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MLB Notes

Edwin Encarnacion currently has a .167 batting average, but his 4:8 K:BB ratio is highly encouraging. He makes for a decent buy-low if the opportunity presents itself.

At least so far, it certainly looks like Nelson Cruz is going to live up to all that hype. All those strikeouts will likely lead to a mediocre average, but he already has five homers, 12 RBI and a steal. Playing in Arlington is just such a big advantage as well.

Anyone hoping for a bounce back season from Fausto Carmona is likely to be sorely disappointed. He finished spring with a 2.67 ERA, but that was accompanied by a 13:8 K:BB ratio over 27 innings. The seven Ks over 10 innings so far this season are actually encouraging, but since he's also walked six batters there's just little room for optimism. Ever since his impressive 2007, his control has completely abandoned him.

Because David Ortiz finished strong last season, his early struggles are less worrisome. However, zero extra-base hits through 34 at-bats is a bit eye-opening. Someone of his stature never figured to age well, and the wrist injury was always a concern moving forward. He'll probably be fine, but there's no doubt Ortiz has looked lost at the plate so far.

The Chris Carpenter return sure was fun while it lasted. And he looked so good before going down with yet another injury too. At least it wasn't to his arm.

I'm not saying Lastings Milledge deserved to get sent down to the minors, but since it means consistent playing time for Elijah Dukes (at least until his next injury), the move was fine by me. Dukes is the team's best player and had no business getting benched in the first place, and while sitting the perennial disappointing Austin Kearns and moving Milledge to right field may have made more sense, the team needs to get Kearns at-bats in an effort to trade him. Other than August of last year, Milledge has never lived up to his potential, and the fact he's terrible defensively (his -20.1 UZR/150 ranked dead last among center fielders last season), and combines that was serious character issues (at least Dukes makes up for that with strong play on the field), some humility in Triple-A may do him some good. 

Octavio Dotel has a 26.1 K/9 IP mark this season.

Because of Jason Motte's early struggles and Ryan Franklin is, well, Ryan Franklin, Chris Perez simply needs to be owned in all leagues as of now. It wouldn't surprise if he led the team in saves this season. While I still like Motte, he's dug himself quite a hole already.