Fantasy Baseball: Thursday News and Notes

With day-job duties calling throughout the course of the day and the morning especially, there is no time for stories today. Sure, there are plenty of things to talk about, and this space is pretty good when it comes to simply rambling on about inane subjects. Some days, though, everyone needs to make sure that they are doing enough to get the paycheck sent in white and not in pink. 

So today, we go right to the notes. 

Wednesday Rewind

• Milwaukee made sure that the headlines started with them early on. The Brewers demoted struggling shortstop J.J. Hardy and recalled shortstop Alcides Escobar. Hardy's numbers this season have simply been awful, leading some to believe that his back is still bothering him. Escobar was hitting .298 in AAA and certainly has the speed to be an immediate impact player in NL-only and deep mixed leagues.
• It was not vintage Pedro Martinez, but this was far from a poor performance last night in his first start of the season. Martinez worked five innings and gave up three earned runs in the process. He struck out five and allowed seven hits and a walk. Not bad overall. His velocity reached the low-90's, and he has some favorable matchups moving forward.
• Kevin Youkilis received a five-game suspension and decided against appealing the ban. While it sends him to the showers starting with last night's game, he will be eligible to play when the Yankees next come to town after missing the final two games against Detroit and the series against Texas. Mike Lowell will see more regular playing time through the weekend.
• Joba Chamberlain's next start will be on seven days of rest. Chamberlain is having his innings controlled by the Yankees so he does not burn out in the last month of the season and heading into the playoffs. He will next pitch against Oakland next Wednesday. Sergio Mitre is likely to get the start over the weekend in his place.
• Jordan Zimmermann is officially headed for Tommy John surgery. Although it had been reported through various sources over the course of the week, the Nationals announced yesterday that he will have the procedure next week. It is likely they look to be careful with the pitcher, and as a result he could miss most, if not all, of the 2010 season.
• So pitchers have decided that throwing Jason Bay fastballs is still a good way to get him out. Bay has now hit a home run in three consecutive games, and in four of his last five overall. As long as pitchers throw him fastballs, he is going to do just fine. He seems to be breaking out of a two-month slump, so enjoy it.
• All these non-Ubaldo Jimenez owners need to hop on the bandwagon before it gets full. Jimenez has held opponents to a BAA under .200 since July 1. He worked eight impressive innings last night, giving up just three hits and no runs in the process while striking out six. He recorded his 10th win of the season overall. Pitching in Colorado has not bothered him this season, as batters are hitting only .221 against him at home.
• Yahoo! Sports is reporting that the Brewers have claimed Doug Davis off waivers from Arizona. Milwaukee is in desperate need of pitching, and Davis has thrown the ball surprisingly well this season. He may have only seven wins, but his 3.62 ERA is solid, and his performances have been better than the numbers indicate.
• Hunter Pence now has multiple hit games in each of his last three starts, and is hitting .400 over his last 15 at-bats. Pence notched two home runs last night to go with six RBI, and is now sitting at .291 this season for Houston. He has struggled some in August, hitting just .256 to start the month, but seems to be getting ready for a mini-tear based on these last three starts.

Thursday Notes

• Carl Pavano has been roughed up by the Royals this season, having gone 1-2 with an 8.64 ERA in three starts. In 16.2 innings against them, Pavano has allowed 25 hits. While most of those came in one disaster of a start, he still gives up better than a hit an inning when the nine-run fiasco of June 10 is backed out.
• Gil Meche will return to the mound for the Twins on Thursday. Meche has been suffering from back problems that have largely limited him this season. He is expected to be held between 90 and 100 pitches, so no major limitation in that regard. Start your normal Twins, but note that Joe Crede, Jason Kubel, and Denard Span have really struggled. Michael Cuddyer on the other hand is 7-for-13.
• In a completely random, only-if-you-are-desperate type play, Esteban German has gone 8-for-9 against Jeremy Sowers for his career. Now, German hardly plays at all, but did get starts twice this month. Nelson Cruz believes he will be back in the lineup at DH today as well.
• Jack Wilson and Adrian Beltre have had no luck against C.C. Sabathia. Beltre has gone 0-for-10 while Wilson is only moderately better at 2-for-15. In a pinch, look for Kenji Johjima, as he is 5-for-8 against Sabathia. Sabathia pitched well in last start against Boston, but has been roughed up in his last two road outings.
• In his last five starts, Ryan Dempster has given up 37 hits in 28.2 innings of work. He has pitched well at home in picking up four wins against one loss, but his ERA is well over 4.00 in Chicago this season. Jimmy Rollins has the only track record, and he has hit .300 in 30 at-bats against Dempster.
• Paul Maholm on the road is a very different pitcher than the one who takes the mound at home. Maholm is 3-4 with a 5.79 ERA and .303 BAA in his road outings this year. Colorado is not likely to be kind to him. He gave up five runs on eight hits in five innings during his last time out in Denver this season.
• It may not be a pretty way to do it, but owners could garner a win through Manny Parra. The Brewers starter is 4-0 since returning on July 9, but has given up at least eight hits in each of his last four starts. The walks are better, and the home runs are fewer, but he still pitches to a lot of contact. High risk proposition, but owners in NL-only formats should take note.
• Victor Martinez has seen a fair amount of Justin Verlander. In 39 at-bats, the catcher has hit .278 with four home runs and nine RBI. The Tigers starter has not been very effective on the road, posting a 4.68 ERA in 13 starts away from home this season. J.D. Drew will be off today, according to the Boston Herald. In his place, Josh Reddick will get the start in right field. 
• Continue to avoid Bronson Arroyo at home, even against the Nationals. Arroyo's numbers have simply been awful in Cincinnati. He is 5-6 with a 4.71 ERA this season inside his own ballpark. He has given up at least three runs in each of his last four total outings, posting an ERA of 5.00 in that time.
• Spot Starts: Clay Buchholz, Jason Marquis

Friday Notes

• It would not be entirely surprising to see Gerald Laird in the lineup against Zack Greinke. Laird is 6-for-14 against the Royals starter. Placido Polanco remains a solid option as well, checking in at .371 in 35 at-bats. Otherwise, look to avoid most of your Tigers in this one. Greinke has held most of their lineup under .225.
• Kevin Millar and Aaron Hill will be the best options available for Toronto against James Shields. These are the only two regulars above .300 against the Tampa starter. Vernon Wells checks in at just .227 and Marco Scutaro is only 6-for-30 against Shields.
• Guarantee that Wandy Rodriguez is thrilled to have Corey Hart on the DL when he comes to town. Hart represented the only real threat against Rodriguez, as he was hitting .407 against him. Do not be concerned over the hamstring issue, as Rodriguez worked that out well during his last start.
• All your regular Indians should be in the lineup against Scott Baker. Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner have the best numbers against the starter, as both are well over .400 against him. Shin-Soo Choo and Jhonny Peralta would be the only two where owners might look for other options.
• The Dodgers are a team that has hit Dan Haren well. Casey Blake is at .345, Manny Ramirez is at .500, and Andre Ethier is hitting .450. All three have more than 20 at-bats against the starter. While Russell Martin and Orlando Hudson have struggled, all others should be in your lineup.
• Spot Starts: Justin Masterson, Randy Wells, Mat Latos

Collin Hager writes The Elmhurst Pub fantasy blog. You can get your questions answered by sending an email to [e-mail]. He's also on Twitter @TheRoundtable.