Thursday Lineup Card: A Loney Wolf

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Athletics (Bartolo Colon - R) at Indians (Scott Kazmir - L), 12:05
Yankees (CC Sabathia - L) at Rockies (Jeff Francis - L), 3:10
Tigers (Doug Fister - R) at Nationals (Dan Haren - R), 4:05
Royals (Jeremy Guthrie - R) at Orioles (Freddy Garcia - R), 7:05
Twins (Kevin Correia - R) at Red Sox (John Lackey - R), 7:10
Pirates (Jeff Locke - L) at Mets (Dillon Gee - R), 7:10
Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey - R) at Rays (David Price - L), 7:10
Angels (Jason Vargas - L) at Astros (Lucas Harrell - R), 8:10
Phillies (Cole Hamels - L) at Diamondbacks (Patrick Corbin - L), 9:40
Braves (Julio Teheran - R) at Giants (Ryan Vogelsong - R), 10:15

Day Game After Night Game: OAK, CLE, NYY, COL, DET, WAS

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Santiago Casilla, P, SF (Leg) - Left Wednesday's game due to an apparent leg injury.
Carl Crawford, OF, LAD (Hamstring) - Did not start Wednesday due to minor tightness in his hamstring.
Miguel Gonzalez, P, BAL (Thumb) - Expected to start Saturday, though his status is up in the air.
Russell Martin, C, PIT (Neck) - Sat out Wednesday for the second consecutive outing.
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, BOS (Ribs) - Underwent an MRI on Wednesday, which was returned negative.
Eduardo Nunez, SS, NYY (Ribs) - Felt better following treatment Tuesday but did not play Wednesday.
Angel Pagan, OF, SF (Groin) - Did not play Wednesday, as he has a strained abductor in his groin.
Jarrod Parker, P, OAK (Neck) - In line to make his next start Saturday.
A.J. Pierzynski, C, TEX (Oblique) - Was not a part of the starting lineup Wednesday.
David Ross, C, BOS (Quadriceps) - Did not start Wednesday but had clearance to be used in an emergency.
Alex Sanabia, P, MIA (Groin) - Expected to make his next start, despite his removal from Tuesday's game due to right groin tightness.
Jose Tabata, OF, PIT (Hamstring) - Lined out in a pinch-hit appearance Wednesday, his first at-bat since May 1.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL (Leg) - Sidelined Wednesday as a precaution due to cold and wet conditions.
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS (Hamstring) - Missed Wednesday's contest due to the potential for rain.

Players on the DL
Brett Anderson, P, OAK (Ankle) - Threw 30 pitches in a side session Wednesday and experienced no setbacks.
Andrew Bailey, P, BOS (Biceps) - Scheduled to begin a throwing program Thursday.
Wilson Betemit, 3B, BAL (Knee) - Has not received clearance to start baseball activities.
Michael Bourn, OF, CLE (Finger) - Had an examination following Wednesday's game at Triple-A Columbus.
Johnny Cueto, P, CIN (Oblique) - Will toss another bullpen session Thursday.
John Danks, P, CHW (Shoulder) - Threw 92 pitches across five innings at Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.
Octavio Dotel, P, DET (Elbow) - Slated to embark upon a rehab assignment in the near future.
Kyle Drabek, P, TOR (Elbow) - Will start throwing bullpen sessions in three weeks.
Scott Elbert, P, LAD (Elbow) - Will begin a rehab assignment Friday and could return to the Dodgers' bullpen within 7-to-10 days.
Gavin Floyd, P, CHW (Elbow) - Underwent successful surgery Wednesday.
Logan Forsythe, 2B, SD (Foot) - Began jogging Wednesday, as he gradually increases his baseball activities.
Frank Francisco, P, NYY (Elbow) - Logged another scoreless inning in a rehab outing Wednesday.
Kyuji Fujikawa, P, CHC (Forearm) - Expected to slot into a setup role in front of closer Kevin Gregg upon his activation from the DL.
Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY (Forearm) - Moving rehab assignment to Triple-A Scranton on Thursday.
Zack Greinke, P, LAD (Collarbone) - Looked impressive during Tuesday's bullpen session but is not yet ready for game situations.
Roy Halladay, P, PHI (Shoulder) - Will have surgery to repair bone spurs, a partially torn rotator cuff, and a frayed labrum.
Ryan Hanigan, C, CIN (Oblique) - Started a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.
Joel Hanrahan, P, BOS (Forearm) - Shut down indefinitely following an exam Tuesday.
Jason Heyward, OF, ATL (Abdomen) - Will start a rehab assignment Thursday and be evaluated Monday.
Drew Hutchison, P, TOR (Elbow) - Will begin tossing bullpen sessions in three weeks.
Ryan Madson, P, LAA (Elbow) - Scheduled to face batters in extended spring training Thursday and Saturday before starting a rehab assignment.
Cameron Maybin, OF, SD (Wrist) - Working in the outfield and weight room, but he remains 7-to-10 days away from a return to the lineup.
James McDonald, P, PIT (Shoulder) - A recent MRI revealed inflammation but no structural damage.
Franklin Morales, P, BOS (Chest) - Resumed his rehab assignment at Double-A Portland on Wednesday.
Charlie Morton, P, PIT (Elbow) - Played catch on flat ground Tuesday and slated to throw a bullpen session this weekend.
Brett Myers, P, CLE (Elbow) - Tossed a bullpen session Wednesday.
Martin Perez, P, TEX (Wrist) - Gave up five hits and one run in four innings during a rehab start Monday.
Hanley Ramirez, SS, LAD (Hamstring) - Sidelined for the next 4-to-6 weeks.
Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL (Hamstring) - Will undergo surgery Thursday and miss six additional weeks.
Mark Rogers, P, MIL (Shoulder) - Removed from his rehab appearance Tuesday after only nine pitches.
Sergio Santos, P, TOR (Triceps) - Expected to pitch in extended spring training outings on Thursday and Saturday.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY (Wrist) - Fielded groundballs Tuesday and is scheduled to hit on the field Friday.
Jonny Venters, P, ATL (Elbow) - Slated to throw off a mound Thursday.
Dayan Viciedo, OF, CHW (Oblique) - Played both ends of a doubleheader at Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.

Placed on the DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
J.A. Happ, P, TOR
Casey Kotchman, 1B, MIA (transferred to 60-day DL)
J.J. Putz, P, ARI
Josh Reddick, OF, OAK
Chris Valaika, 2B, MIA

Called Up
Daric Barton, 1B, OAK
Derek Dietrich, 2B, MIA
Tim Federowicz, C, LAD
Edgar Gonzalez, P, TOR
Will Harris, P, ARI
Duke Welker, P, PIT

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Josh Harrison, 3B, PIT
Mike McDade, 1B, CHW
Justin Sellers, SS, LAD

Signed
Bobby Bramhall, P, PHI
Brohiglyn Rivero, P, CHC
Humberto Garcia, 2B, CHC
Andres Pena, P, SEA

Released
Jordan Norberto, P, OAK
Jonathan Sanchez, P, PIT

Closer Watch

Cubs - Over the past few weeks, Kevin Gregg has been the Cubs' acting closer, a role which was officially handed to him Wednesday by manager Dale Sveum. During his last seven appearances, five have resulted in saves, as he has held the opposition scoreless with a 10:2 K:BB ratio across 7.1 innings. In actuality, the decision was a simple one, as his fellow relievers have fallen by the wayside -- Kyuji Fujikawa (forearm), literally -- with all of Carlos Marmol, James Russell, Shawn Camp, and even Hector Rondon blowing a save since April 22. The upcoming return of Fujikawa from the disabled list ultimately shouldn't threaten Gregg's standing in the short term nor the foreseeable future, unless of course he falters.

James Loney, 1B, TB - Loney will never be mistaken for a power hitter, as he has belted just one home run in 96 at-bats this season. Nonetheless, his bat has been doing work following a tortoise-like start, tallying seven multi-hit outings over his past 15 games. During that stretch, he has boosted his average from .313 to an MLB-leading .385 with five doubles, six RBI, and eight runs scored. His first base gig is secure, despite Rays manager Joe Maddon's constant lineup changes, though he has batted in six different spots in the order in 2013, with the majority coming in the fifth and seventh slots. Plate appearances for Loney should continue unabated as the season wears on.

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