Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

Mike Gonzalez has pitched effectively in simulated games at extended spring training and is ahead of schedule in his recovery from Tommy John Surgery. Originally, after Gonzalez underwent the surgery, he wasn’t expected back until the All-Star break. He showed progress at spring training which pushed his return to early June. Now the Braves are talking about him being ready by late May. He has another month of simulated games, then could start a rehab assignment. (Rotoworld)

Braves recalled LHP Chuck James from Triple-A Richmond. The Braves had the option of going to Jo-Jo Reyes, but he was left in Triple-A to throw five scoreless innings tonight. James, who was awful in his one major league start on April 9, will face the Dodgers on Saturday. (Rotoworld)

Todd Wellemeyer threw over 100 pitches in a game for the first time in his career Friday night and moved to 2-0 after a seven-inning, four-hit performance. Wellemeyer allowed only one run and struck out six. His ERA sits at 3.24. Granted, he was facing the Giants, but Wellemeyer looked great. He kept the ball down and worked ahead all night. Of the 107 pitches he threw, 72 were strikes. OK, here’s the downside: Friday’s start was the first in which Wellemeyer didn’t strike out a batter per inning. Of course, he still struck out six in seven, which is awfully close. The more Wellemeyer pitches, the more he starts to look like a legitimately good hurler and not just some journeyman on a hot streak. Has pitching coach Dave Duncan produced another gem? Wellemeyer is probably worth a flier in all leagues at this point. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday at Pittsburgh — a good matchup, for sure. He has suddenly become a very nice-looking option in NL-only leagues. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Chipper Jones had a second straight two-homer game and drove in four of the Braves’ six runs Friday in a victory over the Dodgers. Simply an incredible start. Chipper is batting .455/.486/.773 in 65 at-bats. He’s tied for the major league lead with six homers, and he tops in NL in average and RBI (18). If he continues to play at an MVP level throughout his age-36 season, there will no longer be any doubt at all about his Hall of Fame chances. (Rotoworld)

Jose Reyes was able to stay in Friday’s game after sliding headfirst into Chase Utley’s knee at second base in the third inning. Reyes wasn’t knocked out, but he was obviously dazed and may have suffered a mild concussion. The Mets let him continue on anyway, but it’d be no surprise if he ends up coming out. (Rotoworld)

Brewers manager Ned Yost has moved Corey Hart up to the fifth spot in the lineup, bumping Bill Hall to the six hole. Hart hit in the fifth spot with Hall getting a day off yesterday, and Prince Fielder hit his first homer of the year. He probably offers better protection for Fielder, as he is hitting almost 100 points better than Hall, and has been a little more selective at the plate. (Rotoworld)

Overall Standings

Rank Team                Batting Pitching Total Dif   Behind
---- ------------------- ------- -------- ----- ----- ------
 1   Goodfellas          35.0    44.0     79.0  7.5   0.0
 2   Shoeless Jews       41.5    29.5     71.0  5.5   8.0
 3   The Pi Train        30.5    34.0     64.5  -1.5  14.5
 4   Atomic Roadrunners  22.5    34.0     56.5  8.0   22.5
 5   X-Men               18.0    35.5     53.5  -6.5  25.5
 6   Misogynistic Padres 36.0    17.0     53.0  0.0   26.0
 7   Get Off Kong!       28.5    22.5     51.0  7.0   28.0
 8   Uncle Lester        10.5    35.5     46.0  -5.0  33.0
 9   Stanimals           30.0    13.5     43.5  -3.0  35.5
 10  Cover Zero          22.5    9.5      32.0  -12.0 47.0  

Yesterday's Stats

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (4/18/08)
Player                        BA HR R RBI   SB
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Barton, Brian OF STL      0.0000  0 0   0    0
Bowker, John OF SF        0.0000  0 0   0    0
Dewitt, Blake 3B LA       0.0000  0 0   0    0
Fielder, Prince 1B MIL    0.0000  0 1   1    0
Hart, Corey C. RF MIL     0.3333  0 0   1    0
Jones, Andruw CF LA       0.3333  0 1   0    0
Jones, Chipper 3B ATL     0.6000  2 2   4    0
Phillips, Brandon 2B CIN  0.5000  0 1   0    0
Reyes, Jose B. SS NYM     0.0000  0 1   0    1
Ruiz, Carlos C PHI        0.3333  0 1   0    0
Spilborghs, Ryan CF COL   0.5000  0 3   0    1
Teixeira, Mark 1B ATL     0.2000  0 1   0    0
Theriot, Ryan SS CHC      0.5000  0 0   0    0
Valentin, Javier C CIN    0.0000  0 0   0    0

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (4/18/08)
Player                       ERA  K S   W WHIP
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Lieber, Jon SP CHC          0.00  1 0   0 1.50
Wellemeyer, Todd SP STL     1.29  6 0   1 0.86