The Lineup Card: More Jays Bullpen Turnover

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw - L) vs Brewers (Marco Estrada - R) 2:10
Diamondbacks (Ian Kennedy - R) vs Phillies (Vance Worley - R) 7:05
Reds (Bronson Arroyo - R) vs Nationals (Jordan Zimmerman - R) 7:05
Giants (Tim Lincecum - R) vs Braves (Mike Minor - L) 7:10
Red Sox (Josh Beckett - R) vs Royals (Luke Hochevar - R) 8:10
Indians (Justin Masterson - R) vs White Sox (Philip Humber - R) 8:10
Yankees (CC Sabathia - L) vs Twins (Brian Duensing - L) 8:10
Marlins (Javier Vazquez - R) vs Padres (Tim Stauffer - R) 10:05
Rangers (Colby Lewis - R) vs Angels (Jered Weaver - R) 10:05
Blue Jays (Ricky Romero - L) vs A's (Trevor Cahill - R) 10:05

Day After Night: LA/MIL

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Jeremy Guthrie, P, BAL (shoulder) - may have next start pushed back a few days due to minor stiffness
Marco Scutaro, SS, BOS (back) - sitting out Wednesday and may need another day of rest
David Ortiz, DH, BOS (heel) - hopes to miss no more than a week due to bursitis
Jason Kipnis, 2B, CLE (oblique) - soreness in oblique is keeping him out of the lineup - he may return Thursday
Matt Tolbert, 2B, MIN (wrist) - is having an x-ray and may miss a few games
Freddy Garcia, P, NY-A (finger) - threw bullpen on Tuesday; working toward a possible Sunday start
Conor Jackson, OF, OAK (neck) - will remain out of the lineup until at least Thursday
Edgar Renteria, SS, CIN (groin) - left Tuesday's game with a strained groin; to be examined on Wednesday
Edward Mujica, P, FLA (back) - sidelined after straining lat muscle on Monday
Cole Hamels, P, PHI (shoulder) - he is optimistic that he will only miss one start
Aaron Rowand, OF, SF (abdomen) - out of lineup with strain
Jonathan Sanchez, P, SF (ankle) - lateral ankle strain may send him to the DL
Jeff Keppinger, 2B, SF (wrist) - had MRI on Tuesday
Edwin Jackson, P, STL (hamstring) - will make his next start as scheduled

Players on the DL

Zach Britton, P, BAL (shoulder) - threw five innings at Tripe-A Norfolk on Tuesday; could be up by weekend
Bobby Jenks, P, BOS (back) - threw side session in Fort Myers on Tuesday; likely to be added in September
J.D. Drew, OF, BOS (shoulder) - continue hitting in batting cage on Wednesday; no schedule for return yet
Grady Sizemore, OF, CLE (knee) - hit off a tee, played catch, ran on an anti-gravity treadmill on Tuesday
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NY-A (knee) - 1-for-3 in Triple-A rehab game on Tuesday; may be activated on Thursday
Michael Wuertz, P, OAK (thumb) - played catch on Monday; likely needs a rehab assignment prior to return
Adrian Beltre, 3B, TEX (hamstring) - felt OK jogging on Tuesday; likely to return in early September
Rajai Davis, OF, TOR (hamstring) - MRI on Tuesday confirmed tear; 2011 return is unlikely
Peter Moylan, P, ATL (back) - throwing bp this week and could begin rehab assignment by the weekend
Andrew Cashner, P, CHI-N (shoulder) - may be ready for minor league rehab next week
Omar Infante, 2B, FLA (finger) - should return from disabled list on Saturday
Hanley Ramirez, SS, FLA (shoulder) - unlikely to be activated on Thursday; may return next week instead
Jordan Schafer, OF, HOU (finger) - will begin minor league rehab assignment this week
Francisco Rodriguez, P, MIL (leg) - unavailable due to soreness
Jose Contreras, P, PHI (elbow) - playing ling toss; no set date yet for him to throw off a mound

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

Called Up

Michael Schwimer, P, PHI
Casey Coleman, P, CHI-N

Sent Down

Trevor Bell, P, LA-A
Randall Delgado, P, ATL
Scott Maine, P, CHI-N

Placed on DL

Garrett Richards, P, ANA (groin)
A.J. Pierzynski, C, CHI-A (wrist)
Jeff Marquez, P, NY-A (shoulder) - moved to the 60-day DL
Jon Rauch, P, TOR (stomach)
Jason Marquis, P, ARI (leg)
Brian Sanches, P, FLA (elbow)
Joe Blanton, P, PHI (elbow) - moved to 60-day DL
Placido Polanco, 3B, PHI (hip)
Sergio Romo, P, SF (elbow)
Chris Davis, 1B, BAL (shoulder)
Carlos Beltran, OF, SF (hand)
Jason Marquis, P, ARI (fractured right fibula)

Activated from DL

Ryan Webb, P, FLA
Jair Jurrjens, P, ATL
Jose Tabata, LF, PIT
Miguel Tejada, SS, SF

Signed

Kevin Comer, P, TOR
Victor Sanchez, P, SEA
Jose Leal, OF, SEA

Closer Watch

Blue Jays- When you consider that the Jays began this season with four relievers in their bullpen who had held a closer role during the last few seasons, it is stunning to note that the club has blown 21 saves so far this season and ranks next to last in the majors in terms of converting save opportunities. Jon Rauch had the role most recently, enjoying modest success before stumbling last week and ultimately having to go on the disabled list with appendicitis. The ball will likely go to Frank Francisco, who has put together nine straight scoreless outings, all in non-save situations. He has allowed only six hits in nine innings of work, with eight strikeouts and only one walk. He finally seems ready to take on the role again.

Yankees - There must have been little whispers of concern in the Bronx last week as venerable closer Mariano Rivera was touched for four earned runs over three consecutive outings. He gave up his second and third homers in back to back outings to add to the downturn. However, he reverted to form with consecutive saves in KC with two spotless innings (and three strikeouts) to silence any critics who were thinking about any lingering decline. Maybe, that was just his short-term version of the dog days of summer.

Mariners - The M's had to be concerned, heading into this season with closer David Aardsma on the shelf and unsure if Brandon League could step up and fill the role. The flame-throwing righty who oozed promise dating back to his days in Toronto has clearly answered the bell. He has reached the 30 save mark, with only four blown opportunities, to rank among the most efficient of his peers in the big leagues. Among the more impressive numbers on his ledger are the nine walks (for a lower walk rate than his career mark) he has surrendered in 48.1 innings of work. Given that he has struck out 35 batters and allowed only 39 hits, he has not sacrificed speed in his delivery.

Cubs - The Cubs are once again way out of the playoff picture and one of their areas of concern this year falls at the feet of their closer Carlos Marmol, who has fallen way off of his 2010-form chart. With his terrible outing last Tuesday (three hits and four earned runs in a third of an inning), he has now blown eight of 36 opportunities and saw his ERA balloon to 4.08 for the year. His 1.45 WHIP is well above his career 1.29 mark. About the only positive are his 73 strikeouts in 57.1 innings pitched, but even that is tempered by the 36 walks he has conceded.

Recommended Pickup

Mike Carp, OF, SEA - It is looking like the third time is the charm for this promising lefty slugger as he is finally turning some heads (and turning on some pitches) to bolster the puny offensive attack of the Mariners. He joined Seattle's roster in June, starting slowly and lingering in a part-time role, but kept working on his mechanics and hoping for more playing time. His big chance has finally arrived as he has arrived in August as he has already appeared in 14 games. He has been nothing short of sensational, clubbing four homers and 16 RBI while hitting at a .397 clip. His OPS is an equally impressive 1.107 for the month. Poolies should be tripping over themselves to pick him up if he's still a free agent in your leagues.

Other recent recommendations: Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR, Casper Wells, LF, SEA, Jamey Carroll, SS, LAD, Jon Jay, OF, STL

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Draft Street Lineup

C - J.P. Arencibia, $4336
1B - Michael Morse, $7339
2B - Gordon Beckham, $4072
3B - Ryan Zimmerman, $6405
SS - Yunel Escobar, $6144
OF - Shin-Soo Choo, $4814
OF - Jacoby Ellsbury, $9151
OF - Rick Ankiel, $5445
UTIL - Jose Bautista, $9517
UTIL - Mark Trumbo, $5468
SP - Josh Beckett, $13502
SP - Tim Stauffer, $7431
RP - Chris Perez, $1884
P - Ricky Romero, $14428

Total: $99,936

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