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First-round pick Mike Trout has agreed to a deal with the Angels, according to the Sports Network. Contract details were not disclosed.
Our View: Trout hit .531 with 18 homers, 49 runs scored and 45 RBI as a high school senior in Millville, New Jersey. He is a switch-hitter with power, and possesses a strong arm as an outfielder. |
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Reed Johnson is set to start his minor league rehab assignment Friday with Single-A Peoria, according to MLBblogs.com. He has been recovering from lower-back spasms.
Our View: Johnson could return to the Cubs Monday, barring a setback. He is a career .283 hitter with some pop in his bat, but his fantasy value is limited as a reserve outfielder. |
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Chad Orvella has signed a minor league deal with the Royals, according to USA Today.
Our View: The 38-year-old vet was released by the Rays back in June due to a poor 6.12 ERA over 32.1 innings with Triple-A Durham. Kansas City sent him to Double-A Northwest Arkansas, and Orvella should continue to be ignored in fantasy leagues. |
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Scott Hairston was productive in Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Astros at Petco Park, as he went 2-for-4 with an RBI. He hit a single and a double, and also swiped a base.
Our View: Hairston raised his batting average a few points to .314, and is riding a five-game hitting streak. He continues to lead the Padres with eight stolen bases as well. |
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Michael Bourn collected two hits, two runs and his 26th steal of the season on Thursday, as Houston trounced San Diego and a gang of bees 7-2 in Southern California.
Our View: Bourn is quietly having a huge 2009, and is a solid option in the outfield, primarily because of his frequent thefts and higher than usual average this season. |
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Kevin Correia was roughed up for six earned runs on eight hits over five innings in Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Astros at Petco Park. He issued three walks with three strikeouts.
Our View: Correia falls to 5-6 for the season, and had his two-game winning streak snapped. He was pitching well prior to today's disastrous outing, as he allowed two or less earned runs in four of his previous five starts. He is worth employing in NL-only leagues for his next turn in the Padres' rotation. |
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Geoff Blum had a huge game on Thursday, driving in four runs on two hits, including a home run. Houston beat the Padres 7-2 in San Diego amidst a swarm of bees.
Our View: Blum has occasional bursts of offense like he did on Thursday, but is not a solid option in any format. |
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Wandy Rodriguez rebounded from an awful start last time out, pitching seven innings of one run ball as the Astros beat San Diego, and a swarm of bees, 7-2 on Thursday.
Our View: After a huge start to 2009, Rodriguez has been inconsistent of late, throwing good one game then getting torched the next. He believes he had been tipping his pitches, however, and said he corrected the flaw before today's game. He is still worth a roster spot in almost every format and should be a solid fantasy pitcher going forward. |
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Alexei Ramirez is not in Chicago's lineup for tonight's game at Kansas City while nursing an injured right middle finger, according to the Chicago Tribune. He hurt his finger in Wednesday's battle with the Indians.
Our View: It was expected that he would miss the game due to swelling. Consider him day-to-day. Jayson Nix will cover shortstop in his place tonight. |
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The Phillies have discussed signing free agent pitcher Paul Byrd, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.
Our View: They don't appear too serious, as they believe the veteran right-hander doesn't offer much of an upgrade over the back-end of the rotation starters they already have. There's a good chance Byrd has pitched his last major league game. |
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The Florida Marlins have signed recently released pitcher Luis Ayala, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Our View: He is expected to pitch a few games in Triple-A New Orleans before joining the big club. The vet righty has a 4.18 ERA in 32.1 innings this season. He's not a great option in leagues with holds or middle relievers. |
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The Astros/Padres game Thursday afternoon at Petco Park has been delayed after a swarm of bees stormed the field.
Our View: A truly bizarre sight. The Astros were winning 6-1 at the time of the invasion. A beekeeper is en route, and the game is expected to resume soon. |
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Alfonso Soriano is not in the Cubs starting lineup for the second straight game on Thursday, according to the Chicago Tribune. Sam Fuld is starting in left field and leading off in his place.
Our View: Soriano has been woeful is 2009, hitting just .230 and striking out more than once a game. He has homered just twice since June 1, and driven in only nine runs in that time. He is not a great option for your starting lineup right now if you have someone on your bench to start in his place. |
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Bobby Livingston has been released by the Orioles, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Our View: He was working with Double-A Bowie, and exercised a clause in his contract to get released. The clause stated that Livingston could be released if not in the majors by July 1. |
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Jorge Posada is out of the Yankees' lineup for tonight's game against the Mariners while nursing a bruised and sore left thumb, according to the Star-Ledger.
Our View: Skipper Joe Girardi is not concerned with the ailment, and noted that Posada could be used as a pinch-hitter or catch if needed. Francisco Cervelli will start in his place. |
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The ageless Fernando Tatis had a huge day in the Mets' extra inning win on Thursday, going 3-for-4 with four runs scored, two RBIs and a home run.
Our View: It was his first home run since May 13. Tatis' comeback is a great story, but he isn't worth of a roster spot in any format. |
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Adam LaRoche was productive in Thursday's 9-8 loss to the Mets at PNC Park, as he went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. He hit a single and a two-run homer off closer Francisco Rodriguez.
Our View: LaRoche ended a seven-game skid without a homer, and leads the Pirates with 12 for the season. He snapped a four-game drought without an RBI as well. |
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Ryan Church went 3-for-6 on Thursday, and drove in the winning run for the second straight game with his tenth inning single as the Mets beat Pittsburgh 9-8.
Our View: He did strand four runners, but also added another RBI and scored two runs of his own. He still doesn't provide enough production to warrant being owned in most fantasy formats, though. |
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Tim Redding was awful again on Thursday, pitching just 2.1 innings and surrendering five earned runs, but, amazingly, the Mets offense bailed him out as the Amazins won 9-8 in ten innings in Pittsburgh.
Our View: Redding shouldn't be in the Mets rotation much longer, as both John Maine and Oliver Perez are due back from the disabled list soon. He is not a viable fantasy option in any format for any reason. |
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Paul Maholm was lit up for six earned runs on 11 hits over a mere 4.1 innings of work in Thursday's 9-8 loss to the Mets at PNC Park. He had one walk and one strikeout. The game went 10 innings.
Our View: Maholm should be happy he takes a no-decision rather than a loss in his nightmarish outing. He has given up four or more earned runs in three of his last four starts, and will be an unstable fantasy option for his next trip to the hill. |
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Francisco Rodriguez blew his third save of the season on Thursday, but recovered to nail down the win in ten innings, as the Mets outlasted Pittsburgh 9-8.
Our View: K-Rod has hit a relative rough patch after his amazing start to the season, but is still one of the premier closers in all of baseball. Despite his recent blown saves, there is absolutely no reason to keep him out of your lineup. |
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According to the Seattle Times, Ryan Langerhans will get his first start as a Mariner in Thursday's contest against the Yankees.
Our View: Langerhans is starting in left field, but has the arduous task of going against Yankee ace, CC Sabathia. He figures to get the majority of the starts in left with a righty on the mound, but the reason he's going against the lefty (Sabathia) tonight is, the team wanted to get him into big league action as soon as possible. Langerhans may be worth a look in deep AL-only leagues, but nothing more. |
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Mark Reynolds' 22nd homer of the season gave the Diamondbacks a 2-1 lead, but a blown save attempt by Chad Qualls cost the slugger his game-winning RBI. It was Reynolds' only hit in four trips and Arizona lost a heart-breaker in the tenth to the Reds 3-2.
Our View: Reynolds is actually putting together a fine fantasy campaign in 2009. His 22 homers are accompanied by a .270 average and 57 RBI. The power has always been there, but Reynolds is making real strides this season with his overall plate production. Last year he hit just .239 with 204 Ks. |
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Doug Davis allowed just one run on seven hits and four walks over seven innings, but was denied the victory due to a blown save by Chad Qualls. The D-Backs eventually fell to the Reds in ten innings.
Our View: Davis pitched well, but the four walks are disheartening and he allowed 11 men to reach base in his seven innings of work. He pitched his way out of jams, but a high WHIP spells nothing but trouble for a pitcher. Still, with a 3.15 ERA he deserves better than his 3-8 record. |
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Aaron Harang pitched very well on Thursday, but did not factor in the decision as the Reds topped Arizona 3-2 in ten innings. He allowed just two runs on four hits and three walks over seven innings and fanned eight.
Our View: Harang is halfway through what seems to be a legitimate bounce-back season. His ERA now sits at 3.86 and he has put together nine quality starts this season. |
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Joey Votto was 4-for-6 and drove in the winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning on Thursday to give the Reds a 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks.
Our View: Votto now has his average up to .366 on the season, and he has hit very well since coming off the disabled list with a combination of an inner ear infection and an anxiety disorder. He has 15 hits in nine games since his return. |
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According to MLBlogs.com, Jason Schmidt earned the second win of his Triple-A rehab assignment on Wednesday. The former ace allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings.
Our View: Schmidt's line doesn't seem that great, but he did strike out five, did not walk a batter and threw 60 of his 85 pitches for strikes. The Dodgers are looking for pitching help down the stretch and Schmidt just may be the answer. |
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According to the Akron Beacon Journal, the Rays have acquired pitcher John Meloan from the Cleveland Indians for Winston Abreu.
Our View: Meloan allowed 69 base runners in just 44 innings and compiled a 5.52 ERA for the Rays Triple-A affiliate this season. He has no fantasy value. |
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The Indians have acquired Winston Abreu from the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league pitcher John Meloan, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.
Our View: Abreu was DFAed by the Rays on June 27th, but pitched extremely well in Triple-A, striking out 49 in 32 innings and recording a 1.41 ERA. He will likely help a struggling Indians' pen. He will be added to the Tribe's Major League roster. |
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According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins have recalled left-hander Brian Duensing from Triple-A Rochester.
Our View: Despite making the team out of spring training, Duensing was sent down after allowing two runs in his only appearance of the season. He was 4-6 with a 4.66 ERA in Triple-A and will head to the bullpen when he joins the Twins. He has no fantasy value. |
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According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, left-hander Sean Henn has been sent down to Triple-A Rochester.
Our View: Henn was demoted to make room for Brian Duensing, who was just recalled. Henn had a 7.15 ERA in 14 games for the Twins this season, and was the logical choice to get the boot due to his poor performance. |
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According to SB Nation, Ryan Freel has been designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs.
Our View: Freel became expendable when the Cubs acquired Jeff Baker from the Rockies earlier today. Freel came over from Baltimore earlier this season and put up a miserable .369 OPS in 14 games with the Cubs. Even when he was healthy he couldn't hit. |
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According to the Seattle Times, Jason Vargas' next start will be pushed back an extra day. He will face Baltimore on Wednesday.
Our View: The Mariners are just shuffling things around so that King Felix can get an extra day's rest and the M's can throw him and Erik Bedard out against the Rangers, who are currently three games ahead of Seattle. Vargas' health is not in question. However, he is not a reliable fantasy starter. |
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According to the Philadelphia Daily News, Brett Myers was cleared by a doctor to begin a throwing program.
Our View: Myers, out since June with hip surgery, may have a chance of returning at some point towards the end of the season if he doesn't suffer any setbacks in his rehab. Don't count on it though. |
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In a non-fantasy related note, Red Sox outfielder Jason Bay will become a U.S. citizen Thursday afternoon, reports ESPN.com.
Our View: The ceremony will be held in Boston's historic Faneuil Hall. The 30-year-old Bay is from British Columbia, Canada and is the first Red Sox player to be naturalized since David Ortiz became a citizen last summer. |
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According to Newsday, David Wright is once again in the starting lineup for the Mets on Thursday.
Our View: Manager Jerry Manuel keeps insisting that he's going to give Wright a day off, but he is the only imposing presence in the Mets' lineup right now and they desperately need wins. Not to mention Wright is a gamer and he fights to get in there every day. Unfortunately he is fatigued and his swing is lengthening, causing him to slump a bit. He'll get a day off soon, it just won't be today. Make sure he's in your lineup. |
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According to the Chicago Tribune, injured outfielder Carlos Quentin is "getting closer" and could be headed for a Minor League rehab assignment in the near future.
Our View: Quentin, out since May 26 with Plantar fasciitis, has been improving and could return shortly after the All Star break. He will likely have a lengthy rehab stint, where he will be put through a program to see if his feet can with stand the rigors of running, hitting and playing the outfield. All signs so far have been optimistic. Keep him stashed on your rosters for now. |
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According to the Mercury News, relegated pitcher Jonathan Sanchez will remain in the bullpen until further notice.
Our View: Sanchez was very good in his last relief appearance, striking out all three hitters he faced, but the emergence of Ryan Sadowski will keep him in the pen. Sadowski tossed six shutout innings in his first start and Giants' management felt he deserved another chance. Meaning Sanchez's fantasy value continues to suffer. |
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According to the Mercury News, Ryan Sadowski's impressive first outing has landed him a spot in the Giants' starting rotation.
Our View: Sadowski shut out the Brewers for six innings in his first start of the season and Manager Bruce Bochy felt the performance was too good not to give him another shot. This means that struggling starter Jonathan Sanchez will remain in the bullpen. |
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The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that Nick Punto (lower back) expects to be in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers.
Our View: Punto left Wednesday's game with tightness in his lower back after being run into on a controversial slide by the Royals' Jose Guillen. Punto shouldn't miss any additional time though. |
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The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the Twins have released reliever Luis Ayala.
Our View: The Pirates were interested in Ayala's services for relief help, but neither side could work out a deal and Ayala was let go. He was DFAed on June 22nd, but is now a free agent and can sign with any club. |
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According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, first baseman Justin Morneau is expected to be in the lineup for Friday's game.
Our View: Morneau left Wednesday's contest with tightness in his groin, but the former MVP is confident that he won't miss any additional time. Thursday's off day should give him time to rest it before Friday's showdown with the Tigers. |
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The Journal News reports that Jose Molina will begin a rehab assignment on Friday.
Our View: Molina has been out since May 8th with a torn left quad and will likely need several rehab games before he's ready to return to backup catching duties for the Yankees. Expect him back some time in the next two weeks. |
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The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Vicente Padilla has had his next start pushed back to Tuesday due to a sore shoulder.
Our View: The Rangers don't feel the injury is serious, so Padilla will miss the Tampa Bay series but should be good to go next week. Manager Ron Washington offered some solace for fantasy owners, "He said it's no big deal. If he wants to get pushed back, we're going to listen." |
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According to Yahoo! Sports, the Cubs have acquired infielder Jeff Baker from the Colorado Rockies.
Our View: It is currently unclear who the Rockies will receive in return, or what the Cubs plan to do with Baker at this point. Baker has been on the 60-day DL since May 24th and he began a minor league rehab assignment on June 19th. |
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According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, injured right-hander Clay Condrey played long toss from 120 feet on Wednesday, but has yet to throw off a mound since landing on the DL.
Our View: Condrey's DL stint for a strained oblique is retroactive to June 18th and he is eligible to return July 4th, but it doesn't look like there is any chance of that happening. The Phils will have to wait a bit longer for the return of their promising reliever. |
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According to Scout.com, Claudio Vargas will complete his Minor League rehab assignment on Friday and is expected to be added to the Dodgers' 25-man active roster.
Our View: Vargas has recovered from elbow tendinitis and looks to take pitcher Eric Stults' spot on the active roster. If he is not activated Vargas could declare free agency, so the Dodgers want to give him a shot before that happens. He will work long relief out of the bullpen. |
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According to Scout.com, the Dodgers have optioned third-string catcher A.J. Ellis to Triple-A.
Our View: After the series against Colorado ended, Ellis was shipped out. He will catch regularly in Triple-A and will likely receive a call-up in September when the rosters expand. He holds no fantasy value. |
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According to Scout.com, the Dodgers have designated Mitch Jones for assignment.
Our View: The move was made to clear a roster spot for, you guessed it, Manny Ramirez. There will be a 10-day window during which Jones can be traded, released or claimed by an opposing club. If he makes it through the ten days, he can be re-signed. |
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The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that reliever Scott Eyre will likely be activated from the DL on Sunday.
Our View: Eyre is rehabbing a strained calf and will pitch out of the bullpen for Double-A Reading on Friday before rejoining the Phillies on Sunday. Barring setbacks of course. Eyre has no fantasy value outside of deep leagues that feature holds. |
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According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Raul Ibanez's rehab start has been pushed back to either Thursday of Friday night.
Our View: Ibanez has been out the last couple weeks with a strained left groin, and the team wants to play it safe with their new prized slugger. He is eligible to come off the DL today, but that now seems like an impossibility. Don't expect to see him this weekend either. He could make it into the series against the Reds next week, but nothing is set in stone. Continue to stash him on your roster until he's ready to roll. |
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Carlos Lee got a hit for the eighth time in nine games on Wednesday and drove in a run as Houston clipped San Diego 7-1.
Our View: Lee isn't driving in as many runs as he has in the past, but is still an above average option in the outfield in most every format. |
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