Fantasy Baseball Morning Update: Janssen to close for Jays
Hey, did you see the story about Josh Beckett playing golf last Thursday right after the announcement that his Saturday start would be skipped? As a Yankee fan, I feel like you need to know these things.
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With Erik Bedard leaving last night's game in the second inning due to back spasms, our streaming starter record dropped to 25-12. Bedard's status for his next start is TBD, and I can't tell you how many times I've typed phrases like that over the last five years. Today's pickings are slim due to the seven-game schedule, so let's take a flier on Pittsburgh's Kevin Correia (owned in 2.1 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) against the weak-hitting Nats.
On to the news:
- After three consecutive blown saves by Francisco Cordero, Casey Janssen has taken over the closing duties for the Blue Jays. Janssen got his first save last night, but with Sergio Santos probably 2-3 weeks away from returning, don't get too attached to Janssen if you pick him up.
- You know that David Robertson hadn't allowed a run since September 1 before last night's blown save, right? It was bound to happen, and it doesn't have anything to do with a closer's mentality or intestinal fortitude or any of that baloney.
- White Sox closer (?) Chris Sale will have an MRI on his elbow today, but the team says nothing is wrong. I don't know anything about the medical condition of Sale's elbow, but can I get 25-1 odds on Tommy John surgery?
- Angels SP Dan Haren says that his back stiffness won't prevent him from making his next scheduled start on Monday. Stay tuned.
- Hot-starting Jason Hammel will have his next start pushed back due to knee soreness. The Orioles don't yet have a timetable on Hammel.
- Francisco Liriano has been sent to the bullpen? Now THAT makes sense.
- The Twins also sent slumping 3B Danny Valencia to the minors. The team's website reports that they'll use a combo of Jamey Carroll, Alexi Casilla and Trevor Plouffe to replace Valencia. Plouffe qualifies at shortstop and outfield, and has the best bat among this trio. AL-only owners should check his availability.
- The Royals have called up 2B Johnny Giavotella (.331 BA, 5 HR at Triple A), but he isn't expected to play every day. Chris Getz has been doing a solid job for them.
- The Royals also placed SP Jonathan Sanchez on the DL with biceps tendinitis. With 22 walks in 25 1/3 innings, I hope an injury has been the cause of Sanchez's problems.
- This article is on the mark - Braves rookie SP Randall Delgado is improving. He's given up three earned runs in 13 2/3 innings over his last two starts, with 10 strikeouts and three walks. He might lose his rotation spot when Jair Jurrjens is ready to return, though.
- After missing a start with the flu, Matt Garza will be back on the mound Friday for the Cubs.
- Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki took Wednesday off to rest a sore groin, but should be back in the lineup on Friday.
- Slumping Astros OF J.D. Martinez got the day off on Wednesday, and might sit for another game or two, according to manager Brad Mills.
- The Dodgers have placed OF Juan Rivera on the DL with a strained hamstring, which manager Don Mattingly called "fairly major," according to the Los Angeles Times. Scott Van Slyke (.336 BA, 8 HR at Triple A) has been called up to take Rivera's spot on the roster, and can be considered in NL-only leagues.
- Yoenis Cespedes' left hand isn't broken, and the A's hope he'll be able to play this weekend. Keep Cespedes on the bench in daily leagues until you see his name in the lineup.
- Chase Utley's rehab includes swinging the bat, but not playing the field so much. That's not good for a National Leaguer.
- Padres rookie SP Joe Wieland is on the DL due to elbow tightness. Tim Stauffer had another solid rehab start yesterday, and is expected to start for the Pads on Monday or Tuesday. Cory Luebke doesn't sound close to returning, and is still in danger of needing Tommy John surgery, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
- With Lance Berkman due to come off the DL tomorrow, the Cardinals are going to have a hard time getting Allen Craig's hot bat into the lineup. Berkman might not play every day right away, but beyond that, they've got Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday in the outfield corners. The only possible solution seems to be moving Beltran to center field and benching Jon Jay sometimes, but they probably don't want to do that, either. Craig's owners should be ready for plenty of bench time in the near future.
- Rays OF Desmond Jennings made a pinch-hitting appearance last night, but his return to the lineup is still TBD.
- The Rangers and Orioles will play a doubleheader starting at 4:05 p.m. ET today. Set your lineups accordingly.
See you back here tomorrow morning.
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