Saturday Lineup Card: Cole Could Be A Diamond

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)

Cubs (Scott Feldman - R) at Mets (Jon Niese - L), 1:10 PM
Red Sox (John Lackey - R) at Orioles (Freddy Garcia - R), 4:05 PM
Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw - L) at Pirates (Brandon Cumpton - R), 4:05 PM
Giants (Chad Gaudin - R) at Braves (Mike Minor - L), 4:05 PM
Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey - R) at Rangers (Josh Lindblom - R), 4:05 PM
Royals (Jeremy Guthrie - R) at Rays (Alex Cobb - R), 4:10 PM
Brewers (Yovani Gallardo - R) at Reds (Homer Bailey - R), 4:10 PM
Phillies (Jonathan Pettibone - R) at Rockies (Tyler Chatwood - R), 4:10 PM
Cardinals (Lance Lynn - R) at Marlins (Tom Koehler - R), 4:10 PM
White Sox (John Danks - L) at Astros (Lucas Harrell - R), 7:15 PM
Tigers (Anibal Sanchez - R) at Twins (Samuel Deduno - R), 7:15 PM
Yankees (David Phelps - R) at Angels (Tommy Hanson - R), 7:15 PM
Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R) at Athletics (A.J. Griffin - R), 7:15 PM
Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann - R) at Indians (Scott Kazmir - L), 7:15 PM
Diamondbacks (Wade Miley - L) at Padres (Clayton Richard - L), 10:10 PM

Day Game After Night Game: CHC/NYM, BOS/BAL, LAD/PIT, SF/ATL, TOR/TEX, KC/TB, MIL/CIN, PHI/COL, STL/MIA

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Jeff Baker, OF, TEX (Thumb) - Will miss a few games with swelling in thumb.
Ronald Belisario, RP, LAD (Shoulder/Suspension) - Suspended for one game should be back on Saturday.
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL (Thumb) - Appears headed to DL after sharp pain in hand during batting practice on Friday.
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS (Neck) - Not a lock to start on Tuesday.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK (Heel) - Not in the lineup on Friday.
Alejandro De Aza, OF, CHW (Illness) - Scratched from starting lineup on Friday with upset stomach.
Josh Donaldson, 3B, OAK (Hamstring) - Not in the lineup on Friday.
Dexter Fowler, OF, COL (Finger) - Was not in the starting lineup on Friday.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL (Foot) - Was in the starting lineup on Friday.
Jason Hammel, SP, BAL (Illness) - Left the ballpark on Friday with an illness.
Josh Johnson, SP, TOR (Finger) - Will have start pushed back to Monday.
Starling Marte, OF, PIT (Ribs) - Not in the lineup on Friday.
Kendrys Morales, 1B, SEA (Back) - Back in the lineup on Friday.
Logan Morrison, OF, MIA (Back) - Scratched from the lineup on Friday with back stiffness.
Mike Napoli, C, BOS (Illness) - Not in the lineup on Friday.
Placido Polanco, 3B, MIA (Back) - Not in the starting lineup on Friday.
Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD (Shoulder) - Back in the lineup on Friday.
Hanley Ramirez, SS, LAD (Hamstring) - Returned to the starting lineup on Friday.
Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI (Foot) - Was not in the lineup on Friday with a foot issue.
Skip Schumaker, 2B, LAD (Suspension) - Suspended for two games.
Marco Scutaro, 2B, SF (Hand) - Will not play in weekend series against the Braves.

Players on the DL
Henderson Alvarez, SP, MIA (Shoulder) - Threw five scoreless innings in first rehab outing for High-A Jupiter.
Brandon Beachy, SP, ATL (Elbow) - Return to the majors on Tuesday is not certain yet.
Hiram Burgos, SP, MIL (Shoulder) - Threw two innings in first rehab start for Low-A Wisconsin.
A.J. Burnett, SP, PIT (Calf) - Diagnosed with Grade 1 tear in his calf.
Eric Chavez, 3B, ARI (Oblique) - Will likely start swinging a bat on Saturday.
Nathan Eovaldi, SP, MIA (Shoulder) - Will make season debut Tuesday in Arizona.
Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY (Finger) - Unsure if he will return before All-Star break.
Aaron Hill, 2B, ARI (Hand) - Could begin rehab assignment as soon as this weekend.
Matt Kemp, OF, LAD (Hamstring) - Is still at least a week away from returning.
Angel Pagan, OF, SF (Hamstring) - Will not return for weekend series against the Braves.
Zach Putnam, RP, CHC (Elbow) - MRI confirmed bone spur in his elbow.
J.J. Putz, RP, ARI (Elbow) - Could begin rehab assignment Monday.
Tsuyoshi Wada, SP, BAL (Elbow) - Will remain with Triple-A Norfolk after rehab assignment.
DeWayne Wise, OF, CHW (Hamstring) - Began rehab assignment on Friday at Triple-A.

Placed on the DL
Brett Anderson, SP, OAK (transferred to 60-day DL)
Eduardo Nunez, SS, NYY (transferred to 60-day DL)
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL
Kevin Youkilis, 3B, NYY

Activated from DL
A.J. Ellis, C, LAD
Austin Jackson, OF, DET
Huston Street, RP, SD
Jake Westbrook, SP, STL

Called Up
Jake Arrieta, SP, BAL
Chris Bootcheck, SP, NYY
Thomas Neal, OF, NYY
Dan Otero, RP, OAK
Josh Rutledge, 2B, COL

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Cesar Cabral, RP, NYY
Jaff Decker, OF, SD
Avisail Garcia, OF, DET
Tommy Layne, RP, SD
Hideki Okajima, RP, OAK
Brooks Raley, SP, CHC
Michael Wacha, SP, STL
Adam Warren, RP, NYY

Designated for Assignment
Ramon Hernandez, C, LAD
Kelly Shoppach, C, SEA

Signed
Henry Blanco, C, SEA

Closer Watch

Cardinals:Edward Mujica allowed one run on a solo homer to Marlon Byrd on Thursday against the Mets but was still able to earn the save in the game and preserve a one-run lead for the Cardinals. He is now a perfect 19-for-19 in save opportunities this season and has a stellar 1.82 ERA and a 0.640 WHIP in 29 games. The Cardinals keep finding success in pitching with Mujica the latest example of breaking through in St. Louis.

Padres: Regular closer Huston Street was activated from the disabled list on Friday by the Padres after only missing the 15-day minimum. Luke Gregerson filled in well as the closer but will most likely head back to set-up duty. Despite holding a 4.43 ERA and 0-3 record on the season, Street has saved 11 games in 12 opportunities. Street is relatively secure in the closer spot though Gregerson has pitched well with a 2.01 ERA thus far. The biggest issue for Street is finding save chances with an inconsistent Padre offense.

Key Matchups

Recommended Pickup

Gerrit Cole, SP, PIT - This is a recommendation that depends on Cole staying around with the Pirates for the long-term this season. He looked stellar in his debut against the Giants but leaned heavily on his big fastball which averaged about 96.1 mph in the start. He also mixes with a nice slider and has a big-league caliber changeup that he did not show a lot in his first start. He totaled a 2.91 ERA in 12 starts at Triple-A this season and his potential is enormous. He only had two strikeouts in the start but his 2012 average of 9.2 SO/9 at Double-A suggest the strikeouts should come with more time. With the Pirates in a playoff hunt at this point of the season, he should have a chance to stay around in the rotation. His next start on Sunday against the Dodgers will be very important in determining the length of his stay, so if that goes well, it is worth a shot at picking up the highly-rated prospect.

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