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

Up:

• 3B Blake DeWitt (to Utility)
• P Jason Bergmann

Move:

• U Chase Headley (to OF)

Down:

• OF Jody Gerut
• P Charlie Morton

Notes:

• No FAAB acquisitions for the Atomic Roadrunners this week, as domestic discussions regarding an upcoming trip to San Diego extended through the transaction deadline. Whoops. Just as well.
• Cover Zero acquired former AaRr P Duaner Sanchez for $0 FAAB. In the process, he released former AaRr P Jon Lieber.
• Stanimals acquired former AaRr 2B Aaron Miles for $0 FAAB.

FAAB Acquisition:

• C Chris Coste, Phillies [$0 bid]

Up:

• OF John Bowker
• P Nelson Figueroa

Down:

• OF Andruw Jones
• P Duaner Sanchez

Cut:

• Javier Valentin, C, Cincinnati

Notes:

• Was outbid for re-signing Cubs P Jon Lieber. Cover Zero acquired him for $5 - I had bid $0. Lieber was added to the Cubs’ rotation, and promptly gave up 5 HR in his start. Probably for the best.
• Former Roadrunner Zach Duke was acquired by Misogynistic Padres for $4 FAAB.

The San Francisco Giants designated outfielder Rajai Davis for assignment on Sunday, the team announced following their 3-0 win over St. Louis. “We’ll see in the next few days what transpires,” Davis said. To replace Davis on the roster, San Francisco will purchase the contract of infielder Emmanuel Burriss from Fresno. When Dave Roberts (knee) was placed on the disabled list, it meant Davis was to get more starts for the Giants. He played Friday and Saturday against the Cardinals, but was hitting just .056 with four stolen bases. It’s time to cut bait with him in Fantasy play.

Entering Sunday’s game, the Cubs bullpen has a 2.57 ERA and Jon Lieber — a former starter — has contributed to the success. “The biggest thing was him accepting it,” pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. “He’d been through it last year a little bit. Jon is a guy who learns quickly, and I think he learned from that experience. He likes being here and I think that helps him. Before this year is over, I think he’ll be starting at some point.” Manager Lou Piniella also hinted that Lieber might get a start. “We have (Sean) Marshall and Lieber who deserve an opportunity,” Piniella said. “I’m not talking about now, I’m talking down the road a little bit.” The Cubs intend to use Lieber as their long reliever, and haven’t been hesitant to do so thus far. If a starter in in trouble, they know Lieber, who has years of starting experience, will be ready. Lieber remains a solid Fantasy middle reliever, who could get a spot start at times.

Braves RP Peter Moylan may still need reconstructive elbow surgery, but he was feeling a little better after three hours of stretching and exercising before Friday’s game against the Dodgers. The Braves say he’ll need season-ending surgery if the rehab doesn’t work. “If you had asked me yesterday, I would have said no chance,” Moylan said. “But having treatment today and feeling how it feels now, there’s a chance. There’s at least a chance. If there wasn’t, I’d say, ‘Go ahead and have surgery.” The right-hander apparently has a bone spur imbedded in a ligament, which he said “feels like a spear in there.” The injury came when he had just started filling in as the closer for Rafael Soriano, who went on the disabled list with a tender elbow. “It crushed me,” Moylan said. “I was so amped up, so ready to pitch, I guess I was too amped up. I was throwing harder than I’ve thrown all year. The crazy thing was, I was hitting my spots better than I have all year, too. It was the best I’ve thrown in I can’t remember how long.” Moylan is usually just a setup man, limiting his Fantasy appeal mostly to NL-only leagues. At this point, Tommy John surgery seems more likely than not, but keep him stashed if you can.

FAAB Acquisitions:

• P Nelson Figueroa, Mets ($2 bid) [active]
• P Manny Acosta, Braves ($1 bid) [active]
• OF Gregor Blanco, Braves ($0 bid) [active]

Up:

• OF Matt Murton, Cubs
• C Chris Iannetta, Rockies

Down:

• OF Brian Barton, Cardinals
• OF Andruw Jones, Dodgers
• C Javier Valentin, Reds

Cut:

• P Peter Moylan, Braves
• P Jon Lieber, Cubs
• OF Rajai Davis, Giants

Note: Gregor Blanco becomes the first Atomic Roadrunner this season to re-join the team following his release. Blanco has worked his way into a LF platoon with Matt Diaz, something that hadn’t happened when he was released last week.

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

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Rich Hill is now the Cubs’ fifth starter, and that the team will skip the spot as off days allow. Jason Marquis has been bumped up in the rotation, and will start Friday against the Pirates. Hill will start Saturday, and appears to be on a short leash. “We’ve got [Sean] Marshall and [Jon] Lieber that deserve an opportunity also. I’m not talking about now. I’m talking down the road a little bit,” Piniella said. (Rotoworld)

Cubs RP Jon Lieber (2-1) got the 7-3 decision by pitching 4 1/3 scoreless relief innings Thursday against the Pirates after starter Rich Hill needed 72 pitches to get through three innings. Lieber allowed five hits, zero walks and struck out one. Lieber has wins in his last two relief outings and pitched 7 1/3 scoreless relief innings during the three-game series against Pittsburgh.Lieber remains a solid Fantasy middle reliever, who could get a spot start at times. (CBS Sports)

Cubs manager Lou Piniella hinted that he could take Rich Hill out of the rotation until he works out his control issues. “I’m going to sit down and talk to our pitching coach about that. I want what’s best for Hill. We’ve got to get him straightened out. That’s the important thing,” Piniella said. Hill could trade places with Jon Lieber, who bailed him out after his second poor start of the season on Thursday. Lieber pitched 4.1 scoreless innings Thursday for his second win of the season. He struck out one and didn’t walk a batter. Lieber, who hasn’t been scored upon yet this season, has taken well to his long relief role. If Jason Marquis (flu) can’t go on Sunday, then Sean Marshall would likely get the nod instead, especially after Lieber’s four-plus inning outing Thursday. At this point, it’s unclear whether Lieber is next in line to join the rotation or whether the Cubs are content to keep him in the pen. One reason to think that Lieber would get the call if the Cubs needed a permanent replacement in the rotation is that Marshall’s the only lefty in the pen, while the Cubs already have two left-handed starters (Ted Lilly, Rich Hill). (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Cubs starter Jon Lieber made his second appearance of the season in Monday’s extra-inning win at Pittsburgh. He pitched three inning and allowed just two hits. He did not allow a run and struck out two batters with two walks. Lieber took a loss in his only other appearance of the season, so this outing makes up for it. His role as a long-reliever out of the Cubs bullpen to open the season limits his appeal in Fantasy leagues, but he could be used for spot starts throughout the season. (CBS Sports)

FAAB Acquisition:

• Blake DeWitt, 3B, Los Angeles ($0 bid)

Up:

• 3B Blake DeWitt to Utility
• C Javier Valentin
• P Carlos Villanueva
• P Zach Duke
• P Jason Marquis

Down:

• U Scott Hatteberg
• P Peter Moylan
• P Tony Pena
• P Jon Lieber

Cut:

• 2B Emilio Bonifacio

From Baseball Prospectus’s Kevin Goldstein yesterday:

Don’t Believe The Hype: What does Emilio Bonifacio offer other than game-changing speed and good glovework at second? Not a whole heckuva lot. He needs to develop a more patient approach, or he’s going to hit towards the bottom of a lineup.

Emilio, we hardly knew you.

Chicago Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano left Monday’s opener against the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh inning after injuring a hand while making a pickoff throw to second base.  We’ll keep you posted as his injury status becomes clear. Jon Lieber could see a start if needed. Lieber is old and an injury risk, which are the primary reasons he starts the year in the Cubs’ bullpen. Consider him a sleeper in deeper leagues if he gets starts for the offensively potent and contending Cubs.  (CBS Sports)