The utility infielder, making $925,000 this season, batted .270/.304/.389 with a .693 OPS in 344 plate appearances last season. He can be ignored in NL-only formats.
Arias slashing .205/.262/.205 through 43 PA
Joaquin Arias | SF
(May 24, 2013 1:23 AM EDT)
Joaquin Arias has been one of baseball's worst hitters, slashing .205/.262/.205 through 43 plate appearances.
Frasor owns a 3.65 ERA in 1st year for Texas
Jason Frasor | TEX
(May 24, 2013 1:19 AM EDT)
Jason Frasor has tallied a 3.65 ERA through 17 appearances in his first season for the Rangers.
Signed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract in early January, Frasor has improved upon 2012's disappointing campaign for the Blue Jays, where he posted a rough 4.12 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across 43-plus innings of relief. Frasor owns a 13/5 K/BB ratio and 1.29 WHIP through 12 1/3 frames.
Horst struggling mightily in Philly bullpen
Jeremy Horst | PHI
(May 24, 2013 1:14 AM EDT)
Jeremy Horst has not carried over his success from 2012, posting a 5.09 ERA and 1.58 WHIP over 17 2/3 innings.
Luckily for him, Philly's bullpen depth is poor. A lack of attractive alternative options will only save Horst's job for so long, however, if he keeps getting lit up at this rate. Horst posted a 1.74 ERA over 44 games in limited time the last two seasons, which is probably why the Phillies have given him as much rope as they have.
Ottavino has a 2.01 ERA in 14 games for Rox
Adam Ottavino | COL
(May 24, 2013 1:08 AM EDT)
Adam Ottavino boasts a 2.01 ERA over 22 1/3 relief innings for the Rockies.
Ottavino has pitched exceedingly well as a swingman, posting a 24/5 K/BB rate and 1.12 WHIP in 14 appearances. As a 27-year-old, he appears likely to remain in the majors over the duration of an entire season for the first time in his career.
Valverde works perfect frame, earns 5th save
Jose Valverde | DET
(May 24, 2013 12:50 AM EDT)
Jose Valverde worked a scoreless ninth inning against the Twins on Thursday, striking out two and earning his fifth save of the season.
Papa Grande -- unwanted by 30 teams a month and a half ago -- has been lethal out of the back end of Detroit's bullpen. Through 11 innings, he has a 0.82 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 10/4 K/BB rate. He's only given up two hits and one run.
Porcello pounded for 5 runs and 10 hits
Rick Porcello | DET
(May 24, 2013 12:45 AM EDT)
Rick Porcello was chased by the Twins for five runs on 10 hits over five innings Thursday, but escaped with a no-decision when Detroit mounted a late comeback.
He struck out two and walked one. Porcello was 0-2 with an 11.08 ERA on April 20 before a solid four-game stretch lowered his earned run average to 5.92. It's back up to 6.28, courtesy of the toothless Minnesota offense. Gamble on Porcello at your own risk Tuesday, when he has a date against the Pirates.
Miggy Cabrera runs homer streak to four games
Miguel Cabrera | DET
(May 24, 2013 12:37 AM EDT)
Miguel Cabrera continued to torment major league pitching Thursday, going 2-for-3 with another homer in a comeback win against the Twins.
He also walked twice. Now on a four-game home run streak, Cabrera is 9-for-15 (.600) with five walks, a double, six homers, 13 RBI and nine runs during that stretch. He's first in the AL in batting average (.391), second in homers (14), and first in RBI (55), runs (39), slugging percentage (.701) and OPS (1.168). He's only eighth in walks (25) at the moment, but he'll be gifted plenty more of those as teams realize it's an awful idea to throw Cabrera a hittable pitch at the moment.
Willingham jacks two homers in loss to Tigers
Josh Willingham | MIN
(May 24, 2013 12:25 AM EDT)
Josh Willingham blasted two homers and collected four RBI in Thursday's loss to the Tigers.
It was his first multi-hit game of May. Despite an anemic batting average (.212), The Hammer is getting on base (.368) at a percentage better than his career mark (.362). Willingham is fifth in the American League with 27 walks. Despite recent struggles, he has a four-game hitting streak and three long flies during those contests. Now is probably the time to buy low.
Diamond gives up 3 runs in no-decision vs DET
Scott Diamond | MIN
(May 24, 2013 12:20 AM EDT)
Scott Diamond surrendered three runs on nine hits and a walk over 5 2/3 frames in a no-decision loss Thursday to the Tigers.
He struck out five. Diamond allowed a two-run homer to Miguel Cabrera and spent the rest of the evening dancing out of self-inflicted danger. Diamond was 3-2 with a 3.03 on May 7. Over his last three starts, he's allowed 15 earned runs and five homers over 15 2/3 innings. Diamond's control is almost as worrisome as the baseballs he's watched fly into the stands. Usually a southpaw with plus command, Diamond has walked seven and struck out just six in his last three outings.
Santana walks four times in win over Boston
Carlos Santana | CLE
(May 24, 2013 12:02 AM EDT)
Carlos Santana went 1-for-2 with four walks in Thursday's blowout win against the Boston.
He also scored three runs. Santana owners enjoyed a spectacular April out of their star catcher and then suffered through a rough May prior to Wednesday (182/.316/.333). In Cleveland's last two games, Santana is 3-for-6 with a homer, five walks, two RBI and four runs. He's third in the AL in walks (29) and fourth in OPS (.975).