Saturday Lineup Card: A Dash Of Lawrie

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)

Royals (Bruce Chen - L) at Mets (Jeremy Hefner - R), 1:10 PM
Braves (Brandon Beachy - R) at Phillies (John Lannan - L), 4:05 PM
Dodgers (Chris Capuano - L) at Cubs (Jeff Samardzija - R), 4:05 PM
Rangers (Matt Garza - R) at Athletics (Jarrod Parker - R), 4:05 PM
Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa - L) at Pirates (Francisco Liriano - L), 7:05 PM
Mariners (Erasmo Ramirez - R) at Orioles (Scott Feldman - R), 7:05 PM
White Sox (John Danks - L) at Tigers (Max Scherzer - R), 7:08 PM
Diamondbacks (Patrick Corbin - L) at Red Sox (Jake Peavy - R), 7:10 PM
Indians (Zach McAllister - R) at Marlins (Jacob Turner - R), 7:10 PM
Astros (Erik Bedard - L) at Twins (Kyle Gibson - R), 7:10 PM
Giants (Tim Lincecum - R) at Rays (David Price - L), 7:10 PM
Cardinals (Jake Westbrook - R) at Reds (Tony Cingrani - L), 7:10 PM
Nationals (Dan Haren - R) at Brewers (Donovan Hand - R), 7:10 PM
Yankees (Ivan Nova - R) at Padres (Tyson Ross - R), 8:40 PM
Blue Jays (Esmil Rogers - R) at Angels (Jered Weaver - R), 9:05 PM

Day Game After Night Game:

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Jose Altuve, 2B, HOU (Quad) - Still out of the lineup Friday against the Twins.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, COL (Personal) - Is expected to be available by Saturday.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL (Finger) - Was not in the lineup Friday.
Gerald Laird, C, ATL (Stomach) - Will not travel with the team to Philadelphia on Friday.
Cliff Lee, SP, PHI (Neck) - Threw a bullpen session Thursday and is expected to start Sunday.
Ross Ohlendorf, SP, WAS (Arm) - Will not throw this weekend.
Bobby Parnell, RP, NYM (Neck) - Will not be available to throw Friday or Saturday.
Carlos Quentin, OF, SD (Knee) - Still out of the lineup Friday against the Yankees, but may be available to pinch-hit.
Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL (Personal) - Placed on the paternity list Friday.

Players on the DL
Peter Bourjos, OF, LAA (Wrist) - Took batting practice for the second straight day Thursday.
Marco Estrada, SP, MIL (Back) - Will have his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A on Friday.
Felipe Paulino, SP, KC (Elbow) - Expected to start a rehab assignment with Double-A on Saturday.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY (Hip) - Could be activated from the DL on Monday.
Wandy Rodriguez, SP, PIT (Forearm) - Likely will not return before September.
Jordan Schafer, OF, ATL (Ankle) - Will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A on Saturday.
B.J. Upton, OF, ATL (Leg) - Is expected to be activated from the DL on Saturday.
Jason Vargas, SP, LAA (Arm) - Will throw a simulated game Saturday, then could begin a rehab assignment.
Josh Willingham, OF, MIN (Knee) - Has been running pain-free for the past 10 days.

Placed on the DL
Melky Cabrera, OF, TOR
Josh Edgin, RP, NYM
Brandon Guyer, OF, TB
Jonathan Pettibone, SP, PHI

Activated from the DL
Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY
Jared Hughes, RP, PIT
Steve Johnson, RP, BAL

Called Up
Oswaldo Arcia, OF, MIN
Vic Black, RP, PIT
Pedro Feliciano, RP, NYM
Brandon Guyer, OF, TB
Ethan Martin, RP, PHI
Zach Miner, RP, PHI
Neil Wagner, RP, TOR

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Engel Beltre, OF, TEX
Scott Diamond, SP, MIN
Aaron Hicks, OF, MIN
Melky Mesa, OF, NYY
Hernan Perez, SS, DET (to Double-A)

Designated for Assignment
Thomas Neal, OF, NYY
J.C. Ramirez, RP, PHI

Claimed off Waivers
Adam Rosales, SS, TEX (from OAK)

Closer Watch

Mariners: The Mariners had a game the team would quickly like to forget Thursday against the Red Sox. As a result, Tom Wilhelmsen is expected to be temporarily removed as the closer. He allowed four runs and failed to record an out in the game. The team is expected to work the closing duties based on matchups. Charlie Furbush and Yoervis Medina are expected to be candidates to take save opportunities in the short-term.

Marlins: Though the Marlins have had a rough season in full rebuilding mode, they do have a bright spot in the back of the bullpen in their big 6-6 closer, Steve Cishek. He had two rough outings in non-save situations in July, but was a perfect 8-for-8 in save opportunities for a 3.14 ERA on the month. He does accumulate saves in bulk like other closing options, but he is an efficient pick-up that could be overlooked due to the quality of his team this season.

Key Matchups

Recommended Pickup

Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR - Lawrie has battled issues this season and has had a relatively disappointing season on the whole. With two months left, he will look to put together a strong finish. He has been working mostly at third base this season and has position versatility with second base as well. In 16 games since returning from the disabled list, he has only hit .236 but has contributed with three home runs and nine RBI. He is not a game-changing acquisition at this point, but he is an everyday player that has decent power and could eventually contribute the occasional stolen base.

Other Recent Recommendations: Alex Avila, Yonder Alonso, Andre Rienzo, Juan Lagares, and Tony Cingrani

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DraftStreet Value Picks

SP: Zach McAllister, CLE ($11,056)
C: Matt Wieters, BAL ($5,551)
1B: Adam LaRoche, WAS ($5,087)
2B: DJ LeMahieu, COL ($5,418)
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