Thursday Lineup Card: A Honed Leonys

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Rangers (Derek Holland - L) at Yankees (Phil Hughes - R), 1:05
Angels (Jered Weaver - R) at Tigers (Doug Fister - R), 1:08
Cubs (Matt Garza - R) at Brewers (Wily Peralta - R), 2:10
Diamondbacks (Patrick Corbin - L) at Nationals (Stephen Strasburg - R), 4:05
Mets (Jeremy Hefner - R) at Rockies (Tyler Chatwood - R), 6:10
Indians (Corey Kluber - R) at Orioles (Miguel Gonzalez - R), 7:05
Blue Jays (Chien-Ming Wang - R) at Red Sox (Jon Lester - L), 7:10
Royals (Jeremy Guthrie - R) at Twins (Samuel Deduno - R), 8:10
Phillies (Jonathan Pettibone - R) at Dodgers (Zack Greinke - R), 10:10

Day Game After Night Game: TEX, NYY, LAA, DET, CHC, MIL, ARI, WAS

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Joaquin Arias, SS, SF (Hamstring) - Growing healthier but may be placed on the disabled list, if he's not ready by Friday.
Willie Bloomquist, SS, ARI (Hand) - Had X-rays performed on his left hand after getting hit by a pitch, which were returned negative.
Peter Bourjos, OF, LAA (Thumb) - Did not start Wednesday for a second outing in a row, as his thumb is still swollen and sore.
Ryan Doumit, C, MIN (Ankle) - Has missed two consecutive games but was able to pinch hit Tuesday and felt improved Wednesday.
Dexter Fowler, OF, COL (Wrist) - Held out of the lineup Wednesday due to right wrist soreness.
Conor Gillaspie, 3B, CHW (Personal) - Placed on paternity leave Wednesday, which will keep him away from the team for up to three days.
Carlos Gomez, OF, MIL (Shoulder) - Took 30-to-40 swings in the batting cage and was available off the bench Wednesday.
Tommy Hanson, P, LAA (Forearm) - Scratched from Wednesday's start due to tightness in his right forearm and will be evaluated Thursday.
John Jaso, C, OAK (Hand) - Sat out his fifth game in a row Wednesday due to a nagging hand injury.
Paul Konerko, 1B, CHW (Back) - Out for a second consecutive outing Wednesday due to a sore back.
Justin Maxwell, OF, HOU (Head) - Seems likely to land on the disabled list, after hitting his head while diving for a catch Tuesday.

Players on the DL
Yonder Alonso, 1B, SD (Hand) - Not expected to return during San Diego's upcoming road trip, which begins Friday and extends through July 7.
Henderson Alvarez, P, MIA (Shoulder) - Will make his next rehab start Friday at Double-A Jacksonville.
Jeff Baker, OF, TEX (Thumb) - Resumed swinging a bat Tuesday and intended to hit off a tee Wednesday.
Rafael Betancourt, P, COL (Groin) - Poised to rejoin Colorado on Friday, when he will take on closing duties.
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL (Thumb) - Still unable to grip and swing a bat.
Jonathan Broxton, P, CIN (Forearm) - Played catch Tuesday but has yet to begin a throwing program and will not return to Cincinnati's bullpen when first eligible Saturday.
Clay Buchholz, P, BOS (Neck) - Ended his bullpen session early Wednesday due to soreness in his neck.
Santiago Casilla, P, SF (Knee) - Will face live hitters Friday, before heading out on a rehab assignment.
Eric Chavez, 3B, ARI (Oblique) - May return to the lineup as soon as this weekend.
Edgmer Escalona, P, COL (Elbow) - Slated to start a rehab assignment Friday at a hub to be determined.
Neftali Feliz, P, TEX (Elbow) - Threw a third bullpen session Tuesday but is slated for a return in August.
Brandon Gomes, P, TB (Back) - Scheduled to toss another rehab outing Thursday at High-A Port Charlotte.
Jedd Gyorko, 2B, SD (Groin) - Left his rehab outing Wednesday at High-A Lake Elsinore due to tightness in his groin.
Bryce Harper, OF, WAS (Knee) - Emerged from his first rehab game OK on Tuesday and played five innings as the DH in another Wednesday, going 1-for-3 with a homer.
Aaron Hicks, OF, MIN (Hamstring) - Went 3-for-4 on Tuesday at Triple-A Rochester, but it is unknown when he'll return to Minnesota.
Jeremy Horst, P, PHI (Elbow) - Received clearance to resume throwing.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR (Ankle) - Went 1-for-2 with an RBI, while playing four innings at third base, during first rehab game Wednesday at High-A Dunedin.
Ted Lilly, P, LAD (Neck) - Took part in a simulated game Tuesday and is expected to throw a bullpen session, before embarking upon a rehab assignment.
Sean Marshall, P, CIN (Shoulder) - Was able to throw from flat ground Tuesday and may toss a bullpen session this coming weekend.
Zach McAllister, P, CLE (Finger) - Unlikely to join Cleveland's rotation before the All-Star break.
Brett Myers, P, CLE (Elbow) - Will take part in five rehab outings before joining Cleveland's bullpen.
Jon Niese, P, NYM (Shoulder) - Avoiding surgery to the partially torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder, instead resting and strengthening the area, with no official timetable for a return.
Eduardo Nunez, SS, NYY (Oblique) - Started his rehab assignment Wednesday at High-A Tampa, which could last up to 30 days.
Alexi Ogando, P, TEX (Shoulder) - Appears poised to return after the All-Star break.
Felipe Paulino, P, KC (Elbow) - Will restart his rehab assignment Sunday at Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
Jake Peavy, P, CHW (Ribs) - Played catch at 75 feet Wednesday and hopes to throw off a mound next week.
Mike Pelfrey, P, MIN (Back) - Felt "90-to-95 percent" Tuesday and may pitch in a live batting practice session as early as this weekend.
Ramiro Pena, SS, ATL (Shoulder) - Will soon make a decision on whether to have season-ending surgery or attempt to play through the ailment.
Chris Perez, P, CLE (Shoulder) - Expected to be activated from the disabled list Thursday, when he will immediately take on closing duties.
Michael Pineda, P, NYY (Shoulder) - Tossed six scoreless innings on just two hits in a rehab start at Double-A Trenton but still must complete one or two more rehab appearances.
David Price, P, TB (Triceps) - Pitched five scoreless frames Wednesday in his second rehab start at High-A Port Charlotte.
Wilson Ramos, C, WAS (Hamstring) - Hopes to be activated from the disabled list on July 4.
Nolan Reimold, OF, BAL (Hamstring) - Went hitless in two at-bats with a walk during a rehab game Tuesday at Double-A Bowie.
Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL (Hamstring) - Totaled two hits and two runs scored in four at-bats Tuesday at Triple-A Norfolk but will stay there for at least two more outings.
Anibal Sanchez, P, DET (Shoulder) - Will toss a bullpen session Thursday morning, which if successful, could lead to his activation from the DL.
Joakim Soria, P, TEX (Elbow) - Transferred his rehab assignment Wednesday to Triple-A Round Rock and should join Texas' bullpen in approximately one week.
Michael Stutes, P, PHI (Biceps) - Scheduled for an evaluation with the team doctor on July 5.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY (Wrist) - Will have season-ending surgery on his right wrist, which will require 4-to-5 months of rest and rehabilitation.
Ruben Tejada, SS, NYM (Quadriceps) - Expected to begin a rehab assignment later this week.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL (Ribs) - Played catch, took swings with a fungo bat, and fielded short-hop groundballs Monday.
Scott Van Slyke, OF, LAD (Shoulder) - Will work on his timing at the plate during a rehab assignment, before his activation from the DL.
Jason Vargas, P, LAA (Arm) - Had a blood clot removed via surgery Wednesday morning and will not throw for the next two weeks.

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)
Alfredo Figaro, P, MIL
Conor Gillaspie, 3B, CHW (Paternity list)
Ramon Ortiz, P, TOR (Transferred to the 60-day DL)

Activated from the DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, CLE
Jeanmar Gomez, P, PIT
Clayton Mortensen, P, BOS
Jose Reyes, SS, TOR

Called Up (from Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Robbie Erlin, P, SD
Johnny Hellweg, P, MIL
Brent Morel, 3B, CHW

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Pedro Beato, P, BOS
Brad Brach, P, SD
Elian Herrera, 2B, LAD
Munenori Kawasaki, SS, TOR
Yamaico Navarro, 3B, BAL (Outrighted)
Fernando Salas, P, STL
Duke Welker, P, PIT
Josh Wilson, SS, ARI (Outrighted)

Designated for Assignment
John McDonald, SS, CLE

Signed
Juan Francisco, P, CHC

Closer Watch

Detroit - The ninth inning has been the bane of the Tigers' existence in 2013, and since manager Jim Leyland named Joaquin Benoit his primary closing option late last week, Benoit has not been afforded an opportunity to gather a save. His sole appearance in the interim materialized Sunday versus the Red Sox, when he notched the final out in the eighth inning, before struggling in the ninth. During that frame, a leadoff single and the fielder's indifference that followed allowed Dustin Pedroia to take second base. After tallying two additional outs, a double brought Pedroia home, before a lineout concluded the outing for Benoit's second victory of the season. The performance included one of his rare struggles this year, but because Detroit's bullpen has been offered up a mere four save chances in the last 16 games, Benoit (and company) are struggling to sustain even modest value when given the closing gig.

Seattle - Since mid-June, Tom Wilhelmsen has been on break from closing out games for the Mariners in order to reign in the command of his curveball. As he has attempted to do so, his four appearances in the meantime conclude little progress, as he has yielded three runs on five hits and two walks, while striking out five in 4.1 innings. Wilhelmsen's cohorts, Carter Capps and Oliver Perez, have been funhouse mirror images of the other. During the same time span, Capps has toed the rubber on four occasions, surrendering at least two runs in each appearance, with four homers given up. On the other end of the spectrum resides Perez, who has pitched 13 consecutive scoreless outings, totaling 10 frames to go with 15 strikeouts. Clearly, Perez is the Seattle fireman to own for any late-inning opportunity that arises.

Leonys Martin, OF, TEX - Shortly after Rangers manager Ron Washington made the proclamation that Martin would act as the team's primary center fielder over Craig Gentry, the latter proceeded to get hit by a pitch, breaking his hand and subsequently landing on the disabled list. Martin's response has been quite pleasing, as he embarked upon an 10-game hitting streak entering Wednesday's outing at Yankee Stadium. During the run, he boasts a .441 average (15-for-34), two long balls, five RBI, eight runs scored, and four stolen bases, with his slash line ultimately resting at .289/.340/.457 for the season. Despite showing off all five tools of late, he hasn't exhibited a preponderance of power in his first full MLB campaign, totaling five home runs in 173 at-bats. However, the long days of summer are upon us, and with no hinderance (Gentry) in his path, Martin has every opportunity at his fingertips to prosper in the hitter's paradise that is Rangers Ballpark.

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