Fantasy Baseball Morning Update: Uh-oh, Morrow
Mike Trout had two hits, two runs, two RBI, a home run and two stolen bases in last night's win over the Dodgers. My buddy Pete and I co-own a dynasty league team that has Trout on the roster, and we had an actual discussion yesterday about changing our wills to ensure that Trout never gets traded if one of us dies before his career is over.
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Edwin Jackson was pretty good last night, raising our streaming starter record to 42-27 for the season. Today's pick is Baltimore's Wei-Yin Chen (owned in 16.4 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) against the Pirates, while Wednesday's selection is Seattle's Hector Noesi (0.7 percent owned) against the Padres. Four of Noesi's five home starts have been good, and the Padres can't hit.
On to the news:
- Blue Jays SP Brandon Morrow left Monday's start after just nine pitches due to a strained oblique muscle. We'll know more after Morrow has some tests done today, but manager John Farrell said the injury is "probably substantial." Expect a DL stint for Morrow, and if you own him, cross your fingers that it's not a long one.
- The Braves are pushing Brandon Beachy's start back to Saturday to give him some extra rest. There's nothing to worry about right now.
- With Brian Roberts getting activated today, Robert Andino still might get four or five starts per week in a utility role. AL-only owners, take note.
- Josh Johnson had another good start last night. I wonder if you can still buy low based on Johnson's 4.27 ERA.
- The Cubs have signed Cuban outfield prospect Jorge Soler. Soler is reportedly very talented, but he's only 20 years old, and probably three years away from the majors. Grab Soler in a keeper league if you can, but don't expect him to make an impact anytime soon. And please don't ask me about him in today's 2 p.m. chat.
- Monday's Red Sox lineup had David Ortiz at first base, Kevin Youkilis at third, Adrian Gonzalez in right field and Will Middlebrooks on the bench. Expect that to happen a few more times while the Sox are in NL parks this week.
- Following up on an Ubaldo Jimenez note from Monday, the Indians think he's worked out some mechanical issues. Again, while I'm intrigued by this development, I'm not sold just yet, beyond thinking that Jimenez is now better than "horrifically awful."
- The news on this note is still breaking, but Halos Heaven reported this morning that DH Vladimir Guerrero has left the Blue Jays' Triple-A squad and will likely announce his retirement soon. This development would improve the fantasy prospects of Jays 1B David Cooper for the remainder of the season. (UPDATE, 11:16 a.m. ET: Vlad's agent has denied this report. Stay tuned.)
- Yankees closer Rafael Soriano was unavailable last night due to a blister on his index finger, but he should be ready to go tonight.
- A's website beat writer Jane Lee doesn't think Ryan Cook is far away from getting the team's closer role. For now, Cook is part of a committee.
- Phillies 2B Chase Utley (knees) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment tonight. If all goes well, he'll be back with the big club on or before July 3.
- The Giants hope that OF Melky Cabrera (hamstring) will return to the lineup tonight after a three-game absence, but his name isn't on the lineup card in ink yet.
- Felix Hernandez will be back on the mound tonight for the Mariners after skipping a start. Lookout Landing reports that King Felix thinks mechanical issues have made him less effective this season, so let's see how this goes.
- Rays RP Kyle Farnsworth (elbow) began a rehab assignment last night, and could return to the Rays within a few weeks. It seems unlikely that Farnsworth will reclaim his closer role when healthy, since Fernando Rodney has been so good this season.
- Nationals OF Roger Bernadina left Monday's game with a hamstring injury. We'll get more info later today. Teammate Drew Storen still seems to be tracking toward a mid-July return.
- Have you checked out this week's edition of Free Agent Frenzy? If not, you should. It's a freaking masterpiece.
See you back here tomorrow morning.
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