The Treatment Room
Cubs activate OF Alfonso Soriano
Cubs activated outfielder Alfonso Soriano from the 15-day disabled list. Soriano said himself that his quad was only at 90% so don’t expect him to steal many bases down the stretch.
Mets activate OF Endy Chavez
Mets activated outfielder Endy Chavez from the 15-day disabled list. Chavez missed more than 2 1/2 months with a partially torn hamstring. Chavez will get the odd start in the outfield but will mainly be used as a defensive substitute/pinch runner.
Brewers place RHP Claudio Vargas on the DL
Brewers placed RHP Claudio Vargas on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 25, with a sore back. Vargas’ roster spot was taken by a retuning Ben Sheets so it’s unlikely that Vargas will return to the rotation.
Brewers activate RHP Ben Sheets
Brewers activated RHP Ben Sheets from the 15-day disabled list. Sheets threw six innings of one run ball while striking out two in his returning start against the Cubs.
Royals place 1B Ryan Shealy on the DL
Royals placed first baseman Ryan Shealy on the 60-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Shealy was expected to be a factor at first base during the final month, but a setback suffered this week has ended his season. This could mean that that veteran Craig Brazell will get a look in September. The Royals may now give Billy Butler some playing time at 1B.
Royals activate DH Mike Sweeney
Royals activated designated hitter Mike Sweeney from the 15-day disabled list. It looks like the plan is for Sweeney to start three or four times per week, with Billy Butler moving to first base when Sweeney is in the lineup.
Cardinals place 3B Scott Rolen on the DL
Cardinals placed third baseman Scott Rolen on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 29, with a sore left shoulder. After a scan on the shoulder, the Cardinals decided it was best for Rolen to have season-ending surgery.
Angels activate C Mike Napoli
Angels activated catcher Mike Napoli from the 15-day disabled list.
Napoli, still limited by a strained hamstring, is at least a few days away from getting back behind the dish. Jeff Mathis will continue to start in his place.
Rockies activate OF Willy Taveras
Rockies activated outfielder Willy Taveras from the 15-day disabled list.
Taveras will return as the Rockies’ starting center fielder. Still, he should get more days off than usual as the team tries to avoid another setback with his quad.
Mets activate RHP Pedro Martinez
Mets activated pitcher Pedro Martinez from the 60-day disabled list. The greatest pitcher of our generation returns after a year on the DL just in time for the Mets and your stretch run. The Mets will baby Pedro for a while and he is on a 75 pitch limit for his first start Monday against the Reds. Normally I wouldn’t advise activating a starting pitcher after such a long lay off, but Pedro is not a normal pitcher–activate him immediately and enjoy watching him collect his 3000th strikeout.
Transactions
Dodgers sign RHP Estaban Loaiza off waivers
Dodgers claimed RHP Esteban Loaiza off waivers from the Athletics. Loaiza ended up going 12-9 with a 4.62 ERA in 26 starts after signing a three-year contract with Oakland. Loaiza’s arrival will push Eric Stults back to the bullpen, giving the Dodgers a rotation of Brad Penny, Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley, Loaiza and David Wells. Randy Wolf will be a reliever if he returns in September.
Braves call up 1B/PH Julio Franco
Braves purchased the contract of first baseman Julio Franco from Triple-A Richmond. Franco will serve as the Braves main pinch hitter the rest of the way.
Red Sox call up OF Jacoby Ellsbury
Red Sox recalled outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury from Triple-A Pawtucket. With Manny, Drew and Kielty all carrying slight knocks it looks like Ellsbury will get a decent amount of playing time. Ellsbury is a good pick up to make if you need speed and runs.
Red Sox call up RHP Clay Buchholz
Red Sox recalled RHP Clay Buchholz from Triple-A Pawtucket. Despite throwing an unbelievable no hitter in just his second rookie start Buchholz’s spot in the rotation is by no means a certainty; at the moment it looks like a toss up between him and Lester.
Cubs call up SS Ronny Cedeno
Cubs recalled infielder Ronny Cedeno from Triple-A Iowa. Ryan Theriot is struggling of late, so there should be some playing time available for Cedeno at shortstop. He might yet prove to be the Cubbies’ best option at the position.
Indians call up OF Ben Francisco
Indians recalled outfielder Ben Francisco from Triple-A Buffalo.
Francisco has hit .273/.313/.545 in 44 at-bats for Cleveland this season. He could get some starts against lefties this month.
Mets call up RHP Mike Pelfrey
Mets recalled RHP Mike Pelfrey from Triple-A New Orleans. Pelfrey started Saturday against the Braves and pitched very well, surrendered just one run, striking out seven and walking three. There’s a good chance he’ll get another start next week with Orlando Hernandez hurting.
Yankees call up RHP Ian Kennedy
There’s a good chance he’ll get another start next week with Orlando Hernandez hurting. Kennedy took Mike Mussina’s spot in the rotation and after a solid start Saturday it looks like he will keep it.
Red Sox call up LHP Jon Lester
Red Sox recalled LHP Jon Lester from Double-A Portland. Lester held the Orioles to two runs in six-plus innings on Sunday. Lester will probably get a few more starts before the Red Sox decide on whether to give the starting job to him or Buchholz.
Dodgers call up 3B Andy La Roche
Dodgers recalled third baseman Andy LaRoche from Triple-A Las Vegas.
LaRoche is finally healthy enough to take over at third base with Nomar Garciaparra sidelined. He’ll probably remain the Dodgers’ best option even if Garciaparra can make it back at 100 percent.
Twins call up RHP Kevin Slowey
Twins recalled RHP Kevin Slowey from Triple-A Rochester.
Slowey will face the Indians on Tuesday. It’s only supposed to be a spot start, but he figures to get at least a couple of more before the end of the month
WHO’S HOT & WHO’S NOT
HOT
Jimmy Rollins- Jimmy Rollins is creeping towards the end of the first round and if he haves a few more hot streaks like last week he might crack it. Rollins went 15-28(.536) with 3 HR, 7RBI, 9R and 3 steals.
Carl Crawford- Crawford had a great past week and after knocking in seven runs he looks certain to set a career high in RBI. Crawford hit .355 with 7RBI, 7R and 5 SB.
Carlos Pena- Another week another four homeruns for Carlos Pena. Pena now leads all AL 1st basemen in homeruns, rbi , slugging% and runs scored. Pena hit .304 with 4HR,10 RBI and 7R last week.
NOT
Luis Castillo- Castillo struggled last week hitting just .052 without scoring or driving in a single run.
Barry Bonds- Bonds had a disappointing end to a surprisingly good August. Bonds registered only one hit last week and didn’t drive in or score any runs to leave his August numbers at .305,7HR, 15RBI, 17R
The Week Ahead- Who to Pick Up & Who to Avoid
PICK UP
New York Mets- The Mets play six games this week against two of the NL Centrals weakest teams. They open the week with three road games against the Reds and finish it with three at home against the manager-less Astros. Aaron Harang and Roy Oswalt will be the only pitchers the Mets face with an ERA under 4.50.
Detroit Tigers- Detroit plays six home games this week, three each against the White Sox and Mariners. Even without Sheff the Tigers should be able to plate plenty of runs against a White Sox team that has clearly given up and the fading Mariners have an ERA of 6.49 over the past seven days.
AVOID
Arizona Diamondbacks- The D-backs play six crucial home games this week against fellow playoff contenders, the Padres and the Cardinals. They open up the week against the trio of Chris Young, Greg Maddux and Jake Peavy and then face a Cardinal staff that has the second-best ERA in the majors over the past month.