Day off clears Montero's head: Mariners catcher Jesus Montero was back in the lineup on Saturday, after the team gave him a day off on Friday to try to snap out of a lingering slump. Montero, who was in at catcher and batted fourth, obliged with his first multi-hit game since the May 4, going 3 for 4 with an RBI, a run scored, a walk, and more importantly, no strikeouts. The Mariners would go on to win the game, 10-3. (Updated 05/19/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/23/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Manager Eric Wedge told reporters on Friday that he did not think Montero was ready to play every day, which may have been what it took to give him a spark. Montero had struck out seven times in his previous 13 at bats heading into Saturday, so it was a good sign that he was able to make good contact. He has been a disappointment this season, however he still has a tremendous amount of upside at a thin position, so consider him a viable option in most mixed leagues. (Updated 05/19/2012).
05/23/2012 06:45 Dear Mr. Fantasy: Ups and downs of young players
Last year your team was a juggernaut. This year it's sitting in the cellar. What happened? You might even have most of those players back. If you're relying on young talent, our Scott White says prepare to take some lumps in his latest Dear Mr. Fantasy.
05/23/2012 00:50 Andrus' two-run 3B puts Rangers on top
Elvis Andrus lined a two-strike pitch into the left-center field gap for a two-run triple, Josh Hamilton made two tremendous catches in center field and added an RBI double, and the Texas Rangers snapped Seattle's win streak at four with a 3-1 win over the Mariners on Tuesday night.
05/22/2012 01:13 M's knock out Darvish, defeat Rangers
Ichiro Suzuki and the Seattle Mariners chased Texas' Yu Darvish after just four innings in his shortest start of the season, and the Mariners rolled to their fourth straight win in a 6-1 victory over the Rangers on Monday night.
05/20/2012 19:47 Hit Parade for Week 8
Some catchers have been bitten by the injury bug in recent days, leaving some owners scrambling. Our Scott White shares some recommendations and helps set your lineups for Week 8 in his Hit Parade.
05/19/2012 20:33 Twins 5, Brewers 4 (11)
Trevor Plouffe hit a solo home run in the top of the 11th inning to lift the Minnesota Twins to a 5-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.
Forced to trudge through another minor-league season as the Yankees once again leaned on veterans early, Jesus Montero took a step back statistically in 2011, causing some to wonder if the 21-year-old was as ready for the big leagues as he appeared to be in 2010. But when he finally got the call in September, all the reports of him being the top offensive catcher prospect in baseball -- a title he earned even as Buster Posey and Carlos Santana were rising through the ranks -- came to fruition as he connected for four of the most impressive homers you'll ever see. He hit them far, and he hit them to all fields, giving reason to believe he was simply biding his time with those so-so numbers in the minors and convincing the world once and for all that he's a major-league-caliber hitter. The Mariners certainly thought so, giving up burgeoning ace Michael Pineda for Montero this offseason. Though the deal puts Montero in a tougher place to hit, it solidifies his status as an everyday player. His defense remains a major concern, but even if the projected DH loses catcher eligibility down the line, he'll be enough of a run producer to deserve an early-round pick in Fantasy. He already rates as a top 10 catcher, and at age 22, the best is yet to come. (Updated 1/25/12)