I missed mentioning that even though Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez had a big game on Sunday, he also suffered an injury to his right wrist and is considered day to day, and fantasy owners hope he doesn't land on the DL as he is close to duplicating his 2010 breakout season. He sat out Monday night's game.
The Nationals held a few players out of Monday's game-Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse. Zimmerman is suffering from tenderness in his abdomen, and Morse has a hairline fracture in his right forearm, but an MRI ruled that out. No word on whether Morse will require a DL stint or not. Zimmerman did pinch hit on Monday and walked in his only at bat.
Mets shortstop Jose Reyes was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain in his hamstring and is considered day to day. On Monday, it was reported that the Mets are considering a "substantial offer" to retain Reyes. I wonder if the "substantial offer" amount will be enough to keep Reyes. If Reyes rejects the offer, will the Mets use that as an excuse to trade him, saying they can't sign him? And didn't Reyes say he didn't want to discuss his contract during the season?
More Roundup after the jump:
The Blue Jays recalled outfield prospect Travis Snider on Sunday and waived Juan Rivera. Snider hit .333-.403-.488 with just 2 HRs and 29 RBIs, although he did miss some time with a mild concussion. Snider should see regular playing time now, but I would wait to pick him up unless you are in a very deep mixed or in an AL-only league. Snider had a big game yesterday, going 3-5 with 3 doubles and 2 RBIs.
Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki injured his right quad while running out a ground ball and was taken out of the game vs the Braves last night. Tulo has had this injury before, so the Rockies may take it slow with him to make sure he is completely healthy before allowing him to play again. Rockies beat writer Troy Renck from the Denver Post tweeted the following after Monday night's game:
@TroyRenck
Troy Renck, Rockies
Tulo will get treatment early tomorrow and have better read on injury. But he's likely out a few days
Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols declared himself healthy yesterday and could be activated today. Amazing. I imagine he will have a tough time at the plate should he be activated as I wonder how much power he will have initially. I think he is rushing things, but this just exemplifies the type of player Pujols is. Then again, he is playing for a new contract, so he wants to put up solid numbers at the plate.
The Yankees activated shortstop Derek Jeter on Monday and he batted leadoff and went 0-4. Prepare yourself for the Yankee beat writers to continue to beat the drum calling for Jeter to be moved down in the Yankees lineup.
Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth went 1-3 with 2 walks, a run, 2 RBI and a SB on Monday. He has been a major disappointment this season as he is hitting just .224-.330-.382 with 10 HRs, 30 RBIs, 11 SBs and an 81-43 K/BB rate. He is on pace to go 19-81-21 after averaging 29-83-17 in the last 3 years in Philadelphia.
Red Sox starter John Lackey lasted just 2+ innings yesterday vs the Blue Jays, giving up 7 runs on 9 hits, one a HR to Aaron Hill. Recently, Peter Gammons stated that Lackey needs Tommy John Surgery but he quickly denied that he needed the surgery, but one has to wonder if Peter is right. Lackey is just 5-8 with a 7.47 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and has given up 10 HRs in 72+ innings this season. He has given up at least 4 runs in his last 10 starts and has seen his ERA jump by a run in those 10 starts.
Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez was moved up to AAA Indianapolis on Monday and went 2-4 in his first game there. I wonder if he will be activated this weekend if he proves he is ready at the plate, or if the Pirates will play it slow and wait to activate him after the All Star Break.
Twins starter Brian Duensing threw a complete game shutout vs the Rays yesterday, giving up just 6 hits, walking 4 and striking out 7. Duensing is not a bit strikeout pitcher, but is now 6-7 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. His high WHIP makes him rosterable in only the deepest of mixed and AL-only leagues.
Nationals outfield prospect Bryce Harper was promoted to AA Harrisburg on Monday and went 2-3 with a walk and a run scored. I wrote about Harper's promotion here yesterday.
Mariners rookie starter Michael Pineda held the Athletics to just one run on 6 innings on Monday giving up just 2 hits, walking 2 and striking out 7 to win his 8th game of the season. He lowered his ERA to 2.58 and his WHIP to an amazing 1.01, and owns an excellent 106-34 K/BB rate in 108 innings pitched.
Remember Sean Burroughs? He was a top 10 prospect from 2000-2002 and never reached his potential. He's back in baseball and went 3-5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored yesterday. He is 30 years old now, so not much is expected of him.
Phillies starter Vance Worley just continues to flabbergast fantasy owners and opposing teams this season. On Monday, he shutout the Marlins on 2 hits, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts in 7 innings to win his 4th game of the season. He now owns an ERA of 2.20 and a WHIP of 1.22 in his 8 major league starts. You have to ride him while he is pitching well.
Another pitcher who has surpassed expectations this season is Red starter Johnny Cueto. He held the Cardinals to just 1 run on 6 hits, 3 walks and no strikeouts on Monday and, for the season, he is just 5-3 but owns a terrific 1.77 ERA, 0.96 WHIP but only 48 strikeouts in 76+ innings. He has given up 2 runs or less 8 of his 11 starts this season.
Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds is on a tear. He went 2-4 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs on Monday, and has now homered 6 times in his last 4 games, and 7 times in his last 8 games. Actually, in his last 3 games, Reynolds has 5 hits, all home runs. For the season, his is hitting .233-.356-.515 with 20 HRs, 49 RBIs and 5 SBs. He is on pace for "just" 170 strikeouts this season, after striking out over 200 times in each of the last 3 seasons.
Braves rookie first baseman Freddie Freeman went 2-3 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs on Monday night vs the Rockies. He has held his own this season, as he is hitting .272-.347-.448 with 11 HRs and 38 RBIs.