Posted on April 22, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Say Goodbye To: Rajai Davis, Jon Lieber, Peter Moylan
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.