Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
The Washington Nationals will be looking for a new closer as Joel Hanrahan has been fired. He was given the opportunity to close out five games and blew saves in three of those. His ERA is an unhealthy 8.64. The team will look to use a closer by committee approach for a while, waiting to see if injured Joe Beimel can return and flourish.
Tuesday, one day after Hanrahan surrendered a game-losing grand slam, Manager Manny Acta said that his team would now finish games -- or at least try to finish them -- with a committee of relief pitchers that includes Julián Tavárez and Kip Wells, both signed in March to non-guaranteed minor league deals. Once Joe Beimel (left hip flexor) returns from the disabled list in the first week of May, he could either join the mix or claim the job for himself.
The closer situation in Colorado isn't quite that bad...yet. Manny Corpas, who just recently took over for foundering Huston Street, is in a bit of hot water himself. He took a loss last night after surrendering two hits and giving up the winning run in the ninth. Corpas is sporting an ERA at 6.10 while Street is still above that at 6.75. Keep an eye on this situation. But, with neither pitcher throwing well, do you really want either one on your fantasy roster?
Bits From the Boxscores:
- If you haven't had a chance to consider Russell Branyan for your first base, third base or corner infield needs off of the waiver wire you may want to take a look now. He went 5-5 in one of the game of the mariners double header yesterday and is now batting .358 with four home runs. He's available in83% of Yahoo fantasy leagues.
- Felix Hernandez struck out nine batter last night in eight innings of work to pick up his fourth win of the season. He extended his scoreless innings streak to 19.
- Chase Utley hit two home runs yesterday and now has seven on the season. He's batting .357 and doesn't seem to have any lingering effects from off-season hip surgery. How many of you took a gamble on him in early drafts in the second or third rounds and now are being paid dividends?
- The good news is that Jimmy Rollins has now hit safely in three consecutive games and eight of his last ten. The bad news is that he's still hitting .195 for the season and over the last week during this streak his average is only .240. He did steal his first base last night too. Let's hope this sparks a continued hitting trend and that some of these one-hit nights turn into multi-hit games.
- Kendry Morales hit two doubles last night and continued some hot hitting of late. Over the past week he's batting .364 with two home runs and eight RBI.
- Baltimore's Adam Jones hit his fourth home run of the season last night and is batting .351 on the season. His 23 runs scored are tied with teammate Nick Markakis for the most in Major League Baseball.
- There's nothing better for a young pitcher making his first start of the season than getting lots of run support. The Yankees scored Phil Hughes 11 runs but the pitcher only needed one. Over six innings, Hughes spread out two hits and didn't allow a run.
- Michael Bourn stole two bases last night and has six on the season. He has 50-plus stolen base potential and now that he's showing he can hit (.277 batting average) and get on base (.373 on-base percentage) he's actually rosterable in most leagues.
- Marlins first baseman Jorge Cantu blasted two hoe runs last night and now has five on the year. He's batting .357 with an OPS of 1.125.
- Trevor Hoffman recorded his first save of the season and number 555 of his career. He's officially the Brewers closer now that he's back from injury.
- Aaron Hill hit three singles last night raising his batting average to .371. He also drove in two runs and is one of only nine players in Major League Baseball with 20 or more RBI.
- Padres fourth outfielder Scott Hairston is 13-28 with three home runs and 10 RBI in his last seven games as a leadoff hitter. His batting average is nor .400 but he's not an every day player. If this changes, Hairston would make an excellent waiver wire addition.
The Afflicted: Maybe Cole Hamels should be placed in a protective bubble. He was forced to leave last night's game against the Nationals after spraining his ankle fielding a bunt. X-rays on the ankle were negative and Hamels thinks he'll make his next start. The Astros placed Jose Valverde on the disabled list with a right calf injury. This was the latest in a long string of unlucky ailments to afflict the closer. Gil Meche left the Royals game with back stiffness, an injury that he dealt with during Spring Training as well. Meche says he isn't worried, but just about everyone else seems to be. Reds third baseman Edwin Encarnacion hit the disabled list with a fractured wrist yesterday. Expect him to be gone about three weeks. Hanley Ramirez missed last night's action with a swollen hand. He is still listed as day-to-day.
Lineup Lock Time: First pitch today is 12:35 PM ET when the Los Angeles Angles play the Baltimore Orioles. There are, however, lots of day games today. Be prepared to get ready early.
Thursday's Ace in the Hole: Cardinals pitcher Mitchell Boggs will be the next starting pitcher with the benefit of hitting the mound against the Washington Nationals. In his first start of the season he allowed one unearned run and six hits with three strikeouts and a walk to collect the win.
