Nine Bo Jacksons

Odds & Ends

Injuries:

• The Angels put Erick Aybar on the DL with a dislocated pinky, an injury expected to keep him out of action for four weeks.  They activated Chone Figgins from the DL to take Aybar's roster spot.
• Bobby Cox thinks John Smoltz will be back in a couple of weeks.
• Ouch.  Albert Pujols took out two Padres in last nights game.  Add Josh Bard, who sprained an ankle in a home plate collision, and Chris Young, who took a line drive that broke his nose, to Pujols' list of victims.  DL stints are possible for both.

Transactions:

• The Rangers DFA'd RP Franklyn German, calling up Kameron Loe [MiLB Value -$16.84].

Misc.:

• With my summer tour of baseball stadiums about to begin, things may be a little sporadic on NBJs.  In lieu of reviewing one position each day, I'll review every position in one post about once a week.  These reviews will obviously be less detailed than the current format.  Also, the daily "Odds & Ends" post will fall by the wayside for now.  I'll pop in with random topics from the road whenever I'm equipped with WiFi.  Things should be back to normal around August, when we'll all be in the stretch drive of our fantasy seasons.

Odds & Ends

Injuries:

• The Dodgers put backup catcher Gary Bennett on the DL, calling up Danny Ardoin [MiLB Value $11.57] from AAA.
• Josh Willingham could miss another month.  He's currently sidelined with a herniated disc.
• Minnesota 2B Matt Tolbert will miss at least four and a half weeks with an injured ligament on his left thumb.
• Oakland RP Andrew Brown hit the DL after having an appendectomy.  Oakland called up Lenny DiNardo from AAA to take his roster spot.
• Doug Davis will return to the Arizona rotation on Friday.  Bob Melvin didn't say how they'd free up a spot for him.

Transactions:

• Boston called up Justin Masterson from AA, optioning Chris Smith back to the minors.  Masterson gave up 1 ER in 6.1 IP, with 5 K to go along with it.
• The Giants called up IF Travis Denker from AAA Fresno [MiLB Value -$2.57], optioning Eugenio Velez to make room.

Odds & Ends

Injuries:

• Ouch.  Jake Peavy hits the DL.  His Yahoo player card had this listed: "RHP Jake Peavy could miss more than a month with a strained flexor mass to the forearm side of his elbow. Peavy was placed on the 15-day disabled list after an MRI exam showed fluids around the ligament in the elbow".  I'll wait to read Will Carroll's analysis, but don't plan on Peavy being back next week.
• The A's put IF Donnie Murphy on the DL with a sore right elbow, recalling P Dallas Braden [MiLB Value -$3.65].
• The Nats have put Ronnie Belliard on the DL with a strained left calf.  They called up Chris Schroder [MiLB Value $9.66] from AAA Columbus.  Schroder sports a career 10.96 K/9 in the minors, and could be a decent MR for NL Only leagues.

Transactions:

• Jacque Jones is a Marlin.  Exiled from Detroit, he is expected to become the Fish's starting CF, pushing Alfredo Amezaga to the bench.
• Seattle called up Jeremy Reed [MiLB Value $23.04] to take the spot vacated by Jeff Clement.  Reed has put up good numbers this year at AAA - a .349 AVG, 6 HR, 6 SB.  If he gets the PT, he may be worth watching.

Misc.:

• The Braves will give Jorge Campillo a start.  He's had a 1.27 ERA in a relief role this season.

Odds & Ends

Injuries:

• The Cubs put Daryle Ward on the DL with a bulging disc in his back.  They called up Micah Hoffpauir from AAA Iowa, but it doesn't look like he'll get significant PT.

Transactions:

• The Mariners sent Jeff Clement down to AAA, after hitting only .167 in his brief stint in the bigs.  Jose Vidro will return to the DH role.
• The Red Sox called up Chris Smith from AAA Pawtucket [MiLB Value $16.90], sending down OF Jonathan Van Every to make room.  Smith has seen a moderate rise in his K rate this year; if that continues, he could be a decent AL-only RP.

Misc.:

• Hank Blalock will be moved to 1B once he returns from the DL.  Chris Shelton and Frank Catalanotto have been playing there lately.  Ramon Vazquez should continue to man the hot corner, as he's done decent since filling in for Blalock.

Odds & Ends

Injuries:

• A-Rod is slated to return to the Yanks on Tuesday.
• The Astros placed Geoff Geary on the DL with a strained right groin, calling up P Fernando Nieve [MiLB Value -$19.42] to take his spot.
• Don't take it out on the TV, Izzy.  Jason Isringhausen hit the DL after hitting the TV.  They called up Chris Perez [MiLB Value $13.86] from AAA to take his spot.  The 22 year old Perez makes for an interesting add; he should at least be a good source of Ks [11.69 K/9 in 100.1 MiLB IP].  He should also be in line for a few save opportunities, as Ryan Franklin hasn't exactly been shut down.

Transactions:

• The Brewers sent RP Mitch Stetter to AAA Nashville, calling up Zach Jackson [MiLB value -$39.38].  Avoid Jackson like the plague in all formats.
• The Indians recalled Jeremy Sowers [MiLB Value $8.46] from AAA Buffalo, DFA'ing Jason Tyner to make room.  Sowers started Friday's game against Cincy, going 5 innings while giving up 3 ER and striking out 2.  The Tribe then sent Sowers back to AAA, calling up Mike Aubrey [MiLB Value -$13.76].  Aubrey has little experience above AA, but has a career MiLB line of .301/.365/.496.

Misc.:

• With Rafael Betancourt losing sole control of the closing gig in Cleveland, they will turn to three additional pitchers to close out games before Joe Borowski comes back from the DL.  Betancourt, Masa Kobayashi, Jensen Lewis, and Rafael Perez are all options for save speculators.
• I really wish Jason Giambi's preference for underwear was not in the news.  I think I'm more grossed out that Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon have worn Giambi's thong.

Odds & Ends

Injuries:

• David Riske will hit the DL with a hyperextended right elbow.  The Brew Crew called up Mike DiFelice from AAA.  DiFfelice has struck out 28 in 23 IP this year at AAA.
• The Nats placed 1B Nick Johnson on the DL with a torn tendon sheath in his right wrist.  That sounds painful.  He'll miss 4-6 weeks.  Dmitri "Da Meathook" Young will be activated before Friday's game to take over Johnson's roster spot and lineup spot.
• The Giants placed RP Merkin Valdez on the DL with a strained elbow.  The Giants seemed confident it wasn't anything too serious.  They called up Alex Hinshaw [MiLB Value $22.20] from AAA.  Hinshaw should be a decent NL Only add, as the 25 year old has a career 10.99 K/9, and has seemed to found his control since '07.
• The Rox placed RP Ryan Speier on the DL with a right shoulder contusion.  The move was made retroactive to May 12.  They called up P Josh Newman [MiLB Value $2.01] to take his spot.

Misc.:

• The Gary Sheffield in the Outfield experiment is over.  Sheff will be limited to DH duty.
• Ken Griffey Jr.'s latest prank was too good.

Odds & Ends

Injuries:

• The Red Sox placed Clay Buchholz on the DL with a broken nail.  They called up OF Jonathan Van Every [MiLB Value $14.88] from AAA Pawtucket to take his spot.  Van Every was in the Cleveland system until last year, and profiles as a low-impact Quad-A type player.
• The Pirates placed Ryan Doumit on the DL after breaking his thumb on a passed ball, and will be out at least a month.  It's a shame - Doumit was looking like a top catcher thus far.  Ronny Paulino will get the majority of the PT behind the plate.
• The Reds officially placed Jeff Keppinger on the DL with a broken kneecap, and called up IF Paul Janish [MiLB Value $12.33] from AAA.  Dusty Baker plans to shockingly [insert sarcasm here] go with the veteran Jerry Hairston Jr. at SS.
• Jim Hoey will be out for the season following shoulder surgery.

Transactions:

• The Rangers activated OF Marlon Byrd from the DL, sending down 3B Travis Metcalf to make room.
• The Cubs have signed OF Jim Edmonds.  Felix Pie will be sent down to AAA to make room.

Odds & Ends

Injuries:

• Cardinals reliever Tyler Johnson will undergo arthroscopic surgery today.
• Jeff Keppinger broke his kneecap after fouling a pitch off of it in the second inning; he played the game until the fourth.  Kepp will undergo an MRI today; we should have a better estimate of the time he'll miss when they get the results of that.

Transactions:

• The Pirates called up P Marino Salas [MiLB Value $15.55], replacing John Van Benschoten.  Salas and his 7.98 career K/9 could be a welcome addition to an NL-only bullpen.

Misc.:

• Eric Gagne is back as the closer in Milwaukee.  He picked up the save against the Dodgers last night.
• While watching Mike & Mike this morning, I heard Steve Phillips say that the Mitchell Report was having an effect on the power numbers at the big leagues, as he thinks people have been "scared straight" from using steroids.  Regardless of the reason, power is certainly declining this year.  Check out the decline in slugging percentage in the NL in 06/07/08: .427/.423/.409.  In the AL: .437/.423/.394.  So, if you're wondering if power numbers are down, they certainly are.

Odds & Ends

Injuries:

• This one hurts.  Rafael Furcal will hit the DL with a lower back strain, after missing five games due to the same injury.  He was off to an amazing start, giving many fantasy owners great hope for the season.  Chin-Lung Hu is an internal option to replace him, though Luis Maza [MiLB Value $17.47] was mentioned as someone to take Furcal's active roster spot.
• John Smoltz is throwing again.  Recovering from rotator cuff and bicep tendon inflammation, he threw 45 pitches from 60 feet.  He'll throw from 90 feet on Wednesday, and is aiming for a return to the Braves later this month.
• Sean Casey was activated from the DL by the Red Sox, who DFA'd Julian "I Fought the Bullpen Phone and the Bullpen Phone Won" Tavarez to make room.
• Pedro Martinez is going to throw a simulated game against minor leaguers on Wednesday.  Martinez is returning from a strained left hamstring sustained in his season debut on April 1.

Transactions:

• The Pirates demoted John Van Benschoten, and will bring up "a pitcher" before tonight's game.

Misc.:

• That was quick.  Eric Gagne says he's ready to close again, only two days after he stated he didn't deserve to close out games.  Ned Yost didn't specifically commit to giving him the ball in the 9th, though.
• NBJ's got plugged on the Fantasy Baseball Gurus Show, an excellent internet radio program with Todd Farino, Patrick DiCaprio, and RC Rizza.  They raised a good question about my position reviews and MiLB Reviews, asking how the $ values are calculated.  All the $ values are calculated solely based on a players season-to-date production; there are no "projections" factored in on the values.  Although the methodology of calculating rotisserie values is complex enough to write a book about it, my valuations are loosely based on Art McGee's theories.  I encourage y'all to check out Patrick's site, The Fantasy Baseball Generals.  I also added a link to his site under "Fantasy Baseball Links" on this site. 

Odds & Ends

After a weekend off to celebrate my college graduation, I'm back in the saddle today.  NBJ's should return to the normal posting schedule.  Let's start with a round-up of all the moves since Thursday:

Injuries:

• Vernon Wells broke his wrist, and should be out for 6-8 weeks.  The newly acquired Brad Wilkerson should see increased PT with the injury. 
• Chone Figgins hit the DL with a strained right hamstring, calling up Kendry Morales.  Maicer Izturis is nearing his return, and figures to pick up some PT with Figgins' absence.
• The Cubs brought Scott Eyre back from the DL, sending down Sean Marshall to make room.  Eyre was suffering from left elbow inflammation, and logged a 6.75 ERA in seven minor league appearances.
• The Reds placed Kent Mercker on the DL with lower back pain, calling up the oft-recalled P Bill Bray from AAA.
• The Nats placed catchers Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada on the DL, clearing space for the return of OF Elijah Dukes and C Jesus Flores.  Flores should handle catching duties with Wil Nieves, and Dukes should get 4th OF duty.
• Keith Foulke returned from the DL, taking the space of Dallas Braden.  Foulke will be part of an "interchangeable" bullpen, with manager Bob Geren stating that although Huston Street is the closer, Foulke, Santiago Casilla, Andrew Brown, Alan Embree, and Chad Gaudin can be used in any role.
• The Rays activated OF/DH Cliff Floyd from the DL, sending OF Nathan Haynes back to the minors.  In yesterday's game, Floyd was the DH and batted 6th, going 2 for 4.
• Wilson Betemit and Jonathan Albaladejo were placed on the DL, calling up Alberto Gonzalez and Chris Britton to take their place.
• Kevin Millwood was placed on the 15 day DL by the Rangers, suffering from a strained right groin.  They called up Doug Mathis to take Millwood's roster spot, though he'll pitch primarily out of the bullpen.

Transactions:

• The Rangers sent OF Kevin Mench [who was in AAA Oklahoma] to the Blue Jays for cash.  I've never heard of this "cash" guy, but maybe the Rangers will option him to AAA and clear room for Nelson Cruz at the big league level?
• Derrick Turnbow is back as a closer...at AAA. He accepted his assignment to Nashville, where he will close out games.
• The Padres cut ties with CF Jim Edmonds, eating $4.7M.  They called up Jody Gerut, who started in CF for the series against Colorado.  He also batted leadoff for Saturday and Sunday's games.
• The Padres sent Glendon Rusch to AAA, calling up Sean "Don't Call Me Penn" Henn.
• The Tribe called up OF Jason Tyner, sending down P Tom Mastny to clear room.
• The Orioles called up INF Alex Cintron, who will serve as a utility man.
• The Padres acquired P Brian Corey from the Red Sox, for a PTBNL or cash.  They moved Joe Thatcher to the minors to clear room for Corey.
• The Rockies called up the #2 pick from the 2006 draft, P Greg Reynolds.  He started Sunday against the Padres, going 5 and 2/3 while giving up 4 ER with 1 K. 
• The Nats sent P Mike O'Connor to AAA Columbus, calling up Chris Schroder to take his spot. 

Misc.:

• Jason Isringhausen won't be closing games out in St. Louis.  After requesting to be temporarily yanked from the role, Tony La Russa did just that.  Ryan Franklin and Russ Springer will split closing duties until Izzy gets his groove back.
• Eric Gagne was yanked from the closers role, with Ned Yost giving him a "mental break".  Tim Dierkes did a great job breaking down the closer-by-committee situation in Milwaukee.