Thursday Lineup Card: The Notorious Didi G

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Pirates (James McDonald - R) at Phillies (Cliff Lee - L), 1:05
Royals (James Shields - R) at Tigers (Justin Verlander - R), 1:08
Dodgers (Hyun-Jin Ryu - L) at Mets (Jeremy Hefner - R), 1:10
Astros (Phil Humber - R) at Red Sox (Clay Buchholz - R), 6:35
Reds (Bronson Arroyo - R) at Nationals (Gio Gonzalez - L), 7:05
Blue Jays (Mark Buehrle - L) at Yankees (Hiroki Kuroda - R), 7:05
Cubs (Edwin Jackson - R) at Marlins (Kevin Slowey - R), 7:10
Rays (Jeremy Hellickson - R) at White Sox (Chris Sale - L), 8:10
Rangers (Nick Tepesch - R) at Twins (Vance Worley - R), 8:10
Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa - L) at Diamondbacks (Trevor Cahill - R), 9:40
Orioles (Jason Hammel - R) at Athletics (Jarrod Parker - R), 10:05
Angels (Garrett Richards - R) at Mariners (Brandon Maurer - R), 10:10

Day game after a night game: PIT, PHI, KC, DET, LAD, NYM

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

Day-to-Day
Matt Adams, 1B, STL (Oblique) - Took grounders and performed some light throwing before Tuesday's game.
Jeff Baker, OF, TEX (Knee) - X-ray performed on his bruised right knee was returned negative.
Sean Burnett, P, LAA (Forearm) - Possibly available to pitch in relief Wednesday.
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, CLE (Quadriceps) - Sat out a second game in a row due to a tweaked quadriceps.
Yunel Escobar, SS, TB (Hamstring) - Left Wednesday's outing with tightness in his right hamstring.
Todd Helton, 1B, COL (Forearm) - Held out Wednesday for a fourth straight outing with a sore forearm.
Adam Lind, 1B, TOR (Personal) - Away from the team due to the birth of his second child.
Kyle Lohse, P, MIL (Finger) - Next start Sunday may be pushed back a day or two, if his dislocated finger heals slower than expected.
Jonathon Niese, P, NYM (Ankle) - May skip a bullpen session Thursday, but still plans to start Sunday.
Carlos Santana, C, CLE (Illness) - Missed Wednesday's contest with the flu.
Shane Victorino, OF, BOS (Back) - Left Wednesday's game due to a possible aggravation of his previous back injury.
Kevin Youkilis, 3B, NYY (Back) - Sidelined Wednesday for a fourth consecutive contest.

Players on the DL
Erick Aybar, SS, LAA (Heel) - Scheduled to play in an extended spring training contest Thursday and may be activated this weekend.
Willie Bloomquist, SS, ARI (oblique) - Logged three innings in the field at extended spring training recently.
Craig Breslow, P, BOS (Shoulder) - Roughed up in his first rehab outing Tuesday, after which he reported no pain.
Alberto Callaspo, 3B, LAA (Calf) - Worked out Tuesday and may return to the lineup this weekend.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, OAK (Thumb) - Could begin his rehab assignment Thursday and be back in the lineup Sunday.
Kyuji Fujikawa, P, CHC (Forearm) - Has played catch from 135 feet on flat ground, yet has not thrown from a mound.
Matt Garza, P, CHC (Arm) - Scratched from Wednesday's rehab start, after which his sore right arm was examined.
Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY (Forearm) - Completed indoor batting practice for the first time Wednesday.
Joel Hanrahan, P, BOS (Hamstring) - Expected to embark upon a rehab assignment Friday.
Derek Jeter, SS, NYY (Ankle) - Currently wearing a walking boot, but does not have a timetable for its removal.
Steve Johnson, P, BAL (Back) - Gave Up four runs across five innings in his first rehab outing Wednesday.
Jeff Karstens, P, PIT (Shoulder) - Scheduled to pitch in a simulated game Friday.
Jason Kubel, OF, ARI (Quadriceps) - Unlikely to return to the Diamondbacks' lineup in the next 7-to-10 days.
Francisco Liriano, P, PIT (Arm) - Slated to make three rehab starts, thereby pushing back his potential season debut to May 10.
Ryan Madson, P, LAA (Elbow) - Continuing his rehab at extended spring training, where he could pitch a simulated game or two.
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, MIL (Knee) - Intends to sidestep a rehab assignment, as his return to the lineup draws closer.
Hanley Ramirez, SS, LAD (Thumb) - Hoping to begin a rehab assignment next week.
Wilson Ramos, C, WAS (Hamstring) - On track to start a rehab assignment Friday.
Adam Rosales, 2B, OAK (Ribs) - Removal from the DL could happen Thursday.
Michael Saunders, OF, Sea (Shoulder) - May start his rehab assignment by Friday.
Luke Scott, DH, TB (Calf) - Slated to participate in rehab games through the weekend, during which he may attempt to play the field.
Ian Stewart, 3B, CHC (Quadriceps) - Played in rehab contests for five days in a row, but his activation has been delayed due to little success at the plate.
Eric Surkamp, P, SF (Elbow) - Scheduled to toss a bullpen session in the coming days.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY (Wrist) - Has yet to hit off a tee and acknowledged that he will not return by May 1.
Tim Wood, P, MIN (Shoulder) - Activation from the DL may be delayed a few weeks, despite tossing two scoreless innings in his rehab assignment.
Delmon Young, OF, PHI (Ankle) - Rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

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)
Logan Forsythe, 2B, SD (from 15-day to 60-day DL)
Ted Lilly, P, LAD
Justin Maxwell, OF, HOU

Activated from the DL
Aaron Laffey, P, TOR
Lou Marson, C, CLE

Called Up
Daniel Bard, P, BOS
Tyler Chatwood, P, COL
Robbie Erlin, P, SD (contract selected)
Robbie Grossman, OF, HOU
Nick Maronde, P, LAA
Josh Stinson, P, BAL
Jose Valverde, P, DET (contract selected)

Sent Down
Duane Below, P, DET (designated for assignment - DFA)
Alex Burnett, P, BAL
Tim Federowicz, C, LAD
Tommy Field, SS, LAA
Yan Gomes, C, CLE
Fernando Nieve, P, CLE
Ramon Ortiz, P, TOR (DFA)
Rob Scahill, P, COL
Brayan Villarreal, P, DET
Thad Weber, P, SD
Steven Wright, P, BOS

Signed
Eddie Bonine, P, SD

Traded
Roman Colon, P, ATL (from Pittsburgh)

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

Chicago Cubs - Kyuji Fujikawa's stay on the disabled list has resulted in the field, aka his battery mates, taking turns during the Cubs' rare save opportunities. The latest edition featured Carlos Marmol entering Tuesday's game at Cincinnati with a one-run lead and a man on second, who immmediately scored on a Joey Votto single. Marmol issued two more walks before escaping the frame with the score knotted up at 2-all, but in effect, his second blown save of the season allowed doubt to blossom among his current backers. Recent call-up Kevin Gregg captured the save in that contest, though he allowed two baserunners before ultimately shutting down the Reds. Since Fujikawa landed on the DL, fellow relievers James Russell and Shawn Camp have recorded blown saves as well, meaning Fujikawa will likely settle into the Cubs' closing gig upon his upcoming return to the bullpen.

Didi Gregorius, SS, ARI - Since he was activated on April 16, the talented Mr. Gregorius has made his presence felt at the plate, rather than on the field with his recognized, premier glovework at shortstop. While the Diamondbacks intended to bring him along slowly due to a strained UCL discovered just before spring training commenced, he has in fact started six of the past seven games over typical starting shortstop Cliff Pennington. Gregorius has gathered at least one hit in each outing, batting .400 with two home runs, two RBI, five runs scored, and a 1:7 BB:K ratio over 25 at-bats. It remains to be seen how long he can sustain the preceding production, but at the very least, his presence at such a sparse position provides him with unquestionable import in the short term.

Other Recent Recommendations:Ricky Nolasco, Brandon Crawford, Lucas Duda, and Daniel Nava

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C - J.P. Arencibia, TOR ($6,684)
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