This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
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Projected Starters – A look at Wednesday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Tigers (Phil Coke - L) at Twins (Scott Baker - R), 1:10 PM
Padres (Tim Stauffer - R) at Brewers (Randy Wolf - L), 1:10 PM
Reds (Edinson Volquez - R) at Astros (Wandy Rodriguez - L), 2:05 PM
A's (Gio Gonzalez - L) at Rangers (Matt Harrison - L), 2:05 PM
Mets (Jonathon Niese - L) at Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez - R), 3:10 PM
Royals (Vin Mazzaro - R) at Yankees (A.J. Burnett - R), 7:05 PM
Dodgers (Hiroki Kuroda - R) at Pirates (Paul Maholm - L), 7:05 PM
Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R) at Orioles (Chris Tillman- R), 7:05 PM
Rays (Brandon McCarthy - R) at Indians (Carlos Carrasco - R), 7:05 PM
Red Sox (John Lackey - R) at Marlins (Jesse Litsch - R), 7:07 PM
Phillies (Cliff Lee - L) at Marlins (Ricky Nolasco - R), 7:10 PM
Nationals (John Lannan - L) at Braves (Tommy Hanson - R), 7:10 PM
Cardinals (Jake Westbrook - R) at Cubs (Matt Garza - R), 8:05 PM
White Sox (Jake Peavy - R) at Angels (Tyler Chatwood - R), 10:05 PM
Diamondbacks (Armando Galarraga - R) at Giants (Jonathan Sanchez - L), 10:15 PM
Day game after a night game: DET, MIN, SD, MIL, CIN, HOU, OAK, TEX, NYM, COL
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)
David Wright, 3B, NYM - (Back) Will get the day off Wednesday
Stephen Drew, SS, AZ - (Groin) Returned to the lineup Tuesday
Derek Lowe, SP, ATL - (Foot) Will make scheduled start Thursday
Adam Lind, 1B, TOR - (Back) Reported improvement; remains day-to-day for now
Alex Gonzalez, SS, ATL - (Groin) Did not start Tuesday; remains day-to-day
Paul Janish, SS, CIN - (Ankle) Did not start Tuesday; remains day-to-day
Allen Craig, OF, STL - (Shin) Did not start Tuesday; remains day-to-day
Edward Mujica, RP, FLA - (Knee) Should be able to pitch again by Friday
Francisco Liriano, SP, MIN - Left Tuesday's game after three innings with an illness
Geovany Soto, C, CHC - Left Tuesday's game with a left groin strain
Yunel Escobar, SS, TOR - Left Tuesday's game after being hit by a pitch on his right ankle
Joe Blanton, SP, POHI - Feeling soreness in his elbow
Brandon Kintzler, RP, MIL - Will undergo MRI for triceps injury
Players on the DL
Joe Mauer, C, MIN - (Legs) Will not return until he can catch regularly
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI - (Knee) Went 1-for-4 in first rehab game Tuesday
Roy Oswalt, SP, PHI - (Back) Will make rehab start Thursday
Phil Hughes, SP, NYY - (Shoulder) Expects to begin throwing program Thursday
Andrew Bailey, RP, OAK - (Forearm) Threw successful bullpen session Tuesday
David Aardsma, RP, SEA - (Hip) Diagnosed with Grade 2 elbow strain; surgery could be an option
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF - (Hand) Cleared to field ground balls
Rafael Furcal, SS, LAD - (Thumb) Will not begin rehab assignment until he can swing right-handed without discomfort
Delmon Young, OF, MIN - (Oblique) Could return Friday
Jose Contreras, RP, PHI - (Elbow) Threw off a mound Tuesday
Orlando Hudson, 2B, SD - (Hamstring) Took ground balls prior to Tuesday's game
Andrew Cashner, SP, CHC - (Shoulder) Threw successful bullpen session Monday
Randy Wells, SP, CHC - (Forearm) Threw successful bullpen session Monday
Tommy Hunter, P, TEX - (Groin) Will not pitch for 2-to-3 weeks
Ty Wigginton, 3B, COL - (Oblique) Will begin rehab assignment Wednesday
Esmil Rogers, SP, COL - (Back) Will undergo MRI to determine the extent of his injury
Aaron Cook, P, COL - (Shoulder) Threw three innings in an extended spring game Tuesday
Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI - (Back) Will play in extended spring training games Tuesday and Wednesday
Mitch Talbot, SP, CLE - (Elbow) Will likely make two more rehab starts
Santiago Casilla, RP, SF - (Elbow) Threw 35 pitches in simulated game Tuesday
Clay Hensley, RP, FLA - (Shoulder) Could return when first eligible May 22
John Baker, C, FLA - (Forearm) Served as DH in extended spring game Tuesday
Kris Medlen, P, ATL - (Elbow) Threw several changeups in most recent bullpen session
Luis Ayala, RP, NYY - (Shoulder) Will likely be activated in the next few days
Bobby Parnell, RP, NYM - (Finger) Rehab assignment moved to Triple-A
Pedro Beato, RP, NYM - (Elbow) Sent on rehab assignment
Chad Gaudin, P, WAS - (Shoulder) Still no timetable for return
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)
Vernon Wells, OF, LAA
Javier Vazquez, SP, FLA - bereavement
Bruce Chen, SP, KC
Activated from DL
J.J. Hardy, SS, BAL
Called Up
Vin Mazzarro, SP, KC
Reggie Willits, OF, LAA
Sergio Escalona, P, HOU
Frank Herrmann, RP, CLE
Designated For Assignment
Nelson Figueroa, P, HOU
Josh Rupe, P, BAL
Closer Watch – A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (also check out our Closer Grid)
Boston - Jonathan Papelbon was charged with his first blown save of the season Monday, but the only run that scored in his 1.1 innings on the mound was not charged to him - and the Red Sox eventually won in 11 innings. Papelbon gave up two earned runs in a non-save situation earlier this month, but he has allowed just two baserunners and posted a 5:0 K:BB ratio over his last three appearances.
Milwaukee - John Axford pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Monday's victory over the Padres to pick up his first save since April 26. Axford remains the closer for the Brewers.
Philadelphia - Ryan Madson tossed a scoreless inning Monday to lock down a victory over the Marlins. Madson is 2-0 with four saves, a 0.64 ERA, and 16:5 K:BB ratio in 14.0 innings this season.
Key Matchups
Hot
Magglio Ordonez v. Scott Baker - 23-for-49 (.469), 2 HR, 11 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (1.194 OPS)
Miguel Cabrera v. Scott Baker - 9-for-28 (.321), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3:7 BB:K (.982 OPS)
Ramon Santiago v. Scott Baker - 8-for-22 (.364), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.849 OPS)
Austin Jackson v. Scott Baker - 5-for-8 (.625), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (1.792 OPS)
Joey Votto v. Wandy Rodriguez - 10-for-30 (.333), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.842 OPS)
Jonny Gomes v. Wandy Rodriguez - 7-for-21 (.333), 2 HR, 9 RBI, 1:5 BB:K (1.173 OPS)
Miguel Cairo v. Wandy Rodriguez - 4-for-9 (.444), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (1.139 OPS)
Edgar Renteria v. Wandy Rodriguez - 5-for-10 (.500), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (1.683 OPS)
Adrian Beltre v. Gio Gonzalez - 7-for-16 (.438), 2 HR, 7 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (1.313 OPS)
Ian Kinsler v. Gio Gonzalez - 4-for-11 (.364), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.909 OPS)
Coco Crisp v. Matt Harrison - 4-for-7 (.571), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (1.768 OPS)
Todd Helton v. Jonathon Niese - 6-for-13 (.462), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (1.154 OPS)
Ryan Spilborghs v. Jonathon Niese - 4-for-12 (.333), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (1.167 OPS)
Troy Tulowitzki v. Jonathon Niese - 5-for-10 (.500), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (1.483 OPS)
Willie Harris v. Ubaldo Jimenez - 5-for-11 (.455), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (1.357 OPS)
Mark Teixeira v. Vin Mazzaro - 4-for-8 (.500), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (1.931 OPS)
Jorge Posada v. Vin Mazzaro - 4-for-8 (.500), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (1.500 OPS)
Garrett Jones v. Hiroki Kuroda - 4-for-9 (.444), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (1.444 OPS)
Brian Roberts v. Felix Hernandez - 12-for-31 (.387), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 5:8 BB:K (1.021 OPS)
Nick Markakis v. Felix Hernandez - 13-for-28 (.464), 0 HR, 5 RBI, 5:3 BB:K (1.081 OPS)
Adam Lind v. John Lackey - 10-for-18 (.556), 0 HR, 5 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (1.389 OPS)
Carl Crawford v. Jesse Litsch - 5-for-13 (.385), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (1.000 OPS)
Jacoby Ellsbury v. Jesse Litsch - 4-for-11 (.364), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (1.098 OPS)
John Buck v. Cliff Lee - 12-for-34 (.353), 3 HR, 6 RBI, 5:13 BB:K (1.142 OPS)
Omar Infante v. Cliff Lee - 8-for-23 (.348), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.853 OPS)
Chipper Jones v. John Lannan - 9-for-26 (.346), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 3:4 BB:K (.798 OPS)
Dan Uggla v. John Lannan - 5-for-15 (.333), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.978 OPS)
Alex Gonzalez v. John Lannan - 6-for-10 (.600), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (1.300 OPS)
Jayson Werth v. Tommy Hanson - 3-for-7 (.429), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 4:3 BB:K (1.494 OPS)
Carlos Pena v. Jake Westbrook - 10-for-32 (.313), 4 HR, 8 RBI, 3:10 BB:K (1.205 OPS)
Aubrey Huff v. Armando Galarraga - 3-for-4 (.750), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (2.583 OPS)
Justin Upton v. Jonathan Sanchez - 7-for-25 (.280), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 7:10 BB:K (1.078 OPS)
Kelly Johnson v. Jonathan Sanchez - 8-for-14 (.571), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (1.982 OPS) *career cycle
Miguel Montero v. Jonathan Sanchez - 4-for-10 (.400), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (1.455 OPS)
Edinson Volquez v. Astros - Volquez has posted a 5.63 ERA through his first seven starts of the season, but that number could go down a bit Wednesday. Current Astros have combined for a meager .186/.278/.244 slash line over 100 plate appearances against Volquez; and he has posted a 2.09 ERA and 1.11 WHIP - to go along with a perfect 5-0 record - over six career starts against Houston.
A.J. Burnett v. Royals - Burnett is just 3-3 in eight starts against the Royals in his career, but he can't take much of the blame for the record, having posted a 2.68 ERA and 1.17 WHIP against Kansas City. Current Royals have hit just .191/.247/.258 over 97 plate appearances against Burnett, so he will have a good chance to improve that record Wednesday.
Cold
Brandon Inge v. Scott Baker - 8-for-40 (.200), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1:8 BB:K (.514 OPS)
Ryan Ludwick v. Randy Wolf - 3-for-15 (.200), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.550 OPS)
Chase Headley v. Randy Wolf - 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.348 OPS)
Hunter Pence v. Edinson Volquez - 3-for-17 (.176), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:7 BB:K (.634 OPS)
Carlos Lee v. Edinson Volquez - 0-for-12 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:4 BB:K (.200 OPS)
Michael Bourn v. Edinson Volquez - 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.523 OPS)
Brandon Phillips v. Wandy Rodriguez - 8-for-35 (.229), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 5:9 BB:K (.684 OPS)
Jay Bruce v. Wandy Rodriguez - 1-for-20 (.050), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:12 BB:K (.100 OPS)
Drew Stubbs v. Wandy Rodriguez - 1-for-13 (.077), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:8 BB:K (.327 OPS)
Michael Young v. Gio Gonzalez - 4-for-19 (.211), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3:1 BB:K (.739 OPS)
David Wright v. Ubaldo Jimenez - 2-for-10 (.200), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.533 OPS)
Alex Gordon v. A.J. Burnett - 2-for-15 (.133), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:5 BB:K (.569 OPS)
Melky Cabrera v. A.J. Burnett - 2-for-16 (.125), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.250 OPS)
Juan Uribe v. Paul Maholm - 3-for-16 (.188), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.548 OPS)
Luke Scott v. Felix Hernandez - 4-for-21 (.190), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.465 OPS)
Adam Jones v. Felix Hernandez - 3-for-16 (.188), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.423 OPS)
Aaron Hill v. John Lackey - 3-for-21 (.143), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.440 OPS)
John McDonald v. John Lackey - 3-for-19 (.158), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.466 OPS)
Corey Patterson v. John Lackey - 2-for-15 (.133), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:5 BB:K (.267 OPS)
David Ortiz v. Jesse Litsch - 4-for-19 (.211), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3:3 BB:K (.725 OPS)
Kevin Youkilis v. Jesse Litsch - 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:6 BB:K (.497 OPS)
Shane Victorino v. Ricky Nolasco - 4-for-23 (.174), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.469 OPS)
Alfonso Soriano v. Jake Westbrook - 3-for-21 (.143), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.325 OPS)
Lance Berkman v. Matt Garza - 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.404 OPS)
Chris Young v. Jonathan Sanchez - 7-for-30 (.233), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 5:9 BB:K (.667 OPS)
Stephen Drew v. Jonathan Sanchez - 6-for-30 (.200), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.539 OPS)
Scott Baker v. Tigers - While Baker has allowed just five earned runs over his last 28.1 innings and has a 2.97 ERA this season, it will be a challenge to keep that mark under 3.00 after Wednesday's game. Several Tigers have had a lot of success against Baker (see above), and he has posted a 4.63 ERA against Detroit in 20 career starts.
Boom or Bust
Jose Bautista v. John Lackey - 2-for-11 (.182), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 5:4 BB:K (1.165 OPS)
Ryan Howard v. Ricky Nolasco - 5-for-23 (.217), 3 HR, 6 RBI, 6:5 BB:K (1.031 OPS)
Recommended Pickup
Erick Aybar, SS, LAA - Aybar struggled to adjust to the leadoff role last season, but he has had no such trouble in 2011. The Angels batted Aybar lower in the order to begin the season, but a return to his aggressive approach of 2009 has paid off both in terms of average and speed. Aybar entered Tuesday's game hitting .352, and despite missing nearly three weeks with a rib injury, his nine stolen bases put him on pace for a career high in that category. Shortstop is still a rather thin position, but Aybar's average stats up to this point make him a viable option in nearly any format. Aybar has reclaimed the leadoff spot in the Angels' lineup, which should increase his run production and only add to his fantasy value. Aybar is still widely available, so those in need of shortstop help should take a glance at the free agent pool to see if he is still around.
Other recent recommendations:Mike Fontenot, Vance Worley, Julio Teheran, Eric Hosmer, Josh Tomlin
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C – Victor Martinez, DET ($7,249)
1B – Mark Teixeira, NYY ($9,301)
2B – Kelly Johnson, AZ ($3,798)
3B – Adrian Beltre, TEX ($6,537)
SS – Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL ($6,764)
OF – Justin Upton, AZ ($6,493)
OF – Magglio Ordonez, DET ($4,852)
OF – Carl Crawford, BOS ($4,455)
UTIL – Miguel Cabrera, DET ($8,602)
UTIL – Jonny Gomes, CIN ($6,824)
SP – Edinson Volquez, CIN ($9,987)
SP – Jonathan Sanchez, SF ($11,991)
RP – Brian Wilson, SF ($3,466)
P – A.J. Burnett, NYY ($6,674)
Total: $99,993
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