Brian Rudd
Kevin Youkilis (3B, BOS) was activated from the disabled list, got the start at first base, and homered in his first game back. Following a disappointing, injury-plagued 2011 season, he was off to a very slow start before hurting his back. In a small sample of 64 at-bats, Youkilis had seen his contact rate dip to 69% and his walk rate to 7%, and his uncharacteristically low 0.25 Eye had led to a .219 batting average. He was also lacking in the power department, as with a 20% fly ball rate, he had just a 91 PX and two home runs.
May 22 2012 11:05pm
May 22 2012 11:05pm
Rafael Soriano (RHP, NYY) successfully converted a save opportunity May 10, when David Robertson (RHP, NYY) was unavailable after pitching the previous two days. Robertson was still expected to get the next opportunity, but Soriano got the call in the ninth on May 14, and again got the job done. As it turns out, Robertson was unavailable then as well, due to a strained oblique that is expected to sideline him for about three weeks. Those who have stashed Soriano away could be rewarded, as he is in line for saves now, and there's no guarantee Robertson reclaims the job when healthy.
May 15 2012 11:05pm
May 15 2012 11:05pm
The San Diego bullpen in its current state (Street on the DL) was profiled just a few days ago, but there is another member of the pen that could surprisingly play a prominent role. Manager Bud Black indicated over the weekend that any of Andrew Cashner, Luke Gregerson, or Dale Thayer could be used to close out games. On May 6, Gregerson pitched the seventh inning of a tie game, and Cashner the eighth, meaning neither were going to be called upon to get the save. The next day, when a save situation presented itself, Thayer got the call, and preserved the victory with a perfect inning.
May 8 2012 11:05pm
May 8 2012 11:05pm
Evan Longoria (3B, TAM) has been diagnosed with a partial tear of his left hamstring, and is expected to miss the next six to eight weeks. There is no clear cut replacement for him at the present time, but Elliot Johnson (SS, TAM) got the first start at third base in his absence. With a .566 career OPS in 201 at-bats, he is a significant drop-off from Longoria, and very unlikely to grab a full-time role, even temporarily. Another option would involve Sean Rodriguez (SS, TAM) sliding over there, with the recently recalled Will Rhymes (2B, TAM) plenty of the work at shortstop.
May 1 2012 11:05pm
May 1 2012 11:05pm
[FREE] After leaving the April 23 game following a collision with the outfield wall, Jason Bay (OF, NYM) has landed on the disabled list with a non-displaced rib fracture. Also, after a fourth straight rough start, Jair Jurrjens (RHP, ATL) was demoted to Triple-A, which means Randall Delgado (RHP, ATL) will remain in the rotation when Tim Hudson returns.
Apr 24 2012 11:05pm
Apr 24 2012 11:05pm
After spending Opening Day on the bench, Juan Pierre (OF, PHI) has since started five of the six games in which the Phillies have faced a right-handed starting pitcher. Just two years ago, Pierre swiped 68 bases and had an SBO of 43%, though those numbers dipped dramatically last year. He was successful on just 27 of his 44 stolen base attempts (61%), and had a 27% SBO. It's unrealistic to expect a full rebound for Pierre, now 34 years old, but he could still be a strong speed source, and has already stolen two bases this year.
Apr 17 2012 11:05pm
Apr 17 2012 11:05pm
David Wright was initially listed in the April 10 lineup, but was later scratched due to a swollen pinkie. Results of the x-rays aren't yet known, but the swollen finger is currently making it difficult for him to swing the bat. Ronny Cedeno, who had made just three previous starts at third base in his career, took Wright's spot in the lineup, and would be among the candidates to see increased playing time should Wright miss any additional time.
Apr 10 2012 11:05pm
Apr 10 2012 11:05pm
Kyle Farnsworth (RHP, TAM) was scheduled to see a doctor about his ailing elbow April 4, which obviously puts his availability for Opening Day very much in doubt. While nothing is official yet, all reports and signs are suggesting that the Rays will be looking for someone else to handle ninth inning duties to begin the year. Joel Peralta (RHP, TAM), who saved six games last season, including four in September while Farnsworth was sidelined, appears to be the most logical candidate.
Apr 3 2012 11:05pm
Apr 3 2012 11:05pm
As expected, Mike Aviles was named the starting shortstop in Boston to begin the season. His main assets are his contact rate (86 percent career) and his speed. Aviles has stolen 14 bases each of the past two years, and did so in just 286 at-bats last year. A consistently low walk rate makes getting on base a struggle, though, which could eventually cut into his playing time somewhat. At this point, though, that doesn't seem to be a major concern, as manager Bobby Valentine is thinking of using Aviles in the leadoff spot.
Mar 27 2012 11:05pm
Mar 27 2012 11:05pm
After taking a bad hop ground ball off of his face, Miguel Cabrera (1B/3B, DET) received eight stitches and was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture of the orbital floor in his right eye. He will not take part in any baseball activities for a week, at which point he will be re-evaluated. He is currently expected to be ready for Opening Day, but it is certainly a situation worth monitoring, and may complicate things a bit for those with drafts in the next few days.
Mar 21 2012 12:05am
Mar 21 2012 12:05am
David Wright (3B, NYM) received an anti-inflammatory injection in his ribcage, as well as an MRI, which showed no significant damage to the area. He could resume baseball activities later this week, and is still expected to be ready for Opening Day, but it certainly appears to be a situation to watch closely in the meantime.
Mar 14 2012 1:03am
Mar 14 2012 1:03am
Kevin Youkilis (3B, BOS) was activated from the disabled list, got the start at first base, and homered in his first game back. Following a disappointing, injury-plagued 2011 season, he was off to a very slow start before hurting his back. In a small sample of 64 at-bats, Youkilis had seen his contact rate dip to 69% and his walk rate to 7%, and his uncharacteristically low 0.25 Eye had led to a .219 batting average. He was also lacking in the power department, as with a 20% fly ball rate, he had just a 91 PX and two home runs.
May 22 2012 11:05pm
May 22 2012 11:05pm
Rafael Soriano (RHP, NYY) successfully converted a save opportunity May 10, when David Robertson (RHP, NYY) was unavailable after pitching the previous two days. Robertson was still expected to get the next opportunity, but Soriano got the call in the ninth on May 14, and again got the job done. As it turns out, Robertson was unavailable then as well, due to a strained oblique that is expected to sideline him for about three weeks. Those who have stashed Soriano away could be rewarded, as he is in line for saves now, and there's no guarantee Robertson reclaims the job when healthy.
May 15 2012 11:05pm
May 15 2012 11:05pm
The San Diego bullpen in its current state (Street on the DL) was profiled just a few days ago, but there is another member of the pen that could surprisingly play a prominent role. Manager Bud Black indicated over the weekend that any of Andrew Cashner, Luke Gregerson, or Dale Thayer could be used to close out games. On May 6, Gregerson pitched the seventh inning of a tie game, and Cashner the eighth, meaning neither were going to be called upon to get the save. The next day, when a save situation presented itself, Thayer got the call, and preserved the victory with a perfect inning.
May 8 2012 11:05pm
May 8 2012 11:05pm
Evan Longoria (3B, TAM) has been diagnosed with a partial tear of his left hamstring, and is expected to miss the next six to eight weeks. There is no clear cut replacement for him at the present time, but Elliot Johnson (SS, TAM) got the first start at third base in his absence. With a .566 career OPS in 201 at-bats, he is a significant drop-off from Longoria, and very unlikely to grab a full-time role, even temporarily. Another option would involve Sean Rodriguez (SS, TAM) sliding over there, with the recently recalled Will Rhymes (2B, TAM) plenty of the work at shortstop.
May 1 2012 11:05pm
May 1 2012 11:05pm
[FREE] After leaving the April 23 game following a collision with the outfield wall, Jason Bay (OF, NYM) has landed on the disabled list with a non-displaced rib fracture. Also, after a fourth straight rough start, Jair Jurrjens (RHP, ATL) was demoted to Triple-A, which means Randall Delgado (RHP, ATL) will remain in the rotation when Tim Hudson returns.
Apr 24 2012 11:05pm
Apr 24 2012 11:05pm
After spending Opening Day on the bench, Juan Pierre (OF, PHI) has since started five of the six games in which the Phillies have faced a right-handed starting pitcher. Just two years ago, Pierre swiped 68 bases and had an SBO of 43%, though those numbers dipped dramatically last year. He was successful on just 27 of his 44 stolen base attempts (61%), and had a 27% SBO. It's unrealistic to expect a full rebound for Pierre, now 34 years old, but he could still be a strong speed source, and has already stolen two bases this year.
Apr 17 2012 11:05pm
Apr 17 2012 11:05pm
David Wright was initially listed in the April 10 lineup, but was later scratched due to a swollen pinkie. Results of the x-rays aren't yet known, but the swollen finger is currently making it difficult for him to swing the bat. Ronny Cedeno, who had made just three previous starts at third base in his career, took Wright's spot in the lineup, and would be among the candidates to see increased playing time should Wright miss any additional time.
Apr 10 2012 11:05pm
Apr 10 2012 11:05pm
Kyle Farnsworth (RHP, TAM) was scheduled to see a doctor about his ailing elbow April 4, which obviously puts his availability for Opening Day very much in doubt. While nothing is official yet, all reports and signs are suggesting that the Rays will be looking for someone else to handle ninth inning duties to begin the year. Joel Peralta (RHP, TAM), who saved six games last season, including four in September while Farnsworth was sidelined, appears to be the most logical candidate.
Apr 3 2012 11:05pm
Apr 3 2012 11:05pm
As expected, Mike Aviles was named the starting shortstop in Boston to begin the season. His main assets are his contact rate (86 percent career) and his speed. Aviles has stolen 14 bases each of the past two years, and did so in just 286 at-bats last year. A consistently low walk rate makes getting on base a struggle, though, which could eventually cut into his playing time somewhat. At this point, though, that doesn't seem to be a major concern, as manager Bobby Valentine is thinking of using Aviles in the leadoff spot.
Mar 27 2012 11:05pm
Mar 27 2012 11:05pm
After taking a bad hop ground ball off of his face, Miguel Cabrera (1B/3B, DET) received eight stitches and was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture of the orbital floor in his right eye. He will not take part in any baseball activities for a week, at which point he will be re-evaluated. He is currently expected to be ready for Opening Day, but it is certainly a situation worth monitoring, and may complicate things a bit for those with drafts in the next few days.
Mar 21 2012 12:05am
Mar 21 2012 12:05am
David Wright (3B, NYM) received an anti-inflammatory injection in his ribcage, as well as an MRI, which showed no significant damage to the area. He could resume baseball activities later this week, and is still expected to be ready for Opening Day, but it certainly appears to be a situation to watch closely in the meantime.
Mar 14 2012 1:03am
Mar 14 2012 1:03am
