We go around the majors' pitching staffs and Fantasy Baseball's two-start pitchers every Sunday in the Pitching Planner.
Staff reflections
Arizona Diamondbacks: All five starters will work in succession, including two-starters Brandon Webb and Livan Hernandez, who has been solid this season.
Atlanta Braves: Anthony Lerew lasted just two innings and has pitched 5 2/3 innings in his past two starts before winding up on the 15-day DL. LHP Mark Redman (0-4) made his first appearance Saturday after being activated from the DL on Friday. Redman likely replaces Lerew in the rotation, but he's nothing more than a high-risk starter for the deepest of NL-only leagues. Kyle Davies is a questionable-to-risky two-start pitcher option.
Baltimore Orioles: Because of scheduled off days, the Orioles won't need a fifth starter until May 26, when the plan is to have LHP Brian Burres on the mound. Manager Sam Perlozzo said Burres will be available out of the bullpen until then. Daniel Cabrera is an advisable two-start pitcher.
Boston Red Sox: RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka is 3-0 with a 1.87 ERA in his past three starts, including Saturday's day game. That stretch lowered his ERA from 5.45 to 4.06. He's a must-start obviously. Julian Tavarez threw 104 pitches, the most since he threw 106 Aug. 30, 2002, when he was with Florida. Thursday's game was his 13th as a starter since he joined Boston's rotation last Aug. 31. He will get at least two starts this upcoming week. Tim Wakefield will also be a questionable two-start pitcher option.
Chicago Cubs: Angel Guzman began the season in the Cubs bullpen, was sent to the minors where he struggled as a starter and then was brought back to the rotation. Now, he's going back to the bullpen. Manager Lou Piniella said the Cubs, who have had their problems in relief, are looking to add power to the bullpen. That means Carlos Marmol, who pitched Saturday, could get a long look. Piniella promised a shakeup in his alignment next week. Lefty Sean Marshall could be called up as the No. 5 starter. Consider taking the flier on him in deeper leagues at this point. He has talent. Rich Hill will be a two-start pitcher worth using in most leagues this week.
Chicago White Sox: RHP Jose Contreras was originally scheduled to start Sunday against the Cubs on only three days' rest, but manager Ozzie Guillen changed his mind after talking to Contreras on Friday. "I talked to Jose -- (Friday) he said he felt great. He threw the ball real good, but he was worried about (throwing) early," Guillen said. Guillen turned to rookie RHP Nick Masset as a spot starter Sunday in his first major league start. Masset was 1-1 with a 4.60 ERA in relief duty this season. Contreras is a solid two-start pitcher now this week.
Cincinnati Reds: Kirk Saarloos will start Tuesday against Washington. He will be a risky two-start pitcher, while Bronson Arroyo is a must-start two-start pitcher.
Cleveland Indians: RHP Jake Westbrook (left abdominal strain) played catch in the outfield Saturday. He will play catch again Monday and, if that goes well, will throw off the mound Wednesday. Westbrook is expected to return in mid-June. Fausto Carmona will remain in the rotation and is a solid two-starter. C.C. Sabathia is a must-start two-starter.
Colorado Rockies: RHP Rodrigo Lopez is scheduled to make a rehab start at Triple-A Colorado Springs on Thursday and could be a candidate to return to the Rockies' rotation Tuesday, May 29. Lopez has been on the DL with a strained right elbow since April 19. His pending return makes it likely Taylor Buchholz will be skipped after Thursday's off day. Consider Buchholz only as a middle reliever this week. The temporary four-man rotation makes Josh Fogg is a two-start pitcher in addition to Aaron Cook. They are both risky options this week.
Detroit Tigers: Detroit is optimistic RHP Jeremy Bonderman -- on the DL with a blister -- will make his next scheduled start Thursday. Manager Leyland said Andrew Miller will stay with the team until Bonderman is ready to return to the rotation. That means Chad Durbin will remain in the rotation. Mike Maroth is the team's lone two-start pitcher option, one viable in deeper leagues and risky in smaller ones. LHP Kenny Rogers has taken one more step toward his hopes of returning to the rotation in June, a month ahead of schedule. "I threw off the mound for the first time yesterday," Rogers said Saturday. "I felt good and I feel good today." Rogers had surgery in early April to remove a blood clot from his pitching shoulder. "It was scary," he said. "Then, the really hard part was following doctor's orders to not do anything for a few weeks."
Florida Marlins: RHP Ricky Nolasco underwent an MRI, which showed inflammation in his right elbow Friday. He was placed on the DL for the second time this season Saturday and might not resume throwing for one or two weeks. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said RHP Anibal Sanchez, on the DL with Triple-A Albuquerque with right shoulder tendinitis, could start a throwing program in the next few days. Wes Obermueller is the likely candidate to serve as the No. 5 starter Thursday vs. the Phillies or Friday vs. the Mets. Dontrelle Willis will start the other game. Scott Olsen is the team's lone two-start pitcher, one useful in deeper leagues.
Houston Astros: RHP Brandon Backe had soreness in his right elbow after throwing a simulated game last Saturday, a minor setback in his recovery from offseason ligament replacement surgery. Manager Phil Garner downplayed how much of a setback it was, adding he was surprised it took this long for Backe to feel soreness. "I view it as part of the normal process," Garner said. "I don't think it's something that's going to be an issue. When your arm starts to get strong, you want to kind of push it to the point where you have some soreness. That way, you're sure you're doing enough work." With no days off, Chris Sampson and Roy Oswalt will both be two-start pitchers.
Kansas City Royals: All five starters will work in succession, including high-risk two-start pitcher Odalis Perez.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: All five starters will work in succession, including must-start two-start pitcher John Lackey.
Los Angeles Dodgers: A day off Thursday and another one the following Monday allows the Dodgers to skip Mark Hendrickson or Brett Tomko next weekend. It could be either one, although Tomko is already slated to start Monday and Hendrickson has been pitching much better. Consider reserve those two back-end starters in all leagues. Randy Wolf picks up a second start when Tomko is skipped.
Milwaukee Brewers: Despite a day off Thursday, no one will be skipped this week. All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Jeff Suppan, who will be useful in all deeper leagues.
Minnesota Twins: A day off Thursday could lead to Scott Baker or Ramon Ortiz getting skipped next weekend. We don't see that happening at this point. Carlos Silva will be a two-start pitcher regardless, but Johan Santana would pick up a second start if someone is skipped or moved back. After Baker's dazzling return to the rotation, we doubt it's him getting skipped.
New York Mets: Orlando Hernandez will throw a simulated game Monday and can return May 26 at Florida if he proves healthy. Jason Vargas will get that start if El Duque cannot go. Don't risk using either pitcher this week. Jorge Sosa is a two-start sleeper for deeper leagues this week.
New York Yankees: The Yankees hope to announce next week whether RHP Carl Pavano, who hasn't pitched since April 9, will have a reconstructive elbow operation. Surgery would sideline him for the remainder of this season and most, if not all, of next year. RHP Tyler Clippard, the Yankees' starting pitcher for Sunday night's series finale, likely won't be pitching for a rotation spot. A day off Thursday means the No. 5 starter's spot can be skipped until May 29, which is a potential return date for Roger Clemens. Matt DeSalvo slots in the rotation to open the Angels series and will start there as Jeff Karstens, Phil Hughes and Darrell Rasner will be on the DL for awhile.
Oakland Athletics: RHP Rich Harden won't throw this weekend after the A's shut him down again for rest. The oft-injured starter has been on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder since April 16 and will be out until at least late June at this point. RHP Esteban Loaiza's right knee has a congenital tear in his meniscus discovered by a recent MRI exam. But Loaiza, who's on the 60-day disabled list, intends to try to pitch through the pain rather than undergo surgery. He could pitch Monday in Phoenix in extended spring training. Colby Lewis is the expected call-up to start Tuesday. In eight starts with Triple-A Sacramento, the 27-year-old is 5-1 with a 2.49 ERA, with 47 strikeouts and 14 walks over 50 2/3 innings. Consider him a sleeper in deeper leagues. Joe Blanton is a two-start pitcher for the deeper formats.
Philadelphia Phillies: Manager Charlie Manuel said he hasn't lost confidence in starter Freddy Garcia, even though the two-time All-Star hasn't pitched deep into games this season. Garcia wasn't happy to come out with two outs in the sixth in a 3-2 loss Thursday. "It's just a matter of time until Freddy sees that I definitely have a lot of confidence in him," Manuel said. "He's headed right where I think he can go." All five starters will work in succession, including must-start two-start pitcher Cole Hamels.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Manager Jim Tracy hasn't chosen a starter for the Pirates' May 26 game at Cincinnati, but it won't be RHP Tony Armas (0-3, 8.46 ERA), who was sent to the bullpen. Shawn Chacon (1-0, 2.84 ERA in 15 games) is a possibility, but the Pirates might be inclined to bring up one of two former first-round draft picks, RHP John Van Benschoten or RHP Bryan Bullington from Triple-A. Consider all of these options nothing more than deeper Fantasy league options. The prospects had pitched well in the minors before recent struggles and are intriguing in long-term keeper leagues. Zach Duke is a two-start pitcher viable for deeper leagues this week.
San Diego Padres: Manager Bud Black has shifted his rotation a bit. RHP Jake Peavy will get the start Tuesday against the Cubs, pushing LHP David Wells to Wednesday. Thursday's starter has not been determined. It is likely to be Chris Young, who is coming off his 8-1 victory Friday over the Mariners. He is quietly having an outstanding season at 5-3 with a 2.89 earned run average. Black said Young, whose fastball ranges from 87 to 93, doesn't need velocity to be effective. "He's one of those pitchers who doesn't pitch to a gun," Black said. "There are pitchers that do, which I think is a mistake. But I don't see Chris changing his mechanics or altering his delivery to try to get more velocity." Black said Young's advantage is his 6-foot-10 frame, as he is able to deliver the pitch from a plane higher than most batters see. "That's the advantage," Black added. "It's just coming from a different angle. That's the physics." Peavy is a must-start two-start pitcher, while Germano is pitching for his rotation spot with Clay Hensley working a Triple-A rehab assignment on Germano's day Sunday. Keep Hensely reserved in all leagues and be wary of Germano losing his spot at some point -- perhaps as early as late next week.
San Francisco Giants: RHP Russ Ortiz returned to the Giants after pitching 5 2/3 innings of three-hit ball in a rehab start Thursday for Triple-A Fresno. Manager Bruce Bochy didn't announce the next step in Ortiz's return from neuritis in his right elbow after going 2-2 earlier this season, but Tim Lincecum's rotation spot is safe. All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Noah Lowry. Consider him useful in deeper leagues. With days off Thursday and the following Monday someone could be skipped, but we don't see that happening at this point.
Seattle Mariners: The Mariners have said Jeff Weaver will have a rotation spot upon his return from the rotation, which makes Cha Seung Baek a bit riskier of a two-start pitcher. Weaver might take Baek's second start. Jarrod Washburn is a useful two-starter for deeper leagues.
St. Louis Cardinals: All five starters will work in succession, including struggling two-start pitcher Adam Wainwright. We like Wainwright's ability to turn it around and his matchups are favorable. Trust him in deeper leagues.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Scott Kazmir, who flips ahead of Casey Fossum. Also, by the way, manager Joe Maddon said RHP James Shields (3-0, 3.13 ERA) could be an All-Star at some point. "I think he's on track to do something like that," Maddon said.
Texas Rangers: RHP Robinson Tejeda no-hit the Astros through five innings Friday, but manager Ron Washington laughed off the notion Tejeda was now the "ace" of the Texas staff. Tejeda leads the Rangers with 34 strikeouts and is 4-3 with a 4.53 ERA in eight starts this season. "That's a strong word, 'ace,'" Washington said. "He's been pitching very well. I think when (Kevin) Millwood gets back out there, he'll be the ace." Millwood (2-4, 6.62 ERA) has been on the 15-day DL since May 15 with a strained left hamstring. Washington said the Rangers are going to take their time with Millwood to make sure he is 100 percent. "He's our bulldog," Washington said. RHP Jamey Wright (right shoulder) threw 31 pitches over two innings in a simulated game recently and could be a candidate for the No. 5 starter's spot come May 29. Saturday's No. 5 fill-in, John Koronka, was the first left-hander to start for the Rangers this season, leaving Boston as the only team in the majors without a start by a left-hander this season. Keep the skipped Koronka and Wright reserved in all leagues this week.
Toronto Blue Jays: All five starters will work in succession, including must-start two-start pitcher A.J. Burnett. It's likely Tomo Ohka returns to the No. 5 starters spot May 26, although that is uncertain at this point. Roy Halladay is now hoping to return in early June, while Gustavo Chacin, John Thomson and Victor Zambrano could all return by then, too.
Washington Nationals: Shawn Hill, placed on the disabled list earlier this week, hopes to return to the starting rotation in early June. "Everything (feels) good," he said before Saturday's game with the Orioles. RHP Jason Bergmann went on the 15-day DL with a swollen pitching elbow, meaning four-fifths of the team's opening-day rotation is sidelined by injury. Bergmann (1-3, 2.76 ERA) complained of a sore elbow on Tuesday, a day after he threw a career-high 110 pitches while taking a no-hit bid into the eighth inning against Atlanta. Both he and manager Manny Acta said they don't expect Bergmann to be out longer than the minimum 15 days. LHP Mike Bacsik took Bergmann's spot in the rotation. RHP John Patterson (on the DL) took about 25 tosses from 75 feet and 25 from 90 feet Friday. "I don't have any pain, so that's good. That's the first step," Patterson said. "The next step is getting some arm strength going." Consider him out until mid-June at this point. Levale Speigner and Matt Chico are high-risk two-start pitchers even in the deepest of NL-only leagues.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Week 8 (May 21-27)
| This week's matchups | |||
| AL early | NL early | AL late | NL late |
| BOS@NYY | WAS@CIN | LAA@NYY | PIT@CIN |
| SEA@TB | COL@ARI | SEA@KC | WAS@STL |
| MIN@TEX | MIL@LAD | BOS@TEX | MIL@SD |
| OAK@CHW | HOU@SF | TOR@MIN | HOU@ARI |
| TOR@BAL | PHI@FLA | OAK@BAL | NYM@FLA |
| LAA@DET | NYM@ATL | CLE@DET | PHI@ATL |
| CLE@KC | PIT@STL | TB@CHW | COL@SF |
| CHC@SD | CHC@LAD | ||
| Bold denotes a four-game series. | |||
| Seattle plays at Cleveland on May 21 in a rainout makeup game. | |||
| The following teams play seven games this week: Arizona, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Seattle and Washington. | |||
Two-start pitchers
| This week's two-start pitchers | ||
| Must-start options | ||
| Jake Peavy | vs. CHC Hill | vs. MIL Suppan |
| C.C. Sabathia | vs. SEA Baek | at DET Verlander |
| Brandon Webb | vs. COL Cook | vs. HOU Sampson |
| Roy Oswalt | at SF Lincecum | at ARI Hernandez |
| John Lackey | at DET Maroth | at NYY Mussina |
| Cole Hamels | at FLA Olsen | at ATL Davies |
| Bronson Arroyo | vs. WAS Speigner | vs. PIT Chacon? |
| A.J. Burnett | at BAL Cabrera | at MIN Silva |
| Advisable options | ||
| Joe Blanton | at CHW Contreras | at BAL Cabrera |
| Rich Hill | at SD Peavy | at LAD Wolf |
| Mike Mussina | vs. BOS Tavarez | vs. LAA Lackey |
| Scott Kazmir | vs. SEA Washburn | at CHW Contreras |
| Randy Wolf | vs. MIL Sheets | vs. CHC Hill |
| Chien-Ming Wang | vs. BOS Wakefield | vs. LAA Escobar |
| Jeff Suppan | at LAD Tomko | at SD Peavy |
| Daniel Cabrera | vs. TOR Burnett | vs. OAK Blanton |
| Fausto Carmona | at KC Perez | at DET Maroth |
| Tim Wakefield | at NYY Wang | at TEX Padilla |
| Jose Contreras | vs. OAK Blanton | vs. TB Kazmir |
| Questionable options | ||
| Noah Lowry | vs. HOU Sampson | vs. COL Fogg |
| Adam Wainwright | vs. PIT Duke | vs. WAS Chico |
| Scott Olsen | vs. PHI Hamels | vs. NYM Sosa |
| Jorge Sosa | at ATL Davies | at FLA Olsen |
| Jarrod Washburn | at TB Kazmir | at KC Perez |
| Livan Hernandez | vs. COL Fogg | vs. HOU Oswalt |
| Zach Duke | at STL Wainwright | at CIN Saarloos |
| Julian Tavarez | at NYY Mussina | at TEX Loe |
| Chris Sampson | at SF Lowry | at ARI Webb |
| Carlos Silva | at TEX Padilla | vs. TOR Burnett |
| Aaron Cook | at ARI Webb | at SF Morris |
| Vicente Padilla | vs. MIN Silva | vs. BOS Wakefield |
| Mike Maroth | vs. LAA Lackey | vs. CLE Carmona |
| High-risk options | ||
| Kyle Davies | vs. NYM Sosa | vs. PHI Hamels |
| Cha Seung Baek | at CLE Sabathia | at KC Bannister |
| Odalis Perez | vs. CLE Carmona | vs. SEA Washburn |
| Matt Chico | at CIN Saarloos | at STL Wainwright |
| Kirk Saarloos | vs. WAS Chico | vs. PIT Duke |
| Josh Fogg | at ARI Hernandez | at SF Lowry |
| Levale Speigner | at CIN Arroyo | at STL Thompson |
| Kameron Loe | vs. MIN Santana | vs. BOS Tavarez |
Pitch a question
Dave, Rocky Hill, CT: I need to start three starting pitchers and two relievers in a Head-to-Head points league. My options at starter are Cole Hamels, John Maine, Chris Young, Ted Lilly, Greg Maddux, Jason Marquis, Ben Sheets and Claudio Vargas. I also have Adam Wainwright, Fausto Carmona and Jorge Sosa who have both RP and SP eligibility. And I have Todd Jones with only RP eligibility. Hamels is my only no-brainer in a two-start week against weak competition. That leaves two SP and two RP slots -- who should I start?
Emack: Hamels and Sheets should start just about every week. Then I would go with the red-hot Carmona and Sosa along with Jones as your other RP.
Matt: My pitching is pretty solid and I am in a 10-man league. I have one open DL spot. I have been offered Roy Halladay for Brad Penny. Is this a smart move?
Emack: No. Although Halladay came into the year as the third-best starter in Fantasy, the Blue Jays are not the contender the Dodgers are and Penny is just too hot right now. Revisit down the road, perhaps, but we say hold on to Penny right now.
You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball pitching 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 or answers to all questions.
