BaseballHQ.com

Juan Cruz (RHP, PIT) saved consecutive games on Tuesday and Wednesday as the Pirates took two out of three games from the Diamondbacks. With closer Joel Hanrahan (RHP, PIT) out for a second game with a tight right hamstring, Cruz stepped in and fired his sixth straight scoreless outing to begin the season.

After spending Opening Day on the bench, Juan Pierre (OF, PHI) has since started five of the six games in which the Phillies have faced a right-handed starting pitcher. Just two years ago, Pierre swiped 68 bases and had an SBO of 43%, though those numbers dipped dramatically last year. He was successful on just 27 of his 44 stolen base attempts (61%), and had a 27% SBO. It's unrealistic to expect a full rebound for Pierre, now 34 years old, but he could still be a strong speed source, and has already stolen two bases this year.

The Giants have been in this position before, but not quite for so long of a stretch: needing to find a fill-in for closer Brian Wilson, who is expected to miss the rest of the season. Late last season, Santiago Casilla answered the call, converting six of seven saves. But might the team do something different this time around?

CLE has signed free agent Johnny Damon (DH/OF, CLE) in an effort to boost its struggling offense. CLE's .176 BA and .617 OPS rank last in the AL through the season's first week. While qualifying initially only at DH in most formats, Damon is likely to become CLE's primary LF and leadoff hitter, though incumbent LF Shelley Duncan is likely to find AB vs. RHP at any of LF, 1B or DH.