Fantasy Baseball Morning Update: Nats' Harper hurting
Who wants some Arrested Development spoilers? Yes, I'm kidding. I'm two episodes into the fourth season, and should knock out a bunch more today with my kids going on a picnic. I probably should spend this beautiful day outside, but ... nah.
First pitch: Both leagues have games shortly after 1 p.m. ET, and there are 10 afternoon contests. Also, the Rangers and D-backs are playing a doubleheader. Set your lineups early!
Interleague DH issues: The schedule is literally full of inter league games, so let's focus on the AL teams that will lose their designated hitters: The Orioles (Steve Pearce), Indians (Mike Aviles/Yan Gomes), Twins (Ryan Doumit), Rangers (Lance Berkman), Yankees (Travis Hafner) and Angels (J.B. Shuck) all have players in line for extra days off starting today. Those names are guesses, with some being more educated than others.
Streaming starters: Bronson Arroyo wasn't so good despite getting a win on Friday, Ricky Nolasco had a strong outing on Saturday, and Jerome Williams was pretty good on Sunday. We're up to 35-18 for the season.
Today's pick is Jose Quintana (owned in 14.2 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) versus the Cubs, while Tuesday's selection is Houston's Jordan Lyles (0.1 percent owned) against the Rockies. I own Lyles in two leagues - I'm a fan, with reasonable expectations.
On to the news:
- Nationals OF Bryce Harper aggravated a left knee injury on Sunday, and might miss a few games this week. If you own Harper in a weekly league, you can consider benching him if you have a solid alternative. However, it's always possible that Harper will play through the injury.
- In other Nats' news, SP Ross Detwiler is on the DL with an oblique strain.
- Red Sox SP Clay Buchholz has been scratched from tonight's start due to irritation in the AC joint near his collarbone (no, I don't know what that means, either). It sounds like the Sox are being extra-cautious with Buchholz, so don't worry too much if you own him.
- Indians closer Chris Perez left Sunday's game with a shoulder injury, and a DL stint is possible. If Perez is shelved, it's hard to say who will close, since Vinnie Pestano has been shaky lately. Joe Smith, maybe?
- Jered Weaver will come off the DL and return to the Angels' rotation on Wednesday.
- In case you missed it, Yankees OF Curtis Granderson will probably miss four weeks with a broken finger. Tough season for that guy.
- Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira could make his 2013 debut this weekend.
- With Jim Henderson (hamstring) on the DL, Francisco Rodriguez appears to be the head of a closer committee in Milwaukee. As stupid as that sounds, I picked up K-Rod in a league this morning.
- Diamondbacks SP Ian Kennedy has a cut on his index finger, and will have his next start pushed to Friday.
- Orioles manager Buck Showalter says that Jim Johnson's closer job is not in jeopardy, despite Johnson's recent shakiness. I believe Buck, but things can always change.
- Cubs RP Kyuji Fujikawa (forearm) is headed back to the DL? Kevin Gregg is like a cockroach - after the apocalypse, when everyone else is gone, he'll still be closing games for someone.
- Keep an eye on the status of Rockies OF Michael Cuddyer, who left Sunday's game after getting hit in the right arm by a pitch.
- Marlins SP Alex Sanabia (groin) is headed to the DL. Since Sanabia's best skill seems to be hocking loogies onto baseballs, this news shouldn't concern anyone.
- Ike Davis got two hits last night! WOOOOOOOOOOO!
- Twins 3B Trevor Plouffe appears on track to come off the seven-day concussion DL on Wednesday.
- The Phillies aren't sure if 1B Ryan Howard (knee) will play tonight.
- Prospect watchers will be intrigued by the news that Michael Wacha (4-0, 2.05 ERA at Triple A) might start for the Cardinals on Thursday. I'd like to see Wacha, but I worry that he doesn't miss a lot of bats.
- Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler is still targeting a Saturday return from the DL. All you excited Jurickson Profar owners will need to start chilling out soon.
- Finally, on this Memorial Day, I'd like to profoundly thank all those soldiers who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. As General George S. Patton said, "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived."
See you back here tomorrow morning.

