Major League Baseball

Tanaka time: Yanks' ace scheduled to start Sunday

Published Sep. 17, 2014 5:59 a.m. ET

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John Halpin

Yankee ace Masahiro Tanaka was placed on the DL in early July due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and Tommy John surgery appeared to be in his future. Tanaka and the Yankees opted for rehab instead of the surgery, and Tanaka is now scheduled to return to the mound Sunday against the Blue Jays.

As exciting as this sounds - and it is pretty cool to see Tanaka come back - there are two notes of caution for fantasy owners. First, Tanaka will be on a pitch count of 70-75, so starting him on your fake baseball team will be risky. Secondly, if you're looking ahead to 2015, know that Tanaka has avoided TJ surgery for now, but not necessarily forever. If all goes well for Tanaka on Sunday, look for him to make one additional start next weekend.

Tuesday's studs & duds

Stud: Cubs SP Jake Arrieta shut out the Reds on one hit and struck out 13 batters. Arrieta has been one of fantasy baseball's best stories this season.

Stud: Mets 2B Wilmer Flores had two homers, three runs scored and six RBI against the Marlins. That's a month's worth of stats for most Mets.

Dud: Glen Perkins and Joe Nathan both blew saves in the Tigers-Twins game, but since Perkins did it first in the top of the inning, he got a win. Ergo, Nathan is our dud.

News & notes

Red Sox OF Rusney Castillo will make his big-league debut tonight. Castillo brings some speed to the table, but he's not expected to play every day right now, so mixed leaguers should avoid the hype.

Dodgers SS Hanley Ramirez was only able to pinch hit on Tuesday because of a right elbow strain, and he isn't expected to play today.

Padres RP Joaquin Benoit, who has been out since August 26 due to a shoulder issue, could be ready to pitch by Friday, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. It's not clear if Benoit will close right away.

The Astros have officially shut down OF George Springer, who has been out since late July due to a strained quad.

The Nationals and Orioles clinched their respective divisions on Tuesday, so those of you in daily lineup leagues will need to watch closely to see when they'll rest players.

Angels SP Matt Shoemaker will miss at least one start due to a strained oblique.

Zach Putnam saved Tuesday's win for the White Sox, but it's not clear if Jake Petricka simply had the night off after struggling on Monday.

Yankees IF/OF Martin Prado is done for the season after having an appendectomy, and the team isn't sure when 1B Mark Teixeira (wrist) will play again.

A's SP Jason Hammel will miss his Saturday start to attend the birth of his baby, and be replaced that day by Drew Pomeranz.

Diamondbacks SP Chase Anderson will be shut down after his Friday start.

Streaming starters

Bartolo Colon's strong Tuesday outing raised our record to 97-57 for the season. Today's pick is Derek Holland (owned in 19 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) at Oakland, while Thursday's selection is San Diego's Robbie Erlin (0.1 percent owned) versus the terrible Phillies.

See you back here tomorrow morning.

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