Thursday Lineup Card: Janssen At The Bit

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

Projected Starters - A look at Thursday's matchups (all times Eastern)

Blue Jays (Josh Johnson - R) at Tigers (Doug Fister - R), 1:05
Giants (Ryan Vogelsong - R) at Cubs (Scott Feldman - R), 2:20
Yankees (Phil Hughes - R) at Indians (Zach McAllister - R), 7:05
White Sox (Dylan Axelrod - R) at Nationals (Dan Haren - R), 7:05
Orioles (Chris Tillman - R) at Red Sox (Alfredo Aceves - R), 7:10
Athletics (A.J. Griffin - R) at Angels (Jason Vargas - L), 10:05
Dodgers (Zack Greinke - R) at Padres (Jason Marquis - R), 10:10
Rangers (Justin Grimm - R) at Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R), 10:10

Day Game After Night Game: None

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Erick Aybar, SS, ANA (Heel) - An MRI performed Wednesday could land him on the disabled list.
Gordon Beckham, 2B, CHS (Wrist) - Could return to the field Friday, barring a potential MRI on his left wrist.
Phil Hughes, SP, NYY (Illness) - Enduring the stomach flu, endangering his expected start Thursday.
Matt Joyce, OF, TB (Neck) - Held out of the lineup Wednesday, as he experienced "whiplash" following a diving attempt Tuesday.
Jason Kubel, OF, ARI (Undisclosed) - Missed Wednesday's game due to minor injuries.
Brandon Maurer, SP, SEA (Thigh) - Will have his upper thigh examined before determining his future in the rotation.
Carlos Quentin, OF, SD (Wrist) - Did not play Wednesday, likely as a precaution, after he was hit by a pitch Tuesday.
Josh Reddick, OF, OAK (Wrist) - May enter the starting lineup Thursday.
Wandy Rodriguez, SP, PIT (Hamstring) - Unlikely to make his scheduled start Sunday due to a hamstring strain.
Sergio Santos, RP, TOR (Elbow) - Did not pitch Wednesday due to tenderness in his right, throwing elbow.
Rafael Soriano, RP, WAS (Leg) - Enduring a minor tweak in his leg.

Disabled List

Jeff Bianchi, SS, MIL (Hip) - Hopes to be available late in the week.
Adam Eaton, OF, ARI (Elbow) - At least a month away from returning to the lineup.
Jason Giambi, 1B, CLE (Back) - Will be activated from the disabled list when Carlos Santana (hand) is healthy enough to play.
Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY (Forearm) - Has received clearance to swing a bat underwater.
Matt Harrison, SP, TEX (Back) - Placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 6.
Chase Headley, 3B, SD (Thumb) - Took part in batting practice from both sides of the plate Wednesday.
Dan Hudson, SP, ARI (Elbow) - Has avoided a setback during his rehab and is on track to return near the All-Star break.
Derek Jeter, SS, NYY (Ankle) - Took batting practice Wednesday for the first time since March 23.
Steve Johnson, SP, BAL (Back) - Slated to start an extended spring training game Saturday.
Scott Kazmir, SP, CLE (Abdomen) - Played catch from a distance of 90 feet Tuesday and may be able to return on April 17.
John Lackey, SP, BOS (Biceps) - Experienced tightness in his right biceps following 15 throws Tuesday, which forced a DL stint.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR (Oblique) - Scheduled to participate in an extended spring training game Thursday, and could return as early as April 19.
Ryan Madson, RP, ANA (Elbow) - Tossed a 40-pitch bullpen session Tuesday and hopes to pitch to live batters in the next two weeks.
Joe Mahoney, 1B, MIA (Oblique) - Nearing a rehab assignment, after playing in an extended spring training game Wednesday.
Shaun Marcum, SP, NYM (Neck) - Could return to the rotation in the near future, with an upcoming simulated game on the docket.
Sean Marshall, RP, CIN (Shoulder) - Placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday.
Franklin Morales, SP, BOS (Back) - Threw 15 pitches in an inning of extended spring training Tuesday.
Jeff Niemann, SP, TB (Shoulder) - Underwent successful, but likely season-ending, surgery Tuesday.
David Ortiz, DH, BOS (Heels) - Commencing a rehab assignment Thursday, and it is hoped that he can return by April 19.
Mark Rogers, RP, MIL (Shoulder) - Will make the transition into a reliever, once he's activated from the disabled list.
Adam Rosales, 2B, OAK (Ribs) - Took swings Tuesday, as he nears a minor league rehab assignment.
Cody Ross, OF, ARI (Calf) - Expected to continue his rehab at Triple-A Reno on Friday and Saturday.
Luke Scott, DH, TB (Calf) - Participated in batting practice Tuesday, after tension was released in his right calf strain.
Scott Sizemore, 2B, OAK (Knee) - Re-tore the ACL in his left knee and is out for the season.
Delmon Young, OF, PHI (Ankle) - May gain clearance to start a rehab assignment within the next week.

Transactions

Placed on the DL

Matt Harrison, SP, TEX
John Lackey, SP, BOS
Sean Marshall, RP, CIN
Scott Sizemore, 2B, OAK

Called Up

Chad Billingsley, SP, LAD
Chris Dickerson, OF, BAL
Stephen Drew, SS, BOS
Justin Grimm, SP, TEX
Corey Kluber, SP, CLE
Bobby LaFromboise, RP, SEA
Logan Ondrusek, RP, CIN
Andy Parrino, 2B, OAK
Alex Wilson, RP, BOS

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)

Alex Burnett, RP, TOR (designated for assignment)
Carlos Carrasco, SP, CLE
Tim Federowicz, C, LAD
Lucas Luetge, RP, SEA

Traded

Luis Ayala, RP, ATL (from BAL)
Chris Jones, RP, BAL (from ATL)

Claimed off Waivers

Casper Wells, OF, TOR (from SEA)

Closer Watch

Royals - Over the past four games, three different relievers have notched saves for Kansas City - Greg Holland, Kelvin Herrera, and Aaron Crow. After Holland tossed a scoreless ninth frame Tuesday, order apparently had been restored in the Royals' bullpen following a somewhat disastrous weekend for the team's acting closer. On Saturday and Sunday combined, he surrendered four runs on three hits and three walks over one inning, blowing one save in the process. Meanwhile, Herrera seemed poised to take advantage of the situation, recording back-to-back zero-run outings, which he followed up with a second save in a four-day span Wednesday. His peripherals -- a 0.00 ERA, 0.692 WHIP, and 10:1 K:BB ratio in 4.1 innings -- are perfect for a ninth-inning gig, but no formal announcement has been relayed regarding the situation. Nevertheless, Herrera's stock is rising, and owners should pounce on him in any formats in which he remains on the waiver wire.

Blue Jays - Save chances have been few and far between in Toronto this season, but Casey Janssen garnered an opportunity Wednesday against Detroit and delivered, punching out both Prince Fielder and Victor Martinez in four pitches in a bare ninth inning. He continues to recover from a shoulder injury suffered during the spring, which has certainly kept him from snagging all available late-inning possibilities presented to the Blue Jays' pen. As a result, Sergio Santos and Steve Delabar were expected to be sneaky, cheap closing options in the early going, but neither pitcher has had one save at his fingertips to date, as Janssen builds up his strength and stamina by the day. Considering Santos was held out Wednesday due to tenderness in his elbow, Janssen's hold on the closer's job in Toronto appears to be quite secure.

J.P. Arencibia, C, TOR - The Blue Jays' starting catcher is off to a stellar start to 2013, picking up at least one hit in six of eight outings since the season commenced. Overall, Arencibia is batting .312 with three home runs, seven RBI, and three runs scored over 32 at-bats. Considering he is slated to earn the bulk of the plate appearances as Toronto's primary backstop this year, he is rostered in a surprisingly small percentage of leagues through the first week-plus of the slate. In the long run, no comers seem set to challenge him for playing time at catcher, making him a prime candidate for sustained success.

Other Recent Recommendations:Jim Henderson, Daniel Murphy, Kelvin Herrera, Justin Ruggiano, and Bartolo Colon

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