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

The Mets outrighted pitcher Nelson Figueroa to the minor leagues. He had been designated for assignment. Figueroa is nothing more than middle reliever or high-risk spot starter if he makes his return to the majors this season. Cut and ignore the journeyman in all Fantasy leagues. (CBS Sports)

The Braves sent left-handed pitcher Chuck James to the minors for the third time Friday and recalled reliever Phil Stockman from Triple-A Richmond. James started the year in the minors while rehabbing from a shoulder injury, and has been sent back twice to Richmond since then. He was an 11-game winner for the Braves each of the last two years. James (2-3) was demoted to Richmond after getting tagged in a 5-0 loss at Philadelphia. He surrendered three homers, walked five without striking out anyone, and gave up all five runs. His ERA rose to 8.22 in five starts. He’ll be up at some point, but his value is limited to larger NL-only leagues. (CBS Sports)

Cubs OF Matt Murton, who was last with the big club in late April, is hitting .368 through 95 at-bats at Triple-A Iowa, including .600 (6-for-10) over his last three games. Murton has a career .295 average in 844 major-league at-bats and is clearly too good for the minors. But the Cubs don’t trust his defense enough to call him up to the big club permanently. He’d need a trade to make any kind of Fantasy impact. (CBS Sports)

FAAB Acquisitions:

• SP Jason Bergmann, Nationals [$2 bid, Add to Actives]
• SP Greg Reynolds, Rockies [$0 bid, Add to Actives]
• 2B Aaron Miles, Cardinals [$0 bid]

Up:

• P Carlos Villanueva
• OF Ryan Spilborghs

Down:

• OF John Bowker
• P Brett Myers
• P Reynel Pinto
• P Manny Acosta

Cut:

• P Nelson Figueroa
• P Chuck James
• OF Matt Murton

Note:

New acquisition Jason Bergmann was released by Misogynistic Padres on May 6th. He had originally been selected in the 4th Round of the 2008 WBRL Minor League draft (with $10 assigned salary).

The Phillies tagged Chuck James for five runs on six hits and five walks over four innings on Thursday night. James threw just 40 of his 77 pitches for strikes and failed to fan a single batter while surrendering three homers. In two starts since being recalled from the minors, he is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA and 2.10 WHIP. (Rotoworld)

As Jeff Bennett was needed in relief on Thursday, the Braves recalled LHP Chuck James from Triple-A Richmond to start Saturday. In his fourth start this season, he allowed five runs on five hits and four walks in six innings, striking out seven. He lost, and his ERA rose to 7.58. Analysis: James has struggled in the rotation and has gradually gotten worse since going 11-4 with a 3.78 ERA as a rookie. His six innings Saturday represented his season high, and he has only once allowed fewer than four earned runs. If the Braves elect to keep him in the rotation, his next start is scheduled for Thursday at Philadelphia. Leave him for NL-only leagues. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Chuck James yielded two runs — one earned — in seven innings for Triple-A Richmond on Monday. James has a 1.59 ERA in his three starts for Richmond. He could be brought back to join Atlanta’s rotation next week. (Rotoworld)

Chuck James gave up four runs over five innings with three strikeouts and five walks, but still got a win in Thursday’s victory over Florida. James gave up a run in the top of the first, but had a fairly comfortable cushion the rest of the way thanks to a five-run first inning from the Braves offense. The Marlins drew within a couple runs on Josh Willingham’s two-run homer in the fifth, but the Atlanta bullpen took care of business for the final four innings to lead the Braves to their sixth win in their past eight games. James may only get one or two more starts in the rotation with Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton due back from the DL. (Rotowire, Rotoworld)

Update: Braves optioned LHP Chuck James to Triple-A Richmond. James started Thursday, allowing four runs in five innings. With Tom Glavine set to return Tuesday he’s no longer needed in the rotation and the Braves are expected to call up a reliever to replace him on the roster Friday. (Rotoworld)

Chuck James tossed five innings of one-run ball to beat the Dodgers in his spot start Saturday. An Andruw Jones homer was the only damage. James experienced tightening in his left forearm in Saturday’s start against the Dodgers, which is why manager Bobby Cox said he didn’t take a chance with having James pitch more than five innings. Both Cox and James say it’s nothing serious, but the same thing bothered James at various points last season. James figures to get one more start next week before Tom Glavine comes off the DL, and if he also pitches well then, it’s likely that he’ll stay in the rotation until Mike Hampton returns, which could happen in early May or sometime in the year 3,000. He’s not yet a safe play in NL-only leagues. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

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)

FAAB Acquisitions:

• OF John Bowker, Giants ($2 bid) [active]
• P Mike Gonzalez, Braves ($0 bid)

Up:

• P Jon Lieber, Cubs
• P Peter Moylan, Braves
• OF Brian Barton, Cardinals

Down:

• OF Shane Victorino, Phillies (15-Day DL)
• OF Rajai Davis, Giants
• P Chuck James, Atlanta
• P Zach Duke, Pirates

Cut:

• OF Gregor Blanco, Braves
• 3B Greg Dobbs, Phillies

Chuck James, activated from the 15-day disabled list earlier in the day, took the loss after allowing six earned run in just three innings of work against the Rockies on Wednesday. James finished with five strikeouts, but he was undone by a third inning that included two hit batters, a triple, a home run and his lone walk of the evening. It was James’ first start since coming off the disabled list, and he saw limited work this spring. He might need a couple games to really stretch out. He faces the Marlins next. Whether the problem in James’ shoulder is an impingement or partially torn rotator, he should not be in your lineup until he proves he is ok to pitch. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

“Command was my problem. I was all over the place,” said James, who acknowledged he was rusty. “I couldn’t throw a strike. I fell behind everybody and wasn’t under control.” James did only walk one batter and struck out five, but allowed a three-run homer to Yorvit Torrealba. James has won 11 games the last two seasons and opted to go against shoulder surgery. When healthy, James is more of a NL-only and low-end mixed league Fantasy flier. He might get two starts in Fantasy Week 3 (April 14-20) if he goes first on Tuesday against the Marlins. However, you shouldn’t reach for him in that period just because he might get an extra start. (CBS Sports)

Update: The Braves are sending Chuck James down to Triple-A after his poor start Wednesday. James never made an appearance in the minors before coming off the disabled list and starting last night. He clearly needs the innings, and now the Braves are going to make sure he gets them. Jo-Jo Reyes could be called up to start next week. In the meantime, Jorge Campillo will be added to help the pen.  James said he needed to improve his command by throwing innings either on the side (in the bullpen) or in the minors. He made Wednesday’s start after coming off the 15-day disabled list for a shoulder injury. He’ll be back later this season, which makes him an NL-only option to reserve. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Mike Hampton is headed back to the disabled list after hurting himself in pregame warmups Thursday, preventing him from making his first start in almost three years.  Jo-Jo Reyes will be called up from Triple-A Richmond and will be available on Friday, but Manager Bobby Cox said he plans to activate Chuck James from the disabled list to take Hampton’s spot in the rotation.  James, who is on the 15-day DL because of a slight tear in his rotator cuff, has major league experience as he has won 11 games the last two seasons. James pitched six innings against some Braves minor-leaguers at Class A Rome (Ga.) on the Braves’ off day Tuesday. He was likely to make a few more rehab outing before being recalled, but now that Hampton is down, he is coming off the DL a lot earlier. James opted to go against shoulder surgery and did pitch down the stretch in spring training. When healthy, James is more of a NL-only and low-end mixed league Fantasy flier.  (CBS Sports)

James (rotator cuff) gave up three runs with three strikeouts and three walks over six innings in a minor league exhibition game for Low-A Rome on Tuesday. “Without a doubt, I feel like I am back to 100 percent,” James told the Rome News-Tribune. “Today, I was working on my slider and working on my location. I felt good.”  He’ll likely open the season at Triple-A when eligible to come off the DL on April 6, but could be promoted to the majors early if Jair Jurrjens struggles. (Rotowire)

From CBS Sports:

The Braves assigned SP Chuck James to the 15-day DL on Saturday, retroactive to March 21. The team wants to work the left-hander back slowly from a partial rotator cuff tear. James will pitch at Class-A Rome on Tuesday as part of his rehab. He pitched only two innings of Grapefruit League action this spring, so he might have a ways to go. A quick start by rookie Jair Jurrjens might only delay his call-up further. Right now, James is a low-end NL-only option.

Part IV of my tour through the Roadrunner roster in search of protectables for 2008 leads us to the fourth group - “The Fringe.”  This group includes players that require a certain leap of faith to include on a protected list.  When faced with the choice of questionable unknowns or questionable knowns, you opt for familiarity.  If the Maximum Number of Protections was set lower, there is no way these players would make the cut.  You’re not sure if you could get them again for the same price, but you wouldn’t be heart-broken if your rival secured the player (and the ulcer that goes with it).  These are the guys you expose for expansion draft purposes.  Their inclusion haunts your offseason, as your auction strategy is dependent on something resembling production from these guys.  Here they are, in their glory, The Fringe.

The Fringe (This could go either way)

• Brandon Lyon
  • 2 Years - $5
  • 6 Wins, 2 Saves, 40 K’s, 2.68 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP
  • Why: With the uncertainty of the Diamondbacks’ closer role, Lyon could be in line for saves in 2008
  • Why Not: Not exactly durable, not exactly good, stuff isn’t exactly great
• Chuck James
  • 1 Year - $5
  • 11 Wins, 116K’s, 4.24 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP
  • Why: #4 starter on a good team, probable run support, doesn’t really kill you
  • Why Not: Doesn’t really help you, soft-tosser, injury risk/dead-arm late in season
• John Lannan
  • 2 Years - $5
  • 2 Wins, 10 K’s, 4.21 ERA with a 1.55 WHIP
  • Why: Well, he certainly seemed to be better than his numbers late in the season, mild prospect sheen
  • Why Not: Nationals, bad numbers, did you see the bad numbers above? And he could start in Single-A again
• Sean Marshall
  • 2 Years - $6
  • 7 Wins, 67 K’s, 3.93 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP
  • Why: Decent numbers, a chance to be #5 starter on a playoff team
  • Why Not: Signing of Jon Lieber, Moving Ryan Dempster to rotation, Jason Marquis’ contract
• Moises Alou
  • 2 Years - $12
  • .341, 13 HR, 49 RBI, 51 Runs and 3 Steals - in only 320 AB’s
  • Why: Obviously he can hit, imagine the numbers over the course of a season, great lineup
  • Why Not: He’s 42, he’ll never NOT be injured, a little pricey
• Ronny Paulino
  • 1 Year - $5
  • .263, 11 HR, 55 RBI, 56 Runs and 2 steals
  • Why:  Good numbers for catcher, seemingly guaranteed starter
  • Why Not: While HR went up, average dropped 50 points from 2006, questions about attitude, $5 may be pricey