Wednesday MLB Busts

Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - MLB Busts

Miguel Batista - SP - Mariners
Miguel Batista was pounded for eight runs in 4 2/3 innings to take the loss to the A's in his Mariners debut Wednesday. In signing Batista, the Mariners paid $25 million for an innings-eating fourth starter. He'll give the club 200 innings this year and win about a dozen games, but he's not going to be of any real use in fantasy leagues.

Woody Williams - SP - Astros
Woody Williams gave up five runs -- three earned -- in 4 2/3 innings Wednesday in a loss to the Pirates. It's not only their fourth and fifth starters the Astros have to be concerned about. Williams didn't show much this spring, and he started off his regular season by giving up eight hits, walking two, hitting two batters and striking out none. He's not the same kind of option in NL-only leagues that he was as a Petco pitcher.

Jaret Wright - SP - Orioles
Jaret Wright was pulled from Wednesday's game after giving up six runs -- four earned -- and walking five in 2 1/3 innings. This is why the Orioles wanted to carry 13 pitches. The real issue, though, is why the club ever wanted Wright in the first place. Maybe he'll pitch just well enough to hang on to a rotation spot all year long, but he's not going to be much of a factor in AL-only leagues.

Tom Gordon - RP - Phillies
Tom Gordon blew the save versus the Braves on Tuesday after giving up two runs in the ninth. Gordon allowed a double to Jeff Francouer and then a homer to Brian McCann, tying the game. He preserved the tie, but the damage was done. The Phillies ended up losing in extra innings once again.

Jake Westbrook - SP - Indians
Jake Westbrook was pounded for seven runs in five innings by the White Sox on Wednesday. The sinker wasn't working for Westbrook today, as he recorded just five outs on the ground and gave up homers to Jim Thome and Tadahito Iguchi. Despite the poor outing, he's a nice play in shallow mixed leagues next week. He'll have two home starts, the first versus the Mariners. He'll then get the White Sox again in 10 days.

Jon Garland - SP - White Sox
Jon Garland gave up five runs in 5 1/3 innings Wednesday versus the Indians. At least Garland only walked five while giving up 45 hits in 24 2/3 innings this spring. He issued four free passes today (one intentional) and gave up seven hits, including a two-run homer to Andy Marte. His velocity remains down, so it's likely that he'll keep struggling.

Scott Podsednik - OF - White Sox
Scott Podsednik, who sat against the lefty on Opening Day, went 0-for-4 with a walk and a caught stealing Wednesday against the Indians. If Podsednik can't even steal bases off Victor Martinez, it's not an exaggeration to suggest he might be done as a useful player. At the very least, he should be on the bench versus all lefties. Pablo Ozuna can start tomorrow against Jeremy Sowers.

A.J. Burnett - SP - Blue Jays
After starting off with two scoreless innings, A.J. Burnett gave up six runs without getting an out before being pulled in the third Wednesday against the Tigers. Four singles and two walks got Burnett pulled from the game with the bases loaded. All three inherited runners came around to score off Shaun Marcum. Burnett also had control issues in the first two innings and threw just 26 of his 55 pitches for strikes. Expect him to bounce back Monday against the Royals.

Matt Chico - SP - Nationals
Matt Chico surrendered six runs and three homers in four innings Wednesday in his major league debut against the Marlins. Cody Ross, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Jacobs all homered off him. Chico could be an effective third or fourth starter in time, but there's little reason to think that time is now. If he continues to struggle, the Nationals could send him back to Triple-A when Jason Simontacchi is ready to return.

Jorge Julio - RP - Marlins
Jorge Julio blew his first save chance for the Marlins by giving up three runs in the ninth Wednesday against the Nationals. Julio, who was brought in to start the bottom of the ninth with a two-run lead, allowed five hits and a walk. The only out he recorded came on a sacrifice bunt. The Marlins didn't get themselves a very good pitcher when they acquired Julio from the Diamondbacks last week. He'll probably be adequate in the closer's role and strikeouts will help him as a fantasy property, but the Marlins could have been just as well off going with a youngster.