Here is a look at the latest news and notes from around the diamond to help you set your fantasy baseball lineup for week 7.
American League:
The Detroit Tigers waited as long as they could for Max Scherzer to turn it around, but after getting bombed again in his last start and allowing three more home runs, he was sent to Triple-A ad will be replaced in the rotation by Armando Galarraga. Galarraga had a 3.92 ERA in seven starts with 38 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings in the minor leagues.
The Detroit Tigers were not demoting players on Saturday as they also sent down second basemen Scott Sizemore. Danny Worth was recalled from the minor leagues as a temporary stop gap measure. Worth was hitting .274 with two home runs and 10 stolen bases. The real news is the announcement that Carlos Guillen will be going back to second base when he returns from the disabled list. This also solidifies Brennan Boesch’s role in the outfield since he had been filling in for Guillen while he was out of action.
Jack Cust (waiver wire – week 7) of the Oakland A’s was promoted from Triple-A and should see the majority of at bats at designated hitter moving forward as the A’s look to add some punch to their lineup. If your team is short on Power, Cust could give your team a boost in home runs while hurting your team batting average.
Javier Vazquez was on the week 7 two-start pitchers list until the New York Yankees decided to push him back to Friday against the New York Mets. Despite his good start this week, it seems like the Yankees brass did not trust him to throw in a divisional game against Boston or Tampa Bay earlier in the week.
The Tampa Bay Rays recalled Hank Blalock from Triple-A and sent out Pat Burrell. Blalock should take over the primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching. Blalock was hitting .349 with four home runs and 24 RBI in 109 at bats in Triple-A.
Justin Duchscherer just back from the disabled list was scratched from his start on Saturday with problems with his hip again and is headed to the doctor to see if surgery will be needed. Watch for news later today to see if you need to reserve him in your lineup for next week.
National League:
Xavier Paul could be back on his way to the Los Angeles Dodgers, depending on the fate of Andre Ethier’s fractured pinkie and if he can play through the injury. Paul would have value in NL only leagues as he can give your team some stolen bases when he gets playing time.
Just when it looked like Huston Street was close to returning, he was pulled from his minor league outing on Saturday. Manny Corpas who picked up a save Saturday night will continue on as closer for another week it looks like.
With Brad Lidge headed back to the disabled list, Jose Contreras takes over as closer in Philadelphia. Contreras picked up a save Saturday night and should be owned in all fantasy baseball leagues moving forward.
John Baker was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Florida Marlins and will be replaced in the line up by Ronny Paulino for the next two weeks.
The Atlanta Braves swapped players on the disabled list, bring off shortstop Yunel Escobar and placing Matt Diaz there. Escobar was back in the lineup on Saturday and wet 0-for-3 with a walk.
