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Around the League - A.L.

Kevin Nielsen provides an American League update for injuries, call-ups, and other news.

Hector Santiago will get a shot in the White Sox starting rotation.
Hector Santiago will get a shot in the White Sox starting rotation.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Promotions

Ricky Romero has been called up by the Blue Jays and will get the start tomorrow night at home against the Mariners. If you need a spot starter you can do worse than taking a flier on Romero.

Jordan Lyles has been called up by the Astros and will get the start tonight at home against the Tigers. He is not worth a pickup, especially against the Tigers.

Dan Straily will fill in for Brett Anderson in the A’s rotation. I suggest picking him up and throwing him out there against most teams. He will face the Yankees in New York on Sunday.

Injuries / Sent Down

Josh Johnson has put up terrible stats thus far this season and is now on the DL with a triceps injury. It’s not considered to be serious and he should only miss a couple of weeks or so. Johnson has been very unlucky with a .379 BABIP so now is the time to buy low if you need pitching.

Gavin Floyd is on the DL with an elbow injury but it’s unknown whether it is serious. He’s had a few elbow issues in the past year so he will undergo further evaluations.

Robbie Erlin was send down by the Padres. He’s better off starting at AAA than pitching long-relief in the majors. If he is called up later in the year as a SP he will be a must-add in NL-only leagues.

Trevor Bauer continued to display control issues but was a little better in his second start of the season for the Indians. He was sent back down to AAA after the start. Bauer has tantalizing ability to be a fantasy ace one day but he must get his walk-rate way down in order to do so.

David Robertson felt some discomfort in his hamstring yesterday but he sounds like he should be okay moving forward. Check for updates after his next outing.

Bruce Rondon was sent back down to AAA. With Valverde successfully closing and Benoit and company setting up the Tigers decided they can afford to send Rondon down for more development.

Joba Chamberlain is on the DL with an oblique injury.

Matt Harrison has additional back complications and might be out until late August. He’s probably not worth hanging onto unless you have a really deep bench or wide open DL slots.

Blake Beavan was sent down to AAA and will work as a SP there. Even if he gets his act together the Mariners may have better options to call up later in the season.

Michael Bourn could still be about a week away returning. He hasn’t taken batting practice yet.

Nick Swisher could return tomorrow night from a shoulder injury but this is the type of thing that can affect his hitting.

R.A. Dickey is dealing with some back and neck discomfort but won’t miss any time unless he has a setback.

Kevin Youkilis’s back injury shouldn’t keep him out long and it’s not considered very serious. It’s probably better that the Yankees put him on the DL as opposed to having him struggle to play through the injury.

Curtis Granderson should be back within a couple of weeks and is starting to get his at-bats in.

Mark Teixeira will start taking batting practice soon and will probably return by the end of the month assuming he doesn’t have a setback.

Chris Young is dealing with a quad injury and may need to be placed on the DL.

Shane Victorino is dealing with a hamstring injury and may need to be placed on the DL. He hasn’t played in a about a week so the transaction would be retroactive.

Jake Peavy will miss his start tonight against the Rangers because of back pain.

Brett Anderson will miss a couple weeks with an ankle injury but it’s not expected to be serious enough to keep him out for too long.

Jeff Keppinger has been dealing with back pain but could return soon.

Notes

Luke Scott will bat sixth as the DH on most days. He’s definitely worth a pickup for his power but don’t expect much in terms of batting average.

David Phelps will continue to fill in for Ivan Nova in the rotation and he can do much better than he has thus far this season.

Chris Nelson was traded to the Yankees and could steal some at-bats from Eduardo Nunez if he doesn’t start to hit better soon. He’ll also fill in for Kevin Youkilis until he returns. Nelson is worth a flier if you really need a MI.

Hector Santiago will start in place of Jake Peavy tonight against the Rangers and I really like his potential as a SP. He had a nice little run at AAA and in MLB with the White Sox late last season as a SP. He'll continue to be in the rotation as a replacement for Gavin Floyd moving forward.

Mike Olt’s vision is being checked out and could be the cause for his early season slump.

Freddy Garcia will likely be called up to start for the Orioles Saturday against the Angels but if he struggles in his first few starts then Kevin Gausman is likely next in line. Gausman was the Orioles 1st Round Pick last season and is worth storing on your bench if you have room. He has a 2.40 FIP and a 29:1 K:BB in AA thus far.

Sources:

Rotoworld

MLB.com