Sunday Lineup Card: Jennings Gets the Nod

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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Projected Starters - A look at Sunday's matchups (all times Eastern)

White Sox (Phil Humber - R) at Indians (Justin Masterson - R), 1:05
Athletics (Gio Gonzalez - L) at Yankees (Bartolo Colon - R), 1:05
Mets (Dillon Gee - R) at Marlins (Anibal Sanchez - R), 1:10
Cardinals (Kyle Lohse - R) at Pirates (Charlie Morton - R), 1:35
Padres (Tim Stauffer - R) at Phillies (Roy Halladay - R), 1:35
Angels (Tyler Chatwood - R) at Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie - R), 1:35
Mariners (Michael Pineda - R) at Red Sox (Tim Wakefield - R), 1:35
Rays (Alex Cobb - R) at Royals (Felipe Paulino - R), 2:10
Astros (Jordan Lyles - R) at Cubs (Matt Garza - R), 2:20
Brewers (Yovani Gallardo - R) at Giants (Madison Bumgarner - L), 4:05
Nationals (Jason Marquis - R) at Dodgers (Chad Billingsley - R), 4:10
Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez - R) at Diamondbacks (Micah Owings - R), 4:10
Tigers (Rick Porcello - R) at Twins (Francisco Liriano - L), 4:10
Braves (Brandon Beachy - R) at Reds (Dontrelle Willis - L), 8:05
Blue Jays (Brett Cecil - L) at Rangers (Alexi Ogando - R), 8:05

Day game after a night game: CHW, CLE, STL, PIT, NYM, FLA, COL, AZ, TB, LA, BAL, KC, SEA, BOS, MIL, SF, WAS, LAD

Injuries - A brief look at players who have been missing time with minor ailments and their expected returns

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)
Dan Uggla, 2B, ATL - (Calf) Expected to return to the starting lineup Saturday.
Kelly Johnson, 2B, AZ - (Calf) Left Friday's game for precautionary reasons.
Orlando Hudson, 2B, SD - (Undisclosed) Remains day-to-day and is out of the lineup Saturday.
Jay Bruce, OF, CIN - (Head) Dealing with an inner ear problem that could sideline him for a few more days.
Alcides Escobar, SS, KC - (Leg) Left Friday's game with a bruised right shin.
Jordan Schafer, OF, ATL – (Finger) Sat out again Saturday.
Will Venable, OF, SD – (Hamstring) Scratched from Saturday's lineup.
Carlos Corporan, C, HOU – (Ankle) Left Saturday's game after getting hit in the ankle by a pitch.
Kelly Johnson, 2B, AZ – (Calf) Sat out Saturday.
Alex Preseley, OF, PIT – (Thumb) Scratched from the lineup Saturday.
Zach Cozart, SS, CIN – (Elbow) Left Saturday's game with a hyperextended left elbow.
Gerardo Parra, OF, AZ – (Forearm) Left Saturday's game after getting hit by a pitch. Thought to have been a precautionary move.

Players on the DL
Roy Oswalt, SP, PHI - (Back) Aiming for an early-August return.
Joe Blanton, RP/SP, PHI - (Elbow) Undergoing more tests. Soreness hasn't improved and he has no projected return date.
Stephen Drew, SS, AZ - (Ankle) Underwent surgery Friday and will miss the rest of the season.
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS - (Back) His back is feeling better but it's still sore. Still isn't ready to throw off a mound.
Jon Lester, SP, BOS - (Shoulder) Remains on track to return from the DL and start Monday against the Royals.
Luke Scott, DH, BAL – (Shoulder) Placed on the DL and expected to undergo surgery that will keep him out for the rest of the season.
Chris Coghlan, OF, FLA – (Knee) Began a rehab assignment Saturday but remains a couple weeks away from returning.
Peter Moylan, RP, ATL – (Back) Aiming to return in mid-August.
Johan Santana, SP, NYM – (Shoulder) Could begin a rehab assignment this week, putting his return possibly as close as mid-August.
Jonathan Sanchez, SP, SF – (Biceps) Could return as early as the first week of August.
Scott Rolen, 3B, CIN – (Shoulder) Doesn't think he'll need surgery but is still experiencing pain.
Adrian Beltre, 3B, TEX – (Hamstring) Expected to miss two-to-three weeks after being placed on the DL with a Grade 1 strain.
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, CLE – (Thumb) Aiming to return in mid-August.
Rafael Soriano, RP, NYY – (Elbow) Could return to the Yankees' bullpen by the end of the coming week.
Erik Bedard, SP, SEA – (Knee) Should return in the coming week. Vladimir Guerrero, DH, BAL- (Hand) Chance remains that he could be activated as early as Tuesday.

Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.

Placed on the DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Adrian Beltre, 3B, TEX
Luke Scott, OF, BAL

Activated from DL
Peter Bourjos, OF, LAA
Scott Baker, SP, MIN

Called Up
Desmond Jennings, OF, TB
Wil Ledezma, RP, TOR
Chris Davis, 1B, TEX
Josh Bell, 3B, BAL

Sent Down
Luke Hughes, 2B, MIN
Alexi Amarista, 2B, LAA
Reid Brignac, SS, TB
Chris Volstad, SP, FLA

Designated for Assignment
Jo-Jo Reyes, SP, TOR

Signed
Chase Wright, RP, MIL
Charlie Haeger, RP, BOS

Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (also check out our Closer Grid)

Chicago Cubs - Despite getting blasted for three runs in his previous appearance, Sean Marshall was once again used as the closer for the Cubs on Friday. He was successful, converting his second save in three opportunities. That's the good news for Marshall. The bad news is that he is no longer going to get the save opportunities. After two successful appearances pitching in non-save situations, Carlos Marmol has reclaimed his job as the Cubs' closer, and he'll get the next save opportunity.

Los Angeles Angels - Hisanori Takahashi earned the save Friday. He came into the game in the eighth and stayed in the game for the ninth after Vernon Wells' three-run home run eliminated the opportunity for a conventional save. Jordan Walden remains the team's closer. This was just a unique situation that resulted in Takahashi picking up a random save.

New York Mets - Jason Isringhausen has picked up two saves for the Mets since Francisco Rodriguez was traded to the Brewers. Isringhausen is just five saves away from 300 for his career. The Mets should let him close at least until he reaches the 300 mark, and then Bobby Parnell might get a look in the closer role. Isringhausen is the guy to own from the Mets right now.

Philadelphia Phillies - Ryan Madson officially reclaimed his role as the Phillies' closer Friday. Even with Brad Lidge returning from the 60-day DL, Madson will remain the team's primary closer.

St. Louis Cardinals - Fernando Salas earned the save Friday. He's had a couple rough outings lately, but the Cardinals are sticking with him. If he were to continue having issues, Lance Lynn could be in the mix for save opportunities.

Recommended Pickup

Desmond Jennings, OF, TB - Jennings was called up by the Rays on Saturday. He should play in left field everyday for the time being, and Jennings could take over the center field job if B.J. Upton were to get traded. Through 338 at-bats with Triple-A Durham this season, Jennings posted a .275 average with 12 home runs, 19 doubles, three triples, 39 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 17 steals. While it's typically foolish to expect too much out of prospects, Jennings will be a popular pickup this week. He's been considered one of the best offensive prospects in baseball for the past few years. I'm grabbing him anything but the absolute shallowest of leagues, because I love to take fliers on prospects. With the Rays dwindling in the race for a spot in the playoffs this season, Jennings should remain with the team for the rest of the season even if he struggles.

Other recent recommendations:Edward Mujica, Cameron Maybin, Travis Snider, Jose Altuve, Joe Nathan

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DRAFT STREET RECOMMENDED LINEUP

C Miguel Montero (ARI-C) $7,152
1B Prince Fielder (MIL-1B) $5,225
2B Skip Schumaker (STL-2B) $5,666
3B David Wright (NYM-3B) $6,410
SS Rafael Furcal (LAD-SS) $2,722
OF Bobby Abreu (LAA-OF) $5,165
OF Vernon Wells (LAA-OF) $6,928
OF Magglio Ordonez (DET-OF) $5,623
U Alex Gordon (KC-OF) $6,094
U Ryan Howard (PHI-1B) $5,001
SP Justin Masterson (CLE-SP) $13,104
SP Roy Halladay (PHI-SP) $17,088
RP Jose Valverde (DET-RP) $2,444
P Matt Garza (CHC-SP) $10,727

Total: $99,349

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