Thursday Lineup Card: STELLAAAA!

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Updated on May 28, 2014 11:39PM EST

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

TEX (Nick Martinez – R) at MIN (Samuel Deduno – R), 1:10 PM ET
DET (Rick Porcello – R) at OAK (Jesse Chavez – R), 3:35 PM ET
NYM (Zack Wheeler – R) at PHI (David Buchanan – R), 7:05 PM ET
KC (James Shields – R) at TOR (R.A. Dickey – R), 7:07 PM ET
ATL (Mike Minor – L) at BOS (Jake Peavy – R), 7:10 PM ET
BAL (Ubaldo Jimenez – R) at HOU (Brad Peacock – R), 8:10 PM ET
SF (Ryan Vogelsong – R) at STL (Jaime Garcia – L), 8:15 PM ET
CIN (Tony Cingrani – L) at AZ (Josh Collmenter – R), 9:40 PM ET
LAA (Matt Shoemaker – R) at SEA (Brandon Maurer – R), 10:10 PM ET
PIT (Gerrit Cole – R) at LAD (Dan Haren – R), 10:10 PM ET

Day Game After Night Game: NYY/TOR, CIN/NYM, SEA/OAK

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Matt Adams, 1B, STL – (Calf) Out of Wednesday's lineup.
Henderson Alvarez, P, MIA – (Elbow) Left Wednesday's game with stiffness.
Mike Carp, 1B, BOS – (Foot) Had precautionary X-ray Wednesday.
Yu Darvish, P, TEX – (Neck) Will make regularly scheduled start Sunday.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL – (Calf) Out of lineup Wednesday after fouling ball off leg and leaving Tuesday's game.
Aaron Hicks, OF, MIN – (Back) Scratched Wednesday with back spasms.
Casey Janssen, P, TOR – (General Soreness) Was not available Wednesday after heavy use lately.
Brad Peacock, P, HOU – (Forearm) Will start Thursday.
Cliff Pennington, SS, AZ – (Thumb) Hurt thumb sliding Tuesday, was out of lineup Wednesday.
Nick Punto, 2B, OAK – (Calf) Was available off the bench Wednesday.
Andrelton Simmons, SS, ATL – (Ankle) Wanted to play Wednesday but was held out of lineup.
Danny Valencia, 3B, KC – (Hand) Out of lineup for fourth straight game Wednesday.
Will Venable, OF, SD – (Foot) Out of lineup for third straight day Wednesday, Padres hoping he will return to lineup Friday.

Players on the DL
Jose Abreu,1B, CHW – (Ankle) On track to return to White Sox on Monday.
Brett Anderson, P, COL – (Finger) Team trainer says he can be back as soon as first week of July.
Sean Burnett, P, LAA – (Elbow) Has torn UCL, needs Tommy John surgery.
Santiago Casilla, P, SF – (Hamstring) Threw 40 pitches off flat ground Wednesday.
Tyler Chatwood, P, COL – (Elbow) Threw from 75 feet for fourth day in a row.
Jose Cisnero, P, HOU – (Elbow) Had Tommy John surgery Wednesday.
Robbie Erlin, P, SD – (Elbow) Has not thrown since hitting DL.
Edgmer Escalona, P, BAL – (Shoulder) Could begin rehab with Triple-A as soon as Thursday.
Gio Gonzalez, P, WAS – (Shoulder) Expected to throw a bullpen session Thursday.
Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, P, PHI – (Shoulder) Had MRI Wednesday, revealed nothing significant.
Josh Hamilton, OF, TEX – (Thumb) Took 100 swings in cage Wednesday, will hit on field Thursday and could resume rehab assignment after that.
Ryan Hanigan, C, TB – (Hamstring) Won't spend much more than the minimum time on the DL.
Jeremy Hellickson, P, TB – (Elbow) Threw simulated game Wednesday.
Jim Henderson, P, MIL – (Shoulder) Received cortisone injection Tuesday.
Derek Holland, P, TEX – (Knee) Did agility drills and took grounders Wednesday.
Shawn Kelley, P, NYY – (Back) Had no problems in long toss Tuesday.
Joe Kelly, P, STL – (Hamstring) Has yet to resume rigorous leg exercises.
Cliff Lee, P, PHI – (Elbow) GM Amaro has "no idea" when Lee will pitch again but suggested three weeks to a month and a half.
Tyler Lyons, P, STL – (Shoulder) Felt good after playing catch Tuesday.
Zach McAllister, P, CLE – (Back) Threw bullpen session Monday, plans to face live hitters Friday.
Mike Napoli, C, BOS – (Finger) No structural damage revealed from MRI.
James Paxton, P, SEA – (Back, Shoulder) Shut down with shoulder inflammation.
Francisco Peguero, OF, BAL – (Wrist) Won't be activated from the DL, as there is no opening in the outfield.
Mike Pelfrey, P, MIN – (Shoulder) Halted rehab, returned to Minnesota to be examined.
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, MIL – (Hamstring) Took ground balls Tuesday for first time since hitting DL.
Sergio Santos, P, TOR – (Forearm) Had minor setback, won't throw again until Sunday.
Ryan Sweeney, OF, CHC – (Hamstring) Running at 75-80 percent, looks like mid-June is best case scenario for return.
Nick Swisher, OF, CLE – (Knee) Received injections in both knees Wednesday, on track for mid-June return.
Steven Wright, P, BOS – (Hernia) Made first rehab appearance for Double-A Monday.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS – (Thumb) Took batting practice, fielded ground balls Wednesday, rehab assignment should begin soon.
Ben Zobrist, 2B, TB – (Thumb) Started rehab Wednesday, could be activated this weekend.

Activated from the DL
Jason Kipnis, 2B, CLE
Joe Saunders, P, TEX

Placed on the DL
Clay Buchholz, P, BOS
Carl Crawford, OF, LAD
Ryan Hanigan, C, TB

Called Up
Nick Evans, 1B, AZ
Kevin Kiermaier, OF, TB
Tommy La Stella, 2B, ATL
Jamie Romak, OF, LAD
Alex Wilson, P, BOS

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Phil Irwin, P, TEX
Alfredo Marte, OF, AZ
Tyler Pastornicky, SS, ATL
Aaron Poreda, P, TOR
Justin Sellers, SS, CLE

Traded/Claimed/Signed
Phil Irwin, P, TEX claimed from PIT and optioned to Triple-A
Johnny Monell, C, LAD from BAL for cash

Closer Watch

Baltimore – Zach Britton blew a save Tuesday, his first since taking over for the injured Tommy Hunter. Britton has allowed just two runs this season.

Chicago White Sox – Ups and downs continue for Ronald Belisario in the closing role for Nate Jones. He threw a 1-2-3 inning for a save against the Indians Tuesday, but followed by blowing Wednesday's opportunity and earning a win instead.

New York Mets – Jenrry Mejia converted a two-inning save Tuesday. He is 4-for-4 in the closing role.

Texas – Joakim Soria blew a save for the first time this season Tuesday but rebounded to convert Wednesday. There is no threat of a change in the closing role.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – May 29, 2014

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
O. Infante	2B	KC @ TOR 7:07PM	R. Dickey	31	16	4	2	5	1	2	.516	.515	.774	1.289
J. Bautista	OF	TOR vs KC 7:07PM	J. Shields	28	9	5	4	6	5	8	.321	.424	.786	1.210
A. Lind	1B	TOR vs KC 7:07PM	J. Shields	51	13	8	5	8	2	10	.255	.283	.608	.891
D. Uggla	2B	ATL @ BOS 7:10PM	J. Peavy	14	3	3	1	3	1	7	.214	.313	.643	.955
H. Pence	OF	SF @ STL 8:15PM	J. Garcia	17	5	3	1	2	1	3	.294	.333	.647	.980
M. Ellis	2B	STL vs SF 8:15PM	R. Vogelsong	18	7	2	0	1	0	3	.389	.421	.500	.921

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Hot Pitcher Matchups – May 29, 2014

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Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Dan Haren	LAD vs PIT 10:10PM	97	19	7	2	8	6	28	.196	.254	.321	.576

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 – May 29, 2014

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
A. Callaspo	3B	OAK vs DET 3:35PM	R. Porcello	18	3	1	1	1	2	1	.167	.250	.333	.583
N. Punto	2B	OAK vs DET 3:35PM	R. Porcello	14	2	0	0	0	2	2	.143	.250	.143	.393
B. Hayes	C	KC @ TOR 7:07PM	R. Dickey	12	1	0	0	0	0	3	.083	.083	.083	.167
M. Cabrera	OF	TOR vs KC 7:07PM	J. Shields	27	5	2	0	1	3	2	.185	.267	.259	.526
B. Lawrie	3B	TOR vs KC 7:07PM	J. Shields	13	3	1	1	1	0	4	.231	.231	.462	.692
J. Reyes	SS	TOR vs KC 7:07PM	J. Shields	10	2	0	0	2	0	0	.200	.200	.200	.400
R. Doumit	C	ATL @ BOS 7:10PM	J. Peavy	15	3	1	0	0	0	4	.200	.200	.267	.467
Y. Molina	C	STL vs SF 8:15PM	R. Vogelsong	14	3	0	0	0	1	0	.214	.267	.214	.481
C. Barmes	SS	PIT @ LAD 10:10PM	D. Haren	26	4	1	0	1	0	9	.154	.154	.192	.346
R. Martin	C	PIT @ LAD 10:10PM	D. Haren	41	8	2	0	1	3	10	.195	.267	.244	.511

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Cold Pitcher Matchups – May 29, 2014

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Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
R.A. Dickey	TOR vs KC 7:07PM	92	31	10	3	10	7	11	.337	.379	.541	.920
Ryan Vogelsong	SF @ STL 8:15PM	65	21	3	0	4	7	7	.323	.397	.399	.796

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

Tommy La Stella, 2B, ATL – The Braves finally made a change at second base that may work. Tommy La Stella, OBP darling, was recalled and started Tuesday. La Stella hit .293 with 25 walks and just 14 strikeouts in 167 at-bats at Triple-A this season. He hit .356/.444/.492 in 88 games at two levels in 2013. There are gaps in La Stella's game, as he lacks both power and speed, but OBP leagues could reap the benefit.

Other Recent Recommendations:Jesus Aguilar, Zach Britton, Adam Dunn, Lonnie Chisenhall, Jimmy Nelson, Seth Smith

DraftStreet Value Picks

SP: Josh Collmenter, AZ ($9,503)
C: Miguel Montero ($3,544)
1B: C.J. Cron ($4,545)
2B: Omar Infante ($6,008)
SS: Erick Aybar ($5,122)
3B: Manny Machado ($5,331)
OF: Allen Craig ($5,586)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.