Dustin Ackley -- The Mariners recalled Opening Day second baseman Dustin Ackley from Triple-A yesterday. Ackley was triple-slashing .365/.472/.500 since his demotion, so the call-up is well-earned. Still, with Nick Franklin playing so well in his place at the keystone, the Mariners have said that the bulk of Ackley's action will come in the outfield. With Michael Saunders struggling so badly, he could be in danger of losing time to Ackley. Endy Chavez is likely to be receive the most significant reduction in his playing time, though.
Matt Dominguez -- Dominguez is quietly posting an unheralded AL-only-quality season, hitting his 11th home run of the year last night. Some will point to his former prospect status as an explanation, but they'd be wise to remember that Dominguez's prospect status was always based heavily on his defensive capabilities. It was easy to ignore his 20% HR/FB last year because it came in just 113 AB, but seeing as how it's remained at a solid 11% this year, it's getting harder to ignore. I'm buying into that power given that Dominguez is a pull-power hitter with a very short Crawford Box porch in Houston.
Rick Porcello -- Porcello was roughed up again for 7 runs in 4.1 innings last night with a 2/2 K/BB. It's easy to look at Porcello's sparkling peripherals (7.5 K/9, 1.5 BB/9, 2.98 xFIP)--which, granted, are an improvement over his past body of work--and project a big rebound, but Porcello has always struggled with runners on base (69% LOB%), and this season is no different (65%). Porcello will improve--he's much better than his 5.27 ERA indicates--but just keep expectations in check. He's more of a deep mixed and AL-only option.
J.B. Shuck -- Shuck went 3-for-5 with four RBI in last night's game, batting leadoff for the potent Angels offense. Shuck is now batting over .300 in 144 AB. While Shuck isn't this good of hitter, he is able to put the barrel on the ball (8.3% K%) and make decent contact. He also has above-average speed, but there really isn't room for him in Los Angeles as anything more than a fourth outfielder.
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