Wednesday Lineup Card: Prepare for the Summer of George

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

Pirates (Francisco Liriano -- L) at Reds (Johnny Cueto -- R), 12:35
Rays (Jake Odorizzi -- R) at Orioles (Miguel Gonzalez -- R), 12:35
Cubs (Jason Hammel -- R) at Yankees (Masahiro Tanaka -- R), 1:05 (Game 1)
Cardinals (Joe Kelly -- R) at Brewers (Wily Peralta -- R), 1:10
Mets (Dillon Gee -- R) at Diamondbacks (Brandon McCarthy -- R), 3:40
Cubs (Travis Wood -- L) at Yankees (Michael Pineda -- R), 7:05 (Game 2)
Braves (Julio Teheran -- R) at Phillies (Cliff Lee -- L), 7:05
Indians (Zach McAllister -- R) at Tigers (Anibal Sanchez -- R), 7:08
Nationals (Tanner Roark -- R) at Marlins (Jose Fernandez -- R), 7:10
Mariners (Felix Hernandez -- R) at Rangers (Yu Darvish -- R), 8:05
Red Sox (Clay Buchholz -- R) at White Sox (John Danks -- L), 8:10
Royals (Jeremy Guthrie -- R) at Astros (Dallas Keuchel -- L), 8:10
Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey -- R) at Twins (Mike Pelfrey -- R), 8:10
Athletics (Tommy Milone -- L) at Angels (Tyler Skaggs -- L), 10:05
Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa -- L) at Padres (Andrew Cashner -- R), 10:10
Dodgers (Paul Maholm -- L) at Giants (Ryan Vogelsong -- R), 10:15

Day Game After A Night Game: PIT/CIN, STL/MIL, NYM/ARI

Injuries

Day-to-Day
A.J. Burnett, SP, PHI (groin) -- Will start Thursday against the Braves. Will wait until after season to undergo surgery on an inguinal hernia.
Everth Cabrera, SS, SD (knee) -- Scratched from Tuesday's lineup with a sore right knee.
Jason Castro, C, HOU (toe) -- Didn't catch Tuesday but saw duty at DH after taking a pitch to the toe Saturday.
Carl Crawford, OF, LAD (oblique) -- Back in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Giants.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK (hamstring) -- Out of the lineup again Tuesday vs. the Angels, but will take batting practice again Wednesday to determine his availability for that night's game.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, COL (elbow) -- Returned to the lineup Tuesday after colliding with outfield wall Monday night.
Curtis Granderson, OF, NYM (forearm/knees/ribs) -- Not in the lineup Tuesday after colliding with the outfield wall Monday night. Expected to avoid DL.
Bryce Harper, OF, WAS (quad) -- Returned to the lineup Tuesday against the Marlins after leaving early Monday.
Craig Kimbrel, RP, ATL (shoulder) -- Played light catch Tuesday and expected to be available after a couple days of rest.
Nate McLouth, OF, WAS (knee) -- Will be in the Washington lineup Tuesday against the Marlins.
Jake Odorizzi, SP, TB (illness) -- Appears healthy enough to take the ball Wednesday against the Orioles.
Marcell Ozuna, OF, MIA (foot) -- Returned to the starting lineup Tuesday against the Nationals.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS (wrist) -- Received a cortisone injection Tuesday and believes he'll be good to go for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.
Colby Rasmus, OF, TOR (hamstring) -- Could return to lineup Wednesday, but expected cold weather in Minnesota may delay him an extra day.
Ben Revere, OF, PHI (ribs) -- Was scheduled to return to the lineup Tuesday prior to postponement.
Koji Uehara, RP, BOS (shoulder) -- Will throw a bullpen session Wednesday and will be available out of the bullpen Thursday, barring a setback.

Players on the DL
Jeremy Affeldt, RP, SF (knee) -- Will be activated Wednesday.
Oswaldo Arcia, OF, MIN (wrist) -- Had a cortisone shot in his wrist Tuesday and will not travel with the Twins on their upcoming road trip.
Gordon Beckham, 2B, CWS (oblique) -- Will see duty at second base Wednesday at Double-A Birmingham in rehab assignment.
Avisail Garcia, OF, CWS (shoulder) -- Had successful surgery performed Tuesday on the torn labrum and avulsion fracture in his left shoulder.
Jason Giambi, DH, CLE (ribs) -- Slated to come off the disabled list either Friday or Saturday.
J.A. Happ, P, TOR (back) -- Expected to work in long relief upon being activated from DL.
Matt Harrison, SP, TEX (back) -- Threw 77 pitches and 3.1 innings during his rehab start Monday.
Hisashi Iwakuma, SP, SEA (finger) -- Will pitch simulated game Friday instead of Saturday, as initially stated.
Casey Janssen, RP, TOR (back) -- Threw a one-inning rehab outing at High-A Dunedin on Tuesday, allowing a hit and striking out one batter.
Josh Johnson, SP, SD (forearm) -- GM Josh Byrnes indicated that he's not sure whether Johnson will pitch this season due to his flexor strain.
Clayton Kershaw, SP, LAD (back) -- Threw a bullpen session Tuesday at "close to full speed."
Manny Machado, 3B, BAL (knee) -- Will run the bases Wednesday.
Mike Minor, SP, ATL (shoulder) -- Will make another rehab start Friday.
Wilson Ramos, C, WAS (wrist) -- Had his stitches removed Tuesday and is ready to begin his rehabilitation.
Marco Scutaro, 2B, SF (back) -- Not considered close to returning from disabled list.
Shane Victorino, OF, BOS (hamstring) -- Ready to begin rehab assignment and only awaiting playable weather conditions at Double-A Portland or Triple-A Pawtucket.
Taijuan Walker, SP, SEA (shoulder) -- Was scratched from Tuesday's minor league rehab assignment due to shoulder soreness.
Josh Willingham, OF, MIN (hand) -- Won't travel with the team on their upcoming road trip.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS (thumb) -- Will not need surgery but is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks.

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

Activated from DL (15-day unless otherwise noted)
Mike Adams, RP, PHI
Michael Bourn, OF, CLE
Mark Ellis, 2B, STL
Brian Wilson, RP, LAD

Placed on DL (15-day unless otherwise noted)
Francisco Cervelli, C, NYY (60-day DL)
Juan Lagares, OF, NYM

Called Up (from Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Blake Beavan, SP, SEA
Munenori Kawasaki, 2B, TOR
J.R. Murphy, C, NYY
Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF, NYM
Scott Sizemore, 2B, NYY

Sent Down (from Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Luis Garcia, RP, PHI
Jeremy Jeffress, RP, TOR
Pete Kozma, SS, STL
Lucas Luetge, RP, SEA
Nyjer Morgan, OF, CLE
Paco Rodriguez, RP, LAD
Marcus Walden, RP, TOR (designated for assignment)

Closer Watch

Rangers -- After the Rangers lost 7-1 to the Mariners on Monday, manager Ron Washington indicated that Soria would have been used if a save situation had presented itself, but also noted that Alexi Ogando will "get a chance to close ball games" as well. It's likely just a measure to protect Soria's workload as he takes part in his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery, but it does make Ogando a little more interesting in deeper or NL-only formats. Soria has successfully converted the lone save opportunity he's received this season, but his overall numbers haven't been great. He's given up four runs on five hits and two walks over five total innings of work.

Hot Batter Matchups – April 16, 2014

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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. McCutchen	OF	PIT @ CIN 12:35PM	J. Cueto	39	9	5	3	5	5	6	.231	.333	.513	.846
D. Jennings	OF	TB @ BAL 12:35PM	M. Gonzalez	18	4	3	3	6	3	4	.222	.348	.722	1.070
E. Longoria	3B	TB @ BAL 12:35PM	M. Gonzalez	16	5	1	1	1	2	3	.313	.389	.500	.889
J. Molina	C	TB @ BAL 12:35PM	M. Gonzalez	12	4	1	1	2	1	0	.333	.385	.583	.968
K. Johnson	2B	NYY vs CHC 1:05PM	J. Hammel	27	8	3	2	6	1	9	.296	.310	.556	.866
B. Roberts	2B	NYY vs CHC 1:05PM	J. Hammel	17	7	2	0	3	2	2	.412	.474	.529	1.003
I. Suzuki	OF	NYY vs CHC 1:05PM	J. Hammel	20	8	0	0	2	2	5	.400	.455	.400	.855
C. Gomez	OF	MIL vs STL 1:10PM	J. Kelly	15	5	2	0	1	1	3	.333	.375	.533	.908
A. Jackson	OF	DET vs CLE 7:08PM	Z. McAllister	10	5	0	0	2	2	4	.500	.583	.500	1.083
M. Saunders	OF	SEA @ TEX 8:05PM	Y. Darvish	13	4	2	0	3	3	2	.308	.438	.462	.899
K. Seager	3B	SEA @ TEX 8:05PM	Y. Darvish	19	6	4	0	7	3	4	.316	.409	.526	.935
L. Martin	OF	TEX vs SEA 8:05PM	F. Hernandez	18	6	3	1	5	0	1	.333	.333	.667	1.000
J. Gomes	OF	BOS @ CWS 8:10PM	J. Danks	11	3	2	1	2	0	5	.273	.273	.636	.909
D. Ortiz	DH	BOS @ CWS 8:10PM	J. Danks	17	5	2	2	5	0	3	.294	.294	.647	.941
P. Konerko	1B	CWS vs BOS 8:10PM	C. Buchholz	15	7	2	1	3	2	3	.467	.529	.733	1.263
J. Kubel	OF	MIN vs TOR 8:10PM	R. Dickey	10	3	1	1	1	1	2	.300	.364	.600	.964
K. Suzuki	C	MIN vs TOR 8:10PM	R. Dickey	10	3	1	1	3	0	0	.300	.300	.600	.900
H. Kendrick	2B	LAA vs OAK 10:05PM	T. Milone	20	9	3	2	7	0	3	.450	.450	.800	1.250
A. Pujols	1B	LAA vs OAK 10:05PM	T. Milone	14	7	6	0	0	0	0	.500	.500	.929	1.429
M. Cuddyer	OF	COL @ SD 10:10PM	A. Cashner	10	3	2	1	3	2	0	.300	.417	.700	1.117
D. LeMahieu	2B	COL @ SD 10:10PM	A. Cashner	10	5	1	0	0	1	1	.500	.545	.600	1.145
A. Ethier	OF	LAD @ SF 10:15PM	R. Vogelsong	17	5	3	1	1	2	2	.294	.368	.588	.957
M. Kemp	OF	LAD @ SF 10:15PM	R. Vogelsong	22	7	3	1	6	3	4	.318	.400	.591	.991
J. Uribe	3B	LAD @ SF 10:15PM	R. Vogelsong	14	6	2	0	1	0	1	.429	.429	.643	1.071
M. Morse	OF	SF vs LAD 10:15PM	P. Maholm	12	3	1	1	1	2	5	.250	.357	.500	.857
A. Pagan	OF	SF vs LAD 10:15PM	P. Maholm	26	8	3	1	3	3	4	.308	.379	.500	.879
H. Pence	OF	SF vs LAD 10:15PM	P. Maholm	52	16	8	2	9	3	4	.308	.345	.558	.903
P. Sandoval	3B	SF vs LAD 10:15PM	P. Maholm	16	6	3	2	5	0	0	.375	.412	.813	1.224

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

Hot Pitcher Matchups – April 16, 2014

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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
Johnny Cueto	CIN vs PIT 12:35PM	145	26	10	3	11	12	30	.179	.254	.297	.551
Miguel Gonzalez	BAL vs TB 12:35PM	114	25	7	5	13	16	18	.219	.319	.366	.685
Dillon Gee	NYM @ ARI 3:40PM	63	14	4	1	2	5	8	.222	.291	.329	.620
Cliff Lee	PHI vs ATL 7:05PM	223	47	17	5	18	9	76	.211	.249	.335	.584
Jorge De La Rosa	COL @ SD 10:10PM	119	28	7	0	5	8	33	.235	.281	.299	.580

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 16, 2014

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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	F. Liriano	11	0	0	0	0	0	6	.000	.000	.000	.000
Z. Cozart	SS	CIN vs PIT 12:35PM	F. Liriano	10	2	1	1	1	1	3	.200	.273	.500	.773
B. Pena	C	CIN vs PIT 12:35PM	F. Liriano	15	4	0	0	3	0	3	.267	.250	.267	.517
J. Votto	1B	CIN vs PIT 12:35PM	F. Liriano	10	2	0	0	0	2	2	.200	.333	.200	.533
C. Barmes	SS	PIT @ CIN 12:35PM	J. Cueto	14	2	1	0	0	0	3	.143	.143	.214	.357
R. Martin	C	PIT @ CIN 12:35PM	J. Cueto	11	1	1	0	1	0	2	.091	.091	.182	.273
M. Joyce	OF	TB @ BAL 12:35PM	M. Gonzalez	13	2	0	0	1	5	2	.154	.368	.154	.522
J. Loney	1B	TB @ BAL 12:35PM	M. Gonzalez	14	3	0	0	1	0	2	.214	.214	.214	.429
B. Zobrist	2B	TB @ BAL 12:35PM	M. Gonzalez	19	2	1	0	1	2	4	.105	.190	.158	.348
D. Jeter	SS	NYY vs CHC 1:05PM	J. Hammel	22	7	2	1	4	0	4	.318	.318	.500	.818
B. McCann	C	NYY vs CHC 1:05PM	J. Hammel	13	3	0	0	1	0	2	.231	.231	.231	.462
R. Braun	OF	MIL vs STL 1:10PM	J. Kelly	12	3	0	0	0	0	5	.250	.250	.250	.500
A. Ramirez	3B	MIL vs STL 1:10PM	J. Kelly	14	3	0	0	3	0	1	.214	.214	.214	.429
J. Jay	OF	STL @ MIL 1:10PM	W. Peralta	12	4	0	0	1	0	3	.333	.333	.333	.667
G. Parra	OF	ARI vs NYM 3:40PM	D. Gee	10	2	1	0	1	1	1	.200	.273	.300	.573
M. Prado	3B	ARI vs NYM 3:40PM	D. Gee	23	4	1	0	0	0	0	.174	.208	.217	.426
C. Granderson	OF	NYM @ ARI 3:40PM	B. McCarthy	14	2	0	0	0	3	3	.143	.294	.143	.437
F. Freeman	1B	ATL @ PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	33	8	0	0	0	1	12	.242	.306	.242	.548
J. Heyward	OF	ATL @ PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	22	3	1	0	1	2	4	.136	.208	.227	.436
C. Johnson	3B	ATL @ PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	23	6	2	2	5	0	6	.261	.292	.522	.813
G. Laird	C	ATL @ PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	20	2	2	0	3	2	9	.100	.174	.200	.374
A. Simmons	SS	ATL @ PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	16	3	1	1	1	1	3	.188	.235	.375	.610
D. Uggla	2B	ATL @ PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	37	7	4	2	6	1	17	.189	.205	.405	.611
B. Upton	OF	ATL @ PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	36	9	4	0	1	1	14	.250	.270	.361	.631
L. Chisenhall	3B	CLE @ DET 7:08PM	A. Sanchez	10	2	0	0	1	1	2	.200	.273	.200	.473
J. Kipnis	2B	CLE @ DET 7:08PM	A. Sanchez	17	3	1	0	1	0	6	.176	.167	.235	.402
D. Ackley	2B	SEA @ TEX 8:05PM	Y. Darvish	18	3	1	0	2	4	5	.167	.318	.222	.540
J. Smoak	1B	SEA @ TEX 8:05PM	Y. Darvish	16	2	0	0	0	3	5	.125	.263	.125	.388
K. Kouzmanoff	3B	TEX vs SEA 8:05PM	F. Hernandez	24	3	0	0	0	1	9	.125	.222	.125	.347
M. Moreland	1B	TEX vs SEA 8:05PM	F. Hernandez	30	6	3	1	2	4	9	.200	.294	.367	.661
M. Napoli	1B	BOS @ CWS 8:10PM	J. Danks	27	6	1	0	1	1	13	.222	.250	.259	.509
D. Pedroia	2B	BOS @ CWS 8:10PM	J. Danks	17	2	0	0	1	2	1	.118	.211	.118	.328
G. Sizemore	OF	BOS @ CWS 8:10PM	J. Danks	21	3	0	0	2	2	4	.143	.217	.143	.360
A. Ramirez	SS	CWS vs BOS 8:10PM	C. Buchholz	14	3	0	0	1	1	4	.214	.250	.214	.464
M. Cabrera	OF	TOR @ MIN 8:10PM	M. Pelfrey	15	3	0	0	0	2	1	.200	.294	.200	.494
E. Encarnacion	1B	TOR @ MIN 8:10PM	M. Pelfrey	12	1	1	1	2	4	1	.083	.294	.333	.627
M. Trout	OF	LAA vs OAK 10:05PM	T. Milone	16	3	2	1	2	1	6	.188	.235	.438	.673
C. Gonzalez	OF	COL @ SD 10:10PM	A. Cashner	12	3	0	0	0	0	3	.250	.250	.250	.500
E. Cabrera	SS	SD vs COL 10:10PM	J. De La Rosa	18	3	1	0	0	0	7	.167	.167	.222	.389
C. Headley	3B	SD vs COL 10:10PM	J. De La Rosa	36	8	0	0	0	1	11	.222	.243	.222	.465
N. Hundley	C	SD vs COL 10:10PM	J. De La Rosa	13	2	2	0	0	1	6	.154	.214	.308	.522
X. Nady	OF	SD vs COL 10:10PM	J. De La Rosa	10	2	0	0	3	1	2	.200	.273	.200	.473
H. Ramirez	SS	LAD @ SF 10:15PM	R. Vogelsong	15	2	0	0	3	1	3	.133	.188	.133	.321

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

Cold Pitcher Matchups – April 16, 2014

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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
Jason Hammel	CHC @ NYY 1:05PM	129	41	10	4	20	7	26	.318	.348	.457	.805
Zach McAllister	CLE @ DET 7:08PM	60	23	4	0	11	6	15	.383	.431	.448	.879
Tommy Milone	OAK @ LAA 10:05PM	96	30	12	3	12	6	17	.312	.353	.481	.834
Andrew Cashner	SD vs COL 10:10PM	78	27	13	2	12	4	10	.346	.386	.579	.965
Paul Maholm	LAD @ SF 10:15PM	130	41	18	6	24	10	15	.315	.366	.548	.914

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

George Springer, OF, HOU -- Although his propensity for striking out has stalled his arrival to the big leagues, Springer has long produced delightful numbers in 5x5 categories down in the minors, highlighted by a 37-homer, 45-steal line across 135 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season. A poor spring training and the offseason acquisition of center fielder Dexter Fowler likely prevented Springer from breaking camp with the big club, but there's been some signs that a promotion could be forthcoming in the next few weeks. While Springer has continued to mash at Triple-A Oklahoma City as expected, perhaps what's more interesting is that he's been seeing the greater share of his starts in right field. The move from center to right suggests that the Astros could be eager to get his bat in the lineup at the major league level, so long as they can first ensure his defense in right is sound. The likes of Alex Presley (.139 batting average entering Tuesday), L.J. Hoes (.267), Robbie Grossman (.136) and Marc Krauss (.120) are offering little to no production at the corner outfield spots, and even the non-contending Astros can't justify throwing them out there every night. If available on waivers in leagues with sizeable bench spots, Springer is certainly worth stashing based on his potential alone.

Other recent recommendations: Devin Mesoraco, Adeiny Hechavarria, Aaron Harang, Josmil Pinto and Kelly Johnson

DraftStreet Value Picks
SP: Brandon McCarthy, ARI ($10,118)
C: Jason Castro, HOU ($5,350)
1B: Chris Davis, BAL ($5,335)
2B: Aaron Hill, ARI ($5,291)
3B: Chase Headley, SD ($4,705)
SS: Marcus Semien, CWS ($5,595)
OF: Domonic Brown, PHI ($6,549)