Thursday Lineup Card: Holding Betancourt

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Rays (Roberto Hernandez - R) at Royals (Ervin Santana - R), 2:10
Padres (Eric Stults - L) at Cubs (Travis Wood - L), 2:20
Marlins (Alex Sanabia - R) at Phillies (Kyle Kendrick - R), 7:05
Red Sox (Ryan Dempster - R) at Blue Jays (J.A. Happ - L), 7:07
Nationals (Dan Haren - R) at Braves (Kris Medlen - R), 7:10
White Sox (Jake Peavy - R) at Rangers (Justin Grimm - R), 8:05
Tigers (Rick Porcello - R) at Astros (Jordan Lyles - R), 8:10
Cardinals (Jake Westbrook - R) at Brewers (Wily Peralta - R), 8:10
Orioles (Chris Tillman - R) at Angels (Joe Blanton - R), 10:05

Day Game After Night Game: TB, KC, SD, CHC

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Rob Brantly, C, MIA (Finger) - Has a cut on his right index finger but should be able to play within the next few days.
Carl Crawford, OF, LAD (Hamstring) - Missed Wednesday's contest.
R.A. Dickey, P, TOR (Neck) - An MRI was returned negative Wednesday, and he is expected to start Saturday.
Scott Downs, P, LAA (Ribs) - Suffered a rib cage injury Wednesday and may require a DL stint.
Mark Ellis, 2B, LAD (Quadriceps) - Remained out of the lineup Wednesday.
Bryce Harper, OF, WAS (Lat) - Removed from Wednesday's game, after suffering a bruised lat during a sixth-inning swing.
Omar Infante, 2B, DET (Knee) - Sidelined Wednesday, as his knee remained sore.
Chris Getz, 2B, KC (Illness) - Has battled allergies since Tuesday and was out of the lineup Wednesday.
Josh Johnson, P, TOR (Triceps) - His arm feels improved, and he intends to make Friday's scheduled start.
Ted Lilly, P, LAD (Back) - Will avoid throwing for two days, after receiving an injection in his right rib cage Tuesday.
A.J. Pierzynski, C, TEX (Oblique) - Missed another outing Wednesday but intends to play Thursday.
David Robertson, P, NYY (Ankle) - Sustained an apparent ankle injury Wednesday.
Wilin Rosario, C, COL (Foot) - Sat out Tuesday, after taking a foul ball off his right foot Monday.
Travis Snider, OF, PIT (Oblique) - Did not start for a fifth consecutive game but pinch hit and played right field in the latter innings Wednesday.
Stephen Strasburg, P, WAS (Forearm) - Appears good to go for his Saturday start following a clean bullpen session Wednesday.
Nick Swisher, OF, CLE (Shoulder) - Expected to return to the lineup Friday.
Jose Tabata, OF, PIT (Hamstring) - Removed from Wednesday's game due to a hamstring injury and will undergo an MRI on Thursday.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL (Shoulder) - Returned to the lineup Wednesday.
Shane Victorino, OF, BOS (Back) - Hopes to return to the lineup Friday.
Neil Walker, 2B, PIT (Hand) - Remains a few days away from swinging a bat, as he is expected to have stitches removed Saturday.
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS (Ankle) - An MRI was returned negative Wednesday, and he'll return to the lineup once his hamstring fully heals.

Players on the DL
Matt Adams, 1B, STL (Oblique) - Slated to start a rehab assignment Friday.
Scott Baker, P, CHC (Elbow) - Started playing catch again Wednesday.
Gordon Beckham, 2B, CHW (Wrist) - Had stitches removed from his wrist, and afterward, he was able to swing a bat.
Michael Bourn, OF, CLE (Finger) - Has yet to take live batting practice, and no timetable exists for starting a rehab assignment.
Alberto Callaspo, 3B, LAA (Calf) - Tallied two hits in four at-bats Wednesday in his second rehab contest.
Jhoulys Chacin, P, COL (Back) - Will join the Rockies on Friday and be activated in time to start Sunday's game.
Johnny Cueto, P, CIN (Triceps) - Expected to start a rehab outing Friday.
Cole De Vries, P, MIN (Forearm) - Scheduled for a rehab start Sunday.
Frank Francisco, P, NYM (Elbow) - In line for a two-inning rehab stint either Wednesday or Thursday.
Kyuji Fujikawa, P, CHC (Forearm) - May be a part of a closing committee upon his return from the DL.
Matt Garza, P, CHC (Arm) - On track to make at least three more rehab starts before joining the big club.
Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY (Forearm) - Completed two at-bats in extended spring training Wednesday.
Matt Harrison, P, TEX (Back) - Endured a second surgery Wednesday to repair a herniated disc.
Todd Helton, 1B, COL (Wrist) - Took batting practice Wednesday and will likely be activated from the DL on Sunday.
Aaron Hill, 2B, ARI (Hand) - Checked out by doctors Tuesday, after which it was decided his hand would stay in a splint.
Paul Janish, SS, ATL (Oblique) - Strained his oblique while on a rehab assignment for an injured shoulder.
Jeff Karstens, P, PIT (Shoulder) - Expected to complete a simulated game Friday.
Francisco Liriano, P, PIT (Arm) - Scheduled to join the rotation on May 11, despite being fully healthy at the moment.
J.D. Martinez, OF, HOU (Knee) - Embarked on a rehab assignment Tuesday.
Charlie Morton, P, PIT (Elbow) - On pace to join the Pirates around May 14.
Jason Motte, P, STL (Elbow) - Threw from both 60 and 90 feet Tuesday.
Brett Myers, P, CLE (Elbow) - Slated for an evaluation Friday, at which point he may be cleared to begin a throwing program.
Ian Stewart, 3B, CHC (Quadriceps) - Does not believe he'll be healthy enough to be activated when his rehab assignment concludes Friday.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY (Wrist) - Swung in the batting cage Wednesday.
Dayan Viciedo, OF, CHW (Oblique) - Took 25 swings off close-range flips Tuesday.
Kevin Youkilis, 3B, NYY (Back) - Has a bulging disc and inflammation in his back but thinks he'll be able to return from the DL when first eligible.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS (Hamstring) - Went 0-for-3 during Wednesday's rehab outing but will be activated in time for Friday's game.

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

Placed on the DL
Brett Anderson, P, OAK
Francisco Cervelli, C, NYY (transferred to 60-day DL)
Phil Coke, P, DET
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK

Called Up
Trevor Bauer, P, CLE
Ryan Brasier, P, LAA
Lucas Luetge, P, SEA
Luke Montz, C, OAK
Brian Omogrosso, P, CHW
Jose Ortega, P, DET
Dan Straily, P, OAK

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Blake Beavan, P, SEA
Avisail Garcia, OF, DET
Nick Hagadone, P, CLE
Nick Maronde, P, LAA (to Double-A)
Bruce Rondon, P, DET
Donnie Veal, P, CHW

Signed
Corey Patterson, OF, SEA
Juan Rivera, OF, ARI

Traded
Mark Teahen, 3B, CIN (from ARI)

Closer Watch

Cubs - Perhaps the murkiest ninth-inning situation in MLB, the Cubs have seemingly trotted out a different reliever in save chances since Kyuji Fujikawa landed on the disabled list due to a sprained muscle in his right forearm. While the team appears to have settled on Kevin Gregg -- he's notched four of the Cubs' past five successful saves -- Fujikawa may return to the bullpen in the near future, barring a setback during Friday's side session or his subsequent rehab assignment. In the meantime, Carlos Marmol has thrown his hat in the team's closing ring as well, capturing the other save of late in which Gregg remained on the pine. The short-term prospects dictate Gregg will continue to garner the majority of the late-game opportunities, but Marmol could easily emerge as a factor, if Gregg at all falters.

Yuniesky Betancourt, 1B, MIL - What a journey for Yuni. Just last season, he endured a lengthy DL stint and a failed platoon situation at Kansas City, eventually being designated for assignment in early August. Nevertheless, he went a tear similar to the one he's experiencing at the moment, belting five homers to go with 27 RBI over a 26-game stretch last June. Following Tuesday's win, Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke announced that Betancourt would slot into the lineup as the primary first baseman when Aramis Ramirez (knee) is removed from the disabled list later in the week. Over 25 outings manning first and third base this season, Betancourt has racked up seven long balls, 22 RBI, 13 runs scored, and a mere 10 strikeouts in 86 at-bats, a run which could continue unabated until Corey Hart (knee) completes his own stay on the DL. Enjoy the ride, as it could come to a close at any time.

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DraftStreet Lineup

C - Jarrod Saltalamacchia, BOS ($4,798)
1B - James Loney, TB ($6,725)
2B - Jose Altuve, HOU ($7,887)
3B - Yuniesky Betancourt, MIL ($7,834)
SS - Andrelton Simmons, ATL ($6,035)
OF - Alex Gordon, KC ($10,456)
OF - Nick Markakis, BAL ($8,690)
OF - B.J. Upton, ATL ($5,442)
UTIL - David DeJesus, CHC ($6,948)
SP - Kyle Kendrick, PHI ($14,178)
SP - Ervin Santana, KC ($13,296)
P - Rick Porcello, DET ($7,644)

Total: $99,933

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