Ryan simplifies approach at the plate : In an attempt to get himself going at the plate, Mariners shortstop Brendan Ryan has been simplifying his approach at the plate. Ryan has experimented with squatting in his stance and adding a toe tap over the past few weeks, but has since scratched those tactics, deciding instead to go with a more straight up approach. "It's amazing how one thing can get out of whack and it completely ruins the chain of everything leading up to the attempt at the pitch," Ryan told MLB.com. "If your foot's not down and you're not ready, then your hands will never get loaded. Then there's a domino [effect]." (Updated 05/20/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/25/12).
Fantasy Analysis
While Ryan is still batting a measly .165 on the season, he has gone 5 for 14 ( .357) at the plate over his last four games to go along with one RBI and four runs scored. However, it is going to take more than a nice four-game stretch to get the 30-year-old back on track. Ryan also has just one home run and eight RBI on the season, which isn't going to help many Fantasy owners. Continue to view him as merely a low-end option in the deeper AL-only formats heading into Fantasy Week 8 (May 21-27). (Updated 05/20/2012).
05/25/2012 14:07 Hit Parade for Week 9
Which schedules can you take advantage of in Fantasy Week 8? Our Scott White shares his start and sit recommendations by position for the upcoming scoring period in his latest Hit Parade.
05/23/2012 21:13 Eric Hosmer needs a few more hits -- and a lot better luck
A year after finishing third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer is struggling along with a batting average well below .200. But the Royals -- and the numbers -- say that Hosmer has also been historically unlucky.
05/23/2012 20:19 M's nip Rangers on historic Liddi slam
Alex Liddi hit the first major-league grand slam by an Italian-born player in half-century, Kevin Millwood threw six shutout innings and the Seattle Mariners took two of three from division-leading Texas with a 5-3 win over the Rangers on Wednesday.
05/23/2012 00:59 The Lineup: Wainwright wows, Cubs crater
St. Louis got reacquainted with an old friend, the Cubs reached new depths, and a certain Met and a certain Brave enjoyed career nights. Oh, and get ready for Cole and Bryce, Part II.
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.
After being traded from the Cardinals to the Mariners after the 2010 season, Brendan Ryan earned the starting job at shortstop and batted .282 with 17 RBI over the first two months of the season. That's the highest his average would reach as njuries hindered him down the stretch. Still, he posted career marks in RBI (39) and walks (34), and recorded more than 100 hits for the second time. He also hit three homers and slugged .326. The 29-year-old is expected to bridge the gap until prospect Nick Franklin is ready to join the majors so he will likely begin 2012 as the starter once again. He might be able to put up some decent numbers with a full season of at-bats, but considering his minimal power and .256 career average, leave Ryan for AL-only formats on Draft Day. (Updated 2/9/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
