Baseball Daily Dose: Daily Dose: Hat Trick for J.D.

In an incredible Sunday for offense, J.D. Martinez took the cake.

The Detroit right fielder launched three home runs and had six RBI at Yankee Stadium. Martinez now has 16 home runs and 41 RBI, putting him on pace for 38 homers and 96 RBI for the year.

The former Astros outfielder showed significant adjustments in his approach after joining the Tigers last season, showing more power to all fields and leading to an impressive .315-23-76 line in 123 games. Still, fantasy owners weren’t overly convinced coming into the year, based on his ADP in the low 100’s.

There is some concern about his aggressiveness vs. lefties this season. Martinez has usually mashed left-handed pitchers in his career, with an .801 OPS. This season he’s run into some trouble in 58 plate appearances vs. lefties, fanning 24 times and hitting only .204. The track record would indicate that he should snap out of it soon, and his total strikeout percentage is in line with the previous two seasons.

All things considered, pointing out Martinez’s struggles against southpaws is nitpicking what has been a phenomenal early performance for Detroit and fantasy owners. Martinez is well on his way to becoming a top 20 fantasy outfielder if he can maintain his pace.

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Anderson Strong in Debut

The Indians have been searching long and hard for a fifth starter this season, and they might have finally found their man in Cody Anderson.

Arguably Cleveland’s best pitching prospect, Anderson was terrific in his major league debut vs. Tampa Bay. He threw 7.2 scoreless innings in a no-decision, allowing six hits, one walk, and fanning four batters.

After struggling with his command and posting a 5.44 ERA in 25 starts at Double-A Akron last season, Anderson has completely turned his results around. The 24-year-old had a 1.89 ERA in 13 starts between Double-A and Triple-A prior to his call-up, and averaged an impressive 93.8 mph on his fastball during his debut.

There’s valid concern with Anderson’s inability to miss bats, with a career 6.8 K/9 in the minors that has been matched in the minors this year. He threw only five breaking balls on Sunday, according to Pitch f/x data, so his effectiveness is definitely concerning after major league hitters see his fastball and changeup a few times. Though, after posting an outstanding 1.8 BB/9 rate in the minors this season and carrying that control to the majors, he’s looking like a viable AL-only option.

Freeman Still Ailing

Fantasy owners making weekly lineup decisions are faced with Freddie Freeman’s questionable tag due to his sore wrist. If we read the tea leaves, it’s not looking good.

Freeman’s right wrist was still sore when he swung the bat on Sunday, even after receiving a cortisone shot last week. He was apparently evaluated by a specialist, and could undergo an MRI today.

He hasn’t played since suffering the injury on Wednesday. The Braves continue to employ veteran Kelly Johnson at first base in Freeman’s absence, and it seems all but certain that Freeman will miss the early part of this week as the team travels to Washington.

We can only hope Freeman’s exams come back negative. More should be known about his status later today, and a DL stint seems like a possibility.

American League Quick Hits: Jered Weaver was placed on the 15-day DL with left hip irritation. The Angels right-hander has been awful this season, with a 4.75 ERA and significant velocity loss … Justin Masterson (shoulder) will rejoin the Red Sox in a relief role on Tuesday … Devon Travis (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the DL by mid-week … The M’s released Rickie Weeks after he hit only .167 in 84 at-bats … Scott Copeland was demoted to Triple-A after getting pounded in his start for Toronto on Sunday … Former Blue Jays closer Sergio Santos will undergo Tommy John surgery … Hisashi Iwakuma (lat) will have at least three rehab starts. He made his first at Low-A on Saturday … The A’s claimed Jake Smolinski off waivers from the Rangers and optioned him to Triple-A Nashville … The Red Sox claimed catcher Erik Kratz off waivers from the Royals … Mason Williams was placed on the 15-day DL by the Yankees with shoulder inflammation … Orioles top prospect Dylan Bundy remains shut down with shoulder inflammation after undergoing an MRA exam.

National League Quick Hits: Arizona shed salary by trading Bronson Arroyo and 2014 first-round pick, Touki Toussaint, to the Braves for utility infielder Phil Gosselin late Saturday night … Carlos Gomez (hip) could return to the Brewers lineup on Tuesday … Carlos Gonzalez is considered day-to-day after leaving Sunday’s game with a left hand sprain … Cole Hamels (hamstring) threw a successful bullpen session on Sunday, and is set to make his scheduled start on Wednesday … Kyle Schwarber was optioned to Triple-A Iowa following Sunday’s game so that he can work at catcher. He hit .364 for his time up in the majors, and could still be a key piece for the Cubs down the stretch … Brandon Beachy threw two scoreless innings in a rehab start at High-A. He could be a rotation option for the Dodgers by mid-July … Jake Peavy (back) is expected to join the Giants rotation next weekend. It’s unclear who they will remove from the rotation, if anyone. Matt Cain (elbow) allowed two runs in a rehab start at Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, and is close behind Peavy … Nori Aoki (leg) hopes to be back in the Giants lineup on Tuesday … Joel Peralta (neck) played catch on Sunday, and could be activated from the DL on Monday … Charlie Morton ruined some fantasy team ERAs on Sunday, allowing nine earned runs in only two-thirds of an inning. He had a 1.62 ERA entering the game … Archie Bradley (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment next week … Daniel Murphy (quad) won’t be activated from the DL until next weekend … Dillon Gee was sent outright to Triple-A Las Vegas by the Mets.

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