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2012 Draft Prep: National League 5x5 auction

Al Melchior
  •  

The National League may not have the overall offensive firepower of the American League, but it offers NL-only owners a bevy of top outfield options. In our 12-team, NL-only Rotisserie league auction, many of those elite outfielders, like Matt Kemp, Ryan Braun and Justin Upton, came off the board early and set the tone for big spending at the position. Six of the first nine players nominated were outfielders, and they cost their owners a collective $188, even though the group included a $5 Bryce Harper.

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In fact, the highest bids came for players who qualify at what are arguably the NL's three deepest positions at the upper levels: outfield, shortstop and pitcher. Of the 16 players who fetched at least $30, only Joey Votto ($44) and Brandon Phillips ($30) played a position other than one of those three. This is not to say that position scarcity didn't matter, though. Votto has a greater advantage over his fellow elites at first base as compared to the top players at other positions, and he wound up being the most expensive player in the auction. Meanwhile, there are many similarly-productive options at the top of the second base, third base and catcher rankings, so owners were typically willing to wait to fill those positions, rather than spend $25 or more for the likes of Rickie Weeks or Brian McCann.

Scarcity also drove prices up as players were coming off the board. Phillips and Dee Gordon ($25) were both nominated relatively late, and both saw their values inflated compared to some similar alternatives. There weren't many late-auction bargains, as a few owners held onto their dollars deep into the auction, though Tim Hudson ($5) and Jason Kubel ($10) likely came more cheaply than they would have if they were nominated earlier.

Scoring for Batting Categories

BA - Batting Average
HR - Home Runs
R - Runs
RBI - Runs Batted In
SB - Stolen Bases

Pitching Categories

ERA - Earned Run Average
K - Strikeouts (Pitcher)
S - Saves
W - Wins
WHIP - Walks + Hits / Inning

The owners ...

1. Scott White, CBSSports.com
2. Scott Swanay and Steve Parsons, OptimalBaseball.com
3. John Toczydlowski and Mike Gianella, Patton & Co.
4. Al Melchior, CBSSports.com
5. Andrew Fiorentino, RotoWire.com
6. Patrick Davitt, Baseball HQ
7. Marc Normandin, FakeTeams.com
8. Grey Albright and Rudy Gamble, Razzball
9. Tim McLeod, RotoRob
10. Mike Kuchera, FanDuel.com
11. Christopher Kreush and Todd Zola, Mastersball.com
12. Bernie Pleskoff, RotoWire.com

Editor's note: Utilize the sortable functionality to get a sense of the auction. View by team, dollar amount and position.

Have a take on our latest auction results? Share your thoughts on our Fantasy Baseball Facebook page and on our Twitter feed @CBSFantasyBB !

2012 NL-only Fantasy Auction Draft (sortable)
OrderPlayerPosPriceBid Won by
276Adam Kennedy, LAD1B$1Baseball HQ
275Derrek Lee, PIT1B$1Baseball HQ
274Daniel Descalso, STL3B$1Baseball HQ
273Paul Maholm, CHCP$1Baseball HQ
272Domonic Brown, PHIOF$1Baseball HQ
271Matt Belisle, COLP$1Baseball HQ
270Chris Johnson, HOU3B$1RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
269Skip Schumaker, STL2B$1Baseball HQ
268Jesus Flores, WASC$1FanDuel.com
267Norichika Aoki, MILOF$1RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
266Shelby Miller, STLP$1Mastersball.com
265Nate McLouth, PITOF$1Baseball HQ
264Tyler Colvin, COLOF$1RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
263Casey McGehee, PIT3B$1FanDuel.com
262Juan Pierre, PHIOF$1RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
261Kyle Lohse, STLP$2RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
260Chris Coghlan, MIAOF$1Baseball HQ
259Mike Nickeas, NYMC$1RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
258Kyle Blanks, SDOF$1FanDuel.com
257Ryan Theriot, SFSS$1OptimalBaseball.com
256Willie Bloomquist, ARISS$1RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
255Eric Surkamp, SFP$1Mastersball.com
254Jeff Karstens, PITP$1Baseball HQ
253Jordan Pacheco, COL1B$1RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
252Charlie Morton, PITP$1FanDuel.com
251Luke Gregerson, SDP$8Razzball
250Brad Lincoln, PITP$1OptimalBaseball.com
249John Lannan, WASP$1RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
248Taylor Green, MIL2B$4CBSSports.com (White)
247Roger Bernadina, WASOF$1Mastersball.com
246Clayton Richard, SDP$1CBSSports.com (Melchior)
245Scott Rolen, CIN3B$2Mastersball.com
244Juan Rivera, LADOF$4RotoRob
243Carlos Gomez, MILOF$1FanDuel.com
242Joe Blanton, PHIP$1Patton & Co
241Chris Narveson, MILP$1Razzball
240Sergio Romo, SFP$2RotoRob
239Joe Saunders, ARIP$1RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
238David Hernandez, ARIP$1CBSSports.com (White)
237Darwin Barney, CHC2B$2CBSSports.com (Melchior)
236Juan Uribe, LAD3B$2FakeTeams.com
235Jerry Sands, LADOF$2RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
234Randall Delgado, ATLP$1RotoRob
233Drew Pomeranz, COLP$3RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
232Francisco Rodriguez, MILP$1FanDuel.com
231Jordan Lyles, HOUP$1Patton & Co
230Gerardo Parra, ARIOF$1Razzball
229Freddy Sanchez, SF2B$3RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
228James McDonald, PITP$1OptimalBaseball.com
227Brett Jackson, CHCOF$4Razzball
226Jorge De La Rosa, COLP$1CBSSports.com (White)
225Brian Bogusevic, HOUOF$3Mastersball.com
224Tim Federowicz, LADC$1CBSSports.com (Melchior)
223Edward Mujica, MIAP$1Baseball HQ
222Rex Brothers, COLP$1RotoRob
221Nate Schierholtz, SFOF$3RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
220Nolan Arenado, COL3B$4RotoRob
219Randy Wolf, MILP$2CBSSports.com (White)
218Brandon Crawford, SFSS$2Mastersball.com
217Clint Barmes, PITSS$6Razzball
216Fernando Salas, STLP$2RotoRob
215Mike Pelfrey, NYMP$1RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
214Welington Castillo, CHCC$1CBSSports.com (White)
213Jordan Schafer, HOUOF$9RotoRob
212Chris Snyder, HOUC$3Mastersball.com
211Casey Blake, COL3B$2CBSSports.com (White)
210Bryan LaHair, CHCOF$10RotoRob
209David Ross, ATLC$2FakeTeams.com
208Jason Bourgeois, HOUOF$3CBSSports.com (White)
207Sean Marshall, CINP$2Baseball HQ
206Jason Bartlett, SDSS$9RotoRob
205Rod Barajas, PITC$5CBSSports.com (White)
204Mike Leake, CINP$4FanDuel.com
203Erik Bedard, PITP$3FanDuel.com
202Tyler Clippard, WASP$3CBSSports.com (Melchior)
201A.J. Ellis, LADC$3RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
200Jason Castro, HOUC$3FanDuel.com
199Ryan Ludwick, CINOF$3CBSSports.com (White)
198Tyler Greene, STL2B$5RotoRob
197Ruben Tejada, NYM2B$3RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
196Barry Zito, SFP$1FanDuel.com
195Ted Lilly, LADP$6Patton & Co
194Anthony Rizzo, CHC1B$2FakeTeams.com
193Alex Gonzalez, MILSS$3Razzball
192Edwin Jackson, WASP$5Baseball HQ
191Aaron Harang, LADP$2Razzball
190Roy Oswalt, PHIP$2OptimalBaseball.com
189Nick Hundley, SDC$7RotoRob
188Omar Infante, MIA2B$4RotoRob
187Allen Craig, STLOF$6CBSSports.com (Melchior)
186Tim Stauffer, SDP$6FakeTeams.com
185Carlos Zambrano, MIAP$4RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
184Nyjer Morgan, MILOF$5CBSSports.com (Melchior)
183Aroldis Chapman, CINP$4FakeTeams.com
182Jonny Venters, ATLP$7FakeTeams.com
181Garrett Jones, PITOF$7FakeTeams.com
180Chad Billingsley, LADP$9Patton & Co
179Jeremy Guthrie, COLP$2FakeTeams.com
178Pedro Alvarez, PIT3B$6RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
177Dillon Gee, NYMP$2FakeTeams.com
176Ryan Dempster, CHCP$8CBSSports.com (Melchior)
175Juan Nicasio, COLP$4Razzball
174Chris Capuano, LADP$4OptimalBaseball.com
173R.A. Dickey, NYMP$3CBSSports.com (White)
172Jhoulys Chacin, COLP$14RotoRob
171Orlando Hudson, SD2B$3Patton & Co
170Jon Jay, STLOF$5CBSSports.com (Melchior)
169Jair Jurrjens, ATLP$8RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
168Mark Ellis, LAD2B$5FakeTeams.com
167Ryan Hanigan, CINC$4Razzball
166Ryan Vogelsong, SFP$3RotoRob
165Placido Polanco, PHI3B$2CBSSports.com (White)
164Josh Thole, NYMC$3Patton & Co
163Ricky Nolasco, MIAP$4Razzball
162Bud Norris, HOUP$11RotoRob
161Tim Hudson, ATLP$5FakeTeams.com
160Ty Wigginton, PHI3B$4OptimalBaseball.com
159Mike Minor, ATLP$6CBSSports.com (Melchior)
158Brett Wallace, HOU1B$4CBSSports.com (Melchior)
157Mark Buehrle, MIAP$5Patton & Co
156Josh Collmenter, ARIP$3Mastersball.com
155Bronson Arroyo, CINP$1RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
154A.J. Burnett, PITP$5Mastersball.com
153J.D. Martinez, HOUOF$10RotoRob
152Shaun Marcum, MILP$11Patton & Co
151David DeJesus, CHCOF$5FakeTeams.com
150Edinson Volquez, SDP$6OptimalBaseball.com
149Will Venable, SDOF$11Patton & Co
148Jesus Guzman, SD1B$3Mastersball.com
147Chipper Jones, ATL3B$9FakeTeams.com
146Ian Stewart, CHC3B$9FanDuel.com
145Jason Bay, NYMOF$9RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
144Jimmy Paredes, HOU3B$8Mastersball.com
143Homer Bailey, CINP$5CBSSports.com (Melchior)
142Marlon Byrd, CHCOF$7Patton & Co
141John Mayberry, PHIOF$15CBSSports.com (White)
140Jed Lowrie, HOUSS$13RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
139Rafael Furcal, STLSS$7FakeTeams.com
138Wilin Rosario, COLC$7Baseball HQ
137Andres Torres, NYMOF$9OptimalBaseball.com
136Jaime Garcia, STLP$14FanDuel.com
135Mat Gamel, MIL3B$13RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
134Tyler Pastornicky, ATLSS$9RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
133Zack Cozart, CINSS$11CBSSports.com (Melchior)
132David Freese, STL3B$14RotoRob
131Frank Francisco, NYMP$15RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
130Vance Worley, PHIP$8Patton & Co
129Jonathon Niese, NYMP$6RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
128Wilson Ramos, WASC$15RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
127Kenley Jansen, LADP$8CBSSports.com (Melchior)
126Carlos Ruiz, PHIC$9Patton & Co
125Carlos Quentin, SDOF$10CBSSports.com (Melchior)
124Geovany Soto, CHCC$11Razzball
123John Buck, MIAC$9OptimalBaseball.com
122Cory Luebke, SDP$18RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
121Carlos Lee, HOUOF$14FanDuel.com
120Huston Street, SDP$14OptimalBaseball.com
119Todd Helton, COL1B$8RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
118Tony Campana, CHCOF$5Razzball
117Johnny Cueto, CINP$12Patton & Co
116Jose Altuve, HOU2B$15RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
115Chris Heisey, CINOF$6FakeTeams.com
114Alfonso Soriano, CHCOF$6Patton & Co
113Anibal Sanchez, MIAP$14Razzball
112Wandy Rodriguez, HOUP$8CBSSports.com (White)
111Jason Kubel, ARIOF$10Razzball
110Aramis Ramirez, MIL3B$21Patton & Co
109Daniel Hudson, ARIP$19Razzball
108Ramon Hernandez, COLC$11OptimalBaseball.com
107Chase Headley, SD3B$13Patton & Co
106Martin Prado, ATLOF$17CBSSports.com (White)
105Johan Santana, NYMP$6Mastersball.com
104Lucas Duda, NYMOF$20FakeTeams.com
103Alex Presley, PITOF$10Mastersball.com
102Carlos Beltran, STLOF$17Patton & Co
101Angel Pagan, SFOF$17CBSSports.com (Melchior)
100Jay Bruce, CINOF$27Razzball
99Yonder Alonso, SDOF$10OptimalBaseball.com
98Michael Cuddyer, COLOF$24RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
97Rafael Betancourt, COLP$16RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
96Drew Stubbs, CINOF$22FanDuel.com
95Dexter Fowler, COLOF$14Patton & Co
94Javy Guerra, LADP$11Razzball
93Stephen Drew, ARISS$11FanDuel.com
92Ryan Roberts, ARI3B$15CBSSports.com (Melchior)
91Aaron Hill, ARI2B$13Razzball
90Jayson Werth, WASOF$21FakeTeams.com
89Ryan Zimmerman, WAS3B$26Razzball
88Ian Desmond, WASSS$17FanDuel.com
87Carlos Marmol, CHCP$18RotoRob
86Devin Mesoraco, CINC$10RotoRob
85Chris Carpenter, STLP$15OptimalBaseball.com
84Jason Motte, STLP$15Mastersball.com
83Cameron Maybin, SDOF$19RotoRob
82Logan Morrison, MIAOF$19CBSSports.com (White)
81Jose Tabata, PITOF$15Patton & Co
80Marco Scutaro, COLSS$10OptimalBaseball.com
79Danny Espinosa, WAS2B$17RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
78Brandon Belt, SFOF$12OptimalBaseball.com
77Gio Gonzalez, WASP$18RotoRob
76Pablo Sandoval, SF3B$24Razzball
75Neil Walker, PIT2B$18Mastersball.com
74Miguel Montero, ARIC$20Mastersball.com
73Joel Hanrahan, PITP$17Mastersball.com
72Jason Heyward, ATLOF$19FanDuel.com
71Yadier Molina, STLC$15CBSSports.com (Melchior)
70Dee Gordon, LADSS$25RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
69Jordan Zimmermann, WASP$16RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
68Brandon Phillips, CIN2B$30Baseball HQ
67Jonathan Papelbon, PHIP$19Mastersball.com
66Trevor Cahill, ARIP$10Razzball
65Melky Cabrera, SFOF$15Mastersball.com
64Matt Garza, CHCP$18Baseball HQ
63John Axford, MILP$18RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
62Rickie Weeks, MIL2B$21CBSSports.com (Melchior)
61Andre Ethier, LADOF$24CBSSports.com (Melchior)
60Chris Young, ARIOF$23Mastersball.com
59Heath Bell, MIAP$18FanDuel.com
58Buster Posey, SFC$20Baseball HQ
57Matt Cain, SFP$23OptimalBaseball.com
56Brandon Beachy, ATLP$22RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
55Jimmy Rollins, PHISS$21Patton & Co
54Brian Wilson, SFP$13RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
53Mat Latos, CINP$19CBSSports.com (Melchior)
52Starlin Castro, CHCSS$28Baseball HQ
51Hunter Pence, PHIOF$30RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
50Aubrey Huff, SF1B$10OptimalBaseball.com
49Madison Bumgarner, SFP$23Patton & Co
48Ryan Madson, CINP$19FakeTeams.com
47David Wright, NYM3B$29FanDuel.com
46Paul Goldschmidt, ARI1B$22RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
45Tommy Hanson, ATLP$17RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
44Gaby Sanchez, MIA1B$17Razzball
43Drew Storen, WASP$19Baseball HQ
42Brett Myers, HOUP$10OptimalBaseball.com
41Zack Greinke, MILP$24FanDuel.com
40Carlos Gonzalez, COLOF$43FakeTeams.com
39Corey Hart, MILOF$24Baseball HQ
38Daniel Murphy, NYM1B$15FanDuel.com
37Tim Lincecum, SFP$28Baseball HQ
36Adam LaRoche, WAS1B$14OptimalBaseball.com
35Ian Kennedy, ARIP$20CBSSports.com (White)
34Dan Uggla, ATL2B$28CBSSports.com (White)
33Brian McCann, ATLC$21RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
32Shane Victorino, PHIOF$24Baseball HQ
31Chase Utley, PHI2B$20Mastersball.com
30Adam Wainwright, STLP$23FakeTeams.com
29Yovani Gallardo, MILP$21CBSSports.com (White)
28Lance Berkman, STLOF$21CBSSports.com (White)
27James Loney, LAD1B$14Patton & Co
26Ryan Howard, PHI1B$14OptimalBaseball.com
25Hanley Ramirez, MIASS$36OptimalBaseball.com
24Jonathan Lucroy, MILC$12FakeTeams.com
23Josh Johnson, MIAP$18CBSSports.com (White)
22Ike Davis, NYM1B$24CBSSports.com (White)
21Giancarlo Stanton, MIAOF$34RotoRob
20Freddie Freeman, ATL1B$20CBSSports.com (Melchior)
19Craig Kimbrel, ATLP$23CBSSports.com (Melchior)
18Michael Bourn, ATLOF$28FakeTeams.com
17Jose Reyes, MIASS$30Patton & Co
16Troy Tulowitzki, COLSS$39OptimalBaseball.com
15Stephen Strasburg, WASP$23FakeTeams.com
14Michael Morse, WAS1B$26FanDuel.com
13Cole Hamels, PHIP$25FanDuel.com
12J.J. Putz, ARIP$16CBSSports.com (White)
11Clayton Kershaw, LADP$34RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
10Emilio Bonifacio, MIASS$26CBSSports.com (White)
9Justin Upton, ARIOF$36Razzball
8Andrew McCutchen, PITOF$32Mastersball.com
7Roy Halladay, PHIP$33Mastersball.com
6Bryce Harper, WASOF$5OptimalBaseball.com
5Cliff Lee, PHIP$31CBSSports.com (Melchior)
4Matt Holliday, STLOF$30RotoWire.com (Fiorentino)
3Ryan Braun, MILOF$43RotoWire.com (Pleskoff)
2Joey Votto, CIN1B$44Baseball HQ
1Matt Kemp, LADOF$42RotoRob
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Player News
Miguel Cabrera gets assist on latest home run
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(10:57 am ET) Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera homered for a third straight game Wednesday against the Indians, but this time he got an assist from Michael Bourn. The veteran outfielder tried to make a play on Cabrera's fly ball in the eighth inning, but as he leapt on the warning track to reach up for the baseball, it appeared to hit the inside of his glove and go over the wall for a two-run homer.

"It's one of those freak things that happens," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said, per MLive.com. "You see it now and then. You don't see it that often."

Cabrera has hit safely in eight straight games and all but one of 19 May games. His slash line in May is .418/.489/.848/1.337. He also has seven doubles, nine home runs, 10 walks, 16 runs and 24 RBI.


Kevin Gausman needs to 'harness' adrenaline
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(10:46 am ET) Orioles catcher Matt Wieters said it will be his job to keep rookie pitcher Kevin Gausman from getting too amped during his major-league debut Thursday against the Blue Jays, according to MASNsports.com.

"It's kind of my job every night, to try to get those pitchers in the mindset to where they can have the most success, especially with a young guy coming up," Wieters said. "Just make him feel like, don't worry about the results at the end of the game. Just go about your business and go pitch by pitch, and that's the best way to get through the game. And then you can sit down and think about it after the game's over."

Wieters also provided a scouting report on Gausman, who is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball.

"He's a kid who's got great stuff," Wieters said. "He's able to mix in his offspeed stuff, which, for a young guy to have secondary pitches he can throw for strikes is big for him. On top of that, being able to locate his fastball is going to be key. He'll have adrenaline going, but the big thing is just being able to harness it. And once you get through that first inning, it's just back to settling down and pitching."


Red Sox won't negotiate with Jacoby Ellsbury until offseason
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(10:41 am ET) Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington hinted Thursday during a radio interview with WEEI the team probably won't engage in contract talks with outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury until after the season. Ellsbury is eligible for free agency in the offseason.

"It’s just, in this case, we agreed before the season that we would defer (contract negotiations) until the end of the season," Cherington said. "That’s our expectation right now. You never say never. Things can change. But our expectation is we pick up the conversation after the season.”


Joe Mahoney to begin rehab assignment Sunday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(10:36 am ET) Marlins manager Mike Redmond said Wednesday first baseman Joe Mahoney (hamstring) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A New Orleans Sunday, according to The Miami Herald. Mahoney has been sidelined since late April.

Logan Morrison to move rehab to Double-A Monday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(10:33 am ET) Marlins manager Mike Redmond said Wednesday first baseman Logan Morrison (knee) will continue rehabbing with Class A Jupiter before moving his rehab assignment to Double-A Jacksonville Monday, according to The Miami Herald. Morrison is batting .231 (3 for 13) with one RBI in three games for Jupiter.

David Price unlikely to be activated May 31
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(10:23 am ET) Rays manager Joe Maddon said starting pitcher David Price, who is on the disabled list with a triceps strain, is "feeling" and "doing better," according to the Tampa Bay Times.

While Price hasn't had any setbacks, it doesn't appear he will come off the disabled list when eligible May 31.

"He's probably at the backside of three starts, I would say, at least," Maddon said Wednesday. "We're going to be real careful with this one."

Maddon added Price is likely to get one minor-league rehab start before returning.


Jeremy Hellickson happy with fastball command
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(10:18 am ET) Rays starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson didn't pick up the win Wednesday against the Blue Jays, but he tossed a season-high eight innings and felt encouraged after he allowed a season-high eight runs in his previous outing.

"My fastball command was probably the best it's been," he said, per the Tampa Bay Times. "I think if I can command that, everything else is a little bit better."


Evan Longoria puts worry behind him
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(10:16 am ET) Rays third baseman Evan Longoria admitted Wednesday he was nervous he wouldn't make it through a full season because his legs felt tired at season's outset.

"I felt pretty bad after the first week of the season, like 10 games in. I was kind of scared," Longoria said, per the Tampa Bay Times. "Because in spring training, you probably don't play three-four games in a row at the most toward the end of spring. Once we got like a week, 10 days into the season, I was feeling like, man, my legs were tired. And thoughts started to creep in about how you're going to do it for 162 days."

The Rays made the decision to use Longoria as the DH in an April 10 game against Texas and the slugger said he has felt better ever since. The Rays continue to use Longoria at DH every now and then, and it seems to be the formula to ease the 27-year-old's mind and keep him fresh. Longoria extended his career-best hitting streak to 16 games Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

"I haven't felt that fatigue," he said. "I feel like my legs are getting stronger and feeling better as the season goes on. And with that worry behind me, I can be focused on other things."


Stealing third a strong indication of David Ortiz's health
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(10:09 am ET) Red Sox DH David Ortiz stole third base for the first time in his career Wednesday against the White Sox. It was his first stolen base since 2011

"Just felt like it was a chance to gain 90 feet if we have a hard-hit basehit," manager John Farrell said, per the Boston Herald. "We felt like it was an opportunity to move up. I don't know if we'll make a habit of it."

It was still an encouraging sign about Ortiz's health. The slugger began the season on the disabled list because of lingering problems with his Achilles.

"I've been running well lately. I've been feeling better," Ortiz said. "If I feel well I'm going to run. I mean not steal bases, but try to take advantage of whatever's happening, whenever a guy hits the ball or whatever. ... Momentum in the game, it happens. And I don’t have a zero in that category anymore."


Tyler Skaggs finally rounding into form
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(9:57 am ET) Diamondbacks starting pitcher prospect Tyler Skaggs has worked through a rough patch of starts for Triple-A Reno, and on Wednesday signaled he's finally settled down. After allowing at least six runs in three of five starts from April 13-May 5, Skaggs allowed three or fewer runs Wednesday for the third straight start.

The left-hander struck out a season-high 10 in 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits. 

"I just felt like I had everything working -- fastball, changeup, curve -- and my catcher Ed Easley was calling a great game," Skaggs said, per MLB.com. "By far, it was easily my best start of the year. I didn't feel great in the bullpen [before the game] but got out there, started bearing down and got going."

Skaggs is 4-5 with a 5.23 ERA in nine starts. However, he's won his last two starts and has posted 2.66 ERA in his last three outings. He's managed 54 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings this season.

"I feel like my mechanics are getting better, hitting that groove, throwing the ball well," Skaggs said. "But I wouldn't say I'm at the peak yet. I've still got things to work out, but I feel pretty good, and the numbers are starting to show that."


 
 
 
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