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

Manny Acosta was torched in multiple recent outings, and tied with the upcoming return of Mike Gonzalez, makes Acosta a candidate to be cut from the Roadrunners. Acosta pitched in Wednesday’s loss to the Florida Marlins and gave up four hits and four runs on two homers in 1/3 of an inning picking up a blown save and a loss. Acosta’s inexperience makes him less likely to remain a closer over the long haul, so he might need an injury to Soriano and a failure to return by Gonzalez for him to be a full-time closer. As a reliever, Acosta has enough potential to be useful in any league that uses true middle men, though. (CBS Sports)

Doug Brocail never pitched for the Roadrunners, having been picked up just last week. While hardly a fair shake, he became a victim of a roster crunch with new acquisitions. Brocail looks like the fallback option for Jose Valverde, but Houston won’t use him to close games very often. Leave him for deeper NL-only leagues that require the use of true middle men. (CBS Sports)

Greg Reynolds began to show his inexperience by getting shelled in recent outings. If Reynolds couldn’t bring his A-game for his start against the Giants with personal ties, he probably won’t be able to on a regular night. The former No. 2 pick in the first-year player draft has just been too inconsistent in 2008. Colorado will probably look for starts elsewhere in the coming weeks making Reynolds only a viable option in keeper leagues and NL-only Fantasy formats. (CBS sports)

FAAB Acquisitions:

• P Charlie Morton, Braves [$9 bid, add to actives]
• P Seth McClung, Brewers [$6 bid, add to actives]
• P Josh Johnson, Marlins [$0 bid]

Up:

• 3B/OF Chase Headley (to Utility)
• OF John Bowker
• P Jorge Campillo
• P Mike Gonzalez

Down:

• P Jason Marquis
• P Carlos Villanueva
• P Todd Wellemeyer
• P Jason Bergmann
• OF Ryan Spilborghs
• 3B Blake DeWitt

Cut:

• P Manny Acosta
• P Greg Reynolds
• P Doug Brocail

Manny Acosta got the loss on Thursday in yet another rough outing, giving up a hit and two walks in an inning of work. In his last five outings, Acosta has allowed 12 runs, but only eight were earned thanks to his own throwing error. Rafael Soriano remains unavailable due to his elbow pain, so Acosta keeps seeing action in tight-and-late situations for the Braves, albeit non-save opportunities. (Rotoworld)

Manny Acosta gave up five runs over 1.2 innings, including a three-run home run, in Tuesday’s loss to the Cubs. However, just one run was earned due to a throwing error by Acosta. It was Acosta’s third ugly outing in his last four appearances. He’s given up eight runs and four home runs in his last 4.1 innings and his struggles likely have him out of the closer mix. However, with Rafael Soriano still struggling with a sore elbow, it’s not clear who will get the next save chance for the Braves. (Rotowire)

FAAB Acquisition:

• RP Doug Brocail, Astros [$0 bid]

Up:

• P Carlos Villanueva
• P Jason Marquis

Down:

• P Manny Acosta
• P Jorge Campillo

Cut:

• 2B Aaron Miles

Notes:

Was outbid for Padres P Josh Banks (I bid $0, he went for $4 to Tim Nygard, who cut John Smoltz).

FAAB Acquisitions:

• SP Jorge Campillo, Braves [$4 Bid, Add to Actives]
• 3B Mat Gamel, Brewers [$0 Bid]

Up:

• RP Manny Acosta

Down:

• SP Jason Marquis
• RP Carlos Villanueva

Cut:

• RP Reynel Pinto
• RP Matt Herges

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).

Braves RP Manny Acosta, acting as closer until John Smoltz returns from the disabled list, bounced back from a game in which he allowed two runs on two hits Tuesday to pitch one scoreless inning at Philadelphia. He surrendered only one hit. Acosta has struggled in his time as fill-in closer, recording only two saves. He hasn’t technically blown a save, but only because manager Bobby Cox has always pulled him before he had the chance. He remains the best stopgap option for saves out of the Braves bullpen, but leave him for NL-only leagues if you can. (CBS Sports)

Even though the Braves were down 3-0 in the first game of a doubleheader, Manny Acosta came in to pitch the eighth on Monday and allowed two runs. Apparently, the Braves badly wanted to get him some work. Acosta, who was pulled out of an opportunity in the ninth inning last week, hasn’t earned a save in more than two weeks. It’s not really a performance issue. Today’s appearance marked just the third time this year that he was scored upon. (Rotoworld)

Braves RP Manny Acosta, acting as closer until either Rafael Soriano or John Smoltz returns from the disabled list, pitched for the first time since losing Wednesday on Sunday against the Reds. He worked a perfect inning, striking out one, but didn’t record a save. Despite that one poor outing his last time out, Acosta has pitched well as the Braves closer. He has only two saves to show for his efforts, but he remains a useful stopgap in all Fantasy leagues. (CBS Sports)

Manny Acosta took the loss in relief for the Braves on Wednesday after giving up two runs in his third inning of work. Manager Bobby Cox asked for way too much from Acosta, who was hardly dominant while walking three and giving up a hit through two scoreless innings. Cox had him begin a third anyway, and Acosta couldn’t get an out.

Wil Nieves wasn’t supposed to bunt, of course. Indeed, with a 1-2 count, the Washington Nationals tried to signal to Nieves that he shouldn’t try to sacrifice over the two runners on base with no outs in the 12th inning against the Atlanta Braves. But Nieves didn’t see the sign, and bunted a ball right back to the pitcher’s mound. A sure out, maybe even two, right? Except reliever Manny Acosta let the ball go through his legs for an error, loading the bases. Acosta then walked in the tying run, and left for Buddy Carlyle, who gave up Felipe Lopez’s RBI single that delivered Washington’s 3-2 victory over the Braves on Wednesday, dropping Atlanta to 0-9 in one-run games this season. The runs were the first he had allowed since March 21.

The loss went to Acosta (0-1), who came in to start the 10th. He got into trouble right away, loading the bases with one out by issuing two walks and allowing a single. But Acosta got Lopez to ground into a 1-2-3 double play. He pitched two-plus innings, allowing two hits, two runs and five walks. He struck out one. Acosta had a lot of trouble Wednesday, but still remains the best candidate to close games with the Braves bullpen decimated by injuries. Acosta remains a nice stopgap Fantasy option for the time being. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Rafael Soriano (elbow) experienced soreness during a bullpen session Sunday and is now unlikely to come off the disabled list Tuesday. Manager Bobby Cox indicated afterward that Soriano will likely throw on the side at least two more times before returning from the DL, giving Manny Acosta another week to be in line for saves. “He feels like the more he throws, it’ll go away,” Cox said. (Rotoworld)

Braves RP Manny Acosta, acting as closer with Rafael Soriano sidelined by elbow tendinitis, pitched the ninth inning of a three-run win Friday at the Mets, but he didn’t record a save because he pitched only the final-two thirds of the inning. The Braves used left-hander Royce Ring to record the first out. Acosta was blasted in his first appearance this season for four runs in 2/3 of an inning, but the young right-hander hasn’t slipped up since. He continues to act as closer with Rafael Soriano on the DL, but it might only be a temporary job. Acosta remains a nice stopgap Fantasy option for the time being. (CBS Sports)

Braves RP Manny Acosta pitched two scoreless innings of relief Thursday against the Marlins for his second save in a 7-4 win. Acosta issued a walk, but struck out two. He has not allowed a run in his last nine outings. Acosta was blasted in his first appearance this season for four runs in 2/3 of an inning, but the young right-hander hasn’t slipped up since. He continues to act as closer with Rafael Soriano on the DL, but it might only be a temporary job. Acosta remains a nice stopgap Fantasy option for the time being. (CBS Sports)

Braves RP Manny Acosta, acting as closer with both Rafael Soriano and Peter Moylan disabled, pitched the ninth inning for the fourth time in five games Monday against the Nationals. He has only one save over that stretch, though, because the Braves keep winning by too many runs. He recorded one strikeout and allowed one hit in his one inning of work. Soriano might return within the next week, but Acosta looks like a nice stopgap option until that day arrives, particularly in NL-only leagues.

The Mets stayed close Thursday behind hometown pitcher, Brooklyn-born Nelson Figueroa. The journeyman right-hander struck out seven in seven innings, allowing two runs and three hits. He left with a 2-1 deficit, but it was erased in the eighth inning. Figueroa, who grew up a Mets fan, earned his first major league win since 2003 last Friday when he beat Milwaukee in a home start. Figueroa has now looked sharp in two starts with the Mets and this is what New York is hoping for — a guy that can be a band-aid until Orlando Hernandez or Pedro Martinez returns from the DL. Figueroa remains just a NL-only Fantasy option at this time. His next scheduled start is for Tuesday against the Cubs. He is on track for two starts Fantasy Week 4 (April 21-27) with his second coming against Atlanta.