This NL Midweek Series Matchup column previews eight three-game series, five of which begin on Tuesday, 5/1.

This AL Midweek Series Matchup column previews one four-game series between Seattle and Tampa Bay, and six three-game series.

One day after it was announced that uber-prospect Bryce Harper was being called up by WAS, LAA decided to promote a top prospect of its own, 20-year-old Mike Trout (OF, LAA). Unlike Harper, Trout already has a taste of MLB experience, posting a .256 xBA, 116 PX and 96 Spd in 123 ABs in 2011, laying the seeds for would could become a potentially lethal power/speed combo.

As frustrating as it is losing players to unsuspected injuries, players with long injury histories can frustrate us too. There is a lesson here that we fail to remember sometimes: players with long histories should not be rostered unless absolutely necessary. The two latest pieces of evidence are Freddy Sanchez and Dustin McGowan.

Shoulder soreness will reportedly land Ryan Zimmerman (3B, WAS) on the 15-day DL Saturday, with WAS recalling Bryce Harper (OF, WAS) from Triple-A Syracuse. Zimmerman has been sidelined since April 21, and is seeing a specialist for further examination and treatment. No timetable is yet set for his return. Chad Tracy (3B/1B, WAS), Steve Lombardozzi (IF, WAS) and Mark DeRosa (3B/OF, WAS) are likely to continue sharing 3B PT in Zimmerman's absence.

This supremely talented power pitcher has been diagnosed with a tear in the anterior portion of the labrum in his pitching shoulder. What is his outlook for recovery? Plus a Carl Crawford update...

Lance Lynn (RHP, STL) has an ERA of 1.33 with 24 Ks and 6 BBs through his first four starts. Over that same period of time, he has thrown PQS 5-4-4-5. This has eased the loss of Chris Carpenter (RHP, STL) to injury and so far validated management's decision not to acquire Roy Oswalt (RHP). Do Lynn's skills support his torrid start, and how secure is his spot in the STL rotation?

This NL Weekend Series Matchup column previews five three-game series which run Friday through Sunday, and three four-game sets that go Friday through Monday.

White-hot Chicago pitching will square off against Boston in a four-game series starting on Thursday.

Tim Hudson (RHP, ATL) was solid in his final rehab start at AAA Gwinnett on Tuesday, and he is scheduled to join the Atlanta rotation on Sunday versus the light-hitting Pirates. And in San Francisco, Nate Schierholtz has started 11 of the past 13 games, with the promise of continued playing time on the immediate horizon.

[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.