We go around baseball's pitching staffs and Fantasy Baseball's two-start pitcher options every Sunday of the season in our Pitching Planner. With Fantasy crunch time here and September call-ups possibly coming, you will want to look closely at what we see and what we have heard on how teams to lineup their rotations this week.
Staff reflections
Arizona Diamondbacks: An off day Thursday allowed manager Bob Melvin to give RHP Livan Hernandez and RHP Brandon Webb an extra day before their next starts. The move allows Hernandez to pitch the opener of a four-game series at second-place San Diego on Monday night. Hernandez is 10-3 with a 3.87 ERA in 20 starts against the Padres. Webb, a must-start regardless, and Hernandez are two-start pitchers.
Atlanta Braves: Chuck James (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Monday with a return Sept. 1 possible against the Mets. Lance Cormier, Buddy Carlyle and Jo-Jo Reyes will be pitching for their rotation spots. Also, a day off Thursday would allow the Braves to skip another one of them. Cormier is tentatively a two-start pitcher, but James' return and Reyes pitching well Sunday might make him a candidate to be skipped or removed entirely. Carlyle is in the same boat after he makes his start Tuesday. Reyes would figure to be kept out of the rotation for James' return, but the Braves might perfer him to start over Cormier or Carlyle next Sunday against the division-leading Mets.
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Jaret Wright was scheduled to throw one inning for Double-A Bowie on Sunday. Wright, sidelined since April with a sore shoulder, hopes to come off the DL when rosters expand Sept. 1. "I still want to play. It's been two years of my career when I sat on the couch and watched the boys battle on TV," he said Friday. "It drives you crazy." Radhames Liz has earned another start after his debut Saturday, which saw him hitting in the high 90s consistently. Veteran Steve Trachsel starts Aug. 30 and might be a waiver-deadline trade candidate after his start. Demoted Garret Olson or recovering Hayden Penn (shoulder) might be candidates to make starts in September.
Boston Red Sox: Manager Terry Francona made his point clear to Jon Lester when he was optioned to Double-A Portland on Thursday. It was just for one start and the left-hander will be back pitching for the Red Sox on Sept. 1. "We talked to him at the hotel to make sure he understood," Francona said. Lester, who underwent chemotherapy treatments for lymphoma during the offseason, struggled in his last start, allowing five runs in 5 1/3 innings at Tampa Bay on Tuesday. But that had nothing to do with the move. "I don't think we said we were disappointed in his performance," Francona said. Julian Tavarez started Sunday's game, but figures to head back to the bullpen unless the Red Sox decide to stick with a six-man rotation for a bit into September. Daisuke Matsuzaka opens the Yankees series Tuesday and is a must-start two-start pitcher. You start your studs, regardless of the matchups, in Fantasy crunch time.
Chicago Cubs: The Cubs are moving Ted Lilly up before No. 5 starter Sean Marshall in the series finale against the Brewers on Thursday. Marshall will start over the weekend against the Astros. Rich Hill is the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Chicago White Sox: Rookie John Danks, who hasn't won in August, will get another chance next week in Texas. He'll stay in the rotation and pitch against the Rangers next Thursday. Texas is the team that traded him to the White Sox in the offseason. Mark Buehrle, 0-3 with a 6.45 ERA in his past four starts, will move back a day to the Indians series as the White Sox go with a six-man rotation, giving Gavin Floyd a start in Texas, too. White Sox owner Jerry Reindorf said in a radio interview that struggling RHP Jose Contreras is not giving the White Sox the return they expected on their investment. Contreras has a major-league high 16 losses this season. He also has two years left on a three-year, $29 million contract extension he signed in the spring of 2006. He was the star of the White Sox's march to the World Series two years ago when he went 11-2 in the second half and 3-1 in the postseason. But after going 9-0 before the All-Star break last season, he's struggled mightily. "He certainly isn't living up to his money. I've said how many times over the years, when you go more than one year with a pitcher, you are sticking your neck out. If you go more than three years, it's probably suicide," Reinsdorf said on WSCR radio. "We decided to take a chance. It didn't work." For the first time since 2003, the White Sox have three pitchers with double figure losses -- Jon Garland, Danks and Contreras. Contreras will be the team's lone two-start pitcher this week, but he could lose that second start if he struggles and Floyd pitches well. Floyd could start Sunday in Cleveland on regular rest.
Cincinnati Reds: RHP Matt Belisle and Tom Shearn -- high-risk NL-only one-start options -- were called up to the Reds rotation, which will actually need a No. 6 starter after Tuesday's doubleheader. The Reds' options for Sept. 1 include Phil Dumatrait or Mike Gosling. Bronson Arroyo, one of the doubleheader starters, is likely to get a second start Sunday of next week.
Cleveland Indians: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitchers Paul Byrd and Jake Westbrook. They have two home starts apiece and are sleepers pitching for a top contender with a great offense down the stretch. Aaron Laffey will hold down the No. 5 starter spot at this point, but Triple-A lefties Cliff Lee and Jeremy Sowers are September call-up candidates and threats to steal starts before the end of the season if Laffey falters.
Colorado Rockies: RHP Aaron Cook (strained left oblique muscle) will throw a simulated game Tuesday in San Francisco. He had a bullpen session Sunday. "It felt pretty good," he told MLB.com. "I still feel it but no pain." Cook might be a candidate to return to the Rockies on Sunday during the crucial series at Arizona. A day off Thursday will likely allow the Rockies to skip No. 5 starter Elmer Dessens, who would also lose his rotation spot entirely if Cook is able to return. Josh Fogg is a two-start pitcher regardless, but rookie Franklin Morales stands to get a second start Sunday if Dessens is skipped and Cook isn't ready to return.
Detroit Tigers: LHP Kenny Rogers (elbow) pitched a bullpen session Thursday and Sunday and showed some progress before a potential return to the rotation. Jair Jurrjen (shoulder) hit the DL on Sunday, which makes it possible, although unlikely, Rogers could return Friday at Oakland. Chad Durbin, or perhaps Virgil Vazquez, are the more likely fall-back options. Avoid Rogers and Jurrjens in all leagues at this point, while Durbin is a mildly more intriguing middle reliever for his potential to spot start. Justin Verlander and Nate Robertson are the team's two-start pitchers, but Robertson could lose his second start if Durbin or Vazquez starts Friday and Rogers returns Saturday or Sunday. That scenario is highly doubtful at this point.
Florida Marlins: RHP Byung-Hyun Kim rejoined the Marlins, signing as a free agent 10 days after the Diamondbacks designated him for assignment. Kim will get a couple of appearances out of the bullpen before moving into the rotation later in September. A day off Thursday would allow the Marlins to skip No. 5 starter Daniel Barone, but don't count on it from a team out of the race. Rick VandenHurk would be a two-start pitcher if Barone was skipped, but he's equally young and risky. Scott Olsen is the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Houston Astros: RHP Roy Oswalt, who missed his start Thursday (left oblique muscle strain), threw a bullpen session Friday and reported no pain. He threw another Sunday and he will start Wednesday. LHP Troy Patton was called up from Triple-A Round Rock to make a spot start Saturday. The 21-year-old was 4-2 at Round Rock with a 4.59 ERA. "I like his ability to compete," manager Phil Garner said. In addition to DL returnees Brandon Backe (elbow) and Chris Sampson (elbow) and Juan Gutierrez still around, GM Tim Purpura said there are several starting pitchers currently in the minors that could see action for Houston in September -- notably Triple-A Round Rock's Felipe Paulino and Double-A Corpus Christi's Miguel Ascencio. "(Ascencio) was a reliever in Triple-A, and was sent to Double-A to start. He likes that role, and he's comfortable in that role. We've looked at him a little bit," Purpura said. Garner remembers Patton from Patton's high school days when he played at nearby Tomball. Garner was managing the Tigers then but lived in Houston in the offseason. "I saw him pitch in high school in a fall game," Garner said. "He was better than anybody I had at Detroit then. Seriously." With the potential call-ups and DL returnees, Woody Williams' two-start week is in jeopardy. The Astros will have as many as seven or eight starting pitchers to pick through here on out.
Kansas City Royals: LHP Jorge De La Rosa, on the DL since Aug. 1 because of a left elbow strain, is scheduled to make his second minor-league rehab start Monday. In two innings Wednesday for Double-A Wichita, De La Rosa allowed one unearned run and four hits in two innings against Arkansas. "He was OK," Royals manager Buddy Bell said Friday. "He's healthy. He threw 46 pitches. That's a lot of pitches in two innings." De La Rosa is a likely returnee next Saturday. With an off day Monday, Bell said RHP Leo Nunez would be skipped in the rotation until his next scheduled start Aug. 31, when the Royals play a day-night doubleheader at Minnesota. Nunez will start the day game and Gil Meche will go in the nightcap. Bell said he plans to stick with that six-man rotation in September, which includes Zack Greinke right now. RHP prospect Billy Buckner, who had his contract purchased Friday from Triple-A Omaha, will be used in middle and long relief for now. He was 10-10 with a 3.92 ERA in 31 games, including 18 starts, with Omaha and Wichita this year. He had a 1.21 ERA in four August games. Not a likely call-up candidate, RHP Luke Hochevar, the first overall pick in the 2006 draft, continues to struggle with Omaha, where he is 1-3 with a 6.14 ERA in eight starts after a 6-0 loss on Friday to Round Rock. Odalis Perez (knee) is hoping to return in the second week of September and would likely be a part of that six-man rotation. Rookie of the Year candidate Brian Bannister is the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher John Lackey. Bartolo Colon (elbow) is hoping to return to the rotation in September, but Joe Saunders will remain the No. 5 starter for now -- with Dustin Moseley doing the long relief in the bullpen.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Struggling RHP Brett Tomko was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for LHP David Wells, who starts Sunday and likely Friday at the Padres. A Thursday day off will allow the Dodgers to skip No. 5 starter Eric Stults and keep Wells, Derek Lowe and Chad Billingsley on regular rest in a crucial series at San Diego. Reserve Stults in those deeper NL-only leagues he is owned. Lowe and likely Billingsley will be two-start pitchers.
Milwaukee Brewers: Ben Sheets (finger, blister) is hoping to return by the third game of the Cubs series this week. That would push Yovani Gallardo back until the weekend series or perhaps out of the rotation altogether for fellow rookie Manny Parra. Either rookie will be pitching on a start-to-start basis because LHP Chris Capuano thinks he'll get back into the starting rotation, despite absorbing his franchise tying 11th straight loss Friday night. He made his first relief appearance in four years, spanning 106 starts. "I was available on Wednesday," Capuano said. "I cut back on my lifting, doing it after the game. I fell in line with all the other relievers and watched what they did. I learned from them the best I can." Jeff Suppan is the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Minnesota Twins: RHP Scott Baker, Sunday's scheduled starter, flew to Baltimore on Saturday night following the birth of a son, Easton Timothy, to take his regular turn. He will likely start the nightcap of the Friday, Aug. 31 day-night doubleheader. A day off Thursday allows the Twins to keep all of the top five starters on regular rest. A No. 6 starter, perhaps Glen Perkins (shoulder, 15-day DL, rehab assignment) or Kevin Slowey from Triple-A, will be needed Sept. 4 against the Indians. It's possible, although unlikely, Perkins starts during that doubleheader Friday. He has had a setback in his rehab and might be shut down for the season. Slowey's return is contingent on Triple-A Rochester being eliminated from playoff contention. With the Friday doubleheader, it is likely Carlos Silva and Boof Bonser are two-start pitchers.
New York Mets: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitchers Brian Lawrence and Tom Glavine. GM Omar Minaya said Pedro Martinez threw in the bullpen Thursday at St. Lucie, Fla., and will next take the mound Monday for the Class A team. Martinez will throw "between 80 and 90 pitches," Minaya said. The team considered moving him up to Double-A, but decided the competition wasn't important and that it was best for Martinez to stay where he was for now. Minaya also said there was "a little bit of a neck issue" in his last start, when he allowed two unearned runs in five innings for St. Lucie. Martinez will not be called up before Sept. 1, Minaya said. Pedro could return in Lawrence's spot on Saturday, Sept. 1, but don't count on it.
New York Yankees: Mike Mussina is scheduled to start the series finale Monday at Detroit, and manager Joe Torre insisted it's not a make-or-break outing for the righty. Mussina (8-9) lost his past two starts, combining to give up 13 earned runs. "If it doesn't get better, we have to see if there is something we can do," Torre said. "But I'm certainly not preparing for it." Moose and Andy Pettitte will both be two-start pitchers, although a slew of prospects, including Ian Kennedy, could be a candidate to start for Moose next Sunday if Moose gets torched again.
Oakland Athletics: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Esteban Loaiza. RHP Rich Harden (shoulder) made throws of up to 200 feet, and manager Bob Geren said Harden could throw off the mound either Sunday or Monday. Harden still might get in a few starts before the end of the season, but late in September.
Philadelphia Phillies: RHP Adam Eaton (sore right shoulder) said he would make Tuesday's start against the Mets. "As far as I know, that's the plan," Eaton said. Manuel said that he would talk to pitching coach Rich Dubee about Eaton's status for Tuesday. That makes him and J.D. Durbin two-start pitchers for Fantasy Week 22 (Aug. 26-Sept. 2). RHP Freddy Garcia, out since June with a strained shoulder, is still working his way back. He pitched three shutout innings for Class A Clearwater on Thursday night. Garcia is 1-5 with a 5.90 ERA in 11 starts in his first season with the Phillies.
Pittsburgh Pirates: With a doubleheader Tuesday for the Pirates against Cincinnati -- which will be started by Tom Gorzelanny and Paul Maholm -- LHP Shane Youman will be needed as the No. 6 starter next week. "He was the logical choice," manager Jim Tracy said. LHP Paul Maholm has held opponents to one run in two of his past three starts, but it will likely be Gorzelanny and not Maholm who gets the second start next Sunday. Consider Maholm a slightly more intriguing one-start pitcher and Gorzelanny a slightly less intriguing two-starter, because it could still be Maholm getting the second start.
San Diego Padres: The Padres recalled RHP Tim Stauffer from Triple-A Portland to make the start Sunday, but it was a disaster, putting his No. 5 status in jeopardy despite the demotion of Clay Hensley. Stauffer replaced RHP Chris Young, who missed two starts because of inflammation in his lower back. Young has a chance to make a start Aug. 30 vs. Arizona after a Monday bullpen session.. "He's feeling much better, but the problem is the intensity (of the pain) increases when he pitches," manager Bud Black said. Must-start Jake Peavy and questionable option Justin Germano are the team's two-start pitchers. Stauffer is a high-risk one-start option, especially since he is no certainty to keep the No. 5 spot.
San Francisco Giants: Kevin Correia pitched well enough Saturday night to remain the rotation for at least another turn, although the date is in question because a day off Thursday will allow the Giants to keep Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito, Matt Cain and Noah Lowry on regular rest. Zito is a two-start pitcher regardless, while Cain could pick up a second start if Correia's spot is indeed skipped. We think Correia makes the start Friday for the rebuilding Giants, who likely prefer to give the young arms of Lincecum and Cain an extra day of rest.
Seattle Mariners: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitchers Miguel Batista and Jeff Weaver.
St. Louis Cardinals: LHP Mark Mulder (shoulder) is scheduled to make his third rehab start on Sunday, this time for Triple-A Memphis. The first two outings were with Class A Palm Beach. Pitching coach Dave Duncan said Mulder "should be capable" of joining the rotation but said the plan is for him to make a final rehab start Friday and then be activated to the bullpen after Sept. 1, according to MLB.com. Anthony Reyes has been moved back to start at home over the weekend, moving Kip Wells up a day to pitch in Houston. Braden Looper is the team's lone two-start pitcher.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: All five starters will work in succession, including likely two-start pitchers Edwin Jackson and Jason Hammel. They are candidates to move back if the Rays decide to go to some September call-ups over the weekend, though. Jackson is 4-12 this season, but has an ERA of 1.36 ERA in his past five starts. "The biggest thing is being more under control with his emotions," manager Joe Maddon said. "He just has a whole different thought process going on. He's using all his pitches. He's pitching."
Texas Rangers: Rookie Kason Gabbard is the team's lone two-start pitcher. RHP Brandon McCarthy, on the DL because of a stress fracture in his shoulder blade, said he hopes to resume throwing by the time the Rangers' homestand ends Thursday. He doesn't expect to be able to pitch in a game before the second week of September. Kevin Millwood was moved back to Thursday, keeping Kameron Loe in the rotation to start Wednesday and John Rheinecker in the bullpen. Jamey Wright is the likely starter Friday.
Toronto Blue Jays: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher A.J. Burnett. RHP Casey Janssen had not allowed a run in 16 2/3 career innings against the Angels before giving up Vladimir Guerrero's leadoff homer in the eighth inning on Thursday night. Janssen held the Angels to just three hits over 15 1/3 innings in two starts against them last season, but was shifted to the bullpen this spring due to the offseason acquisitions of veterans Tomo Ohka, John Thomson and Victor Zambrano, and a shoulder injury that sidelined setup man Brandon League for the first 3 1/2 months of the season. "There was talk at one point that if one of those guys we picked up faltered, we'd put Casey back in the rotation. But he pitched so well out of the pen, it solidified us down there," manager John Gibbons said. Janssen is 2-2 with a 2.32 ERA in 56 appearances.
Washington Nationals: LHP John Lannan will be sent down to Triple-A Columbus early next week. "We're shutting him down, but there's nothing wrong with him," manager Manny Acta said. "He will be brought back in September." Acta said RHP Jason Bergmann (left hamstring tightness) would be activated from the DL in time to start in place of Lannan for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers. "He will join us in LA," Acta said. RHP Jason Simontacchi (right elbow tendinitis) will see Dr. James Andrews after experiencing some soreness in his right elbow. LHP Mike Bacsik, who might be the team's lone two-start pitcher starting Monday and perhaps Sunday, said moving to the bullpen for a period of time helped his rookie season. "When you are out there, sometimes, you can really use all your best stuff," said Bacsik, who started last Wednesday, allowing three runs in six innings. "I really think I attacked the hitters better than I did the last road trip."
Fantasy Week 22 (Aug. 26-Sept. 2)
| This week's matchups | |||
| AL early | NL early | AL late | NL late |
| TB@BAL | NYM@PHI | BAL@BOS | NYM@ATL |
| DET@KC | ATL@FLA | DET@OAK | PHI@FLA |
| MIN@CLE | ARI@SD | CHW@CLE | COL@ARI |
| LAA@SEA | WAS@LAD | SEA@TOR | LAD@SD |
| TOR@OAK | COL@SF | TEX@LAA | SF@WAS |
| BOS@NYY | MIL@CHC | TB@NYY | PIT@MIL |
| CHW@TEX | STL@HOU | KC@MIN | HOU@CHC |
| CIN@PIT | CIN@STL | ||
| Bold indicates a four-game series. | |||
| The following teams play seven games this week: Arizona, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Minnesota, N.Y. Mets, N.Y. Yankees, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Seattle and Tampa Bay. | |||
| The Yankees and Tigers play in Detroit on Monday to end a weekend series. | |||
| Kansas City and Minnesota (Friday), as well as Cincinnati and Pittsburgh (Tuesday), will play doubleheaders this week. The Royals and Twins postponed their Aug. 2 game after the collapsed bridge tragedy, and the Reds and Pirates were rained out Aug. 5. | |||
Two-start pitcher options
| This week's two-start pitchers | ||
| Must-start options | ||
| Pitcher | Start No. 1 | Start No. 2 |
| Jake Peavy | vs. ARI Hernandez | vs. LAD Lowe |
| Brandon Webb | at SD Germano | vs. COL Cook |
| Justin Verlander | vs. NYY Mussina | at OAK Haren |
| Daisuke Matsuzaka | at NYY Pettitte | vs. BAL Cabrera |
| John Lackey | at SEA Batista | vs. TEX Gabbard |
| Andy Pettitte | vs. BOS Matsuzaka | vs. TB Hammel |
| A.J. Burnett | at OAK Loaiza | vs. SEA Weaver |
| Derek Lowe | vs. WAS Bacsik | at SD Peavy |
| Rich Hill | vs. MIL Suppan | vs. HOU Williams |
| Advisable options | ||
| Tom Glavine | at PHI Eaton | at ATL Cormier |
| Barry Zito | vs. COL Fogg | at WAS Bacsik |
| Tom Gorzelanny? | vs. CIN Arroyo | at MIL Suppan |
| Jake Westbrook | vs. MIN Bonser | vs. CHW Contreras? |
| Miguel Batista | vs. LAA Lackey | at TOR McGowan |
| Paul Byrd | vs. MIN Silva | vs. CHW Vazquez |
| Nate Robertson | at KC Bannister | at OAK Loaiza |
| Questionable options | ||
| Chad Billingsley | vs. WAS Bergmann | at SD Germano |
| Bronson Arroyo | at PIT Gorzelanny | at STL Looper |
| Daniel Cabrera | vs. TB Hammel | at BOS Matsuzaka |
| Brian Bannister | vs. DET Robertson | at MIN Bonser |
| Mike Mussina | at DET Verlander | vs. TB Jackson |
| Carlos Silva | at CLE Byrd | vs. KC De La Rosa |
| Kason Gabbard | vs. CHW Floyd | at LAA Lackey |
| Scott Olsen | vs. ATL Cormier | vs. PHI Eaton |
| Braden Looper | at HOU Williams | vs. CIN Arroyo |
| Livan Hernandez | at SD Peavy | vs. COL Fogg |
| Jeff Suppan | at CHC Hill | vs. PIT Gorzelanny |
| Esteban Loaiza | vs. TOR Burnett | vs. DET Robertson |
| Jeff Weaver | vs. LAA Santana | at TOR Burnett |
| High-risk options | ||
| Boof Bonser | at CLE Westbrook | vs. KC Bannister |
| Jose Contreras | vs. TB Jackson | at CLE Westbrook |
| Justin Germano | vs. ARI Webb | vs. LAD Billingsley |
| Woody Williams | vs. STL Looper | at CHC Hill |
| Edwin Jackson | at CHW Contreras | at NYY Mussina |
| J.D. Durbin | vs. NYM Lawrence | at FLA Barone |
| Brian Lawrence | at PHI Durbin | at ATL James |
| Adam Eaton | vs. NYM Glavine | at FLA Olsen |
| Josh Fogg | at SF Zito | at ARI Hernandez |
| Lance Cormier | at FLA Olsen | vs. NYM Glavine |
| Mike Bacsik | at LAD Lowe | vs. SF Zito |
| Jason Hammel | at BAL Cabrera | at NYY Pettitte |
Pitch a question
John Jeka, Chicago: Which of the pitchers should I start as my fifth starter for Week 22: Mike Mussina or Kason Gabbard?
Emack: We like the struggling Mussina slightly more than the rookie Gabbard, who pitches for a sub-.500 club that won't get him much run support.
Joe Potthoff, Fort Worth, Texas: Ben Sheets is now a reserved pitcher on my roster. My current starting pitchers for Week 22 are Josh Beckett, Joe Blanton, Kelvim Escobar, Felix Hernandez, Scott Kazmir, Jake Peavy and Jered Weaver. Which one of my starting pitchers (if any) should I replace when Sheets is able to return?
Emack: Sheets has a blister problem to go with his finger injury and has a tough matchup at Chicago -- if he can even make his start Wednesday or Thursday. Keep him on your bench one more week, especially since you have solid options to go with already.
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.
