We go around baseball's pitching staffs and Fantasy's two-start pitcher options every Sunday of the season in the weekly Pitching Planner.
A rainy weekend has made a mess of rotations and Probable Pitchers, so bare with us and pay close attention to detail.
Staff reflections
Arizona Diamondbacks: A rainy Sunday forced the D-Backs to start No. 6 starter Edgar Gonzalez and hold Randy Johnson out until Tuesday. ... The Big Unit becomes a two-start pitcher for Fantasy Week 7 (May 12-18). ... Micah Owings, Brandon Webb, Dan Haren and Max Scherzer follow as one-start options in the six-game week. ... Doug Davis (thyroid) is on a Triple-A rehab assignment and might make his final rehab start this week and move phenom Max Scherzer back to the bullpen after Scherzer starts Saturday. ... Don't give up on Scherzer at this point, because his elite talent will make him a must-have if he gets starts again this year. The Big Unit's age and injury history makes Scherzer likely to be needed in the rotation again this season, even if he gets some time back in the bullpen.
Atlanta Braves: After Sunday's rainout, Jair Jurrjens and Tim Hudson are two-start pitchers. They will start in Monday's doubleheader and the Braves will need a six-man rotation this week. ... Projected Tuesday starter Jo-Jo Reyes is dealing with a raw spot that never had a chance to turn into a blister, though, so he is a questionable option. If Reyes cannot start or needs to be moved back a few days, a starter would be called up from the minors. ... The most likely candidate, Charlie Morton, 24, has a 1.76 ERA through six Triple-A starts and one relief appearance. He went 7 1/3 innings without a walk or an earned run last Thursday and would be ready in Reyes' place. Since Reyes doesn't have a blister yet, he said he should be fine for a start this week. Consider Morton a sleeper in deeper NL-only leagues if you want to take a flier on a potential starter call-up. He is not a top prospect, but his numbers right now are noteworthy, especially since the Braves need a sixth starter. ... Tom Glavine and Chuck James are certain one-start options in the eight-game week. ... John Smoltz (shoulder) hopes to return before June, but it will come in relief. ... Rafael Soriano (elbow) likely won't be ready this week, so keep him stashed in all leagues.
Baltimore Orioles: With days off Monday and Thursday, the O's don't figure to have any two-start pitchers this week. ... Brian Burres could be skipped next Sunday, though, if the Orioles choose to keep Jeremy Guthrie on regular rest. That would give Guthrie a second start, but don't count on that happening at this point.
Boston Red Sox: Clay Buchholz is a two-start pitcher, but a Thursday day off could allow the Red Sox to move Josh Beckett up a day to Sunday to keep their ace on regular rest. ... We don't forsee that happening at this point, but that makes Buchholz's two-start week a tad less intriguing. ... Beckett is a must-start pitcher with or without two starts. ... Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield are certain one-start pitchers in the six-game week.
Chicago Cubs: A rainy Sunday forced the Cubs to start No. 6 starter Sean Gallagher and move Carlos Zambrano to Monday. Zambrano and likely Jason Marquis are two-start pitchers in Fantasy Week 7 (May 12-18) now. ... Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster and likely skipped No. 5 starter Jon Lieber follow as one-start options in the seven-game week. ... The Cubs have Rich Hill, Sean Marshall and Kevin Hart working every five days in Triple-A now and any one of the three can replace Lieber in the rotation sooner or later. Consider them fliers in deeper formats in that order above. Hill clearly belongs in the big leagues once he regains his lost command.
Chicago White Sox: Mark Buehrle and John Danks are two-start pitchers. ... Jose Contreras, Javier Vazquez and Gavin Floyd follow as one-start options in a seven-game week.
Cincinnati Reds: A doubleheader last Saturday necessitates a six-man rotation this week, so Aaron Harang is the only certain two-start pitcher in the seven-game week. ... Edinson Volquez would pick up a second start next Sunday if the Reds decide to start Bronson Arroyo or Matt Belisle on short rest Wednesday, keeping a five-man rotation. ... Homer Bailey also started Saturday and was beat up, so he would need to work on short rest to be the candidate to fill-in as the No. 6 starter. Consider that unlikely at this point. ... Former reliever Justin Lehr has a 2.53 ERA in Triple-A, was dynamite in his past start last Friday and would be on regular rest for the Wednesday No. 6 starter's spot. Consider him a high-risk option for the deepest of NL-only leagues if he gets the call.
Cleveland Indians: A rainout Sunday forces a doubleheader Monday and a six-man rotation in an eight-game week. ... Fausto Carmona and Cliff Lee start Monday and are two-start pitchers to use in all leagues. ... Paul Byrd, C.C. Sabathia and Aaron Laffey follow as certain one-start options. ... Byrd could get a second start if the Indians decide to use Carmona or Lee on three-day's rest instead of going to a No. 6 starter. ... Jeremy Sowers can be ready for a spot start Friday when the No. 6 spot is needed. Sowers can be considered a flier in deeper AL-only formats for his potential to open the interleague series in Cincinnati.
Colorado Rockies: Jeff Francis is a two-start pitcher. ... Jorge De La Rosa, Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez and rookie Greg Reynolds figure to follow as one-start options in the six-game week. ... Franklin Morales has yet to start in Triple-A and could be a candidate to replace Reynolds or De La Rosa anytime sooner or later.
Detroit Tigers: A rainout Sunday moves Nate Robertson back to Tuesday and a two-start week. ... Justin Verlander, Kenny Rogers, Jeremy Bonderman and likely Armando Galarraga follow as one-start options in the six-game week. ... Dontrelle Willis (knee) will need two rehab starts Tuesday and Sunday before the Tigers make a decision on his potential return. Keep him reserved for one more week and consider him a sleeper for any format once he is healthy. ... Robertson is now starting the same days as Willis, so he could be pitching for his rotation spot now that Galarraga is proving rotation worthy.
Florida Marlins: Burke Badenhop and Mark Hendrickson are two-start pitchers. ... Ricky Nolasco, Andrew Miller and Scott Olsen follow as one-start options in the seven-game week.
Houston Astros: Roy Oswalt and Brandon Backe are two-start pitchers. ... Brian Moehler, Chris Sampson and Shawn Chacon follow as one-start options in the seven-game week.
Kansas City Royals: Zack Greinke is a two-start pitcher. ... Luke Hochevar, Gil Meche, Brett Tomko and Brian Bannister are slated to follow as one-start options in a six-game week.
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John Lackey's much anticipated return to the Angels rotation should happen this week.
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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: With the expected return of
John Lackey (triceps) on Wednesday,
Nick Adenhart likely makes his final start before being sent back to Triple-A. ... The struggles of
Jered Weaver might be the only way Adenhart gets a two-start week. If Adenhart pitches well and Weaver gets beat up again, Weaver could be sent to the bullpen or Triple-A. Adenhart would be a two-start pitcher in that scenario -- or if Lackey cannot return Wednesday as planned. ... We think Adenhart is the odd man out at this point, so consider Weaver the Angels' lone two-start pitcher Tuesday and Sunday. ... Lackey,
Jon Garland,
Joe Saunders and
Ervin Santana follow as one-start options in the seven-game week.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Brad Penny is a two-start pitcher. ... Derek Lowe, Chad Billinsley, likely Hiroki Kuroda and then a May 17 TBD follow as one-start options in the six-game week. ... Jason Schmidt (shoulder) or Esteban Loaiza (shoulder) won't be ready for May 17, so the TBD is either long reliever Hong-Chih Kuo or elite prospect Clayton Kershaw, who last pitched in relief in Double-A. ... Kuo looks more likely for May 17 than 20-year-old Kershaw at this point, but the opening is there and makes for an interesting decision for the cooled-off Dodgers.
Milwaukee Brewers: Dave Bush and Carlos Villanueva are two-start pitchers. ... Manny Parra, Ben Sheets and Jeff Suppan follow as one-start pitchers in the seven-game week. ... The Brewers will discuss the back end of their rotation early this week, though, so Jeff Weaver could be a candidate for a call-up to replace one of Villanueva or Parra. Consider Weaver a flier to take in deeper NL-only leagues for his potential to be called up to struggling team but that was an expected contender. ... The back end of the bullpen is also a mess. Eric Gagne is no longer the closer. Recently hot Guillermo Mota figures to lead a closer-by-committee, which will also feature Salomon Torres and David Riske. Mota, Torres and Riske -- take a potential closer flier in that order in deep leagues where you are hurting for saves.
Minnesota Twins: Livan Hernandez and Kevin Slowey are two-start pitchers. ... Boof Bonser, Glen Perkins and Nick Blackburn follow as one-start pitchers in the seven-game week. ... Francisco Liriano has looked better in his past two Triple-A outings, but he won't be a true candidate to return until June at this point. ... Scott Baker (groin) won't be a candidate to return in Fantasy Week 7 (May 12-18), but he could replace Perkins thereafter.
New York Mets: A rainout Friday and doubleheader Saturday necessitates a six-man rotation with the No. 6 spot up Wednesday. Claudo Vargas, who pitched seven shutout innings in his last Triple-A start, is the likely candidate for that start. Consider him a one-start sleeper in deeper NL-only leagues against the Nationals at home. That is a nice matchup. The Mets' alternative is starting Johan Santana or Mike Pelfrey on three-days rest -- very unlikely. ... John Maine is a certain two-start pitcher, while Nelson Figueroa could lose his second start over the weekend for the reslotting of Mike Pelfrey.
New York Yankees: A rainout Sunday moves Andy Pettitte back to Monday for the opener of a series against the Rays and a two-start week. ... Chien-Ming Wang is also a two-start pitcher, a must-start one. ... Mike Mussina follows Wednesday as a one-start pitcher, while the status of Kei Igawa or Darrell Rasner on Thursday is up in the air. ... Igawa could be sent back to the minors and Rasner can start on regular rest Thursday, but that means the Yankees would need a starter to open the Mets series Friday. We say Igawa gets one more look Thursday and Rasner goes Friday. ... The Yankees are considering bringing Ian Kennedy back, but that won't happen in Fantasy Week 7 (May 12-18).
Oakland Athletics: Justin Duchscherer is a two-start pitcher. ... Joe Blanton, Greg Smith, Dana Eveland and likely Rich Harden -- if he comes out of his Sunday start fine -- are one-start options in the six-game week. ... Chad Gaudin has been demoted to the bullpen for the return of Harden, but he will be ready in the event Harden isn't. At this point, you have to consider Harden a start-to-start risk.
Philadelphia Phillies: Kyle Kendrick is a two-start pitcher. ... Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer and Adam Eaton follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week.
Pittsburgh Pirates: (Updated Monday, May at 10:15 a.m. ET) A rainout Sunday forces a doubleheader Monday and a six-man rotation for the Pirates. No. 6 starter John Van Benschoten will start the nightcap in a spot-start basis. ... Zach Duke gets moved back from Sunday starts the first game Monday to open his two-start week. ... Phil Dumatrait starts Tuesday and remains a two-start pitcher for Fantasy Week 7 (May 12-18). ... Paul Maholm, Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelanny follow as one-start pitchers in an eight-game week.
San Diego Padres: Randy Wolf and Shawn Estes are two-start pitchers. ... Jake Peavy, Greg Maddux and Chris Young follow as one-start pitchers in the seven-game week. ... Estes returns to the rotation after Tommy John surgery, so consider him a risky option at this point. He is a sleeper, though, for deeper leagues if the Padres hit stride.
San Francisco Giants: Barry Zito and Matt Cain are two-start pitchers. ... Patrick Misch, Tim Lincecum and Jonathan Sanchez follow as one-start options in the seven-game week. ... Kevin Correia (oblique) and Noah Lowry (elbow) are not candidates to return until at least early June at this point. Lowry should be a couple of weeks behind Correia.
Seattle Mariners: Erik Bedard is a two-start pitcher. ... Felix Hernandez, Carlos Silva, Jarrod Washburn and Miguel Batista follow as one-start options in the six-game week. ... Days off Thursday and the following Monday could make Washburn or Batista candidates to be skipped if the Mariners choose to keep Hernandez on his regular fifth day. We don't see that likely at this point, but it is good reason to sit Washburn or Batista if you have viable alternatives.
St. Louis Cardinals: Adam Wainwright and Kyle Lohse are two-start pitchers. ... Todd Wellemeyer, Joel Pineiro and Braden Looper are one-start options in the seven-game week. ... Ryan Franklin has replaced Jason Isringhausen as the closer for now. Consider Franklin a solid option for any league, because he is pitching well and the Cardinals are a top contender that have created a league-high save opportunities to date. ... Isringhausen should eventually right himself and return to the closer's role, but it could be weeks before that happens at this point.
Tampa Bay Rays: Matt Garza and Edwin Jackson are two-start pitchers. ... James Shields, Scott Kazmir and Andy Sonnanstine follow as one-start options in the seven-game week.
Texas Rangers: Kevin Millwood (groin) was placed on the 15-day DL and the Rangers have a Thursday off day, so it is likely they go with a four-man rotation in Fantasy Week 7 (May 12-18). ... Take makes Vicente Padilla and Kason Gabbard two-start pitchers. ... If the Rangers decide to slot long reliever A.J. Murray or Luis Mendoza (shoulder) off the DL as the No. 5 starter this week, Gabbard would lose his second start. ... We think it is more likely Mendoza returns from the DL next week and the Rangers stick with Murray in relief and the four-man rotation.
Toronto Blue Jays: A rainout Sunday forces a doubleheader Monday and seven games in eight days. ... A.J. Burnett and Shaun Marcum both start Monday and are expected two-start pitchers. ... Since it is unlikely the Blue Jays bring Burnett or Marcum back to pitch Friday on three-days rest, they will need a No. 6 starter this week. Long reliever Brian Tallet could be used out of the bullpen Friday. ... If the Jays decide to go to the minors for a starter, Sunday's Syracuse starter Bill Murphy (3-1, 2.80) would be on regular rest. Saturday's Syracuse starter David Purcey (3-3, 2.22) could also be held back a day for the spot start. ... Both are on the 40-man roster, as is Triple-A starter Davis Romero (0-2, 4.29). Romero won't be on schedule and is not pitching well at all right now. ... Consider Murphy or Purcey fliers to take in deeper AL-only leagues if you are desperate. Purcey is a better long-term prospect, but either one is likely to head right back to Triple-A after the start, though.
Washington Nationals: Odalis Perez and John Lannan are two-start pitchers. ... Tim Redding, the once-demoted Matt Chico and Shawn Hill are one-start options in the seven-game week. ... Mike O'Connor had taken over the rotation spot of Chico, who has been demoted to the bullpen, but O'Connor was abused Saturday and sent back to Triple-A on Sunday.
Fantasy Week 7 (May 12-18)
Pitch a question
Jeff Taccarino, Ocean City, N.J.: In my 12-team Head-to-Head league, I have Johan Santana, Dan Haren, Cliff Lee, Oliver Perez, Jon Lester and Mike Mussina. I'm going with Lee and Moose for their two starts, leaving me two open spots. Johan is obviously starting, so who does the last slot go to?
Emack: Moose lost his two-start week with Sunday's Yankees rainout. Santana, Haren and Lee are must-starts. Your final spot is down to Perez at NYY, Lester at BAL or Mussina at TB (James Shields). We might say keep Mussina there, but Shields is a tougher matchup for the Yankees and Mussina than Daniel Cabrera is for Lester and the Red Sox.
Stephen Hall: Which would you prefer to own -- Micah Owings or Dan Haren?
Emack: Owings got off to a nice start, but Haren's year-to-year and start-to-start consistency make him a must-have in all leagues. This shouldn't even be a debate.
Randy Rosenthal, Omaha, Nebraska: I'm in a 12-team Head-to-Head league and John Lackey is about to come off the DL. I have to drop a starting pitcher in order to activate him. My current pitching staff consists of Justin Verlander, Dan Haren, Daisuke Matsuzaka, John Maine, James Shields, Shaun Marcum, Cliff Lee and Edinson Volquez. Who should I drop? All of my starters are pitching very well so far this year with the exception of Verlander. Do I dare drop him?
Emack: Don't drop Verlander right now. He still can get hot and be a Fantasy ace. Also, do not activate Lackey until next week at this point. It will be a tough cut next week, but you should would drop Marcum if all of the others remain healthy through this week.
Devin Mitchell, South Pasadena, California: I've got one starting spot left and three guys: Ian Snell, Derek Lowe and Bronson Arroyo. Who should I start?
Emack: Lowe is struggling. Snell faces a first-place team and an expected top contender. Arroyo, who was better last time out, should cool off the red-hot/first-place Marlins. They are playing above their heads right now. Go with Arroyo.
You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball pitching questions to DMFantasyBaseball @cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Pitching Planner in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses to all questions.
