
Fantasy notes for June 23-24
Click through for information on specific matchups and injuries for the day's games.
Starting pitcher rankings for June 23
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Felix Hernandez | R | @SD | 10 | 4-5 | 3.52 | 1.29 | 0-1 | 5.00 | 1.56 |
| 2 | | Madison Bumgarner | L | @OAK | 8 | 8-4 | 2.92 | 1.07 | 3-0 | 2.43 | 0.98 |
| 3 | | Johnny Cueto | R | MIN | 8 | 8-3 | 2.38 | 1.15 | 3-0 | 1.90 | 0.85 |
| 4 | | Josh Johnson | R | TOR | 8 | 4-5 | 4.18 | 1.46 | 1-2 | 2.18 | 1.26 |
| 5 | | Colby Lewis | R | COL | 6 | 6-5 | 3.00 | 1.00 | 2-2 | 1.76 | 0.65 |
| 6 | | Chris Capuano | L | @LAA | 4 | 8-2 | 2.71 | 1.14 | 1-1 | 4.24 | 1.50 |
| 7 | | Ian Kennedy | R | CHC | 7 | 5-7 | 4.13 | 1.29 | 1-2 | 3.66 | 1.17 |
| 8 | | Adam Wainwright | R | @KC | 8 | 5-7 | 4.46 | 1.31 | 1-2 | 4.50 | 1.23 |
| 9 | | Ivan Nova | R | @NYM | 4 | 9-2 | 4.32 | 1.38 | 3-0 | 0.79 | 0.84 |
| 10 | | Edwin Jackson | R | @BAL | 4 | 3-4 | 3.02 | 1.05 | 2-1 | 2.57 | 1.14 |
| 11 | | Clayton Richard | L | SEA | 8 | 4-7 | 3.94 | 1.28 | 2-1 | 2.00 | 1.26 |
| 12 | | Max Scherzer | R | @PIT | 5 | 6-4 | 5.17 | 1.52 | 1-1 | 3.93 | 1.47 |
| 13 | | Franklin Morales | L | ATL | 6 | 0-1 | 3.14 | 1.15 | 0-0 | 1.46 | 0.49 |
| 14 | | Wei-Yin Chen | L | WAS | 7 | 7-2 | 3.36 | 1.29 | 3-1 | 3.46 | 1.27 |
| 15 | | Brett Cecil | L | @MIA | 3 | 1-0 | 3.60 | 1.20 | 1-0 | 3.60 | 1.20 |
| 16 | | Alex Cobb | R | @PHI | 7 | 3-3 | 3.82 | 1.17 | 1-2 | 3.92 | 0.92 |
| 17 | | Randy Wolf | L | @CHW | 4 | 2-5 | 5.11 | 1.57 | 0-1 | 3.81 | 1.35 |
| 18 | | Luis Mendoza | R | STL | 3 | 2-3 | 4.69 | 1.60 | 0-1 | 2.65 | 1.00 |
| 19 | | Brian Duensing | L | @CIN | 5 | 1-2 | 3.12 | 1.07 | 1-0 | 2.89 | 1.07 |
| 20 | | Dallas Keuchel | L | CLE | 5 | 0-0 | 1.80 | 1.60 | 0-0 | 1.80 | 1.60 |
| 21 | | Chris Young | R | NYY | 8 | 1-1 | 3.06 | 1.64 | 1-1 | 3.06 | 1.64 |
| 22 | | Tyson Ross | R | SF | 5 | 2-6 | 6.11 | 1.74 | 0-0 | 3.00 | 0.83 |
| 23 | | Randall Delgado | R | @BOS | 6 | 4-7 | 4.12 | 1.33 | 1-2 | 2.79 | 0.93 |
| 24 | | Ervin Santana | R | LAD | 5 | 4-7 | 5.16 | 1.34 | 2-1 | 6.52 | 1.34 |
| 25 | | Paul Maholm | L | @ARI | 3 | 4-5 | 4.88 | 1.32 | 0-2 | 5.48 | 1.45 |
| 26 | | Jeanmar Gomez | R | @HOU | 3 | 4-6 | 4.95 | 1.40 | 1-2 | 6.91 | 1.88 |
| 27 | | Kyle Kendrick | R | TB | 3 | 2-7 | 5.29 | 1.54 | 1-3 | 7.59 | 1.88 |
| 28 | | Philip Humber | R | MIL | 5 | 3-4 | 6.01 | 1.49 | 1-2 | 8.22 | 1.96 |
| 29 | | Brad Lincoln | R | DET | 1 | 3-2 | 3.82 | 1.35 | 0-2 | 9.49 | 2.35 |
| 30 | | Josh Outman | L | @TEX | 1 | 0-3 | 8.41 | 1.62 | 0-2 | 8.04 | 1.66 |
Rk.: The author's ranking of that pitcher for that day only. T: Pitcher throws left-handed or right-handed. Opp: The pitcher's opponent for the day. QR: "Quality Rating," or the starting pitcher's matchup rating -- separate from the author's ranking -- which accounts for past history (three years' worth as well as past 21 days), opponent and ballpark. OPS is the primary statistic used in the calculation. Ratings range from 1-10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst. So, for example, a 10 is a must-start rating, while a 1 should be avoided (if possible); a 1-2 is poor, 3-4 is fair, 5-6 is average, 7-8 is very good and 9-10 is excellent. W-L: Pitcher's win-loss record. ERA: Pitcher's earned run average. WHIP: Pitcher's average number of walks plus hits surrendered per inning.
Rankings notes for Saturday
In my continuing quest to find fantasy rotation help on the waiver wire, here are four pitchers owned in less than 5 percent of ESPN.com fantasy leagues whom I fully expect to turn in quality starts on Saturday:
Clayton Richard (4 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) has been masterful in his home park this season with a 2.72 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in six starts at Petco Park, but it's what he's done in his past two road starts that makes him worthy of a roster spot in pitcher-heavy fantasy leagues. After limiting the Seattle Mariners to just one run in seven innings on June 12, he was even better in his next outing on Father's Day, shutting out the Oakland Athletics for 7 2/3 innings, allowing just five hits and fanning six. Now he gets to face the M's again Saturday, this time at home. Although Richard might not receive much run support opposing Felix Hernandez, he should still be able to keep his team in the game with a quality start.
Franklin Morales (4 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) will probably be making his last start before Josh Beckett reclaims his spot in the rotation, but Morales is certainly worth a pickup based on his first start with the Red Sox last Sunday. Morales dominated the Chicago Cubs for five innings, allowing just two runs, four hits and no walks and fanning nine batters. Expect another stellar K-to-BB ratio on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves' hitters, who have 78 strikeouts and just 19 walks (4.1 ratio) in their past nine games. Pick up Morales in all daily transaction leagues on Saturday.
I understand that chasing wins doesn't usually work out in fantasy baseball, but when you have a chance to snatch a solid arm off the waiver wire to face a team on a 2-13 slide, those win chances certainly increase. Brett Cecil (1 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) faces the slumping Miami Marlins on Saturday and will likely build upon his strong season debut versus the Philadelphia Phillies: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K's. Cecil did give up a pair of solo homers, but that's unlikely to occur again facing a Marlins club that is slugging a pathetic .325 during this 15-game span. Miami has been even worse in nine home games this month, with a total of 17 runs and a slash of .196/.269/.319. Cecil will remain in the Toronto Blue Jays rotation for a while with all the injuries they have piled up, and will likely provide more good starts than bad for AL-only fantasy owners.
I fully admit that I recommend Randy Wolf (2 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) way too often, but once again I like his matchup on Saturday for deep-league fantasy owners. His past two road starts have both been strong, allowing just three runs in 12 2/3 innings. The Chicago White Sox are scuffling in their past 15 games with a 5-10 record and subpar slash line of .241/.297/.369. The Sox are also 7-12 with a mere 3.3 runs per game when facing left-handed starters this season. But maybe most important, Wolf is being opposed by Philip Humber, who carries an 8.22 ERA and 1.96 WHIP in his three June starts. This makes Wolf a strong win candidate on Saturday.
Starting pitcher rankings for June 24
| Name | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Matt Cain | R | @OAK | 10 | 9-2 | 2.34 | 0.91 | 4-0 | 1.24 | 0.86 |
| 2 | | Justin Verlander | R | @PIT | 10 | 7-4 | 2.57 | 0.99 | 2-1 | 2.63 | 1.32 |
| 3 | | Lance Lynn | R | @KC | 8 | 10-3 | 2.80 | 1.15 | 2-2 | 3.52 | 1.39 |
| 4 | | Wade Miley | L | CHC | 8 | 8-3 | 2.30 | 1.06 | 2-2 | 2.10 | 0.73 |
| 5 | | CC Sabathia | L | @NYM | 7 | 9-3 | 3.55 | 1.23 | 3-1 | 3.30 | 1.27 |
| 6 | | Cliff Lee | L | TB | 8 | 0-3 | 3.48 | 1.12 | 0-1 | 4.79 | 1.40 |
| 7 | | R.A. Dickey | R | NYY | 7 | 11-1 | 2.00 | 0.89 | 4-0 | 0.00 | 0.50 |
| 8 | | Cole Hamels | L | TB | 8 | 10-3 | 3.25 | 1.09 | 2-2 | 5.40 | 1.31 |
| 9 | | David Price | L | @PHI | 8 | 9-4 | 3.08 | 1.27 | 3-1 | 4.07 | 1.32 |
| 10 | | Ross Detwiler | L | @BAL | 5 | 4-3 | 3.34 | 1.21 | 1-0 | 1.59 | 0.88 |
| 11 | | Matt Garza | R | @ARI | 6 | 3-5 | 4.07 | 1.11 | 1-2 | 3.75 | 1.00 |
| 12 | | Matt Harrison | L | COL | 6 | 9-3 | 3.41 | 1.25 | 3-0 | 1.24 | 0.97 |
| 13 | | Jose Quintana | L | MIL | 7 | 2-1 | 1.53 | 1.02 | 1-1 | 1.35 | 1.25 |
| 14 | | Edinson Volquez | R | SEA | 6 | 3-7 | 4.11 | 1.41 | 1-2 | 5.96 | 1.59 |
| 15 | | Aaron Harang | R | @LAA | 3 | 5-4 | 3.76 | 1.44 | 2-1 | 2.78 | 1.63 |
| 16 | | Garrett Richards | R | LAD | 7 | 2-0 | 0.86 | 1.14 | 2-0 | 0.90 | 1.20 |
| 17 | | Mark Buehrle | L | TOR | 4 | 5-8 | 3.82 | 1.14 | 0-4 | 5.48 | 1.22 |
| 18 | | Scott Diamond | L | @CIN | 3 | 5-3 | 2.57 | 1.25 | 2-2 | 2.96 | 1.27 |
| 19 | | Mike Leake | R | MIN | 5 | 2-5 | 4.70 | 1.39 | 1-0 | 3.20 | 1.18 |
| 20 | | Jonathan Sanchez | L | STL | 6 | 1-3 | 5.70 | 1.82 | 0-1 | 3.27 | 1.73 |
| 21 | | Kevin Correia | R | DET | 2 | 3-6 | 4.12 | 1.29 | 2-1 | 3.68 | 1.45 |
| 22 | | Alex Cobb | R | @PHI | 9 | 3-3 | 3.82 | 1.17 | 1-2 | 3.92 | 0.92 |
| 23 | | Mike Minor | L | @BOS | 1 | 3-5 | 6.04 | 1.41 | 1-1 | 3.00 | 1.22 |
| 24 | | Derek Lowe | R | @HOU | 4 | 7-5 | 4.30 | 1.58 | 1-2 | 7.15 | 1.72 |
| 25 | | Hector Noesi | R | @SD | 4 | 2-8 | 5.69 | 1.28 | 0-2 | 7.59 | 1.64 |
| 26 | | J.A. Happ | L | CLE | 4 | 5-7 | 5.15 | 1.54 | 1-3 | 7.29 | 1.62 |
| 27 | | Jake Arrieta | R | WAS | 4 | 3-9 | 5.83 | 1.35 | 1-3 | 7.15 | 1.41 |
| 28 | | Michael Fiers | R | @CHW | 5 | 2-2 | 3.46 | 1.19 | 1-2 | 4.26 | 1.37 |
| 29 | | Alex White | R | @TEX | 1 | 2-5 | 6.06 | 1.55 | 1-2 | 5.75 | 1.62 |
| 30 | | A.J. Griffin | R | SF | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 31 | | Aaron Cook | R | ATL | 2 | 0-1 | 20.25 | 3.38 | -- | -- | -- |
| 32 | | Jesse Chavez | R | @MIA | 1 | 0-0 | 8.22 | 1.43 | 0-0 | 13.50 | 2.63 |
Rk.: The author's ranking of that pitcher for that day only. T: Pitcher throws left-handed or right-handed. Opp: The pitcher's opponent for the day. QR: "Quality Rating," or the starting pitcher's matchup rating -- separate from the author's ranking -- which accounts for past history (three years' worth as well as past 21 days), opponent and ballpark. OPS is the primary statistic used in the calculation. Ratings range from 1-10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst. So, for example, a 10 is a must-start rating, while a 1 should be avoided (if possible); a 1-2 is poor, 3-4 is fair, 5-6 is average, 7-8 is very good and 9-10 is excellent. W-L: Pitcher's win-loss record. ERA: Pitcher's earned run average. WHIP: Pitcher's average number of walks plus hits surrendered per inning.
Rankings notes for Sunday
Unlike Saturday, there are a lot more desirable pitching options to choose from on Sunday's docket. If you're fortunate enough to own several of the top-10 pitchers on this list, you may not need my help. But for the rest of you, here are four other pitchers I like who are more than likely still available on your fantasy waiver wire:
Ross Detwiler (7 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) will return to the rotation on Sunday to make his 10th start of the season against the Baltimore Orioles. Detwiler has been literally unhittable in his past three outings, holding the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays to zero hits and just two walks in 7 1/3 innings. He also has a serviceable 3.88 ERA and 1.27 WHIP as a starter this season with a solid 2.4 K-to-BB ratio (36 K's, 15 BB's). Detwiler was hit hard by the O's when he last faced them (5 IP, 9 H, 6 ER), but his win chances are stellar against Jake Arrieta in the midst of a horrific nine-start stretch (7.61 ERA, 1.63 WHIP).
Jose Quintana (5 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) continues to fly under the fantasy radar, but it won't be long before others notice how well he's pitched in the White Sox rotation. In five starts this season, he carries a 1.86 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. And his interleague numbers are just silly: 13 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 K's. The Milwaukee Brewers are an above-average hitting team, but they are a lot less scary on the road with a .227 BA (second-worst in majors) and .365 SLG (fifth-worst in MLB). Start Quintana with confidence on Sunday at home.
Aaron Harang (14 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership) is a polarizing fantasy pitcher, but I see him bouncing back from his wild outing in Oakland (eight walks in 3 2/3 innings) to pitch very well on Sunday against the free-swinging Los Angeles Angels, who have the fifth-fewest walks in the majors. In nine starts since May began, Harang is 4-2 with a 2.72 ERA and 6.8 K's/9, which has helped absorb the blow of his 1.38 WHIP. One of these outings was a gem against these same Angels, as he allowed zero earned runs in a seven-inning no-decision. Give Harang a start on Sunday and hopefully you'll thank me later.
Harang's opponent, Garrett Richards (16 percent ESPN.com fantasy ownership), is also a favorable play on Sunday against a Los Angeles Dodgers team that is slumping in a big way, having just scored a total of two runs and eight hits while losing all three games in Oakland. The Angels are also 11-4 in the past 15 meetings in the Freeway Series. But this recommendation is not all about the Dodgers stinking, because Richards has been very strong in his own right. In his three starts this season, he has a 0.90 ERA, .191 opponents' BA and 17 K's in 20 innings. The 11 walks need a serious trim, but opponents have a paltry .268 slugging percentage against him this year, so he shouldn't be afraid to stay in the strike zone against a scuffling Dodgers team. Grab Richards now, especially in deeper formats.
Hitter matchup ratings for June 23
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 4 | 9 | 9 | | 5 | 8 | 1 | 7 | |
| 5 | 1 | 7 | 6 | | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | |
| 7 | 7 | 6 | 1 | | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | |
| 3 | 5 | 1 | 5 | | 1 | 1 | 5 | 9 | |
| 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | |
| 7 | 5 | 7 | 6 | | 2 | 4 | 1 | 8 | |
| 7 | 1 | 10 | 6 | | 7 | 8 | 4 | 6 | |
| 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | |
| 4 | 7 | 1 | 4 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | |
| 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | |
| 10 | 9 | 9 | 5 | | 4 | 1 | 6 | 6 | |
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | | 9 | 10 | 5 | 5 | |
| 7 | 2 | 7 | 4 | | 10 | 1 | 10 | 3 | |
| 6 | 8 | 3 | 10 | | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | |
| 8 | 3 | 9 | 5 | | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | |
Hitter ratings account for the opposing starting pitcher's past history (three years' worth as well as past 21 days) as well as ballpark factors. "LHB" and "RHB" ratings account only for left- and right-handed batters, respectively. OPS is the primary statistic used in the calculation. Ratings range from 1-10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst. So, for example, a 10 is a must-start rating, while a 1 should be avoided (if possible); a 1-2 is poor, 3-4 is fair, 5-6 is average, 7-8 is very good and 9-10 is excellent.
Hitter matchup ratings for June 24
| Overall | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 6 | 9 | | 3 | 1 | 5 | 9 | |
| 10 | 10 | 7 | 5 | | 7 | 9 | 5 | 5 | |
| 6 | 3 | 7 | 1 | | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| 10 | 6 | 10 | 6 | | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |
| 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| 6 | 10 | 1 | 6 | | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | |
| 8 | 10 | 5 | 8 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |
| 8 | 3 | 8 | 6 | | 3 | 1 | 3 | 6 | |
| 5 | 2 | 5 | 4 | | 9 | 10 | 5 | 7 | |
| 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | |
| 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | |
| 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | |
| 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | | 10 | 10 | 10 | 3 | |
| 4 | 9 | 1 | 10 | | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | |
| 10 | 8 | 10 | 6 | | 8 | 10 | 3 | 5 | |
Hitter ratings account for the opposing starting pitcher's past history (three years' worth as well as past 21 days) as well as ballpark factors. "LHB" and "RHB" ratings account only for left- and right-handed batters, respectively. OPS is the primary statistic used in the calculation. Ratings range from 1-10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst. So, for example, a 10 is a must-start rating, while a 1 should be avoided (if possible); a 1-2 is poor, 3-4 is fair, 5-6 is average, 7-8 is very good and 9-10 is excellent.
• Diamondbacks OF Chris Young is hitting .326 against lefties this season (.180 against righties).
• Angels righty Ervin Santana has fared well in his two starts against the Dodgers since 2009, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA and 14 strikeouts. With the Dodgers' lineup punchless of late, he should be a good start.
• In his past two starts, Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner has allowed just two earned runs and struck out 16 in 15 2/3 innings. He is now 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA in the month of June.
• Jonny Gomes (OAK) is 5-for-5 lifetime off San Francisco starter Madison Bumgarner, including a home run and 3 RBIs. He has an OPS of 2.600 off the Giants' lefty.
• Chris Davis is hitless in 14 at-bats in his career against Washington Nationals starter Edwin Jackson, including seven strikeouts.
• Entering Friday, Daniel Nava is hitting .395 (30-for-76) against right-handed pitchers this season.
• Dating back to 2006, opponents are 128-for-136 (94.1 percent) in stolen base attempts against Mets right-hander Chris Young, who faces the Yankees on Saturday.
• Philadelphia Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick has a 7.59 ERA in his past four starts, giving up 18 earned runs.
• In five starts at home this season, Cubs starter Matt Garza has a 2.36 ERA (5.44 ERA on the road).
• After a rough May in which he went 0-4 with a 5.70 ERA, Kevin Correia has settled down in June. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA this month.
• Billy Butler has struggled against right-handed pitchers this season. The righty slugger is batting .269/.316/.451 against right-handers in 2012. Consider sitting him on Sunday, because he will be facing righty Lance Lynn, who has held right-handed batters to .212/.261/.291 this season.
• Entering Friday, Juan Pierre is just 6-for-35 (.171) this season against left-handed pitchers.
• Entering Friday, Scott Hairston is hitting .351 with seven home runs in 77 at-bats against left-handed pitchers this season.
• Entering Friday, Cody Ross has four home runs in 43 at-bats against left-handed pitchers this season, and his career slugging percentage against lefties is .569.
Joe Mauer, C, Twins: Day-to-day, bruised quadriceps muscle. Mauer has not played since June 17, and he may not return to the lineup this weekend. Backup Drew Butera will likely replace him behind the dish.
Matt Joyce, OF, Rays: Out indefinitely, tightness in back. He has not played since Tuesday and may wind up on the DL. Ben Zobrist is expected to play right field in place of Joyce, while Jeff Keppinger will likely come off the DL Friday and be the regular second baseman.
Jose Valverde, RP, Tigers: Day-to-day, sprained wrist. He's not likely to pitch this weekend, leaving Joaquin Benoit as the most likely choice should a save opportunity arise.
Lucas Duda, OF, Mets: Day-to-day, tight hamstring. He hasn't played since Tuesday but should return at some point this weekend.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, Blue Jays: Day-to-day, sore right knee. He left Wednesday's game with his minor injury and hopes to return to the field on Friday.
Justin Smoak, 1B, Mariners: Day-to-day, sore right knee. He hasn't played since fouling a pitch off his knee on Tuesday but should return at some point this weekend, possibly even on Friday.
Don Kelly, OF, Tigers: Day-to-day, knee contusion. He was injured in Thursday's game attempting to make a catch and will likely miss at least a game or two.
John Jay, OF, and Matt Carpenter, 1B, Cardinals: Both ready to return on Friday after long stints on the DL. Jay (shoulder sprain) will reclaim his starting spot in center field, moving Skip Schumaker back to a utility role. Carpenter will split time with Allen Craig (who is battling a sore wrist) at first base.
Justin Upton, OF, Diamondbacks: Day-to-day, cramp in calf. He's not expected to miss any time with his lingering injury.
Matt Capps, RP, Twins: Day-to-day, right shoulder inflammation. He hasn't appeared in a game since June 15, but he should be available to pitch this weekend.
Anthony Bass, SP, Padres: Day-to-day, right shoulder inflammation. He left Wednesday's start early and it's unclear if he will be able to make his next scheduled start.
Mitch Moreland, 1B, Rangers: Day-to-day, strained left hamstring. He injured himself on Tuesday and it is unclear when he will return to action.
Joel Peralta, RP, Rays: Suspended eight games. He is appealing his suspension for having excessive pine tar on the inside of his glove.
Justin Maxwell, OF, Astros: Day-to-day, sprained left ankle. He was injured on Wednesday and did not play Thursday. He could return before the weekend is over, though.

