Player Notes

Matt Lindstrom has allowed an earned run in three of his last five relief appearances.
Advice: The streaky Idahoan didn't allow a run through April 20, then gave up six in his next four appearances, then was perfect in May until the 10th, when his newest batch of concerns cropped up. The 32-year-old reliever, signed to a one-year, $2.8 million contract over the winter, holds a 4.76 ERA over 17 innings. Lindstrom will continue operating out of a middle relief role.

Pitching exclusively out of the bullpen, Josh Collmenter is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over 22 innings.
Advice: Last year's horrific April that cost him a rotation spot seems like a distant memory. Collmenter finished with a 2.13 ERA in 72 innings (seven starts, 17 relief appearances) over the final five months in 2012 and has carried that success into a new season. Of particular interest is his strikeout and K/BB rate, both improved over last year, which were both improvements over 2010's fifth-place-ROY-voting campaign.

Dane De La Rosa has a 4.91 ERA over 21 appearances.
Advice: The 6-foot-7 hurler has allowed four runs over 3 1/3 innings in the last week. His 20/8 K/BB rate in 22 innings is decent, but it doesn't necessarily speak to any potential improvement coming. De La Rosa has never solved the puzzle of major league hitters, posting a 7.08 ERA over 33 games despite a shiny 33/13 K/BB rate.

Pedro Strop was slapped with a loss Monday against the Yankees after allowing two runs over two-thirds of an inning.
Advice: Called upon to begin the 10th inning, Strop gave up consecutive doubles to Ichiro Suzuki and Vernon Wells before recording a pair of outs. He was asked to intentionally walk Robinson Cano before the O's tabbed Brian Matusz, who allowed an inherited runner to score. Strop's stuff is absolutely lethal, but his post-WBC efforts haven't impressed. The 27-year-old holds a 5.19 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 21 appearances. He's got closer's stuff, but is nowhere close to being trusted in the ninth inning.

Nick Swisher is out of Tuesday's lineup against the Tigers due to family reasons.
Advice: No word on when he'll be ready to return. Drew Stubbs will start in right field Tuesday while Jason Giambi serves as the DH and Mark Reynolds plays first base.
More: Cleveland Indians on Twitter

Giants placed RHP Santiago Casilla on the 15-day disabled list with a cyst on his right knee.
Advice: Casilla has been dealing with a cyst on his right knee and recently started wearing a brace, but he is apparently still feeling discomfort. The Giants are clearly hoping that a couple of weeks of rest will do the trick. Sandy Rosario will replace him in the bullpen.

Nationals recalled RHP Yunesky Maya from Triple-A Syracuse.
Advice: Maya has an ugly 5.07 ERA and 34/17 K/BB ratio in 49 2/3 innings over eight starts this season in Triple-A, but the Nationals need a fresh arm for their bullpen. This will be his first stint in the majors since 2011.

Starling Marte is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Cubs.
Advice: He's just getting the day off. Jose Tabata will make the start in left field while Garret Jones plays right. Gaby Sanchez is at first base.
More: Rob Biertempfel on Twitter

Dylan Axelrod held the Red Sox to two runs and four hits in six innings to pick up a win Monday.
Advice: It's just Axelrod's second win in nine outings this season, but he's given the White Sox five quality starts, plus two more in which he was pulled in the sixth having allowed three or fewer runs. He's now probably moved back ahead of Hector Santiago with John Danks due back and a rotation spot on the line.

Rangers optioned C Robinson Chirinos to Triple-A Round Rock.
Advice: He's clearing the way for A.J. Pierzynski's return from the DL on Tuesday. Chirinos picked up three hits in 12 at-bats with the big club.

Joe Thatcher earned his fifth hold by tossing two-thirds of a scoreless inning against the Cardinals on Monday night.
Advice: When healthy, the southpaw has been terrific for the Padres. Between 2009-2011, he posted a 2.66 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 10.9 K/9 rate. This year he is 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 10/1 K/BB rate over 21 appearances. As an effective LOOGY who calls PETCO home, Thatcher is a solid middle reliever in deeper NL-only formats.

Patrick Corbin moved to 7-0 by pitching a three-hitter and striking out 10 as the Diamondbacks topped the Rockies 5-1 on Monday.
Advice: Corbin's April could have been written off as something of a fluke after he went 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA. However, he's now 4-0 with a 0.92 ERA in May. It's a pretty amazing transformation for a guy who went 6-8 with a 4.54 ERA and 14 homers allowed in 107 innings last year.

Andres Torres went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Monday's win against Washington.
Advice: Prior to the evening, Torres hadn't collected a hit since May 8. The 35-year-old backup outfielder is batting just .247/.282/.346 over 81 at-bats this season.

Dale Thayer notched his eighth hold in Monday's victory against St. Louis.
Advice: Thayer induced Ty Wigginton into a double-play after surrendering a leadoff single to Jon Jay. After walking Pete Kozma, he was yanked for Joe Thatcher, who ended the inning. Thayer holds a 3.15 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over 20 appearances.

Shelby Miller coughed up three runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings in the Cardinals' loss to the Padres Monday.
Advice: He struck out five and walked three. It was the second consecutive start in which Miller labored and was pulled after 5 2/3 innings, tallying 96 pitches against the Mets on Wednesday and 107 this evening. Undoubtedly, Miller must learn how to be more efficient. That will come in time. He already has down the dominate-major-league-brutes thing, posting a 1.74 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over nine starts.

Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon started at second base Monday night for Double-A Harrisburg.
Advice: It's interesting given Danny Espinosa's struggles, but Nationals manager Davey Johnson doesn't think Rendon is ready to play second base at the major league level yet. "We like him - we like him a lot," said Johnson. "But putting him at second at the major-league level, he's not there yet. He's not (playing second) specifically. He's just occasionally going over there." Rendon is hitting .390 (23-for-59) with four home runs and 16 RBI since his demotion earlier this month. Nothing appears imminent, but it would be a good idea to continue to monitor his progress in fantasy leagues.
More: FOX Sports