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| Casey returns from DL | Friday 9/5, 5:30 PM CT |
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Sean Casey was activated from the 15-day DL on Friday according to the Providence Journal. However, despite first baseman Kevin Youkilis' unavailability, Casey is not starting. He will be available to pinch hit. He was on the disabled list due to a bad neck.
Our View: If Youkilis' injury (back) is serious, Casey would be the likely choice to start at first base. He is hitting .345 in 59 games this season. Mark Kotsay has started at the position recently. |
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| Drew to take batting practice | Friday 9/5, 5:19 PM CT |
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J.D. Drew will take batting practice and shag flyballs on Friday. He has not played since August 17th due to a herniated disc. The Providence Journal reports that he hopes to be back in three to four days.
Our View: Not so fast. Drew has been known to drag out his recovery time and there's no reason to expect him back so soon. However, we expect his standard production once he does return to the lineup. It's unlikely he would ever play at anything less than 100%. |
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| Beckett will start Friday night | Friday 9/5, 4:57 PM CT |
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The AP reports that Josh Beckett has been activated from the DL and will start Friday's game at Texas. He is only expected to throw 60-75 pitches. He has been sidelined since August 17 with right shoulder inflammation.
Our View: 2008 has been very average for the Boston ace, however we all know he tends to pitch better the bigger the games. With the Red Sox breathing down Tampa Bay's collective neck, expect Becket to start lowering his 4.34 ERA soon. |
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| Mathis' season is over | Friday 9/5, 4:51 PM CT |
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Doug Mathis will undergo right shoulder surgery to have his bursa sac removed according to the Star-Telegram. He should begin throwing again in two months.
Our View: Mathis had made four starts for the big league club, but was very ineffective. He ends his season with a 6.85 ERA nad a 2.28 WHIP. |
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| Youkilis not in the lineup | Friday 9/5, 4:40 PM CT |
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Kevin Youkilis is not in the Red Sox lineup on Friday for the third straight game. He has a sore back but is not expected to land the disabled list.
Our View: Mark Kotsay is starting in his place. Youk has been a fantasy force this season hitting .315 with 94 RBI. |
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| Kotsay starting at first | Friday 9/5, 4:35 PM CT |
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Mark Kotsay is starting at first base for the injured Kevin Youkilis (back) against the Rangers on Friday. He is also hitting clean up. He has played first just one other time this season.
Our View: Kotsay certainly does not have the pop to hit fourth, but he has done well thus far in six appearances for the Red Sox. He is hitting .333 since moving to Boston. |
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| Lowell is back | Friday 9/5, 4:32 PM CT |
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Mike Lowell is making his first appearance since August 12th on Friday against the Rangers. He had been out with a strained oblique.
Our View: If Lowell was dropped in your league because of his injury, he is a good pickup for September. He is penciled in to hit sixth for the Sox which should give him plenty of RBI opportunities. |
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| Durham to start Friday | Friday 9/5, 4:16 PM CT |
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Ray Durham is in the starting lineup on Friday night against the Padres. It's his first start since spraining his shoulder on August 26th.
Our View: Durham should see plenty of starts against right-handers for the remainder of the month. He is hitting .301 off of them this season. |
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| Niese to start Tuesday | Friday 9/5, 4:04 PM CT |
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Jonathon Niese will make his second career start on Tuesday against the Nationals according to MetsBlog.com. He lasted just three innings last Tuesday and surrendered five runs.
Our View: Niese has major league potential and he has a fairly light hitting opponent coming up. Still, it's too much to expect him to have any fantasy impact this season. |
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| Iguchi agrees to deal with Phillies | Friday 9/5, 3:14 PM CT |
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Tadahito Iguchi, who was recently released by the Padres, has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Phillies, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.
Our View: He is expected to join his new club prior to Saturday's game against the Mets. He should not be considered for fantasy rosters, and will be ineligible for the postseason should the Phillies win the NL East or clinch the wildcard. |
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| Wise activated | Friday 9/5, 2:50 PM CT |
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Dewayne Wise has been activated from the DL, according to the AP. The 30-year-old hurler had been sidelined since August 21 with a strained left adductor.
Our View: Wise fared well with a .288 average (and two homers) over 66 at-bats with the Sox this season and should see action with Carlos Quentin potentially lost for the rest of the season due to a broken wrist. Wise also notced six stolen bases, and is worth a look in deeper AL-only leagues. |
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| Branyan not expected back? | Friday 9/5, 2:45 PM CT |
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The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel believes that the signing of Mike Lamb could be an indication that Russell Branyan isn't expected back due to his right oblique strain.
Our View: It could also signal that Mat Gamel is not in the plans to see significant playing time at third base, with Craig Counsell and Lamb likely to see most of the action. |
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| Quentin to undergo wrist surgery | Friday 9/5, 2:35 PM CT |
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Updating a previous report, Carlos Quentin is going to undergo surgery on his broken wrist Monday and could miss the remainder of the season, according to the AP.
Our View: A screw will be inserted into the wrist, and he will be re-evaluated in two to three weeks. This is a critical blow to the AL Central contending Sox, as well as fantasy owners, as Quentin leads the AL with 36 homers. |
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| Quentin's season in jeopardy? | Friday 9/5, 1:11 PM CT |
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Carlos Quentin's season could be in jeopardy after the team received MRI results on his left forearm and wrist Friday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Our View: It's not clear yet exactly what is wrong with Quentin, but obviously this would be a massive blow to the White Sox and fantasy owners alike. We'll keep you updated on his status. |
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| Palmisano designated for assignment | Friday 9/5, 1:02 PM CT |
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Lou Palmisano has been designated for assignment by the Brewers, according to the AP. The team acquired veteran infielder Mike Lamb off waivers from Minnesota as the corresponding move.
Our View: Palmisano held no fantasy value prior to his designation. He is not a power hitter and has not challenged a .300 average past the Single-A level. |
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| Brewers acquire Lamb | Friday 9/5, 12:57 PM CT |
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Mike Lamb has been acquired by the Brewers after clearing waivers with Minnesota, according to the AP. Catcher Lou Palmisano has been designated for assignment to make room on the roster.
Our View: He was added to the contending Brewers' bench for the stretch run, but the 32-year-old is not eligible to play in the postseason. He will see action at third base, but does not merit fantasy attention. |
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| Guillen to miss trip to Minnesota | Friday 9/5, 12:26 PM CT |
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Carlos Guillen will miss the trip to Minnesota this weekend while dealing with a pinched nerve, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Our View: He won't play this weekend, and will instead continue baseball activities in Detroit. It is also uncertain if he will be ready to return for the start of the new week on Monday. |
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| Bass dealt to Baltimore | Friday 9/5, 12:14 PM CT |
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Brian Bass has been dealt from the Twins to the Orioles in exchange for a player to be named later, according to the Star Tribune.
Our View: Bass spent most of the season with the Twins, but held a 4.87 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 44 innings of relief, and was demoted to the minors in August. He didn't figure into Minnesota's plans for 2009, and Baltimore feels he will hold some value in their organization. |
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| Belliard may be done for the season | Friday 9/5, 11:09 AM CT |
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Ronnie Belliard may be done for the remainder of the season after sustaining a strained right groin in Thursday's game against Atlanta, according to the AP.
Our View: He will undergo an MRI today, but the team is not expecting him back this season. |
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| Saito throws pen session | Friday 9/5, 11:00 AM CT |
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Takashi Saito, who is recovering from a right elbow sprain, throw a 32-pitch bullpen session Thursday, according to the LA Times. He did not report any pain or discomfort following the session.
Our View: He is expected to return from the DL when eligible September 12, but it remains uncertain if he will reclaim his closer's role right away. |
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| Penny throws bullpen session | Friday 9/5, 10:56 AM CT |
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Brad Penny, who is recovering from right shoulder inflammation, threw a bullpen session Thursday and is optimistic he can return to the Dodgers this season as a reliever, according to the LA Times.
Our View: He has a shot to return, but may not be able to make a solid enough impact to merit keeping him on fantasy rosters as a reliever. |
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| Cabrera recalled | Friday 9/5, 10:51 AM CT |
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Melky Cabrera has been recalled from Triple-A Scranton, according to the Sports Network.
Our View: He was recalled due to the injury concerns of outfielder Bobby Abreu (left wrist). Abreu's status for the Yankees' weekend series against Seattle remains in question. Cabrera could see some action, but does not merit fantasy consideration in anything but deeper AL-only leagues, as he struggled with New York this season. |
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| Gregg plays catch | Friday 9/5, 10:43 AM CT |
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Kevin Gregg, who is recovering from a sore left knee, played catch on Tuesday, according to the Palm Beach Post. Pitching coach Mark Wiley indicated that his session was a success.
Our View: He will now progress to the mound, prior to determining when he can return as the Marlins' closer. |
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| Maier participates before game | Friday 9/5, 10:24 AM CT |
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Mitch Maier, who is recovering from facial fractures, participated in on-field activities prior to Thursday's game against Cleveland, according to the Kansas City Star.
Our View: He has a good shot to return to the Royals' lineup as soon as next weekend. Maier is worth waiting for, as he holds a .339 average over 56 at-bats. |
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| Dickerson making solid impact | Friday 9/5, 10:04 AM CT |
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Chris Dickerson has been making a solid impact with the Reds since his August 12 promotion from Triple-A Louisville, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. He went 2-for-3 with a double Thursday, and has now hit safely in seven straight games. 16 of his 26 hits have went for extra bases as well, with eight doubles, two triples, and six homers.
Our View: Dickerson should remain active in lineups while he is hot, and is proving to be among the most valuable waiver wire pick-ups during the stretch run of the season. |
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| Lamb clears waivers | Friday 9/5, 8:51 AM CT |
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Mike Lamb has cleared waivers and has been unconditionally released by the Twins, according to the Star Tribune.
Our View: He can sign with another club, but the Twins are responsible for the remainder of his two-year deal, worth roughly $3.8 million.
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| Young back in lineup | Friday 9/5, 8:48 AM CT |
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Delmon Young returned to the Twins' lineup Thursday after missing Wednesday due to a sore right ankle, according to the Star Tribune.
Our View: He will be able to continue playing, but will have to favor his ankle for a while. That decreases his fantasy value as he has actually been more productive in the speed department (14 steals) than the power department (only eight homers) this season. |
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| Gomez's playing time decreasing | Friday 9/5, 8:43 AM CT |
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Carlos Gomez's playing time has been decreasing as manager Ron Gardenhire wants to keep his best bats in the lineup during a tight AL Central race against the White Sox, according to the Star Tribune.
Our View: Gomez didn't start Thursday and only started one of the last four games. Denard Span started in center field in place of him. Gomez started Tuesday, but went 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts against AJ Burnett of Toronto, and is hitless in his last three games. He will continue to be phased out of the lineup until he gets back on track. |
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| Wilson's swelling goes down | Friday 9/5, 8:02 AM CT |
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The swelling on Jack Wilson's bruised right index finger went down significantly Thursday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Wilson said, "It's a stupid injury because it could have been avoided. I've done it before but never this bad."
Our View: He was injured while fielding a grounder. Assuming the swelling doesn't get worse, Wilson can likely return to the Pirates' lineup tonight. |
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| Sanchez rests sore arm | Friday 9/5, 7:57 AM CT |
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Freddy Sanchez sat out of the starting lineup Thursday as a precaution after being hit by a pitch on the underside of his right forearm near the heel of his hand Wednesday night, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He said, "Usually, the day after is when it's the sorest."
Our View: He did make an appearance as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning, and should be ready to play tonight. |
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| Andrews impressed with Ohlendorf | Friday 9/5, 7:52 AM CT |
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Pitching coach Jeff Andrews was impressed with Ross Ohlendorf's performance in his first major league start Wednesday against Cincinnati, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Andrews said, "I thought he did really well. He used his strength, which is his fastball. He made them speed up their bats. He attacked inside on both sides of the plate. He used his breaking ball ahead on the count well. He knew where to go with the breaking ball. His changeup is very usable."
Our View: He allowed three runs on seven hits over six innings in a no decision against Cincinnati, and his next start is set for Tuesday in Houston. He is worth targeting in NL-only leagues if available. |
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| Pence tied in outfield assists | Friday 9/5, 7:35 AM CT |
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Hunter Pence could be a sleeper for a Gold Glove, as he is tied for the major league lead with 15 outfield assists and is yet to make an error, according to the Houston Chronicle. Pence said, "It’s something I like to focus on and take some pride in (playing good defense). The award would be an honor. I don’t go out there like I deserve a Gold Glove or this and that. I try to go out there and play the game the right way and help my team win."
Our View: Pence is also making a strong impact with his bat right now as well, as he is riding a six-game hitting streak, with five multi-hit efforts over the span. |
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| Astros pleased with Newhan | Friday 9/5, 7:30 AM CT |
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Manager Cecil Cooper and the Astros' staff have been pleased with infielder David Newhan, and the club is looking for ways to get him more at-bats, according to the Houston Chronicle. Newhan has started seven of the last nine games at second base, but Cooper is considering moving him to the outfield for the first time this year. Cooper stated, "He’s making plays and getting hits. He’s done a good job. A lot of it is getting the opportunity. He’s getting to play more. He’s making some eyes go open a little bit, and we’ll keep giving him a chance. He can run, he’s a good defender and can steal some bases."
Our View: Newman especially impressed the team when he stole home on Wednesday against the Cubs, and is worth picking up in larger NL-only leagues for depth. |
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