This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Saturday's matchups (all times Eastern)KC (Bruce Chen – L) at CLE (Corey Kluber – R), 12:05 PM ET
CIN (Tony Cingrani – L) at PIT (Brandon Cumpton – R), 12:35 PM ET
CHW (Jose Quintana – L) at DET (Max Scherzer – R), 1:08 PM ET
STL (Lance Lynn – R) at NYM (Bartolo Colon – R), 1:10 PM ET
MIN (Ricky Nolasco – R) at TB (Erik Bedard – L), 1:10 PM ET
AZ (Mike Bolsinger – R) at CHC (Edwin Jackson – R), 2:20 PM ET
SD (Eric Stults – R) at WAS (Jordan Zimmermann – R), 7:05 PM ET
BAL (Bud Norris – R) at TOR (Drew Hutchison – R), 7:07 PM ET
NYY (C.C. Sabathia – L) at BOS (Felix Doubront – L), 7:10 PM ET
OAK (Scott Kazmir – L) at HOU (Brett Oberholtzer – L), 8:10 PM ET
PHI (Kyle Kendrick – R) at LAD (Dan Haren – R), 10:10 PM ET
Day Game After Night Game: KC/CLE, CIN/PIT, CHW/DET, STL/NYM, MIN/TB
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Matt Albers, P, HOU – (Shoulder) Unavailable Tuesday, did not pitch Wednesday.
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, TEX – (Ankle) Feeling better but missed Wednesday's game and is unsure when he will return to the lineup.
Conor Gillaspie, 3B, CHW – (Hand) Missed second straight game Wednesday.
Adam Eaton, OF, CHW – (Hamstring) Could miss a couple more games.
Dee Gordon, SS, LAD – (Head) Passed concussion tests but out of Wednesday's lineup.
J.J. Hardy, SS, BAL (Hamstring, Back) Returned to lineup Wednesday.
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, TEX – (Back) Returned to lineup Wednesday.
Carlos Marmol, P, MIA – (Hamstring) Left Wednesday's game with strain.
Angel Pagan, OF, SF – (Knee) Entered Wednesday as pinch hitter Wednesday, will have knee examined Thursday.
A.J. Pollock, OF, AZ – (Neck) Out of the lineup against Wednesday.
Justin Ruggiano, OF, CHC – (Hamstring) Will have MRI after leaving Wednesday's game.
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF – (Illness) Left Wednesday's game.
Mark Trumbo, OF, AZ – (Foot) No timetable on return from stress fracture, could miss three-to-six weeks.
Matt Wieters, C, BAL – (Forearm) Returned to lineup Wednesday.
Players on the DL
Jake Arrieta, P, CHC – (Shoulder) Should be activated next week.
Gordon Beckham, 2B, CHW – (Oblique) Should be activated Thursday.
Sean Burnett, P, LAA – (Elbow) Will throw simulated game Thursday.
Jhoulys Chacin, P, COL – (Shoulder) May only need one rehab start before returning to rotation.
Aroldis Chapman, P, CIN – (Head) Threw batting practice Wednesday, will throw another one this weekend before beginning rehab assignment.
Tim Collins, P, KC – (Elbow) No pain while throwing, could begin rehab this weekend.
Dane De La Rosa, P, LAA – (Shoulder) Will throw simulated game Thursday.
Pedro Figueroa, P, TEX – (Elbow) Placed on DL with inflammation.
Sonny Gray, P, OAK – (Elbow) Behind schedule in rehab, not throwing yet.
Scott Hairston, OF, WAS – (Oblique) Took batting practice Wednesday, rehab assignment should start soon.
Matt Harrison, P, TEX – (Back) Scheduled to be activated Sunday.
Josh Johnson, P, SD – (Elbow) Will have Tommy John surgery Thursday.
Clayton Kershaw, P, LAD – (Back) Will make rehab start Friday.
Manny Machado, 3B, BAL – (Knee) Will start minor league rehab at High-A Friday.
Cameron Maybin, OF, SD – (Biceps) Looking like he will return next week.
Ivan Nova, P, NYY – (Elbow) Consulting with Dr. James Andrews before agreeing to Tommy John.
James Paxton, P, SEA – (Back) Cleared to begin throwing Friday.
Wandy Rodriguez, P, PIT – (Knee) Had knee drained, will take a couple days off before throwing bullpen session.
Brendan Ryan, SS, NYY – (Back) Could return in about a week.
Skip Schumaker, 2B, CIN – (Shoulder) Heading to extended spring training Thursday.
Shane Victorino, OF, BOS – (Hamstring) Was not activated Wednesday but return is imminent.
Taijuan Walker, P, SEA – (Shoulder) Will resume throwing Monday.
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, BOS – (Calf) Hitless in rehab but still could be activated this weekend.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS – (Thumb) Can't grip yet, still expected to miss three-to-five weeks.
Activated from the DL
None
Placed on the DL
None
Claimed Off Waivers/Traded
Daniel Robertson, TEX from SD for cash
Called Up
Carter Capps, P, MIA
Alex Wilson, P, BOS
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Arquimedes Caminero, P, MIA
Lucas Harrell, P, HOU
Travis Ishikawa, 1B, PIT
Daniel Nava, OF, BOS
Nick Noonan, 2B, SF
Closer Watch
Chicago Cubs – Given his first save opportunity Monday since April 3, Pedro Strop was torched for four runs – only one earned – on a hit and two walks. This closing situation continues to be volatile.
Houston – Josh Fields blew Thursday's save by allowing a three-run walkoff to Kyle Seager. He is 2-for-3 on saves this season.
Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri is only 2-for-4 in save situations after allowing four runs while retiring just one batter Wednesday. In his last five outings, Frieri has allowed 12 hits and two walks.
New York Mets – Kyle Farnsworth notched his second save Wednesday, but allowed a run on three hits in the process.
Key Matchups
Hot Batter Matchups – April 24, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| M. Brantley | OF | CLE vs KC 12:05PM | B. Chen | 19 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .526 | .524 | .632 | 1.155 |
| J. Giambi | DH | CLE vs KC 12:05PM | B. Chen | 16 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 2 | .375 | .476 | 1.125 | 1.601 |
| C. Santana | C | CLE vs KC 12:05PM | B. Chen | 16 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | .313 | .421 | .438 | .859 |
| N. Swisher | 1B | CLE vs KC 12:05PM | B. Chen | 17 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | .412 | .545 | .412 | .957 |
| A. Gordon | OF | KC @ CLE 12:05PM | C. Kluber | 15 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 4 | .267 | .353 | .667 | 1.020 |
| M. Moustakas | 3B | KC @ CLE 12:05PM | C. Kluber | 12 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .500 | .500 | .750 | 1.250 |
| D. Viciedo | OF | CWS @ DET 1:08PM | M. Scherzer | 19 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 8 | .316 | .350 | .684 | 1.034 |
| M. Cabrera | 3B | DET vs CWS 1:08PM | J. Quintana | 11 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | .273 | .385 | .636 | 1.021 |
| R. Davis | OF | DET vs CWS 1:08PM | J. Quintana | 14 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .500 | .533 | .643 | 1.176 |
| Y. Escobar | SS | TB vs MIN 1:10PM | R. Nolasco | 29 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | .345 | .367 | .552 | .918 |
| J. Thole | C | TOR vs BAL 7:07PM | B. Norris | 13 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | .385 | .467 | .615 | 1.082 |
| J. Gomes | OF | BOS vs NYY 7:10PM | C. Sabathia | 40 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 10 | .275 | .375 | .475 | .850 |
| M. Napoli | 1B | BOS vs NYY 7:10PM | C. Sabathia | 32 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 9 | .281 | .378 | .531 | .910 |
| D. Ross | C | BOS vs NYY 7:10PM | C. Sabathia | 21 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | .333 | .400 | .714 | 1.114 |
| G. Sizemore | OF | BOS vs NYY 7:10PM | C. Sabathia | 10 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | .300 | .417 | 1.000 | 1.417 |
| M. Teixeira | 1B | NYY @ BOS 7:10PM | F. Doubront | 12 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | .250 | .250 | .750 | 1.000 |
| J. Altuve | 2B | HOU vs OAK 8:10PM | S. Kazmir | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .400 | .400 | .500 | .900 |
| A. Ethier | OF | LAD vs PHI 10:10PM | K. Kendrick | 22 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 1 | .273 | .360 | .636 | .996 |
| M. Kemp | OF | LAD vs PHI 10:10PM | K. Kendrick | 15 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .400 | .400 | .400 | .800 |
| D. Brown | OF | PHI @ LAD 10:10PM | D. Haren | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | .300 | .417 | .600 | 1.017 |
| M. Byrd | OF | PHI @ LAD 10:10PM | D. Haren | 21 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | .476 | .522 | .952 | 1.474 |
| R. Howard | 1B | PHI @ LAD 10:10PM | D. Haren | 11 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 6 | .273 | .333 | .818 | 1.152 |
| C. Utley | 2B | PHI @ LAD 10:10PM | D. Haren | 15 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | .267 | .353 | .533 | .886 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Hot Pitcher Matchups – April 24, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Erik Bedard | TB vs MIN 1:10PM | 64 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 12 | .172 | .293 | .230 | .523 |
| Jordan Zimmermann | WAS vs SD 7:05PM | 61 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 12 | .180 | .201 | .246 | .447 |
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Batter Matchups – April 24, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| A. Cabrera | SS | CLE vs KC 12:05PM | B. Chen | 31 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | .258 | .258 | .419 | .677 |
| R. Raburn | OF | CLE vs KC 12:05PM | B. Chen | 31 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | .194 | .265 | .419 | .684 |
| B. Butler | DH | KC @ CLE 12:05PM | C. Kluber | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | .143 | .200 | .214 | .414 |
| A. Escobar | SS | KC @ CLE 12:05PM | C. Kluber | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .214 | .214 | .214 | .429 |
| E. Hosmer | 1B | KC @ CLE 12:05PM | C. Kluber | 14 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | .143 | .200 | .429 | .629 |
| P. Konerko | 1B | CWS @ DET 1:08PM | M. Scherzer | 42 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 16 | .238 | .273 | .381 | .654 |
| A. Ramirez | SS | CWS @ DET 1:08PM | M. Scherzer | 42 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | .095 | .191 | .119 | .311 |
| A. Jackson | OF | DET vs CWS 1:08PM | J. Quintana | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .154 | .267 | .154 | .421 |
| J. Kubel | OF | MIN @ TB 1:10PM | E. Bedard | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | .100 | .357 | .100 | .457 |
| K. Suzuki | C | MIN @ TB 1:10PM | E. Bedard | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | .091 | .000 | .091 |
| M. Ellis | 2B | STL @ NYM 1:10PM | B. Colon | 15 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .200 | .235 | .267 | .502 |
| J. Peralta | SS | STL @ NYM 1:10PM | B. Colon | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .182 | .182 | .182 | .364 |
| J. Loney | 1B | TB vs MIN 1:10PM | R. Nolasco | 12 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .167 | .167 | .417 | .583 |
| A. Hill | 2B | ARI @ CHC 2:20PM | E. Jackson | 39 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 7 | .205 | .205 | .385 | .590 |
| C. Headley | 3B | SD @ WAS 7:05PM | J. Zimmermann | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .200 | .250 | .200 | .450 |
| W. Venable | OF | SD @ WAS 7:05PM | J. Zimmermann | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .077 | .077 | .077 | .154 |
| K. Frandsen | 2B | WAS vs SD 7:05PM | E. Stults | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .091 | .167 | .091 | .258 |
| C. Rasmus | OF | TOR vs BAL 7:07PM | B. Norris | 25 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | .160 | .222 | .360 | .582 |
| A. Pierzynski | C | BOS vs NYY 7:10PM | C. Sabathia | 27 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | .222 | .222 | .407 | .630 |
| D. Jeter | SS | NYY @ BOS 7:10PM | F. Doubront | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .143 | .200 | .143 | .343 |
| I. Suzuki | OF | NYY @ BOS 7:10PM | F. Doubront | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .143 | .133 | .143 | .276 |
| H. Ramirez | SS | LAD vs PHI 10:10PM | K. Kendrick | 35 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 4 | .257 | .278 | .429 | .706 |
| J. Turner | 2B | LAD vs PHI 10:10PM | K. Kendrick | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .167 | .167 | .250 | .417 |
| T. Gwynn Jr. | OF | PHI @ LAD 10:10PM | D. Haren | 15 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | .133 | .316 | .267 | .582 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Pitcher Matchups – April 24, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Ricky Nolasco | MIN @ TB 1:10PM | 101 | 30 | 14 | 7 | 16 | 9 | 19 | .297 | .346 | .570 | .917 |
| Bud Norris | BAL @ TOR 7:07PM | 86 | 27 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 14 | .314 | .398 | .454 | .852 |
| Kyle Kendrick | PHI @ LAD 10:10PM | 109 | 34 | 13 | 3 | 16 | 6 | 11 | .312 | .360 | .498 | .858 |
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Recommended Pickup
Jenrry Mejia, P, NYM – After toiling in the minors for most of the last two seasons, Mejia earned a rotation spot this spring and has run with the opportunity. He has delivered 11.2 shutout innings in his last two starts. There are still some control issues to be worked out, as Mejia has 25 strikeouts against 14 walks in 22.2 innings.
Other Recent Recommendations:Corey Dickerson, Trevor Plouffe, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Robbie Ross, Jr., Ike Davis, Rajai Davis
DraftStreet Value Picks
SP: Tyler Skaggs, LAA ($10,356)
C: Salvador Perez ($4,830)
1B: Adam LaRoche ($5,517)
2B: Aaron Hill ($5,268)
SS: Jonathan Villar ($4,057)
3B: Matt Dominguez ($4,455)
OF: Bryce Harper ($5,116)
