Thursday Lineup Card: K-Rod Back In The Closer's Role

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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Thursday's Starters
Indians (Ubaldo Jimenez – R) at Rays (David Price – L), 12:10
Giants (Madison Bumgarner – L) at Braves (Tim Hudson – R), 12:10
Diamondbacks (Joe Saunders – L) at Reds (Mike Leake – R), 12:35
Mets (R.A. Dickey – R) at Nationals (Gio Gonzalez – L), 12:35
Angels (Jerome Williams – R) at Tigers (Max Scherzer – R), 1:05
Orioles (Bruce Chen – L) at Twins (Cole De Vries – R), 1:10
Mariners (Felix Hernandez – R) at Royals (Will Smith – L), 2:10
Marlins (Mark Buehrle – L) at Cubs (Paul Maholm – L), 2:20
White Sox (Jose Quintanilla – L) at Red Sox (Clay Buchholz – R), 7:10
Astros (Lucas Harrell – R) at Padres (Edinson Volquez – R), 10:05
Yankees (Freddy Garcia – R) at Athletics (A.J. Griffin – R), 10:05

Day Game After Night Game: CLE, TB, SF, ATL, ARI, CIN, NYM, WAS, LAA, DET, BAL, MIN, SEA, KC, FLA, CHC

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR – (Calf) X-Rays on his leg came back negative.
Matt Holliday, OF, STL – (Thigh) Not in Wednesday's starting lineup.
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL – (Groin) Not in Wednesday's starting lineup.
Jason Kubel, OF, ARI – (Hamstring) Back in the starting lineup Wednesday.
Cameron Maybin, OF, SD – (Wrist) Scratched from Wednesday's starting lineup.
Lucas Duda, OF, NYM – (Leg) Was back in the starting lineup Wednesday.
Jon Rauch, RHP, NYM – (Knee) Had to have fluid drained from both knees.
Ian Desmond, SS, WAS – (Oblique) Out of the starting lineup for the fourth straight game.

Disabled List
Jonathan Lucroy, C, MIL – (Hand) Starts a rehab assignment Wednesday night.
David Ortiz, DH, BOS – (Achilles) Will be placed on the 15-day DL.
Tim Stauffer, RHP, SD – (Elbow) Now throwing from 180 feet on flat ground.
Joe Wieland, RHP, SD – (Elbow) Will have Tommy John Surgery.
Brett Anderson, RHP, OAK – (Elbow) Threw a bullpen session Wednesday.
Brandon McCarthy, RHP, OAK – Threw a bullpen session Wednesday.
Chris Nelson, SS, COL – (Irregular heartbeat) Out of the hospital and resting at home.
Hector Sanchez, C, SF – (Knee) Placed on the 15-day DL.
P.J. Walters, RHP, MIN – (Shoulder) MRI exam showed no structural damage.
Jonathan Herrera, SS, COL – (Wrist) Hospitalized Tuesday amidst concern about his infected left wrist.
Joba Chamberlain, RHP, NYY – (Ankle, Tommy John Surgery) Pitched in a rehab assignment Tuesday.
Mitch Moreland, 1B, TEX – (Hamstring) Could be cleared for a rehab assignment starting Monday.
Colby Lewis, RHP, TEX – (Forearm) Isn't expected to be on a pitch limit in his DL return.
Christopher Carpenter, RHP, BOS – (Elbow) Threw for a second straight day on a rehab assignment.
Drew Storen, RHP, WAS – (Elbow) Could be activated as soon as tomorrow.
Frank Francisco, RHP, NYM – (Oblique) Expected to resume throwing bullpens Friday.
Wilson Ramos, C, WAS – (Knee) Underwent successful surgery Wednesday.
Charlie Furbush, LHP, SEA – (Triceps) Expected to be placed on the DL on Thursday.
Jhonatan Solano, C, WAS – (Oblique) Expected to be placed on the DL on Thursday.

Transactions
Michael Watt, LHP, SD – Released
Brad Bergesen, RHP, BAL – Designated for assignment

Activated from DL
Javy Guerra, RHP, LAD – Reinstated from the bereavement list

Optioned to Triple-A
Stephen Fife, RHP, LAD
Martin Perez, LHP, TEX
Ryan Verdugo, LHP, KC
Todd Redmond, RHP, CIN
Trevor Bauer, RHP, ARI
D.J. Mitchell, RHP, NYY

Called Up
Mauro Gomez, 1B, BOS
Eli Whiteside, C, SF
Francisley Bueno, LHP, KC
Xavier Paul, OF, CIN
Will Smith, LHP, KC – Will be called up to start Thursday's game
Jonathan Albaladejo, RHP, ARI
David Phelps, RHP, NYY

Closer Watch

Nationals: Tyler Clippard blew his second save of the season Tuesday night when he gave up a three-run homer to the Mets' Jordany Valdespin in a 2-0 game. The Nationals eventually came back to win that game in 10 innings. Clippard has converted 14 of 16 save opportunities and still has a 2.45 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. His job is by no means in jeopardy.

Recommended Pickup

Francisco Rodriguez, RHP, MIL – The disclaimer to this suggestion is that Rodriguez may not get any better. However, he is back in the closer's role after taking over for the struggling John Axford in Milwaukee. With 294 saves under his belt - including the one he picked up Wednesday - he has plenty of experience in the ninth-inning role. His 1.43 WHIP and 3.59 ERA might be here to stay, but his value increases because of role and not necessarily his performance. 48 hours ago, he was a setup man with relatively mundane numbers, but after Axford was demoted, Rodriguez has a chance to shine in the ninth inning for the first time since his somewhat forgotten days in Queens.

K-Rod actually pitched quite effectively as a Brewer last season, posting a 1.14 WHIP and a 1.86 ERA in 29 innings after being traded to Milwaukee. He has never in his career had a WHIP close to this season's – his previous career high was 1.31 in 2009. Meanwhile, that 3.59 ERA would be the second-worst of his career. It's reasonable to assume his numbers might get better as he returns to a slightly more familiar role. Regardless, he could provide some value for fantasy owners who are looking to pick up some saves.

Other Recent Recommendations: Anthony Gose, Jacob Turner, Adam Lind, Ben Sheets, Brandon Moss

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