Ryan Perry got the save yesterday because Jose Valverde is out with a tender elbow. Valverde isn’t supposed to be out long but whenever a reliever’s elbow is in question — or any pitcher, for that matter — it’s cause for concern. With the Tigers playing for nothing, they could shut Valverde down. Phil Coke could see some situational saves. When reached for comment about his new role, Phil Coke said, “This is it?” By the way, he’s the best lefty reliever synonymous with Coke since Steve Howe. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Johnny Damon – 4-for-4, 2 Runs and an RBI. Not a bad day to stream him into my lineup. Hit the wall, turn on the lights, blow on my fist, rub fist on leather jacket and say, “Ayyyyyy.” (Wasn’t as great a day to stream Casper Wells or Don Kelly, who’s also known as LL Donkey.)
Rick Porcello – 8 IP, 3 ER, 4 baserunners, 3 K. It’s legitimately hard for me to give a non-hedged endorsement to Porcello. I don’t like his lack of Ks, but at this stage in the year, all’s fair in love and the waiver wire. Porcello’s pitching well and gets the Royals in his start after next. His next start vs. the Rangers in Arlington is a pass.
Bobby Jenks – Is day-to-day with funny bone soreness. That Bobby, always up to hijenks! Either way, the funny bone injury doesn’t sound serious.
Matt Thornton – But if Jenks’ jenky ‘bow doesn’t straighten itself out, I’d grab Thornton, Putz or Sale, in that order.
Gavin Floyd – 6 IP, 5 ER, 14 baserunners, 3 Ks as he tied his owners to the WHIPping post. Floyd would be a whole lot more attractive if he didn’t get absolutely drubbed once a month. Cust kayin’.
Colby Lewis – 6 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 8 Ks. After a month or so where he treated your team like a public restroom, decent bounce back last night. I wouldn’t say he’s completely righted the ship with one good start, but if you need Ks, Lewis is your man.
David Murphy – 1-for-3 with a steal. He’s in this afternoon’s Buy/Sell. SPOILER ALERT: He’s a buy.
Travis Wood -5 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 6 Ks. I feel like Wood’s teetering on a terrible start his next time out. I don’t have much to support this. Just a gut feeling. Okay, you got me. I’m now reading tea leaves.
Joey Votto – 0-for-4 the same day CarGo went 0-for-4. I didn’t look this up, but I’m guessing this was the first time they were both held hitless on the same day this year. Pretty crazy, huh? (Assuming it’s true.)
Placido Polanco – Says he’s playing with a broken elbow. Um… Ouch? Could explain why his already weak power has been even weaker. He has 1 homer in the last three months. (Oh, and one steal.) Yeah, besides average, he’s not giving you anything, but that’s more or less his MO.
Jason Hammel – 7 IP, 5 ER, 9 baserunners, 6 Ks. Coming into this game, he had a 3.43 ERA at home, and that means nothing now that he just soiled my team.
Jason Heyward – Sticking with the newly established Jason theme, Heyward left the game with a leg injury. He’s day-to-day, hey, hey, hey.
Jair Jurrjens – 3 2/3 IP, 7 ER. Meesa tinks Jar-Jar’s had better games.
Adam Wainwright – 8 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 7 Ks with his 18th win. So who wins the NL Cy Young? Halladay, Wainwright, Ubaldo or a wild card?
Colby Rasmus – 4-for-4, 4 RBIs, 3 Runs, 2 homers. Geiger! Let’s go!
Bud Norris – 6 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 7 Ks. I’m going to be unrealistically excited about Norris next March and he’s going to let me down in April and crush my will to live. I know this already.
Andre Ethier – Hit his 21st homer and knocked in his 74th RBI. He’s also hitting .289 and has 2 steals. Is there any outfielder that is more overrated? Luke Scott, Bobby Abreu, Marlon Byrd and Drew Stubbs are just some of the names on ESPN’s Player Rater that have been as valuable as Ethier.
Shawn Hill – 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 9 baserunners, 2 Ks. Member when I loved this guy? Was like two years ago. We were younger then, you and I. You look different; I think it’s your hair that’s now on your back. Hill has some talent, but also needs the same health insurance provider as Nick Johnson. The chance of Hill providing any value this year is slim to anorexic.
Jose Bautista – 2-for-3 as he hit his 44th homer yesterday, which is 45.43 in U.S. homers.
Roger Clemens – Reports came out that the Canadian police are helping in the Clemens’ probe. Gives new meaning to Mounties.
