BY ADAM RONIS
Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino was activated from the DL after being sidelined with a calf injury. Jayson Werth is still expected to see a lot of time in the outfield with Geoff Jenkins struggling.
It's the same old story with Orioles starter Daniel Cabrera. I compared him to a girl who is a tease and right on cue, he lived up to the billing. The Cabrera with no control surfaced again against the White Sox yesterday. He went 6 1/3 innings, allowed four hits, two earned runs, walked seven and struck out two. In his previous three starts, he walked 0, 2 and 3. Another concern is his strikeouts are down. His high for the season is five, which he did twice. He has allowed 31 hits in 37 innings, but a BB/K ratio of 21/21 isn't cutting it. Everyone waits for this guy to break out because of his good stuff, but I don't see it coming this year.
George Sherrill blew his first save of the season, but his ERA is 5.06.
There was uncertainty as to how much playing time Carlos Quentin would get in the White Sox outfield this season. Quentin has quelled the talk of him platooning with a hot start. He went 3-for-4 with a double, home run and walk yesterday. He is hitting .312 with six home runs, 20 RBIs, 20 runs, two steals and a .454 on-base percentage. Most impressive is his 14/12 BB/K ratio. He walked just 18 times in 229 at-bats last season. Should be owned in all leagues and has great upside.
John Smoltz will be examined by doctors today. He left Sunday's start against the Mets after four innings with shoulder soreness. He has been pitching through it all season and is used to pitching through pain. He has a 2.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and has 36 strikeouts and just eight walks in 27 innings. He is a great fantasy pitcher when healthy, but at his age, you can't expect a full season. He is expected to miss his next start. If he doesn't get placed on the DL, Jo-Jo Reyes would likely fill in. If Smoltz is placed on the DL, Chuck James can be recalled.
The Brewers sent David Bush to Triple-A since he still has options.
Alex Rodriguez was removed for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning yesterday after aggravating his strained quadriceps. He will miss a few games.
The good news for Matt Cain? He picked up a win and didn't allow a run. The bad news? He walked five batters and only lasted 5 1/3 innings. He has struck out 29 and walked 23 in 32 2/3 innings.
Scott Kazmir made his final rehab start at Triple-A and allowed one run in five innings. he'll face the Red Sox this weekend.
Mariners catcher Jeff Clement could be called up from Triple-A soon according to a published report. Clement is batting .384 with five home runs and 19 RBIs in 73 at-bats. He would likely be used as the DH. AL-only owners should pick him up and once he gains eligibility at catcher, he should be owned in leagues that start two catchers. Another Mariners prospect to keep an eye on is outfielder Wladimir Balentien. He hit three home runs for Triple-A Tacoma yesterday.
As a result of Monday's rainout, the Mets will skip Nelson Figueroa's next start.
Ty Wiggington began his rehab yesterday and could return Thursday.
Comments (3)
I am being offered Travis Hafner for Scott Kazmir in my 10 team/head to head/ AL only league.
My other decent bats are Giambi, Beltre, Abreu, M Ordonez, Victor Martinez, a surprising E. Brown and Lowell.
My pitchers right now are sabathia, shields, saunders, greg smith, scott baker, and jon garland.
Is it too early to pull the plug on Hafner, or is Kazmir worth the risk. Obviously if I traded for Kazmir, I would drop Garland.
Unfortunately, Hafner would be replaced by Jack Cust...whose 33 K's are warming my bench.
Lets go Rangers!!!!!
I am being offered Travis Hafner for Scott Kazmir in my 10 team/head to head/ AL only league.
My other decent bats are Giambi, Beltre, Abreu, M Ordonez, Victor Martinez, a surprising E. Brown and Lowell.
My pitchers right now are sabathia, shields, saunders, greg smith, scott baker, and jon garland.
Is it too early to pull the plug on Hafner, or is Kazmir worth the risk. Obviously if I traded for Kazmir, I would drop Garland.
Unfortunately, Hafner would be replaced by Jack Cust...whose 33 K's are warming my bench.
Lets go Rangers!!!!!
Max,
It certainly looks like you could use a pitcher. I think it is too early to give up on Hafner, but he has struck out a lot too with 26. Your offense looks pretty good, although Cust isn't an enviable option to replace Hafner, but Kazmir over Garland is a huge upgrade. I'd see if you can get a better pitcher for Hafner, one with a lower WHIP, which is Kazmir's main weakness. If you can't and Kazmir looks fine over the weekend against Boston, do the deal. Remember, Kazmir led the majors in strikeouts last season. If he can cut down on his walks, it will allow him to go deeper into games and increase his win total on an improved Rays' team.