 | Dose: De La Rosa Done - 05/25/2011
BY Matt Stroup An asset in strikeouts but a liability in ERA and WHIP in recent years, Jorge De La Rosa was on course for his best season to date in 2011, posting a career-best 3.51 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with a 52/22 K/BB ratio through his first 59.0 innings this season.
That, however, was before he walked off the field in the third inning of Tuesday's start with what turned out to be a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, putting an end to his season as Tommy John surgery sits in his near future.
From a fantasy perspective, there unfortunately isn't a legitimate De La Rosa replacement to be found in Colorado. Greg Reynolds is slated to take the mound on Saturday, and Aaron Cook is likely to tak! e over the rotation spot after that, but isn't a mixed league consideration after posting a 5.08 ERA and 1.56 WHIP last year.
On a more positive note, Joe Mauer (bilateral leg weakness) will be the DH in an extended spring training game on Wednesday. It remains unclear when Mauer will be ready to catch, but it's beginning to sound like he could be back with the Twins during the early part of June.
It's officially time to be quite concerned about Blue Jays' closer Frank Francisco, who blew his second save of the season and saw his ERA rise to 6.23. John Farrell hadn't announced any changes as of early Wednesday morning, but I would be giving a long look at Octavio Dotel and Jason Frasor in mixed leagues. (Jon Rauch could also be in the mix for saves if the Jays make a change, but at the moment Farrell prefers him in the eighth inning.)
Meanwhile, the Dodgers' bullpen situation surfaced a new name on Tuesday, as little-known Javy Guerra picked up a save with a scoreless ninth (after call-up Rubby De La Rosa threw a perfect eighth). It's unclear whether or not this makes Guerra Don Mattingly's closer, but the manager told the Associated Press that Guerra's stuff is "electric," and for the moment, the rookie looks like an intriguing add for those in need of saves.
Brian Fuentes and manager Bob Geren cleared things up after Fuentes called out Geren Monday night, but the strugglin! g lefty has still been removed from the closer's role and replaced by Grant Balfour. Balfour's run, however, isn't likely to last long with Andrew Bailey expected to return this weekend.
Grady Sizemore (knee) ran sprints at almost full speed prior to Tuesday's game, and "looked good," according to trainer Lonnie Soloff. The Indians are planning to have Sizemore run the bases on Wednesday, and if all goes as planned, he should be back by Friday.
After initially hoping that he would only miss one start, the Cubs placed Matt Garza (elbow) on the 15-day DL Tuesday. The good news is that they backdated his DL stint to M! ay 18, so it would appear he'll be ready to return in early June.
Brian Roberts (concussion) has been told to rest for two more weeks, meaning that he won't be ready to return to the Orioles for at least three more weeks. Robert Andino continues to start in his absence, but isn't a consideration in mixed leagues.
Terry Francona adamantly denied a report from Jon Heyman of SI.com which said that Daisuke Matsuzaka (elbow) will need Tommy John surgery, telling the Providence Journal that "Some reports aren't very professional." The timetable for Matsuzaka's return remains uncertain, as he will receive a second opinion from Dr. Lewis Yocum before May is over.
Carlos Q! uentin clubbed three homers and drove in five runs in an 8-6 win over the Rangers. The three-homer game - the first of Quentin's career - gives him 12 homers and 31 RBI on the season.
Danny Duffy's second major league start was considerably sharper than his first, as the lefty allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings with six strikeouts. The fact that Duffy already has nine walks in his first 9 1/3 innings is a cause for concern, but Tuesday night was a positive development for his chances of becoming a factor in mixed leagues.
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NL Quick Hits (pitchers): Bronson Arroyo underwent an MRI on his injured back, but it appears that he won't have to miss a start . Josh Johnson reports significant improvement in his shoulder and hopes to throw Wednesday . Jose Contreras (elbow) is expected to be activated Wednesday, but returns as a setup man for Ryan Madson (who incidentally struggled in a non-save situation Tuesday) . Ricky Nolasco held the Giants to one run in 8 1/3 innings . Jair Jurrjens threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings to pick up win No. 6 . Ryan Dempster beat the Mets with seven innings of one-run ball . The Braves recalled Mike Minor t! o start in place of Tim Hudson Wednesday . Eduardo Sanchez picked up a save with Fernando Salas getting a day off . Johan Santana (shoulder) threw 25 pitches off a mound as he continues to target a potential July return . Barry Zito threw 50 pitches in a simulated game, but is still a few weeks from returning, according to Bruce Bochy.
NL Quick Hits (position players): Jerry Sands belted his first career grand slam and is now 6-for-12 with two homers in hi! s last four games . Matt Holliday (quad) could sit out until Friday . Marlon Byrd (facial fractures) will reportedly be limited to walking for the next 1-2 weeks, and there remains no timetable for his return . Adam LaRoche (shoulder) won't swing or throw for the next 2-3 weeks before being reevaluated . Geovany Soto (groin) could be back as soon as Saturday . Pablo Sandoval (hand) is making progress and could be back in about two weeks . Andre Ethier (elbow, back, toe) is expected to return to the starting lineup Wednesday . Angel Pagan (oblique) should be activated Friday . Carlos Gonzalez hit his sixth and seventh homers this month . Stephen Drew (groin) returned to the lineup, going 2-for-4 in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader . Any optimism over Reds call-up Todd Frazier was spoiled when the outfielder was sent back to the minors after one day . Jason Bay left Tuesday's game early with calf trouble, but told ESPNNewYork.com that it was "very, very, very minor" . Corey Hart hit his fourth homer in two days . Kelly Johnson homered and doubled and has now driven in eight runs in his last five games . Shane Victorino (hamstring) could be ready for activation when eligible on June 3.
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AL Quick Hits (pitchers): Brian Matusz (intercostal strain) will make his final rehab start on Friday and could return June 1 . The Tigers placed Phil Coke on the 15-day DL with a bone bruise in his left ankle . Rafael Soriano (elbow) has been shut down indefinitely and is headed for a visit with Dr. James Andrews Wednesday . Joakim Soria blew his third save of the year in his first truly ugly outing since early April . John Lackey (elbow) threw a 40-pitch bullpen and is tentatively targeting a June 5 return . Kevin Slowey is headed for a second opinion on his injured abdomen . Brandon Webb (shoulder) gave up four runs (one earned) in seven innings at extended spring training, but only hit around 84 mph . Nick Blackburn allowed two runs in a complete-game win over the light-hitting! Mariners . Guillermo Moscoso picked up his first big league win with six scoreless innings against the Angels and could be worth a look in AL-Only leagues . Phil Hughes (dead arm) had a successful 10-minute throwing session on flat ground, but it's unclear when he'll throw off a mound.
AL Quick Hits (position players): Howie Kendrick (hamstring) reportedly ran at 80 percent and could return this weekend . Michael Cuddyer is day-to-day with right hip inflammation . David DeJesus homered twice against the Angels . Also homering twice was Tigers' catcher Alex Avila, now up to eight homers and 27 RBI on the season . The Red Sox are hoping that Marco Scutaro (oblique) will be ready for batting practice this week, but there remains no timetable for his return . Magglio Ordonez (ankle) is hoping to return this weekend . Tsuyoshi Nishioka (fibula) is expected to play the first of 10 rehab games on Friday, putting him on course for a potential return in early June . Delmon Young (leg) returned to Tuesday's lineup (and went 0-for-4) after leaving Monday's game early . Joe Maddon said that there's a "better than 50-50 chane" that Elliot Johnson (knee) is headed for the DL. | | This e-mail is being sent at your request. To stop receiving these e-mails, click here. | |
