Angels OF Mike Trout missed another game on Wednesday, but his fantasy owners can probably breathe a sigh of relief. An MRI on Trout's stiff back showed only inflammation, and Trout said he'll come in today "hoping to play," though that's unlikely. Manager Mike Scioscia said, "We're not anticipating a DL with Mike at all ... in fact, the opposite. I think he's made enough progress where hopefully he'll be back in a couple of days." Trout owners in daily leagues will probably want to bench him today, but otherwise he should be fine soon.
On to the rest of the news:
As expected, Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez (finger) has been placed on the DL; Chris Dickerson played left field in his place last night. Teammate Jordan Lyles broke a bone in his left hand during Wednesday's game, and will be heading to the DL as well.
Blue Jays 1B Edwin Encarnacion left Wednesday's game due to back tightness, and it doesn't sound like he'll play today.
In Padres' news, 3B Chase Headley left Wednesday's game shortly after being hit in the leg by a pitch, but he should be fine by Friday. 2B Jedd Gyorko might be headed to the DL due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot. For those of you who haven't already waived Gyorko, this might qualify as good news.
Streaming starters: Edwin Jackson notched an ugly win in which he allowed just one earned run. We'll take it, and we're up to 40-24 for the season. Today's pick is Mike Leake (owned in 28.4 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) against the Giants in a 12:35 p.m. ET start, while Friday's choice is the high-K, high-ERA Brandon McCarthy (1.8 percent owned) versus the Braves.
The Tigers have called up Eugenio Suarez to be their regular shortstop. Before his promotion, the 22-year-old Suarez batted .288 with eight home runs and nine stolen bases between Double A and Triple A. Here's an overview of Suarez's game from Bless You Boys, which thinks he'll bat .240-.250 with a decent number of walks. Suarez probably isn't more than an AL-only option right now, but let's see if he starts stealing some bases.
Not that this is a surprise, but Tigers manager Brad Ausmus says he's sticking with Joe Nathan at closer.
The Yankees expect Carlos Beltran (elbow) to return to the lineup today.
Astros SS Jonathan Villar is day-to-day after getting hit near the right elbow with a pitch on Tuesday.
Orioles SP Miguel Gonzalez (pain in right side) is probably on his way to the DL. Teammate Zach Britton got his fifth save on Wednesday, though he did give up a couple of hits. Britton is owned in just 19.9 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, and while his lock on the closer job isn't exactly firm, he's got it for now.
SP Jeremy Hellickson (elbow) will make a rehab start on Saturday, and might only need three of those starts before making his 2014 debut for the Rays.
Another clean save for Ronald Belisario. Yes!
Last night, Twins OF Oswaldo Arcia hit his third homer in 10 games since coming off the DL. Arcia is owned in three percent of FOXSports.com leagues, and he's probably going to hit 15 home runs between now and the end of the season. Just thought you'd want to know.
The Mets are using a timeshare at shortstop between Ruben Tejada and Wilmer Flores. These guys aren't really worth owning if they play full-time, so ...
The Nationals are targeting a July 1 return for OF Bryce Harper (thumb).
Giants SP Matt Cain (hamstring) is scheduled to return to the mound on Friday.
Rest in peace, Don Zimmer. You lived a great baseball life.
See you back here tomorrow morning.
