AL Player Notes - June 14th, 2012

Scott Feldman- TEX- Stats- Feldman takes the mound tonight having lost his last 5 starts and posting an ERA of 7.13 as a starter. He has been the victim of some bad luck, with a 43.1% LOB% when he starts. That explains the difference between Feldman's ERA and his 4.68 FIP. However, he has made his own problems also, with a BB/9 of 4.50 as a starter. Feldman's prospects for success are limited until he can lower his walk ratio.

Stephen Pryor- SEA- Player Injury- Pryor was placed on the DL with a strained groin suffered in his appearance Tuesday. He had appeared in 6 games since being recalled from AAA Tacoma, striking out 5 batters in 5.1 IP. Pryor had the potential to get some saves after the assumed trade of Brandon League happens if Tom Wilhelmsen faltered. The injury dampens that possibility somewhat.

Seth Smith- OAK- Hot- Smith is 15-for-29 in his last 8 games with 2 homers. In the 8 games before that he was 3-for-27. It looks like a case of regression to the mean happening very quickly and maybe swinging the pendulum the other way. Smith's BABIP now stands at .315. The two homers he hit were at Arizona and at Colorado, so favorable ballparks may have been at play. Smith could be a sell high candidate during this hot streak.

Jonathan Sanchez- KC- FYI- It was a mixed bag in Sanchez's first start since being activated from the DL. He only allowed 1 run while striking out 4 in 5 IP, but allowed 7 hits and walked 2. It took Sanchez 96 pitches to get through the 5 IP, but 64 of them were strikes. While 2 walks in 5 IP isn't ideal, it was a definite improvement on his performances earlier this season. Sanchez now has a BB/9 ratio of 7.12. Yesterday's outing doesn't make you want to jump out and grab him but it is an encouraging sign that the pitcher who won 13 games two years ago might still be there.

Jhonny Peralta- DET- Hot- After going 0-for-5 in his previous 2 games, Peralta resumed his hot streak, going 3-for-4 with a walk yesterday. He had been 9-for-19 in his 5 games before the 0-fers and it looks like his performance is catching up with the peripherals Fantistics' Drew Dinkmeyer pointed out late last month.

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