Wednesday Lineup Card: Grilli Set to 'Preheat' For Now

Wednesday Lineup Card: Grilli Set to 'Preheat' For Now

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Mets (Dillon Gee – R) at Braves (Kameron Loe – R), 12:10
Twins (Liam Hendriks – R) at Astros (Jordan Lyles – R), 2:10
Marlins (Brian Flynn – L) at Cubs (Jeff Samardzija – R), 2:20
Rangers (Yu Darvish – R) at Athletics (Jarrod Parker – R), 3:35
Blue Jays (Mark Buehrle – L) at Diamondbacks (Randall Delgado – R), 3:40
Giants (Tim Lincecum – R) at Padres (Eric Stults – L), 6:40
Orioles (Zach Britton – L) at Indians (Zach McAllister – R), 7:05
White Sox (Erik Johnson – R) at Yankees (CC Sabathia – L), 7:05
Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann – R) at Phillies (Roy Halladay – R), 7:05
Tigers (Rick Porcello – R) at Red Sox (Ryan Dempster – R), 7:10
Cardinals (Shelby Miller – R) at Reds (Bronson Arroyo – R), 7:10
Pirates (Francisco Liriano – L) at Brewers (Wily Peralta – R), 8:10
Mariners (Taijuan Walker – R) at Royals (Ervin Santana – R), 8:10
Dodgers (Edinson Volquez – R) at Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa – L), 8:40
Rays (Jeremy Hellickson – R) at Angels (Jered Weaver – R), 10:05

Day Game After Night Game: NYM/ATL, MIN/HOU, MIA/CHC, TEX/OAK, TOR/ARI

Injuries

Day-To-Day
Yonder Alonso, 1B, SD (hand) – Hoping to return to action in two weeks.
Elvis Andrus, SS, TEX (back) – May miss the remaining two games of the series with the Athletics.
Oswaldo Arcia, OF, MIN (wrist) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Carlos Beltran, OF, STL (back) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday against the Reds.
Domonic Brown, OF, PHI (Achilles) – Held out of the lineup Tuesday against the Nationals.
Miguel Cabrera, 3B, DET (abdomen) – Back in the lineup Tuesday.
Jason Castro, C, HOU (knee) – Considered day-to-day after an MRI revealed a cyst on the side of his right knee.
Tyler Chatwood, SP, COL (thumb) – Will throw side session Wednesday to determine if he'll be able to start this week.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK (shin) – Returned to lineup as DH on Tuesday after bruising his hip in Monday's game.
Matt Dominguez, 3B, HOU (illness) – Kept out of starting lineup Tuesday after feeling nauseous prior to game time.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, BOS (thumb) – Held out of Tuesday's lineup due to a bruised thumb.
Wilmer Flores, 3B, NYM (ankle) – Held out of the starting lineup Tuesday against the Braves.
Dexter Fowler, OF, COL (knee) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL (finger) – Activated from DL on Tuesday, but only available to run bases and play the field for now.
Cole Hamels, SP, PHI (back) – Dealt with a sore back during Monday's start.
Josh Hamilton, OF, LAA (illness) – Sat out Tuesday due to a sinus infection.
Chase Headley, 3B, SD (back) – Warmed up on the field prior to Tuesday's game and could return to action Wednesday.
Justin Masterson, SP, CLE (oblique) – Was diagnosed Tuesday with a strained oblique and will miss his next start.
Yadier Molina, C, STL (wrist) – Was back in the lineup Tuesday against the Reds.
Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD (knee) – Held out of the lineup Tuesday as a precaution due to mild knee strain suffered Monday.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, BOS (lower back) – Expected to miss the next 2-3 games with a lower back injuy.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL (leg) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday.

Disabled List
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS (shoulder) – Rehab start with Triple-A Pawtucket pushed back to Thursday with his wife due to give birth Wednesday.
Carlos Corporan, C, HOU (concussion) – Will rejoin the Astros on Sunday after playing in rehab games with Double-A Corpus Christi on Thursday and Friday.
Tyler Flowers, C, CHW (shoulder) – Set to undergo right shoulder surgery in the coming days.
Jason Heyward, OF, ATL (head) – Received clearance to play catch and hit off a tee Tuesday.
Matt Kemp, OF, LAD (ankle) – Arrived in Arizona on Tuesday and will pick up 10-12 at-bats in simulated games over the next few days.
Corey Kluber, SP, CLE (finger) – Will return from the DL to start Saturday against the Mets.
Alexi Ogando, SP, TEX (shoulder) – Isn't expected to be a rotation option when the fifth spot becomes open this week.

Transactions

Called Up (from Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Ehire Adrianza, SS, SF
Jose Alvarez, RP, DET
Anthony Bass, RP, SD
Mitchell Boggs, RP, COL
Jeremy Bonderman, RP, DET
Jean Boscan, C, CHC
Brad Boxberger, RP, SD
Brad Brach, RP, SD
Rob Brantly, C, MIA
Corey Brown, OF, WAS
Greg Burke, RP, NYM
Arquimedes Caminero, RP, MIA
Carlos Carrasco, SP, CLE
Robert Carson, RP, NYM
Xavier Cedeno, RP, WAS
Nick Christiani, RP, CIN
Pedro Ciriaco, 3B, KC
Preston Claiborne, RP, NYY
Tyler Cloyd, SP, PHI
Louis Coleman, RP, KC (from High-A)
Manny Corpas, RP, COL
Matt Davidson, 3B, ARI
Wade Davis, SP, KC (from High-A)
Kyle Drabek, SP, TOR
Jake Dunning, RP, SF
Ryan Flaherty, 2B, BAL (from High-A)
Brian Flynn, SP, MIA
Freddy Galvis, 2B, PHI
Luis Garcia, RP, PHI
Evan Gattis, C, ATL
Johnny Giavotella, 2B, KC
Miguel Gonzalez, C, CHW
Tuffy Gosewich, C, ARI
Justin Grimm, SP, CHC
Sean Halton, OF, MIL
Brad Hand, RP, MIA
Jeremy Hellickson, SP, TB (from Double-A)
Johnny Hellweg, SP, MIL
Heath Hembree, RP, SF
Bryan Holaday, C, DET
Jared Hughes, RP, PIT (from Double-A)
Ryan Jackson, SS, STL
Jeremy Jeffress, RP, TOR
Erik Johnson, SP, CHW
Donnie Joseph, RP, KC
Jeff Kobernus, 2B, WAS
George Kontos, RP, SF
Andrew Lambo, OF, PIT (from Double-A)
Chen Lee, RP, CLE
Jeff Locke, SP, PIT (from Double-A)
Tyler Lyons, SP, STL (from Double-A)
Carlos Martinez, RP, STL (from Double-A)
Collin McHugh, SP, COL
Tommy Milone, SP, OAK
Johnny Monell, C, SF
Jimmy Nelson, SP, MIL
Pat Neshek, RP, OAK
Mike Nickeas, C, TOR
Hector Noesi, RP, SEA
Nick Noonan, 2B, SF
Chris Owings, SS, ARI
James Paxton, SP, SEA
Francisco Peguero, OF, SF
Carlos Pena, 1B, KC
Audry Perez, C, STL
Eury Perez, OF, WAS
Juan Perez, OF, SF
Vinnie Pestano, RP, CLE
Brock Peterson, 1B, STL
Brooks Raley, SP, CHC
Erasmo Ramirez, SP, SEA
Mauricio Robles, RP, PHI
Ricky Romero, SP, TOR
Zach Rosscup, RP, CHC
Chance Ruffin, RP, SEA
Cameron Rupp, RP, PHI
Tony Sanchez, C, PIT (from Double-A)
Joe Savery, RP, PHI
Jonathan Schoop, 2B, BAL
Evan Scribner, RP, OAK
Marcus Semien, SS, CHW
Josh Stinson, RP, BAL
Josh Tomlin, SP, CLE
Carlos Triunfel, SS, SEA
Henry Urrutia, OF, BAL
Michael Wacha, SP, STL
Zach Walters, 3B, WAS
Daniel Webb, RP, CHW
Ryan Wheeler, 3B, COL
Chris Withrow, RP, LAD

Sent Down (to Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Jordan Brown, OF, MIA (designated for assignment)
Mauro Gomez, 1B, TOR (designated for assignment)
Hideki Okajima, RP, OAK (designated for assignment)
Edinson Rincon, OF, KC (designated for assignment)
Dan Runzler, RP, SF (designated for assignment)
Dave Sappelt, OF, CHC (designated for assignment)
Kensuke Tanaka, OF, SF (designated for assignment)

Activated from the Disabled List
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL
Jason Grilli, RP, PIT
Matt Moore, SP, TB
Alexi Ogando, SP, TEX
Luis Perez, RP, TOR
Ryan Raburn, OF, CLE

Placed on the Disabled List (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Noel Arguelles, RP, KC (60-day DL)
Melky Cabrera, OF, TOR (transferred to the 60-day DL)
Tyler Flowers, C, CHW (60-day DL)
Edgar Gonzalez, RP, HOU (transferred to 60-day DL)
Josh Johnson, SP, TOR (transferred to the 60-day DL)
Brian Omogrosso, RP, CHW (transferred to 60-day DL)
Matt Reynolds, RP, ARI (transferred to 60-day DL)

Traded
Matt Pagnozzi, C, from HOU to ATL

Signed
Will Venable, OF, SD (two-year extension for $8.5 million)

Released
Luke Montz, C, OAK

Closer Watch

Pittsburgh: Though Jason Grilli (foreram) was activated from the disabled list Tuesday, manager Clint Hurdle announced that he would not immediately take over as the team's closer, giving Mark Melancon a little more time in the ninth inning. "We'll use [Grilli] at least a couple times in non-leverage situations to see how he fares, how he feels," Hurdle said, opening the window for Grilli to regain the role if he can demonstrate that he's healthy right away. Both Melancon and Grilli are probably worth holding in most mixed leagues since the gig figures to yield ample save opportunities for the winning ball club no matter who toes the rubber as the team's closer.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT

Hot Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Alex Presley - OFMIN @ HOU
9/4 2:10 PM
Jordan Lyles4-11.36412103.818.3641.182
Alberto Callaspo - 3BOAK vs TEX
9/4 3:35 PM
Yu Darvish6-14.42902321.571.5001.071
Willie Bloomquist - SSARI vs TOR
9/4 3:40 PM
Mark Buehrle19-41.46309422.707.4881.196
Martin Prado - 3BARI vs TOR
9/4 3:40 PM
Mark Buehrle3-12.25013321.667.3331.000
Jesus Guzman - OFSD vs SF
9/4 6:40 PM
Tim Lincecum5-11.45512321.818.5381.357
Chase Headley - 3BSD vs SF
9/4 6:40 PM
Tim Lincecum10-35.286366311.629.350.979
Nick Hundley - CSD vs SF
9/4 6:40 PM
Tim Lincecum6-21.28613248.571.385.956
Joaquin Arias - SSSF @ SD
9/4 6:40 PM
Eric Stults4-10.40011203.700.4001.100
Pablo Sandoval - 3BSF @ SD
9/4 6:40 PM
Eric Stults6-10.60002220.900.6671.567
Gordon Beckham - 2BCWS @ NYY
9/4 7:05 PM
CC Sabathia7-17.41202204.529.412.941
Paul Konerko - 1BCWS @ NYY
9/4 7:05 PM
CC Sabathia16-65.2463671013.431.347.777
Alexei Ramirez - SSCWS @ NYY
9/4 7:05 PM
CC Sabathia10-23.43512311.609.4581.067
Prince Fielder - 1BDET @ BOS
9/4 7:10 PM
Ryan Dempster11-43.256377814.558.364.922
Carlos Beltran - OFSTL @ CIN
9/4 7:10 PM
Bronson Arroyo7-23.30414435.609.385.993
Daniel Descalso - 2BSTL @ CIN
9/4 7:10 PM
Bronson Arroyo7-17.41203402.647.4121.059
Matt Holliday - OFSTL @ CIN
9/4 7:10 PM
Bronson Arroyo14-44.31836839.591.375.966
Jon Jay - OFSTL @ CIN
9/4 7:10 PM
Bronson Arroyo10-25.40014303.680.4001.080
Raul Ibanez - OFSEA @ KC
9/4 8:10 PM
Ervin Santana8-32.25025766.563.368.931
Justin Smoak - 1BSEA @ KC
9/4 8:10 PM
Ervin Santana7-18.38913532.667.4551.121
Carlos Gonzalez - OFCOL vs LAD
9/4 8:40 PM
Edinson Volquez5-12.41701203.500.417.917
Adrian Gonzalez - 1BLAD @ COL
9/4 8:40 PM
Jorge De La Rosa10-28.357358411.750.4381.188
Nick Punto - 2BLAD @ COL
9/4 8:40 PM
Jorge De La Rosa5-11.45501010.545.5001.045
Hanley Ramirez - SSLAD @ COL
9/4 8:40 PM
Jorge De La Rosa5-15.33303244.533.4741.007
David DeJesus - OFTB @ LAA
9/4 10:05 PM
Jered Weaver11-36.30624449.528.375.903
Evan Longoria - 3BTB @ LAA
9/4 10:05 PM
Jered Weaver4-10.40003013.700.4551.155
Jose Molina - CTB @ LAA
9/4 10:05 PM
Jered Weaver4-10.40012301.800.4001.200
Ben Zobrist - 2BTB @ LAA
9/4 10:05 PM
Jered Weaver5-15.33313414.733.3751.108
 
Hot Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
Ervin SantanaKC vs SEA
9/4 8:10 PM
Mariners Batters42-189.222718262837.405.323.728

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD

Cold Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Freddie Freeman - 1BATL vs NYM
9/4 12:10 PM
Dillon Gee1-11.09100101.091.091.182
Aaron Hill - 2BARI vs TOR
9/4 3:40 PM
Mark Buehrle4-24.16712123.333.231.564
Yonder Alonso - 1BSD vs SF
9/4 6:40 PM
Tim Lincecum1-12.08300005.083.083.167
Logan Forsythe - 2BSD vs SF
9/4 6:40 PM
Tim Lincecum2-10.20011214.500.273.773
Mark Kotsay - OFSD vs SF
9/4 6:40 PM
Tim Lincecum1-13.07700112.077.143.220
Adam Dunn - 1BCWS @ NYY
9/4 7:05 PM
CC Sabathia5-32.156022112.219.200.419
Denard Span - OFWAS @ PHI
9/4 7:05 PM
Roy Halladay2-12.16711104.417.231.647
Jayson Werth - OFWAS @ PHI
9/4 7:05 PM
Roy Halladay4-18.22200009.222.222.444
David Freese - 3BSTL @ CIN
9/4 7:10 PM
Bronson Arroyo1-12.08300013.083.154.237
Yadier Molina - CSTL @ CIN
9/4 7:10 PM
Bronson Arroyo7-41.17101202.195.186.381
Endy Chavez - OFSEA @ KC
9/4 8:10 PM
Ervin Santana2-14.14311201.357.143.500
Brendan Ryan - SSSEA @ KC
9/4 8:10 PM
Ervin Santana1-17.05900124.059.150.209
Kyle Seager - 3BSEA @ KC
9/4 8:10 PM
Ervin Santana3-19.15811152.316.333.649
Dexter Fowler - OFCOL vs LAD
9/4 8:40 PM
Edinson Volquez2-12.16701024.250.286.536
Andre Ethier - OFLAD @ COL
9/4 8:40 PM
Jorge De La Rosa1-13.07700106.077.077.154
 
Cold Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
Mark BuehrleTOR @ Ari
9/4 3:40 PM
Diamondbacks Batters46-143.32231917613.506.345.851
Eric StultsSD vs SF
9/4 6:40 PM
Giants Batters23-64.35926949.539.389.928
Ryan DempsterBOS vs Det
9/4 7:10 PM
Tigers Batters24-81.29641316922.564.362.926
Jered WeaverLAA vs TB
9/4 10:05 PM
Rays Batters46-140.329619221030.565.372.936
 
Recommended Pickup

Justin Ruggiano, OF, MIA -- A waiver wire hero last season after batting .313/.374/.535 with 13 homers and 14 steals last season, Ruggiano has felt the wrath in the regression gods in a big way this season, as a huge dropoff in BABIP (.251, down from .401 in 2012) has been chiefly responsible for his weak .222 batting average in 2013. After the average sunk below the Mendoza Line in August following an 0-for-42 slump, Ruggiano lost his hold on a starting job to heralded prospect Jake Marisnick and appeared destined for fantasy irrelevance the rest of the way. However, after Marisnick struggled in his first exposure to big league pitching, manager Mike Redmond gave Ruggiano a second chance at regular at-bats, and it seems he's since recaptured some of his old magic at the plate. Since Aug. 14, Ruggiano has batted 18-for-44 (.409) with four homers, 10 RBI and a stolen base, raising his average 28 points in the process. The power and speed numbers haven't fallen off much from last season even amidst his struggles, and so long as Ruggiano remains dialed in while in the batter's box, legitimate three-category potential exists.

Other Recent Recommendations:Avisail Garcia, Billy Hamilton, Joe Kelly, Taijuan Walker and Matt Dominguez

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam Wolf
Adam previously headed the site's NHL and NBA coverage and now works primarily as an NFL and MLB contributor. He began writing for RotoWire in 2012 as a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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