Thursday Lineup Card: A Light Slate

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

Sponsored by DraftStreet

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

Tigers (Max Scherzer – R) at Red Sox (Josh Beckett – R), 7:10 PM
Astros (Bud Norris – R) at Rockies (Jeremy Guthrie – R), 8:40 PM
Brewers (Zack Greinke – R) at Dodgers (Chad Billingsley – R), 10:10 PM

Injuries - A brief look at players who have been missing time with minor ailments and their expected returns

Day-to-Day

Alejandro De Aza, OF, CHI – (Knee) Left Wednesday's game early, expects to play Friday.
Ubaldo Jimenez, P, CLE – (Shoulder) Next start slated for Tuesday.
Nick Markakis, OF, BAL – (Wrist) Out Wednesday, will be examined.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS – (Thumb) Could avoid DL stint, out for next few days.
Lou Marson, C, CLE – (Face) Missed second straight game Tuesday.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, BOS – (Illness) Removed from Tuesday's game.
David Freese, 3B, STL – (Wrist) Out Wednesday against Atlanta.
Jaime Garcia, P, STL – (Elbow) Will miss next start with sore elbow.
Freddie Freeman, 1B, ATL – (Eye) Will return Wednesday wearing new sports goggles.
Cameron Maybin, OF, SD – (Wrist) Out of Wednesday's lineup.
Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI – (Hamstring) Ultrasound revealed mild hamstring strain.

Players on the DL

Doug Fister, P, DET – (Upper Body) Placed on 15-day DL.
Jonathan Sanchez, P, KC – (Biceps) Threw 5.2 innings in rehab start Tuesday.
Yuniesky Betancourt, SS, KC – (Ankle) Could rejoin Royals this weekend.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, OAK – (Hand) Should return Friday.
Desmond Jennings, OF, TB – (Knee) Hopes to play Tuesday.
Travis Hafner, DH, CLE – (Knee) Undergoing surgery Thursday, out 4-6 weeks.
Brent Morel, 3B, CHI – (Back) Began rehab assignment Wednesday.
Neftali Feliz, P, TEX – (Elbow) Role in pitching staff uncertain.
David Robertson, P, NY-A – (Oblique) Threw off flat ground Tuesday; targeting mid-June return.
Nick Blackburn, P, MIN – (Thigh) Allowed four runs in 3.2 innings in first rehab start.
Darnell McDonald, OF, BOS – (Oblique) Will resume rehab assignment Wednesday.
Austin Jackson, OF, DET – (Abdomen) Unlikely to return Friday; no date set.
Jered Weaver, P, ANA – (Back) Placed on 15-day DL.
Allen Craig, OF, STL – (Hamstring) Expected to return Friday.
Ronny Cedeno, SS, NY-N – (Calf) Placed on 15-day DL
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF – (Hand) Took first outdoor batting practice Tuesday.
Jonathan Lucroy, C, MIL – (Hand) Expected to miss six weeks after surgery.
Huston Street, P, SD – (Shoulder) Will begin rehab assignment Friday.
Vance Worley, P, PHI – (Elbow) Could come off DL Monday.
Roy Halladay, P, PHI – (Shoulder) Will be shut down for three weeks.
Jim Thome, 1B, PHI – (Back) Could return by June 8.
Ryan Howard, 1B, PHI – (Achilles) Still no estimated return date.
Welington Castillo, C, CHI-N – (Knee) Will miss at least 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)
Travis Hafner, DH, CLE
Doug Fister, P, DET

Called Up
Omir Santos, C, DET
Scott Barnes, P, CLE

Sent Down
Ryan Raburn, DET

Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (also check out our Closer Grid)

MIA – Heath Bell recorded his ninth save of the season, working around a hit and striking out two batters. The Marlins have 27 million reasons to leave him in as the closer, and every converted save pushes Steve Cishek (and others) farther and farther from the role.

CHI-N – James Russell picked up his first save of the season, relieving Shawn Camp in the ninth to record a two-out save. It's difficult to get bearings on how Dale Sveum is going to use his bullpen, but it is worth noting he called Camp the "team MVP" at this point in the year – what that says about the Cubs is another story entirely.

Recommended Pickup

Colby Rasmus, OF, TOR – Rasmus is starting to heat up, hitting .268/.350/.479 over the last three weeks. The kicker? His hot streak comes with just a .293 BABIP. There's a very good possibility this Rasmus is the one that shows up for the rest of the season, and with his speed there's also a chance at double digit steals to boot.

Other Recent Recommendations: Kris Medlen, Lonnie Chisenhall, Tom Wilhelmsen, Steve Cishek, Justin Morneau, Alex Cobb

Draft Street Competition

If you missed out on our recent free roll with DraftStreet, don't worry - we have another chance for you to take home some serious cash.

Register for a free account at DraftStreet.com today and start practicing. Remember to use bonus code Rotowire on your first deposit to get some extra cash released into your account as you play.

As a reminder, the competition will be an MLB Salary Cap league where values for each player are set based on projected fantasy value each day and your mission is to find the bargains and make the best 14 player team possible within the $100,000 budget.

Be sure to come back to RotoWire's Daily Lineup Card every day for all the analysis you need to dominate the competition and take home cash on DraftStreet.

Draft Street Lineup - No game Thursday, check back Friday!

Register for a free account at DraftStreet.com and start playing daily fantasy sports games today!