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| Greinke strikes out eight | Sunday 9/7, 11:37 PM CT |
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Zack Greinke struck out eight in Sunday's game against the Cleveland Indians, and he and fellow starter Gil Meche have a combined 325 strikeouts on the season, according to the Kansas City Star. That is the most by a Royals tandem since 1997.
Our View: Kevin Appier and Jose Rosado were the duo that accomplished the feat in '97. Greinke has had a strong season for fantasy owners, despite his 10-10 record. |
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| Putz climbing on Mainers all-time save list | Sunday 9/7, 11:00 PM CT |
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J.J. Putz picked up his 12th save of the season on Sunday, and now has 98 for his career, good for second on the all-time saves list for the Mariners, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Our View: Putz has been a huge disappointment so far this season, with an absurdly high WHIP that was 1.73 coming into Sunday's game and an ERA over 4.00. |
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| Silva may miss additional start | Sunday 9/7, 10:57 PM CT |
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Carlos Silva was scratched from his start on Sunday, and with his wife expecting a child this week, Silva is leaving to be with her and may miss another start, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Our View: Not that fantasy owners will miss him, because no fantasy owners have the overpaid right-hander on their roster. |
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| Kennard released | Sunday 9/7, 9:23 PM CT |
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The Los Angeles Angels released hurler Jeffery Kennard on Sunday, according to the Orange County Register.
Our View: Kennard had an ERA over 6.00 in Triple-A, which makes it difficult for a team to keep you around. |
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| Angels recall three | Sunday 9/7, 9:20 PM CT |
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The Los Angeles Angels recalled Matt Brown, Freddy Sandoval and Bobby Wilson from Triple-A on Sunday, according to the Orange County Register.
Our View: Each will be used for depth purposes and has little to no fantasy value. |
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| Rodriguez hitless | Sunday 9/7, 8:27 PM CT |
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Alex Rodriguez went 0-for-10 in the series against his former team, the Seattle Mariners, according to the Seattle Times. The paper also notes that he went hitless in just one other series this season, against the Rangers, whom he also played for.
Our View: Rodriguez is still one of the greats in the game, just apparently not against teams he used to play for. Despite his poor weekend, Rodriguez is still hitting over .300 with more than 30 home runs and 90 RBI. |
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| Bannister trying not to lose | Sunday 9/7, 7:56 PM CT |
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Royals pitcher Brian Bannister has not won a game in 12 starts, but the team thinks he has gotten better in the last eight, according to Royals.com. "When he was going through the bad streak, he had multiple bad innings and multiple bad starts. He stopped that as of probably four outings ago," Royals manager Trey Hillman said.
Our View: Hey, he hasn't won in 12 starts, but it's good to know he's getting closer! No matter the spin the Royals try to throw on it, Bannister has been awful, and fantasy owners know better than to use him. |
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| Padilla returns | Sunday 9/7, 7:20 PM CT |
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Vicente Padilla will return to the Texas Rangers on Tuesday when the team heads to Seattle to face off against the Mariners, according to TexasRangers.com.
Our View: Padilla went on the DL with a strained hamstring. He is not a player fantasy owners should rely on, unless they are in deep AL-only leagues. |
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| Wrist still hurting Ortiz | Sunday 9/7, 7:18 PM CT |
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David Ortiz said, "My hand is not OK. It's still bothering me," according to RedSox.com. However, he did say that pain was not the problem, just occasional clicking, and he will play through it.
Our View: Ortiz has had a sub-par season for fantasy owners, due in large part to the wrist injury he suffered earlier in the year. Hopefully, Ortiz will make it through the year without any further time missed. |
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| Jeter hits tenth home run | Sunday 9/7, 5:56 PM CT |
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Derek Jeter hit a solo home run, his tenth of the year, in a 2-for-3 day, but the Yankees succumbed to the Mariners, 5-2.
Our View: Jeter's average is getting closer to the .300 mark, as he has hit .345 since August 1. He is no longer an elite option for fantasy owners as he ages, but he remains solid. |
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| Beltre extends hitting streak | Sunday 9/7, 5:50 PM CT |
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Adrian Beltre reached 13 games with his hitting streak by helping Seattle to a 5-2 win over the Yankees. Beltre went 2-for-3 on the day, with a home run and two RBI.
Our View: Beltre is hitting an absurd .520 so far in September with two home runs. That'll likely not last, but his production has been solid all year, and fantasy owners will appreciate a bump in his batting average. |
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| Mussina loses eighth | Sunday 9/7, 5:46 PM CT |
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Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina suffered his eighth loss of the season, tossing six innings and surrendering four earned runs in his team's 5-2 loss to Seattle.
Our View: This is the first time Mussina has picked up a loss since July 28, and after appearing dead in the water last season, there is no reason for fantasy owners to lament his contributions this year. |
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| Bay homers | Sunday 9/7, 5:42 PM CT |
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Jason Bay hit his 27th home run of the season, and collected his 94th RBI in a 2-for-5 performance in the Red Sox 7-2 win over the Rangers.
Our View: Bay has had an outstanding year overall, and has helped Red Sox fans transition from being Manny-less. Fantasy owners have to be happy as well, after his struggle last year. |
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| Young strikes out three times | Sunday 9/7, 5:40 PM CT |
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It was an uneventful day for Rangers shortstop Michael Young, as he failed to get a hit in four at-bats, and failed to make contact in three of those at-bats, striking out three times in the Rangers 7-2 loss to Boston.
Our View: Young is not having the type of season fantasy owners had hoped for. On August 25, his average was up to .290, giving people reason to think he would reach his familiar .300 mark, but it has since dropped to .282. |
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| Byrd flies high | Sunday 9/7, 5:36 PM CT |
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Paul Byrd had a very nice game for the Red Sox, pitching six shutout innings against the Rangers, helping Boston to a 7-2 win.
Our View: This was easily his best performance in a Red Sox uniform, as he had given up four runs in three of his previous four starts. He remains an option only in AL-only leagues. |
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| Ryan struggling with control | Sunday 9/7, 5:12 PM CT |
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B.J. Ryan has had a relatively successful season as the Blue Jays closer, but his lack of command has been a bit of an issue, according to BlueJays.com. "It's not a velocity issue. It's his command. I had the surgery, and I know sometimes you lose a little bit of a feel for the ball," said Jays pitching coach Brad Arnsberg.
Our View: Ryan has walked 4.33 batters per nine innings, but he is also striking out nearly nine. He isn't as dominant as he once was, but remains a quality option for fantasy owners. |
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| Mauer collects three hits | Sunday 9/7, 4:51 PM CT |
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Despite going 3-for-5 and scoring a run, Twins catcher Joe Mauer could not lead his team to a win over the Tigers, falling by the score of 7-5.
Our View: Mauer now has multiple-hit games in four of the six he has played in September. His average is at .326, the highest it has been since July 10, when it was at .328. |
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| Cabrera continues to roll | Sunday 9/7, 4:49 PM CT |
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Miguel Cabrera had two hits in five at-bats, including his 32nd home run of the season, to help the Tigers to a 7-5 win over the Twins.
Our View: Cabrera is now hitting .348 on the month, along with nine RBI. He will not quite live up to the expectations of fantasy owners unless he can push that batting average over .300, but he has been worth the first-round pick anyway. |
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| Perkins loses fourth game | Sunday 9/7, 4:45 PM CT |
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Minnesota's Glen Perkins lost just his fourth game of the year by allowing five runs (three earned) in 5.2 innings in the Twins 7-5 loss to the Tigers.
Our View: Despite his stellar record, Perkins has an ERA of 4.11, and has given up at least four runs in four of his last five starts. |
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| Martinez drives in three | Sunday 9/7, 4:40 PM CT |
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Victor Martinez was the DH for the Indians, and he got two hits in three at-bats while driving in all three Cleveland runs in their 3-1 win over the Royals.
Our View: Martinez is hitting .333 with six RBI since coming off the DL, rewarding any fantasy owner who stuck with him in his long stint away. |
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| Guillen goes 2-for-3 | Sunday 9/7, 4:37 PM CT |
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Jose Guillen went 2-for-3 and scored the Royals lone run in their 3-1 loss to the Cleveland Indians.
Our View: Guillen has managed to alienate himself from fans in Kansas City, but fantasy owners are pretty happy with his 18 home runs and 86 RBI. |
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| Lee wins 21st game | Sunday 9/7, 4:34 PM CT |
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Indians pitcher Cliff Lee won his 21st game of the season by throwing 7.1 innings and giving up just one run on seven hits in the Tribe's 3-1 win over the Royals.
Our View: No fantasy owner could have possibly seen this coming, and who knows if he will follow it up in 2009 with a similar performance, but right now, he is arguably the best pitcher in the American League. |
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| Rodriguez picks up 55th save | Sunday 9/7, 4:30 PM CT |
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Francisco Rodriguez is now two short of tying the all-time single season saves record, as he accumulated his 55th of the season by striking out two White Sox in the ninth inning of the Angels 3-2 win.
Our View: Barring some sort of catastrophe, Rodriguez will break the single season record of 57, and has a chance to get more than 60. Fantasy owners are enjoying one of the most prolific seasons by a reliever ever. |
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| Dye struggles | Sunday 9/7, 4:27 PM CT |
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Jermaine Dye has had better games than the one he played in the White Sox 3-2 loss to the Angels. Dye went 0-for-3 and struck out twice.
Our View: This is the third time in six games Dye has struck out multiple times. He has struggled to a .217 average in September. |
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| Saunders picks up win | Sunday 9/7, 4:24 PM CT |
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After a rough end to the month of August, Joe Saunders has had a much better September, and continued that Sunday by leading the Angels to a 3-2 win over the White Sox. Saunders went 7.1 innings and surrendered two earned runs on four hits.
Our View: This is the Saunders fantasy owners are more used to seeing. It looks like he is over his struggles, and now has 15 wins on the year. |
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| Jacobs hits 30th | Sunday 9/7, 4:06 PM CT |
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Marlins first baseman Mike Jacobs hit his 30th home run of the year in a 2-for-3 effort, but it was not good enough, as Florida lost 3-1 to the Cardinals.
Our View: The bad news for fantasy owners is that Jacobs has just five hits this month. The good news? Three of them are home runs. |
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| Longoria takes some swings | Sunday 9/7, 3:30 PM CT |
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Longoria, activated from the DL on Saturday, took 60 swings before Sunday's game, the Associated Press reports.
Our View: He hopes to return to the lineup late this week. |
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| Garza pitches well in losing effort | Sunday 9/7, 3:02 PM CT |
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Garza lost his ninth game of the season on Sunday despite allowing only one run in seven innings. He allowed four hits, one walk and struck out seven.
Our View: Garza has absolutely dominated Toronto this season, allowing only two earned runs in five starts. If only he could face them every start. |
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| Purcey throws eight scoreless | Sunday 9/7, 2:59 PM CT |
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Purcey threw eight scoreless innings on Sunday to improve his record to 3-5. He allowed six hits, three walks and struck out seven.
Our View: The inconsistency continues. Purcey was coming off a start in which he allowed five runs in three innings. However, he had two outstanding starts during August, including an 11 strikeout performance vs. Tampa Bay. The former first-round pick shows some upside, but he is too unreliable to use for most fantasy owners. |
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| Byrd back in the lineup | Sunday 9/7, 2:44 PM CT |
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Byrd returned to the starting lineup on Sunday after missing time with a sprained thumb.
Our View: He should be safe to activate him. |
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| Silva scratched due to back stiffness | Sunday 9/7, 2:09 PM CT |
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Silva has been scratched from Sunday's start with a stiff back and will be replaced by Ryan Feierabend, reports the Seattle Times. He injured his back shagging flyballs on Saturday.
Our View: It is not known how long Silva will be out, but we sure hope this does not impact your team for more reasons than one. |
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| Jepsen called up | Sunday 9/7, 2:04 PM CT |
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The Angels called up Jepsen from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.
Our View: The Angels needed an extra arm after their 15 inning contest on Saturday, and Jepsen can help. The hard-throwing reliever has a 1.81 ERA in 40 appearances this season. He won't help fantasy owners this season, but he has the potential to help in the future if he carries his closing experience to the majors. |
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| Hafner should return Tuesday | Sunday 9/7, 1:58 PM CT |
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Hafner (shoulder) will likely be activated from the DL on Tuesday, according to the team's official website.
Our View: For those owners in need of some late-season power, Hafner has the potential to deliver. |
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| Colon activated from 60-day DL | Sunday 9/7, 1:19 PM CT |
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The Red Sox activated Colon (neck) from the 60-day DL and optioned him to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Our View: He is on schedule to pitch one game of Boston's doubleheader on September 13. |
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| Hansack recalled | Sunday 9/7, 1:16 PM CT |
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The Red Sox recalled Hansack from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Our View: He will likely pitch in long relief and has no fantasy value. |
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| Byrd out with sprained thumb | Sunday 9/7, 11:50 AM CT |
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According to the Dallas Morning News, Byrd is unlikely to play on Sunday due to his sprained thumb.
Our View: Keep him benched in daily transaction leagues. |
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| Washburn out with abdominal strain | Sunday 9/7, 11:47 AM CT |
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The Seattle Times reports Washburn has a torn abdominal muscle with a small hole in it that will keep him out for at least a week.
Our View: The soonest he will return is against the Angels next weekend. This seems like a good week to keep Washburn benched. |
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| Kendrick takes grounders | Sunday 9/7, 11:34 AM CT |
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Kendrick (hamstring) took grounders on Saturday and is scheduled to run on Monday, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Our View: He could return at some point this week. |
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| Aybar takes grounders | Sunday 9/7, 11:33 AM CT |
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Aybar (hamstring) took grounders on Saturday and is scheduled to run on Monday, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Our View: It sounds like Aybar will return at some point this week. |
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| Gordon takes batting practice | Sunday 9/7, 11:26 AM CT |
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Gordon (hip) took soft-toss batting practice before Saturday's game, according to the Kansas City Star.
Our View: It is still not known whether Gordon will return this season. |
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| Olivo picking up playing time | Sunday 9/7, 11:22 AM CT |
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Olivo should see more playing time at catcher than John Buck for the rest of the season, according to the Kansas City Star.
Our View: The Royals are continuing to get a look at Olivo's skills behind the plate. Olivo is a fair option in two-catcher leagues for the rest of the season. |
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| Lewis called up to start | Sunday 9/7, 11:07 AM CT |
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The Indians have recalled Lewis from Double-A Akron. He is expected to start on Wednesday.
Our View: The lefty has been highly effective in the minors and could have some short-term value in AL-only leagues if he can maintain a rotation spot. |
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| Barfield not slated to start at second base | Sunday 9/7, 11:03 AM CT |
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Indians manager Eric Wedge has no current plans to give Barfield a start at second base, reports the Akron Beacon Journal.
Our View: Oh, how quickly the mighty fall. The former top prospect for San Diego has not been the same since being traded for Kevin Kouzmanoff prior to last season, and it doesn't look like he will help AL-only owners at all this season unless something unforeseen occurs. |
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| Hafner's rehab stint expires | Sunday 9/7, 10:59 AM CT |
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The Akron Beacon Journal reports that Hafner's 20-day rehab assignment ended Saturday. The Indians have not decided whether to activate him or give him simulated work as he recovers from a shoulder injury.
Our View: It's been a terrible year for Hafner and his fantasy owners, but hopefully he can contribute something down the stretch. |
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| Miller headed for winter ball | Sunday 9/7, 10:53 AM CT |
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Miller will play in the Dominican Winter League this off-season, reports The Cleveland Plain Dealer. He missed most of this season with a finger injury, and the Indians have not decided whether he will start or relieve this winter.
Our View: Miller is still an outstanding pitching prospect, but he has had trouble staying healthy. He could be given a chance to make the Indians next spring if he shows that he is healthy. |
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| LaPorta headed for winter ball | Sunday 9/7, 10:50 AM CT |
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LaPorta will play in the Venezuelan Winter League this off-season, according to The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Our View: LaPorta was the centerpiece of the CC Sabathia trade, and he could compete for a spot on the Indians' roster during spring training, 2009. |
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| Lewis to start in place of Reyes | Sunday 9/7, 10:45 AM CT |
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The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Lewis will start on Wednesday in place of Anthony Reyes, who will miss the start with soreness in his elbow.
Our View: Lewis is a "crafty" lefty who has been superb between Double-A and Triple-A this season, posting a 2.40 ERA in 17 starts. He could have some late-season value if he sticks in the rotation. |
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| Iwamura could sit on Sunday | Sunday 9/7, 10:35 AM CT |
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Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon is considering giving Iwamura the day off on Sunday, according to the St. Petersburg Times.
Our View: Just a note for those in daily transaction leagues. |
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| Crawford could return in limited role | Sunday 9/7, 10:32 AM CT |
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Crawford (finger) is on schedule to return in a limited role as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement during the last week of the season, reports the St. Petersburg Times.
Our View: There could be some steals and runs to be had for fantasy owners, but it does not sound like Crawford will make much of an impact for fantasy owners for the rest of this season. |
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| Prospect Jackson receives high praise | Sunday 9/7, 10:25 AM CT |
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A scout told the New York Post that Jackson is the top athlete in the Yankees farm system and compared him to Lastings Milledge.
Our View: Jackson had a fine season for Double-A Trenton, hitting .285-9-69 with 19 steals in 131 games. The 21-year-old could find a role in the Yankees' outfield next season if the team moves Hideki Matsui or Johnny Damon to first base. |
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| Matsui set for off-season knee surgery | Sunday 9/7, 10:21 AM CT |
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Matsui will have knee surgery in the off-season, but he would like to return to the Yankees as an outfielder and possibly even a first baseman in 2009, according to the New York Post.
Our View: Playing first base is a decent possibility next season with Jason Giambi's pending free agency. |
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| Drew could return during next homestand | Sunday 9/7, 10:14 AM CT |
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Drew, recovering from a herniated disc in his back, took live batting practice on Saturday. He hopes to return during Boston's upcoming homestand, according to the Boston Globe.
Our View: The Red Sox play six games during the upcoming week, and Drew's exact return is not yet set in stone. Therefore, he is a somewhat iffy play for fantasy owners this week. |
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| Aardsma throws batting practice | Sunday 9/7, 10:09 AM CT |
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Aardmsa (groin) threw live batting practice on Sunday, according to the Boston Globe. He is scheduled to pitch for the Lowell Spinners on Monday or Tuesday.
Our View: If all goes well, Aardsma should be able to return soon. |
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| Contreras could be out one year | Sunday 9/7, 9:12 AM CT |
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Contreras' rehab from a ruptured Achilles tendon could take up to a year, according to the Arlington Heights Daily Herald.
Our View: He suffered the injury in August, so we would not see Contreras until the second half of next season if this timetable holds true. |
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| Damon willing to play first base next season | Sunday 9/7, 8:54 AM CT |
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Damon is willing to play first base for the Yankees next season, according to the New York Daily News.
Our View: Jason Giambi is a pending free agent, but it seems unlikely that the Yankees wouldn't re-sign Giambi or add another slugger at first base. Of course, the major league readiness of Brett Gardner in the outfield does give the team more flexibility. |
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| Johjima should see more playing time | Sunday 9/7, 8:14 AM CT |
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Johjima should see additional playing time for the rest of the season due to Jeff Clement's pending knee surgery.
Our View: This is little consolation for his owners, who have put up with a .210 batting average this season. Still, he has some potential to help AL-only owners down the stretch if he was dropped. |
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| Clement done for the season | Sunday 9/7, 8:11 AM CT |
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Clement will miss the remainder of the season, as he is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday to repair tears in the cartilage of his left knee.
Our View: The good news is that he should be back in action in four weeks, so it should not impact his off-season program. Still, this is a blow for Clement owners who have benefitted from his batting average and RBIs lately. |
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