Two blog postings in less than 12 hours for two separate days.  Yep.  I have a day job.  On to the Game Notes!

"OF Eric Byrnes was activated from the 15-day DL before the game after being sidelined with a right hamstring strain since May 27. OF Alex Romero was optioned to Triple-A Tucson. " Byrnes saw an uptick in ownership this week with his expected return from the DL.  I think this is yet another case of a player being owned because of the familiarity of his name versus his on-field performance.  Byrnes is hitting .213 for the year with 6 HR and 23 RBI.  Certainly better and more productive options are available in even the deepest of leagues.  His 0 for 5 start leaving 6 men on base does not bode well for his return.

"Braves SS Yunel Escobar made his first start after missing two games with a hip injury."  Good news following the concern with the hip flexor from the Braves training staff.  Escobar hit only .190 last week with no HR or RBI.  Here's hoping that the time off improves his bat as well as his hip.  Owners who have an option to sideline the Braves utility man might be well served to do so until his bat and that .300 average return.

"3B Chipper Jones missed his third straight start with a strained right quadriceps, but the Braves slugger reported his first day of improvement." Manager Bobby Cox seems inclined to keep Chipper on the bench until the Blue Jays series this weekend where he can DH.  Since injuring his quad, the .400 candidate has lost 28 points to his batting average.  The big decison for Chipper owners is do you take the '0' while he's off for the Brewers series or start a replacement?

"Mariners LHP Erik Bedard was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday against the Mets after leaving Friday's outing with back spasms. Miguel Batista will start instead." The Pilots training staff is making noises about Bedard going on the DL.  Bedard has been a disappointment to owners who made an early pick of him.  Reserve him if you can.  Batista, by the way, is not a fantasy option.  His 6.26 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 43 K/47 BB ratio is a team killer.

"Rockie Jeff Baker was the National League player of the week, homering in four consecutive games, hitting in all six games and piling up a 1.043 slugging percentage." Baker's excellent week kept him in the game last week.  He's the utility man who replaced the original utility man in Barmes when he went out.  I doubt he will see much consistent playing time going forward.

Only five games played and still there was a streaker.  "Angels OF Vladimir Guerrero extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a single in the sixth inning."

Writing up the Game Notes blog takes much more time than you would think. I actually started the blog commenting on only the Notes to limit my verbosity. Its nights like the past one that makes me want to vent my spleen in this little part of the web. But, I try to limit my comments to those things that are productive and those filler items found in the Game Notes. So without further ado...

Oh, but sometimes, the Game Notes let me rant. "The other two pitchers who gave up eight earned runs on three or fewer hits since 1956 were Randy Johnson and Kerry Wood." Truly, this small piece of statistical flatulence is the only way that Wood, Johnson, and Willis could be uttered in the same breath unless you are speaking of euphemisms for a phallus. Watching the abomination against baseball that was the return of Dontrelle Willis was more than I could stand. A 10.32 ERA, 1.1 IP, 8 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, and 2 K. What a disaster. Unbelievably - almost unforgivably - Jim Leyland left him out there after he had walked the first two and given up a HR before the second out of the game was recorded. For a Tigers team that treats each win as a special, perfect flower because they are so insanely rare, you would think that the wise old manager would have pulled Willis before this debacle took the game out of reach.

Breathe.

Merciful, merciful relief. "Leyland went to watch RHPs Joel Zumaya (shoulder) and Fernando Rodney (shoulder) throw Sunday night at Triple-A Toledo and was encouraged, saying he expects them in the "very near future" to pitch for the Tigers." If you have the room on your roster, you might want to take a flyer on Zumaya. Of the two relievers, he has looked better in his rehab starts.

"The Indians recalled IF Josh Barfield from Triple-A Buffalo and sent down IF Asdrubal Cabrera." The call up of Barfield is a stretch by Indians management to get some hitting. Barfield isn't the answer. I don't know how they can expect a .255 minor league hitter to spark the sluggish Tribe.

"Detroit DH Gary Sheffield (oblique) is expected to take batting practice Tuesday." If Sheffield is on your fantasy team, I'd like to invite you to play in one of my leagues. Sheffield is a waste of a roster spot for the Tigers, much less your fantasy team.

"Tigers IF Michael Hollimon made his major league debut." Hollimon's presence with the Tigers is just to add some depth to the roster. Unless he suddenly begins to manifest some magical powers, don't expect him to take a roster spot for long.

"The Diamondbacks lost their fourth in a row when Randy Johnson starts after winning the previous five." The Big Unit has fallen on some hard times in Arizona. He got only one run of support from his team mates. I have to wonder if age and back problems are beginning to creep up on him. His control was not there as he had 5 BB to 3 K. For now, I would keep Johnson reserved until the Diamondback bats heat up.

"To replace Tyler Clippard, the Nationals reinstated INF Ronnie Belliard from the 15-day disabled list. Belliard had been sidelined since May 16 with a left calf strain." Belliard is nothing compared to previous seasons. He's hitting below .200 and will likely find himself on the DL again.

There were no game notes for Marlins/Reds game. I understand a good thing happened: Ken Griffey, Jr. hit his 600th HR. In a different era, Junior would have been legend. In this era, he deserves the admiration of all of baseball. Not one person had identified Junior as a steroid user or have even pointed an accusatory finger in his direction. Junior showed you could hit with the big boys and do it clean. Congrats, Mr. Griffey. Next stop, Cooperstown.

"Vladimir Guerrero has 23 career four-hit games, but has yet to get five." Don't look now, but Vlad is hitting .471 in the early month of June with a HR and 4 RBI. None too soon for Guerrero owners.

Streaker sightings! "With their hits in the ninth, Carlos Gomez extended his hitting streak to 10 games and Alexi Casilla pushed his to 11."

Much love to the Detroit Red Wings for winning Lord Stanley's Cup last night. I have come to the sad realization that I am a fair weather hockey fan. I can live with it. On to the Game Notes!

"A's 3B Eric Chavez was given the day off to rest his legs after homering in Tuesday's win over the Tigers. Chavez missed the first 53 games of the season recovering from offseason back surgery." I love Chavev's potential. So far, he has been solid since coming off the DL. Bob Geren is doing the right thing by working Chavez back in slowly. You don't mess around with a back injury.

The Cub's winning streak was broken last night. More importantly, their dominance over NL West teams was ever so slightly diminished. "Chicago lost for just the third time in 19 games against NL West." Keep an eye on your Cubs starters like Soto, Lee, or Fukudome for
games where they play the West and get them in!

Angel's injury news: "The Angels sent OF Vladimir Guerrero (knee) and RHP Scot Shields (ribcage) back to California to get an examination by team medical director Dr. Lewis Yocum. Manager Mike Scioscia says each is progressing and could be available again sometime during the weekend series at Oakland that begins Friday." I'm inclined to try and trade for Guerrero while he's on the DL. I'd have to believe that his owners will sell him after this latest DL stint and his slow start. I still believe he will have a good second half.

"The Braves recalled right-hander Phil Stockman from Triple-A Richmond to replace Smoltz." I have to say it again - I told you so about Smoltz. Now I wish him either a speedy recovery or a happy retirement. Stockman is a 28 year old middle reliever with little fantasy value.

"Rays 1B Carlos Pena went on the 15-day DL with a broken left index finger that was injured when he was hit by a pitch from Boston's Justin Masterson in the first inning Tuesday. OF Justin Ruggiano was called up from Triple-A Durham to fill Pena's roster spot and replaced Upton in center in the eighth." Pena's been laboring at the plate for a while now. This DL stint might do him some good.

"Brewers 3B Bill Hall entered in the seventh. Hall, who has acknowledged he'd like to be traded if he's not an everyday player, has been platooning with Russell Branyan." Those owners in NL-only leagues should pay attention to the Bill Hall saga. Hall is rather pathetic against RH pitching, but against lefties he's shown some pop. I would imagine that the Brewers will do their best to trade Hall and get some value for him. Should he land in a place where he will play everyday, he could be a decent pick up.

We have a Jorge Posada sighting. "Jorge Posada didn't start because he caught the previous two days while rehabilitating his throwing shoulder at extended spring training in Florida. Posada had been out since April 28 with right rotator cuff tendinitis. He is slated to catch Chien-Ming Wang on Thursday in the series finale." Considering how barren for hitting the catching position has been this year, Posada might be a good pick up in a league where he was dumped. Posada is owned in only 69% of leagues.

"Chan Ho Park relieved Clayton Kershaw and struck out six in three innings, including his first four batters." Kershaw is showing himself to be the rookie that he is. Yesterday he was just throwing the heat as hard as he could and letting the Rockies tee off on him. More often than not, the pitch was just fouled off. Kershaw is a fine pick up in deeper leagues or keeper leagues, but for the average fantasy owner he belongs on the wire, not your roster.

"The Rangers will move RHP Vicente Padilla back into the rotation on Friday night to open a three-game series against Tampa Bay. Padilla is expected to return from his native Nicaragua on Thursday after attending to a personal family matter, missing one start." Padilla's return was expected.

"Indians SS Astrubal Cabrera left the game in the fourth inning with a left hip strain." This was his second start in five games. Between his ice cold bat and this injury, it sounds like the Indians will be auditioning Josh Barfield and Jamey Carroll at second. Cabrera will likely be headed to the DL or the minors to work on his swing.

"The Mets placed C Raul Casanova on the bereavement list following the death of his father, Raul Casanova Sr., and selected the contract of C Robinson Cancel from Triple-A New Orleans." Casanova will be back in a week.

"Giants RHP starter Kevin Correia, recovering from a strained left side muscle that landed him on the DL, tried to talk Bochy out of having him make another start for Triple-A Fresno. But the Giants want him to build his pitch count up a little more after Correia's strong outing Tuesday for the Grizzlies. "I'm over being on the DL," the pitcher said. "I'm ready." I love hearing this kind of talk from players on the DL. I wouldn't want him on my fantasy team necessarily, but the attitude is good.

"After a decent season debut on Tuesday, RHP Radhames Liz will stay in Baltimore's rotation and struggling RHP Steve Trachsel will remain in the bullpen." Liz is a spot starter for the Orioles whose position in the starting roatation is tenous. He might serve AL-only leagues as a two start pick up pitcher.

"The Reds will call up RHP Homer Bailey from Triple-A Louisville to make his first start of the season in Thursday's series finale." A lot of owners are looking to Bailey to be the next big rookie sensation. I'm not. Bailey's been erratic in the minors and this call up has more to do with Josh Fogg's incompetence than it does Bailey's skill.

"Joe Crede left the game after the 12th inning with a bruised right wrist. He made a nice stop in the top of the inning on a hard grounder by DeJesus. He said after the game X-rays were negative and he should be fine, even though the wrist was bandaged." So far the news is good for Crede. Treat his availability as day to day.

Streaking! "Todd Helton extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an infield single in the first inning."

Triple OT...bleary eyes...need sleep...Red Wings lose...must blog Game Notes.

"Jim Edmonds, released by the Padres on May 9 after his batting average had fallen to .178 -- more than 100 points below his lifetime mark -- hit two RBI doubles and scored one run for the Cubs." Edmonds isn't quite swinging like the rusty gate I accused him of being when the Cubs signed him.  He's not exactly en fuego either.  While raising his average slightly above .200, I don' t think he warrants fantasy consideration  beyond a stop gap measure for NL-only leagues.

Good news for Tim Hudson owners I would take it with a grain of salt. "Braves RHP Tim Hudson said his strained left hamstring shouldn't keep him out of next start. Hudson has battled hamstring problems in the past, and said this didn't feel as bad as some of his other strains. Manager Bobby Cox said he will have an emergency starter ready in case Hudson can't start Friday against Philadelphia"

"Another Atlanta pitcher, RH Blaine Boyer, underwent an MRI after tweaking his right knee Sunday. It showed no damage."  Boyer is a fine middle reliever with a 3 to 1 K to BB ratio.  In leagues that reward holds, he's a good pick up.

While I'm talking about Braves pitching, I would be remiss not to comment on the return of John Smoltz.  "I told you so."  Smoltz blew his first save opportunity.  I just don't think you can pitch on moxie and determination alone.  Thanks for the fine career, John.  Its time to retire while the baseball world still loves and respects you.

"Twins 1B Justin Morneau played despite a sore left knee and strained calf muscle. He went 0-for-4 and limped noticeably throughout the game." I love seeing guys try to tough it out through the pain.  That said, I would hate to see Morneau miss time because he was gritting it out. The '0-fer' performance didn't help his team much either.

The Rockies are just bad. Considering how many Rockies are on the DL its not that surprising to find that  "Colorado is 18 games under .500 for the first time since finishing the 2005 season 67-95. The Rockies have lost 19 of their past 21 away from Coors Field."

More injury updates: "Diamondbacks 1B Conor Jackson (strained right quad) took batting practice. Arizona manager Bob Melvin said Jackson could be ready to return as early as Wednesday when the Brewers start LHP Manny Parra. ... Brewers RHP David Riske (hyperextended elbow) played catch on Monday, but Brewers manager Ned Yost said both he and RHP Eric Gagne (rotator cuff tendinitis) are at least a week away from returning."

"Angels' OF/DH Vladimir Guerrero was held out of the lineup with a sore right knee after a hard slide into third base Sunday during a game against Detroit." Guerrero is listed as day to day.

"Seattle RHP Miguel Batista experienced some tightness in his groin Sunday during a start against Detroit, but said he shouldn't have any problems making his next start."  The injury is a recurrence of the injury Batista had in April. The Mariners do not share Batista's optimism about Batista's ability to start this week.  Even if he were ready to go, he's not much of a fantasy player.

Still streaking!  Whee!  "Phillies CF Shane Victorino singled in the first to extend his hitting streak to 14 games, tying his career-best...Reds SS Jerry Hairston extended his hitting streak to a career-high 10 games with a sixth-inning single."

Sit down, son.  You annoy me.  "Tigers C Ivan Rodriguez was in a 1-for-20 slump before singling in the seventh...Boston's Coco Crisp singled in the fourth inning to snap an 0-for-23 skid."