We take our weekly look around baseball's pitching staffs and Fantasy's two-start pitchers in the Pitching Planner.
Staff reflections
Arizona Diamondbacks: All five starters will work in succession. A day off Thursday means Doug Davis will be the lone two-start pitcher.
Atlanta Braves: Manager Bobby Cox said he hasn't decided on a starting pitcher for Tuesday night against San Diego. The rotation spot was left open when LHP Mark Redman was placed on the DL. LHP Oscar Villarreal could start if not needed in relief before Tuesday, but GM John Schuerholz indicated to MLB.com on Sunday the club could either go with Kevin Barry or someone from Triple-A Richmond. Jonathan Johnson, who pitched an abbreviated outing Sunday, Anthony Lerew, Macay McBride, Trey Hodges and Buddy Carlyle have all been pitching well in the Triple-A rotation. Lerew leads the team in innings and is the most intriguing Fantasy flier in deeper NL-only leagues, especially since it will be his day to throw. Whoever gets that call -- we say Lerew -- will be a sleeper in deeper leagues because it's a two-start week for a contending team.
Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles placed LHP Adam Loewen on the 15-day disabled list with a stress fracture in the elbow of his pitching arm. Loewen is expected to be sidelined for several months, which further decimates a starting rotation already without Kris Benson (rotator cuff) and Jaret Wright (shoulder), both of whom are on the DL. Brian Burres started Sunday for Loewen, his first major league start. "You don't expect him to go seven, but if something would go really, really right for us and his pitch count was down we might be able to do that," manager Sam Perlozzo said. Hayden Penn (elbow) is out until August, so Guthrie and Burres figure to remain the No. 4 and 5 starters for the time being. Steve Trachsel and Guthrie are two-start sleepers for deeper AL-only leagues.
Boston Red Sox: LHP Jon Lester, who has been on the disabled list all season while recovering from lymphoma treatments, will not be activated this week. Lester developed a cramp in his left forearm during a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday. "Even though we're thrilled it was a cramp, there's still a reason it was a cramp and we don't want that to happen," manager Terry Francona said. Julian Tavarez will remain in the rotation for at least one more turn. With a day off Monday, Josh Beckett is a lone two-starter, a must-start.
Chicago Cubs: RHP Angel Guzman, who began the season in the Cubs' bullpen before being sent to Triple-A Iowa, started Sunday's game against the Nationals. It's a curious choice because Guzman has been pounded in three minor league starts with a 12.19 ERA over 10 innings. Manager Lou Piniella said Guzman will make at least three starts as the fifth pitcher in the rotation. With a day off Monday, Ted Lilly will be the Cubs' lone two-start pitcher -- a decent option in deeper leagues.
Chicago White Sox: All five starters will work in succession. Despite a day off Monday, the White Sox won't move back No. 5 John Danks. Javier Vazquez will be the team's lone two-starter.
Cincinnati Reds: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitchers Kyle Lohse and Eric Milton, who is very risky for the deepest of NL-only leagues.
Cleveland Indians: RHP Fausto Carmona likely will be brought up from Triple-A Buffalo to start in Jake Westbrook's spot Monday night in Baltimore. Carmona will have two or three weeks before Westbrook will be ready again. Adam Miller will remain in Triple-A. Carmona and Cliff Lee will be two-start pitcher options for deeper leagues.
Colorado Rockies: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitchers Jeff Francis and Taylor Buchholz, who is a risky option for deeper NL-only leagues.
Detroit Tigers: RHP Jeremy Bonderman has a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand and his scheduled Sunday start was moved back to Tuesday against Seattle. RHP Chad Durbin took his start Sunday against K.C. Bonderman is the team's lone two-start pitcher, because of a day off Monday.
Florida Marlins: With the demotion of Anibal Sanchez, Wes Obermueller will re-enter the rotation and be a two-start pitcher option for deeper leagues. Ricky Nolasco is also a sleeper two-starter.
Houston Astros: All five starters will work in succession, including two-starters Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez, who is risky for deeper leagues.
Kansas City Royals: Starters Scott Elarton (shoulder) and Luke Hudson (shoulder) are both expected to make at least one more rehab start before getting cleared to rejoin the Royals. Their roles will be defined later. All five starters will work in succession, including Jorge De La Rosa, who will be pitching for his rotation spot as a two-start pitcher. Consider him only in the deepest of AL-only leagues.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Ervin Santana, who has been struggling but will be a useful option in deeper leagues. Bartolo Colon (finger) is questionable for his next start after leaving early Sunday. If a replacement is needed, it would likely be Dustin Moseley out of the bullpen. Consider Moseley an intriguing middle reliever to use for his potential to spot start. Colon is clearly a candidate to keep reserved at this point.
Los Angeles Dodgers: All five starters will work in succession, including two-starters Brad Penny and Mark Hendrickson, who is risky for deeper NL-only leagues.
Milwaukee Brewers: Manager Ned Yost said LHP Chris Capuano will not miss a start after being struck on the right calf in Wednesday's 4-0 victory over St. Louis. Capuano was hit by a ball in the second inning and taken out after three innings. Yost said he was never worried about Capuano even though he took him out of the game. "Nah, not on something like that. It would really surprise me if he would miss a start with a contusion in that area," Yost said. Capuano will be the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Minnesota Twins: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Boof Bonser.
New York Mets: Randolph had expected RHP Orlando Hernandez to come off the 15-day DL when he's eligible May 10. The 37-year-old Hernandez has bursitis in his right shoulder. But Jorge Sosa pitched so well his last time out, he will get another chance Friday. A Thursday day off could skip Sosa or Mike Pelfrey, but that's not expected at this point. Oliver Perez figures to be the team's lone two-start pitcher.
New York Yankees: RHP Matt DeSalvo is scheduled to make his major league debut in Monday's series finale. Manager Joe Torre said he scheduled DeSalvo for Monday with the idea of keeping him in the rotation. "We feel that Matty, maybe this is his time," Torre said. "We'll see. We're certainly testing a lot of kids right now." Rookie RHP Phil Hughes (hamstring) on Thursday became the seventh Yankees pitcher on the disabled list this year. The Yankees are on track to become the first big league team to use 10 starters in its first 30 games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Hughes had an MRI exam and he said it looked better than expected. RHP Carl Pavano (forearm soreness) saw Dr. James Andrews on Friday. GM Brian Cashman said Andrews had spoken to Yankees team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon but said he needed to talk to Andrews and Pavano before he talked about Pavano's diagnosis. Pavano was 1-0 with a 4.76 ERA in two starts before getting hurt, his first two appearances for the Yankees since June 27, 2005. Before reporting to spring training healthy, Pavano missed 1 1/2 years because of shoulder, back, buttocks, elbow and rib injuries. It has been reported he is a candidate for season-ending Tommy John elbow surgery. DeSalvo, assuming he pitches well and can hold off Darrell Rasner, and Andy Pettitte will be two-start pitchers.
Oakland Athletics: Rich Harden (elbow) won't be able to return this week. Dallas Braden or Brad Halsey will be the likely fill-in options. Gaudin will be the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Philadelphia Phillies: All five starters will work in succession, including two-starter Freddy Garcia, who is a solid option in most leagues.
Pittsburgh Pirates: All five starters will work in succession, including Ian Snell, who is useful in most leagues, especially if you don't lose points to losses.
San Diego Padres: Justin Germano was expected to be the fill-in No. 5 starter with Clay Hensley (groin) out for a few weeks. Germano's call-up would come in time for a two-start week. Also, Chris Young is a must-start two-starter.
San Francisco Giants: RHP Tim Lincecum, the Giants' first-round pick in the 2006 amateur draft, makes his major league debut Sunday in place of Russ Ortiz (elbow). He's 4-0 with an 0.29 ERA in five games at Fresno. "I think San Francisco is in for a treat," Kevin Frandsen said of Lincecum. "It's not like I'm that much older, but I want him to know he doesn't have to do too much when he comes up."
Seattle Mariners: Felix Hernandez's (elbow) return was moved back to May 15. Cha Seung Baek and Jeff Weaver will each get one more chance to prove their worth this week. Miguel Batista and Horacio Ramirez are two-start pitchers for deeper AL-only leagues.
St. Louis Cardinals: Right-handed reliever Brad Thompson will fill Chris Carpenter's (elbow) spot in the rotation Tuesday against the Rockies and could get more starts based on that performance. Exploring a trade would be a second option. Thompson, who is 1-0 with a 4.67 ERA in 14 relief appearances this season, has one career start in his three years in the majors. "I think you always look within first," manager Tony La Russa said. "Brad will go out there and we'll evaluate it as we go along. I just don't know that it's possible to do more than go series to series." Anthony Reyes will be the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: All five starters will work in succession, including risky two-start pitcher Jae Seo.
Texas Rangers: Mike Wood will take the rotation spot of Kevin Millwood (hamstring), who could return over the weekend and take Wood's second start. We say avoid Millwood in all leagues. Wood is nothing more than a high-risk deeper AL-only option.
Toronto Blue Jays: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Victor Zambrano, who is a risky option for the deepest of AL-only leagues.
Washington Nationals: RHP Jerome Williams, on the DL with a sprained ankle, will throw a side session and then make a rehab start. He might be needed in place of RHP John Patterson, who had to leave his start Saturday with a sore biceps muscle and is out for a month. Jason Simontacchi will get the call May 8 and then start again Sunday. Also, Matt Chico will be a risky two-start pitcher for the deepest of NL-only leagues. Williams will likely be ready when the No. 5 starter's spot is needed May 15, but keep him reserved.
Fantasy Week 6 (May 7-13)
| This week's matchups | |||
| AL early | NL early | AL late | NL late |
| TB@BAL | LAD@FLA | BAL@BOS | FLA@WAS |
| TEX@NYY | SD@ATL | TB@TOR | ATL@PIT |
| SEA@DET | HOU@CIN | NYY@SEA | CHC@PHI |
| BOS@TOR | WAS@MIL | CLE@OAK | MIL@NYM |
| CHW@MIN | COL@STL | DET@MIN | STL@SD |
| OAK@KC | PHI@ARI | KC@CHW | ARI@HOU |
| CLE@LAA | NYM@SF | LAA@TEX | SF@COL |
| PIT@CHC | CIN@LAD | ||
| Bold denotes a four-game series. | |||
| Cleveland at Baltimore, as well as Seattle at the Yankees, will be played Monday as the finales of four-game series from this weekend. | |||
| The following teams play seven games this week: Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Colorado, Florida, Houston, L.A. Dodgers, N.Y. Yankees, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. | |||
Two-start pitchers
| This week's two-start pitchers | ||
| Must-start options | ||
| Roy Oswalt | at CIN Lohse | vs. ARI Hernandez |
| Barry Zito | vs. NYM Perez | at COL Francis |
| Josh Beckett | at TOR Zambrano | vs. BAL Guthrie |
| Jeremy Bonderman | vs. SEA Ramirez | at MIN Bonser |
| Andy Pettitte | vs. TEX Wood | at SEA Ramirez |
| Chris Young | at ATL James | vs. STL Looper |
| Brad Penny | at FLA Nolasco | vs. CIN Lohse |
| Matt Cain | vs. NYM Glavine | at COL Buchholz |
| Advisable options | ||
| Ted Lilly | vs. PIT Snell | at PHI Buchholz |
| Chris Capuano | vs. WAS Chico | at NYM Perez |
| Ian Snell | at CHC Lilly | vs. ATL Lerew? |
| Javier Vazquez | at MIN Bonser | vs. KC De La Rosa |
| Oliver Perez | at SF Zito | vs. MIL Capuano |
| Ervin Santana | vs. CLE Lee | at TEX Wood |
| Freddy Garcia | at ARI Davis | vs. CHC Lilly |
| Chuck James | vs. SD Young | at PIT Armas |
| Cliff Lee | at LAA Santana | at OAK Gaudin |
| Boof Bonser | vs. CHW Vazquez | vs. DET Bonderman |
| Doug Davis | vs. PHI Garcia | at HOU Rodriguez |
| Questionable options | ||
| Kyle Lohse | vs. HOU Oswalt | at LAD Penny |
| Mark Hendrickson | at FLA Obermueller | vs. CIN Milton |
| Chad Gaudin | at KC De La Rosa | vs. CLE Lee |
| Anthony Reyes | vs. COL Francis | at SD Germano? |
| Jeff Francis | at STL Reyes | vs. SF Zito |
| Ricky Nolasco | vs. LAD Penny | at WAS Hill |
| Wandy Rodriguez | at CIN Milton | vs. ARI Davis |
| Jorge De La Rosa | vs. OAK Gaudin | at CHW Vazquez |
| Miguel Batista | at NYY DeSalvo | vs. NYY DeSalvo? |
| Fausto Carmona | at BAL Trachsel | at OAK Braden? |
| Matt DeSalvo? | vs. SEA Batista | at SEA? Batista |
| High-risk options | ||
| Steve Trachsel | vs. CLE Carmona | at BOS Schilling |
| Wes Obermueller | vs. LAD Hendrickson | at WAS Chico |
| Horacio Ramirez | at DET Bonderman | vs. NYY Pettitte |
| Jae Seo | at BAL Guthrie | at TOR Zambrano |
| Eric Milton | vs. HOU Rodriguez | at LAD Hendrickson |
| Matt Chico | at MIL Capuano | vs. FLA Nolasco |
| Victor Zambrano | vs. BOS Beckett | vs. TB Seo |
| Taylor Buchholz | at STL Thompson | vs. SF Cain |
| Justin Germano | at ATL Lerew | vs. STL Reyes |
| Jeremy Guthrie | vs. TB Seo | at BOS Beckett |
| Anthony Lerew | vs. SD Germano | at PIT Snell |
| Mike Wood? | at NYY Pettitte | vs. LAA? Santana |
| Jason Simontacchi | at MIL Bush | vs. FLA Obermueller |
Pitch a question
Josh: I'm thinking Chris Capuano, Oliver Perez and Mark Hendrickson are locks because each has two starts, even if Capuano faces Oliver Perez in his second start (assuming he's healthy). As for my fourth starter, I'm juggling between Aaron Harang, John Maine and Claudio Vargas. What's your take?
Emack: Personally, we would start Maine over Harang. Maine is just too hot right now and gets all that run support from the Mets. Also, we might consider Harang over Hendrickson, even with the Dodgers lefty getting two starts.
Clay Sorrells, Houston: I was wondering if in fact Jason Marquis is going to be a two-start pitcher for the 6th period (5/7-5/13). It says he will be on his profile, but because they aren't playing a game Monday, it doesn't look like he will get that second start in.
Emack: You are right, Clay. We were wrong on Marquis, because Ted Lilly will pitch Tuesday-Sunday and be the team's lone two-start pitcher. Marquis is still a solid start, because he has been hot, too.
You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Pitching Planner in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we do not guarantee personal responses to all questions.
