Thursday Lineup Card: Shooting the Freese

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Diamondbacks (Wade Miley - L) at Rangers (Derek Holland - L), 2:05
White Sox (Jake Peavy - R) at Cubs (Travis Wood - L), 2:20
Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R) at Padres (Andrew Cashner - R), 3:40
Athletics (A.J. Griffin - R) at Giants (Barry Zito - L), 3:45
Nationals (Dan Haren - R) at Orioles (Freddy Garcia - R), 7:05
Red Sox (Franklin Morales - L) at Phillies (Jonathan Pettibone - R), 7:05
Reds (Homer Bailey - R) at Indians (Scott Kazmir - L), 7:05
Tigers (Doug Fister - R) at Pirates (Jeff Locke - L), 7:05
Mets (Dillon Gee - R) at Yankees (Vidal Nuno - L), 7:05
Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey - R) at Braves (Mike Minor - L), 7:10
Rays (Matt Moore - L) at Marlins (Ricky Nolasco - R), 7:10
Brewers (Kyle Lohse - R) at Twins (P.J. Walters - R), 8:10
Royals (Jeremy Guthrie - R) at Cardinals (Michael Wacha - R), 8:15
Astros (Lucas Harrell - R) at Rockies (Juan Nicasio - R), 8:40
Dodgers (Ted Lilly - L) at Angels (Jason Vargas - L), 10:05

Day Game After Night Game: SEA, SD, OAK, SF

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Alex Cobb, P, TB (Finger) - Will not start Friday due to an issue with a fingernail on his pitching hand.
Marwin Gonzalez, SS, HOU (Hamstring) - Dealing with a minor hamstring injury but was available to play Wednesday.
Bryce Harper, OF, WAS (Knee) - Missed his third game in a row Wednesday due to a swollen knee.
Torii Hunter, OF, DET (Elbow) - An MRI was returned negative Wednesday, but his elbow allows very little range of motion at the moment.
Casey Janssen, P, TOR (Shoulder) - Felt better Wednesday and was available to pitch in Atlanta.
Ian Kennedy, P, ARI (Finger) - Expected to start Saturday, after his previous nod Monday was scratched due to a lacerated finger.
Kris Medlen, P, ATL (Calf) - Removed from Wednesday's outing due to an upper left calf contusion but is slated to make his next start.
Mike Morse, OF, SEA (Quadriceps) - Left Tuesday's game due to a quadriceps injury, and tests performed Wednesday revealed he'll likely sit out 3-to-5 days.
Angel Pagan, OF, SF (Hamstring) - Received a cortisone shot in his hamstring Wednesday and hopes to return to the lineup Friday.
David Phelps, P, NYY (Forearm) - Lasted just 0.1 inning on five runs (four earned) Wednesday, before leaving with a forearm concern.
Martin Prado, 3B, ARI (Knee) - Out of the lineup Wednesday due to a sore knee.
Justin Smoak, 1B, SEA (Oblique) - Hit in the cage Wednesday, after which he felt good, especially when batting right-handed.
Ruben Tejeda, SS, NYM (Quadriceps) - Left Wednesday's game in the ninth inning due to an injured quadriceps.
Michael Young, 3B, PHI (Personal) - Placed on the bereavement list Wednesday.

Players on the DL
Scott Atchison, P, NYM (Elbow) - Will be activated either Thursday or Friday following a rehab outing at High-A St. Lucie.
Brandon Beachy, P, ATL (Elbow) - Scheduled to make three more rehab starts before returning to the rotation.
Gordon Beckham, 2B, CHW (Wrist) - Unlikely to come back before the White Sox's next homestand, which starts on June 6.
Wilson Betemit, 3B, BAL (Knee) - Hit off a tee at extended spring training Wednesday.
Peter Bourjos, OF, LAA (Oblique) - Should be able to start a rehab assignment next week.
Clay Buchholz, P, BOS (Collarbone) - Pushed back his upcoming start Friday after feeling something in his collarbone; he may take the mound Saturday or Sunday.
Santiago Casilla, P, SF (Knee) - Will be on crutches for the next two weeks following knee surgery Tuesday.
Wei-Yin Chen, P, BAL (Oblique) - Progressing slowly through his strained oblique.
Rajai Davis, OF, TOR (Oblique) - Has been swinging a bat pain-free at High-A Dunedin and is close to a return to action.
Ross Detwiler, P, WAS (Oblique) - Has yet to resume baseball activities and appears unlikely to rejoin the rotation this weekend.
Logan Forsythe, 2B, SD (Foot) - Embarked on a rehab assignment Wednesday at Triple-A Tucson.
Jeff Francis, P, COL (Groin) - May make furthur minor league rehab starts, after he was struck on the shin during his last rehab outing.
Kyuji Fujikawa, P, CHC (Forearm) - Will have Tommy John surgery performed on his right elbow and miss the remainder of the season.
Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY (Hand) - Had pins inserted in his broken left pinkie Wednesday, which will sideline him at least four weeks.
Franklin Gutierrez, OF, SEA (Hamstring) - Able to move about better and has two hits in each of his past two rehab games at Triple-A Tacoma.
Chris Heisey, OF, CIN (Hamstring) - Shagged flyballs Monday, but no date has been set for commencement of a rehab assignment.
Aaron Hill, 2B, ARI (Hand) - Cleared Tuesday to resume baseball activities.
Dan Hudson, P, ARI (Elbow) - Slated to make his first rehab start next Tuesday at Double-A Mobile.
Austin Jackson, OF, DET (Hamstring) - Could need a short rehab stint at Triple-A Toledo before he's activated from the 15-day DL.
Derek Jeter, SS, NYY (Ankle) - Cleared to play catch Thursday.
Ian Kinsler, 2B, TEX (Ribs) - The stress reaction in his ribs will keep him out another 2-to-5 weeks.
John Lannan, P, PHI (Knee) - In line to begin a rehab assignment next Thursday.
Colby Lewis, P, TEX (Forearm) - Will stop his rehab assignment for two weeks in order to have a PRP injection in his right elbow.
Joe Mahoney, 1B, MIA (Hamstring) - Expected to start a rehab assignment this week at High-A Jupiter.
Lou Marson, C, CLE (Shoulder) - Started a rehab assignment Wednesday at Double-A Akron.
Justin Maxwell, OF, HOU (Hand) - Reported to extended spring training Wednesday in order to take live at-bats before beginning a rehab assignment.
Logan Morrison, OF, MIA (Knee) - Was hitless in three at-bats with a walk during a rehab outing Wednesday at High-A Jupiter.
Charlie Morton, P, PIT (Elbow) - Will throw about 80 pitches during his next rehab start Sunday.
Chris Narveson, P, MIL (Finger) - Beginning a rehab assignment Thursday at Triple-A Nashville.
Alexi Ogando, P, TEX (Biceps) - Expected to make a rehab start Friday at Double-A Frisco.
Andy Pettitte, P, NYY (Shoulder) - Will be back in the rotation early next week.
Trevor Plouffe, 3B, MIN (Calf) - Scratched from the lineup Wednesday due to left calf tightness.
Hanley Ramirez, SS, LAD (Hamstring) - Ran the bases Tuesday and will start a rehab assignment Friday at High-A Rancho Cucamonga, with a return expected early next week.
Donovan Solano, 2B, MIA (Oblique) - Slated to begin a rehab assignment at High-A Jupiter this week.
Joakim Soria, P, TEX (Elbow) - Will resume throwing from a mound this weekend.
Pedro Strop, P, BAL (Back) - Threw before Wednesday's batting practice session and emerged without complications.
Eric Surkamp, P, SF (Elbow) - Will make a start at extended spring training Saturday.
Taylor Teagarden, C, BAL (Thumb) - Scheduled to start a rehab assignment Thursday.
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI (Oblique) - Will not come off the disabled list when he's first eligible on June 5.
Shane Victorino, OF, BOS (Hamstring) - May begin a brief rehab assignment as early as this weekend.
Arodys Vizcaino, P, CHC (Elbow) - Likely out for the season due to a setback with his surgically-repaired elbow.
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS (Hamstring) - Started a rehab assignment Wednesday at High-A Potomac.

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)
Tony Abreu, 2B, SF (Transferred to 60-day DL)
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR

Placed on the Bereavement List
Michael Young, 3B, PHI

Activated from DL
Trevor Plouffe, 3B, MIN (7-day DL)
Jordan Walden, P, ATL
Jered Weaver, P, LAA

Called Up
Jackie Bradley, OF, BOS
Alex Colome, P, TB
Ryan Flaherty, 2B, BAL
Cesar Hernandez, 2B, PHI
Alex Liddi, 3B, SEA
Ed Lucas, 3B, MIA
Juan Perez, P, TOR
Ramon Ramirez, P, SF
Todd Redmond, P, TOR
Rob Scahill, P, COL
Neil Wagner, P, TOR

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Charlie Blackmon, OF, COL
Chris Colabello, 3B, MIN
Mike Kickham, P, SF
Brandon Maurer, P, SEA
Yamaico Navarro, 3B, BAL
Jake Odorizzi, P, TB
Cory Rasmus, P, ATL
Alex Wilson, P, BOS

Designated for Assignment
Nick Green, 2B, MIA
Mark Lowe, P, LAA
Clinton Robinson, 1B, TOR

Signed
Sebastian Elizalde, OF, CIN

Closer Watch

Baltimore - The Jekyll and Hyde routine of Jim Johnson extended into Wednesday's tilt, during which he tossed a spotless ninth inning, while striking out two batters. The performance follows a six-game stretch that featured two scoreless outings and three disastrous ones, with the following line to show for his efforts - one win, one save, four blown saves, a 21.60 ERA, 3.20 WHIP, and 2:3 K:BB ratio over five frames. The run of adversity was really his first in one-plus seasons of mostly tip-top work in the the later innings, thereby leaving Johnson as the No. 1 closing option out of the Orioles' bullpen, at least for the time being.

Toronto - Entering Wednesday, closer Casey Janssen had made just two appearances since May 11, while enduring recent shoulder soreness. During that span, he gave up three runs on five hits and one walk with two strikeouts across two innings, marking the two occasions in which he faltered this season. On Wednesday, though, he made a valiant return in Atlanta, completing a perfect ninth frame to obtain his 10th save of the year and preserve a 3-0 shutout of the bashing Braves. Only one other Blue Jay, Aaron Loup, has captured a save in five chances during the 2013 campaign, leaving Janssen as the unquestioned fireman on an otherwise underwhelming squad.

David Freese, 3B, STL - The first month of the season was a dreary one for Freese, as he mustered a mere .163/.255/.204 slash line in 49 at-bats. Despite a recent thumb concern that wiped away three games, he has recorded at least one hit in 17 of 21 May outings, including a current nine-game hitting streak. A power stroke has yet to emerge this season -- he has just six doubles and two homers in 122 at-bats -- but the 2011 World Series MVP entered the campaign belting a home run every 31.6 at-bats. Considering his turnaround from one month to the next, it's only a matter of time before Freese makes his mark in the power categories as a member of one of the most potent offenses in the majors.

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DraftStreet Lineup
C - Chris Iannetta, LAA ($5,292)
1B - Adrian Gonzalez, LAD ($9,185)
2B - Jedd Gyorko, SD ($6,668)
3B - David Freese, STL ($6,496)
SS - Yunel Escobar, TB ($6,382)
OF - Nick Markakis, BAL ($7,891)
OF - Michael Bourn, CLE ($7,283)
OF - J.D. Martinez, HOU ($6,358)
UTIL - Alfonso Soriano, CHC ($5,930)
SP - Mike Minor, ATL ($16,110)
SP - Jeff Locke, PIT ($12,164)
P - Juan Nicasio, COL ($10,008)

Total: $99,767

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