Wednesday Lineup Card: New Closer in San Diego?

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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Wednesday's Starters

AL

Blue Jays (Brandon Morrow – R) at Athletics (Brandon McCarthy - R), 3:35
White Sox (Jake Peavy - R) at Indians (Jeanmar Gomez - R), 7:05
Rays (Jeff Niemann - R) at Yankees (David Phelps - R), 7:05
Rangers (Colby Lewis - R) at Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen - L), 7:05
Angels (Ervin Santana - R) at Twins (Carl Pavano - R), 8:10
Red Sox (Jon Lester - L) at Royals (Bruce Chen - L), 8:10
Tigers (Drew Smyly - L) at Mariners (Jason Vargas - L), 10:10

NL

Reds (Johnny Cueto - R) at Brewers (Zack Greinke - R), 1:10
Braves (Tim Hudson - R) at Cubs (Paul Maholm - L), 2:20
Rockies (Christian Friedrich - L) at Padres (Anthony Bass - R), 3:35
Mets (Dillon Gee - R) at Phillies (Cliff Lee - L), 7:05
Nationals (Ross Detwiler - L) at Pirates (Erik Bedard - L), 7:05
Marlins (Josh Johnson - R) at Astros (Lucas Harrell - R), 8:05
Cardinals (Kyle Lohse - R) at Diamondbacks (Wade Miley - L), 9:40
Giants (Tim Lincecum - R) at Dodgers (Chad Billingsley - R), 10:10

Day Game After Night Game: Blue Jays, Athletics, Reds, Brewers, Braves, Cubs, Rockies, Padres

Injuries

Day-to-Day

AL

Scott Downs, P, LAA - (Knee) Could be available to pitch by Wednesday or Friday.
Desmond Jennings, OF, TB - (Knee) Held out of starting lineup on Tuesday.
Jemile Weeks, 2B, OAK - (Groin) Returned to the lineup for Tuesday's game.
Alexi Casilla, SS, MIN - (Shoulder) Kept out of Tuesday's starting lineup

NL

Willie Bloomquist, SS, ARI - (Ankle) Out of the lineup on Tuesday with ankle soreness.

Disabled List

AL

Aaron Cook, P, BOS - (Knee) Wearing a pressurized brace on left knee to reduce swelling.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, P, BOS - (Elbow) Pitched 4.2 scoreless innings during rehab start on Monday.
Mariano Rivera, P, NYY - (Knee) Complications from Monday's meeting with surgeons will not effect his ability to return from his injury.
Zach Britton, P, BAL - (Shoulder) Will throw 45 pitches in extended spring training game Thursday.
Jesse Crain, P, CHW - (Oblique) Will throw a bullpen session Wednesday.

NL
Ryan Howard, 1B, PHI - (Achilles) Hit Monday for the first time since spring training.
Jim Thome, 1B, PHI - (Back) Began running on a treadmill Monday.
Cliff Lee, P, PHI - (Oblique) Activated from DL on Tuesday.
Lance Berkman, 1B, STL - (Calf) Expected to return from DL on Friday.
Carlos Quentin, OF, SD - (Knee) Could return from DL on Friday.
Rhiner Cruz, P, HOU - (Ankle) Will be activated from the DL on Wednesday.
Chris Carpenter, P, STL - (Shoulder) Return date still unknown after performing strength tests last week.
Jorge De La Rosa, P, COL - (Elbow) Allowed four runs in 2.2 innings during rehab game on Tuesday.
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS - (Wrist) Placed on 15-Day DL on Tuesday; likely out 12 weeks.
Dan Hudson, P, ARI - (Shoulder) Threw a bullpen session on Tuesday.
Stephen Drew, SS, ARI - (Ankle) Expected to play five innings during extended spring training game Tuesday.
Pedro Beato, P, NYM - (Shoulder) Has been transferred to the 60-Day DL.
Josh Thole, C, NYM - (Head) Placed on 7-Day DL with a concussion.

Transactions

Activated from DL
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS

Placed on DL
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS
Josh Thole, C, NYM (7-day)

Optioned to Triple-A
Edgmer Escalona, P, COL
Zach McAllister, P, CLE
Jose Quintana, P, CHW
Tommy Hottovy, P, KC

Called Up
Vin Mazzaro, P, KC
Alex White, P, COL
Aneury Rodriguez, P, HOU

Signed
Michael Gonzalez, P, WAS

Closer Watch

Dodgers - Kenley Jansen has officially been named the Dodgers closer over Javy Guerra. It's a move that many predicted would happen sooner or later as Guerra has struggled mightily this season. This season, Guerra has a 5.84 ERA in 12.1 innings, despite starting the year with six consecutive scoreless appearances. His blown save Sunday may have been the final dagger to his chances at remaining in the closer role. Jansen, meanwhile, has a 2.70 ERA in 16 appearances, with a sub-1.00 WHIP.

Padres - With Huston Street injured, Andrew Cashner was expected to become the primary closer for the Padres. However, in their win Monday night, it was Dale Thayer who was surprisingly called on to handle San Diego's ninth-inning duties. Cashner had just given up four runs, three of which were earned, in 0.2 innings Sunday, so it's possible the Padres may not have wanted him out again so soon. It's a situation that bears watching as Street could be out for several weeks.

Indians - Nick Hagadone picked up his first career save for the Indians on Monday. With an 8-4 lead, Cleveland kept Jairo Ascensio in the game after he had pitched two scoreless innings. Ascensio gave up two runs while failing to record an out, necessitating a new reliever to come in for the save situation. Chris Perez is in no danger of losing his closer role, however. It's likely the Indians just wanted to give him a rest after pitching four of the last five Indians games.

Recommended Pickup

Alex White, P, COL - I'm a sucker for big pitching prospects and, personally, I think White is better than fellow former-Indian Drew Pomeranz. Both players came over to Colorado last year in the Ubaldo Jimenez deal, and both have received some time in the major leagues. White, however, has been kept in the minor leagues during 2012 but was called up Tuesday to start against San Diego. In his limited major league experience, White has been anything but good with a 7.01 ERA. However, that is still a small sample size and he has been nothing short of incredible in the minors. White has the chance to be something special, and there won't be many better pitching prospects called up this season.

Other Recent Recommendations: Wei-Yin Chen, Will Middlebrooks, Andrew Cashner, Rafael Dolis, Johnny Damon

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Draft Street Lineup

C: Alex Avila ($5,234)
1B: Prince Fielder ($6,940)
2B: Brandon Phillips ($6,020)
3B: Brett Lawrie ($6,592)
SS: Asdrubal Cabrera ($7,796)
OF: Jon Jay ($6,906)
OF: Josh Willingham ($6,758)
OF: Giancarlo Stanton ($8,536)
UT: Cesar Izturis ($1,742)
UT: Justin Smoak ($3,357)
SP: Josh Johnson ($10,088)
SP: Zack Greinke ($14,005)
RP: Craig Kimbrel ($2,874)
P: Jon Lester ($12,567)

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