Jacoby Ellsbury

Friday the 13th, brings some wacky endings, and some outstanding performances. 

In probably the biggest fantasy baseball news from yesterday, Jacoby Ellsbury dislocated his shoulder sliding into second base to break up a double play. Initial reports note that Ellsbury could be out a minimum of six weeks. Lucky for you, Alan wrote his waiver wire column last night. Check that out for potential replacements for Ellsbury on your fantasy baseball team.

With heavy hearts, baseball and football fans remember the smooth velvety voice of Harry Kalas who passed away 3 years ago yesterday. April 13th 2009 was not just the passing of Mr. Kalas but we saw Nick Swisher of the Yankees throw 22 pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays, giving up one hit, one walk, and one strike out, and Orlando Hudson of the Dodgers complete a cycle becoming the first Dodger to cycle at legendary Dodgers Stadium and the first Dodger to accomplish the feat since 1949. 

Late inning heroics were frequent yesterday when three games ended in walk-off fashion in the 9th inning or later (Dodgers, Nationals and Marlins). Meanwhile, victories were sealed in several more when clutch hitting was performed in the 8th inning putting a W in the win column. (Rockies, Orioles, Braves, and Tigers) 

Yoenis Cespedes leads the league in strikeouts (13) and HBP (3). 

Alex Rodriguez’ (NYY) blasts a 420 foot homer in the 3rd inning of the Yankees v Angles contest yesterday that places him 5th all-time with 630 career home runs. The long ball ties him with former Mariners teammate Ken Griffey Jr on the all-time home run list. 

Home teams dominate home openers as 9 fan favorites pull out victories, including the Yankees, Giants, White Sox, and the Red Sox who were celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park. 

On this day in 1999, Jose Canseco became the 28th member of Major League Baseball’s 400 home run club.

Starting pitching was outstanding yesterday, as Hiroki Kuroda, Matt Cain, Jordan Zimmerman, Bronson Arroyo, Josh Beckett, Matt Harrison, and Bartolo Colon each earned wins. Only Zimmerman and Arroyo (opposing pitchers) failed to record the victory for the game. 

Notable current and former baseball players celebrating their birthdays today: Kyle Farnsworh (36), Steve Avery (42), Brad Ausmus (43), Greg Maddux (46) and David Justice (46).

Home Runs hit by: Alex Rodriguez (1, NYY), Curtis Granderson (2, NYY), Ben Zobrist (1, TB), Delmon Young (1, DET), Dayan Viciedo (1, CHW) Asdrubal Cabrera (2, CLE), Nolan Reimold (1, BAL), Adam Jones (2, BAL), Robert Andino (1, BAL), Yunel Escobar (1, TOR), Kelly Johnson (2, TOR), Edwin Encarnacion (2, TOR) Colby Rasmus (1, TOR), Ian Kinsler (4, TEX), Jemile Weeks (2, OAK), Aubrey Huff (1, SF), Ian Stewart (1, CHC), Bryan LaHair (1, CHC), Xavier Nady (1, WSH), Jason Bay (1, NYM), Scott Hairston (1, NYM), Freddy Galvis (1, PHI), JD Martinez (3, HOU), Corey Hart (4, MIL), Alex Gonzalez (2, MIL), George Kottaras (3, MIL), Brian McCann (2, ATL), Matt Diaz (1, ATL), Miguel Montero (1, ARI), Dexter Fowler (1, COL), Ramon Hernandez (1, COL), Will Venable (1, SD), Chase Headly (2, SD), Matt Kemp (3, LAD)

Matt Kemp, Ian Kinsler and Jose Reyes have each been caught trying to steal twice. Kinsler and Kemp are both 1-of-3, and Reyes is 3-of-5 in stolen base attempts thus far in the young 2012 season.

Pitching duels I’m looking forward to today: Yu Darvish (Tex) vs. Nick Blackburn (Min), Mike Minor (Atl) vs. Shaun Marcum (Mil), Jon Niese (NYM) vs. Vance Worley (Phi)

Written by Justin Mandaro, exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeckinTheFix

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