This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
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Projected Starters - A look at Sunday's matchups (all times Eastern):
Tigers (Phil Coke - L) at Indians (Justin Masterson - R), 1:05
Blue Jays (Jesse Litsch - R) at Yankees (Ivan Nova - R), 1:05
Giants (Matt Cain - R) at Nationals (Jordan Zimmerman - R), 1:35
Cardinals (Jaime Garcia - L) at Braves (Derek Lowe - R), 1:35
Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R) at Red Sox (Clay Buchholz - R), 1:35
Angels (Jered Weaver - R) at Rays (Andy Sonnanstine - R), 1:40
Brewers (Chris Narveson - L) at Astros (Bus Norris - R), 2:05
Twins (Carl Pavano - R) at Royals (Luke Hochevar - R), 2:10
Orioles (Zach Britton - L) at White Sox (Gavin Floyd - R), 2:10
Pirates (Charlie Morton -R) at Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez - R), 3:10
Rangers (Matt Harrison - L) at Athletics (Gio Gonzalez - L), 4:05
Padres (Dustin Moseley - R) at Dodgers (Jon Garland - R), 4:10
Cubs (Chris Coleman - R) at Diamondbacks (Daniel Hudson - R), 4:10
Marlins (Ricky Nolasco -R) at Reds (Bronson Arroyo - R), 4:10
Mets (Chris Young - R) at Phillies (Cliff Lee - L), 8:05
Day Game After a Night Game: MIL, HOU, FLA, CIN, CHC, ARI, PIT, COL, SD, LAD, DET, CLE, MIN, KC, SEA, BOS, BAL, CHW
Injuries - A brief look at players that have been missing time with minor ailments and their expected returns.
Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)
AL
Jason Repko, OF, MIN - (Quadriceps) He's avoided the DL and was available to play Friday.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP, BOS - (Undisclosed) Removed from Friday's game with tightness in his right elbow. Scheduled to be examined Saturday. There is optimism that Matsuzaka will be able to make his next start on Wednesday.
Sean Rodriguez, 2B, TAM - (Finger) Sat out Friday and is at risk of being put on the DL.
Alexis Rios, OF, CHW - (Toe) Set to return to the lineup Saturday after sitting out Friday.
Tony Pena, RP, CHW - (Elbow) MRI was negative and he should return within a few days.
Jake Arrieta, SP, BAL - (Hip) Said his hip was sore in his start Friday but is not expected to miss any starts.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK - (Quadriceps) Sitting out a third straight game Saturday but still hopes to avoid the DL.
Mark Ellis, 2B, OAK - (Illness) Scratched from Saturday's lineup with an illness.
Travis Hafner, DH, CLE - (Ankle) Out of the starting lineup for a third straight game Saturday but hopes to avoid the DL.
Jim Thome, DH, MIN - (Oblique) Starting Saturday after having sat out the last three games.
NL
Juan Uribe, 2B, LAD - (Thigh) Returned to the Dodgers' lineup Friday after having missed their last five games.
Roy Oswalt, SP, PHI - (Personal) At home with his family helping cleanup after the deadly tornados that passed through the south this week. The team plans to speak with him Saturday to arrange when he'll return.
Brett Wallace, 1B, HOU - (Hip) Left Friday's game after getting bowled over by Prince Fielder's prodigious self. It'd be surprising if he missed much, if any, time.
Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI - (Back) Expects to return to action Tuesday or Wednesday.
Chris Coghlan, OF, FLA - (Shoulder) His reps will be monitored after it was announced he'll probably have to play through some soreness in his shoulder all season. Manager Edwin Rodriguez plans on resting him in day games that follow night games, like a catcher.
Players on the DL
AL
Robinson Tejeda, RP, KC - (Shoulder) Throwing a live batting practice session Saturday to determine if he's ready to return from the DL.
Aaron Hill, 2B, TOR - (Hamstring) Unlikely to be ready to return from the DL when eligible on May 5.
Jayson Nix, 2B, TOR - (Leg) Still experiencing soreness in his bruised shin and may not be ready to return when first eligible.
Andrew Bailey, RP, OAK - (Forearm) In-line to face hitters soon and could return within the next two weeks.
Jake Peavy, SP, CHW - (Shoulder) Looked good in his first rehab start Friday but will need to make at least two more starts before being activated from the DL.
Scott Feldman, RP, TEX - (Knee) Continues to progress in his rehab and could be headed to the minors within the next couple weeks.
Tommy Hunter, SP, TEX - (Groin) Scheduled to throw an extended spring game Saturday and could be nearing a rehab assignment.
Brandon Webb, SP, TEX - (Shoulder) Scheduled to throw an extended spring game Saturday.
Neftali Feliz, RP, TEX - (Shoulder) Threw from a mound Saturday and is on track to return to the Rangers on Friday.
NL
Casey Blake, 3B, LAD - (Elbow) Placed on the 15-day DL Friday. Underwent surgery to clean out his infected elbow and could miss up to six weeks.
Peter Moylan, RP, ATL - (Back) Will not return when eligible Saturday. Hasn't even picked up a ball yet and there is talk that he may need a third back surgery.
Hong-Chi Kuo, RP, LAD - (Back) Did not return Friday as hoped and will need to be solid in his rehab appearances before getting activated.
Joe Blanton, SP, PHI - (Elbow) Only expected to miss a couple starts.
Domonic Brown, OF, PHI - (Wrist) Phillies will make a decision on him after he finishes out the weekend with High-A Clearwater.
Jose Contreras, RP, PHI - (Forearm) Progressing well. Expected to start throwing in the middle of the week but will still miss the next three-to-four weeks.
J.C. Romero, RP, PHI - (Calf) Eligible to return to the lineup Wednesday but will need to go on a rehab assignment first.
Brad Lidge, RP, PHI - (Shoulder) Transferred to the 60-day DL. Aim is still to have him back around the All-Star break.
Nyjer Morgan, OF, MIL - (Thigh) Played half a game in a rehab start Friday and could return to the Brewers by the end of the this coming week.
Zack Greinke, SP, MIL - (Ribs) Should return to the Brewers and make his first start of the season Wednesday or Thursday.
Allen Craig, OF, STL - (Groin) Expected to be activated from the DL on Monday.
Joe Thatcher, RP, SD - (Shoulder) Scheduled to undergo surgery Monday and is unlikely to return this season.
Scott Rolen, 3B, CIN - (Shoulder) Still has a knot in his trapezoid that has kept him from picking up a bat. He's in danger of missing his eligible return date of May 6.
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF - (Hand) Has a fractured hamate bone in his hand and will likely miss four-to- six weeks.
Johnny Cueto, SP, CIN - (Shoulder) Will make one more rehab start before returning from the DL.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS - (Abdomen) May need to undergo surgery to repair a sports hernia. It's possible he will not return until the All-Star break.
Evan Meek, RP, PIT - (Shoulder) Placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to April 27.
Transactions - Players that have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.
Called Up
Alex White, SP, CLE
Ryan Rohlinger, 3B, SF
Daniel Moskos, RP, PIT
Sent Down
Frank Herrmann, RP, CLE
Jess Todd, RP, CLE
Placed on DL (15-day unless otherwise noted)
Evan Meek, RP, PIT (retroactive to April 27)
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF
Casey Blake, 3B, LAD
Brad Lidge, RP, PHI (transferred to the 60-day DL)
Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out our Closer Grid with the link to the left).
Atlanta - Craig Kimbrel blew his second save of the season Friday and turned around and came on with the game tied Saturday to give up the winning run. Jonny Venters is the first in-line to take over closing duties if Kimbrel struggles this season, but Venters picked up a blown save Saturday when he allowed the Cardinals to tie it up in the eighth. Don't overreact to Kimbrel's rough outings Friday and Saturday unless they persist in his next couple appearances.
Los Angeles Dodgers - Jonathan Broxton gave up three hits and a run but still picked up the save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Padres. This proves that the team was just resting him Wednesday and that he does indeed still have the closer job. Rejoice, and keep him in your lineups.
St. Louis - The Cardinals have had four different pitchers record saves this week. Mitchell Boggs grabbed one Monday (before blowing a save Tuesday); Eduardo Sanchez closed out Wednesday's game (giving up two runs in the process); Fernando Salas picked up the save Thursday and Saturday; and Trever Miller picked up a one-out save Friday. Sanchez is the sexy pick here, because he's young and has great potential. Miller was used in a situational spot (lefty-on-lefty) against Nate McLouth. His use almost solely in situational spots makes him unlikely to be given regular save opportunities. Boggs was the hot pickup last week, but his blow save from Tuesday removed him as the team's primary closer. Jason Motte was in the game and ready to get the save Friday before Miller came on to retire McLouth. Ryan Franklin, the Cardinals' closer to open the season, was only used once this week, in a non-save situation, and failed to retire a single batter while giving up two runs. It's too hard to say who will get the nod going forward. The team is playing it by ear right now and going with their best guy from inning to inning. If you're looking to take a chance on someone, I'd either grab Boggs or Salas.
Tampa Bay - Kyle Farnsworth blew the save Saturday against the Angels. It was his first blown save of the season, and he was successful on his first five opportunities. The Rays haven't looked in anyone else's' direction to close out games this season, so there's little reason to believe Farnsworth would lose the gig after one misstep, especially since the team still ended up winning the game.
Key Matchups
Hot
Batters
Laynce Nix vs. Matt Cain - 7-for-13 (.538), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:1 BB:K
Jerry Hairston vs. Matt Cain - 3-for-7 (.429), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:2 BB:K
Matt Holiday vs. Derek Lowe - 18-for-35 (.514), 1 HR, 9 RBI, 1:6 BB:K
Ryan Braun vs. Bud Norris - 5-for-12 (.417), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 0:1 BB:K
Chris Snyder vs. Ubaldo Jimenez - 3-for-10 (.300), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:1 BB:K
Orlando Hudson vs. Jon Garland - 8-for-23 (.348), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3:1 BB:K
Jorge Cantu vs. Jon Garland - 6-for-16 (.375), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:5 BB:K
Miguel Cabrera vs. Justin Masterson - 4-for-8 (.500), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2:2 BB:K
J.D. Drew vs. Felix Hernandez - 9-for-23 (.391), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 4:7 BB:K
Mike Cameron vs. Felix Hernandez - 3-for-9 (.333), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:1 BB:K
Billy Butler vs. Carl Pavano - 14-for-32 (.438), 2 HR, 8 RBI, 1:6 BB:K
Jim Thome vs. Luke Hochevar - 3-for-10 (.300), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 0:2 BB:K
Nick Markakis vs. Gavin Floyd - 4-for-14 (.286), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:1 BB:K
Adam Jones vs. Gavin Floyd - 2-for-6 (.333), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3:1 BB:K
Felix Pie vs. Gavin Floyd - 5-for-9 (.556), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K
Adrian Beltre vs. Gio Gonzalez - 7-for-13 (.538), 2 HR, 7 RBI, 1:0 BB:K
Pitchers
Ubaldo Jimenez vs. Pirates - Jimenez has limited the Pirates' current roster to a slash line of .190/.282/.317 over 63 at-bats. He should be starting for you every time he pitches, but that goes double against the lowly Pirates.
Ricky Nolasco vs. Reds - Nolasco has limited the Reds' current roster to a slash line of .179/.247/.343 over 67 at-bats.
Jered Weaver vs. Rays - Weaver has limited the Rays' current roster to an embarrassing slash line of .176/.248/.265 over 102 at-bats.
Cold
Batters
Adam Laroche vs. Matt Cain - 4-for-22 (.182), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:7 BB:K
Ryan Theriot vs. Derek Lowe - 4-for-20 (.200), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:4 BB:K
Prince Fielder vs. Bud Norris - 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:4 BB:K
Jason Bartlett vs. Jon Garland - 5-for-32 (.156), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:6 BB:K
Edgar Renteria vs. Ricky Nolasco - 0-for-18 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:3 BB:K
Brandon Phillips vs. Ricky Nolasco - 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:5 BB:K
Jimmy Rollins vs. Chris Young - 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:2 BB:K
Shane Victorino vs. Chris Young - 3-for-12 (.250), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K
Robinson Cano vs. Jesse Litsch - 3-for-14 (.214), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:3 BB:K
Nick Swisher vs. Jesse Litsch - 1-for-9 (.111), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:2 BB:K
Dustin Pedroia vs. Felix Hernandez - 4-for-19 (.211), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:2 BB:K
Kevin Youkilis vs. Felix Hernandez - 4-for-16 (.250), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:3 BB:K
Jason Varitek vs. Felix Hernandez - 2-for-15 (.133), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:5 BB:K
Jacoby Ellsbury vs. Felix Hernandez - 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:1 BB:K
Chone Figgins vs. Clay Buchholz - 3-for-12 (.250), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:2 BB:K
Johnny Damon vs. Jered Weaver - 6-for-33 (.182), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4:13 BB:K
B.J. Upton vs. Jered Weaver - 3-for-14 (.214), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:7 BB:K
Kelly Shoppach vs. Jered Weaver - 0-for-10 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K
Ben Zobrist vs. Jered Weaver - 2-for-10 (.200), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:3 BB:K
Bobby Abreu vs. Andy Sonnanstine - 2-for-12 (.167), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 0:2 BB:K
Mitch Maier vs. Carl Pavano - 3-for-13 (.231), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:3 BB:K
Chris Getz vs. Carl Pavano - 2-for-9 (.222), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:1 BB:K
Denard Span vs. Luke Hochevar - 3-for-19 (.158), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:5 BB:K
Justin Morneau vs. Luke Hochevar - 1-for-8 (.125), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 4:4 BB:K
Vladimir Guerrero vs. Gavin Floyd - 4-for-21 (.190), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:1 BB:K
Luke Scott vs. Gavin Floyd - 3-for-14 (.214), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:3 BB:K
Cesar Izturis vs. Gavin Floyd - 2-for-10 (.200), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:0 BB:K
Elvis Andrus vs. Gio Gonzalez - 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:2 BB:K
Michael Young vs. Gio Gonzalez - 3-for-16 (.188), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3:0 BB:K
Pitchers
Derek Lowe vs. Cardinals - Lowe has allowed the Cardinals' current roster to hit a slash line of .309/.358/.470 off of him over 149 at-bats.
Andy Sonnanstine vs. Angels - Sonnanstine has been beat up by the Angels' current roster, allowing them to hit a slash line of .329/.360/.500 off of him over 70 at-bats.
Recommended Pickup
Alex White, SP, CLE - Watch how he does in his start against the struggling Tigers on Saturday. If he looks good after going through the order a couple times, consider grabbing White immediately. Arguably, you should run to your waiver wire right now and grab him. He's posted a stellar 1.90 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 28:5 K:BB ratio in four starts for Triple-A Columbus so far this year, and the 22-year-old two-pitch phenom was called up Saturday to start in place of Carlos Carrasco (elbow inflammation). If he performs well, the Indians could keep him around longer, but his roster spot is contingent on Carrasco's health as well. David Huff would have had to pitch on short rest if the Indians had called him up instead of White, so there's the chance the team could switch the two pitchers out if White struggles and Carrasco has to miss another start. Grab him in daily lineup leagues for Saturday's start, and consider adding him on other leagues if he performs well Saturday or you're looking for a high-potential starter. Just be aware that he may only make a start or two before being sent down.
Other Recent Recommendations:Jack Hannahan, Darren Oliver, Vicente Padilla, Sergio Santos, Gerardo Parra
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C - Chris Snyder, PIT ($4,625)
1B - Mark Trumbo, LAA ($4,608)
2B - Orlando Hudson, SD ($5,013)
3B - Adrian Beltre, TEX($7,428)
SS - Alexi Casilla, MIN ($4,684)
OF - J.D. Drew, BOS ($5,811)
OF - Adam Jones, BAL ($6,860)
OF - Laynce Nix, WAS ($5,332)
UTIL - Matt Holiday, STL ($9,715)
UTIL - Jorge Cantu, SD ($3,672)
SP - Ubaldo Jimenez, COL ($12,008)
SP - Jered Weaver, LAA ($19,344)
RP - Jordan Walden ($2,518)
P - Jon Garland, LAD ($7,751)
Total: $99,369
