Thursday's Lineup Card: Pick Me Up Over Yonder

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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Thursday's Starters
Rangers (Derek Holland – L) at Yankees (Ivan Nova – R), 1:05
Dodgers (Joe Blanton – R) at Pirates (A.J. Burnett – R), 4:05
Red Sox (Clay Buchholz – R) at Orioles (Chris Tillman – R), 7:05
White Sox (Francisco Liriano – L) at Blue Jays (Aaron Laffey – L), 7:07
Mets (Matt Harvey – R) at Reds (Homer Bailey – R), 7:10
Padres (Jason Marquis – R) at Braves (Kris Medlen – R), 7:10
Athletics (Dan Straily – R) at Royals (Luke Hochevar – R), 8:10
Phillies (Cliff Lee – L) at Brewers (Marco Estrada – R), 8:10
Diamondbacks (Trevor Cahill – R) at Cardinals (Kyle Lohse – R), 8:15
Marlins (Ricky Nolasco – R) at Rockies (Alex White – R), 8:40
Rays (David Price – L) at Angels (Dan Haren – R), 10:05

Day Game After Night Game: TEX, NYY, LAD, PIT

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Bud Norris, RHP, HOU – (Foot contusion) Left Wednesday's game.
Travis Snider, OF, TOR – (Hamstring) Not in Wednesday's starting lineup.
Yadier Molina, C, STL – (Back) Not in Wednesday's starting lineup.
Wilson Betemit, 3B, BAL – (Wrist) Not in Wednesday's starting lineup.
Justin Ruggiano, OF, MIA – (Oblique) Exited Wednesday's game early.
Brian Fuentes, LHP, STL – (Personal) Does not plan on returning to the Cardinals this season.
Denard Span, OF, MIN – (Shoulder) Out of Wednesday's starting lineup.
Drew Pomeranz, RHP, COL – (Chest) Wednesday's start will be moved to Sunday.

Disabled List
Luke Scott, DH, TB – (Oblique) Will likely stay on a minor league rehab schedule through the weekend.
P.J. Walters, RHP, MIN – (Shoulder) Threw in a rehab stint Tuesday for Triple-A Rochester.
Ian Desmond, SS, WAS – (Oblique) On track to be activated from the DL on Friday.
J.P. Arencibia, C, TOR – (Hand) Had his cast removed Wednesday.
Matt Capps, RHP, MIN – (Shoulder) Hopes to start throwing next week.
Matt Adams, 1B, STL – (Elbow) Had surgery to remove bone chips Tuesday.
Jaime Garcia, LHP, STL – (Shoulder) Had his final rehab start Tuesday.
Jeff Niemann, RHP, TB – (Leg) Threw a rehab assignment Tuesday.
Placido Polanco, 3B, PHI – (Back) Will have his rehab assignment moved to Thursday.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL – (Groin) Will travel with the Rockies on their next road trip.
Scott Downs, LHP, LAA – Could return from the DL after throwing one more bullpen.
Jordan Walden, RHP, LAA – (Neck/biceps) Will make a third rehab appearance Thursday.
Koji Uehara, RHP, TEX – (Strained lat) Could make his first rehab appearance next Tuesday.
Mike Napoli, C, TEX – (Quad) Took batting practice Tuesday.
Paul Konerko, 1B, CWS – (Concussion) Resumed baseball-related activities Tuesday.
Andy Pettitte, LHP, NYY – (Leg) Will begin long tossing this week.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY – (Hand) Will have his brace removed this week.
David Ortiz, DH, BOS – (Achilles) Did not work out for a third consecutive day.
Francisco Cordero, RHP, HOU – (Toe) Likely won't return to Houston's bullpen until September 1.
Yasmani Grandal, C, SD – (Oblique) Began a rehab assignment this week.
Shane Loux, RHP, SF – (Neck) Began a rehab assignment Tuesday.
Anthony Swarzak, RHP, MIN – (Shoulder) Will likely be activated from the DL on Friday.
Brad Penny, RHP, SF – (Shoulder) Placed on the 15-day DL on Tuesday.
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS – (Ankle) Tuesday's MRI revealed no new information.
Jose Bautista, OF, TOR – (Wrist) Able to hit off a tee Tuesday.

Transactions

Activated from DL
Kelly Shoppach, C, NYM
Mark Rogers, RHP, MIL – Activated from paternity list

Demotions
Rob Johnson, C, NYM – Optioned to Triple-A
Jeff Bianchi, SS, MIL – Optioned to Triple-A
Brian Dozier, SS, MIN – Optioned to Triple-A
Scott Richmond, RHP, TOR – Outrighted to Triple-A
Endy Chavez, OF, BAL – Outrighted to Triple-A
Michael Ekstrom, RHP, COL – Designated for assignment

Suspended
Melky Cabrera, OF, SF – 50 games for testing positive for testosterone.

Called Up
Trevor Rosenthal, RHP, STL
Guillermo Moscoso, RHP, COL
Todd Redmond, RHP, CIN
Dan Otero, RHP, SF

Closer Watch
Rays – Tuesday night's game didn't exactly end how Tampa had anticipated. With a 2-1 lead in the ninth, Fernando Rodney, who had blown only one save on the season at the time, came in to close it out for the Rays. Rodney put runners on base and then gave up a game-tying sacrifice fly to Justin Smoak and a game-winning single to Eric Thames. Though Tampa lost 3-2 on the Thames walk-off, Rodney's job is certainly not in jeopardy. His ERA is still an elite 0.81 and his save percentage is still as good as anyone else's in baseball.

July 3, however, changed everything for Alonso's season. He went 2-for-4 with a double and a homer and hasn't looked back since. Since that game, he is hitting .323/.369/.523 with four homers and 23 RBI in 35 games. He has also been a doubles machine, knocking 14 two baggers in that time. That's a 65-doubles pace per 162 games. If Alonso can at least come close to matching these numbers for the rest of the season, all of a sudden, he has significant fantasy value for the final 40 games of the year.

Other Recent Recommendations:Eric Young Jr., Andy Dirks, Chris Carter, Tommy Hunter, David Murphy

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Draft Street Lineup
C: Jarrod Saltamacchia ($5,635)
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