Yesterday was a tragic day in Boston, and I hope the people/person responsible is brought to justice. These terrible events are happening all too frequently and we as a nation need to stay strong and resilient. Take a few moments to pray for those affected in Boston today, and the next time you get upset about something trivial, think about those injured and who lost their lives yesterday.
Yesterday was Jackie Robinson Day across major league baseball, and to honor the great man and player, every player wore #42 yesterday. I saw the move 42 on Friday and recommend going to see it. Some parts of the movie were hard to watch for me. Robinson was a great baseball player, but an even greater American.
There were only 7 games yesterday, so this one will be brief.
I ranked Cardinals first baseman Allen Craig as my 5th ranked fantasy first baseman coming into the season, but he has struggled to start the 2013 season. He went 1-4 with a double and 3 RBI last night, but is hitting just .224-.264-.306 with no home runs and 9 RBI to date. He will need to get hot to meet my 30 HR-90 RBI projection for him this season.
Another 0-3 night for Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez dropped his triple slash line to .073-.174-.073 and he was pinch hit for late in the game. Pirates catcher Russell Martin played third base in his absence, gaining third base eligibility in leagues that require one game played at a position.
Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman has struggled to start the 2013 season, so he needed a big day at the plate to hopefully get him out of his mini-slump. He went 2-5 with a HR and 4 RBI in the Nationals 10-3 win over the Marlins last night. He raised his triple slash line to .239-.321-.391 with a HR and 11 RBI.
Closer News
In his first shot at closing, Red Sox reliever Andrew Bailey blew the save opportunity, giving up a run on 2 hits and 2 strikeouts, but earned the win when the Red Sox answered the Rays run with one of their own in the bottom of the 9th off of Joel Peralta. Bailey will continue to get save opportunities while Joel Hanrahan is out nursing a leg injury.
Well, Mitchell Boggs blew one too many saves for manager Mike Matheny, as Edward Mujica will now be closing games for the Cardinals, until he doesn't. Here is confirmation from Joe Strauss from the St. Louis Post Dispatch:
Ed Mujica: Cards closer.
— Joe Strauss (@JoeStrauss) April 16, 2013
I read a piece about Mujica in the St. Louis Post Dispatch yesterday morning before news broke that he could be named the closer, and grabbed Mujica in one of my leagues. I actually grabbed him in one of my keeper leagues when Zack Greinke went on the DL, but it remains to be seen whether he is long for the closer job.
Injury News
Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill is dealing with a wrist injury, that could require a DL stint. Here is Nick Piecoro from the Arizona Central:
#Dbacks' Aaron Hill underwent an MRI today. Club still reviewing results but also preparing for DL possibility. Didi Gregorius is an option.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) April 16, 2013
Wrist injuries tend to linger, so it will be interesting to see if his power is impacted when he returns from the DL.
Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie has been playing second base in his rehab this week, and according to Shi Davidi from Sportsnet, will be activated today:
#bluejays will activate Lawrie tomorrow
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) April 16, 2013
Moving over to second base greatly improves his fantasy value, but Lawrie is injury prone, so I wonder if it is such a great idea to move him over to the keystone.
Padres third baseman Chase Headley is expected to be activated from the DL today, so make sure you get him in your lineups today.