We go around baseball's pitching staffs and Fantasy's two-start pitcher options every Sunday of the season in the weekly Pitching Planner.
Staff reflections
Arizona Diamondbacks: Micah Owings is a two-start pitcher. ... Elite prospect Max Scherzer is expected to move back to the bullpen this week if Doug Davis (thyroid cancer) can return Friday or Saturday. ... Scherzer is worth stashing on reserve spots in all leagues his potential to be a big-time impact starter down the stretch this season. If Davis cannot return or Randy Johnson is banged up, Scherzer will get more starts at this point. ... Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Davis and Johnson are one-start pitchers.
Atlanta Braves: A doubleheader Tuesday after a day off Monday will feature Tom Glavine and spot starter Jorge Campillo for the Braves. ... Glavine will be a two-start pitcher, while Campillo likely gets just one start. ... Jair Jurrjens, Tim Hudson and Jo-Jo Reyes follow as one-start pitchers, while a new No. 5 starter will be needed Saturday, May 24. ... Last week we speculated 24-year-old righty Charlie Morton, 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in eight games at Triple-A Richmond, would become the No. 5 starter, but MLB.com reports the Braves would prefer to give him a little more seasoning. ... Jeff Bennett appears the most likely candidate for Saturday in a spot start. Campillo could be an option to stick in the No. 5 starter's spot on three-day's rest, but that is unlikely at this point. Consider the journeymen Campillo and Bennett high-risk options for the deepest of NL-only leagues right now. Only one of them will stick in the rotation after Fantasy Week 8 (May 19-25). ... At closer, Rafael Soriano (elbow) could replace rookie Manny Acosta after a brief rehab assignment early this week, but leave Soriano on the bench. ... Also, John Smoltz (shoulder) could assume the primary closer's role by June 1.
Baltimore Orioles: Daniel Cabrera is a two-start pitcher. ... Garrett Olson, Brian Burres, Jeremy Guthrie and recently skipped No. 5 starter Steve Trachsel follow as one-start pitchers. ... Adam Loewen (elbow) won't be able to return for at least a couple more weeks.
Boston Red Sox: A rainout Friday and a doubleheader Saturday necessitates a six-man rotation this week. Both Justin Masterson (Tuesday) and Bartolo Colon (Wednesday) will be called up from the minor leagues. Masterson is slated to be sent back to Double-A after the spot start and Colon will remain the No. 5 starter for as long as he stays healthy. Consider Colon a sleeper in all leagues at this point. ... Clay Buchholz (finger) will get a lengthy rehab assignment or just be sent back to the minors if Colon proves healthy and effective for the Red Sox. ... Jon Lester is the team's lone two-start pitcher in the seven-game week, since they will use a six-man rotation. ... Masterson, Colon, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield and Josh Beckett are one-start pitchers.
Chicago Cubs: Ted Lilly is the team's lone two-start pitcher in a six-game week. ... Ryan Demster, temporary No. 5 starter Sean Gallagher, ace Carlos Zambrano and Jason Marquis follow as one-start options.
Chicago White Sox: Jose Contreras is a two-start pitcher. ... Javier Vazquez, Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd and John Danks follow as one-start options.
Cincinnati Reds: Bronson Arroyo and Matt Belisle are two-start pitchers. ... Belisle was skipped on his last turn and is a high-risk option at this point. He might even be a candidate to be removed from his second start in favor of prospect Homer Bailey, who has pitched better than he has recently. ... Johnny Cueto, Aaron Harang and Edinson Volquez are one-start pitchers.
Cleveland Indians: C.C. Sabathia is a must-start, two-start pitcher. ... Paul Byrd, Aaron Laffey, Fausto Carmona and Cliff Lee are one-start options. ... Byrd is rumored to be on the trading block because the Indians have unmatched starting pitch depth. ... Jake Westbrook (ribs) is one rehab start or two away from returning from the minors. Byrd appears to be the odd man out with Sabathia and Carmona certain to remain and Lee and Laffey just too hot right now. Track this in the coming days. A Byrd-for-Ken Griffey trade could make sense for both Ohio teams that are playing a series finale Sunday. ... Joe Borowski (shoulder) starts a rehab assignment Monday and could be a candidate to return as closer before the end of Fantasy Week 8 (May 19-25). While he is a candidate to return, he remains someone to sit for one more period. ... Rafael Betancourt has failed again as the closer for the last time. Masahide Kobayashi has failed, too, and the Indians will go with a bullpen-by-committe until Borowski is ready. ... Rafael Perez is the best guess here as a reliever to turn to in save situations for the time being. Take a flier on Perez in deeper leagues where you are hurting for a reliever. He is a talented arm.
Colorado Rockies: Jorge De La Rosa is tentatively scheduled to be a two-start pitcher, but his second start could be skipped because of a Thursday offday. Consider him a high-risk option. ... Rookie Greg Reynolds starts the weekend series vs. the Mets. He would be an option to skip, too, but he has pitched back-to-back quality starts. ... Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez and Jeff Francis are certain one-start options, but Cook would be the one to pick up a second start if De La Rosa is skipped. That second start for Cook would come against the Mets in Coors Field, though.
Detroit Tigers: Struggling Justin Verlander is a two-start pitcher. Run him out there. It can't get any worse, right? The matchups are good this week at least. ... Kenny Rogers and Jeremy Bonderman are certain to get a start, while a potential return of Dontrelle Willis (knee) from a Triple-A rehab assignment could affect the following starts of Armando Galarraga or Nate Robertson. ... Galarraga is the only Tigers starter pitching well right now, so if Willis does return, we cannot see him returning on Galarraga's turn Friday. Willis is more likely to replace Robertson on Saturday or Rogers the following Monday. ... Willis is too risky to use in Fantasy Week 8 (May 19-25), because the Tigers could still choose to give him one more rehab start at this point.
Florida Marlins: Mark Hendrickson is a two-start pitcher in the six-game week starting Tuesday. ... Ricky Nolasco, Andrew Miller, Scott Olsen and perhaps Burke Badenhop follow. ... Badenhop might have pitched his way back to the minors Sunday, which could mean a Fantasy Week 8 (May 19-25) arrival of Chris Volstad. Track the Marlins decision on their struggling No. 5 starter in the coming hours before your roster deadline. ... Sergio Mitre (elbow), Josh Johnson (elbow) and Anibal Sanchez (shoulder) are not close and look like second-half options, at best, right now.
Houston Astros: Brian Moehler and Chris Sampson are risky two-start pitcher options. ... Shawn Chacon and Brandon Backe are certain one-starters, while Roy Oswalt (groin) left his last start with a sore groin and is a questionable Fantasy option in Fantasy Week 8 (May 19-25). He might make his start, but he has been struggling of late. Sit him if you have healthy alternatives on your bench, even if they are one-start options. ... Wandy Rodriguez (groin) might start a rehab assignment May 22, but he won't be able option to return until June at this point.
Kansas City Royals: Luke Hochevar and Gil Meche are two-start pitchers in the seven-game week. ... Brett Tomko, Brian Bannister and Zack Greinke follow as one-start options. ... Kyle Davies (5-2, 2.09) remains dominant in Triple-A and continues to pitch on the same day as Tomko, who has been hot and cold. ... Davies is a flier to take in AL-only and long-term keeper leagues, especially since he could replace the underwhelming veteran Tomko in the rotation after any of the upcoming turns.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: John Lackey is a must-start, two-start pitcher. He looked as strong as ever in his return from the DL last week. ... Jon Garland, Joe Saunders, Ervin Santana and Jered Weaver follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week starting after a Monday offday. ... Nick Adenhart returned to the minor leagues and struggled there, too, Saturday. He remains a top prospect on the ready in Triple-A but clearly he needs more work before he can impact Fantasy leagues.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Brad Penny (arm stiffness) was moved back to Monday for a two-start Fantasy Week 8 (May 19-25). ... Chad Billingsley is likely to also be a two-start pitcher, since the Dodgers can skip the No. 5 starter's spot. ... Chan Ho Park (2.17 ERA) was serviceable in his brief spot start, so he could be the No. 5 option the next time that turn comes up May 27. Park could be held in emergency for next weekend if Penny needs to be moved back again or sent to the DL. ... We are not alone in speculating elite 20-year-old left-hander Clayton Kershaw will be the call of choice for the Dodgers on May 27 in time for a two-start week. Track his progress in his next start later this week. ... Hiroki Kuroda and Derek Lowe are one-start pitchers in the six-game, four-man rotation week. ... Jason Schmidt (shoulder) reached 90 mph in his first rehab start, but he is likely to require the entire 30-day rehab assignment before he is an option to return. ... Esteban Loaiza (shoulder) is not close and likely returns as nothing more than a long reliever.
Milwaukee Brewers: Manny Parra is a two-start pitching sleeper in two very winnable matchups at Pittsburgh and Washington. ... Ben Sheets, Jeff Suppan, Dave Bush and Carlos Villanueva follow as one-start pitchers.
Minnesota Twins: Boof Bonser and Glen Perkins are two-start pitchers. ... Nick Blackburn, Livan Hernandez and Kevin Slowey follow as one-start pitchers in the seven-game week. ... Scott Baker (groin) is slated to start an extended spring training game Thursday and will likely need a true rehab start after that. Consider him out until at least June at this point. ... Franciso Liriano (0-3, 4.68 in Triple-A) was as effective as he has been since Tommy John surgery, going eight innings for Rochester May 15 with just one walk, four strikeouts, three earned runs and seven hits. With a dominant outing or two, he could be a candidate to replace Perkins (0-1, 3.75). His pitching days are the same as Perkins' at this point. Expect Liriano to return in June, at least, so take the flier now if he is available in leagues with reserves or minor league roster slots.
New York Mets: They will have another doubleheader Tuesday with two-start pitcher John Maine and Claudio Vargas getting the starts. A six-man rotation will likely be needed again for the Mets ... No. 5 starter Vargas could be a two-start pitcher if he is brought back on three-day's rest, but consider that doubtful at this point. The notoriously cautious Mets likely won't even consider Maine on three-day's rest, making him certain to go Tuesday-Sunday. ... Mike Pelfrey, Johan Santana and Oliver Perez are certain one-start pitchers in the seven games in six days. ... Barring Vargas going on three-day's rest a No. 6 starter will be needed May 24 at Colorado. Veteran right-hander Tony Armas (2-4, 2.63 ERA) is going well in Triple-A and coming off seven shutout innings in his past start. He has five consecutive quality starts, hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any start this season and has six quality starts in his past seven starts. He went 5 2/3 shutout innings in the one non-quality start since early May. Consider him the highly likely spot starter Saturday and an option in deeper NL-only leagues. He could replace Claudio Vargas as the No. 5 starter if Vargas struggles Tuesday and Armas has a quality outing Saturday. ... Pedro Martinez (hamstring) could start a rehab assignment by next weekend and position himself for a return in June. ... Orlando Hudson (foot) doesn't look like a candidate to return before the All-Star break at this point and he might return as a reliever.
New York Yankees: Mike Mussina has won five starts in a row and is a solid two-start pitcher option. ... The Yankees figure to follow with Darrell Rasner, Ian Kennedy, Andy Pettitte and Chien-Ming Wang in some order as one-start options. ... Jeff Karstens (groin) is starting a rehab assignment Monday and could position himself for spot starts by June at this point. ... Phil Hughes (rib) is out until at least July, while Carl Pavano (elbow) could still try to position himself for activation in the second half of this year.
Oakland Athletics: Joe Blanton is a two-start pitcher in a six-game week. ... Greg Smith, Dana Eveland, Rich Harden and Justin Duchscherer follow as one-start pitchers. ... Chad Gaudin remains in relief, but he won't be a candidate to return to the rotation in the coming weeks even if someone is injured. The A's have days off this Thursday and the following Monday, so a four-man rotation can be used. Also, Gaudin would need to be stretched out again, since his past two relief appearances were brief.
Philadelphia Phillies: Struggling Brett Myers and ace Cole Hamels are two-start pitchers. ... Jamie Moyer, Adam Eaton and Kyle Kendrick follow as one-start options in the seven-game week. ... Antonio Bastardo, not to be confused with the Dodgers' Alberto Bastardo (0-3, 6.82 ERA in high Class A) in the CBSSports.com player database, is a prospect to watch if the Phillies decide to go to the minors for a No. 6 starter in the coming weeks. Antonio is a combined 3-1 with a 1.86 ERA and 62 strikeouts in eight starts (48 1/3) innings between high Class A and Double-A. The 22-year-old Bastardo's promotion to Double-A and recent hot streak might even put him ahead of 21-year-old elite prospect Carlos Carrasco (3-4, 3.94 ERA in Double-A) in the Phillies' pecking order.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Paul Maholm is a two-start pitcher. ... Ian Snell, Tom Gorzelanny, Zach Duke and Phil Dumatrait follow as one-start options in the six-game week.
San Diego Padres: Jake Peavy (elbow) was supposed to be a two-start pitcher, but he reports his elbow has been sore for the past few weeks and he will have an MRI on Monday. Cross your fingers. "Anytime you're told you're going to miss a start and you're going to have an MRI, there is always concern," Peavy said. "But, like I said, I hope everything turns out all right." ... Greg Maddux is a two-start pitcher, while Peavy's replacement Wil Ledezma could get a second start if Peavy needs to take another start off -- or worse, hit the DL. Consider Ledezma a high-risk option for the deepest of NL-only leagues. ... Chris Young, Randy Wolf and new No. 5 starter Shawn Estes are one-start options in the seven-game week.
San Francisco Giants: Patrick Misch is tentatively scheduled to be a two-start pitcher, but a Thursday offday and a following Monday offday could allow the Giants to use a four-man rotation in Fantasy Week 8 (May 19-25). ... Tim Lincecum would pick up a second start if anyone is skipped. ... Barry Zito was the last victim skipped in the rotation and could be moved off his Friday start. Don't use Zito (0-8) in any format at this point, even though he has been somewhat better of late. ... Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez and Matt Cain are certain one-start pitchers in the six-game week. ... Kevin Correia (oblique) and Noah Lowry (forearm) are candidates to return in mid-June at best.
Seattle Mariners: Carlos Silva is the team's lone two-start pitcher in the six-game week starting Tuesday. ... Jarrod Washburn, Miguel Batista, Erik Bedard and Felix Hernandez follow as one-start options.
St. Louis Cardinals: Todd Wellemeyer is a two-start pitcher. ... Joel Pineiro, Braden Looper, Adam Wainwright and Kyle Lohse follow as one-start pitchers in the six-game week. ... The Cardinals could skip a starter in the next couple of weeks with days off Thursday and the following Monday. Lohse (shoulder) has been dealing with soreness, so he is a candidate to sit in all leagues -- especially since he can be skipped after the offday and all the other starters can be kept on regular rest. ... Pineiro would pick up a second start if Lohse is indeed skipped.
Tampa Bay Rays: James Shields is a must-start, two-start pitcher. ... Scott Kazmir, Andy Sonnanstine, Matt Garza and Edwin Jackson follow as one-start options in the six-game week.
Texas Rangers: Scott Feldman and Doug Mathis are holding down spots in the back of the Rangers' rotation and start Monday and Tuesday in the seven-game week. They are candidates for double starts, but they could also be ushered out of the rotation if they struggle. Consider them high-risk options. ... Sidney Ponson, Vicente Padilla and Kason Gabbard are one-start pitchers.
Toronto Blue Jays: Roy Halladay was a must-start, two-start picher until he pitched Sunday in relief. ... Dustin McGowan assumes Halladay's two-start week. ... A.J. Burnett, Shaun Marcum, Jesse Litsch and then likely Halladay follow as one-start options in the six-game week.
Washington Nationals: Tim Redding is a two-start pitcher. ... Jason Bergmann could also be a two-starter if the Nationals choose to skip Odalis Perez or John Lannan, which is unlikely at this point. ... Shawn Hill (elbow) might miss his start this Wednesday, making Matt Chico or a potential call-up an option for that spot. Consider Hill or Chico high-risk for the deepest of NL-only leagues at this point.
Fantasy Week 8 (May 19-25)
| This week's probable two-start pitchers | ||
| Must-start options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Cole Hamels | at WAS Bergmann | at HOU Sampson |
| John Maine | at ATL | at COL De La Rosa |
| C.C. Sabathia | at CHW Contreras | vs TEX Mathis |
| James Shields | at OAK Blanton | vs BAL Cabrera |
| John Lackey | at TOR Halladay | at CHW Contreras |
| Chad Billingsley | vs CIN Belisle | vs STL Wellemeyer |
| Advisable options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Justin Verlander | vs SEA Silva | vs MIN Perkins |
| Dustin McGowan | vs LAA Lackey | vs KC Meche |
| Ted Lilly | at HOU Moehler | at PIT Maholm |
| Micah Owings | at FLA Hendrickson | at ATL Glavine |
| Mike Mussina | vs BAL Cabrera | vs SEA Silva |
| Joe Blanton | vs TB Shields | vs BOS Lester |
| Jon Lester | vs KC Hochevar | at OAK Blanton |
| Questionable options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Brett Myers | at WAS Redding | at HOU Moehler |
| Brad Penny | vs CIN Arroyo | vs STL Lohse |
| Todd Wellemeyer | at SD Ledezma | at LAD Billingsley |
| Daniel Cabrera | at NYY Mussina | at TB Shields |
| Bronson Arroyo | at LAD Penny | at SD Ledezma/Peavy? |
| Mark Hendrickson | vs ARI Owings | vs SF Misch |
| Greg Maddux | vs STL Pineiro | vs CIN Belisle |
| Tim Redding | vs PHI Myers | vs MIL Parra |
| Gil Meche | at BOS Masterson | at TOR Halladay |
| Jose Contreras | vs CLE Sabathia | vs. LAA Lackey |
| Tom Glavine | vs NYM Maine | vs ARI Owings |
| Luke Hochevar | at BOS Lester | at TOR Litsch |
| Carlos Silva | at DET Verlander | at NYY Mussina |
| Boof Bonser | vs TEX Feldman | at DET Robertson |
| Manny Parra | at PIT Maholm | at WAS Redding |
| Paul Maholm | vs MIL Parra | vs CHC Lilly |
| Glen Perkins | vs TEX Mathis | at DET Verlander |
| High-risk options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Scott Feldman | at MIN Bonser | at CLE Lee |
| Brian Moehler | vs CHC Lilly | vs PHI Myers |
| Jorge De La Rosa | vs SF Misch | vs NYM Maine |
| Matt Belisle | at LAD Billingsley | at SD Maddux |
| Patrick Misch | at COL De La Rosa | at FLA Hendrickson |
| Chris Sampson | vs CHC Dempster | vs PHI Hamels |
| Doug Mathis | at MIN Perkins | at CLE Sabathia |
Pitch a question
Chuck: While I still have great aces, I have made too many early season drops going for two-start pitchers. To gear up for the long run, I was looking at Scott Baker, Jake Westbrook and Clayton Kershaw. What do you think?
Emack: Westbrook is interesting because of the anticipated contender he pitches for, but if you are going to stash a pitcher for potentially huge dividends down the stretch, it would have to be Kershaw. He could arrive in the coming weeks and be used as the Dodgers No. 5 starter. They will save innings on him by skipping his turn whenever possible, but his talent is too intriguing to ignore if you are merely stashing someone. The same can be said for Max Scherzer right now.
Mark: Jeremy Bonderman and Mark Buehrle are killing me. Should I drop one or both for Aaron Laffey, Clayton Kershaw, Matt Garza, Greg Maddux, Jesse Litsch and/or Darrell Rasner?
Emack: Buehrle is no longer an ace, especially since he doesn't strike batters out and the White Sox are no longer an elite contender. Drop him for the recently hot Laffey right now -- or Matt Garza. Your league appears to have a lot of talent available, so Buehrle doesn't deserve to be on a roster.
John Anthony: Is it time to drop Brett Myers or just bench him for a while, even though he is a two-starter?
Emack: You should not drop Myers in any league with reserves. If you have better options on your bench, reserve Myers. But don't cut a potential ace down the stretch for a top contender with a great offense.
Ryan Slater, Houston: I have some pitchers that are good one week, then bad the next like: Johnny Cueto, Chad Billingsley and Micah Owings. What is the best way to determine who I should start?
Emack: Young pitchers not yet past Year 3. We say it all the time. You have to expect inconsistency with them. Billingsley and then Owings get the nod this week as two-start pitchers. Cueto's team is less of a contender, so you have to watch the matchups and his recent outings more with him.
Stew Wacker: I want to know when to pick up Pedro Martinez.
Emack: Pedro is still a couple of weeks away. June 1 is an earliest possible return date.
Jesse M.: With a staff of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Edinson Volquez, Scott Kazmir, Adam Wainwright, Joe Saunders, Jair Jurrjens, Zack Greinke, A.J. Burnett, Joe Nathan and Billy Wagner, and no two-start pitchers, what would be the best seven-man combination?
Emack: If all are healthy and facing equal one-start weeks, rank your starters Halladay, Kazmir, Volquez, Oswalt, Wainwright, Burnett, Saunders, Greinke and then Jurrjens (only because he is a rookie and due to be more inconsistent). Wagner and Nathan are near equal, so go with the the closer whose team figures to win more games in the upcoming week.
Matt: I'm in a 5x5 Rotisserie league that starts nine pitchers. Currently I have four very good closers (B.J. Ryan, Trevor Hoffman, Troy Percival and Matt Capps) and six very good starters (Cliff Lee, Ben Sheets, Joe Saunders, Tim Hudson, Ervin Santana and Chris Young). I would like your opinion on which SP should sit, since I'll probably start all four closers (I need help right now in saves).
Emack: Sit Young because the Padres are in a bad way right now -- especially with Peavy out.
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 cannot guarantee personal responses to all questions.
