Atomic RoadRunners

While Chase Headley has joined the Padres, he was not activated prior to Sunday’s game. Headley is expected to play almost every day in left field, although he’ll occasionally step in at third when Kevin Kouzmanoff needs an off day, the Padres’ official site reports.

“They just told me that every now and then I might be in at third to give (Kevin Kouzmanoff) a day off … they want me to stay sharp there,” Headley said. “But from my understanding, it’s going to be a majority of the time in left field.”

Headley has been a slow starter at every level, so don’t be surprised if he doesn’t catch fire at the plate immediately. He is expected to get officially recalled Tuesday and start against the Yankees. It’s unclear if this was the plan all along or a response to Scott Hairston’s elbow injury or Paul McAnulty’s injured back. The Padres wouldn’t want to cut either Justin Huber or Paul McAnulty just to see Hairston land on the disabled list on Tuesday. (Rotoworld)

Fantasy owners have been patiently waiting Headley’s arrival since spring training. He is one of the Padres’ top prospects and the added eligibility in Fantasy makes him that more valuable. Headley, a switch-hitter, struggled to open the season at Portland by hitting .242 in April. He bounced back by hitting .357 in May. “I made some adjustments at the plate. In Triple-A, there (is) a lot more experience; guys know what they’re doing a little bit more,” Headley said. “I was seeing more off-speed (pitches) than I was before. It took me a little bit to make the adjustment to that, but once I figured out my approach, I got back to where I needed to be.” That’s great news and Headley does have all the tools to make an immediate Fantasy impact. If you can, consider taking a flier on Headley. (CBS Sports)

John Maine (6-5) continued the recent run of solid outings by Mets starters during Game 1 of a doubleheader Sunday against the Rangers, working into the seventh, but still took the loss. He turned the game over to Pedro Feliciano with the Mets trailing 3-2 and runners on first and third. Feliciano threw a wild pitch to move the runner to second. The Mets brought the infield in and Ramon Vazquez hit a sharp grounder past shortstop Jose B. Reyes, a potential double-play ball had the infield been back, for two runs. The Mets would lose the game 8-7. Maine allowed seven hits and five runs in 6 1/3 innings. He didn’t issue a walk and struck out five. He also allowed a homer to Vazquez earlier in the game. Maine has only one win in his last four starts and has allowed three or more runs in five of six. He’s not exactly wowing us like he was earlier in the season, but he has still been one of the Mets’ better hurlers in 2008. Maine has great potential and remains a solid high-end Fantasy SP despite some recent struggles. His next scheduled start is for Friday against the Rockies. He lost to Colorado May 25 despite allowing just three runs in six innings. (CBS Sports)

Jorge Campillo took a complete-game loss after giving up two runs in eight innings Sunday night against the Angels. Campillo, who entered with a 6.52 ERA during June, struck out seven and walked none in a very impressive outing in an AL park. After the start, he said he has no issue with the blister on his right middle finger that bothered him the last four starts. “I feel good, no more blisters, my curveball is back,” he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Campillo hadn’t lasted more than 5.1 innings in any of his last four starts due to the blister problem. It sounds like he’s back to full strength after the blister limited the use of his curve ball. He seems set to remain an asset in NL-only leagues. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Brett Myers surrendered six runs over six innings Sunday in a no-decision against the Cardinals. Myers went four straight outings without allowing a homer and had nice results in the process, but he’s now given up five bombs in two outings, taking his season total to a major league-high 20. His strikeout rate is fine and his walk rate isn’t bad, but he can’t give up that many homers and hope to post a respectable ERA. (Rotoworld)

Prince Fielder thought he had ended the Brewers’ extra-inning game Saturday against the Twins in the 10th inning with a drive off the center-field wall that highlighted the discussion for instant replay. Fielder’s shot appeared to hit the yellow line, but not go over the wall after Carlos Gomez attempted a leaping catch. According to the ground rules at Miller Park, a ball that goes over the yellow line on the top of the outfield fence in flight is a homer, if it strikes the line and bounces back it is not. Fielder pumped his fists before hurrying for a triple. After a short discussion by the umpire crew, the call stood. Minnesota went on to win 9-4 in the 12th. Fielder’s power numbers are down, but he has been hot in June and is starting to make up for his slow start. Keep him active in all leagues and expect a cluster of homers to come — perhaps very soon. (CBS Sports)

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Mike Gonzalez (elbow) could return from the disabled list as soon as Friday. Gonzalez has spent two weeks on a minor league rehab assignment as he makes his way back from Tommy John surgery, posting a 0.82 ERA and 12/1 K/BB ratio in 11 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. Given the Braves’ bullpen struggles, it’s surprising that they haven’t already activated him. (Rotoworld)

Todd Wellemeyer complained of elbow stiffness following Friday’s ugly start against the Phillies. Wellemeyer got knocked around for eight runs after having his previous turn in the rotation skipped due to elbow inflammation. He’s scheduled to start again Thursday versus the Royals, but will have to throw a successful bullpen session first Tuesday. If Wellemeyer is scratched, Anthony Reyes could be asked to fill in against Kansas City. (Rotoworld)

Chris Coste returned from his personal leave Sunday, going 1-for-4. Coste is one of the best backup catchers in baseball and a solid option in deeper Rotisserie leagues, because he puts up great offensive numbers when he is in the lineup. (CBS Sports)

Overall Standings

Rank Team                Batting Pitching Total Dif  Behind
---- ------------------- ------- -------- ----- ---- ------
 1   Atomic Roadrunners  38.5    40.0     78.5  -3.0 0.0
 2   Shoeless Jews       31.0    33.0     64.0  0.5  14.5
 3   The Pi Train        28.5    30.0     58.5  -2.5 20.0
 4   X-Men               18.5    39.0     57.5  0.5  21.0
 5   Goodfellas          33.0    23.0     56.0  3.5  22.5
 6   Stanimals           38.5    17.0     55.5  2.5  23.0
 7   Misogynistic Padres 28.0    25.5     53.5  -2.0 25.0
 8   Uncle Lester        10.0    37.0     47.0  1.0  31.5
 9   Get Off Kong!       26.0    20.5     46.5  0.5  32.0
 10  Cover Zero          23.0    10.0     33.0  -1.0 45.5

Yesterday's Stats

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (6/15/08)
Player                        BA HR R RBI   SB
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Blanco, Gregor M. OF ATL  0.0000  0 0   0    0
Coste, Chris C PHI        0.2500  0 0   0    0
DeWitt, Blake 3B LA       0.2500  0 1   0    0
Fielder, Prince 1B MIL    0.2500  0 0   0    0
Gerut, Jody RF SD         0.2500  0 0   0    1
Hart, Corey C. RF MIL     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Iannetta, Chris C COL     0.5000  1 1   1    0
Jones, Chipper 3B ATL     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Phillips, Brandon 2B CIN  0.0000  0 0   0    0
Reyes, Jose B. SS NYM     0.1250  0 1   0    0
Spilborghs, Ryan CF COL   0.0000  0 0   0    0
Teixeira, Mark 1B ATL     0.2500  0 0   0    0
Theriot, Ryan SS CHC      0.2500  0 1   0    0
Victorino, Shane CF PHI   0.5000  0 0   0    0

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (6/15/08)
Player                       ERA  K S   W WHIP
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Maine, John SP NYM          7.11  5 0   0 1.11
Myers, Brett SP PHI         9.00  3 0   0 1.33