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BEONDECK is is featured on Buehler’s Day Off on Team 1010 KXPS in Palm Desert, CA

Matt Kemp has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring, the team announced Thursday. Despite the fact that it is being called a “mild” strain, the Dodgers need to be extra careful with Kemp. He strained his hamstring in the Dodgers’ Wednesday night loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Kemp was placed on the disabled list two separate times in 2012 due to a left hamstring strain and missed 50 games with a left hamstring injury. The Dodgers recalled Tim Federowicz to take Kemp’s place on the roster. Many thought that the Dodgers would promote either Yasiel Puig or Joc Pederson, but instead Federowicz got the call because A.J. Ellis is dealing with an oblique injury and may miss some time.

MLB News & Notes

• Michael Wacha sure did not disappoint the Cardinals in his major league debut. Wacha racked up six strikeouts while holding the Royals to just one run. A blown save by Mitchell Boggs cost him his first win, but Wacha looked very comfortable on a major league mound and will certainly get another start.
• A.J. Ellis (oblique) could need a trip to the disabled list due to pain in his left side muscle. Ellis was out of the lineup on Thursday and will likely miss a couple more games. In the meantime, Ramon Hernandez and Tim Federowicz will share playing time.
• Peter Bourjos (hamstring) looks like he will begin a rehab assignment on Monday. Bourjos ran the bases on Thursday and said that he felt good.
• Jeff Locke held the Tigers scoreless for 5 1/3 innings. Locke’s scoreless streak has reached 19 1/3 innings and now has five starts this season that he has not allowed a run. Locke is becoming a very solid option in all formats.
• Chris Archer will be called up to make the start for the Rays against the Indians on Saturday. Archer owns a 3.96 ERA in 50 innings over 10 starts this season in Triple-A. This will be a tough match-up for him.
• Bryce Harper (knee) is eying a return to the lineup Friday night. This is big news because just yesterday, Nationals manager Davy Johnson stated that Harper’s knee was still bothering him. To that point, it seems more likely that Harper will return in the two or three days.
• Josh Hamilton (back) missed his second start in three days due to back spasms. He did come in the game as a defensive replacement, so the injury doesn’t seem to be too serious.
• Jacoby Ellsbury went 3-for-4 and set a Red Sox record with five steals Thursday in the win against the Phillies.
• Jose Reyes (ankle) could begin a rehab assignment within a week. Reyes has been running for the past week and looks to be improving as expected. As long as there are no setbacks, Reyes should be back in the next few weeks.

BEONDECK is is featured on Buehler’s Day Off on Team 1010 KXPS in Palm Desert, CA

Justin Verlander earned the victory on Wednesday as the Tigers completed a sweep against the Indians, but his pitching line wasn’t pretty. In five innings, he allowed five runs on 10 hits. His ERA sits at 3.66 after it was 1.55 just three starts ago. In those three starts, Verlander has allowed 16 runs on 22 hits in 12.2 innings. Verlander had to work hard for his fifth win of the year. He threw 110 pitches to get through five innings. He gave up 10 hits, including a home run, but the Tigers high power offense was led once again by Miguel Cabrera who went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, three RBIs, two runs, a walk and a double. Verlander will look to rebound in his next start on Monday at home against the Pirates.

MLB NEWS & NOTES

• Adam Eaton (elbow) suffered a setback in his rehab when he experienced renewed soreness in his left elbow. Eaton left his rehab assignment and has returned to Phoenix for an examination. There seems to be some hope that this is a minor setback, but there is a very real chance that Eaton needs Tommy John Surgery to repair his injury. The Diamondbacks already have four outfielders (Cody Ross, Gerardo Parra, Jason Kubel, and A.J. Pollock) they are trying to fit into three spots.
• C.J. Wilson allowed just one run in eight innings of the Angels victory over the Mariners on Wednesday. Wilson struck out 10 Mariners in his eight innings, and now owns a 3.39 ERA through 10 starts. He’ll take his next turn Monday against the Dodgers.
• Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) took live batting practice Wednesday for the first time since straining his right hamstring. There is still no firm timetable for Stanton to return, but the middle of June could be a possibility.
• Clay Buchholz improved to 7-0 on Wednesday. Buchholz holding the White Sox to one run over seven innings as the Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the White Sox. A drop off for Buchholz is sure to come, but fantasy owners need to enjoy the ride while they can with him.
• Chris Davis went 4-for-4 including his 14th home run Wednesday as the Orioles beat the Yankees 6-3. Since May 9, he’s hitting .375 with five home runs and 13 RBIs. Davis is tied with Justin Upton for the league lead in home runs, and he trails only Miguel Cabrera in RBI.
• Josh Rutledge had never taken an at-bat at Triple-A before he popped on the scene last year and hit .345 over his first 150 plate appearances last season. He limped to the finish line by hitting .197 in September, but there was alot of confidence that Rutledge would get off to a good start this year. Unfortunately, Rutledge has struggled this year and on Wednesday, the Rockies made the decision to send him to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Rutledge will be back, but don’t be surprised if his first 150 AB last year are not duplicated again.
• Jamie Garcia (shoulder) is done for the season after it was determined that he has a 30-40 percent tear of his of the labrum in his left shoulder. On Friday, Garcia will have his surgery performed in St. Louis. The Cardinals will now look at their options that include John Gast, Shelby Miller, and Tyler Lyons to fill Garcia’s spot in the rotation.
• Ryan Madson (elbow) suffered yet another setback in his recovery from Tommy John elbow surgery. Madson felt new soreness while trying to throw earlier this week and he has been shut down indefinitely. Fantasy owners can go ahead and release Madson in any format because his comeback bid in 2013 is in real jeopardy.

BEONDECK is is featured on Buehler’s Day Off on Team 1010 KXPS in Palm Desert, CA.

Have the Chicago Cubs finally found their closer? Maybe for the moment, but Kevin Gregg is not officially the Cubs closer. Gregg said he was throwing the ball well with the Dodgers in spring training, but he failed to win a spot in their bullpen. Gregg signed with the Cubs earlier this month and now finds himself closing games for a team that was DESPERATE to find anyone that could come in and record three outs in the ninth inning. He earned his fourth save on Monday night in the Cubs 5-3 victory over the Padres. He is a perfect 4-for-4 in save opportunities since joining the club. Cubs manager Dale Sveum continues to say that he will use a closer-by-committee, but odds are he will go with the hot hand and stay with Gregg for now, but don’t expect the success to continue. Kyuji Fujikawa, who is soon to return from the disabled list, and Carlos Marmol are certain to get more opportunities to close. This is a still a very unstable situation and fantasy owners need to proceed with caution.

MLB NEWS & NOTES

• Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a stained right hamstring. Stanton was finally coming around at the plate after returning from a recent shoulder contusion. Unfortunately, the Marlins and fantasy owners are going to have to be without him for awhile.
• Hanley Ramirez (thumb) was activated from the disabled list Monday while Clayton Kershaw was placed on the bereavement list to attend to a family matter. Kershaw is expected to make his next start Friday against the Giants.
• Max Scherzer struck out 10 Twins batters in Monday’s win. Scherzer reached double figures in strikeouts for the third time in five starts, although this is the first time he’s done so and won.
• Troy Tulowitzki (shoulder) could return to action as soon as Tuesday in Los Angeles. This is great news for fantasy owners and the Rockies.
• Coco Crisp (hamstring) left Monday’s game with a left hamstring stain and is listed as day-to-day.
• Prince Fielder crushed a three-run homer in Monday’s win over the Twins. Monday’s home run gives Fielder six home runs and 25 RBI in April. He appears primed for another big offensive year.
• Johnny Cueto (lat) bullpen session went well on Monday. He threw 45 pitches and hopes to begin a rehab assignment soon.
• Ubaldo Jimenez threw seven shutout frames on Monday in a victory over the Royals. Even though Jimenez combined with two Indians relievers on a three-hitter, he is still too risky for fantasy owners to trust him.
• Aramis Ramirez (knee) is planning to run the bases today and could be activated from the disabled list sometime this week.
• Stephen Strasburg experienced tightness in his right forearm Monday night. Strasburg tried to loosen his arm a couple times during the game. He’ll be examined Tuesday.