Toronto Blue Jays SP Shaun Marcum lands on DL

June 21, 2008 @ 13:22:09

By Tim Piotrowski
Edited by Tim Heaney

Jeff Blair, of the Toronto Globe and Mail, reports the Toronto Blue Jays have placed starting pitcher Shaun Marcum (elbow) on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain. He will be examined by Dr. James Andrews Monday, June 23.

The team recalled outfielder Adam Lind from Triple-A Syracuse to take Marcum's spot on the roster.

The injury weakens one of the better starting rotations in the major leagues. Pitching coach Brad Arnsberg said Marcum has been nursing the injury for a couple of weeks. Marcum has had a solid season so far in 2008. In 15 starts, he is 5-4 with a 2.65 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He has struck out 86 batters and walked 27 in 98 2/3 innings.

His .198 opponents' batting average ranks near the top among American League starters. One downside for Marcum is that he has allowed 11 home runs this season. 

Despite not starting games until May, he had a very good season last year. He went 12-6 with a 4.13 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP; he had a 3.91 ERA while going 11-4 in 25 starts. The right-hander struck out 122 and walked 49 in 159 innings.

From a fantasy perspective, Marcum is a very good fantasy pitcher and his DL stint will hurt fantasy teams. Marcum will miss at least two starts, but more should be known Monday after he is examined. Owners in all leagues should place him on their disabled list if they have the roster space because he is a valuable piece to any team. If there is no roster space, he should be stashed on the bench until he comes back to the rotation.

The team is expected to recall a starting pitcher from Syracuse to take his turn in the lineup.

Pitcher John Parrish is one possibility to fill the void. He has been dominant for Syracuse, going 10-0 with 2.83 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 14 games. He has started 10 of those games. He has struck out 86 batters and walked 34 in 76 1/3 innings.

Pitcher Kane Davis is another option that the Blue Jays can consider. He is 6-6 with a 3.30 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP in 15 games (14 starts). He has started 14 of those games. He has struck out 59 batters and walked 27 batters in 84 2/3 frames.

Both of these pitchers would be good short-term pickups at best for owners in AL-only leagues and possibly desperation choices in deeper leagues. Owners will have to keep their eyes out to see which of the pitchers will be recalled next week.

Lind, who went 1-for-19 (.053) in a stint with the Jays earlier this year, likely is keeping a roster space warm until a pitcher is called up. However, he could be a rental in deep or AL-only formats, and if he succeeds, he could be kept on roster longer.

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Tim Piotrowski
Piotrowski has been a Hot Off the Wire analyst since 2007.

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