Young guns Sunday

A ton of young starters throw on Sunday looking to prove they belong, or continue to belong, in major league rotations. Here's a look at what to watch for:

1:05 PM EST - DET: Andy Oliver (0-0, NA) vs. Clay Buchholz, BOS
1:10 PM EST - PHI: Vance Worley (2-0, 2.14 ERA) vs. Jonathon Niese, NYM
1:35 PM EST - WSH: Yunesky Maya (0-0, NA) vs. Dustin Moseley, SD
2:05 PM EST - ARZ: Josh Collmenter (3-1, 1.19 ERA) vs. J.A. Happ, HOU
3:05 PM EST - KC: Danny Duffy (0-0, 3.86 ERA) vs. Alexi Ogando, TEX
4:05 PM EST - OAK: Guillermo Moscoso (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Zach Britton, BAL

***Oliver is a solid prospect hoping to earn Phil Coke's rotation spot. A lefty, Oliver was solid across the board in the minor leagues.

***Worley is getting his second shot at starting, this time for the injured Joe Blanton, who is on rest before needing a rehab stint. Worley is hoping to hold onto the job for the interim.

***Maya isn't really a prospect. At 29 years old he's simply holding a place for Tom Gorzelanny until the Nats deem their lefty ready to return from an elbow issue. Maya, a Cuban defector, did nice work in the minors.

***Collmenter has been a star at starter since sliding into the role from a bullpen spot. He isn't getting much love in fantasy circles despite just two earned runs in 16 1/3 innings as a starter. His minor league numbers are strong, however, and he's worth a flier at this point.

***Duffy possesses dominant stuff and didn't walk a lot of hitters in the minors, but that's been his issue at the MLB level. Chalk it up for nerves in each of his first two starts. He could put it together at any moment.

***Moscoso won his first start filling in for injured Tyler Ross. The 27-year-old has toiled in the minors a long time, but he's got the numbers to suggest he can hang around at the MLB level.

No sidetrack on Swarzak

Twins fill-in starter Anthony Swarzak pitches a gem in his first major league start since 2009, taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning before Angles center fielder Peter Bourjos breaks it up with a double. Swarzak earned a no-decision as the game was decided in extra innings, 1-0 Twins.

Fantasy Impact: Before this performance, Swarzak wasn't expected to last long in the Twins rotation. With Francisco Liriano expected to return after missing this one start, Swarzak doesn't have much chance of seeing another start. He's posted decent minor league numbers over his eight-year professional career, but his 7.71 ERA in relief this year with the Twins and 6.25 ERA over 12 starts in 2009, leaves much to be desired. It looks like one day of brilliance for the right-hander and little fantasy value moving forward.

Astros call up Lyles

Jordan Lyles, former first-round pick of the Houston Astros will make his MLB debut for the 'Stros on Tuesday against the Cubs. Lyles is just 20 years old and already in his second season at Triple-A.

Fantasy Impact: We've seen uber-young starting pitchers hit the big leagues in recent seasons, so the sticker-shock of Lyles age shouldn't be too scary. He's got to have an impressive makeup to reach the big leagues so quickly. That said, Astros management may be reaching to save their jobs with this one. Lyles is not putting up the kind of numbers to make you believe he'll succeed immediately at baseball's highest level. For starters, he owns a losing record (20-29) across parts of three minor league seasons with six different teams. At Triple-A he's 3-6 and is struggling to punch hitters out (6.3 K per nine). Lyles has given up more than a hit an inning at the minor league level, which doesn't inspire a ton of confidence at the MLB level even if he's limiting the home run ball (0.6 per nine over his MiLB career). We'll reserve further judgment until after we've seen him pitch against the Cubs on Tuesday, but the recommendation is to leave him on the waiver wire until he proves he can put things together against a big league team or two.

Bailey Reds' latest pitching problem

News of Homer Bailey hitting the DL with a sprained shoulder adds to the compounding problems the Reds are having with starting pitching. Chad Reineke appears to be the spot starter for Bailey's supposed short DL stint.

Fantasy Impact: Bailey had been pitching well and deserves a DL spot in fantasy play. Reineke, despite some decent MiLB numbers at Triple-A this year, is not much of spot-start option in fantasy.

Nicasio nice in first effort

Newly recalled Rockies starter Juan Nicasio dominates the Caridinals with seven shoutout innings on his way to a 15-4 win in his MLB debut. Nicasio walked two and yielded just six hits on the day. He profiles as a project, but with that high-end fastball Nicasio is capable of big things in his career, especially if he improves that slider.

Fantasy Impact: With Aaron Cook expected back with the big league team after a broken pitching hand derailed the start of hi season, it appears this may have been one and done for Nicasio. If that's indeed the case, it might be a good thing for fantasy owners tempted to scoop up the young fireballer. Nicasio has pitched just this season above A-ball, which means he's still working his way through the minor league system. This one-off start was likely a reward for his good work at Double-A (2.22 ERA, 62 K in 56 2/3 innings). That said, the back end of the Rockies rotation (Cook and Clayton Mortensen) is less than inspiring. We fully expect Nicasio to head back to the minors and continue to work on harnessing his impressive stuff. Unless the Rockies are big gamblers, there's only an outside chance we see Nicasio again.

Smoke on the Dodgers

A cloud of smoke is wafting into Dodger Stadium along the first base side. Apparently there's a fire in a warehouse nearby. Fans are being moved to other areas of the part. It's an odd scene.

MLB transactions report - May 22, 2011

Players listed in red included in notes section below.

Disabled List:
Glen Perkins, LHP/RP, MIN - 15-Day DL as of May 22, 2011 (Right oblique strain)
Marlon Byrd, OF, CHC - 15-day DL as of May 22, 2011 (Facial fractures)
Reid Brignac, SS, TB - bereavement list
Juan Uribe, 3B, LAD - 15-day DL as of May 21, 2011 (Strained left hip flexor)

Activated/Recalled:
Clay Hensley,, RHP/RP, FLA - returning from DL for left rib contusion (AAA New Orleans)
Rusty Hughes, LHP/RP, MIN (AAA Rochester)
Justin Berg, RHP/RP, CHC (AAA Iowa)
Felipe Lopez, 2B, TB (AAA Durham)
Rafael Furcal, SS, LAD
Greg Reynolds, RHP/SP, COL (AAA Colorado Springs)

Demoted:
Ozwaldo Martinez, SS, FLA (to AAA New Orleans)

Signed:
Yem Prades, OF, KC - (assigned to A+ Wilmington)

Released/Designated for assignment:
Felipe Paulino, RHP/RP - Designated for assignment (Colorado Rockies)

NOTES:
MIN - Dusty Hughes' replacement of Glen Perkins as a lefty reliever leaves just Hughes and Phil Dumatrait as Minnesota's bullpen southpaws. Hughes saw the hill 12 times for Minnesota earlier this year to Dumatrait's meager four outings. Dumatrait's got the better numbers (3.00 ERA to Hughes' 10.13), but either could be used as a lefty specialist in setting up closer Matt Capps. Dumatrait's 6.95 ERA over his short career suggests Perkins' 1.59 ERA and 1.19 WHIP will likely be missed.

FLA - Clay Hensley served as Florida's primary setup man prior to hitting the disabled list. He even closed out 7 saves in 2010. Expect Florida to work him back into late innings opportunities as he's deemed fit. Hensley's not the most dominant setup man in baseball, but he's proven capable over stretches.

CHC - Justin Berg provides some relief pitching depth as Marlon Byrd hits the DL with facial fractures after getting hit by a pitch against the Red Sox.

COL - Greg Reynolds was recalled to step in for a spot start against the Cardinals on Saturday. He holds little fantasy value.

Crane Kenney won't throw it back

Cubs president Crane Kenney is causing quite an internet stir for not throwing back a home run ball he caught at Fenway off the bat of Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Cubs tradition says a bleacher bum should throw the ball back. Some observers say throwing a ball back is stupid. It's been long debated whether or not throwing a baseball back is a true form of fandom or otherwise.

But honestly, Who cares? Is it worth the debate? This will be the first and last post on the matter in this blog. Do whatever you wish.

MLB transactions report - May 21st

Players listed in red included in notes section below.

Disabled List:
Josh Johnson, RHP, SP, FLA - 15-day DL as of May 17, 2011 (Right shoulder inflammation)
Brad Thomas, LHP, RP, DET - 15-day DL as of May 11, 2011 (Left elbow inflammation)
Alex White, RHP, SP, CLE - 15-day DL as of May 21, 2011 (Right middle finger soreness)
Pedro Alvarez, 3B, PIT - 15-day DL as of May 20, 2011 (Right quadriceps tightness)
Donnie Murphy, 3B, FLA - 60-day DL as of Apr 30, 2011 (Right wrist inflammation)

Activated/Recalled:
Pedro Ciriaco, SS, PIT (AAA Indianapolis)
Alfredo Simon, RHP, RP, BAL (Restricted list)
Micah Owings, RHP, SP, ARZ (AAA Reno)
Jay Buente, RHP, SP, FLA (AAA New Orleans)
Charlie Furbush, LHP, RP, DET (AAA Toledo)
Lance Pendleton, RHP, RP, NYY (AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre)
Josh Judy, RHP, RP, CLE (AAA Columbus)

Demoted:
Amauri Sanit, RHP, RP, NYY (to minors)
Jason Berken, RHP, RP, BAL (to minors)

Signed:
Lenny DiNardo, LHP, RP, OAK (Long Island Ducks - Atlantic League)

Released/Designated for assignment:
Russell Branyan, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks

NOTES:
FLA - Josh Johnson's repeated arm problems need to worry fantasy owners about his long-term viability. He's already suffered Tommy John surgery, missed the end of last season with arm problems and now a first DL stint of 2011 in May.Jay Buente owns encouraging minor league numbers that make him look like a potential flier as a starter at the MLB level. The again, his MLB numbers as a reliever haven't cut it (11 BB in 11 IP, 6.55 ERA).

CLE - Alex White went down with middle finger inflammation. His DL stint opens the door for Mitch Talbot's return. Talbot performed as a middle-of-the-road starter for Cleveland last season. White may end up in the minors after his recovery, but could also be on the heels of Carlos Carrasco for the Indians' fifth starter spot. He's one to watch as a promising young prospect who looked poised the the major league level.

PIT - Pedro Alvarez's DL time opens the door for former Angel Brandon Wood in Pittsburgh. His marginal fantasy value is worth a flier if you're desperate for a third baseman. There's some upside there, but Wood has shown time and again he's baffled by big-league pitching.

DET - Brad Thomas's injury means rookie Charlie Furbush jumps up to the big leagues as a potential impact arm. With 400 strikouts in 378 1/3 MiLB innings, Furbush has been able to limit walks and win more than he lost as a starter. The lefty could push his way into a setup role for the Tigers relatively quickly.

ARZ - Micah Owings earned a spot start for the D'backs and pitched fairly well (5 1/3 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K). He'll likely head back to the minors soon with starter Zach Duke on a rehab assignment and nearing a return to the parent club. Russell Branyan's release will open more time for Xavier Nady and Juan Miranda at first base, but those two will likely steal at bats from one another in a platoon of some sort. At this time neither inspires more than younger options at the position garnering more playing time.

Ciriaco called up; Pirates 3rd base thoughts

The Pirates recalled 25-year old infielder Pedro Ciriaco from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday. Despite taking the place of injured Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez, Ciriaco owns just one appearance at the position in the minors. Brandon Wood should continue to see starts in Alvarez's absence.

Fantasy Impact: Ciriaco provides little fantasy interest outside of his speed. He's stolen 152 bases in 202 attempts in the minors, but his .650 career MiLB OPS and .190 average this year leaves much to be desired. He should carry little interest with fantasy owners. Wood is an intriguing stop-gap player who has never put it together at the major-league level. He's show a touch more ability at the plate since joining the Pirates (.217 avg, 26% K rate) after leaving the Angels (.168 avg, 33% K rate). Alvarez was striking out nearly 34% of the time before his injury and hitting just .208 with limited pop. If Wood continues to perform at this pace or even slightly better, he's arguably the man for the job in Pittsburgh. That makes him a low end fantasy option with some upside due to his former prospect status at the minor league level.

White out early

Indians starter Alex White only lasted three innings against the Reds due to an apparent right middle finger injury. White cruised through the better part of two innings before recoiling awkwardly on a third-inning pitch. After initially staying in the game, White did not return for the next frame. He struggled to throw strikes and threw no off-speed pitches after getting check out by the Indians' trainer.

Fantasy Impact: White is not your typical sinkerballer. The rookie right-hander hits the mid 90s with consistency and has shown composure on the mound of a pitcher far his senior. With fellow Indians starter Mitch Talbot having completed a rehab assignment you have to wonder if an injury to White could allow Talbot back to the Indians at White's expense. Whether that is via a disabled-list stint for White or demotion to the minors, he's certainly in limbo if the injury forces him out of his next start.

Royals' third shot at Tomlin

Keep an eye on Indians starter Josh Tomlin tonight and this week. Tomlin, who has looked extremely effective in his seven starts this season (4-1), faces the Kansas City Royals for the third time Monday night. The previous two meetings, the Royals failed to string together hits and save for a pair of solo homers in game two put little pressure on Tomlin. Now with a new and potent lefty bat in the lineup in Eric Hosmer, we'll see if the third time is the charm for Kansas City. Tomlin's gotten by while surrendering a hefty eight home runs in 46 2/3 innings so far this season. If Tomlin does get past KC, he'll face a tough lineup in the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend.

Fantasy Impact: We'll see if the Royals can better game plan for Tomlin after seeing him twice in the span of six days back in late April. Tomlin's peripheral numbers are underwhelming. He's striking out just five batters per nine innings and the longball could eventually become a problem - that is if at team can produce some more hits against him. Tomlin has sparkled, allowing just 1.7 walks per nine innings and six hits per nine. The hits numbers are atypical for a guy who doesn't strike people out. Tomlin has pitched like a fantasy ace over the early part of this season. We'll see if the team that's seen him the most can actually expose him. Otherwise, we might be witnessing the emergence one of those few guys that can really pitch and get by without much help from strikeouts.

Beachy's beached; Teheran to get spot start?

Update (10:14pm CST): It's now been confirmed by Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez that Beachy will be out at least one month. That means Teheran remains likely for the spot start on Wednesday, and the Braves will need to make a decision for a few more starts at the end of the month and in early June. Teheran might be worth a flier in certain deeper fantasy leagues this week. Hanging on to a guy some consider the top pitching prospect in the minors can keep opposing fantasy managers hands off him if he's indeed the guy to earn more starts in coming weeks.

Braves rookie starter Brandon Beachy hits the DL today with a "significant" oblique injury, and it appears that Julio Teheran will become the Braves choice in Beachy's absence as a spot starter. Minor, who earned one start earlier this season and struggled through nine appearances with Atlanta in 2010, not only went ahead with his scheduled start at Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, he worked deep into the game. That should end speculation that he might go short Sunday in preparation for a Major League start on Wednesday with the Braves.

Fantasy Impact: With Rodrigo Lopez out of options, this should become a no-brainer for the Braves. Minor can't throw on Wednesday and the start will only be a spot start due to manager Fredi Gonzalez feeling no need for a fifth starter again until May 31. Teheran is likely to jump up to the parent club for Wednesday alone, and news on Beachy's status will be needed moving forward. Without detailed news on his injury, it's too early to know what the Braves will need to do that last day of the month. Oblique issues can vary significantly from injury to injury and person to person. Just last year, Yovani Gallardo returned from an oblique strain in just three weeks. Beachy, presumably, could make that next start if all goes well. Time will tell. Hold off on any fantasy baseball roster moves regarding these Braves pitchers until more information is available.