Saturday Lineup Card: Josmil Ticket

Written by

Updated on April 12, 2014 12:41AM EST

Projected Starters - A look at Saturday's matchups (all times Eastern)

Red Sox (John Lackey - R) at Yankees (Hiroki Kuroda - R), 1:05
Rays (Alex Cobb - R) at Reds (Alfredo Simon - R), 1:10
Indians (Justin Masterson - R) at White Sox (Felipe Paulino - R), 2:10
Royals (James Shields - R) at Twins (Ricky Nolasco - R), 2:10
Cubs (Carlos Villanueva - R) at Cardinals (Adam Wainwright - R), 2:15
Rockies (Brett Anderson - L) at Giants (Matt Cain - R), 4:05
Blue Jays (Drew Hutchison - R) at Orioles (Bud Norris - R), 7:05
Marlins (Nathan Eovaldi - R) at Phillies (Jonathan Pettibone - R), 7:05
Pirates (Edinson Volquez - R) at Brewers (Yovani Gallardo - R), 7:10
Nationals (Taylor Jordan - R) at Braves (Alex Wood - L), 7:10
Astros (Jarred Cosart - R) at Rangers (Tanner Scheppers - R), 8:05
Dodgers (Zack Greinke - R) at Diamondbacks (Wade Miley - L), 8:10
Tigers (Justin Verlander - R) at Padres (Ian Kennedy - R), 8:40
Mets (Jon Niese - L) at Angels (Jered Weaver - R), 9:05
Athletics (Sonny Gray - R) at Mariners (Erasmo Ramirez - R), 9:10

Day Game After Night Game: BOS, NYY, TB, CIN, CLE, CHW, KC, MIN, CHC, STL, COL, SF

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL - (Quad) Scratched Friday but is expected to play Saturday and Sunday.
Adrian Beltre, 3B, TEX - (Quad) Held out of the lineup again Friday.
Andrelton Simmons, SS, ATL - (Wrist) Hopes to return to the lineup Saturday.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK - (Wrist) Was not included in Friday's lineup.
Torii Hunter, OF, DET - (Knee) Missed a second straight start Friday but expects to return to the lineup Saturday.
Wilin Rosario, C, COL - (Wrist) Scratched Friday with a strain, which he suffered Tuesday.
Ben Revere, OF, PHI - (Ribs) Held out of Friday's lineup due to soreness but manager Ryne Sandberg is hopeful he'll be back Saturday.
J.J. Hardy, SS, BAL - (Back) Expects to return to the lineup Saturday.

Players on the DL
Aroldis Chapman, P, CIN - (Head) Scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday.
Manny Machado, 3B, BAL - (Knee) Expected to log a few at-bats in an extended spring training game Saturday.
Hisashi Iwakuma, P, SEA - (Finger) Set for another bullpen session Saturday.
Mat Latos, P, CIN - (Knee, Elbow) Felt tenderness in his flexor mass region during a bullpen session Friday.
Josh Hamilton, OF, LAA - (Thumb) Underwent surgery Friday and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.
Jose Reyes, SS, TOR - (Hamstring) Ran the bases Friday and felt comfortable.
Matt Moore, P, TB - (Elbow) Awaiting a comparison of his latest MRI to a previous one.
Doug Fister, P, WAS - (Back) Completed a 35-pitch bullpen session Friday.
Casey Janssen, P, TOR - (Back) Available to throw a side session Saturday.
Cameron Maybin, OF, SD - (Arm) Began rehab assignment at Triple-A El Paso on Friday.
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, BOS - (Calf) Took 40 swings and fielded grounders Friday.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY - (Hamstring) Could return by May 1.
James Paxton, P, SEA - (Back) Unlikely to throw for another week.
Craig Gentry, OF, OAK - (Back) Manager Bob Melvin said there's a "good chance" he's activated Saturday.
Josh Willingham, OF, MIN - (Wrist) Hit the 15-day DL on Friday.
Tyler Chatwood, P, COL - (Hamstring) Set to start Sunday against the Giants.
Jake Arrieta, P, CHC - (Shoulder) Must complete at least one more rehab start at Double-A Tennessee.
Chris Young, OF, NYM - (Quad) Played in another extended spring training game Friday and will now head to Triple-A Las Vegas to begin a rehab assignment.
Cody Ross, OF, ARI - (Hip) Returned to the lineup at Triple-A Reno on Thursday.
Jason Bartlett, SS, MIN - (Ankle) Ran the bases Friday and will begin a rehab assignment at High-A Fort Myers on Saturday.
Jeff Keppinger, 3B, CWS - (Shoulder) Played three innings in an extended spring training game Wednesday.
Brendan Ryan, SS, NYY - (Back) Unlikely to return before May 1.
Michael Almanzar, 3B, BAL - (Knee) Getting close to playing in extended spring training games.

Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.

Placed on the DL (15-day, unless otherwise noted)
Josh Willingham, OF, MIN

Activated from the DL (15-day, unless otherwise noted)
Jeff Locke, P, PIT
Freddy Galvis, 2B, PHI
Matt Albers, P, HOU (paternity list)

Called Up
Kevin Kiermaier, OF, TB

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Jeff Locke, P, PIT
Josh Zeid, P, HOU
Cesar Hernandez, 2B, PHI (to Double-A Reading)

Signed
Randy Wolf, P, ARI (minor league contract)

Closer Watch

Tampa Bay Rays - Grant Balfour relieved starter David Price with one out in the ninth inning Friday, after Price gave up a homer to Joey Votto which brought the Reds within one run. Following a strikeout of Ryan Ludwick, Balfour proceeded to load the bases with three consecutive walks -- he also uncorked a wild pitch -- before striking out Bryan Pena looking to preserve the 2-1 win. Balfour allowed one walk in his first three appearances, and has now given up just one hit over 3.2 scoreless innings on the season. Manager Joe Maddon's clearly has plenty of trust in the right-hander.

Milwaukee Brewers - Francisco Rodriguez struck out the side in the ninth inning Friday to earn his third save of the season. He's recorded multiple strikeouts in four of his five appearances thus far, and hasn't allowed a single hit in last four outings. Jim Henderson set him up with a perfect eighth inning, and manager Ron Roenicke has said that the team wants to get Henderson back into the role eventually, but he said something similar when John Axford struggled at the beginning of last season and Axford never got the job back. It won't be easy for Henderson if K-Rod keeps this up.

Oakland A's - A day after Jim Johnson was formally removed from the closer's role, manager Bob Melvin shed a bit of light on his new closer-by-committee approach. Melvin confirmed that Ryan Cook, who just recently returned from a shoulder injury, won't be in the mix for saves right away, as the skipper wants to ease him back in with low-leverage innings. Luke Gregerson and Sean Doolittle are his top options to close, depending on the matchups, meaning the right-handed Gregerson will likely see the bulk of the opportunities.

Hot Batter Matchups – April 12, 2014

Edit Matchup Criteria

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
D. Pedroia	2B	BOS @ NYY 1:05PM	H. Kuroda	14	6	2	1	2	1	0	.429	.467	.714	1.181
E. Longoria	3B	TB @ CIN 1:10PM	A. Simon	13	4	4	2	3	1	3	.308	.357	.923	1.280
A. Dunn	1B	CWS vs CLE 2:10PM	J. Masterson	25	9	3	1	3	4	7	.360	.433	.560	.993
J. Kubel	OF	MIN vs KC 2:10PM	J. Shields	20	9	3	1	4	2	4	.450	.500	.700	1.200
J. Mauer	C	MIN vs KC 2:10PM	J. Shields	28	11	2	0	4	2	4	.393	.433	.500	.933
M. Holliday	OF	STL vs CHC 2:15PM	C. Villanueva	10	3	2	2	3	2	2	.300	.417	.900	1.317
T. Tulowitzki	SS	COL @ SF 4:05PM	M. Cain	53	18	10	4	6	5	10	.340	.397	.698	1.095
J. Thole	C	TOR @ BAL 7:05PM	B. Norris	11	3	1	1	1	2	2	.273	.385	.545	.930
R. Braun	OF	MIL vs PIT 7:10PM	E. Volquez	25	9	2	1	3	5	5	.360	.467	.520	.987
R. Weeks	2B	MIL vs PIT 7:10PM	E. Volquez	14	6	3	2	3	3	1	.429	.556	.929	1.484
G. Sanchez	1B	PIT @ MIL 7:10PM	Y. Gallardo	16	6	2	1	4	1	4	.375	.412	.625	1.037
J. Tabata	OF	PIT @ MIL 7:10PM	Y. Gallardo	10	4	1	0	0	2	1	.400	.500	.500	1.000
C. Granderson	OF	NYM @ LAA 9:05PM	J. Weaver	25	9	5	5	5	2	6	.360	.407	.960	1.367

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Hot Pitcher Matchups – April 12, 2014

Edit Matchup Criteria

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Zack Greinke	LAD @ ARI 8:10PM	64	15	3	1	3	5	16	.234	.300	.296	.596

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Cold Batter Matchups – April 12, 2014

Edit Matchup Criteria

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
J. Ellsbury	OF	NYY vs BOS 1:05PM	J. Lackey	10	2	0	0	0	0	2	.200	.200	.200	.400
K. Johnson	2B	NYY vs BOS 1:05PM	J. Lackey	10	2	0	0	2	0	1	.200	.200	.200	.400
A. Soriano	OF	NYY vs BOS 1:05PM	J. Lackey	30	3	1	0	0	3	7	.100	.182	.133	.315
A. Ramirez	SS	CWS vs CLE 2:10PM	J. Masterson	37	6	2	1	2	2	5	.162	.205	.270	.475
Y. Molina	C	STL vs CHC 2:15PM	C. Villanueva	18	3	0	0	1	0	1	.167	.211	.167	.377
C. Gonzalez	OF	COL @ SF 4:05PM	M. Cain	34	4	0	0	2	5	10	.118	.225	.118	.343
D. Stubbs	OF	COL @ SF 4:05PM	M. Cain	11	1	1	0	0	1	4	.091	.167	.182	.348
C. Rasmus	OF	TOR @ BAL 7:05PM	B. Norris	22	4	3	1	1	2	6	.182	.250	.409	.659
J. Lucroy	C	MIL vs PIT 7:10PM	E. Volquez	10	1	0	0	0	1	2	.100	.182	.100	.282
P. Alvarez	3B	PIT @ MIL 7:10PM	Y. Gallardo	12	0	0	0	0	3	7	.000	.200	.000	.200
C. Barmes	SS	PIT @ MIL 7:10PM	Y. Gallardo	15	1	0	0	0	1	4	.067	.125	.067	.192
A. Hill	2B	ARI vs LAD 8:10PM	Z. Greinke	21	5	1	0	0	0	3	.238	.273	.286	.558
A. Ethier	OF	LAD @ ARI 8:10PM	W. Miley	10	2	0	0	2	0	2	.200	.273	.200	.473
H. Ramirez	SS	LAD @ ARI 8:10PM	W. Miley	11	2	1	0	0	1	0	.182	.250	.273	.523

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Cold Pitcher Matchups – April 12, 2014

Edit Matchup Criteria

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
James Shields	KC @ MIN 2:10PM	66	24	6	1	9	5	9	.364	.408	.504	.912
Edinson Volquez	PIT @ MIL 7:10PM	90	27	8	5	14	16	15	.300	.416	.527	.943

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Recommended Pickup

Josmil Pinto, C, MIN - While serving as the Twins' designated hitter Friday, Pinto went 1-for-3 with a home run -- his second of the year -- two walks and two runs scored. It was his second start at DH in the team's last four games, and he'll likely continue to see at least occasional starts there when not behind the plate. In response to Oswaldo Arcia (wrist) and Josh Willingham (wrist) both hitting the DL this week, the Twins appear to be preparing Chris Colabello for a semi-regular role in right field, with Jason Kubel moving to left. That creates an opening at DH, and Pinto seems like the team's best option, especially now that Chris Herrmann is also up to help with catching duties. The 25-year-old has hit for average in the upper levels of the minors and was very impressive in 22 games after his September callup last season (.342/.398/.566 with four homers in 76 at-bats).

Other Recent Recommendations: Kelly Johnson, Yangervis Solarte, Nathan Eovaldi and Charlie Blackmon

DraftStreet Value Picks
P - Nathan Eovaldi, MIA ($14,643)
C - Josmil Pinto, MIN ($4,530)
1B - Prince Fielder, TEX ($5,803)
2B - Omar Infante, KC ($5,195)
SS - Derek Jeter, NYY ($4,446)
3B - Pablo Sandoval, SF ($5,327)
OF - Starling Marte, PIT ($5,776)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.