Sunday Lineup Card: Athletic Allen

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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Projected Starters – A look at Sunday's matchups (all times Eastern)

Twins (Kevin Slowey – R) at Indians (David Huff – L), 1:05
Rays (James Shields – R) at Yankees (Freddy Garcia – R), 1:05
Angels (Dan Haren – R) at Blue Jays (Brett Cecil – L), 1:07
Giants (Ryan Vogelsong – R) at Marlins (Chris Volstad – R), 1:10
Padres (Wade LeBlanc – L) at Reds (Dontrelle Willis – L), 1:10
Nationals (Chien-Ming Wang – R) at Phillies (Roy Halladay – R), 1:35
Cubs (Matt Garza – R) at Braves (Brandon Beachy – R), 1:35
Tigers (Doug Fister – R) at Orioles (Jo-Jo Reyes – R), 1:35
Pirates (Charlie Morton – R) at Brewers (Shaun Marcum – R), 2:10
Royals (Jeff Francis – L) at White Sox (John Danks – L), 2:10
Rangers (Matt Harrison – L) at Athletics (Rich Harden – R), 4:05
Astros (Jordan Lyles – R) at Dodgers (Hiroki Kuroda – R), 4:10
Mets (Chris Capuano – L) at Diamondbacks (Jason Marquis – R), 4:10
Red Sox (Tim Wakefield – R) at Mariners (Charlie Furbush – L), 4:10
Rockies (Esmil Rogers – R) at Cardinals (Edwin Jackson – R), 8:05

Day game after a night game: WAS, PHI, SF, FLA, CHC, ATL, SD, CIN, NYM, AZ, HOU, LAD, DET, BAL, MIN, CLE, KC, CHW, BOS, SEA

Injuries – A brief look at players who have been missing time with minor ailments and their expected returns

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)
Xavier Nady, OF, AZ – (Hand) Broke his hand when hit by a pitch Friday. A trip to the DL is probably on tap.
Tommy Hanson, SP, ATL – (Shoulder) Should make his next start Tuesday.
Placido Polanco, 3B, PHI – (Hip) Will soon decide whether or not to undergo surgery.
Brennan Boesch, OF, DET – (Thumb) Sat out Friday. Remains day-to-day.
Marco Scutaro, SS, BOS – (Back) Scratched from Friday's lineup with a stiff back.
Alexi Casilla, 2B, MIN – (Hamstring) Removed as a precaution after his hamstring tightened up Friday.
Michael Brantley, OF, CLE – (Wrist) He's not expected to go on the DL.
Justin Smoak, 1B, SEA – (Nose) Suffered a broken nose in Friday's game.
Brandon McCarthy, SP, OAK – (Knee) Left with a knee bruise after being hit in the leg by a line drive.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK – (Calf) Is not expected to go on the DL.
Kevin Youkilis, 3B, BOS – (Back) Hopes to play Saturday after sitting out Friday with a stiff back.
A.J. Pierzynski, C, CHW – (Wrist) Doubtful to play Saturday with a sore wrist.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, MIN – (Neck) Could return to the lineup Sunday.

Players on the DL
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS – (Elbow) Threw three scoreless innings in his second rehab start Friday.
Dee Gordon, SS, LAD – (Shoulder) Placed on the 15-day DL Friday.
Brain McCann, C, ATL – (Oblique) Could return Sunday, but no earlier.
Hanley Ramirez, SS, FLA – (Shoulder) Should be ready to play when eligible to return from the DL Aug 18.
Derrek Lee, 1B, PIT – (Wrist) Could miss 2¬-4 weeks.
Al Alburquerque, RP, DET – (Head) Placed on the 7-day DL.
Carlos Villanueva, RP, TOR – (Elbow) Would return in a relief role if he's able to return this season.
J.D. Drew, OF, BOS – (Shoulder) Took batting practice Friday.
Bobby Jenks, RP, BOS – (Back) Will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, but a return date hasn't been set.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY – (Knee) On track to return to the Yankees' lineup Thursday.

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

Placed on the DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Derrek Lee, 1B, PIT
Al Alburquerque, RP, DET (7-day, concussion)

Activated from DL
NA

Called Up
Josh Harrison, 3B, PIT
Ryan Perry, RP, DET
Bruce Billings, RP, OAK
Brandon Allen, 1B, OAK

Sent Down
Adam Rosales, 3B/2B, OAK
Jordan Norberto, RP, OAK

Closer Watch – A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (also check out our Closer Grid)

Colorado – Huston Street went on the DL with tightness in his triceps. He could return immediately following the mandatory 15 days of inactivity. With Matt Lindstrom (arm) also on the DL, Rafael Betancourt has been announced as the team's interim closer. Grab him if you need saves, he's done well this season.

Kansas City – Greg Holland picked up his second save of the season Friday. He came into the game in a save situation, but the Royals stacked on three more runs to their lead in the top of the ninth to erase the need to bring on Joakim Soria for the traditional save. Therefore, Holland stayed in the game to close it out. Soria's still the undisputed closer.

Recommended Pickup

Brandon Allen, 1B/OF, OAK – Allen has been featured here in the past, but he was since traded and demoted to Triple-A. Now that his new team's front office staff, the Athletics, have taken their collective heads out of the sand and called him up to the majors, we could see Allen finally get a chance to play every day. You'll want to probably wait and see how much he's being used before adding Allen, but this is the flag being waved to let you know he's back in the majors. Through 345 at-bats at Triple-A this season, Allen hit 21 home runs. He has legit, but he also strikes out at a prodigious rate. There's a chance he could get put in a time share at first base, hitting only against righties, but if he gets the everyday job, Allen could help post big power numbers for fantasy teams down the stretch.

Other recent recommendations:Rafael Betancourt, J.D. Martinez, Robinson Chirinos, Kyle Blanks, Garrett Jones

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Draft Street Lineup

C Victor Martinez (DET-C) $7,758
1B Paul Goldschmidt (ARI-1B) $6,163
2B Jason Kipnis (CLE-2B) $8,804
3B Emilio Bonifacio (FLA-3B) $4,510
SS Troy Tulowitzki (COL-SS) $9,228
OF Vernon Wells (LAA-OF) $4,271
OF B.J. Upton (TB-OF) $4,620
OF Delmon Young (MIN-OF) $4,669
U Chris Young (ARI-OF) $5,882
U Mike Stanton (FLA-OF) $5,953
OF Vernon Wells (LAA-OF) $4,271
OF B.J. Upton (TB-OF) $4,620
OF Delmon Young (MIN-OF) $4,669
U Chris Young (ARI-OF) $5,882
U Mike Stanton (FLA-OF) $5,953

Total: $99,786