The big news from Wednesday night was Jason Heyward being pulled with a groin injury. He is apparently day to day. We'll see if that changes on Thursday. Heyward has been injury prone so I am sure the Braves will be cautious with him.
Here are some thoughts after reviewing Wednesday's boxscores:
Octavio Dotel saved his 5th game of the season vs the lowly Cubs on Wednesday. He struck out two in his one inning of work. Joel Hanrahan pitched a perfect 8th striking out 2.
The Pirates gave recently called up first baseman Steve Pearce his first start at first base and he went 0-3. He should see more starts at first base with Jeff Clement struggling at the plate.
The Cubs moved Aramis Ramirez down to 6th in the order, he responded with a 1-3 night at the plate with an RBI. He is currently hitting .154-.216-.269. Can't blame Lou Piniella for moving him down in the lineup.
Rick Honeycutt Watch-Chad Billingsley gives up 4 runs on 5 hits in the first inning. Time to update your resume Rick. This is getting ridiculous.
Mike Stanton Watch-the Marlins got smart and benched 2009 ROY Chris Coghlan. The outfield of Brett Carroll, Cameron Maybin and Cody Ross went a combined 2-10 with 4 strikeouts vs Barry Zito and the Giants bullpen. I think the Marlins should give him at least a month in AAA before bringing him up to the big club.
Speaking of Barry Zito, he won his 5th game by giving up one earned run one 7 hits and a walk in 7 innings of work. Count me in the group that is shocked with his performance to date.
More thoughts after the jump:
Red Sox starter John Lackey won his third game of the season as he dominated his former team holding the Angels to 2 hits and one run in 7 innings. I think it is safe to put him back in your lineups. I know I am.
David Ortiz Watch-Ortiz went 2-3 and hit his 4th HR of the season. His 4th inning HR proved to be the game winner. He probably won't see too many at bats against left-handed pitching.
Orioles catcher Matt Wieters went 2-4 including his 4th HR of the season. He is hitting .286-.346-.439 on the season. I am starting to think Wieters will start to meet the 2009 hype.
Indians closer Chris Perez blew his second save of the season, giving up 3 unearned runs, two via a HR to Adam Lind. Does he keep the job when Kerry Wood returns from the DL?
There must be a full moon tonight as Carlos Lee hit his first HR of the season in the bottom of the 9th inning off of Diamondbacks setup man Juan Gutierrez. Will this HR turn Lee's season around? I certainly hope so as I have him in several leagues.
Rockies utility man Eric Young started and batted leadoff vs the Padres on Wednesday. I am curious what the Rockies do when outfielder Brad Hawpe returns from the DL next week.
The Braves placed starting pitcher Jair Jurrgens on the DL with a hamstring injury. To take his place on the roster, the Braves called up AAA closer Craig Kimbrel. Those of you in keeper leagues may want to make a waiver claim on Kimbrel, as he could be closing for the Braves in 2011.
its May 5th and Juan Pierre already has 15 stolen bases, and he is just now starting to heat up at the plate. Can he steal 70 this season?
Is it time for the White Sox to move Gordon Beckham down in the lineup. He went 0-3 but did walk 2 times, which is promising. Still, he is hitting .206-.316-.278 so far. He was anointed as the next Chase Utley coming into the season.
Thursday morning update:
Mariners starter Cliff Lee pitched 8 innings but gave up 10 hits and 4 earned runs. He was out-dueled by Rays starter Matt Garza who win his 5th game of the season. Garza also threw 8 innings giving up only 2 runs on 5 hits.
Rockies closer Franklin Morales came into a tie ballgame and walked the two batters he faced. He was bailed out by soon-to-be-closer Manny Corpas, who threw 2 2/3rd innings of scoreless ball for the win. Manager Jim Tracy has to be losing patience with Morales.
Good news for Huston Street owners as he is closing in on a rehab assignment. He will throw a simulated game this weekend before moving on to his rehab assignment. He could be back within the next few weeks.
Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley settled down after his rocky first inning to shut out the Brewers for the next 5 innings, but the Dodgers bullpen put the game out of reach as they gave up 7 runs over the next 3 innings. Jonathan Broxton may not get another save opportunity for quite awhile if this keeps up.