Sunday Lineup Card: Closer Watch Cooking in Oakland

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

Sunday's Starters

Indians (Chris Seddon - L) at Tigers (Max Scherzer - R), 1:05
Mariners (Hisashi Iwakuma - R) at Yankees (Freddy Garcia - R), 1:05
Pirates (A.J. Burnett - R) at Reds (Homer Bailey - R), 1:10
Diamondbacks (Trevor Cahill - R) at Phillies (Cliff Lee - L), 1:35
Astros (Bud Norris - R) at Braves (Kris Medlen - R), 1:35
Marlins (Ricky Nolasco - R) at Nationals (Stephen Strasburg - R), 1:35
Twins (Nick Blackburn - R) at Red Sox (Franklin Morales - L), 1:35
Orioles (Miguel Gonzalez - R) at Rays (David Price - L), 1:40
Angels (Dan Haren - R) at White Sox (Francisco Liriano - L), 2:10
Rangers (Derek Holland - L) at Royals (Luke Hochevar - R), 2:10
Giants (Tim Lincecum - R) at Rockies (Tyler Chatwood - R), 3:10
Mets (Matt Harvey - R) at Padres (Jason Marquis - R), 4:05
Blue Jays (Aaron Laffey - L) at Athletics (Tommy Milone - L), 4:05
Cubs (Justin Germano - R) at Dodgers (Aaron Harang - R), 4:10
Brewers (Marco Estrada - R) at Cardinals (Kyle Lohse - R), 8:05

Day Game After Night Game:
KC/TEX, ARZ/PHI, CLE/DET, MIA/WAS, LAA/CHW, BAL/TB, HOU/ATL, MIN/BOS, PIT/CIN, SF/COL, NYM/SD, CHC/LAD

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Eric Chavez, 3B, NYY -- (Ankle) Left Friday's game in the eighth with soreness.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, BOS -- (Illness) Had food poisoning instead of suspected ear infection, and was able to DH Saturday.
Chris Sale, P, CWS -- (Arm) Will get more rest between starts with new six-man rotation.
Yeonis Cespedes, OF OAK -- (Wrist) Was available to pinch hit Saturday, with a return to the lineup possible in the next couple days.
Colby Rasmus, OF, TOR -- (Groin) Missed Saturday, and it is unknown when he will return.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR -- (Ribs) Won't play Sunday, but could return Tuesday.
Matt Garza, P, CHC -- (Triceps) A cut short bullpen session now means it is uncertain when he will start again.
Justin Ruggiano, OF, MIA -- (Back) Didn't start Saturday, but was still available able to pinch hit.

Disabled List
Andrew Bailey, P, BOS -- (Thumb) Struck out two at Double-A rehab game Saturday, and is expected to pitch again Sunday.
Matt Capps, P, MIN -- (Shoulder) No timetable for return, but club believes he will be back this season.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY -- (Hand) Estimated September return date still good even though he is working out with team.
Charlie Furbush, P, SEA -- (Triceps) Will make at least one more rehab appearance before returning to bigs.
Evan Longoria, 3B, TB -- (Hamstring) Hitless in sixth rehab game, but could return as early as Tuesday at DH.
Jeff Niemann, P, TB -- (Leg) Could start rehab assignment next week.
Mark Lowe, P, TEX -- (Abdomen) Likely to return to MLB after two rehab appearances.
Jhoulys Chacin, P, COL -- (Chest) Scheduled to pitch 70-to-75 pitches in third rehab start.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL -- (Groin) Will start taking ground balls.
Ted Lilly, P, LAD -- (Shoulder) Scratched from rehab start on Saturday with pain.
Emilio Bonifacio, OF, MIA -- (Thumb) Expected to return in two-to-three weeks.
Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI -- (Foot) Will miss four-to-six weeks with plantar fasciitis.
Lance Berkman, 1B, STL -- (Knee) If he returns it will not be in starting role.

Transactions

Placed on DL
Tim Byrdak, P, NYM (retroactive to 8/3)
Michael Cuddyer, OF, COL
Frank Francisco, P, NYM (retroative to 8/4)
Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI (retroactive to 8/3)
Emilio Bonifacio, OF, MIA (retroactive to 8/4)

Activated from DL
Travis Hafner, DH, CLE

Optioned to Triple-A & Other Demotions
Carols Malbonado, C, WAS (designated for assignment)
Brett Cecil, P, TOR (optioned to Triple-A)
John Lannan, P, WAS (optioned to Triple-A)
Evan Reed, P, NYM (optioned to Triple-A)
Michael Antonini, P, LAA (outrighted to Triple-A)
Ramiro Pena, SS, NYY (optioned to Triple-A)
Vinny Rottino, OF, CLE (optioned to Triple-A)
Endy Chavez, OF, BAL (designated for assignment)
Sandy Leon, C, WAS (optioned to minors)

Called Up
Jesse Chavez, P, TOR
Adeiny Hechavarria, 3B, TOR
Hector Luna, 2B, PHI
Nick Green, 2B, MIA
Nate McLouth, OF, BAL
Matt McBride, 1B, COL

Released
Lyle Overbay, 1B, ARZ

Closer Watch

Athletics -- After a relatively low-key two-out save on Thursday, Oakland's Ryan Cook could not do the same thing Friday, giving up a three-run jack to Toronto's Jeff Mathis. Oakland was able to win the game in the bottom of the 15th, so Cook will be forgiven, but in his last five appearances he has three blown saves, and has seen his ERA go up from 1.52 to 2.33. Whether Oakland has a suitable replacement or not has yet to be seen, but don't be surprised if Cook's reign as closer comes to an end soon.

Rangers -- Alexi Ogando threw a perfect ninth inning and struck out two Royals to get his second save of 2012 on Friday night. Joe Nathan is the normal closer for the Rangers, but after he was roughed up earlier this week by the Angels, manager Ron Washington decided to give him the day off Friday, and that could even be extended for the whole weekend. In an effort to keep Nathan fresh, Ogando may get more save opportunities the rest of the season, and he will be a nice addition to any fantasy roster as he provides a nice amount of strikeouts with 46 in 44.1 innings so far this year.

Red Sox -- Boston gave up a lot to get Andrew Bailey from Oakland, and even let fan favorite Jonathan Papelbon leave because of what they believed Bailey could do. Unfortunately, Bailey has yet to pitch for Boston this year with a thumb injury, but he has been on a rehab assignment and could return as early as this week. There is no news of what type of role he will walk into when he returns, but if he comes back and pitches anything close to how he did for Oakland, then he should have no problem supplanting Alfredo Aceves from the closer's role.

Twins -- On Thursday, Glen Perkins got his sixth save of the season by going a perfect two innings with three strikeouts to boot. The very next day, with Minnesota up a run in the bottom of the ninth, Jared Burton came onto the mound at Fenway and threw a perfect inning of his own for his fourth save. Both Perkins and Burton have been on point since the injury of Matt Capps, so until one differentiates himself from the other, they will both be getting the call in save situations.

Ryan Ludwick, OF, CIN - The best days in Ludwick's career may be behind him, but seems to have found his stroke during Cincinnati's current winning ways without the injured Joey Votto. In the five games played by Ludwick from July 30-August 3, the outfielder went 8-19 with four home runs and 12 RBIs, giving him a .260 average, 19 home runs, and 56 RBI for the season. Ludwick seems to have turned the corner after struggling to stay above the Mendoza line all the way through June, so while he may not be on pace for the 37 homers and 113 RBIs he had in 2008, all fantasy owners should be aware that as long as he is hot, he is more than capable of providing the power numbers you need.

Other recent recommendations: Dan Straily, Josh Rutledge, Carlos Gomez, Greg Holland and Wade LeBlanc

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DraftStreet Lineup
C - A.J. Ellis, LAD ($4,689)
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