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

Todd Wellemeyer let up five earned runs over the first two frames Saturday, but allowed just one hit over his next 4 1/3 innings and the Cardinals rallied against the Padres. Wellemeyer didn’t look right in the first and second innings. To be fair, one of the runs was scored on a botched play in center field by Rick Ankiel, but the real trouble came in the second inning when Wellemeyer served up a three-run blast to Edgar Gonzalez. He settled down in the third and pitched well until he was pulled in the sixth. Hopefully the success will carry over into his next start versus the Brewers. (Rotoworld)

Cardinals SP Todd Wellemeyer will seek to end a five-game winless skid Saturday when he makes his first post-break start against the Padres in St. Louis. In nine home starts this year, Wellemeyer is only 5-4 with a 4.83 ERA, but he did have a nice outing against the Padres earlier this season when he held them to two runs on six hits over six innings in a victory. He has obviously struggled since his elbow injury, but remains a decent back-of-the-staff option in mixed leagues for the short Fantasy Week 16 (July 17-20). (CBS sports)

Cardinals SP Todd Wellemeyer, still without a victory since June 5, took another no-decision Saturday at Pittsburgh. He gave up four runs on four hits and a walk in 6 1/3 innings, recording two strikeouts. Wellemeyer missed some time with a strained right elbow and hasn’t pitched the same since returning. In four starts, he has a 5.48 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. Of course, he probably performed a bit over his head before the injury, so his struggles might have nothing to do with it. He remains a decent back-of-the-staff option in mixed leagues. He’ll likely make a start during a shortened Fantasy Week 16 (July 7-13), but check back to make sure.

Cardinals SP Todd Wellemeyer allowed three runs and nine hits in five innings Sunday during a 7-1 loss to the Cubs. He didn’t issue a walk and struck out three. Wellemeyer has lost three of his last four starts and has not lasted longer than five innings in any of those outings. Wellemeyer has had plenty of troubles since being named the NL Pitcher of the Month in May. His woes have primarily come because of an elbow injury, and the right-hander has vented his frustrations over his struggles. Wellemeyer is a risky Fantasy SP until he gets back on track. His next scheduled start is for Saturday against the Pirates. Wellemeyer is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in three starts against Pittsburgh this season. (CBS Sports)

Cardinals SP Todd Wellemeyer could not hold an early lead Tuesday against the Mets and ended up taking the 7-4 loss. The Cardinals staked Wellemeyer a 3-1 lead after two innings, but the lead was gone by the fourth inning. Ramon Castro’s two-run double tied it in the fourth, Ryan Church’s RBI highlighted a three-run fourth and David Wright’s homer made it 7-3 in the sixth. Wellemeyer gave up a career-high 12 hits Tuesday and watched his ERA rise to 3.86. He walked two and struck out two. Wellemeyer only retired 11 of the first 24 batters he faced. The Mets punished Wellemeyer, the National League pitcher of the month in May, but he is 1-2 with a 6.52 ERA and two missed turns in the rotation due to elbow woes since receiving the honors. Wellemeyer did pitch five scoreless innings the last time out, but he needs to regain his confidence on the hill shortly or it will be time to bail in Fantasy leagues. Wellemeyer’s next scheduled start is for Sunday against the Cubs. His phenomenal May is fading quite a bit. (Rotowire, CBS Sports)

FAAB Acquisitions:

• P Thomas Hanson, Braves [$3 bid, reserve]
• P Jared Burton, Reds [$2 bid, reserve]

Up:

• P Todd Wellemeyer, Cardinals
• P Charlie Morton, Braves

Down:

• P Brett Myers, Phillies

Cut:

• P Sean Marshall, Cubs
• C Carlos Ruiz, Phillies

Ike over at Nine Bo Jacksons just ran through the biggest surprises and disappointments at the halfway mark for both hitters and pitchers. The system uses PECOTA and compares pre-season valuations to actual. Values indicate amount that the player is performing over/under projections. Here’s how some of the Atomic Roadrunners fared:

Hitters

Surprises:

• Ryan Theriot - $25.79
• Gregor Blanco - $21.74

Disappointments:

• Andruw Jones - -$31.92
• Prince Fielder - -$16.06

Pitchers

Surprises:

• Todd Wellemeyer - $14.44

Disappointments:

• Brett Myers - -$36.01

(He only ran the top/bottom 25 of each)

Todd Wellemeyer, who had his last start skipped because of continued soreness in his elbow, tossed five scoreless innings Thursday against the Tigers. Wellemeyer didn’t look hurt today, but he was taken out after throwing just 76 pitches. He went five innings and did not allow a run. He gave up four hits and did not walk a batter. The Cardinals still might come to regret not placing him on the disabled list. Wellemeyer pitched very well against a potent Tigers lineup, but it seemed the Cardinals didn’t want to push him much coming off the elbow soreness. He’s a safe start again in NL-only play and remains a decent matchup pitcher for mixed formats. He’ll be a two-start pitcher in the upcoming week and Fantasy owners should activate him accordingly. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Todd Wellemeyer (elbow) says he feels fine and he expects to start Thursday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Wellemeyer had missed two of his last three scheduled starts, so the Cardinals are happy to get him back healthy. (Rotowire)

Todd Wellemeyer (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session Saturday and feels ready to return to the rotation. Wellemeyer tossed 40 pitches. “Everything felt pretty good,” he said. “My slider felt back to normal. I was getting out over it. Felt great.” It sounds like Wellemeyer will start Thursday in Detroit, though nothing is official. (Rotoworld)

Todd Wellemeyer (elbow) will throw a side bullpen session Saturday. It’ll be the first time Wellemeyer has pitched since he was shut down on June 13 because of elbow issues. The Cardinals are hoping he’ll be able to make a start next week in Detroit, but that weighs on how well this session goes. If anything is off, the team will likely throw him on the DL retroactive to June 14. (Rotoworld)

Todd Wellemeyer won’t pitch this week because of continued elbow troubles. The Cards aren’t planning to place him on the disabled list, though they might have to unless they want to keep using Aaron Miles as a mopup man. Anthony Reyes is expected to get a start Thursday in Wellemeyer’s place. Wellemeyer is expected to go back into the rotation early next week. (Rotoworld)

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

Todd Wellemeyer complained of elbow stiffness following Friday’s ugly start against the Phillies. Wellemeyer got knocked around for eight runs after having his previous turn in the rotation skipped due to elbow inflammation. He’s scheduled to start again Thursday versus the Royals, but will have to throw a successful bullpen session first Tuesday. If Wellemeyer is scratched, Anthony Reyes could be asked to fill in against Kansas City. (Rotoworld)

Todd Wellemeyer was torched for eight runs in 3 1/3 innings by the Phillies on Friday. Maybe the Cardinals should have placed him on the disabled list. Wellemeyer, who missed his last start with a sore elbow, struggled to throw strikes and was hit hard when he did tonight. Mixed leaguers should bench him until it’s clear that his arm is sound. It wasn’t too far back that Wellemeyer was named NL Pitcher of the Month for May. With a missed start and Friday’s shelling, it seems those accolades were many moons ago. Wellemeyer appears to be a bit of an injury-risk start as he battles elbow woes. When healthy, he has proven to be a viable Fantasy option. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)