This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Friday's matchups (all times Eastern)Brewers (Kyle Lohse – R) at Cubs (Jeff Samardzija – R), 2:20
Reds (Alfredo Simon – R) at Phillies (Kyle Kendrick – R), 7:05
Mets (Jon Niese – L) at Nationals (Tanner Roark – R), 7:05
Athletics (Sonny Gray – R) at Indians (Zach McAllister – R), 7:05
Pirates (Edinson Volquez – R) at Yankees (David Phelps – R), 7:05
Tigers (Max Scherzer – R) at Red Sox (Jon Lester – L), 7:10
Blue Jays (Drew Hutchison – R) at Rangers (Yu Darvish – R), 8:05
White Sox (Jose Quintana – L) at Astros (Collin McHugh – R), 8:10
Orioles (Chris Tillman – R) at Royals (Jeremy Guthrie – R), 8:10
Mariners (Chris Young – R) at Twins (Kyle Gibson – R), 8:10
Braves (Ervin Santana – R) at Cardinals (Lance Lynn – R), 8:15
Padres (Eric Stults – L) at Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa – L), 8:40
Dodgers (Zack Greinke – R) at Diamondbacks (Wade Miley – L), 9:40
Rays (Chris Archer – R) at Angels (Jered Weaver – R), 10:05
Marlins (Henderson Alvarez – R) at Giants (Tim Hudson – R), 10:15
Day Game After Night Game: None
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Andrew McCutchen, OF, PIT (Foot) – Suffered a mild injury to foot while running to first base.
Tim Hudson, SP, SF (Hip) – Will skip his Friday start due to injury, but should be ready for his next turn in the rotation.
Michael Brantley, OF, CLE (Back) – May miss Friday's game after not being in the starting lineup on Thursday.
Kolten Wong, 2B, STL (Illness) – Missed Thursday's game with a stomach virus.
Starling Marte, OF, PIT (Back) – Made a pinch-hit appearance on Thursday, but will likely return to full-time action on Friday.
Jorge De La Rosa, SP, COL (Back) – Expected to start on Friday facing the Padres.
Players on the DL
Brett Marshall, SP, CIN (Finger) – Increased throwing program.
Wilin Rosario, C, COL (Illness) – Will start a rehab assignment on Friday.
Martin Perez, SP, TEX (Elbow) – Undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Ben Zobrist, 2B, TB (Thumb) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Alex Cobb, SP, TB (Oblique) – After a successful simulated game earlier in he week, will have a rehab start on Saturday.
Kole Calhoun, OF, LAA (Ankle) – Starting a rehab assignment on Friday with the expectation of being activated on Tuesday.
Chris Sale, RP, CHW (Arm) – Thursday rehab start was rained out, but expected to start for the Sox on Friday.
Carlos Beltran, OF, NYY (Elbow) – Cortisone shot did not help avoid the 15-day DL on Thursday.
Colby Rasmus, OF, TOR (Hamstring) – Was placed on the 15-day DL on Thursday.
Dane De La Rosa, RP, LAA (Shoulder) – Soreness in AC joint will shut him down for a few days.
Jose Fernandez, SP, MIA (Elbow) – Will undergo Tommy John surgery on Friday.
Derek Holland, SP, TEX (Knee) – Will pitch a simulated game over the next few days.
Dan Hudson, SP, ARI (Elbow) – Threw 30 pitches from the mound on Tuesday, but still not expected back for some time yet.
J.J. Putz, RP, ARI (Forearm) – No timetable for return, although did play catch on Tuesday.
Mat Latos, SP, CIN (Elbow) – Still on target for an end of May return.
Nyjer Morgan, OF, CLE (Knee) – Mild sprain puts him on the 15-day DL.
Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.
Activated from the DL
Wandy Rodriguez, SP, PIT
Bruce Billings, RP, NYY
Placed on the DL (15-day DL, unless otherwise noted)
Travis d'Arnaud, C, NYM – (Concussion, 7-day DL)
Mat Latos, SP, CIN – (Elbow, transferred to 60-day DL)
Nyjer Morgan, OF, CLE – (Knee)
Colby Rasmus, OF, TOR – (Hamstring)
Carlos Beltran, OF, NYY – (Elbow)
Ben Zobrist, 2B, TB – (Thumb)
Called Up
Cole Figueroa, 2B, TB
Jeff Francis, SP, CIN
Jesus Aguilar, 1B, CLE
Anthony Gose, OF, TOR
Kevin Quackenbush, RP, SD
Chase Whitley, RP, NYY
Juan Centeno, C, NYM
Josh Edgin, RP, NYM
Evan Meek, RP, BAL
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Kevin Gausman, SP, BAL
Kyle Farnsworth, RP, MYM
Daric Barton, 1B, OAK
Jaff Decker, OF, PIT
Nick Christiani, RP, CIN
Bruce Billings, RP, NYY
Traded
Kyle Blanks, 1B, OAK (from San Diego)
Jake Goebbert, OF, SD (from Oakland)
Closer Watch
New York Mets – With the demotion of former closer Kyle Farnsworth on Thursday, the Mets are actively looking for an arm to step into the closer role. Initially, we will see a closer-by-committee situation involving bullpen relievers Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jose Valverde and Carlos Torres. Look for Matsuzaka to step up before the others, getting first crack at a job where the Mets have been trying desperately to find consistent production. Dice-K enters Thursday's games with a 2.60 ERA, although the real concern here is the walks he's given up to this point (15 BB in 17.3 IP).
Key Matchups
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
A. Rizzo | 1B | CHC vs MIL 2:20PM | K. Lohse | 17 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .471 | .500 | .588 | 1.088 |
R. Braun | OF | MIL @ CHC 2:20PM | J. Samardzija | 16 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 | .438 | .526 | .875 | 1.401 |
S. Schumaker | 2B | CIN @ PHI 7:05PM | K. Kendrick | 26 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | .346 | .370 | .654 | 1.024 |
J. Votto | 1B | CIN @ PHI 7:05PM | K. Kendrick | 15 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | .400 | .471 | .733 | 1.204 |
K. Johnson | 2B | NYY vs PIT 7:05PM | E. Volquez | 12 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | .333 | .467 | .417 | .883 |
J. Donaldson | 3B | OAK @ CLE 7:05PM | Z. McAllister | 11 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .455 | .500 | .545 | 1.045 |
J. Jaso | C | OAK @ CLE 7:05PM | Z. McAllister | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .400 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 |
D. Espinosa | 2B | WAS vs NYM 7:05PM | J. Niese | 10 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .500 | .500 | .600 | 1.100 |
K. Frandsen | 2B | WAS vs NYM 7:05PM | J. Niese | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .400 | .400 | .500 | .900 |
D. Ortiz | DH | BOS vs DET 7:10PM | M. Scherzer | 15 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 2 | .467 | .556 | 1.133 | 1.689 |
M. Cabrera | 3B | DET @ BOS 7:10PM | J. Lester | 19 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 1 | .526 | .625 | .789 | 1.414 |
R. Davis | OF | DET @ BOS 7:10PM | J. Lester | 36 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 10 | .306 | .375 | .556 | .931 |
T. Hunter | OF | DET @ BOS 7:10PM | J. Lester | 23 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .478 | .478 | .609 | 1.087 |
V. Martinez | DH | DET @ BOS 7:10PM | J. Lester | 13 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | .462 | .533 | .846 | 1.379 |
E. Encarnacion | 1B | TOR @ TEX 8:05PM | Y. Darvish | 12 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | .417 | .563 | .917 | 1.479 |
B. Butler | DH | KC vs BAL 8:10PM | C. Tillman | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .200 | .273 | .600 | .873 |
N. Arenado | 3B | COL vs SD 8:40PM | E. Stults | 10 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .600 | .600 | 1.000 | 1.600 |
T. Tulowitzki | SS | COL vs SD 8:40PM | E. Stults | 17 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | .412 | .565 | .529 | 1.095 |
M. Montero | C | ARI vs LAD 9:40PM | Z. Greinke | 18 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | .333 | .429 | .722 | 1.151 |
A. Gonzalez | 1B | LAD @ ARI 9:40PM | W. Miley | 16 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | .250 | .333 | .563 | .896 |
M. Kemp | OF | LAD @ ARI 9:40PM | W. Miley | 18 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | .333 | .368 | .667 | 1.035 |
Y. Puig | OF | LAD @ ARI 9:40PM | W. Miley | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | .364 | .533 | .364 | .897 |
S. Van Slyke | OF | LAD @ ARI 9:40PM | W. Miley | 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | .385 | .500 | 1.231 | 1.731 |
E. Longoria | 3B | TB @ LAA 10:05PM | J. Weaver | 13 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .385 | .429 | .615 | 1.044 |
J. Molina | C | TB @ LAA 10:05PM | J. Weaver | 13 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | .308 | .308 | .615 | .923 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Jeff Samardzija | CHC vs MIL 2:20PM | 61 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 13 | .197 | .301 | .376 | .677 |
Jon Niese | NYM @ WAS 7:05PM | 89 | 27 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 21 | .303 | .321 | .402 | .723 |
Jeremy Guthrie | KC vs BAL 8:10PM | 107 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 15 | .159 | .229 | .206 | .435 |
Ervin Santana | ATL @ STL 8:15PM | 102 | 20 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 14 | .196 | .246 | .318 | .564 |
Zack Greinke | LAD @ ARI 9:40PM | 145 | 32 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 36 | .221 | .275 | .344 | .619 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
W. Castillo | C | CHC vs MIL 2:20PM | K. Lohse | 16 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .188 | .235 | .375 | .610 |
S. Castro | SS | CHC vs MIL 2:20PM | K. Lohse | 29 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .207 | .207 | .207 | .414 |
N. Schierholtz | OF | CHC vs MIL 2:20PM | K. Lohse | 18 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | .222 | .222 | .611 | .833 |
J. Lucroy | C | MIL @ CHC 2:20PM | J. Samardzija | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | .067 | .222 | .200 | .422 |
J. Segura | SS | MIL @ CHC 2:20PM | J. Samardzija | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .167 | .167 | .167 | .333 |
R. Weeks | 2B | MIL @ CHC 2:20PM | J. Samardzija | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | .200 | .385 | .300 | .685 |
R. Bernadina | OF | CIN @ PHI 7:05PM | K. Kendrick | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | .167 | .286 | .167 | .452 |
R. Ludwick | OF | CIN @ PHI 7:05PM | K. Kendrick | 17 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | .118 | .118 | .294 | .412 |
B. Phillips | 2B | CIN @ PHI 7:05PM | K. Kendrick | 23 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .217 | .280 | .217 | .497 |
I. Desmond | SS | WAS vs NYM 7:05PM | J. Niese | 17 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .176 | .176 | .294 | .471 |
J. Werth | OF | WAS vs NYM 7:05PM | J. Niese | 20 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | .250 | .286 | .300 | .586 |
A. Pierzynski | C | BOS vs DET 7:10PM | M. Scherzer | 33 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 4 | .333 | .324 | .515 | .839 |
S. Victorino | OF | BOS vs DET 7:10PM | M. Scherzer | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .200 | .200 | .300 | .500 |
J. Bautista | OF | TOR @ TEX 8:05PM | Y. Darvish | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .083 | .154 | .083 | .237 |
N. Cruz | OF | BAL @ KC 8:10PM | J. Guthrie | 21 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | .190 | .280 | .238 | .518 |
C. Davis | 1B | BAL @ KC 8:10PM | J. Guthrie | 16 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | .063 | .118 | .250 | .368 |
J. Hardy | SS | BAL @ KC 8:10PM | J. Guthrie | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .182 | .182 | .182 | .364 |
D. Young | OF | BAL @ KC 8:10PM | J. Guthrie | 27 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .148 | .207 | .185 | .392 |
J. Peralta | SS | STL vs ATL 8:15PM | E. Santana | 25 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | .120 | .179 | .120 | .299 |
E. Cabrera | SS | SD @ COL 8:40PM | J. De La Rosa | 21 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | .190 | .190 | .238 | .429 |
C. Headley | 3B | SD @ COL 8:40PM | J. De La Rosa | 36 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | .222 | .243 | .222 | .465 |
N. Hundley | C | SD @ COL 8:40PM | J. De La Rosa | 13 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .154 | .214 | .308 | .522 |
E. Chavez | 3B | ARI vs LAD 9:40PM | Z. Greinke | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .071 | .071 | .071 | .143 |
A. Hill | 2B | ARI vs LAD 9:40PM | Z. Greinke | 33 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .242 | .265 | .394 | .659 |
C. Pennington | SS | ARI vs LAD 9:40PM | Z. Greinke | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | .000 | .214 | .000 | .214 |
M. Prado | 3B | ARI vs LAD 9:40PM | Z. Greinke | 20 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | .200 | .200 | .250 | .450 |
A. Ethier | OF | LAD @ ARI 9:40PM | W. Miley | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .250 | .294 | .250 | .544 |
J. Uribe | 3B | LAD @ ARI 9:40PM | W. Miley | 16 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | .188 | .188 | .313 | .500 |
M. Joyce | OF | TB @ LAA 10:05PM | J. Weaver | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .167 | .214 | .250 | .464 |
J. Loney | 1B | TB @ LAA 10:05PM | J. Weaver | 29 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | .310 | .310 | .379 | .690 |
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Zach McAllister | CLE vs OAK 7:05PM | 68 | 22 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 15 | .324 | .395 | .426 | .821 |
Jon Lester | BOS vs DET 7:10PM | 141 | 53 | 17 | 5 | 17 | 15 | 23 | .376 | .437 | .593 | 1.030 |
Eric Stults | SD @ COL 8:40PM | 71 | 25 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 5 | .352 | .402 | .494 | .895 |
Wade Miley | ARI vs LAD 9:40PM | 141 | 39 | 17 | 7 | 19 | 14 | 32 | .277 | .346 | .507 | .854 |
Jered Weaver | LAA vs TB 10:05PM | 132 | 41 | 18 | 6 | 18 | 10 | 26 | .311 | .358 | .541 | .899 |
Recommended Pickup
Anthony Gose, OF, TOR – I'm a big "opportunity" guy and believe that Gose will have a chance to showcase his potential while Colby Rasmus deals with a hamstring injury. Although Rasmus is only expected to miss a couple of weeks, hamstring injuries can be lingering at times. There is a shot that Gose will stick around for the next 3-to-4 weeks, and although he took a nosedive in value after unimpressive outings at the MLB level in 2012 and 2013 his potential stolen base threat should give most owners an eyebrow-raise. Given his youth (23-years old), take a chance on Gose's speed potential in deeper leagues even with his subpar OBP to this point in his career.
Other Recent Recommendations: Darren O'Day, Johnny Giavotella, Rafael Montero, Gerardo Para and Roenis Elias
DraftStreet Value Picks
SP: David Phelps, NYY – ($13,245)
C: Derek Norris, OAK – ($5,376)
1B: Yonder Alonso, SD – ($3,940)
2B: Brandon Phillips, CIN – ($5,294)
SS: Starlin Castro, CHC – ($6,330)
3B: Evan Longoria, TB – ($6,667)
OF: Hunter Pence, OF – ($5,596)