Ken Rosenthal says the Angels are interested in Rockies OF Matt Holliday, and that they'd probably have to get any trading partner to take Gary Matthews off their hands. That would be an interesting conversation. "Yep, we really like Holliday, and we have some prospects to deal. Also, we'd throw you Matthews back, too. What do we owe him? Only another $38 million. What's that? Through 2011, right. So, do we have a deal? Hello? Is anyone there? Hello???"
Who's off: Nobody
First pitch: The Nats and Marlins get the NL schedule going at 12:10 p.m. ET, while the Tigers and Twins have a 1:10 start in the AL. Here's the full schedule.
Pitcher to start:Matt Garza is a bad man, and he had another stellar start against the Sawx last night. Really, I'm at the point where I think I need to take him every fifth day no matter what. Today's choice is Fish righty Ricky Nolasco (11.5 percent owned), who has allowed just six earned runs and K'd 27 batters in his last 29 2/3 innings.
On to the news:
If you're a fan of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, head out to the park tonight and welcome your newest starter, Brett Myers, who was demoted by the Phillies yesterday thanks to a putrid 5.84 ERA. If you've been holding onto Myers because of his good strikeout rate - like a certain stubborn blogger you might know - he'll apparently be at Triple A for no more than 20 days due to contractual issues. The Phils are not planning to make Myers a reliever, even if some local media members don't think he should start anymore. It's possible that this move could be some sort of small karmic payback for ... something.
The Rays put Troy Percivalback on the DL due to his re-injured hamstring. Both local beat writers think the Rays will use a committee of Grant Balfour, Dan Wheeler and maybe J.P. Howell in Percival's absence, and Balfour got the four-out save last night.
Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera (hip flexor) pinch-hit last night, but the Detroit News says he won't start today and isn't "certain to get any starts" in the four-game series against the Mariners this weekend. It's not like Cabrera does anything besides hit, anyway, so can't they just let him play?
Rafael Furcal's back hurts again, and has no idea when he'll play again. I know, it's a huge shock. On the bright side in L.A. Hiroki Kuroda returns to the mound tonight after a DL stint.
The Braves activated OF Mark Kotsay from the DL, they apparently won't be sending 3B Chipper Jones there. Chipper, who appeared ready to sit for awhile longer with an injured quad, played last night and hit a double.
Mets SP John Maine said he had a "dead arm" on Monday, but doesn't think it's a big deal. You love to hear stuff like that about your fantasy players, don't you?
The Orioles put SS Alex Cintronon the DL with a strained hamstring. Brandon Fahey started last night, Freddie Bynum has been recalled, and manager Dave Trembley says the starter will be a game-by-game proposition. If any of these names affect your fantasy team, I'm very sorry, and I hope being in last place isn't ruining your summer.
Catcher J.R. Towles is back with the Astros after spending a month in the minors. He had five homers and three steals in 19 games at Triple A. Remember how overhyped Towles was at fantasy draft time? He could be a nice No. 2 backstop in the second half, especially since hardly anyone owns him now.
OF Eric Byrnes and C Chris Snyder are both on the DL for the D'backs. Conor Jackson played left field and Chad Tracy was at first last night, and that could happen a lot in Byrnes' absence. As for Snyder, I can't help but have extra sympathy for a guy whose injury is listed as "testicular fracture." Get well soon, Chris.
It sounds like Clay Buchholz will be back with the Red Sox shortly. He's widely available (15.1 percent owned), and posted a 1.63 ERA in eight Triple-A starts, even if he did walk too many batters. I'm recommending a buy on Buchholz.
