Morning Fantasy Baseball Update: The Red Sox' closer issue
This Ubaldo Jimenez-Troy Tulowitzki feud just got really interesting, didn't it? They should have just appeared together on last night's Wrestlemania event to settle things.
On to the news:
- Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey has a thumb injury that will be examined today, and appears unlikely to be ready for the start of the season. The severity of Bailey's injury is unknown, but based on Bobby Valentine's comments, you might want to grab Alfredo Aceves if you're looking for short-term saves.
- In other Red Sox news, Daniel Bard and Felix Doubront will fill the fourth and fifth slots in the team's rotation.
- Yankees SP Michael Pineda will start the season on the DL due to shoulder tendinitis, and there's no timetable for his return. I had Pineda at SP25 in my rankings, and he probably needs to move to the high 30s in the wake of this news.
- Tyler Pastornicky appears likely to win the Braves' shortstop job over fellow rookie Andrelton Simmons. In other Braves's news, the team has acquired 3B Juan Francisco to back up Chipper Jones. With Jones' penchant for spending time on the DL, Francisco's value just went up in NL-only leagues.
- The Orioles' rotation is just about set. It isn't exactly good, but we know the people in it, and they shouldn't be drafted in mixed leagues.
- I'm not a big Darwin Barney fan, but he's expected to shift between the first and second spots in the Cubs' lineup.
- Astros SS Jed Lowrie might start the season on the DL due to a sore thumb, but even if that happens, it isn't expected to be a long-term issue. Teammate Jordan Schafer (hand) could be in a similar situation.
- The Royals don't seem to be in a hurry to name a closer, but this article suggests that there could be some job sharing, at least for awhile. According to the Kansas City Star, Jonathan Broxton won't pitch on more than two consecutive days early in the season, so if he's "the guy," then Greg Holland and Aaron Crow could get chances as well.
- The Royals played OF Jason Bourgeois at second base for a couple of innings on Sunday as part of an effort to gauge his utilityman-ness. The more Bourgeois plays, the more bases he'll steal - he swiped 31 bases in 93 games with the Astros last season. I grabbed Bourgeois for a buck in my AL-only auction on Saturday. It might have been my favorite moment of the day, and I'll leave you to judge if that's a good thing.
- The Angels' use of Mark Trumbo at third base could be more extensive than expected, as he's been playing the position pretty well.
- Twins SP Scott Baker (shoulder tendinitis) will start the season on the DL, but he's expected to be back soon.
- Deep-league alert: With Justin Morneau slated to spend most of his time at DH, at least early in the season, Chris Parmelee is likely to get most of the starts at first base. Parmelee isn't going to be a star, but he's not bad. He could hit 12-15 homers with a decent batting average.
- Johan Santana will be the Mets' Opening Day starter. Are you buying? I don't think I am, unless it's with a late pick in a standard mixed league.
- The A's still haven't decided on an everyday first baseman from the trio of Brandon Allen, Daric Barton and Kila Ka'aihue. The bet here is Allen, but I wouldn't get comfortable with him.
- Those betting on a Chone Figgins rebound will be happy to know he's expected to lead off this season. Eh, whatever.
- Drew Smyly is the Tigers' fifth starter. Smyly had strong minor-league numbers last season, but has pitched only 45 2/3 innings in Double A and none in Triple A. Expect growing pains for this aspiring crafty lefty.
- Blue Jays SP Dustin McGowan will be out until at least the end of April due to a foot injury. McGowan had been slated as the Jays' fifth starter.
- Nationals closer Drew Storen (biceps/triceps) had a good bullpen session on Sunday, and is progressing well toward a mid-to-late April return.
See you back here tomorrow morning.
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