Saturday Lineup Card: Harper Gets the Call

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Updated on April 27, 2012 7:30PM EST

Saturday's Starters

Angels (Dan Haren - R) at Indians (Jeanmar Gomez - R), 1:05
Brewers (Marco Estrada - R) at Cards (Kyle Lohse - R), 1:05
Royals (Bruce Chen - L) at Twins (Jason Marquis - R), 1:10
Tigers (Drew Smyly - L) at Yankees (Freddy Garcia - R), 4:05
Mariners (Kevin Millwood - R) at Blue Jays (Brandon Morrow - R), 4:07
Astros (Lucas Harrell - R) at Reds (Johnny Cueto - R), 4:10
Cubs (Randy Wells - R) at Phillies (Joe Blanton - R), 7:05
A's (Tyson Ross - R) at Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen - L), 7:05
D-Backs (Ian Kennedy - R) at Marlins (Anibal Sanchez - R), 7:10
Red Sox (Jon Lester - L) at White Sox (Jake Peavy - R), 7:10
Pirates (Erik Bedard - L) at Braves (Randall Delgado - R), 7:10
Rays (Jeff Niemann - R) at Rangers (Colby Lewis - R), 8:05
Mets (Dillon Gee - R) at Rockies (Jeremy Guthrie - R), 8:10
Padres (Anthony Bass - R) at Giants (Tim Lincecum - R), 9:05
Nats (Stephen Strasburg - R) at Dodgers (Chad Billingsley - R), 9:10

Day Game After Night Game: LAA/CLE, MIL/STL, KC/MIN, DET/NYY, SEA/TOR, HOU/CIN

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS - (Shoulder) Will be placed on the DL on Saturday.
Shin-Soo Choo, OF,

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Saturday's Starters

Day Game After Night Game: LAA/CLE, MIL/STL, KC/MIN, DET/NYY, SEA/TOR, HOU/CIN

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS - (Shoulder) Will be placed on the DL on Saturday.
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, CLE - (Hamstring) Out of the lineup again Friday; may return this weekend.
Delmon Young, OF, DET - Facing charges of third degree assault.
Juan Rivera, OF, LA - (Hamstring) Held out of the starting lineup Friday.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK - (Ear Infection) Back in the lineup Friday.
Josh Willingham, OF, MIN - (Paternity List) Will be activated Saturday.
Mat Gamel, 1B, MIL - (Shoulder) Returned to the lineup Friday night.
Jason Castro, C, HOU - (Neck) Back in the starting lineup Friday.
Jim Johnson, RP, BAL - (Infection) Played catch Friday, still day-to-day.
Jon Jay, OF, STL - (Shoulder) Rejoined the Cards' lineup Friday night.
Jesse Crain, RP, CHW - (Oblique) DL bound.
Marwin Gonzalez, SS, HOU - Placed on the paternity list.

Disabled List

Carl Crawford, OF, BOS - (Elbow) Had PRP injection, no surgery at this time.
Cliff Lee, SP, PHI - (Abdomen) Diagnosed with Grade 1 (least severe) strain.
Brett Gardner, OF, NYY - (Elbow) Could take limited BP on Friday.
Stephen Drew, SS, ARI - (Ankle) 2-for-4 during simulated game Friday afternoon.
Andres Torres, OF, NYM - (Calf) On track to be activated Monday.
Ryan Dempster, SP, CHC - (Quad) Should return from DL when eligible next week.
Lorenzo Cain, OF, KAN - (Groin) Suffered Grade 3 hip flexor strain; out at least four more weeks.
Franklin Gutierrez, OF, SEA - (Pectoral) Battling plantar fasciitis, no timetable for return.
Kerry Wood, RP, CHC - (Shoulder) Targeting Thursday return.
Felipe Paulino, SP, KAN - (Elbow) Expected to rejoin the Royals' rotation next week.
Kyle Weiland, SP, HOU - (Shoulder) Increasing soreness in recent weeks.
Greg Holland, RP, KAN - (Rib) No problems after playing catch; targeting May 6 return.
Rich Hill, RP, BOS - (Elbow) Activated from the DL on Friday.
Zach Britton, SP, BAL - (Shoulder) Threw his first bullpen session as planned Friday.

Transactions

Placed on DL

Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS
Brad Lidge, RP, WAS
Kyle Weiland, SP, HOU
Jesse Crain, RP, CHW
Rafael Perez, RP, CLE

Optioned to Triple-A

Bobby Cassevah, RP, LAA
Michael Antonini, RP, LAD

Called Up

Bryce Harper, OF, WAS
Nathan Eovaldi, P, LAD
Ryan Perry, RP, WAS
Dylan Axelrod, RP, CHW
Nick Hagadone, RP, CLE
Fernando Abad, RP, HOU
Brian Bixler, SS, HOU
Chris Schwinden, SP, NYM
Brad Eldred, 1B/DH, DET

Closer Watch

The Angels announced Friday that Scott Downs will temporarily replace Jordan Walden. Manager Mike Scioscia wants Walden to be more consistent with the secondary pitches, and will use him in a seventh- and eighth-inning role in the near future. Given the Angels' offseason spending spree and expectations of contending for a World Series berth, it's not out of the question to think that Downs could keep the job if he's able to reliably retire the opposition in the ninth inning.

Brad Lidge has been placed on the 15-day DL with an abdominal strain, leaving an even larger number of save opportunities for Henry Rodriguez while Drew Storen remains on the shelf.

Hot Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
KEY MATCHUPS: HOT
Ryan Braun - OF	MIL @ STL 4/28 1:05 PM	Kyle Lohse	8-24	.333	1	4	5	1	3	.583	.360	.943
Aramis Ramirez - 3B	MIL @ STL 4/28 1:05 PM	Kyle Lohse	7-15	.467	1	4	5	0	0	.867	.500	1.367
Humberto Quintero - C	KC @ MIN 4/28 1:10 PM	Jason Marquis	4-10	.400	0	1	2	0	0	.500	.400	.900
Justin Morneau - 1B	MIN vs KC 4/28 1:10 PM	Bruce Chen	3-10	.300	1	1	2	1	2	.600	.364	.964
Denard Span - OF	MIN vs KC 4/28 1:10 PM	Bruce Chen	5-10	.500	0	1	1	3	1	.600	.615	1.215
Brennan Boesch - OF	DET @ NYY 4/28 4:05 PM	Freddy Garcia	6-16	.375	1	2	1	1	1	.625	.412	1.037
Miguel Cabrera - 1B	DET @ NYY 4/28 4:05 PM	Freddy Garcia	9-23	.391	3	4	6	6	5	.826	.517	1.343
Delmon Young - OF	DET @ NYY 4/28 4:05 PM	Freddy Garcia	3-10	.300	2	3	5	0	2	1.000	.364	1.364
Jose Bautista - 3B	TOR vs SEA 4/28 4:07 PM	Kevin Millwood	7-12	.583	3	5	8	2	0	1.583	.643	2.226
Carlos Lee - OF	HOU @ CIN 4/28 4:10 PM	Johnny Cueto	7-22	.318	2	3	5	1	1	.636	.375	1.011
Reed Johnson - OF	CHC @ PHI 4/28 7:05 PM	Joe Blanton	5-12	.417	1	3	1	1	2	.833	.500	1.333
Alfonso Soriano - OF	CHC @ PHI 4/28 7:05 PM	Joe Blanton	6-18	.333	0	3	2	3	3	.556	.429	.985
Hunter Pence - OF	PHI vs CHC 4/28 7:05 PM	Randy Wells	6-14	.429	1	2	3	4	0	.714	.556	1.270
Paul Konerko - 1B	CWS vs BOS 4/28 7:10 PM	Jon Lester	4-12	.333	1	1	4	3	2	.583	.467	1.050
Mike Napoli - C	TEX vs TB 4/28 8:05 PM	Jeff Niemann	5-10	.500	1	3	6	0	1	1.100	.500	1.600
Orlando Hudson - 2B	SD @ SF 4/28 9:05 PM	Tim Lincecum	8-19	.421	0	3	3	1	6	.579	.429	1.008
Nick Hundley - C	SD @ SF 4/28 9:05 PM	Tim Lincecum	5-15	.333	1	3	1	2	6	.733	.412	1.145
Adam LaRoche - 1B	WAS @ LAD 4/28 9:10 PM	Chad Billingsley	6-21	.286	2	4	7	4	10	.667	.400	1.067

Hot Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Dan Haren	LAA @ CLE 4/28 1:05 PM	Indians Batters	21-123	.171	2	9	10	8	30	.275	.224	.499

Cold Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
KEY MATCHUPS: COLD
Asdrubal Cabrera - SS	CLE vs LAA 4/28 1:05 PM	Dan Haren	1-14	.071	0	0	0	0	4	.071	.071	.142
Shin-Soo Choo - OF	CLE vs LAA 4/28 1:05 PM	Dan Haren	2-11	.182	0	0	0	0	3	.182	.182	.364
Casey Kotchman - 1B	CLE vs LAA 4/28 1:05 PM	Dan Haren	7-30	.233	0	0	1	1	3	.233	.258	.491
Jose Lopez - 3B	CLE vs LAA 4/28 1:05 PM	Dan Haren	5-27	.185	1	4	4	1	7	.407	.214	.621
Corey Hart - OF	MIL @ STL 4/28 1:05 PM	Kyle Lohse	1-12	.083	0	0	1	0	3	.083	.083	.166
Gerald Laird - C	DET @ NYY 4/28 4:05 PM	Freddy Garcia	1-15	.067	0	0	0	1	3	.067	.125	.192
John Jaso - C	SEA @ TOR 4/28 4:07 PM	Brandon Morrow	3-13	.231	0	0	2	0	2	.231	.231	.462
Edwin Encarnacion - 3B	TOR vs SEA 4/28 4:07 PM	Kevin Millwood	2-11	.182	0	0	1	0	4	.182	.182	.364
Adam Lind - 1B	TOR vs SEA 4/28 4:07 PM	Kevin Millwood	0-16	.000	0	0	0	1	4	.000	.111	.111
Jeff Mathis - C	TOR vs SEA 4/28 4:07 PM	Kevin Millwood	3-20	.150	1	1	3	0	5	.300	.150	.450
Laynce Nix - OF	PHI vs CHC 4/28 7:05 PM	Randy Wells	2-11	.182	0	1	0	1	3	.273	.250	.523
Alexei Ramirez - SS	CWS vs BOS 4/28 7:10 PM	Jon Lester	1-10	.100	0	0	0	2	2	.100	.250	.350
Will Venable - OF	SD @ SF 4/28 9:05 PM	Tim Lincecum	3-15	.200	0	1	0	1	7	.333	.250	.583

Cold Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Kyle Lohse	STL vs Mil 4/28 1:05 PM	Brewers Batters	34-106	.321	3	15	17	4	16	.516	.350	.866
Freddy Garcia	NYY vs Det 4/28 4:05 PM	Tigers Batters	36-135	.267	9	17	19	10	27	.534	.321	.855

Recommended Pickup(s)

Bryce Harper, OF, WAS - Although he didn't rake at Triple-A, the Nats are placing Ryan Zimmerman on the DL and need an offensive boost. Harper will be called up for his MLB debut Saturday against the Dodgers and is worth a flyer in most formats given his considerable upside, but it's likely that he's already snapped up in many leagues by owners who are a bit surprised that he's already getting an opportunity. Still, it's worth noting that he could be up for good if he proves capable of hitting big league pitching in the coming weeks.

Jordan Lyles, SP, HOU - For those in deeper leagues where useful arms are more difficult to come by, Lyles' fast start at Triple-A Oklahoma City should open some eyes. Through his first four starts, Lyles has a 24:4 K:BB in 26 innings, and the 8.31 K/9IP is his highest mark since 2009 when he was an 18-year-old at Low-A Lexington. Further, he's managed to keep the ball in the park (just one homer allowed) after carrying a 1.34 HR/9IP over 94 innings with the Astros during his rookie season. With Kyle Weiland on the disabled list and two unproven starters in Lucas Harrell and J.A. Happ currently owning rotation spots, it's only a matter of time before the 21-year-old gets another look in Houston.

Other Recent Recommendations: Henry Rodriguez, Tony Campana, Devin Mesoraco and Jarrod Parker.

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UP - Dan Haren $13,916

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Saturday Lineup Card: Harper Gets the Call

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD