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| 4:12 PM | Jose Valverde, RP, DET |
Valverde day to dayNews: MLB.com reports Tigers closer Jose Valverde is listed as day to day with a lower back strain. Joaquin Benoit is considered the likely closer unless matchups dictate otherwise. Valverde says he expects to be ready to pitch this weekend in the series against the Pirates. Analysis: Valverde injured his back during his Tuesday outing. It seems it's not a DL situation just yet, but we will keep you posted on Valverde's status in the coming days. Valverde is off to a shaky start this season and a big part of his problem is that he's not getting hitters to miss at the pace he has in the past. Batters are swinging and missing on just 8.5 percent of Valverde's offerings, which is a career low. Batters are also making contact at 80.4 percent, which is also a career high. Valverde isn't on the verge of losing his job, but he's not as strong of a Fantasy option if these trends continue. |
| 5:23 PM | Rich Hill, RP, BOS |
Hill hit by fly ball in batting practiceNews: Boston relief pitcher Rich Hill became the latest Red Sox pitcher to get hit by a batted ball during batting practice on Wednesday, reports ESPN.com. Hill was hit in the left arm by a fly ball but immediately signaled that he was OK as he was walking off the field. Felix Doubront was hit in batting practice on Tuesday. Analysis: Hill said he was fine and should be going forward. He's been solid this year for Boston with a 1.17 ERA over 7 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts. Hill is in a middle relief role for the Red Sox and has just low-end Fantasy value for leagues that care about middle men. |
| 5:10 PM | Lendy Castillo, RP, CHC |
Castillo has moderate groin strainNews: The Cubs are sending Lendy Castillo to the doctor on Wednesday, reports MLB.com. Castillo is dealing with a moderate groin strain and may be placed on the disabled list. Analysis: Castillo has given up six runs over 7 2/3 innings this season with an 0-1 record and a 1.83 WHIP. He's not fared all that well and may be a candidate for the disabled list. In his current role, Castillo has low-end Fantasy value. |
| 5:00 PM | Andrew Bailey, RP, BOS |
Bailey cleared to begin throwingNews: Boston relief pitcher Andrew Bailey, once tabbed to be the team's closer before landing on the disabled list with a thumb injury, has finally been cleared to throw, reports ESPN.com on Wednesday. Bailey will begin throwing next week. Analysis: Bailey was able to take off his cast last week and has now been cleared to begin throwing. It may be slow progress, but at least he's going forward. His range of motion is pretty much back, though the full story won't be known until he at least starts throwing the baseball. Fantasy owners will want to monitor that hurdle. Bailey is worth reserving only in deeper formats at this point. |
| 4:55 PM | Phil Coke, RP, DET |
Coke an alternate option for savesNews: Tigers manager Jim Leyland told reporters Wednesday that closer Jose Valverde is day to day with a strained lower back. Valverde won't be placed on the disabled list as of now, but Joaquin Benoit will serve as the interim closer until Valverde is healthy. Leyland also said Phil Coke could see time in the closer's role if the Tigers are slated to face left-handed hitters in a save situation or Benoit needs a day off. Analysis: Coke has struggled as of late, posting a 13.50 ERA in his last four innings. He still has seven holds this season and clearly Leyland holds him in high esteem. However, it seems Coke will only get into a save situation if the stars align. Benoit is the first choice with Valverde out, so he is the player worth adding off Fantasy waivers. |
| 4:53 PM | Joaquin Benoit, RP, DET |
Benoit is Tigers' interim closerNews: Tigers manager Jim Leyland told reporters Wednesday that closer Jose Valverde is day to day with a strained lower back. Valverde won't be placed on the disabled list as of now, but Joaquin Benoit will serve as the interim closer until Valverde is healthy. Leyland also said Phil Coke could see time in the closer's role if the Tigers are slated to face left-handed hitters in a save situation or Benoit needs a day off. Analysis: It's no surprise the Tigers are turning to their setup man in Valverde's absence. Octavio Dotel could have been an option as well since he has vast experience as a closer, but Benoit and Coke appear to be Leyland's first two choices. Valverde is day to day for now, but it might be worth a roster spot to add Benoit to your bench in case Valverde does need a trip to the DL. |
| 4:25 PM | Andrew Carignan, RP, OAK |
Carignan optioned to Triple-ANews: The A's optioned reliever Andrew Carignan to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday in order to make room on the roster for Travis Blackley. Analysis: Carignan made seven appearances for the A's and pitched to a 7.11 ERA over 6 1/3 innings. He went 1-1 while up with Oakland and has low-end Fantasy value. |
| 4:02 PM | Evan Meek, RP, PIT |
Meek returns from Triple-ANews: The Pirates recalled reliever Evan Meek from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday. Analysis: Meek was optioned to the minors to work on throwing strikes and he did just that. He posted six scoreless innings, striking out five. Hopefully, he made the adjustments needed to help get him back into a prominent role in the Pirates bullpen. For now, though, he has marginal Fantasy appeal. |
| 3:06 PM | Robinson Tejeda, RP, CLE |
Tejeda released by IndiansNews: The Indians announced Wednesday that reliever Robinson Tejeda was released from the roster at Triple-A Columbus. Analysis: Tejeda made just one appearance for the Clippers this season because of injury. He's a veteran MLB reliever, but ignore Tejeda in all Fantasy formats. |
| 3:04 PM | Dan Wheeler, RP, CLE |
Wheeler outrighted to Triple-ANews: The Indians announced Wednesday that reliever Dan Wheeler was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus. He was designated for assignment on Sunday. Analysis: Wheeler is a veteran MLB reliever. He posted a 8.76 ERA before being placed on waivers, which is why teams probably shied away from him. Wheeler can be ignored in all Fantasy formats. |
| 3:02 PM | Jenrry Mejia, RP, NYM |
Mejia promoted to Double-A to startNews: The Mets announced Wednesday that pitcher Jenrry Mejia, who is rehabbing from elbow surgery, has been promoted to Double-A Binghamton and will start Saturday at Portland. Analysis: The report on Tuesday was that Mejia was headed to Triple-A to work in relief. While that still might happen down the road, Mejia will remain stretched out as a starter for now. It seems to make sense since Mejia went 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA and .184 opponents' batting average in two starts for Class A St. Lucie and could help the Mets rotation later this summer. If Mejia joins the Mets rotation this year, then he will start out as an NL-only Fantasy option. |
| 1:58 PM | Alexi Ogando, RP, TEX |
Ogando keeps scoreless streak aliveNews: Rangers reliever Alexi Ogando has run his scoreless innings streak to 15 1/3 innings. Ogando is 1-0 with a 0.45 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and six holds in 17 outings this season. He also has 21 strikeouts and just two walks in 20 innings. Analysis: Ogando might have been booted from the rotation this year, but he hasn't sulked about being put back in the bullpen. He's pitching in key situations in front of closer Joe Nathan and has been dominant. Even without regular save chances, Ogando is the 28th highest scoring Fantasy reliever in Head-to-Head formats and 55th highest scoring pitcher in Rotisserie formats. |
| 1:22 PM | Aroldis Chapman, RP, CIN |
Chapman managing perfect ERANews: Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman continues to maintain a perfect ERA through mid-May. The left-handed reliever has started the 2012 season with 18 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just six hits and five walks in that span. Most impressively, however, is that he has 32 strikeouts. Chapman has four holds and a 3-0 record as well. Analysis: Sensational is probably the best word to describe Chapman's performance to begin 2012. Despite losing out on a rotation spot this spring, Chapman hasn't sulked and has accepted his role as a left-handed setup man. You would think with this much dominance that Chapman should belong in the closer's role, but as of now Cincinnati likes Sean Marshall in that role. Even without regular save chances, Chapman is the 19th highest Fantasy scoring relief pitcher in Head-to-Head formats and the 27th best scoring pitcher in Rotisserie formats. Needless to say, Chapman is a Fantasy pitcher that needs to be kept active. |
| 12:00 PM | Peter Moylan, RP, ATL |
Moylan set to throw off moundNews: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Braves reliever Peter Moylan will throw his first bullpen session Tuesday since having 2011 shoulder surgery. Moylan said he feels "amazing," but he has no target date for a return. Analysis: Moylan rejoined the Braves with a minor-league deal in January. However, one thing we know about shoulder surgeries is that the recovery timetable can be unpredictable, so Moylan has many more hurdles left before he has a chance to return to the majors. Moylan was a reliable reliever before getting hurt. However, he won't see regular save chances once he returns to the majors, so he has marginal Fantasy appeal. Leave him off Fantasy rosters while he rehabs. |
| 11:19 AM | Kyle Kendrick, RP, PHI |
Kendrick to replace WorleyNews: The Phillies scratched starting pitcher Vance Worley from his Wednesday start on Tuesday because of right elbow inflammation. On Wednesday, the Phillies went even further by putting Worley on the 15-day DL. Joe Savery was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Worley's roster spot and Kyle Kendrick will replace Worley in the rotation, starting Wednesday against the Cubs. Analysis: Kendrick should get a few turns through the rotation before Worley is ready for activation. Although, Kendrick is not an upgrade at starter. He is 38-29 with a 4.55 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 101 career starts. Consider him a stopgap NL-only Fantasy option. |
| 11:15 AM | Joe Savery, RP, PHI |
Savery recalled by PhilliesNews: The Phillies scratched starting pitcher Vance Worley from his Wednesday start on Tuesday because of right elbow inflammation. On Wednesday, the Phillies went even further by putting Worley on the 15-day DL. Joe Savery was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Worley's roster spot and Kyle Kendrick will replace Worley in the rotation, starting Wednesday against the Cubs. Analysis: Savery has a 3.38 ERA in 12 career MLB outings. He's just bullpen depth foe the Phillies and has marginal Fantasy appeal. |
| 5/15/2012 | David Robertson, RP, NYY |
Robertson lands on disabled listNews: Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a strained left oblique. An MRI taken Tuesday morning revealed the issue and he is expected to be sidelined until at least the end of May. Robertson, 27, has been dealing with the issue over the past week and has not pitched since last Friday. He suffered his first loss two days before when he allowed his first runs of the season. Relief pitcher Cody Eppley was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take his place on the roster. Robertson believes he'll be able to return after the minimum DL stay. Analysis: New York's once-stellar back-end of the bullpen is now down to one -- at least temporarily. Robertson, who was considered part of a two-man committee for saves after Mariano Rivera suffered a season-ending injury, has appeared in 15 games this season while posting a 2.51 ERA and one save in two chances. Rafael Soriano will now take over the closer role exclusively for the Yankees. Fantasy owners should leave Robertson reserved in all formats while tracking his health status over the next few weeks. |
| 1:58 AM | Rafael Betancourt, RP, COL |
Betancourt Ks two for seventh saveNews: Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt entered Tuesday's series finale against the Giants in the ninth inning with a one-run lead. He gave up a one-out single and issued a two-out walk but was able to make it through the frame unscathed to secure the 5-4 win. Betancourt also struck out two while collecting his seventh save of the season. Analysis: Betancourt collected his first save since April 25 on Tuesday and has made three straight scoreless appearances after blowing the save on May 2. He is now 7 for 8 in save chances and has struck out 15 in 14 innings pitched. While the Rockies have struggled to wins games thus far, the right-hander is on pace for a career campaign so continue to view Betancourt as a viable option in deeper mixed leagues. |
| 1:48 AM | Santiago Casilla, RP, SF |
Casilla tagged with second lossNews: Giants reliever Santiago Casilla entered Tuesday's series finale against the Rockies in the ninth inning with the game tied 4-4. The right-hander surrendered a leadoff home run to Marco Scutaro before retiring the next two batters. He was then pulled for Javier Lopez. Unfortunately, his teammates were unable to mount a rally in the bottom of the inning and Casilla took the loss in the 5-4 defeat. It was the second loss of the season for Casilla. Analysis: Casilla allowed just his third earned run of the season on Tuesday as he was burned by the long ball. He is expected to continue to see save chances in San Francisco, however, so owners need not worry. He has converted 8 of 9 save opportunities thus far so continue to view Casilla as a viable option in deeper mixed leagues. |
| 1:39 AM | J.J. Putz, RP, ARI |
Putz throws scoreless outingNews: Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Tuesday night's contest against the Dodgers. Putz came on in the ninth inning and retired three of the four batters he faced in the non-save situation. He needed only 11 pitches to get through the frame and lowered he lowered his ERA to 8.18 after his outing. Analysis: While there was no save on the line Tuesday night, manager Kirk Gibson wanted to get the veteran some work. Putz has only made four appearances in May and two of them haven't gone so well as he was tagged for a combined six earned runs in those appearances. However, as long as he continues to get the call when the game is one the line, Putz will continue to have value in most mixed formats. Leave him active in the majority of formats moving forward. |
| 12:23 AM | D.J. Carrasco, RP, NYM |
Carrasco ejected for hitting BraunNews: Mets reliever D.J. Carrasco was ejected from Tuesday night's contest against the Brewers after hitting in the seventh inning of the 8-0 win. Carrasco, who had just served up a solo home run to Rickie Weeks, hit Braun with his very next pitch, which resulted in his ejection. "I didn't like it. I don't understand it," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. Analysis: Carrasco denied hitting Braun intentionally after the game, but Cole Hammel most likely ensured no pitcher will admit to hitting a batter on purpose anymore. However, this is likely the farthest this incident will go and Carrasco will be back pitching in the Mets bullpen on Wednesday. As merely a middle reliever, Carrasco's Fantasy value should be limited to the deepest of NL-only formats that reward true middle men moving forward. |
| 5/15/2012 | Takashi Saito, RP, ARI |
Saito throws bullpen sessionNews: Diamondbacks reliever Takashi Saito, on the 15-day disabled list with a calf injury, threw a bullpen session on Tuesday, reports MLB.com. It was the first time Saito has thrown since suffering a setback while on a rehab assignment with Class A Visalia back on April 21. Analysis: Saito reported no issues after his outing, but still has a ton of hurdles to get over before he is ready to return. He will likely need at least a few more rehab outings before that happens, so Fantasy owners shouldn't be expecting to see him back with the Diamondbacks anytime soon. Keep an eye on his status moving forward. Still, as a middle reliever, Saito will have just marginal Fantasy appeal when healthy. |
| 5/15/2012 | Vin Mazzaro, RP, KC |
Mazzaro wins in return to rotationNews: Royals starter Vin Mazzaro kept the Rangers offense in check all night on Tuesday in Texas. Mazzaro built off what Bruce Chen did just one night earlier as the Royals took two from Texas in the two-game series. Mazzaro was solid as he allowed three earned runs on seven hits and one walk over five innings to improve to win his first decision of the season in his first start after taking over for Jonathan Sanchez in the rotation. Mazzaro struck out two and threw 81 pitches in the start. His ERA is at 4.50 on the year. Analysis: The 25-year-old Mazzaro had an 8.26 ERA over seven appearances and four starts last year for the Royals so the team saw a different pitcher this time around in his start for Sanchez. The Royals are also dealing with rotation injuries to Danny Duffy and that is likely going to keep Mazzaro starting every fifth day for a while. Mazzaro is next scheduled to start on Sunday in interleague play against Arizona. That is going to be another tough matchup and Fantasy owners should still look at Mazzaro as mostly an AL-only Fantasy option. |
| 5/15/2012 | Fernando Rodney, RP, TB |
Rodney remains perfect in save chancesNews: Rays reliever Fernando Rodney entered Tuesday's series finale against the Blue Jays in the ninth inning with a one-run lead. He needed just 10 pitches to retire the side in order and secure the 4-3 win. Rodney also struck out two while collecting his 11th save of the season. Analysis: Rodney has done a tremendous job pitching in the ninth inning for the Rays as he has gone a perfect 11 for 11 in save chances with a 0.51 ERA. He also has 17 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings with just three walks. Owners that are in need of saves in mixed leagues should consider scooping Rodney up as he is on pace for a productive campaign. |
| 5/15/2012 | Jim Johnson, RP, BAL |
Johnson converts 20th straight saveNews: Orioles closer Jim Johnson recorded his 20th consecutive save dating back to last season on Tuesday night as he closed out the Yankees. Johnson gave up a single in the ninth, but otherwise had little trouble getting three outs for his 12th save of the season. Johnson needed just eight pitches and his ERA is at 0.54. Analysis: Johnson is among the best closers in baseball with his 12 saves on the season to this point. He's given up just one earned run all year spanning 17 2/3 innings with 12 strikeouts and can be active in just about all mixed Fantasy formats at this point. |
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