Week 23 Pitching Planner

We go around baseball's pitching rotations and Fantasy Baseball's two-start pitchers every Sunday of the season in our Pitching Planner.

Staff reflections

Arizona Diamondbacks: With the struggles of No. 5 starter Dana Eveland on Saturday, it's likely the D-Backs go with a four-man rotation this week. A Thursday day off allows it, which means Micah Owings and Doug Davis are two-start pitchers.

Atlanta Braves: A Thursday day off might allow the Braves to skip No. 5 starter Lance Cormier but it is unlikely with the Mets series on tap after the weekend set vs. the Nationals. Cormier is a tentative two-start pitcher, although Hudson might move ahead of him a second time to start Sunday.

Baltimore Orioles: The trade of Steve Trachsel to the Cubs and the injury to Erik Bedard (oblique), which now will likely keep him out for another start of two, gives a rotation spot to long reliever Kurt Birkins. Hayden Penn (shoulder) might also be a candidate later next weekend, but Birkins and Jeremy Guthrie are currently slated to be two-start pitchers. Bedard has been a Fantasy MVP, outscoring all pitchers before his injury, but MLB.com reports he now might be shut down for the season.

Boston Red Sox: The Clay Buchholz no-hitter makes it possible the Red Sox go with a six-man rotation this week. That will likely happen if Tim Wakefield (back) can start Thursday. If Wakefield does start Thursday, Buchholz will likely slot over the weekend along with Jon Lester and two-start pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. We have Josh Beckett getting one start this week, but he will get two if the Red Sox don't use a six man rotation. Buchholz just no-hit someone, so he has to start again, right?

Chicago Cubs: Steve Trachsel's joining the Cubs for a second stint and will initially be part of what manager Lou Piniella calls a modified six-man rotation. Asked why he didn't just drop one of his current starters, Piniella didn't respond during his post-game news conference. But Friday was not a good time for Sean Marshall to have a shaky performance. "It's up to the manager and the skipper what he wants to do," Marshall said, when asked about pitching well to stay in the rotation. He lasted just 3 2/3 innings. Marshall said he was a bit surprised to hear the Cubs had obtained another starter, but said he was looking forward to playing with Trachsel, the 15-year veteran. "He's had a lot of years and it's going to be fun to pick his brain like we have other veteran guys," Marshall said. Trachsel will start Tuesday, while Marshall will go Friday or not at all. Carlos Zambrano is a must-start two-start pitcher, while Trachsel could get two starts if he pitches well and the Cubs decide to keep Hill and Trachsel on regular rest, moving Marshall to the bullpen.

Chicago White Sox: There are conflicting reports on Tuesday's starter. Jon Garland can go on regular rest, but reports seem to suggest the White Sox are going to keep the order from the previous week, starting Gavin Floyd on Tuesday and Garland on Wednesday. It's significant since Floyd stands to be the team's two-start pitcher.

Cincinnati Reds: Days off Thursday and the next Monday allows the Reds to run a four-man rotation next week. Aaron Harang is sure to be a two-start pitcher, a must-start one, while Matt Belisle picks up a second start.

Cleveland Indians: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitchers C.C. Sabathia and Aaron Laffey.

Colorado Rockies: With Aaron Cook (oblique) out for the season, Elmer Dessens needs to remain the No. 5 starter. A Thursday off day, though, allows the Rockies to go with a four-man rotation. We think that's likely, causing Dessens to be skipped a turn. Jeff Francis is two-start pitcher either way, but rookie Franklin Morales returns from the minors to start Tuesday and likely against Sunday.

Detroit Tigers: LHP Kenny Rogers (elbow) is scheduled to return to start Wednesday's home game against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park, which will be the first outing for the left-hander in more than a month. Chad Durbin is slated to return to the No. 5 starter's spot Thursday, which means Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson and Jeremy Bonderman will pitch the weekend series.

Florida Marlins: A day off Thursday could allow the Marlins to skip No. 5 starter Byung-Hyun Kim on Friday, but Kim won the last time out, the Marlins are out of the race and it is unlikely they will have the urge to give their younger arms extra games/innings before the end of the season. Rick VandenHurk is a two-start pitcher regardless, but Dontrelle Willis could get a second start Sunday if Kim was skipped.

Houston Astros: The Astros look like they're going with a six-man rotation: Roy Oswalt, Brandon Backe, Matt Albers, Wandy Rodriguez, Troy Patton and Woody Williams. This means Oswalt, who would be the team's lone two-start pitcher, might merely get one start in the team's six-game week. Also, RHP Jason Jennings underwent successful surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his pitching elbow. Jennings should begin his rehab, which is expected to last six months, in the next 10 days.

Kansas City Royals: RHP Kyle Davies picked up his second win as a Royal in the first game of a doubleheader with the Twins on Friday. Davies is auditioning for a spot in the starting rotation next season, but tries not to look at it that way. "I try to take it as I'm going out there to pitch today. And if I pitch well enough today, then we will worry about tomorrow tomorrow," he said. "I don't take any competition into any of it, just the team I am competing against. That's it." Brandon Duckworth's trial didn't go as well, making him the team's No. 6 starter and likely to be skipped this week. A rejuvenated Zack Greinke is a two-start pitcher if Duckworth is indeed removed from the rotation. Billy Buckner makes his first start Tuesday, while Davies, Gil Meche and Brian Bannister are sure to get starts this week.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: The Angels decided to keep No. 5 starter Ervin Santana in the rotation Monday over Dustin Moseley. Santana will be evaluated on a start-to-start basis. He and Jered Weaver are two-start pitchers. Santana or Joe Saunders will be removed from the rotation after this week. RHP Bartolo Colon "took another step forward," said manager Mike Scioscia, after allowing three runs and six hits over five innings in Thursday night's rehab start with Triple-A Salt Lake. The 2005 AL Cy Young Award winner is scheduled for one more tuneup next Wednesday (85-90 pitches) in one of Salt Lake's postseason games before he is activated. Colon hasn't pitched for the Angels since July 23, when he gave up four runs in the first inning and left with irritation in his elbow.

Los Angeles Dodgers: LHP David Wells dropped the appeal of his seven-game suspension he drew while with the rival Padres and began serving the punishment Saturday night. Wells will miss his next scheduled start Wednesday at the Cubs. That start will be made by left-hander Eric Stults. Stults will be eligible to rejoin the club Tuesday, when the minor league season is over. Esteban Loaiza makes his first start with his new team Monday instead of Tuesday, making him a two-start pitcher. Brad Penny will start Tuesday, but it is likely he won't start again until the following Tuesday to open the Padres series. Wells will return to the rotation Saturday, meaning the Dodgers will ostensibly have a six-man rotation this week. Something could change to get Penny a second start, but we think it makes sense he's saved to open the Padres series. Also, LHP Randy Wolf will have diagnostic arthroscopic surgery on his sore left shoulder on Wednesday. Wolf, on the DL since July 4, felt pain in his shoulder while throwing last weekend. "It's not that bad. It's just not right," Wolf said about the pain. "It's hard to explain." Wolf is 9-6 with a 4.73 ERA.

Milwaukee Brewers: LHP Manny Parra was placed on the 15-day DL with a chip fracture in his left thumb suffered while bunting Thursday night against the Cubs. It was the second starter placed on the DL this week after RHP Claudio Vargas was placed on the 15-day DL with a lower back strain. RHP Carlos Villanueva will fill Parra's rotation spot, which comes up Tuesday against Houston. Because of a Thursday day off, Villanueva won't be a two-start pitcher, but Sheets is sure to be, barring re-injury. Ben Sheets reported no problems Thursday the day after he returned to the Brewers' rotation for his first start in six weeks. He allowed a run and six hits in six innings to spark Milwaukee's 6-1 win Wednesday night. "I feel fine," said Sheets, who'd been sidelined by a sprained finger on his pitching hand and a blister problem. "The blister didn't bother me at all. The curve ball felt a little weird coming out of my hand. It was a little different with the finger." Consider Sheets a must-start in all leagues for Fantasy Week 23 (Sept. 3-9).

Minnesota Twins: RHP Kevin Slowey will be recalled to start Tuesday's game, which makes it likely Boof Bonser, who was bombed Sunday, is out of the rotation this week. Johan Santana wouldn't get two starts if the Twins kept a six-man rotation in their six-game week, but we think Bonser will be moved out of the rotation or at least moved back to allow Santana to start Sunday. Start Santana in all Fantasy leagues regardless.

New York Mets: RHP Orlando Hernandez returned to New York with a sore tendon in his right foot following Thursday night's game in Philadelphia. Hernandez pitched three innings in his shortest outing of the season. Hernandez will be skipped in the rotation since RHP Pedro Martinez will make his first start on Monday. Manager Willie Randolph says he has no designs on a six-man rotation, so Mike Pelfrey's great outing Saturday merely earned him standby duty for El Duque over the weekend. Pedro is a two-start pitcher at this point, but if he struggles he could be moved back. Also, if he does outstandingly well, the Mets might move him back to next Monday to face the Braves in the opener of their final series of the season against each other.

New York Yankees: The Yankees said RHP Roger Clemens is expected to make his scheduled start Monday against Seattle's Felix Hernandez. Clemens has been bothered recently by blisters on his feet and possibly some elbow inflammation. Also, Ian Kennedy will remain in the rotation next Friday at Kansas City. Clemens is a must-start two-start pitcher.

Oakland Athletics: Oakland called up LHP Dallas Braden, who started the series finale Sunday and could remain the No. 5 starter after the trade of Loaiza. Chad Gaudin is the team's lone two-start pitcher, but Lenny DiNardo could also start twice if Braden is skipped the next weekend.

Philadelphia Phillies: A Thursday day off could allow the Phillies to skip J.D. Durbin and Adam Eaton next weekend, but that's not likely at this point. Jamie Moyer is a two-start pitcher regardless, while Kyle Lohse could get a second start Sunday if someone is skipped. RHP Freddy Garcia had season-ending shoulder surgery, nearly three months after throwing his last pitch. Garcia earned $10 million to go 1-5 with a 5.90 ERA.

Pittsburgh Pirates: The team needs a starter Thursday at St. Louis, and manager Jim Tracy said Zach Duke (elbow) was being considered. Duke has not pitched in the majors since June 29 due to tendinitis in his left elbow. He struggled in his past rehab outing. If Duke doesn't start, Shane Youman would be behind Tony Armas among the options on the roster. It is also highly possible Bryan Bullington gets the call up from Triple-A. Avoid the Pirates' No. 5 starters unless you're in a really deep keeper league and want to take a flier on Bullington, who was solid in Triple-A this season. Paul Maholm (back) will miss his start Monday, moving Ian Snell and Matt Morris up a day. That makes Morris a two-start pitcher, but a very high-risk one. Snell is a more advisable option.

San Diego Padres: With days off Thursday and the following Monday, the Padres could elect to pitch ace Jake Peavy on three day's rest Wednesday at Arizona. Jack Cassel would be the No. 5 starter normally to go on that day. We don't like Cassel's chances of starting this week, especially since Justin Germano, Greg Maddux and Chris Young could all start the weekend series on regular rest. Maddux is a two-start pitcher regardless, while Young would be getting a second start Sunday if Cassels is indeed skipped. It makes sense, especially since the Padres have to be tempted to throw their ace out there against the division-chasing D-Backs.

San Francisco Giants: RHP Tim Lincecum, who was scheduled to start Saturday night, had his turn skipped to give him some extra rest. LHP Jonathan Sanchez was recalled from Triple-A Fresno to make the start and will stay in the rotation at this point. Noah Lowry (fatigue) will remain out of the rotation until he can get healthy, according to MLB.com. Manager Bruce Bochy said Lincecum would take Lowry's Tuesday start. Matt Cain is the team's lone two-start pitcher, although a spot start could be slotted for Pat Misch if the Giants choose to limit Cain's innings down the stretch, too.

Seattle Mariners: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Felix Hernandez. Consider him a must-start, despite his disappointing season.

St. Louis Cardinals: Barring a late setback, Mark Mulder (shoulder) will return to the rotation Wednesday vs. the Pirates. Consider him an injury-risk sleeper in deeper leagues. This is perhaps even more of a significant return than Pedro, because Mulder has had more time to build up his arm. Anthony Reyes is tentatively scheduled to start Thursday, but that start could go to Adam Wainwright on regular rest. Either way, Wainwright is a one-start pitcher. Kip Wells looks like the team's lone two-start pitcher, but he could be removed for that second start if Mulder pitches well and Reyes isn't removed from the rotation. Joel Pineiro gets at least one start, too, but he could also start twice if Reyes remains in the rotation and Wells is removed.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher James Shields. Scott Kazmir could pick up a second start Sunday due to a Thursday day off, but we don't see the Devil Rays skipping Edwin Jackson or Jason Hammel to keep Kazmir on regular rest with the team out of the race.

Texas Rangers: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Kameron Loe. There are some prospects who might slot ahead of veterans soon, but nothing is imminent.

Toronto Blue Jays: All five starters will work in succession, including two-start pitcher Jesse Litsch. LHP Gustavo Chacin is scheduled to have surgery in New York on Wednesday to repair a small tear in his rotator cuff and is expected to be ready in time for spring training, general manager J.P. Ricciardi said.

Washington Nationals: MLB.com reports 2007 No. 1 pick Ross Detwiler might be a September call-up next week -- although it's unlikely he makes a start this week. All five starters figure to will work in succession at this point, including two-start pitcher Jason Bergmann.

Fantasy Week 23 (Sept. 3-9)

Two-start pitchers

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