MLB Quick Hits: Brewers lose SS Segura
The baseball gods clearly do not like the 2015 Milwaukee Brewers. SS Jean Segura has been placed on the DL due to a fractured right pinky that was suffered when he slid head first into third base on a Wednesday triple. Luis Sardinas has been recalled to replace Segura on the roster, and while he's the kind of player who could eventually steal 15-20 bases over a full season, he has no power, and he'll probably bat eighth in the order when he plays.
The 21-year-old Sardinas was batting .288 with six steals at Triple A, and should only be considered in NL-only leagues. Brew Crew Ball thinks the team will go with the "hot hand" from among Sardinas, Elian Herrera. and Hector Gomez. Zzzz ...
In other news ...
Kenley Jansen is expected to be activated tonight or tomorrow. With the Dodgers' bullpen having a rough week, Jansen could slide immediately into the closer's role.
Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki has started three games this week against mediocre lefties, and gone 2-for-14 with one RBI. Tulo and the Rox face Clayton Kershaw tonight, so he'll probably get four hits with a homer.
Padres 1B/OF Wil Myers missed a third straight game on Thursday due to tendinitis in his left wrist, and while his return date is uncertain, it sounds like he'll avoid the DL. Cory Spangenberg homered twice while filling in for Myers as Thursday's leadoff hitter; he's got an .846 OPS with a couple of homers and four steals in 68 plate appearances, and is owned in just 0.4 percent of FOXSports.com leagues.
Reds 2B Brandon Phillips missed another game Thursday due to a sprained left big toe, and his status is day to day.
Cardinals OF Jon Jay is on the DL with a wrist injury. Speedy Peter Bourjos (0.7 percent owned) led off in Jay's place on Thursday, and is an interesting deep-league option. Disclaimer: I had Bourjos tabbed as one of my favorite 2014 breakouts, and he was terrible.
Brewers 3B Aramis Ramirez (back) hopes to play tonight after a six-game absence.
The Mets expect to get OF Juan Lagares (chest muscle strain) back tonight after a three-game absence.
Yankees SP Chase Whitley left Thursday's game with an elbow injury. After the game, Whitley and manager Joe Girardi said that the pitcher has been dealing with the issue for awhile but didn't tell anyone, which is a plan of action that works out well approximately never. Lefty Chris Capuano will take Whitley's spot in the Yankee rotation.
The Rays have activated RP Jake McGee (elbow) from the DL. When asked about his closer situation on Thursday, manager Kevin Cash said, "I don't anticipate anybody assuming any role." Hang in there, Brad Boxberger owners. I think your guy will be fine.
The White Sox have sent rookie 2B Micah Johnson to the minors, so Carlos Sanchez becomes the everyday second baseman. Sanchez was batting .344 with a couple of homers and five stolen bases at Triple A prior to his promotion. AL-only owners should run to the free-agent wire to grab Sanchez, and some deep mixed leaguers might want to consider him as well.
Roenis Elias allowed just one run in 6 1/3 innings on Thursday, but struck out just two batters, permitted 10 baserunners and didn't get a win. The weekend selections are: White Sox rookie lefty Carlos Rodon (27.3 percent owned) tonight at Oakland; Tampa's Alex Colome (12.7 percent owned) on Saturday; and San Francisco's Chris Heston (29.9 percent owned) at Cincinnati on Sunday. Saturday's options are terrible, and Colome is the pick because the Twins struggle against righthanded pitchers. He's not exactly recommended, though.
DFS advice (salaries from DraftKings): Clayton Kershaw ($11,900) is expensive, but close to money in the bank against the Rockies ... If you want to spend on Kershaw, Rodon ($5,600) will be a nice, cheap sidekick ... If it's a mediocre LHP, then I'm starting Indians OF Ryan Raburn ($3,400) ... Ditto for Hanley Ramirez ($4,200) vs. J.A. Happ ... Rangers SS Elvis Andrus ($4,200) is a solid if pricey option against Indians LHP Bruce Chen ... Carlos Santana is a strong catcher option vs. Wandy Rodriguez, but he's $5,000. To save money, consider Colorado's Wilin Rosario ($3,100), who hits LHP well and has had reasonable success against Kershaw ... You can save money at third base with David Freese ($3,400) against soft-tossing O's LHP Wei-Yin Chen ... Let's hope the Dodgers play Alex Guerrero ($3,200) vs. Rockies' rookie Eddie Butler. Guerrero's price will rise soon, but until it does, look to roll with him often.
See you back here Monday morning.