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I just want to remind everyone that you can post any fantasy questions here in the comments section of the Roto Roundup, so feel free to ask as many questions as you would like.
I get the MLB Extra Innings package via Comcast Cable and for some reason last night, they did not show the Dodgers-Giants game. This happens from time to time, but could they have picked another day, like when Clayton Kershaw wasn't pitching?
Carlos Martinez makes his major league debut
The Cardinals demoted former closer Mitchell Boggs yesterday and called up top pitching prospect Carlos Martinez to fill his spot on the roster. On a day that the team learned that Jason Motte has elected to have Tommy John surgery, adding Martinez to their bullpen was a welcome sight. Martinez made his major league debut last evening, giving up one hit and getting three ground ball outs. He is a future starter in the big leagues, but will be used to shore up a shaky Cardinals bullpen this season.
Chris Davis suffers knee injury
I was checking out my timeline on Twitter last night while writing this, and saw this disturbing tweet, from the Orioles official Twitter account:
Chris Davis exited the game in the 5th inning with a right knee injury. He will be further evaluated.
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) May 4, 2013
He injured his knee running out a ground ball and could not put weight on his right leg in the dugout, so this doesn't look good for Davis owners. Davis was off to the best start of his career, hitting .330-.431-.690 with 9 HRs and 29 RBI. We will learn more about the nature and severity of the injury later today I imagine, but he probably won't be in the Orioles lineup today. It was reported after the game that Davis will get an MRI today, so we will know if a DL stint is needed or not.
Stacey from Camden Chat, the SB Nation Orioles site, discusses the Davis injury and some of the roster moves the Orioles could consider should Davis land on the DL here.
Hanley Ramirez injures hamstring
Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez injured his left hamstring running from first to third on a base hit. He got thrown out at third base and came up limping, grabbing the back of his left leg. He had to be helped off the field, so it doesn't sound good. With injuries to second baseman Mark Ellis and outfielder Carl Crawford, the Dodgers could make at least one roster move today, and I see Dee Gordon getting the call to play shortstop. Then again, they could go with Justin Sellers if Ramirez lands on the 15 day DL. #FreeDeeGordon
Eric Stephen from True Blue LA does a great job breaking down some of the roster move the Dodgers will consider in the wake of Hanley's hamstring injury here.
More Roundup
The Indians signed first baseman/DH Mark Reynolds in the offseason, but I am starting to think they signed Paul Konerko instead. You see, the first baseman the Indians signed is now hitting .293-.362-.641 after going 1-4 with a HR and 2 RBI last night. The home run was his 9th of the season, to go with 19 runs scored, 24 RBI and a 25-11 strikeout to walk rate in 92 at bats thus far.
Angels starter Jason Vargas was one of my streamer picks for Friday, and he pitched great. Vargas tossed a complete game shutout, giving up just 3 hits, walking 2 and striking out 3 to win his first game of the season. He lowered his ERA to 3.72 and WHIP to 1.47. Over his last three games, Vargas has given up just 5 earned runs in 24 innings, giving up 16 hits, walking 7 and striking out 12. He induced 15 ground ball outs last night, his highest total of the season.
A's starter A.J. Griffin was knocked around in his first start at Yankee Stadium, but will certainly remember his second start there. He shut out the Yankees for 7 innings, giving up just 6 hits, waling one and striking out 4 in the A's 2-0 win. Griffin is now 3-2 with a 3.79 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.
It might be time for fantasy owners to grab Johnathan Pettibone, especially those of you who can stream starters. Pettibone held the Marlins to just one run on 5 hits, no walks and 3 strikeouts in the Phillies 4-1 win over the Marlins. He has made three major league starts and given up 3 runs or less in each of those starts. He is now 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.
I tweeted last night that Pirates starter A.J. Burnett is one of the more under-appreciated starters in the game, along with Yankees starter Hiroki Kuroda. Burnett held the struggling Nationals lineup to just one run on 5 hits, a walk and 9 strikeouts over 7 innings in the Buccos 3-1 win last night. Burnett is now 3-2 with a 2.57 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 57-15 strikeout to walk rate in 42 innings. He has given up 3 runs or less in all seven of his starts, and 2 runs or less in five of those starts.
I know it is early, and we still have more than 80% of the season left, but the Blue Jays are now 10-20 on the season, after the huge offseason trade with the Mets. Mariners ace Felix Hernandez shut out the Blue Jays for 8 innings, giving up just five base runners and striking out 7. King Felix is now 4-2 with a 1.60 ERA, a 0.91 WHIP, and a remarkable 51-7 strikeout to walk rate in 50.2 innings.
Closer news: Rough day for dominant closers
Former Brewers closer John Axford worked the ninth inning last night, but it was in a game where the Brewers were down 6-1. He gave up a leadoff double to hot-hitting Matt Holliday, but then got a couple fly ball outs and a strikeout to pitch a clean inning.
Reds closer Aroldis Chapman had perhaps his worst outing ever in a non-save situation yesterday afternoon. He came into the game to protect a 6-2 lead, but gave up 3 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks and a strikeout while getting just two outs. J.J. Hoover got the final out for his first big league save. It wasn't a blown save for Chapman, so he should be fine going forward, unless there is some sort of injury that we are not aware of.
Another dominant closer had a rough outing last night, but this one was of the blown save variety. Braves closer Craig Kimbrel came in to protect a one run lead in the 9th vs the Mets and gave up a game-tying home run to David Wright for his second blown save of the season. On the positive side of the ledger, he struck out the side.
Huston Street really isn't a dominant closer, but he did come in to preserve a four run lead, with two runners on and gave up a three-run home run to Diamondbacks outfielder Gerardo Parra. He did not blow the save, but gave up his fourth home run in 12 innings of work this season.
More fantasy goodness
Low Level Prospect Review: Miguel Sano, 3B, Minnesota Twins
DL Stashes: Beachy, Pineda, Luebke & Hudson (TJS & TLS returns)
Fantasy Roster Advice: The Marlins are dumb, but you can take advantage
The Streamer Report: Saturday's Starting Pitcher Targets