Fantasy Baseball Morning Update: Nats' Werth breaks wrist
The Phillies and Nationals have quite a budding rivalry going. Bryce Harper stole home last night, and Cole Hamels hit him intentionally the next time he came to bat. Pitchers normally disguise their intent in such matters, but Hamels didn't, saying, "I was trying to hit him ... I'm not going to deny it. I'm not trying to injure the guy. They're probably not going to like me for it, but I'm not going to say I wasn't trying to do it. I think they understood the message, and they threw it right back. That's the way, and I respect it." Who's ready for another Nats-Phillies series?
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Anthony Bass got pummeled on Friday, Jason McDonald looked strong on Saturday, and quality-start machine R.A. Dickey pitched very well again on Sunday. Our streaming starter record is up to 24-11 for the season, and tonight we'll go back to the well on Edinson Volquez (owned in 9.3 percent of FOXSports.com leagues), who pitches at home against the Rockies.
On to the rest of the news:
- Nationals OF Jayson Werth broke his left wrist last night. The Washington Post says he could miss a few months, while the team website reports that Werth will be out for at least six weeks. If you own Werth, try to wait for clarification on the timetable before cutting him. While Werth is out, look for Bryce Harper to play right field, with a Roger Bernadina/Xavier Nady platoon in left. If you're in an NL-only league and can still get Bernadina, do it.
- On the bright side in D.C., the Nats hope to get 3B Ryan Zimmerman (shoulder) and 1B Adam LaRoche (bruised abdominal muscle) back in the lineup on Tuesday. Zimmerman seems more likely to play than LaRoche.
- Matt Kemp's status for tonight is TBD due to a hamstring injury. Kemp was limited to pinch-hitting duty on Sunday, and it sounds like you should bench him until you see his name in the lineup. The Dodgers' website quotes Kemp as saying, "I'd rather rest it one day than do something stupid."
- Chris Sale has been named as the new White Sox closer, and my colleague Ryan Fowler assessed the surprise announcement. Hector Santiago, we hardly knew ye.
- Other news from early in the weekend included Huston Street and Justin Morneau going to the DL, and Heath Bell getting demoted. Check this blog post for details.
- Javy Guerra blew another save on Sunday for the Dodgers, and manager Don Mattingly did not offer a post game vote of confidence this time. Kenley Jansen is owned in 39 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, and you may be running out of time to get him.
- With Scott Downs hurting his knee on Sunday, new arrival Ernesto Frieri might get some save opportunities this week. Downs' status is uncertain, so don't break the bank to get Frieri if he's still available. Frieri has a sky-high strikeout rate, but as an extreme flyball pitcher in PETCO Park, his 2.28 career ERA is suspect.
- Andy Pettitte says he's ready to join the Yankee rotation, but I'm still suggesting a pass on the near-40-year-old lefty. The Yanks might get OF Brett Gardner back from the DL later this week.
- D-backs' prospect Trevor Bauer had another terrific start on Sunday. No, I don't know when they're planning to promote him.
- So, Clay Buchholz ... ugh. If you're still waiting for him to improve for your mixed-league squad, move on.
- I'd like to thank Reds SP Mat Latos for whiffing 11 batters in six shutout innings on Sunday, saving me from another five days of "Should I cut Latos?" e-mails and tweets.
- Please note that Indians SP Ubaldo Jimenez had five walks in his seven shutout innings on Sunday. I didn't see the game, but that worries me.
- Taylor Green started at first base on Sunday for the Brewers, and is in a three-way timeshare with Brooks Conrad and Travis Ishikawa. NL-only owners should note that Green has the best bat of the three, as I pointed out in this week's edition of Free Agent Frenzy.
- Brian Dozier is the Twins' new starting shortstop. He hit .320 with nine homers and 24 steals in the minors last season, and should be grabbed in AL-only leagues.
- The status of Mets SS Ruben Tejada for this week is TBD due to a strained right quad.
- Keep an eye on the status of Padres SP Cory Luebke, who might need elbow surgery. This news was the bummer of the weekend.
- The Rays hope that OF Desmond Jennings (knee) will be available on Tuesday.
- Rangers OF Nelson Cruz will probably get a day off today or tomorrow. I'm not sure which day it will be, but I'd bet on tomorrow if I had to.
- Doug Fister comes off the DL to start tonight for the Tigers, and he gets to face to Mariners. That was awfully nice of the MLB schedule makers.
- Remember all the Adam Dunn questions during spring training? Dunn hit his ninth home run of the season on Sunday. We're all in agreement that he's back, right?
- The White Sox and Indians play a doubleheader today, with the first game starting at 1:05 p.m. ET. Set your lineups accordingly.
See you back here tomorrow morning.
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