Monday Lineup Card: Mighty Griffin

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

Projected Starters – A look at Monday's matchups (all times Eastern):

American League
Indians (Corey Kluber – R) at Tigers (Anibal Sanchez – R), 1:05
Orioles (Joe Saunders – L) at Blue Jays (J.A. Happ – L), 1:07
Yankees (C.C. Sabathia – L) at Rays (James Shields – R), 1:10
Rangers (Yu Darvish – R) at Royals (Bruce Chen – L), 2:10
Angels (C.J. Wilson – L) at Atheltics (Tommy Milone – L), 4:05
Red Sox (Clay Buchholz – R) at Mariners (Jason Vargas – L), 4:10
Twins (Samuel Deduno – R) at White Sox (Hector Santiago – L), 7:10

National League
Cubs (Jeff Samardzija – R) at Nationals (Ross Detwiler – L), 1:05
Brewers (Mike Fiers – R) at Marlins (Ricky Nolasco – R), 1:10
Phillies (Tyler Cloyd – R) at Reds (Johnny Cueto – R), 1:10
Rockies (Tyler Chatwood – R) at Braves (Kris Medlen – R), 1:10
Astros (Edgar Gonzalez – R) at Pirates (Jeff Locke – L), 1:35
Mets (Collin McHugh – R) at Cardinals (Joe Kelly – R), 2:15
Diamondbacks (Patrick Corbin – L) at Giants (Barry Zito – L), 4:05
Padres (Andrew Werner – L) at Dodgers (Joe Blanton – R), 8:10

Day Game After a Night Game: DET

Injuries - A brief look at players that have been missing time with minor ailments and their expected returns.

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)

AL
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, CLE – (Wrist) Out of Sunday's lineup.
Adam Dunn, 1B, CHW – (Oblique) Missed Sunday's game but feeling better.
Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY – (Hamstring) May miss Rays series , which is played on artificial turf.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, BOS – (Wrist) Appears he had day off Sunday to rest for soreness.
Roberto Hernandez, P, CLE – (Ankle) Missed Saturday's start and will miss another.
Brandon Inge, 3B, OAK – (Shoulder) Injured shoulder again Saturday.
Ian Kinsler, 2B, TEX – (Back) Scratched Sunday, opened door for Jurickson Profar'a first start.
Ryan Kalish, OF, BOS – (Shoulder) Still dealing with the shoulder injury.
Jeff Niemann, P, TB – (Shoulder) Left Sunday with tightness.
Ryan Raburn, 2B, DET – (Quadriceps) Was activated Saturday but dealing with soreness.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY – (Calf) Appears he is eying return next weekend.
Chris Tillman, P, BAL – (Elbow) Needs an MRI.
Josh Willingham, OF, MIN – (Hamstring) Missed Sunday's game with a strain.

NL
Domonic Brown, OF, PHI – (Knee) Will return by Wednesday.
Marwin Gonzalez, SS, HOU – (Ankle) Might return later in the year.
Cliff Lee, P, PHI – (Hamstring) Suffered cramp Saturday but should make Friday's start.
Neil Walker, 2B, PIT – (Back) Still out of lineup on Sunday.
Jayson Werth, OF, PHI – (Hamstring) Scratched from Sunday's lineup.

Players on the DL

AL
Matt Capps, P, MIN – (Shoulder) Could return before end of season.
Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B, CLE – (Arm) Was to start rehab Sunday, could be activated by the end of the week.
Pedro Feliciano, P, NYY – (Shoulder) Doubtful he will be back this season.
Brett Gardner, OF, NYY – (Elbow) Likely out for the season.
Jason Hammel, P, BAL – (Knee) Threw five shutout innings in rehab Saturday, could be activated as soon as the end of the week.
David Ortiz, DH, BOS – (Achilles) Could be shut down, but says he is feeling better.

NL
Anthony Bass, P, SD – (Shoulder) Final rehab start was Sunday, will be activated Monday.
Jorge De La Rosa, P, COL – (Elbow) Rehab start Wednesday, still appears to be on track to return before end of the season.
Rafael Furcal, SS, STL – (Elbow) Out for season with torn UCL.
Dee Gordon, SS, LAD – (Thumb) Remained in Triple-A at roster expansion.
Starling Marte, OF, PIT – (Oblique) Should begin rehab on Wednesday.
Chris Narveson, P, MIL – (Shoulder) Started throwing program, should return in spring.
Juan Oviedo, P, MIA – (Elbow) Will have Tommy John surgery.
Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI – (Foot) Might stay out for the season.
Andrelton Simmons, SS, ATL – (Finger) Will begin rehab Monday.
Joe Votto, 1B, CIN – (Knee) Should be activated Monday or Tuesday.
Chris Withrow, P, LAD – (Undisclosed) Recalled and placed on DL, but injury is undisclosed.

Transactions - Players that have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.

Called Up
Brandon Gomes, P, TB
Frank Herrmann, P, CLE
Dan Jennings, P, MIA
Tom Koehler, P, MIA
Miguel Socolovich, P, CHC
Brandon Laird, 3B, HOU
Bobby Abreu, OF, LAD
Ivan DeJesus, 2B, BOS
Devin Mesoraco, C, CIN
Justin De Fratus, P, PHI
Al Alburquerque, P, DET

Sent Down
None

Placed on DL (15-day unless otherwise noted)
Chris Withrow, P, LAD

Activated from DL
Rich Hill, P, BOS
Edgmer Escalona, P, COL
Alejandro De Aza, OF, CHW

Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out our Closer Grid with the link to the left).

Cleveland – Chris Perez was unavailable Saturday and remains day-to-day. That created an opportunity for Vinnie Pestano to convert a four out save, which he completed successfully while allowing two hits.

Florida – Normally sure handed, Steve Cishek blew Saturday's save, the first time he has done that since he inherited the position in mid-July. He won't lose the job over one blip.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League picked up his first save as a Dodger on Saturday. He is sharing the duties with Ronald Bellisario while Kenley Jansen is out. Bellisario earned a save earlier in the week.

San Francisco – It looks like Sergio Romo might have seized control of the committee situation. He picked up Saturday's save and that makes three in his last three appearances.

Key Matchups

A.J. Griffin, P, OAK – The Athletics waited to activate Griffin until the roster expansion, but his appearance was worth the wait. Griffin held the Red Sox at bay Saturday, giving up just one run on three hits with five strikeouts and no walks. He ought to be guaranteed a spot in the rotation for the rest of the month and with nine big league start under his belt he is 4-0 with a 4::1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Other Recent Recommendations:Xavier Nady, Carlos Villanueva, Michael Saunders, Casey Kelly, David Phelps

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