A lot of loose ends to kick off the morning:
- Over at the football site, I have posted the latest Ask the Expert, this time with Scott Brown of The Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Click here to check it out.
- Melvin Mora, who has been one of the hottest players in baseball, left yesterday’s game with a “strained left hamstring”, according to The Miami Herald (click here for the post). We’ll have to see how much time he misses, but I’d move him to your bench in daily leagues at this point.
- Steve Kornacki of mlive.com (click here for the article) is reporting that come September 1, Dontrelle Willis will return to the Tigers after a 3 month hiatus. Who knows what role he may fill, but he could be worth a flyer if he gets a few starts.
- Kornacki also discusses Freddy Garcia, saying “Leyland said he threw fastballs in the 86 to 89 mph range while showing a good curve and split-finger fastball” after seeing him work 3 innings on Thursday. It is unknown at this point if he will join the team come September.
- The Boston Herald (click here for the post) is reporting that Michael Bowden will make his major league debut for the Red Sox today against the White Sox. I’ll take a closer look at him later today, but he could be worth a flyer.
- According to Tony Jackson of The Los Angeles Daily News (click here for the post) is reporting that Jason Schmidt threw an inning yesterday, walking 1. Jackson says that Schmidt will “pitch again on Monday, and I suppose it’s possible he’ll be activated as a reliever after that”. If he’s back as a reliever, he has no fantasy appeal.
- Jackson also updates the status of Scott Proctor, who gave up a hit while striking out 4 over 2 innings of work yesterday. He is expected to join the team on Monday, along with Andruw Jones and possibly Delwyn Young.
- Chris Carpenter could return to the Cardinals as a reliever, according to Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (click here for the article). He says Carpenter will again throw Sunday, and “If his ailing right shoulder responds well Sunday, the Cardinals could clarify Carpenter’s role and prepare for his return”. Owners will have to wait a few more days to get a little more clarification, but if he’s not starting, he’s not worth owning and at this point, even if he returns to the rotation, it appears he’s only going to get 2-3 starts at most. That doesn’t give him much value.
- In a separate article (click here), Goold is reporting that Joel Pineiro will start on Monday for the Cardinals, “buying Adam Wainwright an extra day of rest”. Wainwright will now start on Tuesday. Pineiro certainly is not worth owning.
- Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News (click here for the post) is reporting that Vincente Padilla will be going on the DL after all, but due to a “sore left hamstring”. The move will be made today, allowing them to recall Kameron Loe.
- Troy Renck of The Denver Post (click here for the article) is reporting that Yorvit Torrealba could finally head to the DL thanks to a “torn meniscus in his left knee”. The article states that “if Torrealba’s knee doesn’t improve Saturday”, season ending surgery could be on the agenda. It’s no real lose, to be honest, with Chris Iannetta taking over the starting role.
- Renck also updates the situation on Todd Helton, saying he “swung a bat without any issues Friday as he takes baby steps toward returning to the active roster”. Just keep sitting tight on him.
- According to Carroll Rogers of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (click here for the article), the Braves sent Charlie Morton to Triple A, activating Elmer Dessens. Morton is expected back after September 1 to resume his role in the rotation, but he’s certainly not worth using in any format in my opinion. The team is also expected to recall Corky Miller (C), Brent Lillibridge (SS), Jeff Ridgeway (P), James Parr (P) and another pitcher, though none should offer much fantasy value.
- In a separate article (click here), Rogers is reporting that Chuck James is “likely headed for shoulder surgery”. He struggled during 2 stints with the Braves this season, despite pitching well at Triple A, and shouldn’t be seen as a major loss.
- In another article (click here), The Miami Herald is reporting that the Padres made a few moves yesterday. Scott Hairston was placed on the DL, while Josh Banks was sent to Triple A and they lost Wil Ledezma on waivers. To fill their spots on the roster, the team brought up Cla Meredith (P), Josh Greer (P) and Will Venable (OF). None of these players have any real fantasy value.
- It is unknown the extend of Shawn Hill, with Dr. James Andrews to “soon conduct a scope on Hill’s elbow, and that’s all that might be necessary. But Andrews won’t know the real extent of things until he looks inside”, according to Chico Harlan of The Washington Post (click here for the post).
