I wasn't able to single him out in this week's Hit Parade, but with matchups against the Astros, Twins and Royals' pitching staffs in a seven-game week, he's worth a look in standard mixed leagues.

I'm not saying you should sit an Allen Craig, Freddie Freeman or even someone lower-end, but equally reliable like James Loney for Dunn. As an all-or-nothing slugger, he's inherently risky, and I worry on some level that starting him now is starting him three weeks too late. But with those matchups, I'm willing to give Dunn the benefit of the doubt.

Dunn went 1 for 4 with his 17th homer, and has homered three times in his last two games. In fact, he's gone 8 for 15 during a four-game hitting streak with a double, four homers and seven RBI. 

Dunn has 38 RBI on the year, though he's still batting .182. Incredibly, though, he's only struck out three times in the last four games. 

Dunn, who has 16 HRs, hit a solo shot in the third inning and added a three-run homer in the fourth. He finished 4 for 4 with a walk, five RBI and three runs scored. 

Despite batting .181, Dunn has gone 7 for 11 in his last three games with a double, three homers and six RBI. He has 37 RBI this season. 

"You know, yeah, probably," Dunn said. "Until you get put in the situation, like the back thing, where you come out of a game and you are feeling good swinging the bat good, then we lose that game. ... That's what we do. Is it smart? Looking back, no. It was stupid. But I can't. I'm done trying to convince myself that I could lay low and pull myself and sit down. I can't do it."

Dunn is expected back in the lineup Friday and does not think the injury will bother him.