In our Daily Fantasy Baseball Update, RotoBaller brings you the latest news and analysis on a daily basis.
With a light schedule today, fantasy rosters were emptier than the home opener at Marlin’s Stadium. Nevertheless, there was plenty of fantasy-relevant news coming out of the day's action.
Rocky Mountain Roy?
Roy Oswalt is a now with the Rockies after landing a minor-league contract on Wednesday. He is apparently not far off from being major-league ready, and the Rockies could certainly use a solid 4 or 5 starter. Oswalt did post 59/11 K/BB with the Rangers over 59 IP last season. Deep-league owners should take notice.
Still, don't bail, Bailey ailing...
Two days ago, I advised you not to bail on Andrew Bailey. Less than forty-eight hours later, Joel Hanrahan gets a save. Thanks, fantasy gods. Bailey, the newly appointed ninth-inning guy, was unavailable on Wednesday due to soreness in the bicep of his throwing arm. What does it all mean? At this point Hanrahan is the closer and Bailey will probably miss out on his chance to completely run away with the gig. That is, unless Hanrahan scuffles again and Bailey comes back from this setback. Both are must-owns at this point until someone stays healthy enough to be “the guy.”
Bryce Harper is 20 years old. He heals like it too. He started today after looking like he was in serious discomfort swinging last night. The kids a gamer and you have to like seeing him tough it out. Don't even think about sitting him-- he’s a solid start at all times.
NL Hot Shots:
- Dan Haren posted a very solid performance holding the Braves to 1 ER over 8.0 IP
- Ryan Zimmerman will be returning from his DL stint on Friday and Anthony Rendon will be sent back to Double-A Harrisburg
- Kyle Kendrick continued to impress with 7.0 innings permitting 2 ER and striking out 5 Marlins on the night
- Ryan Howard and Domonic Brown each added a homer; both now have 4 taters thus far
- The Upton Brothers combined to go 0-for-7; on the bright side B.J. did not strike out. Dan Uggla homered (5)
- Evereth Cabrera snatched his 8th SB and knocked in a Run
- Edward Mujica nailed down save number seven in as many chances in Jake Westbrook’s 100th career win
- Carlos Gomez stayed hot with a 2-for-4 night, 1 R, 1 RBI and 2 SB (6)
- Jayson Werth is still nursing a tight hamstring, he is listed as day-to-day
- Jason Heyward will be allowed to take dry swings on Saturday in his rehab from an appendectomy
- Aramis Ramirez with be activated Friday from the DL but will be eased into everyday play
- Mitchell Boggs walked himself into trouble, and then into the dugout in another miserable showing
AL Hot Shots:
- Hector Santiago was thrust into starting with the White Sox rotation dealing with injuries. He fared quite well, recording his first Win while giving up just one run and two hits through 5 .1 IP. He struck out 6.
- Justin Grimm pitched OK, allowing 6 H, 3 ER with 9 K. It was the 4 BB that did him in
- Adrian Beltre homered; he now has six on the season
- Nick Franklin was hitting .400/.524/.600 in Triple-A Tacoma before his 0-4 night tonight, he’s being “blocked” by Robert Andino and Brendan Ryan, wait…what???
- Carlos Pena and Jason Castro both hit homers in a losing effort
- Rick Porcello got a no-decision with 7 Innings, 3 ER and 7K. It was against Houston, sooo...yeah
- Brett Lawrie hit a leadoff homer; it was his only hit on a 1-for-3 night (3 HR in last 6 G)
- JA Happ came crashing back down to earth with 3.2 IP, 7 BB and 2 ER
- Chris Tillman spun 8.0 innings of 3-hit, 0-run ball in defeating Anaheim or Los Angeles of Anaheim…errr wherever it is? He is now 2 -1 on the year.
- Nate McLouth homered and drove in a pair of runs. He now has 3 HR and 10 RBI
- Albert Pujols also homered and accounted for all of the Angels' damage
- Joe Blanton fell to 0 – 5 on the year; he did however manage his first clean 1-2-3 inning so that's a plus!
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Follow Shawn Caswell on Twitter: @CasKnowsRoto