Fantasy Baseball: Wednesday News and Notes

• A.J. Burnettonly lasted eight outs against the Red Sox last night at Fenway Park, falling victim to his second rough outing there of the season. The loss was his first against Boston in ten career starts, putting him at 5-1. Burnett could not repeat his delivery last night, according to both analysts that did the game. His fastball was all over the place, and it was obvious that both pitchers struggled with throwing off-speed pitches consistently in the weather.
• Brad Lidgehas hit the DL with a knee sprain, an injury that has bothered him since the spring. Lidge has had issues with his velocity and location, something the Phillies believe will be solved by getting him healthy. Ryan Madson will record the saves while Lidge is sidelined.
• The Red Sox are reporting that Jed Lowrieis close to returning from the wrist injury that sidelined him at the end of last season and bothered him to start 2009. Lowrie will reportedly soon be sent on a rehab assignment, meaning that it will not be long before he returns to Boston. The question becomes which existing player he will replace. Nick Green has played very well offensively, and Julio Lugohas been a disaster. Still, Lugo is on the books for $9 million this year. Owners should expect Lowrie to take the job over once he returns.
• Brett Anderson's loss yesterday snapped a streak where Oakland starters had racked up the team's last seven wins. Anderson struggled against Minnesota, largely with catching too much of the plate. His control was good, as he did not walk a batter, but ten hits will hurt. Minnesota was due to snap out of their funk sooner or later, and Anderson was the unlucky recipient.
• John Bakerleft last night's game after being hit by the backswing of Albert Pujols. The knock caused a cut over his eye. He was replaced in the game by Ronny Paulino. No word yet on if the injury is something to be concerned with, or if he suffered anything more than an actual cut.
• The Padres need to figure a way to provide Adrian Gonzalez with adequate protection or they might not ever win again. Gonzalez is seeing fewer and fewer pitches to hit. After mentioning yesterday that he had drawn walks in nine of his last ten games, Gonzalez was walked two more times yesterday by the Dodgers. Teams simply are not going to let him beat them.
• Jason Bartlettis eligible to come off the DL today for the Rays, but Joe Maddon has said that the shortstop will be held out a few more and likely be sent on a rehab assignment. Bartlett has worked on taking throws, but the ankle still is not at the level the team feels it should be. Keep an eye on him, but it's likely that he is held out at least until the weekend, if not through it.
• Jered Weaver has allowed only five runs in his last 26 innings pitched, recording three wins in those four starts. Weaver did have some control issues, walking four and needing 101 pitches to get through six innings. He has been spectacular, though, this season. With an ERA at 2.31, Weaver could be taking that next step. Control will be all that holds him back.
• Jose Reyes has been given no timetable for a return to the Mets. The shortstop is still undergoing tests, and has remained in New York. Reyes has injured the hamstring before, but says that this one is different. Still, owners need to be concerned that the speed aspect to his game will be the last to return. Without speed, his value would not be as great.
• Last night: Take a push on Ohlendorf, a win with Chris Young, a win with Looper (bullpen blew it), and a no-decision with Zimmermann, since he was scratched.

Wednesday Notes

• Very likely that Nick Green gets the start at shortstop again for the Red Sox, since Julio Lugo is just 6-for-36 against Chien-Ming Wang. David Ortiz could be coming around (wishful thinking) and has hit .444 with two home runs against the Yankees starter. Be mindful of Jason Varitek, Mike Lowell, and J.D. Drew, as all three have struggled. Granted, this is not the same Wang.
• Jhonny Peralta, Shin-Soo Choo, andRyan Garko all need to be in the lineup against Gil Meche. Peralta is 14-for-38 with two home runs, while Garko is 9-for-28 overall. Choo has not had as many at-bats, but is 5-for-11 against Meche. For his part, Meche has only allowed three earned runs in his last 13 innings, and has pitched much better after a rough patch. 
• Mike Pelfrey might be 2-0 against the Phillies this season, but he has given up 15 hits and five walks in just 12.1 innings this season. The Phillies have hit him very well as a team. Only Chase Utleysticks out as a concern, given that he is only 3-for-15 against Pelfrey.
• While Justin Verlander continues to pitch well, he has had problems getting Jermaine Dye and A.J. Pierzynski out. Dye is hitting .350 in 40 at-bats with four home runs and eight RBI. Pierzynski checks in .314 with three home runs and 12 RBI. Verlander should never be benched with how he is throwing currently, but get these two active. 
• Surprising to see that Kevin Millwood is still about 40 percent available across ESPN leagues. Millwood has kept his ERA under 3.00 this season. While that may not last all year, it is certainly worth enjoying while you can. Keep Kevin Millar and Scott Rolen in your lineups, as both are well over .330, but do not reach for other Blue Jays. Marco Scutaro, Vernon Wells, and Rod Barajas are all under .200 against Millwood.
• Expect to see Chris Snyder behind the plate against Barry Zito. Snyder is 8-for-16 against Zito, showing the best numbers of anyone on the Arizona roster. Zito has had two tougher outings on the road, giving up four runs to Seattle and five to the Dodgers. Otherwise, he has been nothing if not solid. As a spot play, he remains a decent option in this one. 
• The Giants have good numbers basically across the board against Doug Davis, but the Diamondbacks starter is throwing very well. Davis is 1-1 so far this season, and has done most of his damage at home this season. Do not shy away from him, but certainly look to keep your Giants in the lineup as well. Especially like Randy Winn and Bengie Molina, as well as Aaron Rowand.
• Wandy Rodriguez has had problems in his last two outings, but still has kept his ERA under 3.00 this season. Keep Derrek Lee and Ryan Theriot active, as both are hitting .500 against Rodriguez, but do not shy away from the Astros starter. Rodriguez has posted a 3-2 record and a 2.31 ERA at home this season.  
• Clayton Kershawhas posted two solid outings against the Padres to start this season. Where the Dodgers have basically decided not to pitch to Gonzalez, Kershaw should be in line for another solid outing. He has a 0.75 ERA in two starts this season against them. While he has struggled with control, he will be able to generate strike outs in this one.
• Spot Starts: Doug Davis, Dallas Braden, Carl Pavano

Thursday Notes

• Another tough matchup for Varitek tomorrow. He is just 1-for-10 against C.C. Sabathia. The remaining Red Sox starters should be good to go, unless you are reaching for Rocco Baldelli. Avoid him in this one as well based on the numbers. Sabathia has given up at least three runs in his last three outings, so the chance to score will be there.
• Ryan Dempster has pitched reasonably well against the Astros, but certainly look to keep Hunter Pence, Carlos Lee, and Jeff Keppinger active in the lineup. All three have hit at least .350 against Dempster with Pence posting two home runs in 17 at-bats.
• With the exception of the 3-for-14 of Mark Reynolds, Arizona has largely performed well against Jonathan Sanchez. Look to use all regular starters in this one that you would normally use. Sanchez is 0-5 on the road this season with an ERA over 7.50 in those starts. Take advantage of the situation.
• Pick a Met, any Met. They have all basically owned Jamie Moyer over their careers. Expect Gary Sheffield to find his way into the lineup, as he is a .467 hitter with four home runs in 30 at-bats. All other Mets should be active in this one as well.
• While Zack Greinkestruggled in his last outing, that is only one in a series. Greinke is 1-0 in two starts this season against the Indians, posting a 1.64 ERA in those two outings. Do not shy away from Travis Hafner, Shin-Soo Choo, and Asdrubal Cabrera. All have put together good numbers against the Royals starter. Cabrera and Choo have combined to hit .500, at 13-for-26. 
• Spot Starts: Max Scherzer, Paul Maholm, and Nick Blackburn.

Collin Hager writes The Elmhurst Pub fantasy blog. You can get your questions answered by sending an email to elmhurstpubroundtable@yahoo.com. He's also on Twitter @TheRoundtable.