We go around baseball's pitching staffs and Fantasy two-start pitcher options every Sunday of the season in our weekly Pitching Planner.
Staff reflections
Arizona Diamondbacks: LHP Randy Johnson threw in the outfield Friday but isn't close to returning to the rotation, manager Bob Melvin said. Johnson, who has a herniated disk in his back, was eligible to come off the disabled list Saturday. This is his third stint on the DL this year. RHP Yusmeiro Petit is likely to remain in Johnson's spot in the rotation and will probably start Tuesday at Milwaukee. Consider Petit a sleeper in deeper NL-only leagues, especially with the two starts. Fellow rookie Micah Owings is a two-start sleeper in deeper leagues, too.
Atlanta Braves: RHP John Smoltz said he is confident he'll be ready to move back into Atlanta's rotation when he comes off the DL on Wednesday. Smoltz went on the 15-day disabled list on July 6, retroactive to July 3, because of inflammation in his right shoulder. Smoltz is listed as the Braves' probable starter Wednesday against Cincinnati. "If Wednesday's not the day, it's not the end of the world," Smoltz said. Smoltz will likely take the rotation spot of Jo-Jo Reyes, who perhaps makes his final start Tuesday. Reyes could outpitch Kyle Davies or Buddy Carlyle and stick around, though. Smoltz should start before the end of the week, while Reyes, Davies and Carlyle are risky options for deeper leagues. Davies should be a two-start pitcher, unless he pitches himself to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Steve Trachsel (strained gluteus muscle) made a rehab start Saturday with Class A Frederick and could return to the rotation this week. With Trachsel's probable return and days off Thursday and the following Monday, Brian Burres and Garrett Olson (Sunday's starter) might not pitch in Fantasy Week 16 (July 16-22). Burres will return to the bullpen if Olson proves rotation worthy, but the No. 5 spot won't be needed after they start Sunday and Monday, respectively. With the day off and the likely No. 5 starter skipping, Jeremy Guthrie would be in line for a two-start week. Consider this all speculation on an educated guess. No, we didn't take Rotations 101 in college, but what we have here makes sense and should guide your lineup decisions with the O's starters.
Boston Red Sox: Curt Schilling (shoulder) might start a rehab assignment next weekend. When ready, he will take the rotation spot of struggling Julian Tavarez or rookie Kason Gabbard, who could be pitching himself into trade bait before the trade deadline. By the way, the Red Sox promoted pitching prospect Clay Buchholz to Triple-A, where he will make his turn every fifth day with Jon Lester. One of those two elite prospects could be insurance for Schilling or candidates to replace Gabbard or Tavarez, if they're traded. Buchholz and Lester are too good to trade, so don't hope for them to arrive unless it's with the Red Sox later in the second half. Gabbard and Tim Wakefield are two-start sleepers in deeper leagues.
Chicago Cubs: RHP Kerry Wood faced three batters in an Arizona Rookie League game Saturday and struck them all out in a 14-pitch outing. He has been on the DL all season because of a sore shoulder and will return as a middle reliever, when (if) healthy sometime in the second half. This week all five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitchers Rich Hill and Sean Marshall.
Chicago White Sox: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitchers John Danks and Jon Garland.
Cincinnati Reds: LHP Bobby Livingston is scheduled to be called up from Triple-A Louisville to start Monday night in Atlanta. He will be a two-start pitcher along with Bronson Arroyo. Livingston is taking the rotation spot of Homer Bailey, who was sent to the minors to stay on a regular schedule during the All-Star break, but Bailey was beat up in his last Triple-A outing and will likely stay there for a few more turns. Livingston is a risky option for the deepest of NL-only leagues at this point, especially because he is not a prospect and will be pitching for a team with a poor supporting cast.
Cleveland Indians: LHP C.C. Sabathia (12-3) and RHP Fausto Carmona (10-4) are the first pair of Cleveland pitchers in 51 years to win 10 or more games by the All-Star break. Hall of Famers Early Wynn (10-4) and Bob Lemon (10-6) did it in 1956. They are solid one-start options this week. The two-start pitchers are Cliff Lee and Paul Byrd, both of which are options for deeper leagues because of the matchups and the solid supporting cast in Cleveland.
Colorado Rockies: Taylor Buchholz rejoins the rotation in time for a two-start week. He will be pitching in place of Jason Hirsh (ankle), who might not get his rotation spot back initially in late July if Buchholz pitches well. Hirsh might start a rehab assignment the same night as Buchholz, so the Rockies will evaluate that rotation spot on a start-to-start basis. Josh Fogg is also a two-start pitcher option, but one only useful in the deepest of NL-only leagues.
Detroit Tigers: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Nate Robertson.
Florida Marlins: The injury-plagued Marlins are seeking a fifth starter heading out of the All-Star break. The team will be forced to make a roster move Tuesday to fill the void, manager Fredi Gonzalez said. Rick Vanden Hurk is getting the call. It might be a one-shot deal, because RHP Josh Johnson (forearm) threw for the first time Friday since being placed on the 15-day DL July 4 because of stiffness in his right forearm. It went so well, he will throw again Tuesday and could be a candidate to return to the rotation thereafter. Don't consider Johnson for Fantasy Week 16 (July 16-22) -- he's too risky -- but take the flier now if he indeed can return and pitch to his intriguing potential. Byung-Hyun Kim will be a two-start pitcher if he doesn't pitch himself into the bullpen after his start Monday.
Houston Astros: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Woody Williams. Use him in deeper NL-only leagues. Despite a day off Thursday, there shouldn't be any skipping of the Astros' top starters.
Kansas City Royals: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Brian Bannister. He's an option in deeper leagues. There shouldn't be any skipping of the Royals' top starters -- although Jorge De La Rosa left Sunday's game with a sprained thump and a day off Thursday would allow him to miss a start. Keep the high-risk starter reserved in all leagues.
L.A. Angels of Anaheim: RHP Ervin Santana, the only member of the Angels' starting rotation with a losing record, had a bullpen session this weekend that he hopes will help turn things around. He is 5-10 with a 5.97 ERA, and entered Saturday having allowed the most home runs (23), runs (75) and earned runs (69) in the majors. But manager Mike Scioscia insisted he is not going to be on a short leash, or that he should be looking over his shoulder at a possible demotion to the bullpen. "We're not going to talk about stuff like that," Scioscia said. "I mean, we'll always evaluate things. Obviously, with any player, if there's options that come up that are going to make you a better team, you consider them at that time. But our goal is to get Ervin where he needs to be." Santana will be the team's lone two-start pitcher in Fantasy Week 16 (July 16-22). He's a decent option in deeper leagues, but he will be on the road -- where he has been terrible this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers: LHP Mark Hendrickson pitched two innings of relief this weekend and picked up a victory. Earlier in the game, Hendrickson threw a side session as he prepares for his scheduled start Tuesday against Philadelphia. "He's fine. He hadn't pitched since last Sunday," manager Grady Little said. "He will be fine for the start on Tuesday." RHP Brett Tomko could remain the No. 5 starter for another turn or two as Randy Wolf (shoulder) and Hong-Chih Kuo (elbow) work their way back off the DL. Neither is expected back in the coming weeks. Tomko is a risky option for the deepest of NL-only leagues. Hendrickson and Brad Penny (finger) are the Dodgers' two-start pitchers.
Milwaukee Brewers: Ben Sheets (sprained finger) might not make his start this week, which means phenom Yovani Gallardo could start in his place. Track this news right up to the roster deadline, but reserve Sheets in any league you have reserves. Gallardo is an intriguing spot starter in any format if Sheets indeed cannot go. We don't think he will, for at least one start. Again, that educated guess thing. Dave Bush and Claudio Vargas, the two starters trying to hold off Gallardo's challenge for a rotation spot, are two-start pitchers for deeper leagues.
Minnesota Twins: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Matt Garza.
New York Mets: RHP Jorge Sosa will be ready to start Monday. He said his strained left hamstring is better. Mike Pelfrey, who made his first relief appearance Friday night, would have started in his place. Pelfrey relieved an ineffective John Maine on Friday night, the first relief appearance of his professional career. Sosa is a two-start sleeper for deeper leagues, as is Orlando Hernandez. Pedro Martinez (shoulder) should resume throwing in the coming days and could start a rehab assignment for a few starts before a potential mid-August return.
New York Yankees: Manager Joe Torre made a special effort to watch Kei Igawa's bullpen session and came away impressed. The struggling left-hander (2-2, 7.14 ERA) will make his next start Monday against Toronto. "Hopefully, that carries over to Monday," Torre said. "I'm looking forward to Monday." The Yankees need a No. 6 starter with a Saturday doubleheader. There are some candidates, one of which could take Igawa's rotation spot if they pitch well enough. RHP Darrell Rasner (broken right index finger) has resumed a throwing program, but he won't be ready for anything but a rehab assignment by then. He threw at 75 feet in his third session. RHP Phil Hughes (sprained left ankle) made his second rehab start Friday night at Double-A Trenton and isn't someone the Yankees will rush back at this point. RHP Jeff Karstens (broken right leg) gave up one run and four hits over five innings for Class A Staten Island in his second minor league rehab start and could be an option but he isn't necessarily on the proper schedule at this point. Chase Wright and Tyler Clippard are the leading Triple-A options. Ignore that No. 6 spot until something is announced and then watch their start in case they steal Igawa's spot -- until Hughes can return in August at least. Igawa and Andy Pettitte are the Yankees' two-start pitchers.
Oakland Athletics: The A's have announced red-hot Dallas Braden, who has struck out 18 batters in his past 10 2/3 innings in Triple-A, will join their rotation. Consider him a two-start sleeper in deeper AL-only leagues. That fill-in starter might not make a second start this week, because a Thursday day off would allow that spot to be skipped. Chad Gaudin would pick up a second start this week in that event, which is perhaps a good reason to start Gaudin in deeper leagues.
Philadelphia Phillies: Injured closer Brett Myers (shoulder) threw a bullpen session in Clearwater, Fla., and will throw to live batters Tuesday. He might join Tom Gordon (shoulder) in coming off the DL before the end of July. Rotation-wise, J.D. Durbin will serve as the No. 5 starter until Freddy Garcia (shoulder) can return (perhaps in August) or the Phillies make a move for a starter. Durbin is a two-start pitcher option for deeper NL-only leagues, as is veteran Jamie Moyer.
Pittsburgh Pirates: LHP Zach Duke was eligible to come off the DL on Saturday, but instead he remained shut down until he is free of pain caused by tendinitis in his left elbow. Duke is at the team's spring headquarters in Bradenton, Fla. John Van BenSchoten is the team's lone two-start pitcher, but he is a high-risk one because days off Thursday and the following Monday could allow the Pirates to skip his rotation spot easily -- especially if he struggles in his Monday start. Van BenSchoten should only be owned in deeper NL-only or long-term keeper leagues anyway.
San Diego Padres: RHP Jake Peavy threw a bullpen session Saturday and is on schedule to start Tuesday night against the Mets in San Diego. Manager Bud Black said Peavy, who started the All-Star game, had come out of the break with a tired arm. Asked if he was concerned about Peavy's arm, Black said, "Not concerned at all. He's had this from time to time over the course of his career here and it's never been an issue for him." David Wells (appealing a seven-game suspension) and Peavy are two-start pitchers for Fantasy Week 16 (July 16-22). Wells will do what Chris Young did with his suspension, which is wait until a day off which will allow the Padres to keep their rotation on regular rest, starting Wells and having him sit three or four days, have a day off and then finish off his suspension before re-slotting in the rotation.
San Francisco Giants: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitchers Tim Lincecum and Barry Zito. Solid options for any Fantasy league.
Seattle Mariners: LHP Ryan Feierabend was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma, but Mariners' manager John McLaren said the rookie will be back July 24 to start one of the games of a doubleheader at Texas. LHP Horacio Ramirez will return from the DL, which he has been on since May 25, and start Monday against Baltimore. Ramirez should be a two-start pitcher, one risky for deeper leagues. If Ramirez struggles or is re-injured, Felix Hernandez can pick up a second start this week on regular rest -- due to the Thursday off day. Hernandez is a must-start in all leagues regardless. By the way, Seattle signed RHP Tomo Ohka as a minor league free agent. Ohka has a 50-63 record in his major league career playing for Boston, Montreal, Washington, Milwaukee and Toronto. He has been released by both Toronto and St. Louis this season. Ignore Ohka in all leagues.
St. Louis Cardinals: Chris Carpenter (elbow) had a recent setback and won't be returning, which makes Braden Looper and Brad Thompson two-start pitcher options for deeper leagues. Kip Wells will remain in the rotation with Adam Wainwright and Mike Maroth. Anthony Reyes will remain in the minor leagues, while Todd Wellemeyer is nothing more than a middle reliever when he is healthy again.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: A Saturday doubleheader means the Devil Rays will need six starters, two of which aren't currently in the rotation. J.P. Howell is likely an option to return for one of the starts vs. the Yankees, while Jeff Niemann could be the other. Consider all of their fill-ins high-risk options, especially against the Yankees. Niemann is a long-term keeper candidate and could be intriguing if he were to arrive, pitch well and keep a rotation spot in the second half. First-half surprise, James Shields, is the team's lone two-start pitcher in Fantasy Week 16 (July 16-22).
Texas Rangers: All five starters will work in succession, including high-risk two-start pitchers Jamey Wright and Robinson Tejeda.
Toronto Blue Jays: RHP A.J. Burnett threw on flat ground for the second consecutive day Friday, this time 50 tosses after making 25 throws Thursday. Burnett, who has been on the DL with pain in his right shoulder since July 1, said both sessions were pain free. He and Gustavo Chacin (shoulder) won't be candidates to return this week, especially since rookie Jesse Litsch pitched very well Sunday. Shaky No. 4 starter Josh Towers will be pitching for his rotation spot and is a two-start option, a risky one, in deeper leagues. Roy Halladay is a must-start two-start pitcher in all formats.
Washington Nationals: LHP Matt Chico made his 19th career start Saturday, and is the only Nationals starter to begin 2007 in the rotation and not miss a turn. He is the only useful Nats starter at this point. Mike Bacsik and Tim Redding will be high-risk two-start pitchers for the deepest of NL-only leagues.
Week 16 (July 16-22)
| This week's matchups | |||
| AL early | NL early | AL late | NL late |
| KC@BOS | STL@FLA | KC@DET | STL@ATL |
| CHW@CLE | COL@PIT | CHW@BOS | COL@WAS |
| TOR@NYY | HOU@WAS | SEA@TOR | HOU@PIT |
| BAL@SEA | CIN@ATL | CLE@TEX | CIN@FLA |
| TEX@OAK | SF@CHC | LAA@MIN | ARI@CHC |
| LAA@TB | ARI@MIL | BAL@OAK | SF@MIL |
| DET@MIN | NYM@SD | TB@NYY | NYM@LAD |
| PHI@LAD | PHI@SD | ||
| Bold indicates a four-game series. | |||
| Tampa Bay plays a doubleheader at the Yankees on Saturday to make up for April 4. That means the Yankees are the only team to have eight games this week. | |||
| The following teams play seven games this week: Arizona, Boston, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Colorado, Florida, L.A Dodgers, Milwaukee, N.Y. Mets, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Texas, Toronto and Washington. | |||
Two-start pitchers
| This week's two-start pitchers | ||
| Must-start options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Jake Peavy | vs. NYM Hernandez | vs. PHI Durbin |
| Brad Penny | vs. PHI Moyer | vs. NYM Sosa |
| Roy Halladay | at NYY Pettitte | vs. SEA Ramirez |
| Andy Pettitte | vs. TOR Halladay | vs. TB Shields |
| Advisable options | ||
| James Shields | vs. LAA Santana | at NYY Pettitte |
| Barry Zito | at CHC Marshall | at MIL Vargas |
| Jon Garland | at CLE Byrd | at BOS Wakefield |
| Tim Lincecum | at CHC Hill | at MIL Bush |
| Orlando Hernandez | at SD Peavy | at LAD Hendrickson |
| Rich Hill | vs. SF Lincecum | vs. ARI Owings |
| Dave Bush | vs. ARI Owings | vs. SF Lincecum |
| Jeremy Guthrie | at SEA Hernandez | at OAK Braden? |
| Cliff Lee | vs. CHW Danks | at TEX Wright |
| Tim Wakefield | vs. KC Thomson | vs. CHW Garland |
| Bronson Arroyo | at ATL Reyes | at FLA Vanden Hurk |
| Sean Marshall | vs. SF Zito | vs. ARI Petit? |
| Ervin Santana | at TB Shields | at MIN Garza |
| Nate Robertson | at MIN Garza | vs. KC Bannister |
| Matt Garza | vs. DET Robertson | vs. LAA Santana |
| Questionable options | ||
| Jamie Moyer | at LAD Penny | at SD Wells |
| Paul Byrd | vs. CHW Garland | at TEX Tejeda |
| Claudio Vargas | vs. ARI Petit | vs. SF Zito |
| Micah Owings | at MIL Bush | at CHC Hill |
| Braden Looper | at FLA Kim | at ATL Carlyle |
| Brian Bannister | at BOS Gabbard | at DET Robertson |
| Kason Gabbard | vs. KC Bannister | vs. CHW Danks |
| John Danks | at CLE Lee | at BOS Gabbard |
| Jorge Sosa | at SD Wells | at LAD Penny |
| Kei Igawa | vs. TOR Towers | vs. TB TBA |
| David Wells | vs. NYM Sosa | vs. PHI Moyer |
| Woody Williams | at WAS Bacsik | at PIT Van BenSchoten? |
| High-risk options | ||
| Mark Hendrickson | vs. PHI Durbin | vs. NYM Hernandez |
| Kyle Davies | vs. CIN Livingston | vs. STL Thompson |
| Byung-Hyun Kim | vs. STL Looper | vs. CIN Livingston |
| Josh Towers | at NYY Igawa | vs. SEA Weaver |
| Yusmeiro Petit | at MIL Vargas | at CHC Marshall |
| Taylor Buchholz | at PIT Van BenSchoten | at WAS Bacsik |
| Brad Thompson | at FLA Vanden Hurk | at ATL Davies |
| Robinson Tejeda | at OAK Gaudin | vs. CLE Byrd |
| Jamey Wright | at OAK Braden | vs. CLE Lee |
| Josh Fogg | at PIT Youman | at WAS Redding |
| Horacio Ramirez | vs. BAL Burres | at TOR Halladay |
| John Van BenSchoten | vs. COL Buchholz | vs. HOU Williams |
| Dallas Braden? | vs. TEX Wright | vs. BAL? Guthrie |
| Mike Bacsik | vs. HOU Williams | vs. COL Buchholz |
| J.D. Durbin | at LAD Hendrickson | at SD Peavy |
| Rick Vanden Hurk | vs. STL Thompson | vs. CIN Arroyo |
| Bobby Livingston | vs. ATL Davies | at FLA Kim |
| Tim Redding | vs. HOU Sampson | vs. COL Fogg |
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