit balls to left field and make better contact and have a better approach at the plate."
Our View: Bourn is only hitting .222 but should remain a solid source of speed in the final month as he has 34 stolen bases. |
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| Matsui improving | Thursday 8/28, 7:41 AM CT |
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Kazuo Matsui hit some soft toss in the batting cage with hitting coach Sean Berry on Wednesday and did some side-to-side agility drills, according to the Houston Chronicle. His back ailment is getting better, but he still isn’t expected to be activated from the DL until Monday in Chicago at the earliest. Matsui said, "That’s the plan to be able to play on Monday. The only concern is my speed and how much I’ll be able to run."
Our View: It looks like he should be back at some point next week, but his speed could be compromised, which is where he holds most of his fantasy value with 19 steals. |
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| Ankiel still battling ailment | Thursday 8/28, 7:26 AM CT |
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Rick Ankiel is still bothered by his strained abdominal muscle, and only has four hits over his last 36 at-bats (.111), according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The injury has also limited him to three homers and nine RBI in the month of August. Manager Tony La Russa is concerned that the injury could be a more serious ailment like the sports hernia for which Chris Duncan eventually had to have surgery last year. After participating in early batting practice Wednesday, Ankiel went to a doctor to be checked before returning to the ballpark.
Our View: The Cardinals have an off day today, and the Houston Astros will pitch lefthanders Friday and Sunday against the Cardinals, so Ankiel (struggling against lefthanders as of late) likely will sit. That will afford him extra time to rest. He feels his swing is fine, and just cannot run at 100 percent. Hopefully he can finish the season strong over the final month when fantasy owners need him the most. |
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| Schierholtz coming up | Thursday 8/28, 7:12 AM CT |
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Nate Schierholtz returned from the Olympics in Beijing and reported to Triple-A Fresno, where he'll work until the Giants promote him when rosters expand Monday, according to the SF Chronicle.
Our View: Schierholtz fared well in the Olympics and could see enough action with the Giants in the final month to merit him worth consideration for NL-only leagues. |
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