Roto Chronicles: American League, Aug. 4

It hasn’t been pretty since Buchholz’ recall from Pawtucket on July 11. He has four starts without a quality start to his credit. The best start was a 5.1-inning performance when he allowed three runs with seven strikeouts. Even in that start he was not great. He served up two home runs and put nine baserunners on. Overall, in these four starts, Buchholz has an 0-3 record and a 6.75 ERA. With all of this said, Buchholz is testing the patience of many fantasy owners while he struggles with his command. Buchholz’ BB/9 is a high 4.52. He also allows 12.3 percent home runs per flyball. Yet, his dominant stuff matched with groundball tendencies still teases us. One positive is that even with his struggles, his expected ERA is 3.86.

• John Danks, SP—CHW (DOWN) Are we starting to see the young pitcher begin to slow as his innings pitched total creeps closer to his career high of 156 innings from his 2005 minor-league season? Right now, Danks is at 130.2 innings, which is close to his 139 of last season and 140 from 2006. Over his past four starts, Danks has allowed 32 base hits, four of which have been home runs, in 23.2 innings. He is 1-0 over these starts, but his ERA of 6.85 and WHIP of 1.52 tell a better story of how ineffective he has been.

• Shaun Marcum, SP—TOR (DOWN) The remarkable start to the season of Shaun Marcum seems like forever ago. After going 5-4 with a 2.65 ERA through June 18, Marcum went to the disabled list with shoulder soreness before returning on July 22. The three starts since have been terrible. He has gone 0-1 with a 9.82 ERA, allowing 21 hits and five home runs in 14.2 innings. His strikeouts have also been non-existent, just seven to his seven walks. For the season, Marcum’s ERA now stands at 3.57, which is still below his expected ERA of 4.05. I would expect something of a turnaround soon, but don’t expect what you may have benefited from earlier this season.

 

INJURY REPORT

Bartolo Colon is nearing a return. He has thrown multiple side sessions with no setbacks and is ready to begin a rehab assignment this Tuesday. He will be back by the middle of August, maybe sooner.

Fans of Phillip Hughes should take notice. The much-ballyhooed prospect is set to start his rehab assignment this Tuesday. Hughes is recovering from fractured ribs suffered back in April when he was struggling with an ERA of 9.00. Should he succeed in his rehab, Hughes should be up in a few weeks and certainly give the Yankees an upgrade to the rotation.

With a lot less hype, Carl Pavano might actually pitch this season, though manager Joe Girardi says he is not expecting much from him. Pavano threw two scoreless innings in his first rehab appearance of the season. He is recovering from right elbow surgery.

Out since Spring Training, when his career was in jeopardy, Rocco Baldelli will likely return early this week. He will give added depth to the roster and will be utilized as a right-handed part of a right field and/or DH platoon, maybe more. He is a pickup in AL formats. Monitor in mixed leagues. Baldelli hit .257 with five home runs and 16 RBI in 24 minor-league rehab starts.

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