June 19, 2011

Week 12 Fantasy Pitching Planner

By Al Melchior | Data Analyst
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Pitchers are getting their second dose of interleague play this weekend, and it will extend into Fantasy Week 12 (June 20-26). While that may mean an easier time for some AL pitchers, who normally have to face designated hitters (and a harder time for some NL pitchers) that's not the biggest factor affecting Fantasy owners in the coming week. With an especially short schedule of five games on tap for next Thursday, there are only 29 two-start pitchers available next week. Among this depleted crop are some of the less reliable Fantasy options, such as Luke Hochevar, Ivan Nova and J.A. Happ. All in all, only 13 two-start pitchers are recommended for use to standard mixed league owners.

The flipside of there being so few viable two-start options is that there is a larger-than-usual assortment of viable one-start pitchers. Not only are there many aces getting a single start next week, but many of the typical borderline one-start options are more worthy of a shot in Week 12, given the relative lack of reasonable alternatives. It's not every week that it makes sense to use Chris Capuano, Carlos Carrasco or James McDonald as one-start options in standard mixed leagues, but they should fare better than some of the lesser two-start pitchers.

So who should be in and who should be out for Week 12? Check the ratings for every pitcher scheduled to make at least one start in the tool below, and continue on further below for more in-depth analyses of every two-start pitcher and several key one-start pitchers.

Advisable Two-Start Pitchers (Standard Mixed Leagues)

Jake Arrieta, Baltimore: Arrieta has had few truly bad starts, failing to post a quality start only four times in 15 tries, but he's rarely dominant. In another week, when there are more two- start options available, it would be a much tougher call over whether to use Arrieta in standard mixed leagues. Next week, owners will have a hard time finding someone better to fill out their rotation.

Josh Beckett, Boston: Is Beckett a must-start in the shallowest of leagues, or just merely a guy you can start most weeks in standard mixed leagues? It depends on whether you trust his 1.86 ERA or 3.59 xFIP. Beckett's good-but-not-quite-great 2.6 strikeout-to-walk ratio doesn't match up with his Cy-worthy ERA, which has been helped by an 82 percent strand rate. Then again, that rate shouldn't shrink too much, as long has he keeps popping up batters at a high, but sustainable, 13 percent rate. Until he shows us otherwise, consider Beckett a must-start.

Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco: Bumgarner has rolled off a string of 10 consecutive quality starts, and he has allowed no more than a single run in six of those starts. It's hard to beat that kind of consistency, yet Bumgarner is either benched or a free agent in 36 percent of our leagues. Get him rostered and get him active.

Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati: Cueto has improved steadily in each season of his career, and the progress has continued into 2011. Even if his highly favorable BABIP and strand rates regress, which is likely, Cueto has made enough strides that he should continue to post better Fantasy stats than he did a year ago. He is good enough to keep active in all two-start weeks and the vast majority of one-start weeks.

Doug Fister, Seattle: With greater velocity this season, Fister has been getting batters to whiff more frequently, and he still has very good control. That makes him more than the AL-only option that he was last season, and he can even be trusted in standard mixed leagues in some two-start weeks. With matchups against the Nationals and the struggling Marlins, Fister is a solid option for Week 12.

Dillon Gee, N.Y. Mets: Gee has probably been lucky, allowing just a .246 BABIP, and he's also been fortunate with the schedule of opponents he has faced. The last truly tough matchup Gee has had was when he pitched against the Phillies in relief on April 29, and he gave up four earned runs in 1 2/3 innings. In Week 12, Gee gets the A's, which will help to continue his lucky streak, but then he'll go to Texas. The Oakland start should give Gee enough production to use next week, but his visit to Arlington will be a good test of his value for future two-start weeks.

Roy Halladay, Philadelphia: Wednesday's performance against the floundering Marlins was one of his worst of the year, but he still managed to strike out eight batters and put just seven baserunners on in seven innings. Since that's what constitutes a bad day for Halladay, he defines what it is to be a must-start Fantasy option.

Tim Hudson, Atlanta: If owners were expecting a repeat of last season's sub-3.00 ERA, they have to be disappointed with Hudson so far this year. His WHIP, however, hasn't changed from a year ago, and aside from a few less ground balls, he's not doing much that's different. A poor 65 percent strand rate accounts for an ERA that is more than a run higher than a year ago, but there is nothing to indicate that he will continue to allow so many runs. Despite a mediocre string of starts over the last month, Hudson is as safe to start in standard mixed leagues as ever.

Clayton Kershaw, L.A. Dodgers: Last season, Kershaw shored up his biggest -- and maybe only -- weakness, reducing his walk rate. If you thought there was no room for Kershaw to improve, think again. He has shaved down his walk rate even more and lowered his line drive rate to boot. Even if he doesn't maintain these latest gains, Kershaw is already an ace, but owners may be able to look forward to even better production in the future.

Carl Pavano, Minnesota: Pavano's lack of strikeouts makes him off-limits to standard mixed league owners in one-start weeks and in many two-start weeks. However, his control is good enough that he can be trusted in Week 12, especially with one of his two starts coming against the punchless Giants.

Ricky Romero, Toronto: For the second straight year, Romero is improving in just about every important indicator. His strikeout, walk, line drive and BABIP rates continue to move in the right direction, and meanwhile, he continues to get grounders in bunches. Romero has arrived as a pitcher who can be started every week, regardless of format or matchups.

Anibal Sanchez, Florida: Sanchez is the last reliable option left in the Marlins' rotation, now that Josh Johnson is on the DL and Ricky Nolasco has regressed. Sanchez isn't just an ace by default; he's been outstanding, striking out a batter per inning while exhibiting good control. He's been benched in 14 percent of our leagues, but especially with two starts in Week 12, he needs to be active in practically every league.

Jered Weaver, L.A. Angels: Weaver hasn't been matching last season's dazzling strikeout pace, but he's managed to be even more effective. He has always been a flyball pitcher, but this season, he's been getting a lot more popups. If contact results in easy outs, Fantasy owners can live with a slightly depressed strikeout rate. Whether Weaver starts to rack up Ks at a faster pace or not, he needs to be starting in Fantasy week in and week out.

Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs: Zambrano has been getting more punchouts and groundouts lately, but it hasn't really improved his results. He has never posted an ERA above 4.00 in a full season, and there's still plenty of time for Zambrano (4.59 ERA) to turn things around. That said, Big Z is still averaging 11.8 Fantasy points per start -- enough to be useful in a two-start week, but not enough for a one-start week. Even with his diminished output, you can plan on putting Big Z in your standard mixed league rotation in Week 12, especially in Head-to-Head leagues.

Other Add/Activate Targets

Chris Capuano, N.Y. Mets: Capuano is currently starting in only nine percent of the leagues on CBSSports.com, but at least for this one week, he should arguably be starting in at least seven times as many. There are four reasons why this is so: 1) Since his first two starts, Capuano has a 3.48 ERA; 2) he will face the A's, who have scored the third-fewest runs in the majors; 3) the A's will counter with Graham Godfrey, who got rocked in his major league debut (though subsequently, he stifled the Giants) and has an undistinguished minor league record; and 4) once again, there aren't many good two-start options available.

Carlos Carrasco, Cleveland: Carrasco's first two starts after coming off the DL in early May were unimpressive, but since then, he's gone 5-1 with a 2.72 ERA and 1.03 WHP over six starts. He has also lasted at least six innings in each of those starts. With a start at San Francisco next week, Carrasco is a good bet to stay on a roll.

Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado: Jimenez left his start on Saturday against Detroit with a calf cramp, but the team has already confirmed that he will take his next turn in the rotation. After a slow start to the season, Jimenez has been much closer to his 2010 form lately, posting a 3.42 ERA over his last seven starts. He needs to be active in far more than 56 percent of our leagues, even with a date with the Yankees in Week 12.

Hiroki Kuroda, L.A. Dodgers: Prior to Sunday's sterling performance against the Astros, Kuroda had lost each of his previous five starts, but he deserved better. The first two games of the streak were not good ones for the 36-year-old, but over the next three games, he allowed only five earned runs over 17 2/3 innings and struck out 16 batters. Two of those starts came against the Reds and the third was against the Phillies, two of the toughest lineups in the NL. Kuroda should fare better with a Week 12 start against the Angels.

James McDonald, Pittsburgh: McDonald has been on a nice run over his last several starts, but he has been outstanding at home all season long. The flyball-pitching righty has allowed only two homers in 34 2/3 innings at PNC Park this year en route to a 3.12 home ERA. Expect McDonald to continue to take advantage of his home environment in his Week 12 start against the Orioles.

Ervin Santana, L.A. Angels: Santana has been inconsistent this season, but in all fairness, he has had pretty tough matchups for the most part. Next week, he catches a break, as he will face a Marlins squad that is in a free fall. Better yet, the opposing pitcher is Javier Vazquez, who is on the short list for this year's worst starting pitcher. Santana hasn't won a start since May 25 against Oakland, but he could snag a "W" next week.

Tim Stauffer, San Diego: With the seventh-lowest level of run support in the NL, Stauffer is just on the outside of the top 50 starting pitchers in both Rotisserie and Head-to-Head formats, even with an impressive set of rate stats. The Padres' lineup is bad for sure, but they've managed to score more runs for Clayton Richard and Aaron Harang than they have for Stauffer. He isn't necessarily doomed to stay on a pace to win four games all year. Given the dearth of starting pitching options in the coming week, this is as good a time as any to give Stauffer a chance.

Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati: Early this season, when Volquez was having major control problems, many owners gave Volquez the benefit of the doubt because of his high upside. Now after pitching much better since a brief minor league demotion, he deserves the benefit of the doubt again. Volquez has been getting strikeouts and groundballs, so as long as he doesn't issue too many walks, he should pay big dividends.

Jordan Zimmermann, Washington: Zimmermann has been pitching like an ace since the calendar turned to May. In nine starts, he has posted a 2.33 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, holding batters to a .225 batting average. He is currently starting in only 58 percent of our leagues, but at this point, there is no reason to have Zimmermann sit on your bench in a standard mixed league, even in a one-start week.

Inadvisable Two-Start Pitchers (Standard Mixed Leagues)

Fausto Carmona, Cleveland: The man with the highest home run per flyball rate in the American League continues to serve up taters. Wednesday's start against the Tigers marked the seventh straight game in which Carmona allowed at least one homer, and he's yielded ten of them over that stretch. He hasn't gotten off easy in any of those starts, allowing at least four earned runs each time out. Carmona can be much better than this, but with such a long stretch of poor performances, he can't be trusted outside of AL-only leagues for now.

J.A. Happ, Houston: While Happ has maintained a good strikeout rate, he's been wild and homer-prone. Obviously not a good combination, Happ should be avoided outside of NL-only leagues until he can make headway in at least one of these two areas.

Livan Hernandez, Washington: Hernandez was masterful in a complete-game three-hit shutout of the Cardinals on Wednesday. Every so often, he will turn in a start like this, but he has neither a decent strikeout rate nor the pinpoint control to make up for it. Even with one of his starts coming against the Mariners (and the other being against the White Sox), Hernandez doesn't figure to produce enough to be worth using in standard mixed leagues.

Luke Hochevar, Kansas City: For the second straight game, Hochevar lasted seven innings, allowing only two runs when he faced the A's on Wednesday. If he can sustain production like this over a couple more starts, it may be time to rethink Hochevar's value. It will take at least that much to put a dent in the miserable stat line that Hochevar has compiled over his first 15 starts this year, not to mention the previous three seasons.

Derek Holland, Texas: Holland has performed like a harder-throwing version of Happ, allowing too many walks and homers to be trustworthy in most mixed leagues. Holland is even more frustrating, though, because as a pitcher with ground ball tendencies, he should do a better job of keeping the ball in the park. Until he starts doing just that, there's no need to pick him up for a two-start week in standard mixed leagues.

Wade LeBlanc, San Diego: LeBlanc is filling in for Aaron Harang (foot), and he wasn't particularly effective in his first spot start, lasting just 4 2/3 innings at Colorado. LeBlanc will start on Monday at Boston, and if Harang remains on the DL through the weekend, he will get a second Week 12 assignment at home against the Braves. LeBlanc is a merely an NL-only option for now and one that may not even get two starts, depending on Harang's status.

Kyle McClellan, St. Louis: Part of McClellan's appeal had been his ability to pitch six innings or more with regularity, but he didn't make it far in either his first start back from the disabled list or his last start before going on the DL. In time, McClellan may get back to his prior level of efficiency, but for now, it's best to look for other options outside of deeper mixed leagues and NL-only formats.

Andrew Miller, Boston: Miller will make his Red Sox debut on Monday against the Padres, and with Clay Buchholz (back) going on the DL, he is all but guaranteed a second start in the weekend series at Pittsburgh. The former Tigers and Marlins prospect appeared to turn a corner in his last four starts with Triple-A Pawtucket, but whether his progress will carry over into the majors is anyone's guess. Though he has the upside to be much more, for now, Miller should not be trusted outside of AL-only leagues.

Charlie Morton, Pittsburgh: Morton was cruising along through the first two months of the season, but he's been hit hard in his two most recent starts. Since Morton allows a lot of contact, the key to his success has been an extremely high ground ball rate, but in his recent turns against the Mets and Astros, that rate has dropped, and ground balls have given way to line drives. This could just be a mild slump, but Morton's track record of success isn't long enough to merit the benefit of the doubt. It's best to stash the sinkerballer when he faces the Orioles and Red Sox next week.

Chris Narveson, Milwaukee: Add Narveson to the list of pitchers, which includes Chris Carpenter, Ricky Nolasco and Chad Billingsley, whose solid strikeout-to-walk ratios aren't translating into ERAs and WHIPs that are even league-average. The common link among these pitchers is a high line drive rate. After 11 weeks of the schedule, it's entirely possible that rate could regress back to normal just as a matter of random fluctuation. Then again, it could simply be a sign that these hurlers have been as hittable as a batting practice pitcher. Over time, we may be able to trust Narveson in standard mixed leagues, but for now, he is allowing too many hits and runs to do your rotation any good.

Juan Nicasio, Colorado: Over his first four major league starts, Nicasio has carried over the strong control that has marked his minor league career. Whether he can use that to maintain a low WHIP is another question, but so far the result -- a 1.38 WHIP -- has not been very impressive. Nicasio may be able to keep the Indians off the bases, but his start at the Yankees later in the week could make for an unpleasant and unproductive scoring period.

Jeff Niemann, Tampa Bay: Niemann will be activated from the DL to start at Miwaukee on Monday. That sets him up for a second start in Week 12 at Houston. Niemann's struggles through his first six starts could have been due to the lower back issues that placed him on the DL, but it wouldn't hurt to give him a trial period next week before using him outside of AL-only leagues.

Ivan Nova, N.Y. Yankees: Nova walks nearly as many batters as he strikes out and has just seven quality starts among his 13 to date this year. That's not the profile of someone owners should use in standard mixed leagues, so look elsewhere whenever you want to add a two-start pitcher.

Josh Outman, Oakland: Despite allowing all kinds of contact, Outman has lived up to his name through his first five starts this year. Batters are hitting .243 against him, which is 11 points below the average for the American League. The spacious foul territory in O.co Coliseum -- as the A's stadium is now known -- could help Outman to maintain a high popup rate and low BABIP, just as he did during his last stint with Oakland in 2009. However, until Outman starts missing more bats, it's probably wishful thinking to bank on him keeping his ERA (currently 3.14) and WHIP (1.26) at reasonable levels.

Brad Penny, Detroit: No longer under the tutelage of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, Penny is still pitching the Cardinal Way, inducing clusters of ground balls. Unfortunately, he left his high strikeout-to-walk ratio back in St. Louis. Penny has just one quality start among his last five, and that was against the Mariners, one of baseball's lowest-scoring offenses. There is nothing in Penny's profile that points to using him in anything other than an AL-only league.

Joe Saunders, Arizona: A month ago, Saunders was running a strong campaign for the title of Major Leagues' Worst Starting Pitcher, but apparently, he decided he didn't want the crown. Over his last six starts, Saunders has compiled a 3.38 ERA, prettying up an unsightly walk rate in the process (4.7 BB/9 through May 13, 2.5 since). He's also been getting more ground balls, so if Saunders can keep this up, he just may be someone to trust in some two-start weeks. First, let's see how he handles two of the majors' better lineups, as he'll challenge the Royals and Tigers next week.

Other Drop/Stash Targets

A.J. Burnett, N.Y. Yankees: As mentioned in last week's Pitching Planner, Burnett's worst games this season have come against his toughest competition. The Rockies qualify as one of the more potent lineups that Burnett has had to face this season, and that's who Burnett will see in Week 12. He's been far from a slam dunk as a one-start pitcher this year, so with this relatively tough matchup on hand, it's time to bench Burnett in standard mixed leagues.

Trevor Cahill, Oakland: Cahill's recent slump took a turn for the worse on Tuesday. He left the game against the Royals in the fifth inning, having thrown only 47 of 96 pitches for strikes and walking seven batters while striking out none. That performance alone should raise a red flag, but it was just one in a string of five straight poor starts. Cahill managed to rebound on Sunday with a strong outing against the Giants, but that lineup is a far cry from the one he will face in Philadelphia on Saturday. Regardless of how effective Cahill was last season, earlier this year or on Sunday, it's too much of a stretch to expect him to be that pitcher in Week 12.

Chris Carpenter, St. Louis: As mentioned in Narveson's write-up, Carpenter is showing that a good strikeout-to-walk ratio isn't always everything it's cracked up to be. However, he's getting hurt by more than just a high line drive rate. Carpenter is not generating ground balls with his usual consistency, and his highest home run rate since 2004 has been the result. He has been far too hittable to trust in standard mixed leagues, especially as a one-start pitcher.

Josh Collmenter, Arizona: Collmenter did not have a good Week 11, having allowed eight earned runs over 12 innings against the Giants and White Sox and picking up a loss in each game. Still, his overall body of work since joining the Diamondbacks' rotation has been impressive. Next week's start against the Tigers will be his most challenging to date, though, so if you can find a more established alternative to round out your standard mixed league rotation, you should go with it.

Philip Humber, Chicago White Sox: Humber's sharp control and ability to regularly go deep into games has made him surprisingly valuable, especially in Head-to-Head formats. That's not the only thing that has boosted Humber's Fantasy value, though, as he has been very stingy with home runs as well as with base hits on balls that stay in the park. These trends don't jive with Humber's batted ball profile, as his ground ball and line drive rates, respectively, are very average. Humber is perfectly safe to use as a two-start pitcher, but standard mixed league owners need to exercise caution with him in one-start weeks. With a Week 12 start at homer haven U.S. Cellular Field against a Nationals team that has decent power, Humber is a borderline option for owners in standard mixed leagues.

Colby Lewis, Texas: In the latest turn in his up-and-down season, Lewis looked sharp in his Friday win at Atlanta. As many twists and turns as Lewis has provided Fantasy owners, there has been one constant: struggles at home. The only times that Lewis has allowed fewer than four earned runs in a start at Rangers Ballpark at Arlington this year were his first appearance of 2011 against Boston and a May 10 outing versus the weak-hitting A's. With a home start against the Astros next week, don't look for Lewis to improve his 7.44 home ERA by much.

Derek Lowe, Atlanta: Lowe returned to his slumping ways on Monday, as he got battered by the Astros, and then he returned for a lackluster start against the Rangers on Saturday. He has now allowed five earned runs in three of his last eight starts, and he has compiled a 4.96 ERA over that span. Wildness has gotten the better of Lowe in several of those starts, and he's has just not been effective enough lately to use as a one-start pitcher in standard mixed leagues.

Ricky Nolasco, Florida: Things started to go south for Nolasco about a month ago, and in that time, Nolasco has become a very risky play in most mixed leagues. His control has remained intact, but he might sustain less damage if he started walking a few more batters. Nolasco has been getting scorched on balls in play, and according to Baseball-Reference.com, his line drive rate over his last seven starts is a whopping 32 percent. Not surprisingly, over this stretch, batters have hit .350 against him. Until Nolasco can start getting more outs, he should only remain active in NL-only leagues.

Might Not Start in Week 12

Danny Duffy, Kansas City: Duffy suffered a calf cramp during his Sunday start at St. Louis, but that's not what might knock him out of the rotation. Kyle Davies could be activated within the next few days, so Duffy is not a lock to start in the upcoming weekend series against the Cubs.

Jeremy Guthrie, Baltimore: Guthrie has a decent matchup in Week 12, going up against the Pirates at pitcher-friendly PNC Park. He has been inconsistent, blowing up at times, as he has already made three starts this year in which he has allowed six runs or more. The bigger problem for Guthrie, though, is that he sustained a severe upper back strain in Thursday's game at Toronto, and he may not be able to make his scheduled start at Pittsburgh this coming Tuesday. Even if Guthrie is deemed ready to go, there could be lingering effects, so it's advisable to pass on him for the coming week.

Chris Jakubauskas, Baltimore: Jakubauskas lines up to take another turn in the Orioles' rotation on Saturday against Cincinnati. With the team having a day off on Thursday, he could be skipped or simply replaced by Brad Bergesen. Then again, with both Guthrie and Brian Matusz as question marks for Week 12, the Orioles could very well need Jakubauskas to start at least one more time.

Shaun Marcum, Milwaukee: Marcum exited Friday's start at Boston after one inning due to a hip injury, but a subsequent MRI revealed no structural damage. There is still a chance that Marcum could make his scheduled start on Wednesday against the Rays, but owners should check back on Monday to see if the team has committed to using him then.

Brian Matusz, Baltimore: Matusz reported feeling better on Sunday, just one day after being removed from a start with hamstring cramps. He is a good bet to make his next start, which would be on Friday against the Reds, but he is not at 100 percent yet.

Travis Wood, Cincinnati: With Homer Bailey potentially ready to come off the DL next week, someone in the current Reds rotation will lose their spot. Wood has pitched well in his last two starts, but overall, this season has been a struggle. Even if the second-year pitcher keeps his job this week, he has a home start against the Yankees, and Wood has a 7.18 ERA at home this season.

Vance Worley, Philadelphia: Worley was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, and he was the Phillies' starter for Saturday's tilt with the Mariners. However, no decision has been announced as to whether this was a spot start or if Worley will take over the fifth starter's spot from Kyle Kendrick.

DL Watch

Clay Buchholz, Boston: Buchholz left his Thursday start at Tampa Bay after five innings with a recurrence of tightness in his lower back, and he was placed on the disabled list on Sunday. The move was made retroactive to June 17, so Buchholz could be back in the rotation by the end of Fantasy Week 13 (June 27-July 3).

Tommy Hanson, Atlanta: Hanson was scratched from Friday's start against Texas with shoulder tendinitis and placed on the DL on Friday. He could return for Fantasy Week 13, though no definitive timetable has been set yet.

Brandon Beachy, Atlanta: Beachy (oblique) made a Triple-A rehab start on Thursday, and due to the need to replace Hanson in the Braves' rotation, he will come off the DL to start on Wednesday against the Blue Jays. Beachy was reliable enough for standard mixed leagues prior to his injury, but given his accelerated return, owners in those formats may want to keep him stashed for another week to see how he performs.

Jake Peavy, Chicago White Sox: Peavy (groin) made a rehab start for Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday night, holding Syracuse scoreless for six innings. There is a strong possibility that Peavy will be activated to start on Wednesday against the Cubs, When Peavy does return, the White Sox will resume using a six-man rotation at least until the All-Star break.

Brandon McCarthy, Oakland: McCarthy (shoulder) will make the first of at least two rehab starts this coming week, beginning at Class A Stockton. He could return in Fantasy Week 13 (June 27-July 3).

Phil Hughes, N.Y. Yankees: Hughes (shoulder) made a Class A rehab start on Sunday. He is expected to make at least two more rehab starts after that. That would put Hughes on pace to potentially return to the Yankees' rotation for Fantasy Week 14 (July 4-10).

Bartolo Colon, N.Y. Yankees: Colon, who left the June 11 game against Cleveland with a strained hamstring, was placed on the DL last Sunday. He expects to be back after the minimum 15 days, but he is out for Week 12. Colon is eligible to be activated on June 27.

Aaron Harang, San Diego: Harang has been dealing with a bruised foot and was placed on the 15-day disabled list last Sunday. He was initially replaced in the Padres' rotation by prospect Anthony Bass, but his spot has since been taken over by Wade LeBlanc, who will start on Monday at Boston. Since his DL stint was made retroactive to June 10, Harang could be available to return to the Padres next weekend.

Homer Bailey, Cincinnati: Bailey (shoulder) made a Triple-A rehab start on Thursday, but it did not go well, as he allowed three runs on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings. He could still return to the Reds' rotation this coming week, but the team may also opt to give him another rehab start.

Bruce Chen, Kansas City: Chen (lat) made a Triple-A rehab start on Saturday, and he is expected to be activated on Tuesday. Most likely, Chen will return to the Royals' rotation to start this coming weekend against the Cubs.

Kyle Davies, Kansas City: Davies (shoulder) made a Double-A rehab start on Saturday. Like Chen, Davies could potentially return to the Royals late in Week 12.

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