:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13208411/168446018.0.jpg)
If you have fantasy baseball questions, make sure you post them in the comments section of the Roundup daily. Rather than wait for a fantasy chat, you can post them any day you would like, and I will answer them. So post away.
Cole Hamels: Is he hurt?
Cole Hamels was ranked by many fantasy writers as a Top 5 or 6 starter heading into this season, as he has had just one season with an ERA over 4.00 since his rookie year in 2006. Here are his ERAs and walk rates since 2006:
2006: 4.08/ 3.26
2007: 3.39/ 2.11
2008: 3.09/ 2.10
2009: 4.32/ 2.00
2010: 3.06/ 2.63
2011: 2.79/ 1.83
2912: 3.05/ 2.17
2013: 4.61/ 3.81
The worst part about his 2013 line, is that his .252 BABIP is lower than his career BABIP of .280. Last season, Hamels walked just 52 batters, and gave up 24 home runs, in 215.1 innings. This season, he has already walked 24, and given up 9 home runs, in 56.2 innings. He is on pace to give up 36 home runs and walk 95 batters this season.
Yesterday, Hamels lasted just 5 innings, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits ( 2 home runs), 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts. He needed 106 pitches, of which 64 were strikes, to get 15 outs. So, why is he pitching so poorly?
Remember late last fall/winter when we heard that Hamels cut short an offseason throwing program due to pain in his shoulder? Then a few days later we heard it was nothing. I wonder if it was something, but we were never told the details. Maybe I am just a conspiracy theorist, but a pitcher with the talent that Hanels has doesn't fall apart without an injury.
Remember when Roy Halladay fell apart and we were told he was not injured?
For more on Hamels, and all things Phillies, make sure you check out The Good Phight, SB Nation's Phillies fan site.
Bryce Harper to undergo more concussion tests?
I asked Nationals beat writer Amanda Comak on Twitter on Tuesday night whether Bryce Harper had a concussion or not, as she had tweeted that he felt nauseous on Tuesday. Feeling nauseous is a symptom when one has a concussion, yet the team announced that he did not have a concussion on Tuesday. On Wednesday, it was originally announced that he would have more tests to determine if he is concussed or not. Then, late yesterday morning, Nationals GM Mike Rizzo stated that Harper would not need additional tests. I guess the beat writer who said he needed additional tests got some bad information. Or not.
With that said, Harper did not play last night.
For more on Harper, make sure you check out Federal Baseball, SB Nation's Nationals fan site.
The Yankees are getting healthy, and they are already in first place
The Yankees activated outfielder Curtis Granderson on Tuesday, and could have Mark Teixeira back soon as well. Teixeira is now targeting May 30th or 31st as his return date, and is nearing a rehab assignment, yet one has not been scheduled as of today.
I predictted the Yankees would be a third place team before the season started, and they have made me look silly for predicting that. They currently hold a 2 game lead over the Orioles and a 3 game lead over the slumping Red Sox. And now they are getting their injured stars back. Look out AL East.
More Roundup
Rays starter David Price left his start last night with a left triceps injury, and is almost certain to be placed on the DL. I imagine Chris Archer or Jake Odorizzi will get the call to replace Price in the Rays rotation, so go grab one of them if you own Price or need a starter.
Before the injury, Price had given up 4 runs on 5 hits and a walk in just 2.1 innings vs the Red Sox. Price has struggled all season, giving up 4 runs or more in four of his nine starts. He took the loss yesterday, and will head to the disabled list with a 1-4 record with a 5.24 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and a 49-14 strikeout to walk rate in 55 innings.
An MRI on his left tricep revealed "nothing serious" per Rays manager Joe Maddon after last night's game. We should learn more about his injury today.
Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis had a big day in Philadelphia yesterday afternoon. He went 3-4 with a HR, 3 runs and 3 RBI, raising his triple slash line to .236-.303-.472 with 6 HRs, 18 runs, 20 RBI, 7 stolen bases and a horrible 34-13 K-BB rate in 127 at bats. More than half of Kipnis' hits have gone for extra bases thus far.
You know the Dos Equis commercial, where the bearded guy with the hot chicks sitting next to him says "I don't drink beer too often, but when I do, I drink Dos Equis. Stay thirsty my friends."? You've seen it, I am sure. Anyway, Adam Dunn is the Dos Equis hitter in the White Sox lineup, because, he doesn't get too many hits, but when he does, it is usually a home run. Dunn went 3-4 with 2 HRs and 5 RBI yesterday, but is now hitting a woeful .156-.255-.391 with 9 HRs, 15 runs and 18 RBI. So far in 2013, 9 of his 20 hits have reached the seats.
How soon before Braves outfielder B.J. Upton starts to hit? I drafted him in the 3rd round of my NL only redraft league, and he has underperformed thus far. Upton went 0-5 with 2 strikeouts and is now hitting .145-.242-.244 with 3 HRs, 9 runs, 6 RBI, 3 stolen bases, and a 49-15 strikeout to walk rate in 131 at bats. His .208 BABIP is well below his .318 career BABIP, so he is due to get hot.
Is there anyone hotter at the plate than Orioles third baseman Manny Machado? Machado went 4-5 with 3 doubles and 2 runs yesterday afternoon, and is now hitting .343-.379-.541 with 5 HRs, 30 runs, 24 RBI and 4 stolen bases this season. Over his last 10 games, he is 20-45 with 2 HRs, 11 runs, and 6 RBI. He is certainly making GM Dan Duquette look good for calling him up last season.
Closer News
Diamondbacks closer Heath Bell has bounced back from his blown save on Sunday to save two games in a row now. Bell gave up a hit and struck out one to earn his 6th save of the season. I am still of the belief that he will eventually lose the closer role, but he could make me look silly for thinking that as well.
More from Fake Teams
A Moment of Not Taking Clayton Kershaw for Granted | FanGraphs Baseball
The Streamer Report: Thursday's Starting Pitcher Targets
Three (Possibly) True Outcomes, Courtney Hawkins
Deep fantasy league thoughts -- Francoeur bad, Dyson not so bad
AL Only Fantasy Thoughts: James Loney, Vernon Wells, Manny Machado and Others
Minor League Level Review (AA): Bradley, Wisler Debut, Salazar and Turley Promoted
Prospect Profile: Tyler Glasnow