Atomic RoadRunners

Shairon Martis held the Braves to three runs, two of them earned, over six innings in a 4-3 win on Tuesday. Martis improved to 2-0 on the season. Again, Martis wasn’t particularly great, throwing just 53 of his 89 pitches for strikes, but he found his way into the win column again. The three runs the Braves scored in the first were the only runs they scored all night. Martis walked four and struck out two in the win. Martis worked his way in and out of trouble — his lone 1-2-3 inning was the second — but he only allowed runs in the first. He got himself in a tight spot with two outs by walking Chipper Jones and Brian McCann, who was fitted for a new contact lens Tuesday after being bothered by blurred vision in his left eye. Casey Kotchman delivered an RBI double to right-center. Jeff Francoeur then hit a sharp groundball that shortstop Alberto Gonzalez grabbed at the edge of the outfield grass. Gonzalez’s throw got past first baseman Nick Johnson, and two runs scored on the play. Francoeur was credited with an RBI single; Gonzalez was charged with a throwing error that allowed the second run, and Atlanta led 3-0.

Martis has won his last two starts and hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his first three starts — although his first outing against Atlanta April 10 was cut short by rain. Martis had a solid spring and worked his way into the Nationals’ rotation. He has done well thus far to begin the season and it appears he could be working on a breakout season. Still, Martis is more of a low-end Fantasy SP for larger mixed leagues until his numbers really start to pop. His next scheduled start is for Monday at Philadelphia.The outing was good enough to win on Tuesday, but it’s unlikely that he’ll be able to get away with that many free passes most nights. At 22, Martis still has plenty of time to improve, but it could be a rocky road for him to develop into a viable fantasy option beyond NL-only and deep mixed formats. (Rotoworld, Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Todd Wellemeyer gave up four runs over five innings as part of a no-decision in a 6-4 win over the Mets. The Mets really knocked him around in this one, getting nine hits and four runs in the first four innings. He also walked two and struck out just one batter. Even the outs were potentially dangerous, as he had eight of them come on flyballs. The Mets have had his number in the past, so NL-only owners shouldn’t be concerned at this point. Wellemeyer was coming off a 2-1 win over Arizona in which he allowed just one run on seven hits over seven innings. He took a little step back on Tuesday and can sometimes allow too many hits. He’s mainly someone to be used in NL-only leagues right now. Wellemeyer pitches twice this week and the second start comes Sunday against the Cubs. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Kenshin Kawakami yielded four runs, two of them earned, over five innings as part of a 4-3 loss to the Nationals on Tuesday night. His defense was less than stellar, but Kawakami was lucky to get away allowing just two earned runs. He allowed seven hits while walking three and striking out two on the night. While known for his excellent command, Kawakawi has 10 walks in 17 innings thus far. His command was inconsistent, as he walked three and only struck out a pair. Since pitching well against the Nationals in his debut on Apr 11, Kawakami has had a pair of weaker outings his last two times out. Still, his 17 strikeouts in 17 frames suggests that there’s upside if he’s able to settle in and start cutting back on the walks. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Adam Dunn hit his fourth home run of the season in a win over the Braves on Tuesday. It was his only hit of the game, but he made it count, spearheading a sixth-inning comeback. Dunn’s solo shot brought the score to 3-2, but Austin Kearns and Josh Willingham added RBI singles to put the Nationals ahead for good. (Rotoworld)

Brandon Webb (shoulder) threw 33 pitches off a mound Tuesday for the first time since landing on the disabled list. Webb is expected to throw another bullpen session Friday. “We’re progressing,” he said. “We’re just going to kind of build on it from there. Getting up and getting down and not feeling any tightness in the five or 10 minutes that I sit down,” Webb said when asked what a good next step would be. “I haven’t 100 percent let it go. I haven’t wanted to rush into that.” The D-Backs will likely have Webb approach his work on Friday as more of a simulated game to see if he’s able to get through five- or 10-minute breaks without having his shoulder tighten up. There’s still no timetable for his return. Follwing Friday’s session, the Diamondbacks will then decide whether Webb will pitch in a simulated game or make a minor league rehab start. “We’ll see how that pans out,” he said. “I haven’t thrown that much in two weeks, so it will be good to see on Friday how that works.” Webb was hoping to make it back by the end of Fantasy Week 3 (April 20-26), but that’s definitely not in the cards and Week 4 (April 27-May 3) looks a little risky as well. But the good news is that he is progressing. Continue to track Webb’s progress. He is a must-start Fantasy SP when healthy. (Rotoworld, Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Braves RP Mike Gonzalez got some work in Tuesday against the Nationals despite entering in the eighth inning during a non-save situation. He pitched a scoreless inning, walking one and striking out two. He did lower his ERA from 7.20 to 5.68. Gonzalez has had just two save chances in 2009 and has already blown one of them. He is not in jeopardy of losing his closer’s job despite the rough start to the season, but until the saves start to roll in, Gonzalez is at best a No. 2 Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

Reds 2B Brandon Phillips is hitless in his past 21 at-bats, after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Tuesday’s loss to the Cubs. Phillips’ average is down to .143 after he started the year pretty brightly. Hitters sometimes go through periods like this now and again, although Phillips was pretty consistent at the plate last season. He’s too good to bench in most formats at the weak 2B position, so just keep him active and cross your fingers that he can break out of this slump soon. (CBS Sports)

Matt Diaz went 2-for-4 with a double, a homer and two RBI in a loss to the Nationals on Monday night. Diaz has played pretty well when he’s gotten into the lineup. Still, he isn’t likely to play regularly unless Garret Anderson is injured for a prolonged period of time, which isn’t exactly unthinkable. Diaz got the start against rookie right-hander Jordan Zimmermann because Garret Anderson (left quad) was unavailable. Anderson is day-to-day, but he was just getting over a calf injury as well so he might sit out a few more games, allowing Diaz to see some additional playing time. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Jose Ceda (shoulder) hasn’t pitched in a game for Double-A Jacksonville this season as he remains on the 7-day DL there. No official word yet as to when he’ll be back in action, but those hoping that he’ll get on the fast track to take over the ninth inning in Florida are going to be forced to play the waiting game. (Rotowire)

Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez is comfortable using Matt Lindstrom in back-to-back games, although he still doesn’t feel he’s quite 100%, the Miami Herald reports. Lindstrom, who missed time in camp due to his WBC participation and then a shoulder injury, has looked much stronger over his last four appearances, giving up only two hits and striking out three. “The first three games of the season in Miami was a lot like spring training for him,” Gonzalez said. “He [is getting stronger] and by the end of the month he should be good to go.” (Rotowire)

STANDINGS through 04.21.09
 

Versatile to play four infield positions, Brian Barden, the former Diamondbacks prospect, is in a good situation with the Cardinals. He’s half of the 3B platoon while Troy Glaus is out (through June, at least), and he’s also capable at SS and 2B. He can play 1B, but usually Chris Duncan will fill in for Pujols first. Barden has been seeing some time at short and will find himself in the lineup as long as he can remain productive. His ceiling is not very high, so this could end fairly quickly. However, anyone on this type of run is worth taking a flier on in NL-only play at least. He already has 3 HR and a .391 average in just 23 at-bats so far.

Braves OF Matt Diaz is finding his way into more playing time in Atlanta. Diaz will continue to make on-and-off starts for the Braves this season. He’s an excellent contact hitter with above-average pop, but because he doesn’t get regular at-bats, he’s not worth owning outside of deeper NL-only leagues. However, with platoon-mate Garrett Anderson hitting the Disabled List for a strained quadriceps, Diaz looks to be the go-to-guy in left, at least through April.

Diamondbacks reliever Juan Gutierrez wasn’t high on the closer food chain, but he has already moved past Jon Rauch to sit closer to manager Bob Melvin in his bullpen Circle of Trust. (Rotowire) Gutierrez has long-term potential, but he is nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues that use true middle men at this point. Acquired from Houston in the Jose Valverde-Chad Qualls del, Gutierrez has been very solid this season, and he struck out five in two scoreless innings Sunday, and looked good doing it.

Houston starter Felipe Paulino has teased us in the past. Once a high-profile (at least for the Astros) starter, injuries have cost Paulino most of 2007, and he was ineffective last season. However, in a spot start filling in for the injured Brian Moehler, he did not allow a run on three hits over six innings on Sunday against the Reds but still didn’t pick up the win. Paulino was saddled with a no decision as the Reds ended up winning by besting Geoff Geary later in the game. Paulino walked two and had six K’s. “We got a great start from Paulino,” manager Cecil Cooper said. “I think he did a terrific job today. He just kind of ran out of pitches a little bit, but I thought he was really overpowering, and he opened a lot of eyes.” Paulino was called up to make this start from Triple-A. If it was up to us, Paulino would not be going down to the minors again so soon after Sunday’s performance. He was dazzling while in the game. Paulino had only three career starts coming in to Sunday’s game and he was 2-1 with a 7.11 in 2006. Paulino was a top pitching prospect before arm injuries set him back. It seems his career is on track and now Houston will give him a shot. Consider him a NL-only Fantasy SP unless the matchups are great in his favor. That won’t be in Week 3 (April 20-26) however as he only pitches once against the Brewers and Yovani Gallardo on Friday. (CBS Sports)

Eric Hinske, the Roadrunners’ 8th-round minor league pick, has seen little action in Pittsburgh. Hinske, who signed with the Pirates back in January, has only made two starts so far in 2009. He is hitting .200 in 10 at-bats. He’s been relegated to 5th outfielder, behind Craig Monroe, and hasn’t seen starts at 3B to spell struggling youngster Andy LaRoche. Hinske had a chance to win the right field spot in spring, but he missed the first three weeks with a ribcage injury and never recovered. He remains a nice sleeper in deeper NL-only leagues, because he might get a stretch of starts at some point this season, but don’t worry about him in mixed leagues just yet.

Tim Hudson, 4th-round minor league pick, opened the season on the 60-Day disabled list following elbow surgery. He’s not expected back until August, and will hopefully help the Braves in the stretch drive. We need the roster spot more than we can wait. The bad news from a protection standpoint is that he’ll be $10, and that he also has a player option in his contract, so he could leave the Braves (and the NL) as a free agent.

Josh Kinney, who was picked up as our FAAB selection back in Week One (April 7th), was lit up in several low-leverage bullpen appearances, and was sent down to AAA Memphis to work things out. Kinney had a 13.50 ERA over 2 2/3 innings this season. He won a bullpen spot out of spring training but simply couldn’t avoid giving up the long ball as he allowed home runs in each of his last two outings. Kinney should never be owned in any Fantasy leagues that don’t use middle men. He was never activated for the Roadrunners.

Sergio Romo is another casualty of the roster crunch. Our 9th-round minor league selection, Romo opened the season on the 15-Day DL due to a sprained elbow ligament, and isn’t expected back now until mid-May. Romo had an excellent 2008 season, posting a 2.12 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 34 innings. He is an exceptional middle reliever when healthy and can be used in leagues that use true middle men. We’ll keep an eye our for him once he returns.