Saturday Lineup Card: Standing Garza

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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Projected Starters - A look at Saturday's matchups (all times Eastern)

Angels (Tommy Hanson - R) at Red Sox (Felix Doubront - L), 1:05 PM (Game 1)
Rangers (Yu Darvish - R) at Blue Jays (Mark Buehrle - L), 1:07 PM
Marlins (Jose Fernandez - R) at Mets (Matt Harvey - R), 1:10 PM
Twins (Kevin Correia - R) at Nationals (Gio Gonzalez - L), 4:05 PM
Pirates (A.J. Burnett - R) at Cubs (Jeff Samardzija - R), 4:05 PM
Indians (Justin Masterson - R) at Tigers (Rick Porcello - R), 4:08 PM
Orioles (Kevin Gausman - R) at Rays (Jeremy Hellickson - R), 4:10 PM
Yankees (Andy Pettitte - L) at Mariners (Joe Saunders - L), 4:10 PM
Athletics (Tommy Milone - L) at White Sox (John Danks - L), 4:10 PM
Angels (C.J. Wilson - L) at Red Sox (Clay Buchholz - R), 7:15 PM (Game 2)
Astros (Erik Bedard - L) at Royals (Ervin Santana - R), 7:15 PM
Phillies (Kyle Kendrick - R) at Brewers (Tom Gorzelanny - L), 7:15 PM
Padres (Eric Stults - L) at Rockies (Jeff Francis - L), 7:15 PM
Cardinals (Tyler Lyons - L) at Reds (Mat Latos - R), 7:15 PM
Braves (Kris Medlen - R) at Dodgers (Stephen Fife - R), 10:10 PM
Giants (Madison Bumgarner - L) at Diamondbacks (Trevor Cahill - R), 10:10 PM

Day Game After Night Game: TEX/TOR, CLE/DET, BAL/TB, NYY/SEA, OAK/CHW

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Jose Altuve, 2B, HOU (Groin) - Was not in the lineup on Friday.
Tyler Chatwood, SP, COL (Triceps) - Played light catch on Thursday.
Nelson Cruz, OF, TEX (Hamstring) - Has been dealing hamstring soreness but expects to play Saturday and Sunday.
Hanley Ramirez, SS, LAD (Hamstring) - Out of the lineup on Friday with tightness in his hamstring.
Wandy Rodriguez, SP, PIT (Forearm) - Will attempt to throw bullpen session Monday.

Players on the DL
Yonder Alonso, 1B, SD (Hand) - Expected to be out at least a month with a broken hand.
Henderson Alvarez, SP, MIA (Shoulder) - Will throw 50 to 55 pitches in simulated game on Saturday.
Ross Detwiler, SP, WAS (Oblique) - Will make rehab start with High-A on Saturday.
Octavio Dotel, RP, DET (Elbow) - No timetable for a return yet.
Jeff Francis, SP, COL (Groin) - Is expected to be activated from the DL and start on Saturday.
J.A. Happ, SP, TOR (Head) - Started playing catch but still long way from returning.
Chris Heisey, OF, CIN (Hamstring) - Will not start rehab assignment Friday because of soreness in his injured hamstring.
Dan Hudson, SP, ARI (Elbow) - Suffered another tear in the UCL in throwing elbow and may have to undergo a second Tommy John surgery.
Austin Jackson, OF, DET (Hamstring) - Ran the bases for the first time since hitting the DL.
John Lannan, SP, PHI (Knee) - Rehab start at Triple-A pushed back to Friday because of weather.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR (Ankle) - Still in a walking boot and has no timetable for a return.
Brandon Morrow, SP, TOR (Forearm) - Has not started throwing again yet.
Felipe Paulino, SP, KC (Elbow) - Will begin rehab assignment at Double-A next week.
Chris Perez, RP, CLE (Shoulder) - Charged with misdemeanor drug possession.
David Price, SP, TB (Triceps) - Felt good after 38-pitch bullpen session Friday.
J.J. Putz, RP, ARI (Elbow) - Expected to throw off the mound Thursday.
Nolan Reimold, OF, BAL (Hamstring) - Progressing well but not at full strength yet.
Giancarlo Stanton, OF, MIA (Hamstring) - Could return from the DL on Monday.
Tsuyoshi Wada, SP, BAL (Elbow) - Pitched 5.1 innings in Triple-A rehab start, likely one more rehab outing before being activated or optioned.

Placed on DL
Angel Pagan, OF, SF

Called Up
Mike Belfiore, RP, BAL
Andy LaRoche, 3B, TOR
Henry Rodriguez, 2B, CIN
Josh Thole, C, TOR

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Xavier Avery, OF, BAL
Tyler Robertson, RP, WAS
Pedro Villarreal, SP, CIN

Signed
J.C. Romero, RP, CLE

Designated for Assignment
Henry Blanco, C, TOR

Claimed off Waivers
Tyler Robertson, RP, WAS

Closer Watch

Orioles: Closer Jim Johnson threw a scoreless ninth on Thursday against the Astros to earn his 20th save of the season. Johnson needed only 10 pitches to cruise through the outing and move one behind Yankees closer Mariano Rivera for the saves lead in the AL. Since a rough outing on May 26, Johnson has thrown five straight scoreless outings and continues to rack up the saves a season after recording 51 in 2012.

Padres: Extra innings on Thursday against the Rockies on Thursday prevented the normal closing schedule at the end of the game, but the Padres bullpen performed excellent in the game. Interim closer Luke Gregerson threw two scoreless innings allowing only one hit and striking out three and earning the win. He has been limited to one save as the closer but has been outstanding this season out of the bullpen with a 0.94 ERA in 28 appearances. If the Padres offense could provide steady offense, Gregerson would be a great short-term closing option.

Tigers:Jose Valverde earned his seventh save of the season in a nine-pitch scoreless outing on Thursday against the Rays. Valverde had not recorded a save since May 27 and came back strong in his most recent outing. With a strong Tigers offense, the save opportunities should keep presenting themselves to Valverde with frequency.

Key Matchups

Recommended Pickup

Matt Garza, SP, CHC - Garza may not be very available in some leagues, but he offers interesting upside the rest of the season despite playing for the inconsistent hitting Cubs. He has now made four starts since being activated from the disabled list and stretched out to 103 pitches in a so-so start against the Angels on Wednesday. An interesting historical trend to consider with Garza is that he has posted a sub-4.00 ERA in each of his last six seasons in the big leagues. He will not have too many win opportunities on the Cubs staff but has posted an 8.7 SO/9 rate the last two seasons. He has thrown less of his off-speed offerings in his first few starts and leaned more on his two-seam fastball, so as he eases back in, the strikeouts could rise a bit with more sliders and curveballs thrown. Depending on the needs for a fantasy team are, he could contribute a decent ERA on the season and offer some strikeout help at the same time especially if he is eventually dealt to a contender.

Other Recent Recommendations: Chris Johnson, Dan Uggla, Jonathan Lucroy, Yasiel Puig, and Ubaldo Jimenez

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DraftStreet Value Picks

SP: Jose Fernandez, MIA ($11,899)
C: A.J. Pierzynski, TEX ($5,950)
1B: Carlos Pena, HOU ($5,824)
2B: Nick Franklin, SEA ($5,942)
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OF: Alex Gordon, KC ($5,657)

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