Every MLB Team's Pitcher in Danger of Losing His Job

As the mid-summer classic quickly approaches, there are a number of MLB teams finally hitting their strides and either working their way towards the top of their respective divisions, or gaining separation if they're already there.

A brief layoff is probably the worst thing that could happen to players on a tear, as momentum can be a key to a good season.

With some of these pitchers, a layoff might be just what the doctor ordered, as a number of them still haven't figured out their issues and continue to underperform when they take the mound.

Arizona Diamondbacks: J.J. Putz

After a strong 2011 campaign in which J.J. Putz posted a 2.17 ERA and WHIP below 1.000, he returned to the Arizona Diamondbacks this season in hopes of a repeat performance.

He's managed 13 saves in 25 appearances this season but has lost four games and seen his ERA climb to 5.25.

Atlanta Braves: Mike Minor

This past spring training, it seemed like there may have been room for some conflict in the Atlanta Braves' dugout as starting pitcher Mike Minor seemed adamant about leaving if not given a spot in the rotation.

Minor got his spot in the rotation and has given the team a 3-6 record and ERA north of 6.00 in return, winning only one game since April 19.

Baltimore Orioles: Tommy Hunter

The Baltimore Orioles have surprised many this year with their strong start to the season, and while some new additions to the rotation have stepped up to the plate, Tommy Hunter has failed to produce.

He's posted a 6.05 ERA during the month of June, and with opposing batters hitting nearly .300 against him, it's no surprise he's managed only three wins in 13 starts this season.

Boston Red Sox: Alfredo Aceves

As the Boston Red Sox look to inch towards the top of the AL East, the team is certainly taking on a different look with Kevin Youkilis traded to the White Sox and other moves likely to be made.

Alfredo Aceves has yet to log a win in 2012, with an 0-4 record and ERA around 4.50. He's blown three save opportunities so far this year while posting a higher WHIP than any point in his career.

Chicago Cubs: Carlos Marmol

Control is a premium for relief pitchers hoping to make a positive impact for their team, so it's no surprise that Carlos Marmol has been a disappointment on the mound in 2012.

Walking nearly 11 batters per nine innings, he's got a WHIP above 2.000 and and ERA nearing 6.00.

Chicago White Sox: Gavin Floyd

With the Chicago White Sox holding on to a slim lead in the AL Central, the team can't afford many hiccups along the way if they hope to make their way back to postseason play.

Gavin Floyd has been a part of trade talks since last winter, and while the team may not look to move him if they continue to sit atop the division, they'll need him to improve on his 5-7 record and ERA that's currently north of 5.00.

Cincinnati Reds: Mike Leake

With the Cincinnati Reds in the thick of things in the NL Central race this season, they'll need all the help they can get from their starting rotation as their offense holds up its end of the bargain.

They have a number of formidable starters, but Mike Leake has struggled a bit, going 2-5 in 14 starts this season while allowing nearly three walks per nine innings and striking out only five.

Cleveland Indians: Jeanmar Gomez

The Cleveland Indians once again find themselves in the thick of things in the AL Central, and as they contemplate making changes at the deadline to give themselves the final pieces for a postseason push, they'll first need to assess what they have in house.

Jeanmar Gomez has given the Indians just four wins in 13 starts this season, and with opponents batting nearly .300 against him over his career, he'll need to step it up if he wants to help along the way.

Colorado Rockies: Jeremy Guthrie

Having spent virtually his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles, Jeremy Guthrie has had his share of both successes and struggles.

He's led the league in losses a couple times in the past few years, and it hasn't all gone as planned for Guthrie in Colorado, as he's gone 3-6 with an ERA approaching 7.00.

Detroit Tigers: Max Scherzer

While the Detroit Tigers have still plenty of time to work their way up to the expectations that they built for themselves coming into the season, they'll either need to add some additional pitching or count on improved play from their existing staff.

Max Scherzer has been a relatively consistent Tiger throughout his career, but this season finds himself with a WHIP approaching 1.500. While he has a winning record at 6-5, he hasn't lived up to expectations.

Houston Astros: Fernando Rodriguez

The Houston Astros didn't come into the 2012 season with much in the way of expectations, and Fernando Rodriguez certainly hasn't done anything to change that.

He's made 32 appearances so far this season and posted a 6.28 ERA while losing seven games and walking a high number of batters.

Kansas City Royals: Jonathan Sanchez

When the San Francisco Giants sent Jonathan Sanchez to Kansas City in exchange for Melky Cabrera, the Royals got a relatively established pitcher that was poised to help a young roster do big things in the AL Central.

He's been somewhat of a disappointment this season, however, going 1-3 in nine starts, walking more batters than he's struck out as he's seen his ERA climb above 6.00 for the first time in his career.

Los Angeles Angels: Ervin Santana

At 4-8 with a 4.92 ERA, Ervin Santana would probably still be a formidable starting pitcher for a number of rotations.

In the case of the Los Angeles Angels, he owns the pitching staff's highest ERA and is striking out fewer batters per nine innings (while walking more) than any starter.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Nathan Eovaldi

At just 22 years old, Nathan Eovaldi is no doubt still working to transition to life in the major leagues, and the Los Angeles Dodgers certainly hope he can figure things out sooner rather than later.

He's made six starts for the Dodgers this season, losing four of them, including a game in which he gave up eight runs to the San Francisco Giants.

Miami Marlins: Edward Mujica

With a very busy offseason out of the way, the Miami Marlins finally got down to business this spring and had expectations for big things.

They've been a disappointment as of late as they find themselves in last place in the NL East, something Edward Mujica hasn't done much to change, going 0-3 in 31 appearances and posting a 4.64 ERA.

Milwaukee Brewers: Randy Wolf

The Milwaukee Brewers are still in the NL Central race, and with some help in the starting rotation, they may be able to creep up the standings.

Randy Wolf has never really been the staple of consistency for the Brewers, and 2012 is no exception, as he's off to a 2-5 start and has been walking nearly as many batters as he's struck out.

Minnesota Twins: Anthony Swarzak

The Minnesota Twins find themselves with the worst pitching staff in the American League, so there are really a number of pitchers that could be out of work if their play keeps up.

Anthony Swarzak has struggled to get his game going in both the starting rotation as well as the bullpen and is seeing fewer and fewer opportunities come his way.

New York Mets: Jon Rauch

At 6'11'', Jon Rauch may be an intimidating figure on the mound, but his performance doesn't nearly approach his lofty height.

He had a winning record out of the bullpen in Toronto last season but is just 3-7 so far for the New York Mets in 2012.

New York Yankees: Freddy Garcia

Freddy Garcia has been in the league for quite some time but, as is often the case, has seen his productivity decline as he's aged.

He's in his second season with the New York Yankees and has been used in the rotation as well as the bullpen, posting a 1-2 record and 6.91 ERA.

Oakland Athletics: Brian Fuentes

After moving to the Oakland Athletics for the 2011 season, Brian Fuentes was a relatively consistent member of the pitching staff, posting a sub 4.00 ERA despite going just 2-8.

He's seen his ERA balloon to nearly 7.00 in 2012 and has blown three save opportunities.

Philadelphia Phillies: Joe Blanton

With the Philadelphia Phillies facing the prospect of becoming sellers at this year's trade deadline, the team will no doubt have some decisions to make, not the least of which is their starting rotation.

Considering how much power they've had in their rotation over the years, it's no surprise that Joe Blanton would be the odd man out, comparatively speaking.

He's struggled to get things moving this year, and though he has a winning record to his name, he's a name that could be moved this summer.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Charlie Morton

With the Pittsburgh Pirates in the thick of things in the NL Central race this season, they'd love to get some improved performance from Charlie Morton as they look to make a return to postseason play.

Morton is 2-6 in nine starts this season with an ERA approaching 5.00 as he's watched his strike out numbers diminish over previous seasons.

San Diego Padres: Brad Brach

He may just be seeing his first real action in the major leagues, and while Brad Brach does possibly have the potential to be an impact pitcher in the league, he's gotten off to a relatively slow start in 2012, with nearly a walk per inning to his name and an ERA over 4.00 in 27 relief appearances.

San Francisco Giants: Tim Lincecum

As one of the most dominant pitchers in the game over the past handful of years, it's really been a surprise to see Tim Lincecum struggle as much as he has recently on the mound.

He won his last start against the Oakland Athletics, marking his first win in nearly two months. With an ERA nearly double his career average, it'd be hard to believe he could find his way out of the rotation, but the Giants certainly hope he can turn things around sooner rather than later.

Seattle Mariners: Kevin Millwood

On his seventh career ballclub, Kevin Millwood is definitely a journeyman-type pitcher as he makes appearances for the Seattle Mariners for the first time in 2012.

He had a decent enough season in Colorado in 2011, but he has seen his walk rate nearly triple since then and has won only three of his 14 starts this season.

St. Louis Cardinals: Marc Rzepczynski

Marc Rzepczynski was a relatively consistent reliever last season after transitioning away from his starting role in Toronto during the first two years of his career.

He's fought his arm a bit this year, however, giving up more than 11 hits per nine innings as his ERA has climbed above 5.00 for the first time in his career.

Tampa Bay Rays: J.P. Howell

The Tampa Bay Rays will always rely on good pitching to get them through the tough AL East schedule, as the bats they face on a nightly basis are enough to intimidate any staff.

J.P. Howell first showcased how good he could be with the Rays in 2008, when he went 6-1 with a 2.22 ERA and nearly 10 strikeouts per nine innings.

He's regressed since then, and this year finds himself 0-1 with an ERA around 5.00 in 28 appearances.

Texas Rangers: Scott Feldman

Atop the AL West division once again in 2012, the Texas Rangers need help from all facets of their roster if they hope to hold off the Los Angeles Angels and earn another shot at a World Championship.

With all the great pitchers they have on their staff, Scott Feldman would be wise to take some pointers, as he's just 1-6 this year, seeing action from both the rotation and the bullpen.

Toronto Blue Jays: Francisco Cordero

The Toronto Blue Jays signed Francisco Cordero to bolster their bullpen on the heels of his impressive 2011 season in which he went 5-3 with a 2.45 ERA with the Cincinnati Reds.

He's struggled some in 2012, however, seeing his walk numbers increase with his ERA, which is nearly double what it was a year ago.

Washington Nationals: Henry Rodriguez

The upstart Washington Nationals are one of the best stories in baseball in 2012 and certainly appear primed to shock the rest of the NL East for the rest of the season.

They have a number of great arms on their staff, though some areas could definitely use some improvement.

Henry Rodriguez has barely made 100 appearances during his career, so they'll hope he can mature in a hurry as he looks to improve on his control issues that have pushed his ERA north of 5.00.