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| Teadarden goes deep | Monday 9/1, 10:45 PM CT |
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Taylor Teagarden, appearing in just his third major league game, hit a three run home run off of Carlos Silva. Josh Hamilton also hit his 31st home run of the year in the loss to the Mariners.
Our View: With the as of yet undiagnosed injury to Jarrod Saltalamacchia (elbow), there is a chance that Teagarden could see a whole lot of work in the month of September, so keep an eye on how that injury situation shakes out. |
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| Mendoza shell shocked | Monday 9/1, 10:42 PM CT |
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Luis Mendoza was pounded on Monday night to the tune of five hits and four runs while recording just one out against the Mariners in his seventh loss of the season.
Our View: The youngster has talent, but enough is enough. Luis has allowed at least four runs in eight of his last 10 outings during which time his ERA is an astounding 11.47. The question is therefore do the Rangers actually intend on winning games if they keep running Mendoza out there? |
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| Silva beat up yet again | Monday 9/1, 10:37 PM CT |
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In his first start since being activated from the DL Carlos Silva was typically awful has he allowed 10 hits, walked four batters and permitted six runs in just 4.2 innings on Monday night.
Our View: About the only positive on the night was that he didn't suffer his 15th loss of the year as the Mariners offense scored enough to get the win. At this point you would be better off consulting a Ouija board than thinking you can get a solid outing out of Silva. |
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| Beltre hits for cycle | Monday 9/1, 10:35 PM CT |
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Adrian Beltre hit for the cycle on Monday night as he had his third, five-hit game of his career. When combined with the outing of Stephen Drew who also hit for the cycle, this was the first day for dual cycles in the majors since September 17th, 1920 (Bobby Veach and George Burns).
Our View: Beltre also scored five times with three RBI on the night to push his season totals to .262-24-72-72-8. It certainly is far from pretty at times, but then again, when you look up at the end of the year he always seems to have his 25 home runs and 85 RBI, and there is certainly value in that. |
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| Garko sliding along | Monday 9/1, 10:29 PM CT |
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Ryan Garko had two hits and a run scored on Monday night as the Indians rested Victor Martinez allowing Kelly Shoppach to start behind the plate and giving Garko a shot to start.
Our View: Garko hit 21 home runs last season in 484 AB and he has followed that up with just 10 in 426 this year. Though his power and average have declined (.289 to .256), he has actually been a better run producer with 70 RBI (he had 61 last season). He will likely need some big hits down the stretch to be in the lineup on a daily basis now that Martinez is back. |
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| Konerko continues to produce | Monday 9/1, 10:25 PM CT |
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Paul Konerko went 1-for-3 on Monday as he continues to inch his batting average up to respectability (currently it sits at .236).
Our View: Konerko is hitting .329 over his last 23 games during which time his plate discipline has returned (19 BB, 10 K in 23 games). He could be a legitimate option down the stretch as he should have been all season. |
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| Youngster Richard loses game | Monday 9/1, 10:22 PM CT |
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Clayton Richard lost his third game of the season on Monday as he needed 82 pitches to record just 12 outs. Richard allowed the Indians to score four runs, three earned, in the outing.
Our View: Richard isn't at a point where he can impose his will on an offense, and as a result he has allowed 22 earned runs in just 31 innings this season (6.39 ERA). |
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| Lee first to 20 | Monday 9/1, 10:16 PM CT |
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Cliff Lee became the first Indians hurler since 1974 (Gaylord Perry) to win 20 games as he improved to 20-2 with his masterpiece over the White Sox, a complete game, five hit shutout.
Our View: Lee has lasted at least five innings in every one of his 27 starts this season, he has allowed two or fewer runs 21 times, and in 10 games he hasn't walked a single batter. He can dust a spot off on his mantle for the Cy Young award. |
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| Pedroia the hitting star | Monday 9/1, 10:12 PM CT |
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Dustin Pedroia had another two hits on Monday leading to two RBI as he pushed his batting average up to .327 for the Red Sox. He also stole his 17th base.
Our View: Pedroia now has a 6-game hitting streak during which time he has produced 15 hits. Since the start of June, a span of 76 games, Pedroia is batting a robust .362. |
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| Olson loses yet again | Monday 9/1, 10:08 PM CT |
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Garrett Olson had his fourth straight rough outing on Monday as he allowed six runs in just 5.2 innings. Olson gave up six hits while walking five Red Sox as there were constantly runners on base.
Our View: The Orioles may know what they are doing with Olson, but the poor guy has looked dreadful of late allowing, get this, 21 runs in 16 IP (11.81 ERA) over his last four appearances. Memo to the Orioles - get this kid out of there. |
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| Byrd wins 10th game | Monday 9/1, 10:03 PM CT |
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Paul Byrd improved to 3-1 with the Red Sox as he picked up his 10th victory of the year overall by lasting seven innings against the Orioles.
Our View: Byrd allowed four runs on the night despite being taken deep three times as he continues to pitch well enough to allow the big Boston bats to bash their way to victory. |
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| Jones returns, homers | Monday 9/1, 9:58 PM CT |
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Adam Jones, in his first game back from the DL because of a broken foot, hit his eighth home run of the year for the Orioles
Our View: Jones has four home runs, 22 RBI and 22 runs scored in his last 28 games, though it will be interesting to see how he will fair after playing only two games in the month of August. Despite the home run tonight, expecting him to dominate moving forward might be a stretch. |
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| Saltalamacchia forced from game | Monday 9/1, 9:00 PM CT |
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Jarrod Saltalamacchia was forced to leave the Rangers game on Monday night with what is being described as a sore right elbow, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Saltalamacchia hurt his arm while trying to throw out a wold be base stealer and will have an MRI on Tuesday. Just recalled Taylor Teagarden was moved behind the plate in his absence. |
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| Kobayashi will be monitored closely | Monday 9/1, 7:27 PM CT |
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Masa Kobayashi will be monitored closely down the stretch as the team doesn't want to expose him to a heavy workload after years of pitching in Japan, according to the Indians Official Website. "We want him to finish the season strong," manager Eric Wedge said. "We want him to feel good physically."
Our View: Kobayashi only had one season in Japan with more than the 54 appearances he has this year for the Indians, and that was way back in 2000. The team doesn't want to burn him out for next season, so don't look for much out of this import the rest of the way. |
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| Youkilis in the lineup | Monday 9/1, 7:11 PM CT |
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Updating an earlier report, Kevin Youkilis is back in the lineup after missing the previous two games due to the flu, according to the Boston Herald.
Our View: Youkilis continues his push for his first 25-HR, 100 RBI season tonight, he currently has 24 home runs and 94 RBI, and with a big final month he could even score 100 runs (he currently has 82). |
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| Colon strong in rehab start | Monday 9/1, 7:06 PM CT |
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Bartolo Colon (back) hurled six innings of four hit ball for the Red Sox on Monday, according to the Boston Herald. Colon allowed one run in the outing though he only struck out one batter.
Our View: The team would like Colon to make one more appearance in the minors before being activated to help the club with their playoff push down the stretch. |
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| Drew takes BP | Monday 9/1, 7:03 PM CT |
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J.D. Drew took indoor batting practice on Monday, the first time he has been in the cage since August 17th because of back pain, according to the Boston Herald.
Our View: While this is certainly a positive step, there is still no word on when Drew will be activated and return to the starting lineup. |
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| Griffey out - back pain | Monday 9/1, 7:00 PM CT |
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Ken Griffey Jr. was a late scratch on Monday night due to pain in his lower back, according to the White Sox Official Website.
Our View: Nick Swisher will play center field tonight, and the good news is that no one believes that the injury to Griffey is serious, though of course, any injury issue is always a concern with the sweet swinging future HOFamer. |
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| Hafner to stay in minors | Monday 9/1, 6:49 PM CT |
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Travis Hafner's shoulder is still bothering him a bit, and as a result he will not be called up to the big league club on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. "We probably won't activate him," manager Eric Wedge said. "We're going to talk to him and see where he is. We'll see how he feels."
Our View: The team still hopes to see Hafner wearing a Indians uniform before the season is over, but they are in no hurry to recall him given his less than intact body. Don't count on much production, if any, even if you have held on to him this long. |
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| Kaaihue called up to the majors | Monday 9/1, 6:25 PM CT |
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Kila Kaaihue has been called up to the majors after dominating minor league pitching this year, according to the Kansas City Star.
Our View: Kaaihue hit .314-38-100 in 124 games, this after averaging just 13 home runs and 61 RBI in each of his first six professional seasons. The 24 year old Kaaihue will battle with Ryan Shealey for spare at-bats down the stretch. |
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| Royals call up youngsters | Monday 9/1, 6:19 PM CT |
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Ryan Shealy was one of the many Royals called up to the bigs on September 1st as major league rosters expanded, according to the Kansas City Star. Other Royals called up include Yasuhiko Yabuta, Devon Lowery and Kila Kaaihue.
Our View: Shealy, once a top-flight prospect with a bright future, hit .282-22-65 in 111 game at Triple-A this season. He is out of options at the end of this year meaning that the Royals will need to keep him on the roster next season or release him. He will likely have to battle Kaaihue for at-bats down the stretch. |
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| Lowell has fine BP session | Monday 9/1, 6:11 PM CT |
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Updating an earlier story, Mike Lowell took batting practice for the first time on Monday since suffering his left oblique injury and he sounded optimistic that he will be able to return shortly, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Lowell is targeting the Red Sox series with the Rangers this weekend for a return, though he will likely need to have a couple of solid batting practice sessions to make his return this weekend a reality. |
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| Teagarden recalled, will have a roll | Monday 9/1, 5:42 PM CT |
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Taylor Teagarden has been recalled by the Rangers on Monday, according to the Star Telegram. Teagarden hit only .211 with nine home runs and 22 RBI in 246 minor league at-bats.
Our View: Manager Ron Washington said that the team wants to see what Teagarden has, so he and Jarrod Saltalamacchia will likely split time behind the plate meaning that Gerald Laird's value will likely plummet to almost nil. |
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| Duran recalled | Monday 9/1, 5:38 PM CT |
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German Duran has been recalled to the Rangers less than two weeks after he was sent down, according to the Star Telegram. Bill White was also added to the roster.
Our View: Duran will be a spare part and have no fantasy value with the Rangers since the club already has Chris Davis at third base and entrenched in the starting lineup, not to mention that Ian Kinsler is expected back in action in about a week at second base. |
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| Owens finally recalled | Monday 9/1, 5:15 PM CT |
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Jerry Owens, a presumptive starting outfielder at the start of the season who was injured and sent to the minors, has been recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Owens lost his lineup spot to Carlos Quentin and hasn't been seen since. Owens likely won't have any value unless someone goes down with injury, though he did hit .276 with 30 steals in the minors and could offer some speed in AL-only leagues. |
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| Linebrink back on active roster | Monday 9/1, 5:05 PM CT |
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Updating an earlier story, Scott Linebrink's throwing session went well on Monday, so well that the reliever was activated from the DL, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Linebrink has been out since late July because of inflammation in his shoulder. He performed very well prior to ending up on the shelf (2.31 ERA, 0.92 WHIP), and should reclaim a role of importance in the team's bullpen down the stretch, though his fantasy value will be restricted to AL-only leagues. |
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| Jeter fills up stat sheet | Monday 9/1, 4:33 PM CT |
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Derek Jeter produced a full line on Monday with three runs, two hits, two RBI and three walks for the Yankees.
Our View: Jeter hit .345 in July and with his two hits today he has upped his average to .296 on the year. After a pedestrian start to the year, Jeter has started to come on though he will still likely fail to record 100-runs, he currently has 75, for the first time in his career in a season of 500-AB. |
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| A-Rod has four RBI | Monday 9/1, 4:30 PM CT |
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Alex Rodriguez knocked in four runs to up his season total to 85 for the Yankees. Arod also had three hits and scored two runs against the Tigers.
Our View: Arod continues to get beaten down by the fans and certain media types, but he keeps producing numbers at a rate that clearly put him, once again, in the top-10 of all fantasy performers. Arod needs one home run and 15 RBI down the stretch to extend his streak of 30-HR, 100-RBI seasons to 11 which would be the second longest streak in history to Jimmie Foxx's 12 (1929-40). |
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| Orodonez knocks in three | Monday 9/1, 4:26 PM CT |
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Magglio Ordonez had three hits and three RBI for the Tigers in their 13-9 victory over the Yankees.
Our View: While hit overall numbers (.313-16-81) don't compare to what he did last season (.363-28-139), he is on pace to nearly match his totals from 2006 (.298-24-104). Hopefully you didn't overpay for his services after his career season. If you didn't you have to be satisfied with his efforts this year. |
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| Cabrera reaches home run milestone | Monday 9/1, 4:23 PM CT |
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Miguel Cabrera hit his 30th home run of the season on Monday, his lone hit in five trips to the plate against the Yankees.
Our View: Few have been swinging a better power bat that Cabrera of late as he has 19 home runs and 58 RBI over his last 54 games leading to this being his fifth straight season of at least 25-HR and 100-RBI for this young hitting uberstud. |
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| Ponson brutal in no-decision. | Monday 9/1, 4:20 PM CT |
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Sidney Ponson lasted only three innings on Monday in a no-decision against the Tigers as he was pounded for nine hits and seven runs (six earned). Only a pathetic outing by the Tigers staff allowed Ponson to escape this one without a loss.
Our View: Ponson has allowed 17 earned runs in his last three starts spanning just 9.2 innings (15.82 ERA). If you're still running him out there, you just haven't been paying attention as he has been awful of late. There is no reason to expect him to turn things around down the stretch as he simply isn't a good major league pitcher. |
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| Verlander bombed in loss | Monday 9/1, 4:16 PM CT |
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Justin Verlander lost his 15th game of the season on Monday as he was torched for eight runs, give earned, in just 1.2 innings against the Yankees.
Our View: After seasons of 17 and 18 victories, Verlander amazingly has a chance to match those totals in the loss column this season. His current ERA of 4.74 is also more than a full run above his marks the past two seasons, so to call this campaign disappointing would be a major understatement. He has been awful. |
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| Sweeney activated | Monday 9/1, 3:56 PM CT |
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Mike Sweeney has been activated from the disabled list and will join the Athletics, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Our View: Sweeney has solid numbers, but does not contribute enough to be worth much for fantasy owners. |
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| Silva activated from the DL | Monday 9/1, 3:33 PM CT |
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Mariners pitcher Carlos Silva was activated from the disabled list and will start for the team on Monday, according to The Sports Network.
Our View: Silva is not anyone to even consider putting on a fantasy team. He has been one of the worst pitchers in the major leagues this season, with a 4-14 record and 6.36 ERA. |
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| Sheffield 25th on home run list | Monday 9/1, 2:00 PM CT |
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Gary Sheffield hit a home run against the Yankees in the second inning Monday that placed him at No. 25 on the all-time home run list, just ahead of Fred McGriff and Lou Gehrig, according to Tigers.com.
Our View: Sheffield has had a poor season by any standards, disappointing fantasy owners to the tune of a .224 batting average, 13 home runs and 43 RBI. |
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| Hafner shoulder issues explained | Monday 9/1, 1:31 PM CT |
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Travis Hafner has a problematic shoulder blade, and it caused his muscles beneath it to fritter away, leading to decreased strength and the problems he has been having this season, according to Indians.com.
Our View: Hafner will not undergo surgery, and instead will try to strengthen the problematic area with a weight program. It does not sound like the issue is one that will go away, but instead can simply be controlled with a workout regimen. |
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| Ordonez destroys Ponson | Monday 9/1, 10:18 AM CT |
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Magglio Ordonez doesn't just hit Yankees starter Sidney Ponson well, he obliterates him. Which is good news for Ordonez, as he and the Tigers face off against Ponson and the Yankees on Monday. For his career, Ordonez is hitting .500 (16-for-32) with .529 on-base percentage off the hefty right-hander.
Our View: Ordonez hit just .278 with two home runs in August, so hitting off of Ponson may be exactly what he needs to propel him to a great September. |
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| Gobble called up | Monday 9/1, 10:12 AM CT |
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Royals pitcher Jimmy Gobble will be called up from his rehab assignment when the team resumes play on Tuesday, according to the Kansas City Star. Also to be recalled is pitcher John Bale and first baseman Ryan Shealy.
Our View: Gobble has been horrendous in his 24.2 innings of relief, sporting a ghastly 11.31 ERA and 2.27 WHIP. Putting him on a fantasy roster may be just a bit unwise. |
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| Mahay to be activated | Monday 9/1, 10:08 AM CT |
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Royals reliever Ron Mahay has recovered from the plantar fascitis in his left foot, and is slated to be activated from the DL on Tuesday, according to the Kansas City Star.
Our View: Mahay has been solid in his relief role, with a 2.91 ERA. However, as a middle reliever, he holds little fantasy value. |
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| Grudzielanek will not be back | Monday 9/1, 9:57 AM CT |
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Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek suffered a torn deltoid ligament in his ankle, and though the MRI he recently took showed healing, it is not enough that he will be able to return this season, according to the Kansas City Star.
Our View: Grudzielanek's season was solid though not spectacular. He likely helped fantasy owners in AL-only leagues with his .299 average, but offered little else. |
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| Rays think Johnson hit Bartlett on purpose | Monday 9/1, 9:34 AM CT |
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Rays manager Joe Maddon was not pleased that Orioles reliever Jim Johnson hit shortstop Jason Bartlett with a pitch one at-bat after he hit a home run on Sunday, and thinks Johnson did it purposely, according to the Tampa Tribune. "The last one was intentional. ... I really don't know why they did it, but it was on purpose," Maddon said.
Our View: Maddon stated that everyone in the Orioles dugout went to the top step to watch it happen, even though they had been sitting down the rest of the game. Bartlett has all of one home run on the year, so if the pitch was intentional, we're not sure what the message is. |
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| Salas called up | Monday 9/1, 9:31 AM CT |
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Although he was optioned to the minor leagues on Sunday, Rays reliever Juan Salas will be back in the big leagues on Tuesday, according to the Tampa Tribune.
Our View: The team needed the roster room for one day, so Salas probably never left the Tampa area. He has no fantasy value. |
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| Jaso called up | Monday 9/1, 9:28 AM CT |
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The Tampa Bay Rays will recall catcher John Jaso from the minor leagues on Monday, according to the Tampa Tribune.
Our View: Jaso has performed well in the minor leagues, with a .273 average and 12 home runs on the year. More impressive is his plate discipline, as he has drawn 72 walks compared to just 42 strikeouts, and his OBP on the year was .391. His fantasy value is minimal, however, as he will simply be depth behind Dioner Navarro and Shawn Riggans. |
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| Moeller will join Yankees | Monday 9/1, 9:08 AM CT |
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Catcher Chad Moeller will be called up by the Yankees on Monday, according to New York Newsday. He had been with the team until they acquired Ivan Rodriguez. Left-handed pitcher Phil Coke will also join the team.
Our View: Moeller has no fantasy value, as he was hitting just .227 when sent down. He will simply provide depth at catcher. |
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| Thomas may need surgery | Monday 9/1, 8:49 AM CT |
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Frank Thomas could need surgery to deal with his right quad injury, and it does not look like he will return to the A's this season, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Our View: Thomas was placed on the DL Saturday, and will undergo more tests soon. He did not provide fantasy owners much in his 246 at-bats, with just 8 home runs, 30 RBI and a .240 batting average. |
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| Duchscherer has minor setback | Monday 9/1, 8:45 AM CT |
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A's starter Justin Duchscherer was in line to pitch for the team on Saturday, but his ailing hip acted up on him during a recent side session, so his status is in doubt, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Our View: Duchscherer may still get the start in one of the team's games in a doubleheader on Saturday, but the team will see how he responds to treatment before making a decision. |
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| Youkilis status unknown | Monday 9/1, 8:26 AM CT |
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The Red Sox do not know if first baseman Kevin Youkilis will be able to play on Monday when the team takes on Baltimore, according to the Boston Globe.
Our View: Youkilis has been out with flu-like symptoms for two days, and Jeff Bailey has taken his place in the lineup both days. |
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| Lowell to hit BP | Monday 9/1, 8:23 AM CT |
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Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell will likely take batting practice on Monday as he continues his rehab from an oblique strain, according to the Boston Globe.
Our View: No firm date on when Lowell will return, but it should not be too long. He has provided fantasy owners with 14 home runs and 67 RBI in 101 games this season. |
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| Colon will make another rehab start | Monday 9/1, 8:21 AM CT |
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Bartolo Colon will make another rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday, and the Red Sox may be looking at him to make a start on September 13 when Boston plays a doubleheader with the Blue Jays.
Our View: Colon has been good in the minors, going 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA while walking only five in 25.2 innings. He could be a nice addition to AL-only teams who need a shot in the arm. |
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| Beckett may pitch Friday | Monday 9/1, 8:18 AM CT |
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Boston hurler Josh Beckett played catch on Sunday in the Red Sox outfield, and the team thinks he will be able to pitch on Friday, according to the Boston Globe.
Our View: Beckett has been dealing with right elbow inflammation, but is feeling better, and it looks like he will be able to throw again. Despite his relatively disappointing season, he still offers fantasy owners a solid WHIP and good number of strikeouts. |
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| Guerrero, Hunter, get night off | Monday 9/1, 8:04 AM CT |
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Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter each got the night off for the Angels on Sunday to rest, according to the L.A. Times.
Our View: Guerrero had two nights off in a row earlier in the week, as the Angels try to keep everyone healthy for the postseason. |
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| Linebrink to be ready soon | Monday 9/1, 7:46 AM CT |
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White Sox reliever Scott Linebrink will throw a simulated game today, and should everything go well, could be activated from the disabled list by Wednesday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Our View: Linebrink has been sidelined with shoulder inflammation, but was a key part of the Chicago bullpen, with a 0.92 WHIP and 2.31 ERA. |
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| Jones will start | Monday 9/1, 7:39 AM CT |
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As expected, Orioles center fielder Adam Jones will be recalled for the team and will make the start in center field Monday, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Our View: Jones has been out since August 2 with a fractured foot. He has solid value in AL-only leagues, but come next season, it will certainly increase. |
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| Miller recalled | Monday 9/1, 7:37 AM CT |
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Reliever Jim Miller will be recalled by the Orioles on Monday, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Our View: Miller has been impressive in the minors this year, sporting an ERA of 3.15 with 96 strikeouts in 80 innings. However, he has limited fantasy value in his role. |
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