Prior to the 2010 season, I was not sold on Troy Tulowittzki's solid 2009 season which saw him hit .297-.377-.552 with 32 HRs, 92 RBIs and 20 SB. He proved me wrong to be skeptical in 2010, as he hit .315-.381-.568 with 27 HRs, 95 RBIs and 11 SBs even though he missed 40 games. Then again this offseason, I questioned whether Tulo was injury prone, and asked whether we would be talking about him as a first pick this season if he had not had his Ruthian September. Well, he appears to be even better than I, or anyone, thought this season. Yesterday, he went 5-8 with 2 HRs and 2 RBIs. He is now hitting .364-.491-.909 with 7 HRs and 14 RBIs in 10 games. Stud. I was wrong about him. Move along.
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Cliff Lee bounced back from a bad outing last week by hurling a complete game 3 hit shutout of the Nationals. Lee struck out 12 and walked just 1. He may battle teammate Roy Halladay for the NL Cy Young award all year. Chase Utley can take his time coming back from the knee injury.
Speaking of Chase Utley, he started a light jogging program yesterday, but there is no timetable for his return. No need to rush when your team will only need you in the playoffs.
The Twins placed catcher Joe Mauer on the DL with bilateral leg soreness. This came out of nowhere, even though he has missed the last two games.
More Roto Roundup after the jump:
Here's a question. Let's assume the Mets deal Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran at the trade deadline. Is David Wright going to want to hang around a team with a young first baseman in Ike Davis, an aging, injury-prone left fielder in Jason Bay, and Angel Pagan? I am curious how much the losing will wear on him before he requests a trade. Just a thought.
Have the Rockies founds themselves a starting second baseman in Jonathan Herrera? Well, the season is only two weeks old, but Herrera is certainly making a loud statement. He went 2-5 with a HR and 3 RBI in the second game of the Rockies double-dip with the Mets yesterday. He is hitting .458-.594-.708 so far.
Mets shortstop Jose Reyes went 3-9 in the doubleheader yesterday with his first HR of the season, 3 RBIs and his 4th SB of the season. Reyes is playing for his next contract this season.
Joe Nathan blew his first save of the season, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk. His blown save ruined a gem thrown by Carl Pavano. Pavano threw 8 shutout innings, giving up 6 baserunners and striking out 7.
Rays outfielder Sam Fuld went 2-5 with a run scored and his 7th SB of the season. He is hitting .324-.375-.568 in the early going. You can ride him while he is hot, but Desmond Jennings is close to being ready.
This is all you need to know about how bad the Rays season is going. Felipe Lopez batted cleanup last night.
Yankees starter Phil Hughes lasted just 4 1/3rd innings last night, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits, and just 2 strikeouts. Do the Yankees DL him in the next few days? Buster Olney tweeted that the Yankees are considering moving Hughes to the bullpen and are not ruling out a trip to the minors. Just what the Yankees need right now. Any chance Andy Pettite comes out of retirement?
Interesting that Dellin Betance, Manny Banuelos and Gary Sanchez were all put on the DL on Thursday. Are the Yankees working on a deal and don't want to include these 3 in the deal? I wouldn't put anything past Brian Cashman. The timing is interesting, especially with another bad outing from Phil Hughes.
Brewers starter Randy Wolf shutout the Pirates for 6+ innings, giving up just 5 base runners and striking out 10.
Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez went 3-3 with 2 walks, a run scored, an RBI and no SB opportunities. Maybe if he runs more, Mike Stanton will see more fastballs.
Braves catcher Brian McCann went 2-4 with a HR and 3 RBIs on Thursday night. I ranked McCann as my #1 catcher in 2011 and he is off to a .340-.380-.468 start at the plate.
Does anyone else remember all the baseball writers praising the Padres for trading for Ryan Ludwick before the trade deadline last year? I do. I wonder if they still think it was a great trade after seeing him start the season hitting .105-.277-.211.