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It was reported last evening that the Phillies may recall second baseman Chase Utley on Wednesday. Utley played second base for 8 innings last night at Low A Clearwater. He will be promoted to AAA Lehigh Valley and play a full 9 innings with a plan to recall him on Wednesday, assuming his knee is healthy.
Cubs beat writer Paul Sullivan from the Chicago Tribune speculates that the Cubs will call up first base prospect Anthony Rizzo on Tuesday. Rizzo will play everyday, so he is rosterable in NL-only leagues, but I would wait to pick him up in mixed leagues.
Dodgers starter Chris Capuano continues to impress, as he held the Angels to one run on 7 hits and 4 strikeouts to win his 9th game of the season on Saturday. He is now 9-2 with a 2.60 ERA, 3.71 FIP, and 3.87 xFIP, a 1.13 WHIP, a 84-31 strikeout to walk ratio in 93.1 innings this season. He has given up 2 runs or less in 11 of his 15 starts, and is one of the more surprising pitchers of the 2012 season.
More Roto Roundup after the jump:
It was reported earlier this morning that Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman may need another DL stint to rest his ailing shoulder. He was quoted as saying that the shoulder is still bothering him and he isn't catching up to fastballs like he has in the past. I own Zimmerman in 3 leagues, so this is not good news, but there is still time for him to help fantasy teams should the extended rest help his ailing shoulder.
It looks like the Brewers have found themselves a leadoff hitter in Norichika Aoki. Aoki went 3-4 with 2 runs scored and 4 stolen bases yesterday. That's right, 4 stolen bases. Aoki is hitting .280-.344-.429 with 3 HRs, 26 runs, 12 RBI, 9 stolen bases and a solid 21-13 strikeout to walk rate in 175 at bats this season. I will be interested to see if he will continue running like this as Brewers manager Ron Roenicke is not shy to giving the green light.
Has Blue Jays outfielder Colby Rasmus turned his season/career around or what? Coming into the season, it appeared, to me, at least, that Rasmus had to put up or shut up this season, and he is putting up. Rasmus went 2-5 with a HR and 4 RBI yesterday and is now hitting .258-.319-.488 with 13 HRs, 36 runs, 41 RBI and a 55-21 strikeout to walk ratio in 260 at bats. He has stolen just 3 bases this year, but he has the speed to be a 20+ base stealer in the right situation. I wonder if the Blue Jays will move Rasmus to left field when outfield prospect Anthony Gose is ready.
The Red Sox are looking to trade third baseman Kevin Youkilis, and some think he could be dealt today, and the main reason for dealing him is the emergence of third base prospect Will Middlebrooks. Middlebrooks went 3-4 with a HR and 2 RBI yesterday and is now hitting .331-.368-.592 with 9 HRs, 10 doubles, 22 runs and 33 RBI in just 142 at bats. Teams and pitchers will start to catch up to him at some point, so I woudn't expect him to hit .330 all season.
Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz went 3-5 with 2 HRs and 4 RBI yesterday and has quietly put up a solid power season for fantasy owners. For the season, Cruz is hitting .264-.318-.453 with 11 HRs, 17 doubles, 40 runs and 47 RBI, so when he hits, it is usually an extra base hit. He is currently 9th in the AL in RBI.
The Nationals announced this morning that Tyler Clippard will keep the closer job when Drew Storen returns, and who could blame them. Clippard has not given up a run since taking over the closer role, and has 12 saves with a 16-5 strikeout to walk ratio since May 22nd.