Thursday Lineup Card: Panik!

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

Pirates (A.J. Burnett – R) at Reds (Anthony DeSclafani – R), 12:35
Mets (Matt Harvey – R) at Nationals (Stephen Strasburg – R), 1:05
Twins (Kyle Gibson – R) at Tigers (Shane Greene – R), 1:08
White Sox (John Danks – L) at Royals (Edinson Volquez – R), 2:10
Indians (Trevor Bauer – R) at Astros (Asher Wojciechowski – R), 2:10
Rangers (Nick Martinez – R) at Athletics (Kendall Graveman – R), 3:35
Giants (Tim Hudson – R) at Padres (Ian Kennedy – R), 6:40
Blue Jays (Daniel Norris – L) at Yankees (C.C. Sabathia – L), 7:05
Red Sox (Justin Masterson – R) at Phillies (David Buchanan – R), 7:05

Day Game After Night Game: PIT/CIN, NYM/WAS, CHW/KC, CLE/HOU and TEX/OAK

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Brandon Belt, 1B, SF (Groin) – Took batting practice on Wednesday.
Jake Peavy, SP, SF (Back) – Will avoid being placed on the DL after improving.
Michael Brantley, OF, CLE (Back) – Did not play on Wednesday due to lower back stiffness.
Seth Smith, OF, SEA (Groin) – Missed Wednesday's game due to tightness.
John Jaso, C, TB (Wrist) – Could be placed on the DL over the weekend.
Odubel Herrera, 2B, PHI (Foot) – May return to the field on Thursday.
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL (Ribs) – Missed Wednesday's game, but should avoid the DL.

Players on the DL

Justin Verlander, SP, DET (Triceps) – Was placed on the 15-DL on Wednesday.
Koji Uehara, RP, BOS (Hamstring) – Will pitch a simulated game on Thursday at Low-A Greenville.
Domonic Brown, OF, PHI (Achilles) – Likely won't join the Phillies for two more weeks.
Mario Hollands, RP, PHI (Elbow) – Had successful Tommy John surgery on Wednesday.
Josh Fields, RP, HOU (Groin) – Expected to throw in a simulated game over the next couple of days.
David Lough, OF, BAL (Hamstring) – Expected to go on a rehab assignment next week.
Alex Colome, SP, TB (Pneumonia) – Will make his first rehab start on Saturday.
Brett Oberholtzer, SP, HOU (Finger) – Threw from flat ground on Wednesday with a bandage on his blister.
Brad Peacock, SP, HOU (Hip) – Expected to make his first rehab start on Thursday.
Alex Cobb, SP, TB (Forearm) – Threw the ball on back-to-back sessions for the first time since being injured.
Joe Kelly, SP, BOS (Biceps) – Will join the rotation after one more Low-A Greenville start.
Michael Saunders, OF, TOR (Knee) – Will begin a rehab assignment on Thursday.
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS (Shoulder) – Cleared to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday.
Joe Nathan, RP, DET (Forearm) – Was placed on the 15-day DL with a flexor strain.
Jake McGee, RP, TB (Elbow) – Expected to throw a live batting practice session on Thursday.
Matt Wieters, C, BAL (Elbow) – There is still no timetable for his return.
Burch Smith, RP, TB (Elbow) – Will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery.
James Loney, 1B, TB (Oblique) – Was placed on the 15-day DL on Wednesday.
Luke Hochevar, RP, KC (Elbow) – Expected to return to action in mid-May.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, LAD (Shoulder) – Not expected back until May.
Matt Stites, RP, ARI (Elbow) – Was able to play catch on Monday, but still no timetable for his return.

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)

James Loney, 1B, TB (Oblique)
Justin Verlander, SP, DET (Triceps)
Burch Smith, RP, TB (Elbow)

Called Up

Allan Dykstra, 1B, TB
Kyle Lobstein, RP, DET

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)

Alex Hassan, OF, OAK
Billy Burns, OF, OAK
Alex Presley, OF, HOU
Austin Romine, C, NYY
Alex White, RP, HOU

Signed

Cody Ross, OF, OAK

Closer Watch

Miami Marlins – Isn't it lovely when the manager brings in your closer in non-closing situations, only for so-said closer to give up a boatload of runs? Steve Cishek would like to forget his Tuesday night, as he gave up four earned runs on two hits, while walking two in one third of an inning. Cishek will lose this outing in the ol' memory bank the next time he takes the mound, and so should you. There's no concern over Cishek's job security this early in the season.

Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton closed out the Tampa Bay Rays in fine fashion on Tuesday, netting his first save of the season, while striking out the side. I still say Britton is highly underrated this year with so many non-believers out there, but, trust me; his skill set has a wowing factor. Britton's ability to change speeds and control where his pitches go sure gets me revved up.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – April 9, 2015

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
A. LaRoche	1B	CWS @ KC 2:10PM	E. Volquez	16	6	3	1	4	3	5	.375	.474	.688	1.161
E. Hosmer	1B	KC vs CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	12	6	0	0	1	1	0	.500	.538	.500	1.038
M. Kemp	OF	SD vs SF 6:40PM	T. Hudson	15	6	1	1	2	0	5	.400	.400	.600	1.000
N. Aoki	OF	SF @ SD 6:40PM	I. Kennedy	10	5	1	0	2	0	2	.500	.545	.600	1.145
B. Belt	1B	SF @ SD 6:40PM	I. Kennedy	23	6	3	2	4	2	10	.261	.320	.565	.885
B. Posey	C	SF @ SD 6:40PM	I. Kennedy	30	11	3	0	3	4	4	.367	.441	.467	.908

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Hot Pitcher Matchups – April 9, 2015

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Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
John Danks	CWS @ KC 2:10PM	104	20	6	1	4	8	17	.192	.257	.265	.522
CC Sabathia	NYY vs TOR 7:05PM	135	27	9	3	8	9	27	.200	.248	.308	.556

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Cold Batter Matchups – April 9, 2015

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
J. Bruce	OF	CIN vs PIT 12:35PM	A. Burnett	27	3	1	0	3	2	10	.111	.161	.148	.309
M. Byrd	OF	CIN vs PIT 12:35PM	A. Burnett	17	3	0	0	1	1	2	.176	.222	.176	.399
T. Frazier	3B	CIN vs PIT 12:35PM	A. Burnett	12	2	1	1	2	1	3	.167	.214	.417	.631
R. Tejada	SS	NYM @ WAS 1:05PM	S. Strasburg	11	1	0	0	0	0	4	.091	.091	.091	.182
M. Cabrera	OF	CWS @ KC 2:10PM	E. Volquez	11	2	0	0	1	0	3	.182	.182	.182	.364
A. Escobar	SS	KC vs CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	10	0	0	0	0	1	4	.000	.091	.000	.091
A. Gordon	OF	KC vs CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	26	4	1	0	0	3	3	.154	.267	.192	.459
K. Morales	1B	KC vs CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	12	2	2	0	1	0	1	.167	.167	.333	.500
M. Moustakas	3B	KC vs CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	11	1	1	0	0	1	1	.091	.167	.182	.348
A. Rios	OF	KC vs CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	11	2	1	0	0	0	3	.182	.182	.273	.455
C. Barmes	SS	SD vs SF 6:40PM	T. Hudson	13	1	0	0	0	0	2	.077	.077	.077	.154
B. Crawford	SS	SF @ SD 6:40PM	I. Kennedy	25	5	2	0	2	1	4	.200	.231	.280	.511
A. Pagan	OF	SF @ SD 6:40PM	I. Kennedy	29	6	1	0	1	1	4	.207	.233	.241	.475
B. Revere	OF	PHI vs BOS 7:05PM	J. Masterson	29	6	0	0	3	0	2	.207	.207	.207	.414
J. Bautista	OF	TOR @ NYY 7:05PM	C. Sabathia	23	2	1	1	1	4	8	.087	.222	.217	.440
J. Donaldson	3B	TOR @ NYY 7:05PM	C. Sabathia	12	2	1	0	0	0	2	.167	.167	.250	.417
D. Navarro	C	TOR @ NYY 7:05PM	C. Sabathia	14	2	0	0	2	1	1	.143	.176	.143	.319

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Cold Pitcher Matchups – April 9, 2015

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Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Justin Masterson	BOS @ PHI 7:05PM	76	20	3	0	9	0	10	.263	.266	.303	.569

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Joe Panik, 2B, SF – I like under-the-radar players that go highly unnoticed in leagues. Panik certainly qualifies with a .343 on-base percentage in 269 at bats last season, although I do expect most fantasy owners will start to notice his approach at the plate as the season wears on. Don't expect much power, or even stolen bases, but if you're okay with a good contact hitter than can bring batting average and runs scored, then give Panik a whirl. He's a pesky middle-infield option that will surprise in 2015.

Other Recent Recommendations:Daniel Norris, Jason Grilli

DraftKings Value Picks

SP: Daniel Norris, TOR ($6,000)
C: Derek Norris, SD ($3,800)
1B: Mike Napoli, BOS ($4,200)
2B: Joe Panik, SF ($3,300)
SS: Danny Santana, MIN ($3,900)
3B: Mike Moustakas, KC ($3,700)
OF: Colby Rasmus, OF ($3,800)