Thome plays in simulated game: Philadelphia GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said on Monday that injured Phillies slugger Jim Thome played in a simulated game a couple days back, reports MLB.com. Amaro said Thome is "swinging the bat pretty good." Thome is on the DL with a strained lower back. "When he gets back, we may pretty soon be starting to get him into some rehab games," Amaro said. "He has not been taking ground balls yet though. It's reasonable to think Thome might be back for the upcoming Interleague Play games on the road where the veteran can be the designated hitter." Philadelphia plays at Baltimore, Minnesota and Toronto from June 8-17. (Updated 05/21/2012)
Injury Report
Back - 15-day DL. Out until at least late May (Updated - 5/21/12)
Fantasy Analysis
Thome could become important when Philadelphia plays in American League ballparks during interleague play. Outside of that, Fantasy owners should really be waiting much for his return. He is less than an NL-only Fantasy option, when healthy, at this point. (Updated 05/21/2012).
Jim Thome earned another job in the City of Brotherly Love after signing a one-year contract with Philadelphia last November. However, the reunion is unlikely to be similar to his first stint with the Phillies when he clubbed 96 home runs and 266 RBI while hitting .260 from 2003-05. Thome, now 41 years old, finished with 15 homers and 50 RBI while splitting time between Minnesota and Cleveland in 2011. It was the third consecutive year he recorded fewer than 30 home runs as injuries have taken a toll on his hulking frame as he enters his 21st major league season. He will share playing time at first base with Ty Wigginton at the beginning of the 2012 campaign as Philadelphia will be without Ryan Howard for possibly the first two months of the year -- if not longer. He could see a boost in offensive production at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park, but nostalgia with his old team is unlikely to carry him to a rebirth in power. Fantasy owners should target Thome in the later rounds of most drafts, especially if you invest an early selection in Howard. (Updated 2/6/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
