Thursday Lineup Card: Just in the Nick of Time

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Pirates (Brandon Cumpton - R) at Reds (Homer Bailey - R), 12:35
White Sox (John Danks - L) at Twins (Scott Diamond - L), 1:10
Athletics (A.J. Griffin - R) at Rangers (Josh Lindblom - R), 2:05
Brewers (Yovani Gallardo - R) at Astros (Lucas Harrell - R), 2:10
Rockies (Roy Oswalt - R) at Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann - R), 7:05
Rays (Matt Moore - L) at Yankees (Andy Pettitte - L), 7:05
Red Sox (John Lackey - R) at Tigers (Jose Alvarez - L), 7:08
Mets (Jon Niese - L) at Braves (Mike Minor - L), 7:10
Cubs (Scott Feldman - R) at Cardinals (Lance Lynn - R), 8:15
Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R) at Angels (Tommy Hanson - R), 10:05
Dodgers (Stephen Fife - R) at Padres (Jason Marquis - R), 10:10
Marlins (Tom Koehler - R) at Giants (Chad Gaudin - R), 10:15

Day Game After Night Game: PIT, CIN, CWS, MIN, OAK, TEX, MIL, HOU

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Norichika Aoki, OF, MIL (Personal) - Placed on the paternity list, as his wife is expecting a baby Thursday.
Jason Bay, OF, SEA (Hamstring) - Out of the lineup Wednesday due to a lingering hamstring concern.
Roger Bernadina, OF, WAS (Undisclosed) - Has sustained an infection in his left eye and will visit a doctor Thursday.
Trevor Cahill, P, ARI (Hip) - Expected to make his next start Tuesday against Washington, after he was hit on the hip by a line drive Wednesday.
Brandon Crawford, SS, SF (Finger) - Not in the lineup Wednesday but was available to pinch run; moreover, he is unlikely to start Thursday.
Dexter Fowler, OF, COL (Finger) - Held out Wednesday since he may have aggravated a finger injury Monday.
Miguel Gonzalez, P, BAL (Personal) - Penciled in to start Saturday versus Toronto, as he has been away from the team due to the birth of his child.
Jason Hammel, P, BAL (Illness) - Tentatively scheduled to start Friday against Toronto, after his nod was pushed back twice earlier this week.
Derek Norris, C, OAK (Groin) - Removed from Wednesday's outing, after taking a foul tip to the groin.
Ramiro Pena, SS, ATL (Shoulder) - Aggravated his shoulder injury and will be unavailable the next few days.
Nick Swisher, OF, CLE (Shoulder) - Scheduled to take batting practice Friday and return to the lineup Saturday against Minnesota.
Chad Tracy, 1B, WAS (Stomach) - Felt a strain in his midsection Wednesday, while throwing long toss during batting practice.
Josh Willingham, OF, MIN (Knee) - Felt limited while running during Tuesday's game, and as a result, he assumed DH duties Wednesday.

Players on the DL
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL (Thumb) - Visited a hand specialist Tuesday.
Jonathan Broxton, P, CIN (Forearm) - Remains shut down since landing on the disabled list Saturday.
Hiram Burgos, P, MIL (Shoulder) - Will make one more rehab start at High-A Brevard County before his activation from the DL.
A.J. Burnett, P, PIT (Calf) - Hopes to return to Pittsburgh's rotation next Wednesday.
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, CLE (Quadriceps) - Taking batting practice Friday for the first time since landing on the DL, but remains a week away from returning.
Santiago Casilla, P, SF (Knee) - Slated to throw a bullpen session Thursday.
Eric Chavez, 3B, ARI (Oblique) - Expected to start a rehab assignment early next week at Triple-A Reno.
Wei-Yin Chen, P, BAL (Oblique) - Threw a simulated game Wednesday.
David DeJesus, OF, CHC (Shoulder) - Will miss at least a month due to a sprained shoulder.
Jarrod Dyson, OF, KC (Ankle) - Went 0-for-3 on Monday at Triple-A Albuquerque, bringing his average to .167 during his rehab assignment.
Adam Eaton, OF, ARI (Elbow) - Could begin a rehab assignment within the next few weeks.
Marco Estrada, P, MIL (Hamstring) - On track to embark upon a rehab assignment Thursday at Low-A Wisconsin.
Bryce Harper, OF, WAS (Knee) - Will resume baseball activities in the next day or two.
Derek Jeter, SS, NYY (Ankle) - Took batting practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering his second ankle fracture in mid-April.
Steve Johnson, P, BAL (Oblique) - Has not been cleared to throw.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR (Ankle) - Took groundballs and participated in batting practice Wednesday at Toronto's minor league complex.
Colby Lewis, P, TEX (Forearm) - Expected to toss another bullpen session Thursday.
Sean Marshall, P, CIN (Shoulder) - Increased the distance on his long toss to 120 feet.
Zach McAllister, P, CLE (Finger) - Plans to play catch again Thursday but hasn't progressed to throwing his curveball.
Mitch Moreland, 1B, TEX (Hamstring) - Will be activated from the disabled list Friday.
Brandon Morrow, P, TOR (Forearm) - Underwent an MRI, which revealed mere inflammation in his right forearm, but will not throw for some time.
Angel Pagan, OF, SF (Hamstring) - Scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Thursday at High-A San Jose.
Jake Peavy, P, CHW (Ribs) - Rode a stationary bike Wednesday, marking his first physical action since suffering his rib injury on June 4.
Chris Perez, P, CLE (Shoulder) - Throwing a bullpen session Friday, after which he'll be evaluated.
David Price, P, TB (Triceps) - Making a rehab start Friday at High-A Charlotte.
Stephen Pryor, P, SEA (Oblique) - Has not resumed pitching off a mound, raising doubt about whether he'll be able to return before the All-Star break.
Nolan Reimold, OF, BAL (Hamstring) - Began a rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Bowie.
Jose Reyes, SS, TOR (Ankle) - Transferred his rehab assignment from High-A Dunedin to Triple-A Buffalo, where he will play starting Friday.
Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL (Hamstring) - Intends to start a rehab assignment next week.
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF (Foot) - Embarking upon his rehab assignment Saturday at High-A San Jose.
Ruben Tejada, SS, NYM (Quadriceps) - Hitting off a tee but cannot make any lateral movements.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY (Wrist) - Confident that his stay on the DL will be a short one, and will work with the team's hitting coach on his mechanics.
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI (Oblique) - Started a rehab assignment at Double-A Reading on Wednesday.
Ryan Vogelsong, P, SF (Hand) - Had five pins removed from his right hand Tuesday.
DeWayne Wise, OF, CWS (Hamstring) - His activation from the DL has been delayed by a nagging rib injury.

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)
Norichika Aoki, OF, MIL (Paternity list)
Scott Atchison, P, NYM
Everth Cabrera, SS, SD

Activated from the DL
Chris Capuano, P, LAD

Called Up
Andrew Brown, OF, NYM
Jaff Decker, OF, SD
Ryan Lavarnway, C, BOS
Josh Prince, OF, MIL
Alex Wilson, P, BOS

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Alfredo Aceves, P, BOS
Clay Buchholz, P, BOS
Alex Castellanos, OF, LAD
Danny Espinosa, 2B, WAS
Avisail Garcia, OF, DET
Collin McHugh, P, COL
Jake Odorizzi, P, TB
Cory Rasmus, P, ATL
David Ross, C, BOS (7-day DL)
Zach Wheeler, P, NYM
Mike Zagurski, P, PIT

Designated for Assignment
Collin Cowgill, OF, NYM

Signed
Ben Francisco, OF, SD
Chris Pettit, OF, BAL

Released
James Darnell, OF, SD

Traded
Eric Young Jr., OF, NYM (From COL)
Collin McHugh, P, COL (From NYM)

Closer Watch

Arizona - The Diamondbacks held a 3-0 lead versus the mighty Marlins on Wednesday entering the ninth inning and entrusted Heath Bell with the save chance. He proceeded to serve up a leadoff home run, and two subsequent batters took their place at first and second base, before he set down the final three in order, earning his 13th save of the season. The performance itself marked the fourth consecutive game in which he gave up a homer, a span that includes two saves, one loss, an 11.25 ERA, 2.50 WHIP, and 3:3 K:BB ratio across four frames. Because J.J. Putz is slated for activation from the disabled list by the end of next week, barring a setback, Bell is clearly approaching the end of the road as the chief fireman in Arizona's pen.

Detroit - Embattled closer Jose Valverde's presence was felt in a non-save situation Wednesday, and not in a pleasant sense, either. Detroit faced a 9-3 deficit against Baltimore in the final inning, and since he had not toed the rubber in five days, the Tigers were comfortable trotting him out in a low-leverage position. After a mere five pitches, though, Valverde yielded three hits, with the final one -- a two-run double -- bringing about boo birds. The very next batter, Chris Davis, slugged a two-run shot, accounting for the final runs in an eventual 13-3 defeat. Following a recent declaration by manager Jim Leyland that he would mix-and-match ninth-inning responsibilities for the forseeable future, Joaquin Benoit appears to be the preferred Tiger for saves, as Phil Coke is expected to face solely lefty-heavy lineups.

Nick Franklin, 2B, SEA - Acting as the everyday second baseman following Dustin Ackley's demotion to Triple-A Tacoma on May 27, Franklin has been a revelation for the Mariners' middle infield, which was mostly absent at the plate during the first two months on the season. In 22 games with the big club, Franklin has reached base in all but four of them, with five multi-hit performances to his credit. The result is a particularly impressive slash line of .280/.365/.480 to go with three long balls and three stolen bases in 74 at-bats. However, his first cup of coffee in the majors has been somewhat bitter, as the offense around him has not turned around its ineffectual course, resulting in just six RBI and seven runs scored. Considering the dearth of viable second base options, Franklin's combination of power and speed is not one to ignore.

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