News and Notes from Tuesday

Jese Litsch has been placed on the 15 day disabled list with forearm tightness. Not too much information out there about this, but it appears to be somewhat serious. There are numerous reports about who will take his place. Brian Tallet is already with the big league club and might get a shot. My money is on Brad Mills. The rookie had an  impressive spring, and almost beat out Scott Richmond for the 5th spot in the rotation. His skill set screams big time prospect. In 143 1/3 innings between A, AA, and AAA, Mills struck out 166 while walking 52 and giving up just 7 home runs. He is 24, but that was only his 2nd pro season after getting drafted from college. If he gets a long term shot, Mills is worth a pickup in pretty much any league. He’s highly underrated but his minor league numbers  are right up there with the David Price’s of the world. 

The centerfield job in Chicago no appears to be wide open after Dewayne Wise separated his should on Monday. Wise will be out for more than a month, and there are a few options out there to fill his spot. Brian Anderson is already with the team, and has some power upside. He is probably the best bet for now. Jerry Owens is sitting down in the minor leagues. He could get a call up. The White Sox also signed Scott Podsednik to a minor league deal. It would not be surprising to see him playing center in Chicago. Whoever ends up with the jobs (realistically, it’s probably Brian Anderson) is worth a shot in AL only leagues. Mixed leaguers stay away. 

Melvin Mora has been placed on the 15 day DL. All you need to know is that Ty Wigington will be starting for the next 15+ days and that Ty Wigington is pretty good at baseball. Pick him up.

Jed Lowrie was placed on the 15 day DL with a sore right wrist. Taking his place for now is journeymen Nick Green. Obviously stay away. However, at some point next week Julio Lugo will be back with the team and presumably starting at short. He has his deficiencies, but he has some power and a good amount of speed.  In AL only leagues Lugo is probably taken, but if not grab him now. In mixed leagues pay attention as he does have some potential value playing SS.

AJ Burnett and Matt Garza both pitched fantastically on Tuesday. Burnett’s only real issue is health. Garza coming into the season was a risk simply because his K rate had not translated to the big leagues. Last nights start (7 innings, 9 ks) is a step in the right direction. 

Xavier Nady was removed from Tuesday game with a sore right elbow and will be undergoing an MRI on Wednesday. If this is anything serious, expect most of the playing time to go to red hot Nick Swisher (who is worth a pickup in ANY league). Melky Cabrera could also see a nice boost in playing time. While he has struggled the last few years, he’s still young and there still is some upside. He’s worth an add in AL only leagues.  

Daisuke Matsuzaka left after one inning of work Tuesday, giving up 5 runs on 5 hits, walking 2 and striking out none. The Red Sox say he was experiencing arm fatigue, so don’t take too much out of the results, but Matsuzaka already came into the year a huge risk and he may end up landing on the DL. If Clay Buccholz gets called up, be ready to pounce as he dominated this spring and is worth adding in all but the shallowest of leagues. 

Carl Pavano gave up 4 runs in 6 innings. Ok, so what? Well that’s not all. He struck out 8, yes 8 batters in those 6 innings while not walking any. He did give up a few too many liners and flyballs but his command of the strike zone and flat out dominance for stretches of the game was impressive. He has a solid skill history, and when he’s healthy he’s usually pretty good. I might be inclined to speculated on him in deep AL only leagues. Otherwise leave him alone. His first start (1 inning, 9 runs) shows his downside, and even his upside isn’t that great. 

John Buck homered twice for the Royals Tuesday, bringing his season total to 3 as a backup. He still doesn’t make enough contact, but if his 2007 power is back it’s possible that he ends up starting in KC. He’s worth an add in AL only leagues. Mixed leaguers should wait till he actually gets a starting job, even if you do play 2 catchers. 

So almost 800 words about the American league, can I match that for the NL? Probably not. One big story though tonight coming out of St. Louis…

Chris Carpenter was removed from Tuesdays game in the 4th inning with an abdominal strain. He has NOT been placed on the DL and we still do not know the severity of this injury. This is big as Carpenter had been mildly successful this spring and early in the regular season. If he ends up on the DL, whoever ends up starting in his place is not worth mention in mixed leagues, possibly a shot in NL only leagues. Unless of course they sign Pedro.

The worst three words for any pitcher to here are “Dr. James Andrews” and it seems Tom Glavine will be paying him a visit this week. Glavine is experiencing pain while trying to rehab from an injury. This could be the end of a great career for Glavine, but it is relatively irrelevant fantasy wise. Glavine has borderline skills, and was not owned in most mixed leagues. Obviously this is not a good reason to change that.