News: St. Louis outfielder Lance Berkman is projected to miss the next eight to 10 weeks after having surgery Friday to repair a torn meniscus and another minor cartilage tear, the team announced. Berkman, who was placed on the disabled list last Sunday after suffering the injury while stretching to make a putout at first base, will begin his rehab work in Houston. The Cardinals anticipate Berkman returning to St. Louis for the latter part of his rehab.
Analysis: If there was a positive note to take from Berkman's surgery, it's that there was no mention of repairing his ACL, which likely would have ended his season. Instead, the 36-year-old slugger could return at some point following the All-Star break, but St. Louis will certainly be overly cautious during his rehab. Berkman ripped 14 hits in 13 games before the injury (.333), and should be reserved in all Fantasy formats for now.
News: Tigers outfielder Austin Jackson was not optimistic about a quick return after being placed on the disabled list Thursday with an abdominal strain. Jackson, whose DL stint was retroactive to May 17, is expected to travel to Detroit for additional tests over the weekend. "When I tried it in batting practice a couple of days ago, it didn't feel any better, and since then, I haven't done much except rest," Jackson told the Detroit News. "I have to get a closer look at it to see if there's anything slowing the progress down."
Analysis: Jackson has become increasingly frustrated by his injury as he was projected to return to the lineup Tuesday before he was scratched late. The blossoming 25-year-old was originally only supposed to be sidelined for a couple of days, but the issue "has turned out to be more serious than we expected." Jackson leads the team with a glossy .331 batting average while drilling 17 extra-base hits and 17 RBI. He will continue to be replaced by Quintin Berry in center field, and is a major injury risk for Fantasy Week 9 (May 28-June 3) despite being eligible to return.
News: Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter continues to show greater flexibility in his right shoulder and could begin a throwing program in the next four weeks, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Carpenter has yet to pitch in a game this season as he continues to recover from a nerve issue that forced him to be shut down during spring training. The nerve disorder crept into his right shoulder and kept him sidelined.
Analysis: Prior to the start of the season, the Cardinals were hoping Carpenter could return at some point in May. Now, the team is banking on a return at the end of July. Carpenter has produced positive signs in his recovery, but the nerve issue is a challenge to overcome easily. The right-hander will need some rehab starts after starting a throwing program and shouldn't be relied on in most Fantasy formats as he returns after the All-Star break.
News: Cleveland starting pitcher Josh Tomlin (wrist) is scheduled to be activated from the disabled list to start Monday's game against Kansas City, the team announced Friday. Tomlin has not pitched since May 7, but was able to complete a simulated game on Thursday without reporting any issues. Tomlin will take the place of Zach McAllister in the starting rotation after he was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday.
Analysis: Tomlin (1-2) struck out a season-high eight batters during his last outing against the White Sox, but still earned a no-decision. The right-hander is currently on a three-game winless streak as his ERA has not dropped below 4.67 this season. Fantasy owners should consider Tomlin a low-end option in AL-only formats for Monday's game. He has allowed eight runs and 14 hits in two appearances against the Royals this year.
News: Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke indicated Thursday that relief pitcher Manny Parra could join the starting rotation after Marco Estrada was placed on the disabled list. Parra (0-1) has not made a major-league start since Aug. 22, 2010, but will likely fill Estrada's spot for Tuesday's game at the Dodgers. "Maybe we'll try to piggyback somebody with (Parra)," Roenicke told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "We'll make sure we've got somebody behind Manny that can give us some length."
Analysis: Parra was sidelined all of last year because of a back injury he suffered in spring training followed by an elbow setback during a minor-league rehab stint. The left-hander has made 19 appearances out of the bullpen this season, posting a 3.70 ERA. He has shown improvement with his command and fanned 25 batters to just nine walks in 24 1/3 innings. Consider him a low-end option in NL-only Fantasy formats if he starts.
News: Angels relief pitcher David Pauley was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday after successfully clearing waivers. Pauley was designated for assignment on Thursday after making four appearances for Los Angeles following his promotion earlier this month.
Analysis: Pauley (0-1), a former starter, worked in long relief for the Angels and racked up 9 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old did not record a strikeout over his past two outings while his ERA grew to 4.82. Fantasy owners should leave him untouched in all formats at this point.
News: The Los Angeles Dodgers released relief pitcher Shane Lindsay on Friday. Lindsay, who was pitching with Triple-A Albuquerque, was one of the first roster cuts after failing to secure a bullpen spot during spring training this year.
Analysis: Lindsay appeared in just eight games with Albuquerque this season and walked 12 batters in nine innings of work. The right-hander has the ability to throw hard, but is not a worthwhile Fantasy option until he can improve his command.
News: The Chicago Cubs signed shortstop Diory Hernandez to a minor-league contract on Friday. Hernandez was released by Houston last Wednesday after after failing to rise to the majors this season.
Analysis: Hernandez, who spent the past three seasons in Atlanta, hit just .159 in 44 at-bats with Triple-A Oklahoma City this year. He will spend time in the minors with the Braves, but is not considered a valuable Fantasy option at this point.
News: An MRI on Yankees pitching prospect Manuel Banuelos' ailing left elbow revealed no structural damage, according to the New York Post. Banuelos, who was placed on the minor-league disabled list last Monday with a sore left elbow, was shut down from all baseball activity.
Analysis: The Yankees were reportedly concerned that Banuelos suffered a serious injury as he marched to the disabled list for the second time this season. However, it appears he dodged the scare, but New York will be cautious with the promising left-hander for now. Banuelos, 21, has fanned 22 batters in 24 innings this season for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and remains a quality long-term Fantasy keeper.
News: The Cleveland Indians recalled shortstop Juan Diaz from Double-A Akron on Friday to help bolster the team's infield unit. Diaz takes the roster spot of starting pitcher Zach McAllister, who was optioned to Triple-A Columbus as Josh Tomlin nears a return from the disabled list.
Analysis: Diaz was acquired from Seattle in 2009 and is expected to help occupy the left side of the infield as the Indians have been without Jack Hannahan. The switch-hitter slugged seven doubles and three homers in 34 games with Akron, but is not worthy of being added in any Fantasy formats.
News: The Baltimore Orioles and outfielder Adam Jones are close to an extension that would give him the most lucrative contract in franchise history, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman confirmed. FoxSports.com was the first to report the deal on Friday that would exceed Miguel Tejada's six-year, $72 million contract he signed in 2004. Nick Markakis is currently the highest paid with his six-year, $66.1 million pact from 2009.
Analysis: Jones has blossomed into one of the American League's top hitters and leads the Orioles in nearly every offensive category. The 26-year-old, who is eligible for free agency after the 2013 season, is boasting a .311 batting average with 14 home runs and six stolen bases. His is currently riding a 15-game hitting streak that includes six homers. Fantasy owners should keep him active in all formats as he threatens his first 20-20 campaign.
News: The Cleveland Indians optioned starting pitcher Zach McAllister to Triple-A Columbus on Friday to prepare for the return of Josh Tomlin from the disabled list. Tomlin is expected to be activated to start Monday's game against Kansas City, which was originally occupied by McAllister.
Analysis: McAllister (1-1) has made four spot starts for the Indians this season and has made some strides. The 24-year-old limited Detroit to only two runs in a no-decision last Wednesday while not permitting a walk. His command has improved from last season as he posted a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 22-to-6 in 25 innings. McAllister could return at some point later this year, but is not viewed as a worthy option to stash.
News: Miami shortstop Emilio Bonifacio had successful surgery Friday to repair ligament damage in his left thumb, according to MLB.com. Bonifacio, whose arm was in a sling following the procedure, is expected to be sidelined an additional four to six weeks. The Marlins will continue to provide additional starts in center field to Chris Coghlan and Bryan Peterson during Bonifacio's absence.
Analysis: Miami will sorely miss Bonifacio's speed as he easily paced the majors with 20 stolen bases in 21 chances. The 27-year-old had also displayed improvement at the plate after a minor slump at the end of April and raised his batting average to .268. He also sliced his strikeout rate to also increase his on-base percentage. Fantasy owners should continue to keep him reserved in all formats as he targets a return in late June.
News: Toronto relief pitcher Evan Crawford was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday as the Blue Jays continued shuffling their bullpen. Crawford made three appearances after being promoted May 14, but was slowed by back spasms. Ryota Igarashi took his spot in the bullpen.
Analysis: Crawford has struggled during his tenure with the parent club and surrendered four runs in 3 1/3 innings during his call-up. The left-hander now owns a 7.36 ERA and recorded nearly as many strikeouts (five) as homers allowed (three). Leave him on waivers in all Fantasy formats.
News: The Toronto Blue Jays selected the contract of relief pitcher Ryota Igarashi from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday. Igarashi, who turns 33 next Tuesday, takes the spot of Dustin McGowan on the 40-man roster after McGowan was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.
Analysis: Igarashi has been impressive for Las Vegas this year, compiling a glistening 1.29 ERA in 19 relief appearances. The right-hander, who played for the Mets last year, also fanned 28 batters and walked three in 21 innings. He is unlikely to see many opportunities in the late innings for Toronto and should be viewed as a marginal relief option in AL-only Fantasy formats.
News: Toronto starting pitcher was Dustin McGowan (foot, shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on Friday in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. McGowan is currently rehabbing a foot injury he suffered last month and there is no timetable for his return.
Analysis: McGowan has eroded McGowan's career recently as he's managed just 23 starts over the past two years. The right-hander was able to play catch earlier this month, but is not close to returning to a mound. Fantasy owners should not hold onto him in the majority of formats at this point.
News: In the latest stage of his recovery from a troublesome knee injury, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley took two sessions of batting practice Thursday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Utley, who has not played this season, also took limited infield practice. There is still no timetable for his return. "I was encouraged with the way the ball was jumping off his bat and how nice he was swinging," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "And any time he goes out and takes ground balls, I get encouraged by that."
Analysis: While his batting sessions remain encouraging, Utley continues to be held back in the field as that part causes the 33-year-old the most pain in his balky left knee. He will begin a rehab assignment in Florida when he feels comfortable, but that schedule is still uncertain. "I think it's a matter of him feeling like he's ready to go play in a game," Manuel said. "I think it's a matter of him being healthy enough and thinking that he's ready." Utley could return at some point in late June so Fantasy owners should keep him stashed in most formats.
News: The Toronto Blue Jays recalled first baseman David Cooper from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday. Cooper takes the roster spot of outfielder Ben Francisco, who was placed on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. He appeared in 27 games with Toronto last season and posted nine extra-base hits and 12 RBI.
Analysis: Cooper is considered one of the Blue Jays' top offensive prospects, producing 12 doubles, six homers and 34 RBI in 42 games with Las Vegas. The 25-year-old could see quality playing time at first base with Adam Lind out of the picture, but is considered a low-end option in AL-only Fantasy formats for now until he proves he can consistently hit major-league pitching.
News: Toronto outfielder Ben Francisco was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a troublesome hamstring injury. Francisco has missed the past three games after sustaining a left hamstring strain last Sunday. First baseman David Cooper was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to take his roster spot.
Analysis: Francisco, who was acquired from Philadelphia during the offseason, has appeared in 16 games for the Blue Jays this year and posted a .206 batting average. He is part of a cluttered outfield rotation for Toronto and is not considered a worthwhile Fantasy option at this point.
News: Cardinals outfielder Allen Craig (hamstring) took batting practice and fielded grounders at second base prior to the Thursday's game, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Craig, who has been sidelined since May 18 with a nagging hamstring issue, is first eligible to come off the disabled list next Friday. He is hitting .373 with five homers and 19 RBI through 13 games this season.
Analysis: Craig has been limited by injuries as his current stint on the disabled list is his second trip this season. The 27-year-old was projected to see more time at first base than the outfield upon his return, but that was before Lance Berkman suffered a potential season-ending knee injury. Now, the Cardinals could use him at second base while Matt Adams patrols first. Fantasy owners should monitor his status as he could return soon.
News: The New York Yankees signed starting pitcher John Maine to a minor-league deal on Friday, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Maine made 11 starts for the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate last year, going 1-3 with a 7.43 ERA and 2.07 WHIP. The right-hander signed with the Red Sox in January, but was released earlier this month without having pitched in the minors.
Analysis: Maine becomes the latest journeyman to play for both the Mets and Yankees, but first needs to overcome shoulder issues. The 31-year-old was quality pitcher for the Mets from 2006-08, but injuries derailed his career. He last threw in the majors in 2010, when he was 1-3 with a 6.13 ERA for the Mets. Fantasy owners should not consider Maine a worthwhile option in any formats at this point.
News: The Marlins put outfielder Austin Kearns on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday, retroactive to May 23. Kearns sustained a strained right hamstring while running the bases in Tuesday's game against the Rockies. He was replaced on the Marlins' active roster by outfielder Kevin Mattison, who was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans.
Analysis: Kearns had been on fire at the plate, and he was the main playing time beneficiary of Gaby Sanchez's demotion to Triple-A, as Logan Morrison vacated left field to play first base. When Kearns returns, it could be to a reserve role, so owners looking to clear a DL spot should monitor the Marlins' outfield situation over the coming weeks. It may not be worthwhile hanging on to Kearns while he recovers from his injury.
News: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is still dealing with a dry-eye issue that kept him out of a game last week. Freeman had a procedure to plug his tear ducts, but that, along with eye drops and contact lenses, have not completely eradicated the problem. Freeman was out of the Braves' starting lineup for Thursday's game at Cincinnati, though it has not been reported as to whether his absence was related to his eye problem. Eric Hinske got the start at first base in Freeman's place.
Analysis: It had appeared as if Freeman had put this medical issue behind him, so this latest report is something that should concern his Fantasy owners. Given that Freeman's absence from the lineup may not be related to his eye problem, there may not be any need for owners to take action, but it is certainly a situation worth following. When he is healthy enough to play, Freeman is worth starting in virtually all formats.
News: Newly named White Sox closer Addison Reed was not pitching in a save situation on Thursday, however, the team turned to him to pitch the ninth inning of a five-run game against the Twins. Reed struck out two batters in the inning, but was hit hard and gave up two runs on a home run off the bat of Justin Morneau. He finished with those two earned runs and strikeouts in one inning as the White Sox won, 11-8.
Analysis: It was not a save situation, but that was not a good first impression for the Fantasy owners who picked him up after hearing the news. Reed had four saves in his last six appearances before Thursday, and has allowed runs in just two of his 18 appearances this season. He should still be added in the majority of mixed Fantasy leagues, however this was certainly not a good outing for him.
News: Angels starting pitcher Dan Haren had yet to find his way in the 2012 season prior to Thursday’s game against the Mariners, however he looked as good as he ever has in the game, picking up his sixth career complete-game shutout to lead the Angels to a 3-0 win. Haren allowed just four hits in the game while establishing a new career-high in strikeouts with 14, as he mowed through the Mariners offense with ease. Haren allowed just three runners to reach second base, two of them on stolen bases, but was never in any real trouble, as he picked up just his second win of the season. Haren needed 126 pitches to finish the game, tossing first pitch strikes to 22 of the 31 batters he faced, as he was in control all night.
Analysis: Haren has typically been a much stronger first-half player than a second-half player, so the fact that his ERA was standing at a fairly robust 4.37 before this game was something of a surprise. After just one start, Haren lowered that number to 3.76, while simultaneously putting to rest any doubts about a possible decline in skills in his age-31 season. With the exception of an ugly 2-5 record, Haren’s starts are largely where we expected them to be this season, as he has struckout more than four batters for every one he has walked through 64 2/3 innings. He is set to face a tough Yankees lineup in his next start, on Tuesday during Week 9 (May 28-June 3), however he has put up a 5-1 record with a 3.43 ERA against them in 10 career starts, so consider him a solid Fantasy option in all formats.
News: Royals shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt was back on the field on Thursday, as the designated hitter for Double-A Northwest Arkansas, as he began his rehab assignment while recovering from his ankle injury. Betancourt went 2 for 5 in the game, with a pair of strikeouts and RBI.
Analysis: Betancourt is getting closer and closer to getting back on the field for the Royals,but he will need at least a week of rehab, first in Double-A and then Triple-A, before he is ready to return to the majors. Betancourt's last game before the injury was back on May 1 at Detroit and the shortstop has a .280 batting average on the season with a homer and three RBI over 50 at-bats. When healthy, Betancourt should be considered merely an AL-only option.
News: Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins returned from the paternity list on Thursday, after missing the team’s previous three games to be with his wife while she gave birth. Rollins went 2 for 6 in the game with a strikeout, as the Phillies defeated the Cardinals, 10-9. it was Reyes’ 11th multi-hit game of the season.
Analysis: Reyes has struggled to start the season, and unlike most of the other players on the Phillies’ roster, he has not begun to show signs that he is bouncing out of it, as he has been hitting just .222 in the month of May after a .235 April. He remains a solid bounce-back candidate given his past production, and should be kept active in most formats, despite his troubles.
News: The New York Post reports that Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has made adjustments to his batting stance, and he credits his strong performance on Wednesday against the Royals to the changes. Rodriguez told reporters after Tuesday's win, "I feel like I’m about to go off.," after widening his stance and shortening his leg kick in his last at-bat in the game. He carried the changes over into batting practice on Wednesday and into the subsequent contest, in which he went 2 for 4 with a pair of homers and three RBI.
Analysis: Time will tell if Rodriguez's tweaked stance will translate into better production. He had been hitting flyballs at a much lower rate this season, which had led to fewer extra-base hits. It's a trend to watch in the coming days and weeks. Even if A-Rod's power spike is short-lived, he still has enough power that he is worth starting in nearly all formats.
News: The Marlins sent down relief pitcher Mike Dunn to Triple-A after Thursday's game against the Giants, leaving them with a need for a left-handed reliever that the Sun Sentinel reports will likely be Dan Jennings, currently pitching for Triple-A New Orleans.
Analysis: Jenings was previously with the team, making just two appearances before going back down again. If he gets the call, it will likely just be for middle relief and situational usage, so he is not worth adding in any Fantasy formats.
News: Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz took a pitch off his wrist on Wednesday but played through it on Thursday and continued his incredible start to the season, going 3 for 5 with a run scored as the Phillies defeated the Cardinals, 10-9. Ruiz is now hitting .366 for the season, good for fourth in the majors.
Analysis: Ruiz has been rolling all season long, and he is showing no signs of slowing down, with a .452 batting average over the course of the last 10 games, with six RBI. He is playing at an impressive level right now, and should be active in all formats.
News: Angels shortstop Erick Aybar was back in the starting lineup on Thursday against the Mariners, after missing the team’s previous game after being hit on the knee with a pitch. Unfortunately, the day off was not enough to snap him out of his lingering issues, as he was 0 for 4 in the game, as the Angels won, 3-0.
Analysis: Aybar’s average is now .222 on the season, after he hit .279 with a career-high 10 home runs last season. He is not hitting for average or power at this point, and has walked just four times, compared to 24 strikeouts, so it is hard to see much positive in his contributions right now. In fairness, he was 10 for his last 23 before the injury, so there is so hope that he can turn things around. However, at this time he should be considered just a low-end Fantasy option.
News: Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez was removed from Thursday’s game against the Giants, a precaution after he fouled a ball off his knee in the first inning. He was limping immediately after taking the ball off the knee, but was able to play through it, with Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen insisting to reporters after the game that he would be fine for Friday. He went 0 for 3 in the game with a walk and a strikeout.
Analysis: Ramirez has been playing at a much higher level recently, batting .359 over the last 10 games with five extra-base hits and three stolen bases, so hopefully this issue is as trivial as Guillen made it sound. Ramirez should be considered a high-end Fantasy option in all Formats when healthy and active.
News: Mariners starting pitcher Jason Vargas again on Thursday against Anaheim, earning his seventh quality start of the season, however he was outdueled by Angels’ starter Dan Haren in a 3-0 loss. Vargas allowed three earned runs in seven innings in the game, two of which came on a first-inning home run from Albert Pujols. He ended up allowing just seven hits, while walking none and striking out six, however Haren tossed a complete game to hand Vargas his fourth loss of the season. His record now stands at 5-4.
Analysis: Vargas now has a 3.39 ERA on the season to go with a 1.02 WHIP in 71 2/3 innings. He is doing this on the strength of career best strikeout and walk rates of 6.03 strikeouts and 2.13 walks per nine innings, however he is also being helped by a career-low .226 batting average on balls in play, a rate he is unlikely to sustain. Vargas has emerged as a solid starting pitcher since joining the Mariners in 2009, however he does have to face the fearsome Rangers’ offense in his next start, on Tuesday in Week 9 (May 28-June 3). Vargas allowed four runs in 6 2/3 innings in a loss to the Rangers in his previous start this season, and should be considered just a low-end Fantasy option for the scoring period.
News: Thursday’s game between the Phillies and Cardinals was a wild one, with the two teams combining for 19 runs and 33 hits, however when it came time to close it out, Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon was his typically strong self. Papelbon allowed just one hit in one inning, which picking up a strikeout to preserve a 10-9 Phillies win. It was his 13th save of the season.
Analysis: Papelbon continues to give the Phillies exactly what they were looking for when they signed him in the offseason, as he is perfect in 13 save chances. He has allowed just five earned runs in 18 1/3 innings, while striking out 22 and walking four batters. He is a rock-solid closer, a seemingly rare commodity this season, so continue to consider him a high-end Fantasy option for all formats.
News: Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook had his worst start of the season on Thursday, as he was unable to get out of the fourth inning against the Phillies. Westbrook gave up six runs over the first two innings and ultimately needed 92 pitches just to get through 3 2/3 innings before being pulled. He finished with eight hits and three walks allowed, while striking out four, however he did not pick up the loss, as the Cardinals’ offense was able to get him off the hook before falling, 10-9.
Analysis: Westbrook had a 2.41 ERA before Thursday, with seven quality starts in eight outings, however that ERA now stands at 3.21. He has now failed to pick up a win in each of his last three starts, though his record is still pretty solid at 4-3. He is enjoying a nice resurgence at the age of 34, as he is currently posting what would be his best strikeout rate per nine innings (6.11) since his rookie season. Combined with still solid control and his extreme groundball tendencies, and it seems like he should be able to continue to pitch well. However he will face a tough test the next time he takes the mound, as he is scheduled to face Atlanta, the second-best offense in the National League. He should probably only be used in deeper Fantasy leagues for Week 9 (May 28-June 3).
News: Phillies starting pitcher Joe Blanton was chased from the game in the fifth inning on Thursday against the Cardinals, the second game in a row that he has been unable to get out of that inning. Blanton was tagged for seven earned runs in the outing, allowing 10 hits and one walk in 4 1/3 innings, while giving up a pair of home runs, both of which came in that fifth inning. Fortunately for him, the Phillies’ offense was hitting the Cardinals’ pitchers just as hard on Thursday, getting him off the hook for the loss in a 10-9 win.
Analysis: Two starts ago, Blanton’s ERA stood at 2.96, making the Phillies look smart for their decision to put him back in the rotation and not go out to get help in the offseason. After getting shelled in consecutive starts, his ERA stands at 4.55 for the season, and the team’s reported pursuit of Roy Oswalt might start to get a little more intense. Blanton is set to face the Mets in his next start, on Tuesday during Week 9 (May 28-June 3), the second time he has taken on the divisional rival this season. The first time he saw them, he gave up four runs in 6 2/3 innings, so he should be considered just an NL-only Fantasy option.
News: Starting pitcher Eric Stults’ second start for the Padres was a rain-soaked affair that had a one hour, eight minute delay after the second inning, however Stults did not seem bothered by the delay, coming back out to toss three scoreless innings to finish the day with a win. He allowed just one unearned run in the game in five innings, while scattering four hits and one walk. He struck out two in the game and ended up throwing 75 pitches, as the Padres’ offense broke out for an 11-5 win.
Analysis: The Padres picked up Stults off of waivers a little more than a week ago, and he has allowed just one run in 11 2/3 innings through two starts for them. He has done this by picking up tons of groundballs and limiting free passes -- he has walked only four batters. Unfortunately, he has also struck out just four, limiting his value for only NL-only Fantasy formats for his next start, against the Cubs on Tuesday during Week 9 (May 28-June 3).
News: Mets starting pitcher Jeremy Hefner, making the first start of his major-league career, was cruising through the first two innings on Thursday against the Padres before a one hour, eight minute delay kept him off the mound. After allowing just one hit in the first two innings Hefner gave up four doubles and a single on the way to four earned runs in the third inning and three more hits in the fourth before being pulled from the game with two outs and two runs scoring. He finished the game with six earned runs allowed in 3 2/3 innings on nine hits, while striking out three, as the Mets fell, 11-5. His record now stands at 0-2 on the season.
Analysis: Hefner is not exactly a young pitching prospect, at 26, so it would probably be unfair to criticize the Mets for bringing him back after the delay, as he was throwing on the side and staying loose. He had allowed only two runs in eight innings in his previous two relief outings, so this was definitely a disappointing way to begin his time in the rotation. Hefner’s next start is scheduled to come on Tuesday during Week 9 (May 28-June 3), against a Phillies team that has bounced back from a rough start to rank ninth in the National League in scoring. He should be considered just an NL-only Fantasy option moving forward.
News: The White Sox offense bailed out starter Philip Humber on Thursday, as the team scored seven runs in the final three innings to earn him a no decision, despite an outing in which Humber was unable to get out of the fifth inning. Humber allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and three walks in the game, before being pulled in the fifth inning after allowing a walk, a pair of doubles and a home run, while also allowing a run to score on a wild pitch. He left with three runs allowed, with two more scoring after the first batter relief pitcher Nate Jones faced hit a double. Humber struck out four in the game, with his ERA raising to 5.80.
Analysis: Humber had a pair of quality starts in his previous two outings, however he was back to struggling on Thursday. There was some hope that last season’s solid campaign and the perfect game he tossed in his second start of the season would be signs of good things to come, however he has allowed 28 earned runs over his last 30 2/3 innings since then. He is struggling in a major way right now, which is not a good way to head into his next start, on Tuesday in Week 9 (May 28-June 3), when he face s the sixth-ranked offense in the American League, Tampa Bay. He should be left for just AL-only formats at this point.
News: Twins starting pitcher Cole DeVries made his major league debut on Thursday against the White Sox, and while he gave up six runs in the game, only three of them were earned, as the defense let him down in the third inning. However, DeVries had his own struggles outside of the defense, as all three earned runs came off solo home runs, including back to back shots to begin the sixth inning, before he was pulled. He was charged with three earned runs in the game on six hits and a walk, while striking out four as the Twins fell, 11-8.
Analysis: Devrie probably did not pitch as well as his line might indicate, as the three unearned runs do not indicate that he still allowed three hits, including a double, in the inning when the defense let him down. DeVries, 27, is not considered a strong pitching prospect for the Twins, as he posted just a 4.24 ERA in 46 2/3 innings in Triple-A Rochester this season, so much more than that should not be expected moving forward. DeVries does get the light-hitting A’s in his next scheduled start, on Tuesday during Week 9 (May 28-June 3), but he should still be left for just the deepest of AL-only formats.
News: After another disastrous outing on Thursday that raised his ERA on the season to 9.58, the Marlins have optioned relief pitcher Mike Dunn to Triple-A. Dunn threw one inning on Thursday, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out three batters in the Marlins ‘ 14-7 loss.
Analysis: Dunn is making his second trip to New Orleans this season, as he has been a major disappointment in the bullpen for the Marlins. The team has not announced who will replace him on the active roster, however Dunn should not be owned in any Fantasy formats right now.
News: Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco hit his first home run in the month of May on Thursday against Atlanta, and it was a big one, as he hit a grand slam off Braves reliever Kris Medlen, providing what would prove to be the winning runs in a 6-3 victory. He went 1 for 3 in the game with a walk.
Analysis: Mesoraco has solid offensive upside, however he has not been able to put it on display this season, as he is hitting just .213 with two home runs and seven RBI in 61 at bats. He is not playing every day right now, and should be left for just deeper NL-only leagues.
News: Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong did not have hit best stuff on Thursday against the Marlins, as he gave up an early home run to Giancarlo Stanton and was pulled with a pair of base runners left on in the bottom of the seventh inning, however he managed to pick up the win and post his seventh quality start in eight outings, as the Giants took down the Marlins, 14-7. Two of the three earned runs he allowed in the game came after he was pulled, as both inherited runners left to the bullpen scored. He finished with seven hits and three walks allowed 6 1/3 innings, while striking out four. His record on the season stands at 3-2 now.
Analysis: Vogelsong has surprisingly managed to sustain his breakout performance from last season, lowering his ERA this year to 2.50 through 54 innings. Vogelsong has a slightly lower strikeout rate than last season, while walking a few more batters per nine innings, however he is still doing a great job of keeping the ball in the yard and limiting extra-base hits, with just 10 allowed on the season, which helps keep his ERA down. He is set to face the Diamondbacks in his next start, on Tuesday during Week 9 (May 28-June 3), a team he limited to just five earned runs in 19 1/3 innings last season, so continue to consider him a viable starting option in most mixed leagues.
News: Marlins starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez was riding a streak of eight quality starts in a row to begin the season heading into Thursday’s game against the Giants, however he came apart in the sixth inning, allowing four runs to score as his streak came to an end and he earned his third loss in a row. Sanchez recorded just one out in that sixth inning, finishing the game with five earned runs allowed in 5 1/3 innings, ending a streak of 16 starts in a row going back to last season in which he had allowed three runs or less. He allowed seven hits and two walks in the game, while striking out seven. He also had two wild pitches in the sixth inning, as his record fell to 2-3 on the season in the 14-7 Marlins loss.
Analysis: This is the first poor start of Sanchez’s season, as he had a 2.32 ERA coming into this start, which rose to 2.87 with the game. Despite the poor performance, Sanchez has been terrific this season, posting the best strikeout and walk rates of his career through nine starts. His next start comes against the Nations, on Tuesday during Fantasy Week 9 (May 28-June 3), a team he has a 2.10 career ERA against, so continue to consider him a solid Fantasy option in all formats.
News: Twins catcher Ryan Doumit was held out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the White Sox, after suffering from some soreness in his right calf following Wednesday’s game. Doumit, who missed four games in a row earlier in the week with the injury, has mostly been appearing as the team’s designated hitter, as he has not been able to catch recently because of the injury. "He felt it a little bit last night," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told MLB.com. "He's been legging out some doubles and we told him to take it nice and easy, but you know, once you get playing in a game and you see something, you're going to go for it. So he was little bit stiffer last night after the game. I backed him off today."
Analysis: Doumit has been bothered by this injury for a few weeks now, but he was able to avoid a disabled-list trip. It sounds like this was just a day off, due to the soreness, however the injury does seem to be lingering. He will probably continue to receive the occasional day off, but he is worth starting in most mixed leagues due to his catcher eligibility.
News: With Aroldis Chapman having pitched in three straight games and five of six, the Reds turned to Logan Ondrusek on Thursday to close out a 6-3 game in the ninth inning against the Braves. Ondrusek allowed a leadoff single to Eric Hinske and was faced with a two-runners on situation with one out, before forcing Juan Francisco into a harmless, game-ending double play to preserve the win. He now has two saves on the season.
Analysis: Ondrusek has been solid this season in middle relief, posting a 3-1 record and 2.75 ERA in 19 2/3 appearance, however he is not likely to see consistent closing chances anytime soon, as Chapman has been tremendous there. Ondrusek is a solid reliever, however unless you are in a league that rewards for holds, he should be left on waivers.
News: Despite taking a line drive off his left calf on Wednesday, Braves relief pitcher Johnny Venters was back on the mound on Thursday against the Reds. Venters pitched one inning, allowing a leadoff home run to Drew Stubbs. It was the only run he would allow, as he finished his one inning with one hit, one walk and one strikeout, in addition to the run. The Braves would lose the game, 6-3.
Analysis: The injury was not considered serious for Venters, and his appearance in the game on Thursday did not come as much of a surprise. What is a surprise is that he has now allowed two home runs on the season in 16 1/3 innings, after allowing just three in the first 169 innings of his career. Despite the extra long balls, Venters is still posting a 3.31 ERA and should be considered a viable Fantasy option in leagues that reward holds.
News: Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey put up his third straight quality start on Wednesday against the Braves, with a two-run home run off the bat of Michael Bourn in the fifth inning standing as his only mistake. Other than that, Bailey held the Braves scoreless in five of six innings, allowing just four hits and one walk in his six innings, with six strikeouts, to lower his ERA to 4.19 on the season. He improved his record to 3-3 on the season, as the Reds won, 6-3.
Analysis: Bailey’s ERA rose to 4.93 after his start against the Brewers on May 8, and since then has allowed six runs over his next 19 innings. He has posted a quality start in seven of his nine outings this season, as he has put together some consistent outings this season. Unfortunately, there are signs that he may not be able to sustain this, as he now has a strikeout rate 6.71 per nine innings, his lowest since his first two seasons in the league. He should be able to continue his solid pitching in his next start, as he gets to face the Pirates on Tuesday in Week 9 (May 28-June), a team he has posted a 1.94 ERA against in seven career starts, so consider him a solid NL-only option for the scoring period.
News: Braves’ starting pitcher Randall Delgado allowed only one run in his first five innings on Thursday, however the wheels came off in the sixth, as he allowed a single and two walks while recording just one out before being pulled with the bases loaded. Reliever Kris Medlen came in to try to pitch out of the jam, but that did not work out as he allowed a home run to Devin Mesoraco, the first batter he saw. That finished Delgado’s night, as he finished with four earned runs allowed in 5 1/3 innings, with seven hits and three walks, while striking out four in the game. His record fell to 2-5 on the year, as the Braves lost, 6-3.
Analysis: Delgado has now managed to finish the sixth inning in just two of his nine starts this season, and has not picked up a win since his second start of the season. His ERA rose to 4.53 with the game, which is a far cry from the 2.83 he posted last season in a late-season call up. Delgado has been disappointing this season, however he is still only 22 years old, so Fantasy owners need to have patience with him. Unfortunately, his next start, scheduled for Tuesday of Week 9 (May 28-June 3), is against the National League’s top offense, the Cardinals, so don’t expect a break-out performance there. He should be left for just NL-only Fantasy formats at this time.
News: According to The Hour a Connecticut newspaper that covers the independent-league Bridgeport Bluefish, the Reds have signed outfielder Joey Gathright to a minor-league deal. He is set to report to Triple-A Louisville.
Analysis: Gathright, who last appeared in the majors last season with the Red Sox, is a former top prospect who never panned out in seven major league seasons. He was hitting just .240 in independent ball and will likely just be used as organizational depth.
News: Twins outfield prospect Joe Benson will miss the next six weeks, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune, as he will need to undergo surgery on the hamate bone in his left hand.
Analysis: Benson hit .239 in 74 plate appearances last season with the Twins, however he is one of the team’s top prospects, cracking the top-100 of Baseball America’s top prospects lists in each of the last two seasons. The 24-year-old was struggling in Triple-A Rochester this season, hitting just .173 with three home runs before the injury. This will certainly delay his eventual call up, however he is still worth stashing in deeper keeper Fantasy leagues.
News: Diamondbacks third base prospect Matt Davidson is leading the Southern League with 10 homers. Davidson is hitting just .230 in 21 May games for Double-A Mobile, but he does have six homers and 15 RBI this month. For the season, Davidson is batting .285 with 12 doubles and 28 RBI in 46 games. He is starting to draw comparisons to former Mobile and current Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. "Goldie could hit the ball to right field just as easily as he could pull it. I think Matt has the same pop in his bat," Mobile outfielder Marc Krauss told al.com. "They have different setups, but when they connect, the ball jumps off their bats. Just seeing him so far and what he's been able to do, putting together good ABs, he's definitely a very good hitter. He's only 21, and he's been doing great."
Analysis: Davidson has always been a good offensive prospect. He belted 20 homers, 39 doubles and drove in 106 runs last season at Class A. His defense has been a little suspect, but Davidson has made enough strides in that department that he's now considered the future at third base for Arizona. If the Goldschmidt comparisons are true, then that could give Davidson the opportunity to jump from Double-A to the majors, like Goldschmidt did. However, Goldschmidt was 23 years old when he made that jump. Davidson is just 21 years old, so he's likely headed to Triple-A before the majors. He has more value as a long-term keeper at this time.
News: Phillies pitching prospect Julio Rodriguez is 3-0 with a .229 opponents' batting average through nine starts at Double-A Reading. He has allowed just one homer in 47 2/3 innings, while striking out 43 and walking 23.
Analysis: Rodriguez won 16 games at Class A Clearwater last season, but that still didn't propel him up the prospect depth chart with the Phillies. The scouts aren't in love with the 2008 eighth-round pick despite some pretty impressive numbers thus far in his career. He is 27-13 with a 2.75 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He also is striking out 10.2 batters per nine innings. Yet, Rodriguez is criticized for a lack of dominating stuff and his inability to repeat his mechanics with efficiency. Despite all that, the results have been there. The scouts have said they want to see how Rodriguez does with upper-level hitters. Thus far, he's passed the test. Rodriguez is not yet a must-add long-term keeper, but if he keeps putting up impressive numbers, then the scouts might have to change their tune about the 21-year-old hurler.
News: Phillies first base prospect Darin Ruf has been one of the Eastern League's top hitters. Playing for Double-A Reading, Ruf is batting .342 with seven homers, 10 doubles, 28 runs and 33 RBI in 45 games. He also has a .419 on-base percentage, .534 slugging percentage and .953 OPS. "After coming up to Double-A for the first time, am I surprised he's hitting this well? Yeah, a little bit," Reading hitting coach Frank Cacciatore told the Republican Herald. "Hitting .370, .380 is rare for a guy making this jump for the first time. But I'm not surprised he's been able to make adjustments. The way he listens, works and applies himself, you don't always see that out of guys."
Analysis: Ruf, who was drafted in the 20th round in 2009, is a bit advanced in age (25) for a Double-A prospect. However, he has proven he can hit at every minor-league level. Ruf has a career .305 average, .381 OBP, .485 slugging percentage and .866 OPS. Unfortunately, his path to the majors right now is blocked. Ryan Howard will eventually return to first base for Philadelphia and prospect Cody Overbeck is one level ahead of Ruf at Triple-A. Ruf might have to join another organization to get his chance at the majors. "I don't think about that," Ruf said. "As long as you keep performing, they'll find a place for you The ultimate goal is to make it to the major leagues. I'd absolutely prefer it to be with Philadelphia. But if I don't have that opportunity here, maybe someone else does." Ruf is not yet worth adding in long-term keeper leagues, but that might change if he keeps slugging away.
News: Indians minor leaguer Jared Goedert is back with Triple-A Columbus after opening the year with Double-A Akron. The Columbus Dispatch reports the Indians approached Goedert in spring training about opening the year in Double-A because they wanted to transition him from an infielder to an outfielder. "I welcomed it," Goedert said of his move to the outfield. “I said ‘absolutely,’ because I knew we had a lot of corner (infield) guys. I did a lot of early work and extra work in spring training. I’m feeling more and more comfortable out there. I have areas where I can improve, obviously, but I feel comfortable enough to say I’m an outfielder.”
Analysis: On top of being able to play both corner infield spots, Goedert can now also play both corner outfield spots. His ability to play multiple positions could help get him to the majors. Also, his offense this season has really blossomed. Goedert hit .395 with a .476 OBP, .613 slugging percentage and 1.089 OPS in 35 games at Akron. He has thus far hit safely in all four of his games with Columbus, batting .333 with one homer and five RBI. If Goedert keeps this up, then he might see the majors later this summer. Goedert has shown good pop in the past in the minors. He's still not worth adding in Fantasy, but AL-only owners might want to put Goedert on their radar.
News: Various media outlets are reporting that White Sox starting pitcher John Danks is going to miss his next start on Friday against the Indians with left shoulder soreness, and that the team is going to call up pitching prospect Jose Quintana from Triple-A to take his place. No corresponding roster move has been announced to make room for the callup.
Analysis: Quintana has appeared in one game this season, tossing 5 2/3 innings of scoreless relief on May 8, and now it looks like he may get a shot at a few turns through the rotation. Quintana is a 23-year-old left-hander who has posted a 2.77 ERA in nine starts in Double-A this season. He was called up to Triple-A this week, but will skip straight to the majors, at least for one start. He should be left alone in most Fantasy formats.
News: White Sox starting pitcher John Danks will not make his scheduled start on Friday against Cleveland, and is on his way to the 15-day disabled list with soreness in his left shoulder. Jose Quintana is due to be called up from Triple-A to take his place. He told reporters that he is dealing with soreness in the area behind his left shoulder, an issue he has never dealt with before, however an MRI revealed no significant damage.
Analysis: Danks told reporters he expects to be ready by the time his DL stint ends, however it looks like it is going to run through the entirety of Week 9 (May 28-June 3), so obviously keep him inactive for that Fantasy week. Danks has struggled this season, posting a 5.70 ERA that ranks as the seventh-highest in the major leagues right now, so all we can hope is that this time off helps him sort out whatever his issues have been this season. He is a viable Fantasy option when healthy.
News: The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Reds reliever Nick Masset (shoulder) began a throwing program Thursday. He threw 30 pitches from 60 feet. “I felt about as good as you can for the first day,” Masset said. “I hadn’t thrown in two months. It’s a situation like you’re starting to throw again after the offseason -- three months off, whatever. You’ve got to get the rust out. Overall, I felt good. I thought the ball was coming out OK. There was a little something (as far as pain). I knew that there was going to be a little something going into it today. But I think it went well for the first day.”
Analysis: Masset will now continue to throw every day from 60 feet. “I’m about as encouraged as I could be, throwing the first day,” Masset said. “We’re still a long ways away. I try to stay positive, work as hard as I can in the training room, hope all that training and strengthening turns into good results.” Masset is a workhorse for the Reds and should see some late-inning work once active. But he won't see regular save chances, so he has marginal Fantasy appeal when healthy. He is still weeks away from returning.
News: Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis was released from the hospital on Thursday and will begin rehabbing his injured left leg, which required emergency surgery last week to release pressure. He is still expected to be out until early July with the injury.
Analysis: According to reports, Ellis the injury Ellis sustained on a hard takeout slide during a game last Friday could have resulted in a much more serious injury, if they had not acted quickly to reduce the swelling. At this point, the team expects him to have to go through more than a month of rehabilitation on the leg before his is able to return, so continue to keep him stashed in NL-only leagues while he recovers.
News: Despite Brett Hayes starting a second straight game Thursday against the Giants, Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen still backed John Buck as the team's starting catcher. “I’m not going to take away the job from Buck. We all now Buck is struggling right now but the way Hayes is swinging the bat right now I will use him,” Guillen said, per The Palm Beach Post.
Analysis: Hayes entered play Thursday with a .295 average in 14 games. Unfortunately, he has no homers and one RBI, so he isn't having a lot of clutch hits. Buck has more offensive potential, which is why the Marlins aren't giving up on him. Continue to ignore Hayes in Fantasy.
News: Despite Brett Hayes starting a second straight game Thursday against the Giants, Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen still backed John Buck as the team's starting catcher. “I’m not going to take away the job from Buck. We all now Buck is struggling right now but the way Hayes is swinging the bat right now I will use him,” Guillen said, per The Palm Beach Post.
Analysis: Buck's average has sagged to .173 and he has totaled nine strikeouts in his last six games. Perhaps a few days off will allow Buck to refocus at the plate. Buck has never really been a good contact hitter, but he has decent pop for a catcher. He is clearly more of an NL-only Fantasy option until he emerges from his slump.
News: MLB.com reports Padres starting pitcher Tim Stauffer is getting a second opinion on his injured right elbow.
Analysis: Stauffer has been dealing with this elbow injury since March, and the fact he can't shake it is alarming. Also, the fact he needs a second opinion isn't comforting either. Hopefully, he won't need surgery, which could end his season and put him on a long recovery path. For now, continue to keep Stauffer stashed in deep Fantasy formats.
News: The Padres announced Thursday that starting pitcher Cory Luebke had successful elbow surgery Wednesday. Dr. Lewis Yocum told the team they made the right decision about surgery since he saw a damaged ligament while repairing Luebke's elbow.
Analysis: Luebke now begins the long road back to the majors. It usually takes pitchers at least a year to recover from Tommy John surgery. Luebke can be cut in all seasonal Fantasy formats and has low-end Fantasy appeal in long-term keeper leagues.
News: The New York Post reports that Yankees starting pitcher Ivan Nova is dealing with a minor hamstring injury. However, general manager Brian Cashman said that the injury will not prevent Nova from making his scheduled start on Friday at the Athletics. Nova is 4-2 on the season with a 5.69 ERA.
Analysis: Nova is giving his Fantasy owners plenty of strikeouts, but he has hit a rough patch lately, allowing five or more earned runs in four of his last five starts. He could be a viable option in mixed leagues for Fantasy Week 9 (May 28-June 3), but owners in those formats should see how he handles the A's first before making him active for the coming scoring period.
News: The Rangers claimed pitcher John Gaub off waivers from the Rays on Thursday. Gaub has been added to the 40-man roster and will report to Triple-A Round Rock.
Analysis: Gaub is just organizational depth for the Rangers. He might join their bullpen down the road, but he has marginal Fantasy appeal and can be left off rosters.
News: Red Sox starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka will make his next rehab start on Saturday for Triple-A Pawtucket, according to the Providence Journal. It will be his first rehab start since May 17, as he was briefly shut down due to neck pain.
Analysis: Matsuzaka could potentially rejoin the Red Sox as soon as next week, but it's more likely that he will spend more time in the minors before coming up. Because he was shut down, his rehab clock starts over again, so there is no rush to add him to the major league roster. Nonetheless, owners in AL-only leagues should consider picking up Matsuzaka to prepare for his eventual activation.
News:The Detroit News reports the Tigers activated reliever Luis Marte (hamstring) from the 15-day DL on Thursday and optioned reliever Luke Putkonen to Triple-A Toledo.
Analysis: Putkonen is just 0-2 with a 8.59 ERA and 2.59 WHIP in 7 1/3 innings this season for Detroit. He's likely to bounce between the minors and majors all year. He will be used in middle relief and has marginal Fantasy appeal. Leave him off Fantasy rosters.
News:The Detroit News reports the Tigers activated reliever Luis Marte (hamstring) from the 15-day DL on Thursday and optioned reliever Luke Putkonen to Triple-A Toledo.
Analysis: Marte was set to make the opening day roster before getting hurt late in spring training. He was sharp during two rehab outings -- one at Class A and one at Triple-A. He tossed five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out five. Marte won't see regular save chances for Detroit, however, so he has just low-end Fantasy appeal when healthy. Marte could help in Rotisserie leagues with a low ERA and decent strikeout totals.
News: Multiple sources report that the Tigers' Ryan Raburn will rejoin the team on Friday after missing three games because of a bereavement leave.
Analysis: After another torrid spring training, Raburn has stumbled out of the gate for Detroit. It's a trend that happens to him every year. He usually doesn't heat up until the second half of the season. Raburn has low-end Fantasy appeal until he gets on a hot streak.
News:Newsday reports that Mets first baseman Ike Davis will not get demoted to the minor leagues, and he will be given a chance to work out his problems at the plate at the big league level. Davis has yet to get untracked this season, as he is batting .159, and he is sitting routinely against left-handed starting pitchers. He was left out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Padres, as the Mets were set to face southpaw Eric Stults. Vinny Rottino got the start at first base in place of Davis. Of being assured that a demotion wouldn't be imminent, Davis told reporters, “It helped, because now I don’t have to talk about going down every day with you guys, so that’s nice,’’
Analysis: Davis may remain on the Mets' roster for awhile longer, but at least some Fantasy owners need to consider removing him from their rosters. Davis' normally sharp batting eye has gone awry this season, and when he is not striking out, he is making weak contact. At best, Davis should be benched in mixed leagues, and even owners in NL-only leagues should consider looking for better alternatives.
News: The Mariners activated catcher Miguel Olivo (groin) from the 15-day DL on Thursday. He last appeared in an MLB game on April 30. He went 3 for 13 (.231) with a solo homer in three rehab games at Triple-A Tacoma.
Analysis: Olivo was finally getting on track offensively before getting hurt. He has hit safely in his last eight games, batting .333 (11 for 33) with three homers in that span. Hopefully, he will be able to pick up where he left off. Olivo should play regularly behind the plate because the Mariners aren't ready to trust Jesus Montero as the everyday catcher. If Olivo hits like he was prior to going on the DL, then he will re-emerge as a reliable Fantasy start. For now, he's at best a No. 2 option in mixed leagues.
News: The Marlins recalled outfielder Kevin Mattison from Triple-A New Orleans on Thursday. He takes the roster spot of outfielder Austin Kearns (hamstring), who was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Mattison made his major league debut earlier this month during a brief recall, and he made a pinch-hitting appearance.
Analysis: Mattison could be a stolen base threat, but it's not clear if he will play enough to capitalize on his speed. He is worth a pickup in deeper NL-only leagues, particularly in Rotisserie formats.
News: Indians infielder Jose Lopez extended his hitting streak to 10 games Thursday against the Tigers with a 1-for-3 performance. He added an RBI. Lopez is 12 for 34 (.353) with one homer, four doubles and seven RBI during his hitting streak.
Analysis: Lopez has done so well at the plate lately that the Indians have had the luxury of resting starting third baseman Jack Hannahan, who has been sidelined for 10 games with back inflammation. The Indians are likely to keep playing Lopez until he cools off. Consider him a stopgap option in AL-only Fantasy formats.
News: Indians center fielder Michael Brantley went 2 for 3 with one run and one stolen base Thursday against the Tigers. He pushed his hitting streak to four games. Brantley is 6 for 14 (.429) with four stolen bases in his last four games.
Analysis: Brantley has been a much more efficient hitter since late April. He is batting .304 in his last 29 games. He has no homers in that span and only 10 RBI, but at least he is hitting for a decent average and starting to get aggressive on the base paths. Brantley remains just a low-end option in deep mixed leagues.
News:The Seattle Times reports Mariners outfielder Casper Wells was demoted to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.
Analysis: Wells is batting just .160 (4 for 25) in 15 May games and has started just six times this month. He wasn't receiving much playing time and had marginal Fantasy appeal. Continue to ignore him in Fantasy.
News: The Orioles announced Thursday that they signed reliever J.C. Romero to a minor-league deal. He will report to Triple-A Norfolk.
Analysis: Romero was released by St. Louis on May 14 after his ERA soared to 10.13. Romero will obviously have to prove himself before getting back into the majors. He isn't expected to see regular save chances, so he still has marginal Fantasy appeal and can be left on waivers in all formats.
News: For the sixth straight game, Chipper Jones was held out of the Braves' starting lineup, as Juan Francisco got the nod at third base for Thursday's game in Cincinnati. Jones did appear in Wednesday's game as a pinch hitter, and he drew a walk in his lone plate appearance.
Analysis: Jones' owners will have to wait a little longer yet to get him back in their Fantasy lineups. He is hitting a robust .307 so far this year, so he is worth starting when healthy. Unfortunately, he is out often enough that he is not worth rostering in shallower mixed league formats.
News: Indians closer Chris Perez put the tying run on in the ninth inning Thursday against the Tigers, but got his 16th straight save since blowing one on opening day in a 2-1 win. Perez struck out one batter Thursday and hasn't allowed a run in his last six outings (5 2/3 innings).
Analysis: Perez also has at least one strikeout in eight straight appearances. He has 11 total in that span. Perez has returned to being a reliable Fantasy reliever and the save chances are there as the Indians continue to win.
News:Justin Masterson matched Justin Verlander pitch for pitch for first his career win over Detroit, and the first-place Cleveland Indians did just enough to beat the reigning AL MVP 2-1 Thursday and complete a three-game sweep of the underperforming Tigers. Masterson (2-3) entered 0-4 in seven starts against the Tigers. He allowed one run and five hits in seven innings. He did issue five walks and struck out four.
Analysis: Masterson has gotten himself into trouble this year because of his career-high walk rate. He has now issues 34 walks in 62 1/3 innings. Masterson has been better at limiting the damage lately. He has allowed three or fewer runs in five of his last six starts. Unfortunately, he has just two wins in that span. Masterson is still a low-end Fantasy option in mixed leagues. He will be back on the hill Tuesday against the Royals. Masterson went 3-1 with a 3.48 ERA in five starts against K.C. last year.
News: For the third straight game, Brian McCann was not in Braves' starting lineup. He was replaced behind the plate by David Ross for Thursday's contest at Cincinnati. McCann has been dealing with flu-like symptoms.
Analysis: McCann should not be out for much longer, though owners in daily leagues should check back on his status. Though McCann hasn't been hitting quite at the level to which we have become accustomed, he is still a must-start option when healthy.
News:Justin Masterson matched Justin Verlander pitch for pitch for first his career win over Detroit, and the first-place Cleveland Indians did just enough to beat the reigning AL MVP 2-1 Thursday and complete a three-game sweep of the underperforming Tigers. Last season, Verlander owned the Indians. He won all three starts against Cleveland, and came in 9-1 against them in his previous 12 starts. The right-hander gave up two runs, six hits, walked one threw a 102 mph fastball on his 116th pitch. Verlander (5-2) struck out seven.
Analysis: In his previous start, Verlander came within two outs of his third career no-hitter, a performance manager Jim Leyland described as "probably the best game I've ever seen pitched." Shin-Soo Choo quickly ended any suspense whether Verlander would repeat his flirtation, crushing the right-hander's third pitch into the second deck in right -- a 454-foot homer. Nonetheless, Verlander went the distance again and was still good enough to win Thursday. Continue to keep him active in all Fantasy formats heading into his next start Tuesday at Boston. Verlander is lining up for two starts in Week 9 (May 28-June 3), with his second coming against the Yankees.
News: Reds shortstop Zack Cozart has produced a four-game hitting streak since being held out of the starting lineup Saturday against the Yankees. Cozart is batting .400 (6 for 15) with two solo homers during his hitting streak. “The day off helped big time,” Cozart told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “It helped more mentally than physically. That day, Dusty (Baker) saw something on video. I was getting started too late. That made me speed up my swing and pop up more than I usually do. The good thing was it’s an easy fix.”
Analysis: Cozart was mired in a 1-for-26 slump before his four-game hitting streak. “He wasn’t starting soon enough,” Baker said. “You see certain things. You hope whatever you saw can be the thing that gets the young man back on his way. It’s very discouraging to make outs, especially when you’re getting pitches to hit and you’re not hitting them. I could see the frustration on his face.” Fantasy owners should continue to track Cozart's progress through Fantasy Week 8 (May 21-27). If he stays hot, then you should consider activating him for Fantasy Week 9 (May 28-June 3) since it seems he is ready to get back on track offensively.
News: Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo's batting average continues to rise since he was moved into the top spot in the lineup on May 14. Choo is batting .351 with a .442 OBP, .541 slugging percentage and .982 OPS in nine games as the team's leadoff hitter. But moving to the leadoff spot isn't the reason for his success, Choo said. "The first four or five weeks, I missed a lot of fastballs," Choo said. "In the big leagues, if you miss fastballs, you can't play here. You have to hit a fastball. Now I'm swinging to make contact -- ground ball, fly ball, whatever." The Indians, coincidentally, are 7-2 since Choo moved to the leadoff spot, so manager Manny Acta has no plans to remove him from atop the lineup. "If it ain't broke, why fix it?" Acta said. "He's doing well, we're doing well. It's the best thing for us now. Why try to experiment with someone else?"
Analysis: Choo's RBI opportunities might not be as abundant as if he were hitting in the heart of the lineup, but all his other numbers are on the rise, so we can't really complain from a Fantasy standpoint. Choo did homer Thursday against the Tigers and his confidence as a hitter is soaring. He is back to being a reliable high-end Fantasy option.
News: Tigers catcher Alex Avila entered play Thursday against the Indians having produced one homer and five RBI in his last three games. Unfortunately, Avila is batting just .222, which is well below his .295 average from 2011. "I just think he needs to stay aggressive," manager Jim Leyland told MLB.com. "He'll do fine."
Analysis: A problem for Avila this season is that pitchers have figured out how to attack him. Avila is seeing less fastballs, which is proving to be a problem. Only 51.8 percent of the pitches he has seen this season have been fastballs, which is a steep decline from the 57.2 percent he saw last season. According to STAS, Avila is hitting .328 off fastballs this season. The problem is that he is hitting under .200 against every other pitch and has yet to get a hit off a changeup. Avila hit .383 against changeups last year, according to STATS. Leyland appears to be right in his assessment that Avila needs to stay aggressive, but that means he has to adjust to hitting offspeed pitches. Avila is still being started in more than 75 percent of Fantasy leagues because you probably invested an early-round pick on him and it's too early to give up. Let's just hope Avila can turn the corner at some point.
News: The Brewers said reliever Mike McClendon will be recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Friday to take the roster spot of pitcher Marco Estrada, who was placed on the 15-day DL on Thursday with a quadriceps injury.
Analysis: McClendon has had some struggles this year in the majors, posting a 10.13 ERA in three outings (5 1/3 innings). He will likely shuffle between the majors and minors all year and has marginal Fantasy appeal until further notice.
News: The Giants announced Thursday that infielder Ryan Theriot was reinstated from the 15-day DL. He had been sidelined by a right elbow injury.
Analysis: Theriot should be back in the mix for starts at second base now that he is off the DL. He was hitting just .179 in 20 games before getting hurt and will likely split time at second base with Emmanuel Burriss. He has marginal Fantasy appeal, even in NL-only formats.
News: After batting .380 in 21 April games for Triple-A Columbus, Indians minor leaguer Matt LaPorta hasn't been as successful in May. He is batting just .241 in 17 May games. However, LaPorta does have five homers and 11 RBI. For the season, LaPorta is batting .321 with 13 homers and 28 RBI in 38 games. He also has a .409 OBP, .657 slugging percentage and 1.066 OPS.
Analysis: We are not shocked by LaPorta's Triple-A numbers. He has always hit minor-league pitching well. It's his inconsistency in the majors that got him demoted back to the minors. The Indians have said they have been pleased with LaPorta's progress, but clearly aren't ready to recall him since they have no need for him to be in the majors at this time. LaPorta is only worth stashing in very deep AL-only formats.
News: Tigers third base prospect Nick Castellanos is probably deserving of a promotion in the minors with the start he has put together at Class A Lakeland. Through 44 games, the 2010 supplemental first-round pick is batting .413 with a .474 on-base percentage, .552 slugging percentage and 1.027 OPS. He also has two homers, two triples, 14 doubles, 27 RBI, 28 runs and three stolen bases.
Analysis: About the only gripe you can have with Castellanos is his lack of home run power. He should develop more over time, but the scouts aren't sure if he will have much more than moderate home run power. He is already a great doubles hitter and can hit to all fields. He's even managed to cut down on his strikeout rate in 2012. If Castellanos keeps tearing up minor-league pitching, then he has a chance to move fast. However, the Tigers are set a third base right now with Miguel Cabrera, so there's no need to rush Castellanos and the Tigers probably won't move him from third base to get him to the majors quicker. He remains just a long-term keeper.
News: Red Sox reliever Mark Melancon has been thriving since his demotion to Triple-A Pawtucket. Melancon has allowed just one run on 11 hits and two walks in 15 innings (0.60 ERA). He also hasn't allowed a home run, struck out 23 batters, held the opposition to a .193 average and has six saves.
Analysis: It seems the Red Sox's decision to demote Melancon to the minors is paying off. He has been able to get back to the basics and appears to have solved his early-season woes. But no matter how well he is pitching, he isn't in the majors yet because the Red Sox don't have a need for a reliever right now. The bullpen is hitting on all cylinders. That's not to say Melancon won't eventually return to the bullpen, but obviously he won't see regular save chances with Alfredo Aceves thriving as the team's closer. Continue to leave Melancon off Fantasy rosters.
News: CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman reports free agent starting pitcher Roy Oswalt is on the Orioles radar. Heyman also reports the Red Sox, Phillies and Rangers are among others interested.
Analysis: Oswalt is expected to join a contender this summer, and Baltimore could be in the mix given the team's surprising start. It seems, however, more AL teams are interested in signing the veteran hurler. If Oswalt lands with a contender, then he becomes an intriguing Fantasy option based on wins potential. If you have an available roster spot in a deep Fantasy formats, then consider stashing Oswalt on your bench.
News:Mark Teixeira has finally had enough. After seeing poor results from trying to put the baseball in play more frequently, Teixeira told reporters he is going back to swinging for the fences. “I’m putting too many balls in play instead of taking that swing to hit a home run and drive the ball,” Teixeira said, per The Journal News. “I’ve never been someone who just wants to put the ball in play. In years past, a 1-0 or a 2-0 pitch, it’s maybe a little bit up or a little bit down, you swing and you foul it off or you swing and miss. Now I’m putting that ball in play, which (stinks). I go back to (hitting coach) Kevin Long and I say, ‘Why couldn’t I just foul that ball off?’ It’s unfortunate. Baseball is such a fine line between having a good at-bat and hitting the ball hard or making an out. While last year 39 home runs but a low batting average wasn’t good enough, I think I’d rather hit 39 home runs than 20 or 15. I think I’d rather drive in 111 runs than 80. So I’m going to be more aggressive.”
Analysis: Do you hear that? That noise is the cheers coming from Fantasy owners around the country rejoicing over Teixeira's plan to be more aggressive at the plate. The veteran slugger is usually a slow starter, but it seems this year's slow start was because of his altered plate approach. Now that Teixeira plans to go back to swinging for the fences, maybe his numbers will return to what we would expect. Teixeira was moved back into the third spot in the lineup Wednesday against the Royals after spending two games batting seventh. He went 0 for 2, but he walked three times, produced an RBI and scored twice. Teixeira's numbers might be a little disappointing to date, but he is still worth starting in all Fantasy formats because of his ability to get hot at moment's notice.
News: Indians pitching prospect Austin Adams had surgery on his right shoulder on Wednesday, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Adams pitched for Double-A Akron in 2011, going 11-10 with a 3.77 ERA, but he has been out all year after experiencing a shoulder impingement in spring training. Adams is expected to miss the rest of this season.
Analysis: Adams still has a shot to be a future part of the Indians' rotation, but with what is likely to be season-ending surgery, his arrival in Cleveland will be delayed. He is considered to be a mid-level prospect, so Adams should only be of interest to owners in deeper long-term keeper leagues.
News: Diamondbacks pitcher Josh Collmenter is adjusting well to his role as a long reliever. Collmenter has made four relief appearances in May since being booted from the rotation in late April. He has allowed just one run on eight hits and one walk in 10 innings (0.90 ERA). Collmenter also has eight strikeouts and a .229 opponents' batting average in that span.
Analysis: Collmenter seems to have found his calling as a long reliever. There is always the opportunity for him to return to the rotation or be called on for a spot start, but it just seems foolish for the Diamondbacks to remove him from his current role since he has adjusted so well. Collmenter doesn't have much Fantasy value, however, as a long reliever despite posting a respectable ERA in his new role.
News: Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill ended his multi-hit skid Wednesday against the Dodgers. Hill went 3 for 3, producing his first multi-hit game since going 3 for 4 on May 8. Hill added two RBI and one walk on Wednesday. He hit just .174 (8 for 46) in between multi-hit games.
Analysis: May has not been kind to Hill, who is batting just .200 with one homer and five RBI in 20 games this month. It's a shame too seeing how Hill was productive in April. He hit .266 with a .363 OBP, .481 slugging percentage, .844 OPS, four homers, 10 RBI and 13 runs in 22 April games. Let's hope Hill returns to being that type of hitter in June. For now, he is just a low-end Fantasy starter in deep mixed leagues.
News: Diamondbacks outfielder Jason Kubel hit a two-run triple in the fourth inning Wednesday against the Dodgers. Kubel is still, however, mired in a 1-for-15 slump in his last four games.
Analysis: Kubel has slowed down offensively in May. After batting .333 in April, Kubel is batting just .227 in May. Worst of all is that he has no homers in 21 May games. Kubel has continued to battle some ups and downs in his first season in the NL. Hopefully, he will get going when the calender switches to June. As of now, Kubel is just a low-end option in larger mixed leagues.
News: CBSSports.com baseball insider Danny Knobler reports the Royals could have a tough decision regarding closer Jonathan Broxton this summer. He could be one of the more interesting relievers available leading up to the July 31 trade deadline or the Royals could opt to sign him to an extension. Broxton owns a 2.16 ERA and is 8 of 10 in save chances this year.
Analysis: Broxton ascended to the closer's role after Joakim Soria needed season-ending elbow surgery. Soria is expected back next season, but the team obviously can't predict how his recovery from major elbow surgery will go. If the team is confident in using other options within the organization, such as Greg Holland, then signing Broxton might be a better option than trading him. As of now, Broxton is the Royals' closer and a viable option for saves in deep mixed leagues.
News:Ryan Roberts gave the Diamondbacks a 1-0 lead two batters into the bottom of the first inning Wednesday against the Dodgers, hitting his third home run just over the left-field wall. He finished 1 for 3 with one walk, two runs and three RBI. Roberts is batting .343 (12 for 35) with one homer, two doubles and six RBI in his last nine games.
Analysis: It's finally nice to see Roberts being productive at the plate. Too bad it's coming after manager Kirk Gibson moved him into a utility role following the promotion of third baseman Josh Bell. Obviously, however, Roberts could play his way back into regular at-bats if he produces. For now, Roberts is still a low-end Fantasy option.
News: Diamondbacks shortstop Willie Bloomquist extended his hitting streak to eight games with a 3-for-6 performance Wednesday against the Dodgers. Bloomquist has a trio of three-hit games during his streak. He is batting .436 (17 for 39) with one double, two triples, four RBI and nine runs in his last eight games.
Analysis: It seems Bloomquist is sensing shortstop Stephen Drew's return, so he is making the most of his final starts. But if he keeps hitting like this, then Arizona will find ways to keep his bat in the lineup. Continue to treat Bloomquist as a stopgap Fantasy option.
News: Dodgers infielder Adam Kennedy went 2 for 4 with one run on Wednesday against the Diamondbacks. He is batting .353 (12 for 34) with three doubles and four RBI in his last 13 games, raising his average from .115 to .250 in that span.
Analysis: Kennedy has seen most of the starts at third base for the Dodgers since Juan Uribe went on the DL. He will likely continue to stay in the lineup as long as he continues to contribute offensively. However, Kennedy hasn't homered or been a big run producer during his recent run, so he still remains just a stopgap NL-only Fantasy option.
News: MLB.com reported on Wednesday that Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, on the 15-day disabled list, will begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Sunday. He will play two games and if all goes well, Kemp will be activated on Tuesday. Kemp has been out since May 13 due to a strained left hamstring.
Analysis: It looks as though Kemp is lining up for a return during Week 9 (May 28-June 3) so owners should keep an eye on his progress over the weekend. He was batting .359 with 12 home runs and 28 RBI before landing on the DL as he continues to be one of the more valuable players in Fantasy. The 27-year-old is on pace for another stellar campaign so plan on getting him active for the upcoming scoring period, as long as he makes it through the weekend unscathed.
News: Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis hit a solo homer Wednesday against the Diamondbacks. It was his fourth homer of the season and third in May. Ellis is batting .362 (21 for 58) with 13 RBI in 17 May games. He also has a .456 OBP, .621 slugging percentage and 1.077 OPS.
Analysis: Ellis' hot streak has actually lasted a month. He's batting .377 since April 23. Believe it or not, but Ellis is the third-highest scoring catcher in Fantasy the last 28 days and is the 10th highest scoring catcher this season. He by far has been one of the biggest surprises to begin the 2012 season. Ellis' ownership and starting percentage both need to rise heading into Fantasy Week 9 (May 28-June 3). Fantasy owners are missing out on a lot of points the longer Ellis sits on waivers or on your bench.
News: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said on the radio Thursday morning that starting pitcher Marco Estrada is expected top miss 3-4 starts with a right quadriceps strain. It was originally diagnosed as a right hip flexor strain. Melvin said he would be meeting with team officials on Thursday to discuss who replaces Estrada in the rotation. His next turn in the rotation is scheduled for May 29 at the Dodgers. Estrada was placed on the 15-day DL on Thursday and reliever Mike McClendon will be recalled from the minors on Friday to take his roster spot.
Analysis: Manager Ron Roenicke indicated Wednesday that Manny Parra would likely replace Estrada in the rotation, but Melvin said all options are being discussed. That includes the possibility of promoting a pitcher from the minors or going outside the organization to add an arm. Estrada was just an NL-only Fantasy option before getting hurt on Wednesday against the Giants. Stash him in only those formats while he is out.
News: Mets starting pitcher prospect Zack Wheeler won a fourth straight start -- and third straight since returning from the Double-A DL -- for Binghamton on Wednesday against New Britain. He allowed one run on two hits and two walks in eight innings, striking out six. "My fastball was working; I located it pretty good today," Wheeler told MLB.com. "My changeup, I threw a lot more of those today and it got better as the game went on." Wheeler is 4-2 with a 1.97 ERA and .175 opponents' batting average in eight starts. He also has 51 strikeouts and one homer allowed in 45 2/3 innings. "I used to be that guy who threw a lot of pitches," Wheeler said. "But this year I've been going after guys, so it's a little easier when you get ahead."
Analysis: With how thin the Mets rotation has become because of injuries, you wonder how much longer Wheeler will toil at Double-A before a promotion to Triple-A? However, it does seem the Mets have no plans to rush the 2009 first-round pick to the majors, despite showing steady progress each year he has in the minors. It probably makes sense since Wheeler only stretched out to 115 innings last year and still needs to build up arm strength before a shot at the majors. Wheeler is likely at least a year away from making a Fantasy impact, so he has more value as a long-term keeper.
News:The Plain Dealer reports Indians DH Travis Hafner was held out of the starting lineup Thursday against the Tigers after fouling a ball off his right shin Wednesday. "You want to play every game, especially ones like this,'' Hafner said, "but it just hasn't responded well enough. It swelled up during the game and got worse, and I wasn't moving well this morning. We'll keep icing it today and see how it feels (Friday). I don't think it will be very long, though. I'll be fine.'' Carlos Santana moved out from behind the plate to replace Hafner at DH.
Analysis: Hafner isn't scheduled for any tests, so as of now it's a day-to-day issue. Hafner homered on Wednesday, but hasn't performed very well in May. He is batting just .197 in 21 games. He does have four homers and 13 RBI, but his inconsistency is keeping him as a low-end Fantasy option in deep mixed leagues.
News: The San Francisco Chronicle reports Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Brandon Crawford remains the team's starting shortstop despite some defensive lapses, including his 10th error Wednesday against the Brewers. "We're not talking about anything there right now," Bochy said. "He's had his rough days, but he bounces back well, which is what you want from a kid."
Analysis: Crawford is on pace for 36 errors. Jose Valentin had that many for the White Sox in 2000, but he made up for it with 25 home runs. Unfortunately, Crawford is not that good of a hitter, but his offense is improving. He is batting .289 with a .373 OBP in his last 11 games. Unfortunately, Crawford has little pop and isn't driving in a ton of runs, so he continues to be more of an NL-only Fantasy option.
News: CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman reports Marlins reliever Juan Oviedo has received his work visa and will report to extended spring training soon. On Wednesday, it was first reported by El Caribe that Nunez obtained a visa to return to the United States. It was discovered last September that Oviedo, formerly known as Leo Nunez, had been using a fake name and age for seven seasons.
Analysis: While Oviedo is set to make his return to the majors, he still has one big hurdle left in his path -- an impending eight-week suspension for his actions. In his absence, the Marlins signed Heath Bell to be the team's closer. Bell has struggled in that role, but Oviedo is expected to return as a setup man once he's back in the majors. Oviedo can be left on waivers until further notice.
News: Indians third baseman Jack Hannahan missed a 10th straight start Thursday against the Tigers because of mild back inflammation. Jose Lopez has started every game Hannahan has missed.
Analysis: Hannahan's recovery has been so slow that you figured the Indians would have put him on the DL by now and brought up another player. Alas, he continues to be day to day. The Indians don't need to rush him back since Lopez has been a more than adequate substitute. Hannahan has low-end Fantasy appeal when healthy.
News: Angels reliever Ernesto Frieri picked up his first save of the season on Wednesday, shutting down the A’s for a 3-1 win in 11 innings. He received the save because closer Scott Downs was used during the ninth inning of the game to preserve the win. Frieri struck out three in the game, while walking one. After the game, Angels' manager Mike Scioscia stopped just short of anointing Frieri as the team's closer, however he did say that with Frieri bringing the ability to close games, he might like to move Downs up to a different role. "You can see some definite roles forming," Scioscia told the Los Angeles Times. "It's great to be able to slot Downs wherever we think he's going to be most effective. And if you look at what Ernie has meant since coming over and [Jordan] Walden regaining his form, we're much more comfortable with how we can hold leads."
Analysis: Frieri has yet to allow a run in his 8 2/3 innings since joining the Angels, and he has struck out 19 batters in that time span. He has been mowing down batters since joining the team, and has made a strong case to become the closer if the team decides to go that way, which is looks like they might be considering. Unless he is officially named the closer, Frieri should still be considered only a low-end option in leagues that reward for holds, however be prepared to snatch him up the second he is handed the role.
News: The Washington Post reports Wednesday that Nationals first baseman Michael Morse (back) is expected to begin playing in rehab games on Friday. Morse will likely go on a minor league rehab assignment next week and will return from the disabled list no later than June 8.
Analysis: Morse has that June 8 timetable to live up to and the Nationals seem to believe it is accurate. In fact, Washington is indicating he could even return earlier, though that is a small possibility. Morse initially injured his lat during spring training and then aggravated the injury further during a rehab assignment in April. When healthy, Morse has plenty of Fantasy value. Owners can only keep him stashed in mixed leagues until he does make his return.
News: Toronto second baseman Kelly Johnson came out of Wednesday's extra-inning loss at Tampa Bay in the ninth inning after experiencing tightness in his left hamstring, reports Sportsnet.ca. Johnson has been dealing with the hamstring issue for a while and is day to day. The Blue Jays are off Thursday and Johnson is expected to be able to return after that at Texas Friday.
Analysis: Johnson went 1 for 5 with a double and four strikeouts on Wednesday as the leadoff hitter for Toronto. He's been struggling at the plate of late as he's gone 1 for 11 in his last three games with seven Ks. Still, his eight homers and 23 RBI are excellent run production for a second baseman. Johnson can continue to be active in most mixed Fantasy leagues, when healthy.
News: The Milwaukee Brewers claimed infielder Cody Ransom off waivers on Wednesday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Ransom was recently released by the Diamondbacks, where he had hit .269, with four home runs in 52 at-bats. The Brewers optioned Edwin Maysonet to Triple-A Nashville to make room and moved Alex Gonzalez to the 60-day DL.
Analysis: Ransom had picked up just one hit over his last seven games for the Diamondbacks before getting released, and while he was batting .269 on the year, he put up an impressive .922 OPS. With Cesar Izturis currently playing shortstop for the Brewers -- and batting .200 with zero extra-base hits -- Ransom has a shot to make an impact in a lineup that has been desperate for power following the loss of Mat Gamel (the Aramis Ramirez power slump and the loss of Prince Fielder to the Tigers in the offseason didn't help, either). While Ransom should be considered little more than an NL-only Fantasy option for now, mixed leaguers may want to keep an eye on him and his playing time over the next couple weeks. Since 2006, Ransom has produced four 20-plus HR seasons in the minors, and might just need regular at-bats (his MLB career-high over parts of 10 seasons is 79) to have a Fantasy impact.
News: Diamondbacks pitcher Joe Saunders picked up his first win since April 27 on Wednesday night against the Dodgers. He allowed four runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings in the 11-4 victory. The left-hander made it through his first three frames scoreless before surrendering a solo homer to A.J. Ellis. Then in the seventh, he gave up two runs before being pulled for Bryan Shaw, who allowed an inherited runner to score. Saunders also struck out seven with one walk while earning his third win of the season.
Analysis: Saunders had gone 0-2 with a 7.40 ERA in four starts since his last win so it was nice to see him get back on track Wednesday. He now has 36 strikeouts compared to just 14 walks in 57 innings pitched. The 30-year-old does not put up the numbers to make him an option in most Fantasy formats but Saunders can continue to be utilized in deeper leagues heading into Week 9 (May 28-June 3). His next start is scheduled for Tuesday against the Giants. When Saunders faced San Francisco on May 13, he allowed six runs over five innings in the loss.
News: Dodgers pitcher Ted Lilly endured his worst outing of the season on Wednesday night against the Diamondbacks. He allowed eight runs on nine hits with five walks over 3 1/3 innings in the 11-4 loss. The left-hander surrendered a solo homer to the second batter he faced during a two-run first. He would give up three runs over the next two frames. Then in the fourth, he was tagged for three more runs before being pulled for Jamey Wright. Lilly, who threw 79 pitches, also struck out three while taking his first loss of the season.
Analysis: Lilly saw his ERA rise from 1.79 to 3.14 on Wednesday as he allowed as many runs as he had in his previous five starts combined. Owners knew that he was going to have a rough outing sooner or later so hopefully he will be able to bounce back his next time out. The 36-year-old has posted double-digit wins each of the last nine seasons as is already halfway there thus far so keep Lilly active in deeper mixed leagues. His next start is scheduled for Tuesday against the Brewers, setting him up for two starts during Week 9 (May 28-June 3). Lilly will also face off against the Rockies during the upcoming scoring period.
News: Dodgers utility player Jerry Hairston, on the 15-day disabled list due to a hamstring injury, began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque Wednesday. He went 0 for 3 while playing left field.
Analysis: Hairston will likely need just another game or two before being ready to return so keep an eye on his progress in the coming days. He was batting .315 with one homer and four RBI before going down and with all of the injuries Los Angeles has sustained recently, the 35-year-old could see some increased playing time upon returning. Hairston remains more of an option for deeper NL-only formats, when healthy.
News: Recently-anointed Reds closer Aroldis Chapman was not pitching in a save situation on Wednesday against the Braves, however the stakes were still plenty high, as he put his scoreless-innings streak on the line in a 1-1 game in the top of the ninth inning. As he has been all season, Chapman was up to the challenge, throwing up blanks for the 24th outing in a row, to keep the game tied heading into the bottom of the ninth, where Todd Frazier hit a walk-off home run to earn Chapman his fourth win of the season, 2-1. Chapman struck out two and picked up a groundball in the inning.
Analysis: Chapman has had an incredible start to the season, allowing just seven hits in 24 1/3 innings, while getting his control problems fixed with just four walks. Despite pitching in relief for the entirety of the season, he has 43 strikeouts, enough to rank 39th in the National League, the only reliever in the top 50. He has picked up a pair of saves and four wins on the season, and should be active in most Fantasy formats at this point.
News: Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran went 1 for 4 on Wednesday against the Padres, however he made that one hit count, as his fifth-inning, two-run home run off Jeff Suppan extended his National-League lead to 14 on the season. He is second in the league in RBI, with 37. The Cardinals won the game, 6-3.
Analysis: The home run was Beltran’s first in nine games, a drought by the lofty standard he has set this season. He is hitting the ball incredibly well, leading the NL’s top offense in his first season in St. Louis. He now has nine home runs in the month of May and should be considered a must-start Fantasy option while he is hot.
News: Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams needed a couple of games to get acclimated to the major leagues, and in his fourth on Wednesday against San Diego, he had a couple of firsts; in the first inning, with runners on first and second base, Adams singled to center to drive in the first run of his career, and then in the fifth inning he clubbed his first career extra-base hit, a double to left field. He finished the game 2 for 4 with the RBI, as the Cardinals defeated the Padres, 6-3.
Analysis: Adams has a reputation as a big bat, developed in the minors after hitting 54 home runs over the previous two seasons, so it was only a matter of time before he figured things out up here. He was 2 for 10 entering the game, and will undoubtedly have struggles from time to time, being 23-years-old, so Fantasy owners should still consider him more of an NL-option with upside for deeper mixed formats.
News: Padres third baseman Chase Headley was back in the lineup on Wednesday against the Cardinals, batting fifth after missing the team’s previous game with a back injury. Headley went 1 for 4 in the game, with an RBI and a strikeout, as the Padres fell, 6-3.
Analysis: Headley has been underwhelming in May, batting just .235 with one home run so far during the month, which is disappointing after his strong April. He has struck out 20 times in 20 games, which is an issue when combined with his power drought. He is struggling right now and should be left for just deeper mixed leagues at this time.
News: Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn got off to a rough start on Wednesday, allowing three runs in the first inning to the Padres, including a home run to the first batter of the game, Will Venable. He settled down from that point on, tossing five shutout innings to finish his outing with three earned runs in six innings, and the Cardinals’ offense fought back to get him the lead and earn him his major-league leading seventh win of the season, 6-3. He matched Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels at the top of the leader board. Lynn finished the game with eight hits and three walks allowed, while striking out a season-low three batters.
Analysis: Starting full time for the first time in his career, the 25-year-old has been one of the most pleasant surprises in all of Fantasy this season, as his ERA now sits at a sparkly 2.54, good for 20th in the majors. His record now stands at 7-2 on the season, and he has 52 strikeouts and 19 walks in 56 2/3 innings. Fantasy owners get two starts from Lynn in Week 9 (May 28-June 3), first against the Braves on Monday and then the Mets on Sunday. He will look to enact a measure of revenge against the Braves, the only team to give him a loss this season, so consider him a viable Fantasy option in all formats.
News: After starting his season with two straight wins, Padres starting pitcher Jeff Suppan lost his third game in a row on Wednesday, giving up five earned runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Cardinals. Suppan was staked to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, and promptly handed it right back in the bottom of the inning. He threw three scoreless innings after before the wheels came off in the fifth, as he allowed two more runs before being pulled with two out. He finished the game having allowed eight hits and four walks, while striking out just one batter in the Cardinals’ 6-3 victory, dropping his record to 2-3.
Analysis: Suppan was called up from Triple-A Tuscon at the beginning of May, however the 37-year-old has not looked good at all in his five starts. He has allowed 28 hits and 13 walks, while striking out just five, for a 1.60 WHIP. Given those numbers, he is probably lucky that his ERA is only 4.21 on the season, so he should be left for just deeper NL-only formats for Week 9 (May 28-June 3), despite having two starts in the scoring period.
News: White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko extended his hitting streak to nine games in Wednesday's series finale against the Twins. He went 3 for 4 with a homer and three runs scored in the 6-0 win. He singled for his first two hits before launching a solo shot off Alex Burnett in the seventh inning. It was his ninth long ball of the season. Konerko has gone 17 for 30 (.567) during his streak with three home runs and seven RBI.
Analysis: Konerko has gone 5 for 8 since missing two games after getting hit in the left eye and has collected at least one hit in 11 of his last 12 games. He is batting .476 over that span as he continued to have a productive campaign for the White Sox. The 36-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down so keep Konerko active in all Fantasy formats going forward.
News: Padres outfielder Will Venable started out Wednesday’s game against the Cardinals with a home run, and picked up a single and double in his next two at bats to get to just a triple away from the cycle in the fourth inning. Unfortunately, he would end up hitless in his next two at bats to fall just short, as the Padres fell, 6-3.
Analysis: This was actually not the first time Venable has gotten three-fourths of the way to a cycle this season, as he was missing just a home run last Tuesday. He has been playing every day for the Padres this season, and is enjoying his best season as a professional, as his batting average now stands at a career-best .269. Despite that, he has just two home runs and five stolen bases, and should be left for NL-only Fantasy formats.
News: Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte put together his second straight quality start in Wednesday's series finale against the Royals. He allowed two runs on seven hits over seven-plus innings of work in the 8-3 win. He made it through his first three frames scoreless before surrendering a solo homer to Billy Butler. Mitch Maier would add another solo shot off the left-hander the following inning for his final damage. Pettitte was pulled after issuing a leadoff walk in the eighth and threw 71 of his 98 pitches for strikes. Pettitte also struck out eight and walked one while earning his second win of the season. "I feel like I'm moving the ball around the zone and that makes it difficult to hit," Pettitte said.
Analysis: After missing all of last season, Pettitte has looked good since coming out of retirement with a 2.53 ERA through three starts. He also has 19 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings and has brought some stability to a Yankees' rotation that needed it. The 39-year-old should continue to see solid run support in New York and is worth adding in deeper mixed leagues heading into his next start, which is scheduled for Tuesday against the Angels. Pettitte has gone 14-10 with a 4.42 ERA in 30 career starts against Anaheim.
News: White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez had another slow night at the plate on Wednesday against the Twins. He went 0 for 3 with a walk in the 6-0 win. Ramirez is batting .193 in May with 11 RBI and five runs scored.
Analysis: Ramirez has struggled to hit for average all season long as his mark dropped to .200 on Wednesday. His .253 slugging percentage is also nearly 160 points below his career mark and he is showing no signs of turning things around. The 30-year-old has proven in the past to be a solid option in Fantasy but leave Ramirez reserved in most formats until he picks up the pace.
News: White Sox outfielder Alex Rios did something against the Twins on Wednesday night that he hadn't done since April 7 -- hit a home run. He launched a two-run shot off Scott Diamond in the fourth inning and finished 1 for 4 in the 6-0 win. Rios is batting .228 in May with nine RBI and seven runs scored. "I think he's been swinging it pretty good and not really hitting home runs," manager Robin Ventura said. "Just approach-wise he's been looking good at the plate, putting in his work and feeling comfortable at the plate."
Analysis: Rios batted .311 with a .446 slugging percentage over the first month of the season but those numbers have slipped significantly since the calendar turned to May. After a down campaign a year ago, he appears to be in line for a bounce-back season but his lack of power still mystifies Fantasy owners. The 31-year-old has the potential to be a 20-20 performer but until he proves to be more consistent, continue to view Rios as more of an option for deeper Fantasy formats.
News: Reds third baseman Todd Frazier’s fourth home run of the season came at an opportune time, as he lifted the Reds with a single swing on Wednesday, hitting a walk-off shot in the bottom of the ninth to secure a 2-1 victory over the Braves. Frazier went 1 for 4 overall in the game.
Analysis: Frazier’s power has translated at the major-league level this season, as he is slugging .547 in 64 at bats; however at has come at a cost, as he has struck out 20 times already. He has shown a very all-or-nothing approach at the plate this season, batting .250, and should be considered just an NL-only Fantasy option.
News: MLB.com reported on Wednesday that Blue Jays first baseman Adam Lind has not been placed on waivers, despite reports that he had been earlier in the week. Lind was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas May 17 after batting .186 with three homers and 11 RBI in 118 at-bats.
Analysis: The report said that Lind remains on the 40-man roster for Toronto, which means he has not been outrighted. The 28-year-old had averaged 28 home runs with 91 RBI over the three previous seasons so it was a surprise to most owners that he got off to such a miserable start in 2012. No word yet on when the Blue Jays plan on recalling Lind so keep an eye on his progress and continue to stash him away in deeper Fantasy formats.
News: With the exception of second baseman Dan Uggla, nobody on the Braves was able to do much offensively on Wednesday, as they fell to the Reds, 2-1. Uggla provided the only run in the game, a solo homer in the fourth inning off Reds’ starter Bronson Arroyo, while going 1 for 3 overall with a walk. It was his sixth long ball of the season, but his first in 12 games.
Analysis: Uggla’s power has been somewhat lacking so far this season, as he is sporting the lowest slugging percentage of his career, at .431, so hopefully he can get going soon. He is hitting .263, right around his career average, with 25 RBI, so the only think he really needs to turn around is that power. He should remain active in most Fantasy formats, as he can get hot in a hurry.
News: Cubs reliever Blake Parker continues to deal with a tight right hamstring as he did not get into Wednesday's loss at Houston. Parker is day to day for the Cubs. He has not pitched since May 19 against the White Sox.
Analysis: Parker has allowed three runs -- none earned -- over two innings pitched in two appearances this season since his recall. With Travis Wood joining the rotation, the Cubs were expected to demote Parker. Instead, the team placed Welington Castillo on the DL, meaning the Cubs expect Parker to remain in the bullpen for now. We're not sure when he'll pitch next, and Parker only has low-end Fantasy value regardless.
News: Houston first baseman Carlos Lee had a nice night at the dish on Wednesday in a win over the Cubs. Lee recorded three singles in four at-bats in the game as he came around to score twice in the 5-1 victory. Lee is now batting .306 on the season for the Astros.
Analysis: Lee has gone 5 for 11 in his last three games and is batting over .300 for the year. That said, his power numbers are not that great with just four homers and 21 RBI. The aging veteran has definitely proven he can still swing the lumber, however, and remains a worthy Fantasy option in most mixed formats.
News: Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano made his fourth appearance out of the bullpen in Wednesday series finale against the White Sox. He worked a scoreless eighth inning, striking out two while walking one. Liriano has worked 4 2/3 scoreless innings since being taken out of the rotation.
Analysis: Liriano posted a 9.45 ERA in six starts but has been able to lower that mark to 8.04 since being moved to the bullpen. Still no word on how long the left-hander will continue to work as a reliever so keep an eye on the situation going forward. Liriano has minimal Fantasy value in his current role but should be stashed away in deeper formats as he will likely rejoin the rotation at some point this season.
News: Houston outfielder J.D. Martinez played a big role in the Astros' win over the Cubs on Wednesday night. Martinez tripled to right field in the fourth inning to give Houston a 2-1 lead as he drove in Carlos Lee and Chris Johnson. Martinez wasn't done, however, as he added an RBI single in the eighth inning and later came around to score. Martinez finished 3 for 4 in the game with three RBI and is batting .235 on the year.
Analysis: The 24-year-old Martinez has a world of potential and just needs to sustain a hot streak to get his batting average up to respectable levels. Still, he can be an extra-base machine and already has 25 RBI on the season, despite just three homers. Martinez has the potential to be on rosters in mixed Fantasy formats. That said, owners should only be starting him in NL-only formats until he can show some more consistency.
News: Cubs outfielder Reed Johnson put the team on the board on Wednesday in Houston. Johnson homered for the second time this season in the first inning off Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez for a solo shot. It was the only run the Cubs would score in the game. Johnson, who got the start in center field, finished 2 for 4 with the RBI. He's batting .246 on the year.
Analysis: Johnson has hits in four straight games now, but just two homers and nine RBI on the year. Johnson is not an everyday option for the Cubs, and only garners low-end Fantasy value in NL-only leagues.
News: Yankees manager Joe Girardi said on Wednesday that outfielder Brett Gardner, on the 15-day disabled list, is dealing with some stiffness in his injured elbow and will not be allowed to hit off a tee until Monday. Gardner's MRI came back clean, however, and he is still expected to travel to Tampa on Thursday.
Analysis: Gardner has not played since April 17 due to his injury and this setback will likely keep him out for a couple more days. His rehab should move quickly once he can start hitting again so keep an eye on his progress going forward. The 28-year-old was batting .321 before going down with the injury so keep Gardner stashed away in most Fantasy formats until he is able to return.
News: Cubs closer Rafael Dolis had not pitched since Sunday against the White Sox, so manager Dale Sveum called upon him to pitch in a non-save situation on Wednesday at Houston. Dolis took the mound in the eighth inning with a 2-1 deficit and was asked to keep it that way. He could not, however, as Dolis allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks and could only get two outs before he was replaced by Michael Bowden. Bowden finished the inning and Dolis' ERA grew to 4.74 on the year. Dolis did have one strikeout.
Analysis: Dolis has done nothing but struggle of late in the closer role for the Cubs. He has a blown save and a loss on his record in his last five appearances and has allowed runs in four of those outings. Dolis has given up seven earned runs over his last 5 1/3 innings pitched and that is not how you hold down a job. Sveum may start turning to James Russell for save chances until the time Carlos Marmol returns and possibly re-takes the job. For now, Dolis is hard to trust outside deeper Fantasy formats.
News: Reds starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo bounced back from a couple of poor starts on Wednesday by limiting the Braves to just one run, off a solo homer, in 6 2/3 innings to help the Reds earn a 2-1 victory. Arroyo picked up the no decision in the game, as his own offense was similarly stymied, however he helped keep them in a game where Braves’ starter Tommy Hanson left little room for error. Arroyo struck out seven batters in the game while walking just two and allowing four hits. His lone mistake was a solo home run in the fourth inning off the bat of Dan Uggla, and the Reds would go on to win, 2-1 on a walk-off home run from Todd Frazier.
Analysis: At 35-years-old, Arroyo is enjoying a resurgence, posting a 3.22 ERA that would be the best of his career if he was able to sustain it. He is doing this on the strength of a career-best strikeout to walk ratio of better than five-to-one, with 44 strikeouts and eight walks in 58 2/3 innings. Coming off a season in which he posted a career-worst 5.07 ERA, Arroyo has been a very pleasant surprise so far. That strong start could continue into Week 9 (May 28-June 3), as he gets to face the Pirates, the worst scoring offense in the National League, on Monday before picking up another start against Houston. He should be considered a decent starting option in deeper mixed leagues.
News: Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija has now pitched well in back-to-back outings with nothing to show for it. Samardzija was once again sharp on Wednesday night in Houston. Unfortunately, his offense could do nothing after a first-inning home run and opposing starter Wandy Rodriguez was on his game. That equaled to Samardzija’s third loss of the season as he fell to 4-3 on the year. Samardzija allowed just two earned runs in the outing on six hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four and threw 90 pitches. Samardzija’s ERA remains solid at 3.00 even on the season.
Analysis: Samardzija has given up five earned runs on 12 hits over 13 1/3 innings in his last two starts against the White Sox and Astros and has gone 0-2 in that span. That is the bad news. The good news is that Samardzija has been extremely solid since allowing five runs in back-to-back outings in mid-April. Samardzija has allowed just eight earned runs over his last six starts combined spanning 39 2/3 innings with 41 Ks over that stretch. Despite the last two losses, Samardzija continues to be a worthy Fantasy option in deeper mixed formats. His next scheduled outing comes Tuesday against the San Diego Padres.
News: Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez was very sharp on Wednesday night in a start against the Chicago Cubs. Rodriguez gave up a solo home run to Rob Johnson in the first inning, but didn’t allow another run as he completed seven solid frames for the victory to improve to .500 at 4-4 on the season. Rodriguez surrendered just the one earned run on eight hits without a walk over seven innings. He struck out five batters and his ERA is pristine at 2.14 on the year.
Analysis: Rodriguez pitched a gem on Wednesday and snapped a two-decision losing streak in the process. That said, Rodriguez has only allowed more than three earned runs once this season and he’s only given up three or more runs three times in 10 outings. Rodriguez continues to have exceptional numbers for the Astros, despite a record at just .500. Houston won’t always back him, but Rodriguez has been one of the better pitchers in the league. Rodriguez makes his next start on Monday of Week 9 (May 28-June 3) during a doubleheader at Colorado. He will get two starts in the upcoming scoring period and definitely deserves to be active in most mixed Fantasy formats.
News: After winning his first three starts, Twins pitcher Scott Diamond did not have the same success on Wednesday against the White Sox. He allowed five runs (two earned) on nine hits over six innings of work in the 6-0 win. The left-hander gave up a run in the first before making it through the next two frames unscathed. He surrendered a two-run homer to Alex Rios in the fourth before an error led to a two-spot in the sixth. Diamond also struck out four and walked one while throwing 94 pitches, 61 for strikes. "He threw the ball well," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Unfortunately, we didn't make some plays behind him. We made him throw some extra pitches and made him work a little bit harder."
Analysis: Diamond has been impressive since being called up from the minors as he is sporting a 1.78 ERA through four starts with a 17-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. A lack of run support in Minnesota has not cost him much thus far but owners should keep in mind that games like Wednesday's will likely not be an isolated incident. Still, the 25-year-old should seem more looks in deeper mixed leagues, especially since he is a two-start option for Week 9 (May 28-June 3). Diamond will take on the A's on Monday before facing the Indians over the weekend.
News: Braves starting pitcher Tommy Hanson allowed only one run on four hits on Wednesday in Cincinnati, however he was matched by opposing starter Bronson Arroyo and was let down by his bullpen, as the Braves fell, 2-1, with Hanson earning a no decision. Hanson struck out five in the game and walked two, however the Braves were only able to a single run in the game, costing him a chance to pick up his sixth win of the season in 10 starts. Hanson did lower his ERA to 3.12 with the game.
Analysis: Hanson is sporting a career-low strikeout rate of 7.96 per nine innings this season, while also simultaneously sporting the worst walk rate of his career, 3.59 per nine. Despite this, he has managed to produce more groundballs, limiting extra-base hits, a fair trade off for a young pitcher to make. Despite the quality ERA, he has struggled with his longevity in games this season, averaging fewer than six innings pitched per outing, one of very few blemishes on his record. Hanson is 5-3 on the season, however things get tougher for him coming up, as he is scheduled to face the National League leading Cardinals’ offense on Monday in Week 9 (May 28-June 3). He does also face the Nationals, a much lighter-hitting opponent, during the same scoring period, so consider him a viable starting option in most Fantasy formats.
News: White Sox pitcher Chris Sale had one of his better outings of the young season on Wednesday night against the Twins. He worked seven scoreless innings, giving up just two hits while striking out six in the 6-0 win. The left-hander threw 64 of his 97 pitches for strikes and lowered his ERA to 2.50 on the outing. Sale also walked two while picking up his fifth win of the season. "Part of pitching is finding a groove and rolling with it," Sale said. "I felt early that I got into a groove and A.J. [Pierzynski] back there calling one of the best games I've seen him call in a while. It was fun to be out there."
Analysis: Sale worked seven innings for just the second time this season on Wednesday and worked his first scoreless start. He has looked sharp since a brief stint in the bullpen and has made a successful transition to the rotation. The White Sox will continue to monitor his innings going forward but as long as the 23-year-old is starting in Chicago, consider Sale a viable option in most Fantasy formats. His next start is scheduled for Monday against the Rays, setting him up for two starts during Week 9 (May 28-June 3). Sale will also take on the Seattle over the weekend.
News: Philadelphia optioned catcher Erik Kratz back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday night after a win over the Nationals. Kratz was up while Jimmy Rollins was on paternity leave. Rollins is expected back Thursday.
Analysis: Kratz belted a pinch-hit home run in four at-bats while up with Philadelphia. They probably got more out of him than they were expecting. Kratz has low-end Fantasy value at this time.
News: Riding a 2 for 15 slide entering Wednesday’s game against the Marlins, Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki broke out of it in a big way, going 2 for 4 in the game with a double and a home run, his second in the three-game series against the Marlins, to lead the Rockies to an 8-4 win. Tulowitzki’s home run, a three-run shot, came with two out in the fifth inning and proved to be the tie-breaking runs that would ultimately win the game for Colorado.
Analysis: Tulowitzki has uncharacteristically struggled in the month of May batting just .250 with three home runs, to lower his season average to .268, so hopefully this will be the start of a nice run for him, as he remains one of the top hitters at the position. He should be active in all Fantasy formats, despite his struggles.
News: Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson had a productive night at the plate in Wednesday's series finale against the Royals. He went 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs scored and a walk in the 8-3 win. He launched a solo shot off Will Smith in his first at-bat for his 14th long ball of the year. Granderson has gone 7 for 23 (.304) with two RBI in his last seven games.
Analysis: Granderson has hit six homers in May as he continues to provide the Yankees with some pop near the top of the lineup. After a breakout campaign in his first season in New York, he appears in line for another productive campaign. While the 31-year-old strikes out more than owners would like to see, his all-around production makes Granderson a must-start option in all Fantasy leagues.
News:J.J. Putz blew his third save of the season for the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night against the Dodgers but manager Kirk Gibson said Wednesday that the right-hander will remain the team's closer. “Oh, yeah. No question," Gibson told the Arizona Republic. "I just think he’s the guy. He’s our closer. Nothing has changed. Simple as that.” Putz has a 9.82 ERA in eight appearances in May.
Analysis: After posting an ERA under 3.00 over the last two seasons, Putz has a 7.20 mark so far in 2012 while going 9 for 12 in save chances. He also has 17 strikeouts compared to just three walks in 15 innings pitched but his 20 hits allowed -- including four homers -- have caused the damage. The Diamondbacks will continue to roll with the 35-year-old for the time being so continue to view Putz as a viable option in deeper mixed leagues. David Hernandez could step into the closer's role if Putz continues to struggle, however.
News: Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer posted just his third multi-hit performance of May in Wednesday's series finale against the Yankees. He went 3 for 4 with an RBI in the 8-3 loss. He reached on an infield single in his first at-bat and promptly stole second base. He added another infield single his next time up before doubling home a run in the ninth inning. Hosmer has gone 6 for 18 (.333) with three RBI since sitting out two games to "clear his mind."
Analysis: Hosmer has raised his average from .174 to .191 since receiving some time off so hopefully he will be able to pick things up going forward. He showed last season that he has some big-time potential in Fantasy so owners should continue to be patient with the 22-year-old. Hosmer's average and slugging percentage are not that impressive but keep his five homers and 21 RBI active in most Fantasy formats at this point.
News: MLB.com reported on Wednesday that Royals pitcher Luke Hochevar will have his next start moved up from Monday against the Indians to Sunday against the Orioles. Hochevar allowed three runs over 6 2/3 innings of work in his loss to the Yankees Tuesday night.
Analysis: Hochevar gains a second start for Week 8 (May 21-27) with his announcement and will look to get back on track after losing each of his last two outings. While the Orioles' offense is more potent than the Indians, the right-hander fared decent against Balitmore when he faced them on May 17. After a career campaign a year ago, Hochevar has gotten off to a slow start this season and should be considered as more of an AL_only option at this point.
News: Royals first baseman Billy Butler only had one hit on Wednesday night against the Yankees but he made the most of it. He launched a solo home run off Andy Pettitte in the fourth inning for his ninth long ball of the year. Butler finished 1 for 4 in the 8-3 loss. Butler has gone 12 for 33 (.364) in his last nine games with three homers and seven RBI.
Analysis: Butler has gotten off to a solid start this season and is slugging .527 through 43 games. He is on pace for a career campaign as long as he can keep up this pace so keep an eye on his progress going forward. The one knock on Butler has always been his lack of prolific power but the 26-year-old seems to be rectifying that this season. Keep Butler active in all Fantasy formats, especially while he's hitting like this.
News: Marlins starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano was roughed up for the first time this season on Wednesday against the Rockies, as he was tagged for seven runs in five innings in an 8-4 loss. Zambrano allowed five hits and three walks in the game, with all but one of his baserunners crossing the plate, while striking out just three batters. He allowed his fourth home run of the season, a three-run shot to Troy Tulowitzki in the fifth inning with two outs that broke the game open. It was just the second time in nine starts this season that Zambrano has not given the Marlins a quality start, dropping his record to 2-3 on the season.
Analysis: Zambrano has now walked eight batters over the last two starts, compared to just five walks, so this start should not have come as a surprise, even given his strong performance all season long. He has been a very pleasant surprise this season, however that are some reasons to think he might be due for some regression, as he has a career-low. Heading into Fantasy Week 9 (May 28-June 3), he is set to start twice, against the Nationals on Monday and then the Phillies on Sunday. Both teams are currently below average offenses for the National League, so consider him a viable starting option in most mixed leagues for the scoring period.
News: Washington first baseman Adam LaRoche snapped a funk at the plate on Wednesday night in a loss at Philadelphia. Cole Hamels kept the Nationals off the board all game, but LaRoche helped them avoid the shutout by homering off Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth. LaRoche hit his eighth homer of the year with one out and nobody on base. LaRoche went 1 for 4 in the game and is batting .297 on the season.
Analysis: LaRoche went 3 for 4 with a homer and four RBI on May 16 against Pittsburgh. He'd gone just 1 for 20 since until Wednesday's game, and is still just two for his last 24 for the Nationals. Still, hopefully the home run gets his bat going again as he was sizzling earlier in the year. LaRoche has eight homers and 33 RBI already on the year and should remain active in most mixed Fantasy leagues right now.
News: Philadelphia outfielder Shane Victorino had a nice game on Wednesday night against the Nationals. Victorino homered for the Phillies in the eighth inning off Henry Rodriguez. He hit a solo shot with two outs for his sixth homer of the year. Victorino added a double in the performance as he went 2 for 3 with two RBI. He's batting .267 on the year.
Analysis: Victorino is starting to sizzle with his bat of late as he's recorded hits in five straight games. Victorino has gone 9 for 18 (.500) over that span with four doubles, a homer and three RBI. He also has 13 stolen bases on the year to go with six homers and 19 runs driven in. Victorino has warmed and can be used in most mixed Fantasy leagues at this time.
News: Philadelphia infielder Mike Fontenot continued to hit well on Wednesday in a win over Washington. Fontenot went 2 for 3 in the game with his first double and first RBI of the season. Fontenot is batting .462 in a short period with the Phillies.
Analysis: Fontenot has recorded a hit in five of his seven appearances with the Phillies thus far. He's gone 6 for 13 with a double and an RBI. Still, Fontenot has never been much of a run producer and isn't expected to see everyday at-bats for the Phillies. He has low-end value in NL-only Fantasy formats.
News: Royals pitcher Will Smith made his major-league debut on Wednesday night against the Yankees but he did not last long. He allowed five runs on six hits over 3 1/3 innings in the 8-2 loss. The left-hander surrendered a pair of homers in the first -- including a two-run shot by Alex Rodriguez -- before making it through the second unscathed. Then in the third, he gave up two more runs, with Rodriguez victimizing again for a solo home run. Smith also struck out one and walked one while throwing 54 pitches, 30 for strikes. "I was nervous a little bit, facing a future Hall of Famer to start your career, in Derek Jeter," Smith said. "That was cool at the same time, but you still got to go out there and make your pitches and get people out."
Analysis: Smith went 1-3 with a 4.01 ERA in his nine starts at the Triple-A Omaha but the Yankees were able to touch him up early on Wednesday. Making your debut in Yankee Stadium is never easy and the 22-year-old should fare better his next time out. He will make his next start on Tuesday against the Indians. Owners in deeper AL-only formats should consider adding Smith for Week 9 (May 28-June 3).
News: After two innings on Wednesday against the Marlins, Rockies starting pitcher Alex White looked like he might not be long for the game, as he allowed three runs on five hits and a walk in those first two frames to fall behind early. However, White calmed down from that point on, allowing only three more hits and getting through six innings, long enough for the offense to lift him up and get him his first win of the season, 8-4. White finished the game with eight hits and one walk allowed in six innings, with four runs crossing the plate. He struck out three in the game.
Analysis: White deserves credit for being able to work out of his early struggles on Wednesday, as the 23-year-old showed unusual poise for his age. His line was not pretty, but ultimately, it could have been worse. His record now stands at 1-3 on the season, with a 5.32 ERA heading into Week 9 (May 28-June 3), when he is a two-start pitcher. He is set to face the Astros on Monday and Dodgers on Sunday in the scoring period, the fourth and seventh-based offenses in the National League, respectively, and should remain just an NL-only Fantasy option.
News: Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels had his rematch with Bryce Harper and the Nationals on Wednesday night. Pitching in front of the home crowd, Hamels didn’t hit any batters on this night, but the result was the same. A win for Hamels. Hamels improved to 7-1 on the season as he pitched an absolute gem against Washington. Hamels surrendered just four base hits and three walks over eight shutout innings. Any time the Nationals threatened, Hamels shut them down. "We just couldn't get anything going off Hamels," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. "You have to tip your hat to him. He's tough. He's done that to a lot of people." Hamels struck out eight batters and threw 114 pitches in the win. His ERA is now at 2.17 on the year.
Analysis: Hamels threw a few too many pitches to come up with the complete-game shutout on Wednesday, but he was pretty great for the Phillies nevertheless. Hamels even worked around a leadoff triple in his final inning to finish with eight shutout frames. Hamels has now won seven consecutive decisions over eight starts since taking his last loss on April 9 against Miami. He’s been one of the best pitchers in the majors to this point and has struck out 66 batters over 62 1/3 innings. Hamels is very much a must-start Fantasy ace at this point for owners in all mixed leagues. He will get two starts in the upcoming scoring period and his next outing comes Monday in New York against the Mets.
News: Washington starter Edwin Jackson kept his pitch count down, avoided walking too many batters and kept the Nationals in the game on Tuesday at Philadelphia. Unfortunately, he still suffered the defeat to fall to 1-2 on the season. Cole Hamels was simply better on this night as Jackson was the loser in the pitching duel. Jackson gave up three earned runs on seven hits and two walks spanning seven innings, throwing just 89 pitches over that span. Jackson struck out four batters and his ERA is at 3.38 on the year.
Analysis: Jackson is stuck on one win on the season for the Nationals despite giving up three runs or fewer in all but two of his nine starts on the season. Jackson has pitched to an impressive WHIP and solid ERA and has 48 strikeouts over 54 1/3 innings. He’s doing everything right, but just has yet to get on the winning track. As long as he keeps pitching as well as he has, the wins will start flowing. Jackson can continue to see action in deeper mixed Fantasy leagues. His next scheduled start comes Tuesday at Miami.
News: Diamondbacks outfielder Chris Young was left out of the lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the Dodgers. Since coming off the disabled list over the weekend, Young has played the field three times while DHing twice in an effort to ease him back from a shoulder injury. "He probably came back a tad too early," manager Kirk Gibson told MLB.com. "I DH'd him [in Kansas City], then we played him two straight days here. I thought this was the right thing to do with an off-day tomorrow. From not working out and not playing, to playing every day, it's really hard. I wanted to get [Gerardo] Parra in there today for sure."
Analysis: The Diamondbacks would have liked to have left Young on his rehab assignment a little longer than they did as he has gone just 3 for 20 (.150) since returning. Back-to-back off-days should give him a bit of a breather so keep an eye on his progress over the weekend. The 28-year-old was having a stellar campaign before landing on the DL and Young should be considered as a solid option in all Fantasy formats when in the lineup.
News: Detroit starter Doug Fister couldn’t pick up his first victory of the season on Wednesday night in Cleveland. Fister pitched well enough to win, but both teams scored twice in the sixth inning and each starter walked away without decisions. Fister was hurt in the sixth by a Travis Hafner two-run homer. Outside of that, he didn’t give up a run. Fister allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out three and his ERA is at 1.84 on the year. Fister threw 111 pitches in the start and 69 went for strikes.
Analysis: Fister made only his fourth start since coming off the disabled list on Wednesday night. He’s just getting into a rhythm for the Tigers and we expect big things out of him this season. Fister has already proven he can get relatively deep in games, and he’s allowed just six earned runs on the year over 29 1/3 innings with 22 strikeouts. He’ll get that elusive first win soon enough, and continue to see action in most mixed Fantasy leagues. Fister is on track for two starts during Week 9 (May 28-June 3). His first start of the scoring period comes on Monday at Boston.
News: Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts started his Double-A rehab assignment with Bowie on Wednesday night against Richmond. Roberts started at second base and led off in his first baseball game of any kind since May 16, 2011. Roberts had two plate appearances and walked both times. He didn't even swing the bat as he saw just one strike. He scored a run and had two defensive assists in the field with no issues as he was removed in the fourth inning, as expected. Roberts said he felt fine immediately following the performance, reports MASNsports.com.
Analysis: Roberts had an uneventful debut for Bowie and that will please the Orioles. It would have been nice to see him make a tough play or swing the bat, but there is plenty of time for that. The good news is he did the little things and made it through his first rehab appearance unscathed. Roberts will continue playing with Bowie for a while as he is expected to spend the entire 20 days allotted to him on the rehab assignment. Roberts will likely DH a lot once ready to return to Baltimore and he'll also split time at second with Robert Andino. Fantasy owners need to continue monitoring his progress as a setback is always a possibility. When healthy, Roberts will be a low-end mixed-league option, at least at first until he proves himself.
News: MLB.com reported on Wednesday that Royals pitcher Nate Adcock will make his next start on Monday against the Indians. Adcock allowed one run on five hits over five innings of work while taking the loss in his lone start this season.
Analysis: Adcock pitched well in his first start of the season and lines up as a two-start option for Week 9 (May 28-June 3). The right-hander also has a favorable matchup for Monday so owners in deeper AL-only formats should consider taking a flier on Adcock for the upcoming scoring period.
News: Detroit reliever Al Alburquerque (elbow) has begun long tossing at the Tigers' spring training complex in Lakeland, Fla., reports MLB.com on Wednesday. Alburquerque's goal is to return around the All-Star break. "If he continues to progress, he should be cleared to resume throwing in the near future," trainer Kevin Rand said.
Analysis: Alburquerque remains on his intended schedule and will definitely give the Detroit bullpen a boost upon his return if he can be anywhere near as effective as he was before he was injured. That said, since he is not in line for regular save chances, then he has low-end Fantasy appeal when acitve. Leave him on waivers until further notice.
News: White Sox third baseman Brent Morel, on the 15-day disabled list, found out on Wednesday that his injured back will not require surgery. He has not played since May 17 due to a lumbar back strain. “It’s like really good news," Morel told ESPN.com. "They were really happy to find that out. It’s never operated on. It could be controlled really easily in the training room and just like calming it down.”
Analysis: Morel batted a lowly .177 before landing on the shelf but it looks as though his stint on the DL will not be as long as first expected. However, he could lose playing time at third base once he returns as newly-acquired Orlando Hudson is expected to help out the White Sox at the hot corner. Morel is mainly in the majors for his defense so continue to him as a low-end option in AL-only formats, when healthy.
News: Cleveland reliever Vinnie Pestano has registered at least one strikeout in 22 consecutive games, dating back to last season, reports MLB.com on Wednesday. That establishes a record for the Cleveland franchise dating back to 1918. "It doesn't mean a thing," Pestano said. "I knew about it. There had been speculation and talk about it. I knew I had tied it last time out, but I try and strike everybody out, so it's not like I was going out there doing something different than I normally do."
Analysis: Pestano's accomplishment means little, though it shows how impressive he's been at his job. Pestano has recorded 11 holds this season with a 1-0 record and a solid 2.55 ERA. That said, in his current role, Pestano only has low-end Fantasy value in leagues that reward for holds.
News: Padres outfielder Carlos Quentin made another step in his recovery from knee surgery on Wednesday, as he played six innings in an extended spring training game. He made it through the game with no setbacks, which would indicate that he is close to going on a minor-league rehab assignment.
Analysis: At this point, all progress is good news for Quentin, who has already suffered a setback during his recovery. The Padres might take things slow with him, so don't expect a return soon. Still, he is worth stashing in deeper leagues for his power potential.
News: Washington utility player Mark DeRosa returned to the club after spending the last two days with his ailing father, reports MLB.com. DeRosa's father has cancer. "He is battling hard. He has had a few surgeries in the last couple of days to give him a chance to be strong enough to accept the chemotherapy that he has to go through," DeRosa said. DeRosa hopes to be back in the majors and activated off the DL by June 15. "Hopefully, I'm not too far off," DeRosa said.
Analysis: DeRosa, 37, was hitting .081 in 13 games this season with two RBI as he served mainly as a bench player for Washington. He does give them versatility, especially late in games, but that doesn't translate into a lot of Fantasy value. Owners should continue to ignore the veteran, healthy or not.
News: Dodgers infielder Justin Sellers was scratched from Wednesday's lineup against the Diamondbacks. MLB.com reports Sellers is dealing with numbness in his right leg and will undergo an MRI Thursday. Adam Kennedy got the start at third base in his absence.
Analysis: Sellers is batting just .205 with one homer and two RBI in 19 games this season but has been seeing some decent playing time of late due to all of the injuries in Los Angeles. Still, the 26-year-old should continue to be ignored in all but the deepest of NL-only formats at this point, healthy or not.
News: The Orange County Register reported on Wednesday that the Angels are planning on calling up infielder Andrew Romine from Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday. The team is set to designate reliever David Pauley for assignment to make room for him on the roster
Analysis: Romine has spent very small parts of the last two seasons with the Angels, batting .111 in 27 at bats. He is currently hitting .312 in Triple-A, with 14 stolen bases in 40 games. He will likely be used as a utility infielder in the majors, so don’t rush out to add the 26-year-old.
News: The Denver Post reports Rockies outfielder Dexter Fowler could not start on Wednesday in Miami due to a rolled ankle. The Rockies are considering this a minor issue and Fowler is day to day for the time being. He suffered the injury on Tuesday, as he tripped over one of the stairs in the dugout. He played through the injury, however the swelling became an issue, as he was pinch hit for late in the loss. He was able to pinch hit on Wednesday, going 0 for 1 with a strikeout to drop his batting average to .232, so the injury is obviously not considered serious.
Analysis: Fowler has connected for five home runs and has three steals as he mixes a rare combination of speed and power. That said, Fowler can't seem to get any kind of consistency with his batting average or on-base percentage and that hurts his value considerably. When healthy, Fowler is a low-end option in deeper mixed Fantasy leagues.
News: Athletics second baseman Jemile Weeks went 1 for 5 on Wednesday against the Angels, striking out twice as the A’s fell, 3-1 in 11 innings. Weeks is now batting .199 on the season, however since returning to the lineup from an ankle injury last Monday, his average is just .167 in nine games.
Analysis: Weeks is hitting marginally better in the month of May than overall, however his average is still just .226 on the month. Weeks is suffering through a sophomore slump this season, as his batting average has fallen more than 100 points since he batted .303 as a rookie. Fantasy owners in mixed leagues should consider reserving the 25-year-old until he snaps out of this funk.
News: Washington reliever Brad Lidge (abdomen) could return to the Nationals a little sooner than originally expected, reports the Washington Post on Wednesday. Lidge threw his first bullpen session on Wednesday since undergoing sports hernia surgery on May 1. He will head to Florida on Thursday to continue his rehab and could return to the team by June 12. "I’ve been pretty pleased with how fast my arm strength has come back,” Lidge said. “I was able to kind of do some real easy stuff, just keep my arm loose. Taking two weeks off, it can be pretty tough. But, really, we have to do a few things to keep it loose. It’s come back real fast.”
Analysis: The Nationals were originally targeting a June 15 return for Lidge, who appears to be a little ahead of that schedule. That is certainly good news, considering Henry Rodriguez was just removed from the closer job and the team is going with a closer-by-committee approach until help can come. Lidge could hold down the role until Drew Storen can return. For now, owners in deeper mixed and NL-only leagues should continue to stash Lidge in hopes he gets some more save chances when he returns.
News: Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol (hamstring) threw a successful bullpen session on Wednesday, reports MLB.com. Marmol could be cleared to begin a minor league rehab assignment if he wakes up Thursday with no issues from throwing. He could begin a rehab assignment on Friday with Triple-A Iowa.
Analysis: Marmol was removed from the closer's role prior to getting hurt. Rafael Dolis has been placed in the closer's role for Chicago, but Marmol could always return to that role down the road. He could be worth stashing in deep Fantasy formats, but he doesn't have as much Fantasy appeal as he did when he was the team's closer.
News: With Will Smith being called up from Triple-A Omaha to join the rotation for the Royals, Luis Mendoza has been moved to the bullpen. Mendoza went 1-2 with a 6.08 ERA in five starts this season. “I’m willing to be in any role they have for me,” Mendoza told the Kansas City Star Wednesday. “I want to help the team in any way I can. It’s not that I’m happy, but it’s what they say they want me to do."
Analysis: Mendoza will serve as the long reliever in Kansas City for the time being after not doing well in the rotation. He had an excellent spring that put him on the map in Fantasy but it looks as though his value will be minimal as long as he is a reliever. While the right-hander could earn some starts down the line, leave Mendoza on waivers in all but the deepest of AL-only formats at this point.
News: Texas catcher Yorvit Torrealba made a start on Wednesday in an afternoon loss at Seattle. Torrealba went 0 for 3 in the game with a walk and one strikeout. He is batting .209 on the year. Torrealba made his last appearance prior to Wednesday on May 20 at Houston.
Analysis: Torrealba has seen action in 21 games this season and is certainly not an everyday option behind the plate for the Rangers with Mike Napoli on the roster. The 33-year-old should be viewed as a low-end AL-only Fantasy option.
News: Rangers leadoff hitter Ian Kinsler recorded two hits in four at-bats on Wednesday afternoon during a loss at Seattle. Kinsler singled twice and also stole his seventh base of the season in the game. Kinsler, who also made an error in the field, scored once in the game for the Rangers. Kinsler is batting .280 on the season.
Analysis: Kinsler isn't hot or cold at the moment, but has consistently hit well for the Rangers on the season. As a leadoff hitter, Kinsler has continued to impress with a mix of speed and power. Kinsler has five homers, 18 RBI, 12 doubles, 36 runs scored and seven steals on the season. With production like that, Kinsler can continue to be active in most mixed Fantasy formats.
News: Mariners second baseman Dustin Ackley struggled at the plate on Wednesday in a win over the Rangers. Ackley went 0 for 3 with a walk, run scored and two strikeouts for the Mariners in the top spot in the order. Ackley is batting .247 on the year after going 0 for 7 in his last two games with three Ks.
Analysis: Ackley has actually hit better in May than he did in April as he's struggled to get any kind of consistency in his offensive game this season. He's been prone to slumps, but can also get as hot as anyone. Ackley does have three homers and 15 RBI and his upside is extremely high. Fantasy owners can continue to start him in most mixed Fantasy formats.
News: Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun made his first start in the majors on Wednesday against the Athletics, and picked up the first hit of his major-league career, driving a double to left field in the fifth inning off starter Jarrod Parker. He would ultimately finish the game 1 for 5 with two strikeouts, in a 3-1 Angels victory in 11 innings.
Analysis: Calhoun has been put on the fast track since the team selected him with an eight-round pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, calling him up after a rash of injuries struck their outfield. He is expected to be just a reserve in his time up, however he received a spot start on Wednesday. He will probably start a few games a week, meaning he should not be owned outside of the deepest of AL-only Fantasy leagues.
News: Mariners outfielder Alex Liddi was the offensive star for Seattle on Wednesday afternoon in a home win over the Rangers. Liddi clocked his third home run of the season in the fifth inning off Texas starter Scott Feldman for a grand slam. That was pretty much the difference in the game for the Mariners. Liddi added a double and finished 2 for 3 with a walk and four RBI. Liddi is batting .273.
Analysis: Liddi had a big game on Wednesday as he'd never before hit a grand slam in the majors. Liddi has gone 4 for 7 in his last three games with a double, triple, homer, two walks, two runs scored and four RBI. He's picked up his production, but remains mostly an AL-only Fantasy option.
News: Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre tried to make things interesting on Wednesday afternoon in Seattle. Coming to bat with a 5-1 deficit in the eighth inning, Beltre parked a home run into the left field seats for a two-run blast to cut the lead to the final score of 5-3 in favor of the Mariners. Beltre went 2 for 4 in the game with a double and his ninth home run. He's batting .308 on the year.
Analysis: Beltre has recorded base hits in nine of his last 10 games and has three homers and seven RBI over that span for the Rangers. Beltre has continued to hit well as he's recorded similar stats in both April and May and should remain an active member of just about all mixed Fantasy lineups.
News: A’s starting pitcher Jarrod Parker ended his personal two-game losing streak on Wednesday against the Angels, pitching seven strong innings of one-run ball, however he was matched inning for inning by Angels’ starter Jered Weaver, as they both received no decisions with the game heading into extra innings. Parker established a new career high in strikeouts in the game, fanning eight batters while walking only one and scattering five hits, however his own offense was equally baffled throughout the game. His ERA now sits at 3.38 after the game.
Analysis: Parker had walked at least four batters in each of his previous three starts, so it was good to see him get under control in the game. He is one of the team’s top prospects, and has shown flashes of why that this, with four quality starts in his first six outings this season. He has 25 strikeouts to 17 walks in his 34 2/3 innings, and is set to make his next start on Tuesday during Week 9 (May 28-June 3), against a Twins offense that ranks just 10th in the American League in runs scored per game. He has upside, but should continue to be considered just an AL-only option, especially with just one start in the period.
News: Seattle closer Brandon League became a necessity on Wednesday afternoon in a win over the Rangers. After Tom Wilhelmsen gave up three runs to the Rangers in the eighth inning, the game became a save situation and the Mariners called on League. League went 1-2-3 in the ninth with two strikeouts for his ninth save of the season. He needed 11 pitches and nine went for strikes. League's ERA is now at 3.72 for the season.
Analysis: League rebounded from back-to-back poor efforts in which he allowed four runs on six hits -- including a homer -- with three walks over just 1 1/3 innings. He took a loss and his third blown save in that grouping. League showed the ability to bounce back Wednesday, however, and is not in jeopardy of losing his job. Despite his recent issues, League can continue to viewed as a No. 2 Fantasy reliever in mixed formats.
News: Seattle starter Kevin Millwood has given up just one earned run in his last three starts spanning 22 innings after his gem on Wednesday against the Rangers. Millwood kept the Texas lineup down for six shutout innings on Wednesday as he earned the win to improve to 3-4 on the season. Millwood allowed just three base hits in the game as he walked one batter and struck out two. Millwood threw 97 pitches over six frames and lowered his ERA down to 3.72 on the year.
Analysis: Millwood has given up one run over his last 22 innings spanning three starts as he’s lowered his ERA from 5.88, where it was after losing his fourth consecutive decision on May 8 against Detroit. He’s won three straight starts since and has 15 strikeouts over that span. Millwood is turning his season around, but we just don’t see this continuing much longer. The good news is Millwood will continue giving owners innings, but remains more of an AL-only Fantasy option at this time pitching for Seattle. He gets a boost in value for Week 9 (May 28-June 3) as he is a two-start pitcher. Millwood makes his next start on Monday in a rematch with the Rangers in Texas.
News: Texas starting pitcher Scott Feldman did not come through with a solid outing on Wednesday afternoon in Seattle as he rejoined the rotation in Neftali Feliz’s vacated spot. Pitching at Safeco Field, Feldman struggled and left one out into the fifth inning as walks killed him with opposing starter Kevin Millwood pitching a gem. Feldman took the loss to fall to 0-2 on the season as he allowed five earned runs on three hits and five walks over 4 1/3 innings. Feldman was hurt by Alex Liddi’s grand slam in the fifth inning. He struck out one and his ERA is at 4.66 on the year.
Analysis: Feldman gave up a sacrifice fly in the second inning on Wednesday but was otherwise solid over the first four innings. That said, he walked too many batters and threw too many pitches as he came undone in the fifth. Feldman was making just his third start of the season as he rejoined the rotation with Feliz on the disabled list. Feldman has had success in the past, but is clearly more of an AL-only Fantasy option at this time. His next scheduled outing comes in Week 9 (May 28-June 3) on Tuesday against Seattle.
News: Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver limited the A’s to just three hits on Wednesday and allowed just one run in the start, unfortunately, the team’s failing offense was unable to give him any support, as he received a no decision as the game went into extra innings. Weaver’s lone mistake in the game came with two outs in the sixth inning, when he gave up a solo home run to outfielder Seth Smith. Other than that, he limited the A’s to just a pair of walks and three hits in his eight innings, lowering his ERA to 2.61 on the season.
Analysis: This is the second time this season Weaver has given up one or no runs in a start and received a no decision for the start, as the Angels’ offense has been underwhelming this season. Still, his record stands at 6-1 through 10 starts, so there is not much to complain about there. Weaver has a two-start week during Week 9 (May 28-June 3), and while he does have to face the Yankees on Monday and the Rangers on Sunday, he should continue to be considered a high-end starting pitcher in all formats.
News: The Tigers still have no timetable for injured reliever Daniel Schlereth as of Wednesday, reports MLive.com. That said, an MRI taken on his injured left shoulder came back normal and showed no structural damage. Schlereth will remain in Denver until cleared for baseball activities.
Analysis: Schlereth suffered a minor setback and underwent a second examination last week in Denver. The follow up matched the initial diagnosis. Schlereth has been on the DL retroactive to April 21 with left shoulder tendinitis. He can come off as soon as he's ready and is a low-end Fantasy option due to his current role in the Detroit bullpen.
News: Mets outfielder Lucas Duda produced an RBI single in four at-bats Wednesday against the Pirates. Duda has an RBI in two straight games and 22 on the season.
Analysis: Duda hasn't had an outstanding May. He actually has a higher batting average (.273) than he did in April (.256). Unfortunately, Duda has no homers in 19 May games and has just nine RBI. Duda hasn't exactly been the breakout star Fantasy owners were hoping he would be. Everyone on the Mets raves about this kid's potential, but Duda has yet to go on that breakout run. He is an option for deeper mixed leagues until Duda gets on a hot streak worth raving about.
News: Giants first baseman Brandon Belt continues to struggle, going 0 for 4 on Wednesday against the Brewers, with a pair of strikeouts. He is now 0 for his last 12, and is hitting .188 in his last five starts, with a pair of doubles and seven strikeouts.
Analysis: Belt’s average on the season has tumbled all the way to .226, and has now struck out in more than 30 percent of his at bats on the season. He is still posting a solid .350 on base percentage, however given his struggles, Belt should be left for just NL-only Fantasy formats.
News: MLB.com reports Mariners outfielder Franklin Gutierrez, on the 15-day disabled list, did some running on Wednesday, one day after taking batting practice with the club. Manager Eric Wedge said Gutierrez will work out with the team throughout the week before heading to extended spring training to play in some games. After that, the 29-year-old will head out on a rehab assignment. If all goes well, Gutierrez will return in late June.
Analysis: Gutierrez is recovering from a pectoral injury but a recent heel issue has also slowed his recovery. It looks as though he is on the verge of ramping up his rehab so keep an eye on his progress in the coming weeks. Gutierrez showed in 2009 that he can be a viable option in Fantasy but based on his .237 average and .330 slugging percentage since then, keep the Gold Glover stashed away solely in AL-only formats.
News: Receiving the start in place of Buster Posey during a day game, Giants catcher Hector Sanchez continued his solid production, as he went 1 for 5 in the game with a double and three RBI, as the Giants fell, 8-5. Sanchez is hitting .290 on the season.
Analysis: Sanchez is sporting a .723 OPS on the season, solid production from a backup catcher. He has seven extra base hits in 22 games, with just one walk and 16 strikeouts. He should be left for only the deepest of NL-only leagues, given his playing time.
News: The Red Sox withstood two home runs by Nick Johnson in a 6-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. Johnson's first multi-homer game since May 28, 2006, was not enough to prevent the first-place Orioles from losing for the third time in four games. With the potential tying run on second base in the eighth, Johnson ended the inning with a strikeout. He finished 2 for 3 with three RBI and one walk. Talking about his homers, Johnson said, "Fastballs. Got some pitches. They were in the middle of the plate and I put some good swings on it."
Analysis: Johnson is starting to come around offensively. He is batting .363 (8 for 22) with four homers and six RBI in his last 10 games. Because of his offensive surge, Johnson is seeing a few more starts at DH. That trend could continue if he keeps powering up for Baltimore. Johnson is most valuable in AL-only Fantasy formats at this time.
News: The Washington Times reports Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who complained of arm fatigue in his Sunday start against the Orioles, said his bullpen session Wednesday went "great." Strasburg is expected to make his next start Saturday at Atlanta.
Analysis: Strasburg hasn't lasted more than five innings in his last two starts, posting a 5.00 ERA and .289 opponents' batting average in that span. He said Sunday the fatigue stems from building back up after missing so much time because of Tommy John surgery. Strasburg isn't injured and remains a must-start Fantasy option despite two less-than-stellar outings. He still managed eight strikeouts in five innings Sunday, so he's still productive even on off days.
News: Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy homered for the third time in four games on Wednesday, and added his ninth double of the season for good measure in leading the Brewers to an 8-5win over the Giants. Lucroy went 2 for 4 in the game with two RBI and two runs scored, upping his batting average to .349 on the season. He now has five home runs and 29 RBI on the year.
Analysis: Lucroy hit .265 with 12 home runs last season, so he is on quite the tear to start the year. He has cut his strikeout rate on the season from 21.2 percent to 13.5 percent, which goes a long way in explaining the increase in batting average. Right now, he is hitting the cover off the ball and is worth starting in most Fantasy formats.
News: Rangers prospect Jurickson Profar recently had his 29-game hitting streak snapped but entered Wednesday's contest having reached base in 40 straight games. Profar is currently batting .300 with five homers, 21 RBI and seven stolen bases in 42 games for Double-A Frisco.
Analysis: Profar began the season off slowly but has been on fire over the last 40 games and could earn a promotion to Triple-A at some point this season. The 19-year-old has some budding power with decent speed and is considered as one of the better prospects in the Rangers' system. He has Elvis Andurs blocking him in the majors at this point and is probably a couple of years away from making an impact in the bigs so continue to view Profar as more of a long-term prospect in Fantasy.
News: Tampa Bay shortstop Drew Sutton has certainly looked good in the two games he's played for the Rays since his acquisition by the club. Sutton has started the last two games and recorded his second two-hit game on Wednesday against Toronto in an extra-inning win. Sutton went 2 for 4 on Wednesday with a double and two RBI. He also walked in the game.
Analysis: Sutton has gone 4 for 8 in his first two games with Tampa Bay with two doubles, a walk and three RBI. Sutton has definitely made himself welcome in the Tampa Bay clubhouse, but we doubt he's going to sustain this kind of production, keeping in mind he's a career .264 hitter that has little pop. Sutton remains an AL-only Fantasy option, at best, despite his hot start.
News: Toronto third baseman and designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion continues to play through a sore back, but it didn't appear to bother him on Wednesday in an extra-inning loss at Tampa Bay. Encarnacion, who was the DH in the game, homered for the 14th time on the season in the eighth inning for a two-run shot. Encarnacion finished the game 2 for 4 with a walk and is batting .269.
Analysis: Encarnacion has hit in three straight games with three RBI, sore back and all. He's currently tied for second in the American League with 14 home runs and his 37 RBI is also high on the leaders list. He's been one of the best sluggers in baseball this season thus far and should continue to see time in mixed Fantasy lineups. Encarnacion could sit some due to his back injury, but will be in there far more often than not.
News: Red Sox outfielder Scott Podsednik, who was promoted from Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday, made his first start in the majors since Sept. 9, 2010 on Wednesday against the Orioles. Podsednik didn't let it go to waste as he homered and finished 2 for 3 with two runs. "Well, (Triple-A Pawtucket manager Arnie Beyeler) gave me a good report on his availability, what he can do and what he should do here at the major leagues, and it sounds like exactly what we need," manager Bobby Valentine said before Wednesday's game. "He'll work the count. If he gets on base, he'll cause a little havoc and maybe give us a little dimension we haven't had for a while."
Analysis: Like many veteran players, Podsednik's career spiraled out of control because of injuries. But he has worked his way back into shape and now gets a chance again in the majors because injuries have depleted the Red Sox outfield. Podsednik does have a chance for regular at-bats if he produces, but for now is nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy flier.
News: MLB.com reports Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings (knee) isn't expected to come off the 15-day DL on Sunday against the Red Sox, which would be the first day he is eligible to return. "I probably need some at-bats before I play," Jennings said. "I haven't really talked about [when or where he will begin playing again], it should be soon, should be playing somewhere." Jennings added that his injured knee is improving. "I mean, it doesn't feel like it did before I hurt it," Jennings said. "Yesterday it probably felt the best it's felt, and then today it felt good, too."
Analysis: While he might not be back Sunday, it sounds as though Jennings could be back in the lineup during Fantasy Week 9 (May 28-June 3). Track his progress this weekend before setting lineups for the upcoming scoring period. Jennings is a superstar in the making and is already a viable Fantasy start when active.
News: Toronto outfielder Jose Bautista's bat is really beginning to warm as he hit his 12th home run of the season on Wednesday afternoon in an extra-inning loss at Tampa Bay. Bautista went deep with two outs in the first inning off Rays starter James Shields. Bautista added a double and finished 2 for 5 with two runs scored. He's batting .230 on the year.
Analysis: Bautista has four home runs in his last eight games for the Blue Jays and has gone 8 for 18 in his last four games with six RBI over that span. The hits are rolling off Bautista's bat at the moment and the slugger definitely deserves to be active in all mixed Fantasy formats.
News:Daniel Nava and Kelly Shoppach hit sixth-inning homers to turn a tie game in Boston's favor, and the Red Sox withstood two home runs by Nick Johnson in a 6-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. It was 2-all in the sixth before Nava, the No. 7 hitter in the order, drove a 2-0 pitch from Jake Arreita (2-5) over the right-field wall. Scott Podsednik followed with a single, and No. 9 hitter Shoppach greeted Luis Ayala with a drive to left. Nava and Shoppach each doubled his home run total for the season; the pair also connected on May 14 against Seattle.
Analysis: Shoppach has two homers and four RBI in his last eight games (six starts). Unless he really goes on a monster tear, then the Red Sox will be committed to using Jarrod Saltalamacchia as the starting catcher. Despite the home run, Shoppach still has marginal Fantasy appeal.
News:Daniel Nava and Kelly Shoppach hit sixth-inning homers to turn a tie game in Boston's favor, and the Red Sox withstood two home runs by Nick Johnson in a 6-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. It was 2-all in the sixth before Nava, the No. 7 hitter in the order, drove a 2-0 pitch from Jake Arreita (2-5) over the right-field wall. Scott Podsednik followed with a single, and No. 9 hitter Shoppach greeted Luis Ayala with a drive to left. Nava and Shoppach each doubled his home run total for the season; the pair also connected on May 14 against Seattle.
Analysis: Nava is now 4 for 8 (.500) with one homer and two RBI in his last three games after being mired in a 1-for-13 slump in his previous four games. Nava is batting .350 with a .491 OBP, .600 slugging percentage and 1.091 OPS in 14 games for Boston. And to think he wouldn't have gotten this opportunity unless the Red Sox outfield was decimated by injuries. Nava can be used in larger Fantasy formats while he is producing this well.
News: Orioles starting pitcher Jake Arrieta dropped a third straight decision during Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Red Sox. Arrieta (2-5) was locked in a 2-all game before surrendering a solo homer to Daniel Nava in the sixth inning. Arrieta was lifted after allowing a Scott Podsednik single. He was replaced by Luis Ayala, who immediately served up a two-run homer to Kelly Shoppach. Arrieta was charged with four runs on eight hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out two. "Well, I think four out of my six innings I allowed the leadoff guy on base," Arrieta said. "When you're pitching with a guy on and no outs to start off an inning, you put yourself in a tight situation."
Analysis: Arrieta has certainly had his issues on the hill lately, allowing four or more runs in three of his last four starts. He was coming off a solid performance against the Nationals (one ER in seven innings), but Arrieta unfortunately wasn't as sharp Wednesday. Arrieta has low-end Fantasy appeal at this time. He will be back on the hill Tuesday at Toronto.
News: Brewers closer John Axford had gone almost two weeks without a save chance heading into Wednesday’s game against the Giants, as the Brewers have been struggling to put wins together. However they were holding an 8-5 lead heading into the ninth inning on Wednesday and turned to Axford for his first save chance since blowing his first save of the season, and Axford finished the job quickly and quietly. He needed just 11 pitches to record a groundout and a pair of strikeouts to pick up his seventh save of the season in an 8-5 Brewers win.
Analysis: Axford had a streak of 49 straight saves blown in his last opportunity, and it took 12 days for him to get another chance. This was his first save opportunity in 19 days as well. He has struggled some this season, posting a 1.63 WHIP and 4.11 ERA, however he does have 26 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings, so he has not had much trouble overpowering hitters. The Brewers should begin winning more games moving forward, giving him more chances to pick up saves, so keep him active in most formats.
News: Red Sox closer Alfredo Aceves worked a four-out save during Wednesday's 6-5 win against the Orioles. He recorded one strikeout, while not allowing a hit or walk for his 11th save. Aceves had two saves during the three-game series at Baltimore.
Analysis: Aceves has been a much better closer for Boston after having some struggles in the role in early April. He has six May saves and hasn't allowed a run in his last seven appearances. Aceves has developed into a No. 2 Fantasy reliever in mixed leagues.
News: After Wednesday's game in Milwaukee, the Giants announced that shortstop Charlie Culberson has been optioned to Triple-A Fresno, likely to make room for an expected return off the disabled list for Ryan Theriot.
Analysis: Culberson appeared in six games for the Giants this season, picking up just three hits in 22 at bats while striking out seven times. He has no value in any Fantasy formats.
News: Red Sox starting pitcher Daniel Bard allowed two runs on five hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings during Wednesday's 6-5 win against the Orioles. Bard (4-5) allowed runs in the first and second inning, which included a solo homer from Nick Johnson, before settling down. The game was tied at 2 before Boston went ahead with a three-run sixth inning. Bard, who struck out two, threw 49 of 90 pitches for strikes and lowered his ERA to 4.69.
Analysis: Bard continues to have mixed results as he transitions to the rotation. In May, he has allowed four or more runs in three of five starts. The Red Sox are committed to developing him as a starter, but right now Bard has low-end Fantasy appeal in mixed leagues. He will be back on the hill Tuesday against the Tigers and line up for two starts in Week 9 (May 28-June 3), with his second coming at Toronto. Those are two good offensive teams, so take that into account before starting Bard in Fantasy.
News: The Brewers claimed infielder Cody Ransom off waivers on Wednesday, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Ransom was recently released by the Diamondbacks. Milwaukee optioned Edwin Maysonet to Triple-A Nashville to make room and moved Alex Gonzalez to the 60-day DL.
Analysis: The 30-year-old Maysonet was batting .143 for the Brewers and hadn't recorded a base hit in his last eight appearances. It was time for him to be sent down anyway. Maysonet has low-end Fantasy value.
News: Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito has made a surprising return to Fantasy relevance in the early going this season, however he suffered through his worst start of the season on Wednesday against the Brewers, allowing six runs in the first inning and was pulled after just three innings pitched. He allowed eight runs overall -- four earned -- as the defense let him down early and he struggled with command throughout. He played a part in the defensive problems, throwing away a potential sacrifice out in the first inning that allowed a runner to move to third. Ultimately, Zito needed 83 pitches to get through three innings, allowing five hits and four walks, including two doubles and a home run, as the Giants lost 8-5 and Zito’s record fell to 3-2 on the season.
Analysis: It could have been worse for Zito, as only the four runs were charged to him, however he was every bit as bad as his line indicated. He has been a surprise this season, posting a 3.53 ERA through nine starts, however the underlying peripherals have not been promising. Zito has walked 25 in 51 innings, while striking out just 31 batters. Zito has been propped up by a career-low batting average on balls in play of .239, almost 30 points lower than his career mark. He has been serviceable so far this season despite the ugly peripherals, and he could remain a viable Fantasy option for Week 9 (May 28-June 3), as he is set to start twice. His first start comes against a Diamondbacks team on Monday that he had a quality start against earlier this season, so consider him a low-end Fantasy option for deeper mixed leagues.
News: Yankees injured catcher Austin Romine (back) will be out until at least July, reports the New York Post on Wednesday. Romine has been on the shelf since the end of spring training. He has a lower back strain and is battling through inflammation.
Analysis: Romine is expected to be activated off the disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, when ready. For now, his Fantasy value remains extremely low as he languishes on the disabled list.
News: Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton lost for the fourth time in five starts Wednesday against the Mets, allowing three runs and eight hits in seven innings. Morton (2-5) didn't issue a walk and struck out one. He threw 66 of 97 pitches for strikes and lowered his ERA from 4.35 to 4.27.
Analysis: It's not entirely Morton's fault he can't stop his losing ways. In three of his last four starts, the Pirates have scored one or no runs. It's not like Morton is pitching lights out either, allowing three or more runs in four of his last five starts. Morton is pretty much an NL-only Fantasy option at this time. He will be back on the hill Tuesday against the Reds. Morton is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA against Cincinnati this season.
News: Tampa Bay used closer Fernando Rodney for two innings on Wednesday afternoon at home against Toronto. The Rays asked Rodney to pitch in a tie ball game as he went scoreless over the ninth and 10th innings as the game went deep into extras. Rodney allowed just one hit and struck out one batter in his outing. His ERA is at 0.40 on the year.
Analysis: Rodney continues to have one of the best reliever ERAs in baseball at 0.40, and his 0.75 WHIP is also pretty pristine. Rodney has 14 saves in 14 chances this season and has been one of the best ninth-inning guys in baseball. He can remain active in most mixed Fantasy leagues.
News: Tampa Bay starter James Shields had an extremely effective performance on Wednesday afternoon against the Blue Jays. Unfortunately, his bullpen couldn't hold a small lead and the game went into extra innings tied at four runs apiece. Shields, who settled for the no-decision, was sharp in allowing three runs -- just two earned -- on seven hits and a walk over 7 1/3 innings. Shields struck out 10 batters in the performance and really regrouped after allowing a first-inning home run to Jose Bautista. Shields' ERA is now at 3.63 on the season.
Analysis: Shields (6-2) couldn't win his seventh on the season but still pitched well for Tampa Bay on Wednesday. He rebounded nicely from two straight games with four runs allowed without finishing seven innings. In fact, Wednesday was the first time Shields completed seven full frames and pitched into the eighth since April 21 against Minnesota. This was also just his second double-digit strikeout performance. Shields already has six wins and he's averaging close to a strikeout per inning pitched. He remains a solid start in all mixed Fantasy formats. His next outing is scheduled for Tuesday at home against the White Sox.
News: Mets closer Frank Francisco completed Wednesday's 3-1 win against the Pirates with a perfect ninth inning for his third save in four days, his 12th in 14 chances this season. Francisco, who struck out two Wednesday, hasn't allowed a run in his last four outings. "Honestly, I haven't changed anything," Francisco said before Wednesday's game in response to his recent run of success. "I've gotten a little bit of luck."
Analysis: Francisco did tell reporters Wednesday that he has been able to keep the ball low in the zone lately, which has kept the opposition from teeing off on his pitches. Manager Terry Collins continues to stand behind his closer and it seems his patience is finally paying off. Francisco has six strikeouts in his last three appearances and is looking dominate. Consider him a low-end No. 2/high-end No. 3 Fantasy reliever.
News:Jonathon Niese allowed one run in 7 2/3 innings, helping the New York Mets beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-1, Wednesday for their third win in four games. Niese (3-2) gave up five hits, struck out five and walked two, five days after matching his career high by allowing eight runs in a 14-5 loss at Toronto. Niese lowered his ERA from 4.85 to 4.29. “I think we all feel that Jon has great stuff,” pitching coach Dan Warthen told ESPN.com. “Sometimes he trusts his stuff more than realizing that he has to pitch. Today I thought he pitched as well as using stuff." Niese contributes some of his success to catcher Rob Johnson. “Rob does a great job calling games,” Niese said. “He does a great job of reading hitters and what they’re trying to do based on that. I do pay attention to it, but sometimes I get so focused on executing a pitch that it’s kind of tough. But it’s something I’m definitely working on, and something that definitely works. I did a lot more preparation this go-around. I still had to trust my stuff. And I still had to have confidence in it. I didn’t want to go away from my strengths.”
Analysis: Niese has allowed two or fewer runs in three of his last four starts. In fact, he has allowed more than three earned runs in just two of nine starts this season. Unfortunately, Niese is still not an elite pitcher and is best left as a low-end Fantasy option in mixed leagues. He will be back on the hill Monday against the Phillies and line up for two starts in Week 9 (May 28-June 3). Both starts will be at home, where Niese is 1-0 with a 3.79 ERA.
News: Toronto starter Ricky Romero continued his wild streak on Wednesday afternoon in Tampa Bay. Romero walked seven batters over six innings and all the runners on base translated into four runs scored against him. The game went into extra innings tied at four runs apiece and Romero settled for the no-decision in the outing. Romero allowed four runs on just two base hits due to the seven bases on balls. He struck out seven and his ERA is at 3.86 on the year.
Analysis: Romero has walked at least four batters in four straight appearances as he's started to raise his ERA and WHIP just a bit. All the walks have limited his innings as he hasn't gone deeper than six in his last four outings as well. Still, Romero should right the ship shortly and we're really not worried about the Toronto ace. His next start is scheduled for Tuesday against Baltimore and Romero can be considered a solid Fantasy option in most mixed leagues for that outing.
News: The Rockies placed infielder Jonathan Herrera on the 15-day DL on Wednesday with a strained right hamstring. The Rockies recalled DJ LeMahieu from Triple-A Colorado Springs to take his roster spot.
Analysis: Herrera is just a reserve infielder for the Rockies. He had marginal Fantasy appeal and can continue to be left off Fantasy rosters.
News: Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman returned to the starting lineup Wednesday against the Phillies after missing one start with right shoulder soreness. Zimmerman went 1 for 4 in the game with two strikeouts. He's batting .248 on the year.
Analysis: Zimmerman can't seem to shake this shoulder problem, which has contributed to his slow start. However, Zimmerman is batting .346 (9 for 26) with one homer and three RBI in his last six games, finally showing some life at the plate. Perhaps the Nationals were smart to sit Zimmerman for a game before it got any worse. Zimmerman obviously has the potential to be a must-start Fantasy option.
News: The Cardinals lost another player to the disabled list on Wednesday, as Matt Carpenter is the latest player to go on the 15-day DL with a right oblique strain. He is the fifth Cardinals player in the last week to go on the DL. His roster spot was taken by Steve Hill, who was recalled from Triple-A Memphis.
Analysis: Hill homered in his only MLB appearance in 2010 for the Cardinals. He has good pop and can will fill the utility role that Carpenter held with St. Louis. Hill can catch, while also playing first base and in the outfield. However, he's not worth owning in Fantasy until we see how St. Louis intends to use him.
News: The Cardinals lost another player to the disabled list on Wednesday, as Matt Carpenter is the latest player to go on the 15-day DL with a right oblique strain. He is the fifth Cardinals player in the last week to go on the DL. His roster spot was taken by Steve Hill, who was recalled from Triple-A Memphis.
Analysis: Carpenter had become a valuable utility player for the Cardinals. He could play both corner infield spots as well as the outfield. He started to heat up offensively again before getting hurt Tuesday against San Diego. Carpenter is batting .370 with two homers, four doubles and six RBI in his last 11 games. Stash Carpenter in the deepest of Fantasy leagues while he is out.
News: Rangers catcher Mike Napoli sat in favor of Yorvit Torrealba for the second time in four games Wednesday against the Mariners as he continues to struggle offensively. Napoli is mired in a 3-for-25 slump and is batting .210 in May. "I'm not comfortable obviously," Napoli told reporters. "I'm going to keep grinding and going until I figure it out. I'm not quitting or anything. I'm going to keep going at it. I'm going to try and give a tough at-bat every time." Manager Ron Washington said Napoli appears to be chasing pitches. He has at least one strikeout in 32 of 39 games. "It takes time," Washington said, per ESPN.com. "Sometimes you’re in a funk and it just takes time. You just got to keep battling and all of a sudden one pitcher gives you an opportunity to feel good about yourself and then you’re rolling."
Analysis: Napoli has proven to be a streaky hitter, as we saw last season. He hit just .221 in his first 46 games before batting .378 with a .457 OBP, .712 slugging percentage and 1.170 OPS in his final 67 games last year. And let's not forget he stayed hot during the postseason as well. Napoli will continue to start in order to break him out of his slump. Unless you have a better option, then it's worth starting Napoli in Fantasy because his hot streaks are worth the wait.
News: Pirates manager Clint Hurdle opted to hold struggling hitters Pedro Alvarez and Jose Tabata out of the starting lineup Wednesday against the Mets. Coupled with an off day on Thursday, Hurdle hopes this is the rest both starters need. "Maybe that combination will help them get their legs back under them," Hurdle said.
Analysis: Tabata is batting just .139 (5 for 36) in his last nine games. He was batting .316 in his previous 19 games, so he is just going through a bit of a slump right now. The day off could be what he needs to clear his head. Tabata still remains more of a low-end Fantasy option when active.
News: Pirates manager Clint Hurdle opted to hold struggling hitters Pedro Alvarez and Jose Tabata out of the starting lineup Wednesday against the Mets. Coupled with an off day on Thursday, Hurdle hopes this is the rest both starters need. "Maybe that combination will help them get their legs back under them," Hurdle said.
Analysis: Hurdle might learn a valuable lesson to not mess with success because Alvarez has been terrible since moving into the cleanup spot on May 5. He's mired in a 7-for-54 slump, which has followed a 12-game run that saw Alvarez bat .395 with five homers and 13 RBI. Alvarez has had most of his success batting fifth or sixth, so perhaps Hurdle will consider moving him down the lineup again to help break him out of this slump. Alvarez is back to being a low-end Fantasy option until he heats up again.
News: A's manager Bob Melvin told reporters Wednesday that the team is encouraged with Brandon Inge's progression in his rehab from a groin injury. Melvin said he is "cautiously optimistic" that Inge might return Monday against the Twins. "I'm hopeful for Monday, but I don't want to push it too hard," Inge told MLB.com. "I want to make sure that this thing is completely healed. I want to give myself a very good chance of being able to go 100 percent when I get back. I think it's the smart and only fair thing to do. In the grand scheme of things, coming back a couple of days early and then pulling a muscle and missing 30 days, it's not worth it. It just doesn't seem responsible."
Analysis: Inge emerged as the A's starting third baseman before going on the DL. He was still hitting for a poor average and striking out a lot, but Inge also had four homers and 17 RBI in his first 11 games with Oakland. He's a streaky hitter, so consider Inge a low-end Fantasy option when healthy.
News: A's manager Bob Melvin told reporters Wednesday that the team is "not locked" into activating designated hitter Manny Ramirez on May 30, which would be the first day he is eligible to play following a 50-game suspension. Melvin said the team wants Ramirez to get 40 at-bats in the minors and showcase some production before he is promoted to the majors.
Analysis: Ramirez is three games into his stint with Triple-A Sacramento. He is batting .375 (3 for 8) with two walks and three strikeouts. It sounds like the A's are less than thrilled with Manny's early returns at Triple-A and don't want him to feel he has to rush back to the majors. Even if he is not activated by the 30th, Ramirez might not spend much more time after that in the minors. He's still a risky play for Fantasy Week 9 (May 28-June 3), but continue to stash Ramirez in AL-only Fantasy formats.
News: The Orioles announced Wednesday that pitching prospect Dylan Bundy has been promoted from low Class A Delmarva to high Class A Frederick. He will make his Frederick debut on Saturday against Salem. “What’s important are the skills he develops to become a major-league pitcher,” executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said of Bundy, per MLB.com. “He can get players out because he has an exceptional fastball…we want him to get where he needs to be to be a major-league pitcher, and that means working on changing speeds and his breaking pitches.”
Analysis: On Sunday, O's director of pitching development Rick Peterson said Bundy still needs to work on his offspeed pitches, but he was still very complimentary of the 2011 first-round pick. Bundy might only be 19 years old, but he is already pitching well beyond his years. He went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 0.23 WHIP in eight starts for Delmarva. He allowed just two unearned runs on five hits and two walks in 30 innings, while striking out 40. Despite his early promotion in the minors, Bundy still is a few years away from a Fantasy impact. He remains just a long-term keeper.
News: Angels first baseman Kendrys Morales had his first multi-hit game since May 5 on Tuesday against the A's. He went 2 for 4 with two runs and one walk. Morales came into the game mired in a 5-for-30 slump.
Analysis: Morales is prone to slumps like every other hitter in the majors. Although, hopefully Tuesday's game will be the spark he needs to get going again. Morales is playing regularly again now that the Angels are back in AL parks following a weekend interleague series at San Diego. Morales is just more of an option for deeper mixed leagues at this time.
News: On Tuesday against the Giants, Milwaukee cut the deficit to 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning when Rickie Weeks, who was mired in a 4-for-46 slump, hit a two-run double off the base of the center-field wall. Weeks now has three RBI in 17 May games.
Analysis: Weeks has certainly let down Fantasy owners in 2012. He has just three multi-hit games, with his last one coming April 17. He has really been hurting Fantasy owners with his high strikeout rate as well. While Weeks did have a two-run double Tuesday, he also struck out three times, running his season total to an NL-high 57 strikeouts. Fantasy owners might look to a more productive option until Weeks heats up.
News: Angels manager Mike Scioscia told reporters Wednesday that outfielder Torii Hunter likely won't rejoin the team until early next week. He will not rejoin the team this weekend at Seattle. Hunter is away from the team for personal reasons. "It's still open-ended," Scioscia told MLB.com. "Where as we talked last week, and we thought that he was going to join us on the road trip, it's going to take a couple days after that. But what day exactly it's going to be, we're not exactly sure right now."
Analysis: When Hunter does return to the lineup, he will look to snap a 2-for-30 slump he's currently mired in. That has dropped Hunter's average from .319 to .256, so he was productive before his recent slide. Hunter can be a viable Fantasy start when active. We will keep you posted about his Week 9 status (May 28-June 3).
News: Marlins second baseman Omar Infante rejoined the starting lineup Wednesday against the Rockies after missing three games because of a personal leave. Infante was attending his grandfather's funeral in Venezuela. Infante went 1 for 4 in the Marlins' 8-4 loss.
Analysis: After homering five times in his first 13 games, Infante has left the yard just once in his last 23 contests. You knew his early-season power surge likely wouldn't last because he is not that type of hitter. But it's not like Infante has completely fallen off the map. He is batting .333 with six doubles, 11 runs and 13 RBI in his last 23 games. He continues to be a viable low-end Fantasy starter in mixed leagues.
News: Giants infielder Joaquin Arias hit a two-run homer Tuesday against the Brewers for his only hit in four at-bats. Arias is 3 for 10 (.300) in his last two games after going 4 for 34 in his previous 10 games.
Analysis: Arias stormed onto the scene in late April and began the 2012 season by batting .344 in his first 10 games. That hot streak put him in the starting lineup at third base in the wake of Pablo Sandoval's injury. Arias then cooled off, but he still kept seeing regular starts and now appears ready to start up offensively again. Arias will continue to play regularly as long as he produces. It's still best to treat him as an NL-only Fantasy option.
News: Giants catcher Buster Posey homered for the second straight game and produced three RBI as well in consecutive games on Tuesday against the Brewers. Posey now has an RBI in six straight games. He's batting .367 (11 for 30) with two homers, three doubles and 11 RBI in his last eight games.
Analysis: Posey began May by hitting .167 in his first 11 games this month. It's easy to see he's put that cold streak behind him by racking up the RBI in his last eight games. This is why you keep Posey active in all Fantasy formats. He can get hot as quickly as he goes cold.
News: Diamondbacks catcher Henry Blanco matched his season total with three hits in four at-bats Tuesday against the Dodgers. Blanco, who was making just his seventh start, finished with one double and one RBI, raising his batting average from .120 to .207.
Analysis: Blanco could see a few extra starts during Fantasy Week 8 (May 21-27) as Miguel Montero is hobbled by a groin injury. If Montero is out an extended time, then Blanco would likely share catcher duties with Konrad Schmidt. Despite the nice performance, it's not worth adding Blanco in Fantasy.
News: Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton had a season-high three hits Tuesday against the Dodgers to extend his hitting streak to six games. Upton is batting .450 (9 for 20) with one homer, one double, six RBI and seven runs during his hitting streak. He also has two stolen bases.
Analysis: Upton's batting average has surged from .221 to .254 during his latest hitting streak and we can only hope it continues to rise. Fantasy owners were getting frustrated with Upton's so-so production, but it finally seems he is having an offensive awakening. This is the reason why you stuck with him. Continue to roll with Upton in all Fantasy formats.
News: The Orioles announced Wednesday that starting pitcher Zach Britton (shoulder) will make two rehab starts for Double-A Bowie before being reevaluated. Britton will make his first start on Saturday and his second rehab start May 31.
Analysis: It seems if all goes well with Britton's recovery, then there's a chance he could be back in the majors by Fantasy Week 10 (June 4-10). Britton did pitch in an extended spring game Monday and said that was the best he has thrown since beginning his rehab. It sounds as though his progress is positive. Now comes the next step in his rehab. Continue to keep Britton stashed in deep Fantasy formats.
News: Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy was scheduled to get a planned day off Wednesday against the Red Sox, but it became a necessity after manager Buck Showalter said the veteran's shoulder has been "barking." Hardy will now get two days of rest coupled with Thursday's off day. Robert Andino made his second start at shortstop on Wednesday.
Analysis: Hardy had a shoulder issue late in spring training and has been bothered by shoulder injuries throughout his career. But it doesn't sound like this is a major situation right now and the Orioles are doing the right thing by giving Hardy a couple days to rest. Hardy is batting .305 with six homers, seven doubles and 15 RBI in 21 May games. He's finally on track offensively after a slow April. Hardy is a viable Fantasy start in all formats when healthy.
News: Mets outfielder Mike Baxter entered play Wednesday against the Pirates leading the majors with eight pinch-hits. His clutch hitting has earned him more starts. Manager Terry Collins indicated that Baxter will likely return to a reserve outfield job once Jason Bay comes off the DL, but added that could change. "There's nothing etched in stone. The way he's swinging the bat, I'm trying to get his bat in the lineup," Collins said.
Analysis: Every manager likes to ride the hot hand, and Baxter has that right now. Baxter is batting .476 (10 for 21) with one triple, four RBI, five doubles and five runs in his last 10 games. Baxter's recent hot streak has put Fantasy owners on notice, particularly in NL-only leagues. But we will need a bigger sample size from Baxter before he becomes a must-add player.
News:The Boston Globe reports Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford (wrist, elbow) could begin swinging a bat this weekend.
Analysis: Crawford swinging a bat will be a key benchmark in his recovery, but he still has many hurdles left before he's back in the majors. Crawford is hoping to return around the All-Star break, so that puts his return date still several weeks away. Continue to stash Crawford in all Fantasy formats.
News: The San Francisco Chronicle reports Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval took 25 swings off a tee Wednesday and reported no pain. Sandoval has been out since May 2 due to a fractured hamate bone in his left hand.
Analysis: Sandoval will likely participate in some extended spring games before going out on a rehab assignment. The fact Sandoval hit off a tee Wednesday with no pain could mean he speeds up his recovery process, but it still seems Sandoval might be a few weeks away from returning. Continue to stash him in all Fantasy formats.
News: Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine went on WEEI radio before Wednesday's game against the Orioles to talk about his current lineup alignment that features Adrian Gonzalez in right field, Kevin Youkilis at first base and Will Middlebrooks at third base. Valentine acknowledged that Gonzalez playing right field isn't "an everyday solution." Valentine agreed with general manager Ben Cherington's assessment that Youkilis will return to being the team's third baseman, and that Middlebrooks will spend some time on the bench and might be demoted back to the minors. "I totally am on board with Ben's take, and Kevin's going to play third base," Valentine said. "I think we just have a situation where we have to play this by ear. This isn't something that was planned out over the winter or even was planned out last week or two weeks ago when Will first came up and Kevin first went on the disabled list. This is a work in progress. We'll adjust to it as the situation presents itself."
Analysis: The original plan was to demote Middlebrooks back to the minors once Youkilis came off the DL, but the rookie third baseman has heated up offensively again, extending his stay in the majors. Middlebrooks entered play Tuesday with a .368 average (7 for 19) with one homer and two RBI in his last five games. For now, Middlebrooks is still playing regularly and not on a bus back to the minors. Fantasy owners can keep him active in deeper formats for the time being.
News: The Houston Chronicle reports Astros center fielder Jordan Schafer met with a doctor Wednesday morning after experiencing a setback with a toe injury he originally suffered in a series against the Rangers over the weekend. “I think he possibly would be available for (Wednesday's game but certainly it sounds like a day-to-day thing,” general manager Jeff Luhnow said. Schafer was not able to start on Wednesday against the Cubs.
Analysis: Schafer took to Twitter and wrote that his injury is pretty painful, but Lunhow said the injury was deemed largely insignificant. Schafer did return to the lineup Tuesday after missing two games with a lower leg muscle strain and is day to day. Schafer is a bit banged up right now, but it doesn't appear he is headed for the DL. Schafer has steals potential, but he remains a low-end Fantasy option when healthy.
News: Brewers outfielder Norichika Aoki has been one of the team's best hitters lately, producing a .400 average (12 for 30) with two triples, three doubles and three RBI in his last 10 games (six starts). His recent surge has resulted in more playing time and that trend will continue if he stays hot, manager Ron Roenicke told reporters prior to Wednesday's game against San Francisco. "As long as he continues to do what he's doing and as long as we see Corey (Hart) going to first base helps us as an offense, then I would say (more playing time for Aoki) is going to happen," Roenicke said. "He's really hitting well against lefties but he's hitting well against righties, too. He's having some really good at-bats. He sees pitches. I like the at-bats he gives you. He doesn't chase many pitches out of the zone. He's able to hit a lot of different pitches. He hits the ball the other way. He can pull it. He's been a nice addition to our offense."
Analysis: Aoki had pretty good offensive numbers during his tenure in Japan. He didn't have great home run power, but in his last five seasons for Yakult he produced a .329 average, .408 OBP, .467 slugging percentage and .875 OPS. He does have the offensive skills and might be able to produce with everyday at-bats. He is certainly worth a flier now in NL-only Fantasy formats and perhaps should start appearing on radars in deeper mixed leagues.
News: Arizona starter Daniel Hudson (shoulder) will return to the Diamondbacks' rotation on Sunday against the Brewers, reports FOXSportsArizona.com Tuesday. Hudson will take over the rotation spot vacated by Patrick Corbin, who was sent to the minors on Tuesday. Hudson made his first and only rehab start with Triple-A Reno on Monday. Hudson threw 71 pitches over five innings in the outing. He allowed two earned runs on five hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Hudson has been out since April 21 due to a shoulder impingement.
Analysis: Hudson was sharp in his one and only rehab outing and he declared himself ready to return following the start. The Diamondbacks declared him ready on Tuesday and he's on the way back to start on Sunday against the Brewers. The 24-year-old starter posted a 6.00 ERA over his first three starts before going on the shelf but the right-hander showed last season that he can be a solid option in Fantasy. Hudson can be active in most mixed Fantasy leagues, when healthy. If he does well Sunday, owners can feel free to activate him widely going forward.
News:Ivan De Jesus hit a two-run double with two outs in the ninth to give the Dodgers the lead, as Los Angeles rallied past the Arizona Diamondbacks, 8-7, on Tuesday night. "I was just looking for a fastball," said De Jesus, who also had a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 6 in the seventh inning. "I just wanted to be aggressive and I got a good swing. I've been waiting for this moment. I'm happy for this moment, happy to help out to help the Dodgers win games." De Jesus also had a sac fly in the seventh inning, producing three RBI in the game.
Analysis: De Jesus returned to the Dodgers three days ago from the minors when Mark Ellis was placed on the 15-day disabled list and had recorded a total of four at-bats. "I'll never forget this game," De Jesus said. He will likely share time at second base with Eilan Herrera and could always play his way into more PT. For now, though, De Jesus has marginal Fantasy appeal.
News: WEEI.com reports Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey (thumb) has started a throwing program as the team's spring complex in Fort Myers. Bailey has progressed to throwing from 60 feet on flat ground.
Analysis: Bailey is in the early stages of his throwing program. He will now have to build up his arm strength. Bailey isn't expected back until July, so he still has many hurdles left in his recovery. He should return to the closer's role once active, so stash Bailey in deep Fantasy formats.
News: Dodgers outfielder Tony Gwynn had a season-high three hits on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks. He finished with two runs and two RBI as well. Gwynn is batting .375 (12 for 32) with four RBI during an eight-game hitting streak.
Analysis: Give Gwynn credit for making most of his added playing time now that Matt Kemp is on the DL. Unfortunately, Kemp could be back by the end of Fantasy Week 8 (May 21-27) or early in Fantasy Week 9 (May 28-June 3), so Gwynn's regular PT in center field won't last for long. Gwynn is just a low-end stopgap Fantasy option until Kemp is healthy.
News: Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki produced two singles in four at-bats Tuesday against the Rangers, extending his hitting streak to five games. Suzuki is batting .381 (8 for 21) with one double, one triple, two RBI and five runs in that span.
Analysis: It hasn't been exactly the banner start the Mariners were looking for from Ichiro as they moved him from the leadoff spot to third in the lineup. He is batting just .290 with a .325 OBP and 16 RBI in 45 games. Seattle is committed to keeping Ichiro batting third, but he clearly isn't the Fantasy option he once was. He is still a standard mixed-league option, but Fantasy owners should temper expectations.
News: Orioles starting pitcher Jason Hammel said Wednesday that he had his knee drained on Monday, but he expects to make his Friday start against the Royals. Hammel said his knee feels much better since having the minor knee procedure. "It's kind of a touchy situation," Hammel said. "I don't know how long it's going to be around, but it's probably something we're going to deal with for a while."
Analysis: Hammel won his fifth game of the year Saturday against the Nationals and has been a much better pitcher than expected to begin 2012. Although, you wonder if his market correction is finally coming. After posting a 2.09 ERA in his first six starts, Hammel has a 6.97 ERA in his last two starts. Or perhaps his knee issues were the result of two so-so outings. Consider Hammel a back-of-the-rotation Fantasy arm in mixed leagues. We will keep you posted on his status for Friday's start.
News: Rays outfielder Sam Fuld told reporters Wednesday that the follow-up exam on his surgically-repaired wrist went well. He could start swinging a bat in early June and might be ahead of schedule in his recovery. Fuld is currently on track for an August return.
Analysis: Fuld will be vying for a spot on the Rays bench once he is healthy, so there's no need to hold onto him in Fantasy.
News: The Orioles finalized their rotation plans coming out of Thursday's off day. Jason Hammel, Bruce Chen and Brian Matusz will pitch during a three-game series against the Royals, which starts in Friday. Tommy Hunter will then start Monday at Toronto and be followed by Jake Arrieta before the rotation resets.
Analysis: Hunter might not have many more starts lined up with Zach Britton on the rehab path. Hunter hasn't been overly impressive this season, posting a 5.07 ERA in nine starts. He did hold Toronto to one run on three hits and three walks in a win on April 24, but he also allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks in six innings against Toronto on April 13. Hunter is nothing more than risky AL-only Fantasy option for Week 9 (May 28-June 3), even if he potentially is a two-start pitcher.
News: Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine went on WEEI radio before Wednesday's game against the Orioles to talk about his current lineup alignment that features Adrian Gonzalez in right field, Kevin Youkilis at first base and Will Middlebrooks at third base. Valentine acknowledged that Gonzalez playing right field isn't "an everyday solution." Valentine agreed with general manager Ben Cherington's assessment that Youkilis will return to being the team's third baseman, and that Middlebrooks will spend some time on the bench and might be demoted back to the minors. "I totally am on board with Ben's take, and Kevin's going to play third base," Valentine said. "I think we just have a situation where we have to play this by ear. This isn't something that was planned out over the winter or even was planned out last week or two weeks ago when Will first came up and Kevin first went on the disabled list. This is a work in progress. We'll adjust to it as the situation presents itself."
Analysis: Gonzalez is close to gaining outfield eligibility in Fantasy, so that will obviously boost his appeal. But don't forget he is a Gold Glove first baseman, so playing him in the outfield isn't exactly the most beneficial move to the team long-term. Gonzalez is trying to hit his way out of a slump. He has hit safely in three straight games, which is a start. Now, he just needs a prolonged hot streak. Gonzalez continues to remain a must-start Fantasy option through thick and thin.
News: Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine went on WEEI radio before Wednesday's game against the Orioles to talk about his current lineup alignment that features Adrian Gonzalez in right field, Kevin Youkilis at first base and Will Middlebrooks at third base. Valentine acknowledged that Gonzalez playing right field isn't "an everyday solution." Valentine agreed with general manager Ben Cherington's assessment that Youkilis will return to being the team's third baseman, and that Middlebrooks will spend some time on the bench and might be demoted back to the minors. "I totally am on board with Ben's take, and Kevin's going to play third base," Valentine said. "I think we just have a situation where we have to play this by ear. This isn't something that was planned out over the winter or even was planned out last week or two weeks ago when Will first came up and Kevin first went on the disabled list. This is a work in progress. We'll adjust to it as the situation presents itself."
Analysis: The takeaway point here is that the Red Sox will continue to treat Youkilis as an everyday player, whether it is at first base or third base. Youkilis' name has come up in trade rumors, but for now Valentine doesn't feel the veteran will be traded. "We just got Kevin back and we're really excited about him being back," Valentine said. "Obviously, he added our only run last night. He's making up for a lot of deficiencies that have presented themselves at other positions. Trading him -- I don't see that." It was nice to see Youkilis homer in his first game back. Now, he just needs to keep producing following a slow start to the season. Youkilis is a low-end Fantasy starter in mixed leagues until he starts producing up to par.
News: Rays DH Luke Scott hit a solo homer, doubled and scored twice in four at-bats Tuesday against the Blue Jays. It was his third May homer, but first in 13 games. Scott has 13 RBI in 20 May games.
Analysis: Scott is batting just .219 in May, but he is making his hits count when he makes contact. He has three homers, three doubles and 13 RBI this month. Scott might not hit for an impressive average, but he has power and is driving in runs. Consider him a low-end Fantasy starter in deep mixed leagues.
News: Rays outfielder B.J. Upton, who homered for the second straight day Tuesday against the Blue Jays, extended his hitting streak to seven games on Wednesday in an extra-inning win over Toronto. Upton drove in the game's winning run in the 11th inning with a walk-off double as he went 3 for 6 overall in the game with a run scored. Upton doubled twice in the game and is batting an even .300 on the season. Upton is batting .448 (13 for 29) with two homers, four doubles and four RBI during his hitting streak.
Analysis: Upton came off the DL in late April and hit .389 in his first nine games. He then batted just .154 in his next 11 games, disappointing Fantasy owners. However, Upton is heating back up. He was batting .310 with a .383 OBP, .500 slugging percentage and .883 OPS in his last 11 games entering Wednesday and had another big game against the Blue Jays. Upton remains a viable Fantasy start in all formats.
News: Slumping Carlos Pena may have found his swing at the top of the Tampa Bay lineup. Pena hit a three-run homer during a five-run fourth and the Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-5 on Tuesday night. Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon moved Pena up from the middle of the lineup to the leadoff spot in an attempt to help him break out of an offensive funk. Pena, who snapped an 0-for-18 slide on his sixth homer of the season, entered Tuesday hitting just .116 in May. "You can't really quantify how much of a difference it makes, but Joe is really smart by shifting things like that," Pena said. "It changes the energy and good things like this happen, not only individually but as a team. We put up some runs on the board and felt more comfortable."
Analysis: Pena's homer to center off Drew Hutchison (3-2) was estimated at 452 feet. He finished with two hits in five at-bats. "I liked his at-bats in general," Maddon said. "Overall it's just about a mind set. It's just about what you're thinking and changing that a little bit. It's all about confidence. When he gets his confidence going you're going to see a lot more of that." Pena was in the leadoff spot again Wednesday and might remain there as long as the results continue. Pena is a streaky slugger. Although, don't be surprised his batting average is so low since he is just a career .238 hitter. But you keep him on your roster because of his power potential. Pena remains a low-end Fantasy start in mixed leagues until he goes on another tear.
News: Twins outfielder Josh Willingham ripped a two-RBI single and scored once in five at-bats Tuesday against the White Sox. Willingham is batting .286 (14 for 49) with three homers, six doubles, 10 walks and 12 RBI in his last 14 games. He also has a .407 OBP, .592 slugging percentage and .999 OPS in that 14-game span.
Analysis: You want to talk about Draft Day value, then look no further than Willingham. A late-round option at best in mixed leagues, Willingham has been the 16th best Fantasy scoring outfielder through Tuesday's games. Some of his numbers are a little higher than his career averages, but for the most part Willingham isn't far off his career numbers. He might hit a little lull at some point, but for now Willingham remains a viable Fantasy start in all formats.
News:Justin Morneau hit a three-run homer as the Twins routed the Chicago White Sox 9-2 on Tuesday night. Gavin Floyd intentionally walked Joe Mauer with two outs to load the bases for Josh Willingham, who laced a 3-1 pitch under shortstop Alexei Ramirez's glove to drive in two runs. Morneau pulled the next pitch over the right field wall to put Minnesota up 9-1. "Morneau had a big night," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I know his home run was big, but I thought leading off the second inning with that walk after getting behind in the count was huge. It led to four runs." Morneau finished 1 for 3 with one walk and two runs.
Analysis: Morneau seems to be in his comfort zone again since returning from a stint on the DL. He's playing first regularly and has homered twice in his first six games back. He also has nine RBI in that six-game span. Finally, Morneau appears to be healthy and producing like his former MVP self. Now, he just has to avoid another health setback and continue putting up big numbers. If Morneau stays hot the rest of Fantasy Week 8 (May 21-27), then Fantasy owners might consider activating him for Fantasy Week 9 (May 28-June 3).
News: White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham homered for the second straight game and third time in four contests on Tuesday against the Twins. Beckham has hit safely in five of his last six games, producing a .280 average, three homers, one double and five RBI in that span.
Analysis: Beckham hasn't earned many hot tags in his career, so this is a rare sight to see him producing at the plate. But this is the kind of production Fantasy owners and the White Sox have been expecting from the former first-round pick for years. Beckham is batting just .253 in 21 May games, but he has a .494 slugging percentage and .800 OPS. He also has four doubles, five homers and 12 RBI. Could this finally be the turning point for Beckham? Perhaps Fantasy owners in larger formats should take a flier on Beckham before it's too late.
News: The Pirates announced Wednesday that reliever Jason Grilli was activated from the bereavement list and reliever Jeff Locke was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to clear a roster spot.
Analysis: Locke was recalled just in case the Pirates needed an arm, but Locke never came out of the bullpen. Continue to ignore him in Fantasy,
News: The Pirates announced Wednesday that reliever Jason Grilli was activated from the bereavement list and reliever Jeff Locke was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to clear a roster spot.
Analysis: Grilli has enjoyed a career resurgence since missing the 2010 season due to a torn quadriceps. He is striking out 15.2 batters per nine innings in 2012 and is getting the job done by throwing first-pitch strikes and getting batters to miss. He doesn't see regular save chances, but Grilli is developing into a nice Rotisserie Fantasy option because of his low ERA and strikeout totals.
News:Graham Godfrey felt some discomfort in the middle finger of his pitching hand while warming up Tuesday night and thought he could pitch through it. Instead, it led to an early departure. Albert Pujols homered for the third time in seven days, while Mark Trumbo and Howie Kendrick both had RBI singles and the Los Angeles Angels held the Oakland Athletics to one hit in a 5-0 victory. Godfrey (0-4) acknowledged the soreness in his finger worsened as the game went along. With it affecting his breaking pitches, Godfrey was unable to locate pitches. He departed after giving up four runs and six hits in three innings. The Angels went 6 for 11 against him. "When I extended it or bent it, that's when I felt discomfort," Godfrey said. "Right now I have the sensation it's jammed. It's a little swollen. I didn't have it tonight. I thought I could battle through it. It's disappointing and frustrating."
Analysis: The A's have off days on May 24 and May 31, so the team could technically go without a fifth starter for a while, giving Godfrey the chance to rest. As of now, his next scheduled start wouldn't come until Monday at Minnesota, but with an off day on Thursday, the team can skip Godfrey until further notice. Godfrey told MLB.com on Wednesday that his finger was feeling better and he will stay on track for his next start. Even if he makes that start, Godfrey would be a risky AL-only Fantasy option.
News: The Red Sox have placed outfielder Cody Ross on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, retroactive to Saturday, reports WEEI.com. Ross was originally expected to miss 6-8 weeks due to a navicular fracture in his left foot, but the team found out Tuesday he won't need that much time. Ross has reportedly felt much better and the second opinion stated the injury isn't as bad as originally feared. “Worst-case, it’s not as bad as we thought it was yesterday,” Bobby Valentine said. “At best case, it’s much better. But at worst case, it seems like it’s a couple of weeks, not multiples.”
Analysis: Ross joined fellow outfielder Ryan Sweeney as Boston players going on the disabled list on Tuesday. The team recalled Scott Podsednik in a blast-from-the-past move. The Red Sox outfielders continue to drop like flies. First it was Carl Crawford. Then it was Jacoby Ellsbury. Now Ross joins Sweeney, Darnell McDonald, Jason Repko and Ryan Kalish as Red Sox outfielders on the shelf. The good news is that Ross won't be out 6-8 weeks. The bad news is that we're unsure just how long he will actually miss at the moment. Ross can be stashed in deeper mixed Fantasy leagues.
News: Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero was held out of the starting lineup Tuesday against the Dodgers after leaving Monday's game with a strained left groin. Henry Blanco replaced Montero in the starting lineup. The Diamondbacks said Montero will avoid a stint on the disabled list, reports MLB.com. That said, Montero will be out until at least Friday at the earliest. "We don't think it's 15 days, but at the same time, we don't want to push him," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. "We'll see the treatment and the kind of relief he gets. He is a catcher though, he's got to block balls. He's not going to start tomorrow for sure."
Analysis: Montero may still end up needing the disabled list if he cannot return Friday or in the games following Friday's contest. Fantasy owners will want to pay attention to that. The good news is Montero said he didn't hear a pop when suffering the injury. Blanco and Konrad Schmidt will likely share time behind the plate in his absence. Montero is batting just .207 in his last 16 games. He has 20 strikeouts in that span, which is a bit alarming. He's mired in a slump, but we all know Montero can be a high-end Fantasy catcher. It's the reason he remains a viable Fantasy start when healthy.
News: Minnesota starter Carl Pavano will be pushed back two days and start on Saturday against Detroit, reports the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Tuesday. The Twins will start Anthony Swarzak on Friday. Pavano was originally going to start on Thursday but Minnesota wanted to get him some extra rest.
Analysis: Pavano has continued to deliver mixed results on the hill, but he did allow two runs on five hits in six innings Saturday at Milwaukee, which was one of his best starts this season. Pavano has a better track record against the White Sox, his would-be opponent Thursday, but will face the Tigers instead. He went 0-2 with a 5.95 ERA in three starts against Detroit last year. Regardless, Pavano is just an AL-only Fantasy option at this point.
News: Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Tuesday that relief pitcher Henry Rodriguez will no longer serve as the team's primary closer, according to the Washington Post. Johnson said he will move Rodriguez to a "less demanding" role, while deploying a closer based on matchups from game to game. Rodriguez blew two saves -- and three total -- over his past eight appearances as his ERA swelled to 4.50.
Analysis: While he didn't blow a save during Monday's game at Philadelphia, Rodriguez faltered again in the ninth inning and permitted a run before being yanked in favor of Sean Burnett. The right-hander is armed with a devastating fastball, but has been unable to control it recently while walking 13 batters in 18 innings this year. The Nationals will now turn to a mixture of relievers in the ninth inning that includes Burnett, Craig Stammen and Tyler Clippard. Incumbent closer Drew Storen is hoping to return from injury in July. Consider Rodriguez a shaky Fantasy option at this point.
News: Nationals setup man Tyler Clippard told reporters prior to Tuesday's game against the Phillies that he wants to be the team's closer. "I would love the opportunity," Clippard said. "I want it bad." Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Tuesday after closer Henry Rodriguez had to be pulled from a save opportunity that he will go to a closer-by-committee approach and that Rodriguez will be moved to a "less demanding" role. Johnson did add that he likes Clippard in a setup role but gave him the opportunity to close out Tuesday's game anyway. Clippard made quick work of Philadelphia in the ninth as he went 1-2-3 with a strikeout for his first save of the season.
Analysis: Clippard said he expressed at the end of the 2011 season that he could be the team's closer, but obviously Drew Storen earned his way into that role. Storen has been sidelined all season because of elbow problems and won't be back until July. Brad Lidge, who was a co-closer before getting hurt, is out until at least mid-June. Johnson hasn't moved Clippard to the closer's role because he's been so valuable as a setup man, though it seems obvious he'll at least get some chances while the team is using the committee approach. Clippard might be worth adding off waivers in very deep formats as Johnson apparently will give him some save chances. He is still one of the more valuable non-closers in Fantasy because of his holds and strikeout potential.
News: Angels first baseman Albert Pujols collected at least one hit for the 10th time in the last 11 games on Tuesday against the A's. He went 1 for 4 with a home run and two RBI in the 5-0 win. He launched a solo shot off Graham Godfrey in the third inning for his fourth long ball of the year. Pujols also had a sac fly, giving him 20 RBI.
Analysis: Pujols has gone 12 for 44 (.273) with three home runs and nine RBI in his last 11 games as he appears to be turning a corner in his first season with the Angels. His overall average has risen from .192 to .213 over that span and his slugging percentage has gone from .277 to .333. While all of his stats are far below his career marks, the 32-year-old has the ability to go on tears like no other so keep an eye on his progress going forward. Despite his sub-par start to the season, continue to view Pujols as a must-start option in Fanatsy.
News: After lasting fewer than six innings each of his last two times out, Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson went deep into the game on Tuesday night against the A's. He threw eight scoreless innings, giving up just one hit while striking out seven in the 5-0 win. The left-hander retired the first seven batters to begin the game before issuing a walk. The lone hit he gave up came in the form of a Cliff Pennington single in the fifth inning. Wilson, who threw 125 pitches, also walked two while earning his fifth win of the season.
Analysis: Wilson kept the A's off balance all night long on Tuesday and showed owners why he was worth $77.5 million in the offseason. He lowered his ERA from 3.35 to 2.90 on the outing and now has 54 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched. The 31-year-old has proven over the last two seasons to be a solid option in Fantasy and should remain active in all formats heading into his second start of Week 8 (May 21-27). He is scheduled to pitch again on Sunday against the Mariners. In four starts against Seattle a year ago, Wilson went 3-1 with a 1.53 ERA.
News: Arizona first baseman Lyle Overbay had a huge game on Tuesday night in a loss to the Dodgers. Overbay hit his second home run of the season in the eighth inning for a solo shot. That was just the tip of the iceberg as Overbay went 4 for 4 in the game with a double and three runs scored. The four hits brought his batting average up to .370 on the year.
Analysis: Overbay needs games like these to keep him in the lineup and with Paul Goldschmidt struggling, manager Kirk Gibson just might start playing Overbay more. He has two games with three or more hits in his last few starts and can start getting a little more notice in NL-only Fantasy leagues.
News: Rangers closer Joe Nathan threw his fourth straight hitless inning on Tuesday, shutting down the Mariners to pick up his 10th save of the season in a 3-1 Rangers win. He retired the first batter he saw on a groundball to first base before striking out the final two swinging.
Analysis: Nathan has now settled down 12 batters in a row, with seven of them going down by way of the strikeout. He has struck out at least one batter in each of his last 10 outings and now has 23 in 18 2/3 innings, with just two walks. He has 10 saves in 11 chances, with a 2.41 ERA, and should be considered a strong Fantasy reliever in all formats.
News: Mariners starting pitcher Hector Noesi picked up his fifth loss of the season on Tuesday against the Rangers, however it is hard to blame him for this one, as he held the powerful Rangers’ lineup to just three runs in eight innings. He allowed only three hits and two walks in the game, however the Rangers’ timely hitting and the Mariners’ lack of offense ultimately sunk him, as he picked up the loss in a 3-1 game. Noesi struck out a career-high seven batters in the game, however his record still fell to 2-5 on the season.
Analysis: Noesi has now lost two games in a row due to the failures of his teammates, as he pitched 6 1/3 strong innings last time out before the bullpen lost him the game. These last two starts are a good sign for him, as he was struggling mightily beforehand. He has lowered his ERA to 5.26 on the season and is starting to trend in the right direction. Noesi is set to start one more time in Week 8 (May 21-27), on Sunday against the Angels, a team he has only faced in relief before. The Angels rank second in the American League in runs scored per game, so Noesi can be considered a viable AL-only option.
News: Rangers starting pitcher Matt Harrison bounced back from a couple of poor outings on Tuesday by tossing seven quality innings as the Rangers defeated the Mariners, 3-1. Harrison matched a season high with six strikeouts in the game, while scattering seven hits and two walks in his seven innings. He allowed just one run, in the first inning, and then settled down to push his record on the season to 5-3.
Analysis: Harrison’s ERA sits at 4.72, however he has won five games on the season anyways thanks to the Rangers’ league-best offense. Harrison is coming off a season in which he posted a 3.39 ERA, so this season has been something of a disappointment for him, despite the solid win total. His peripherals are similar to last season’s, however, so there is some hope that he could begin pitching better soon. He is set to pitch twice in Week 9 (May 28-June 3), facing Seattle again on Monday before heading to Los Angeles to face the Angels. He can be considered a viable Fantasy option with two starts coming up.
News: Arizona third baseman Josh Bell made an impact in his second game with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night against Los Angeles. Bell hit his first home run as a member of the Diamondbacks in the second inning off L.A. starter Aaron Harang. Bell hit a two-run shot and finished 1 for 4 in the game with a strikeout.
Analysis: Bell has been called up to be the everyday third baseman and has thus far impressed. After two games, Bell has gone 2 for 7 with a homer and has only struck out twice. Strikeouts can be his nemesis, and he never showed any of his abilities while a member of the Orioles. Still, he had massive numbers at Triple-A Reno this season before his call up and deserves a look in NL-only Fantasy formats.
News: Giants closer Santiago Casilla did not have his best command on Tuesday against the Brewers, perhaps as a result of a two-inning outing the night before for the win. He walked one batter in his one inning, however he threw just eight of his 16 pitches for strikes in the outing. Nonetheless, Casilla hung on to a 6-4 lead, pitching a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his 11th save of the season.
Analysis: Casilla has now saved 11 games in 12 chances, as he has filled in more than capably for the injured Brian Wilson. He has just a 1.37 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings, and should be considered a viable Fantasy option in most formats at this time.
News: Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen got the chance to close out the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night. After J.J. Putz blew a save in the top of the inning, Jansen came in and made it very interesting for the Dodgers. Jansen put runners on the corners with one out but induced a game-ending double play off the bat of Jason Kubel to end the game. Jansen picked up his sixth save as he allowed two hits with one strikeout and his ERA is at 2.38 on the year.
Analysis: Jansen has had back-to-back saves after blowing his second of the season against the Cardinals. He made things interesting on Tuesday, but has done a nice job in the role for the Dodgers thus far and can continue to see use in most mixed Fantasy leagues for the team with the best record in baseball.
News: Angels first baseman/outfielder Mark Trumbo continued his recent hot hitting ways on Tuesday night against the A's. He went 2 for 5 with an RBI in the 5-0 win. He singled home Maicer Izturis in his first at-bat before collecting another base hit in the seventh inning. Trumbo is batting .360 (27 for 75) thus far in May with three homers and 11 RBI.
Analysis: Trumbo has been seeing some regular playing time recently with the Angels a little banged up and continues to produce with the bat. He entered the month with a .304 average and has seen it climb to .339 with a hot May. The 26-year-old has earned everyday at-bats in Anaheim and with Albert Pujols starting to show some life at the plate, Trumbo should remain productive for owners. Keep Trumbo active in the majority of Fantasy formats going forward.
News: There was some fear that Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun would missed Tuesday’s game against the Giants, after being removed from Monday’s outing with a right groin injury, however he was in the lineup and got right back to swinging a hot bat. Braun went just 1 for 4 in the game, however he picked up an RBI and extended his hitting streak to 11 games as the Brewers fell, 6-4.
Analysis: The 28-year-old is playing at a very high level right now, even when compared to his MVP campaign last season. He is batting .382 in the month of May, with five home runs and 13 RBI. He has an .331 batting average for the season, and should be active in all Fantasy formats, as he is a must-start option when healthy.
News: Giants outfielder Angel Pagan was back in the starting lineup on Tuesday against the Brewers, after missing Monday's game with an illness. Batting fifth in the game, he drove in a run on a sacrifice fly, but otherwise went hitless in three at bats as the Giants won, 6-4.
Analysis: This was just the second time in his last 33 games in which Pagan has not had a hit, as he has been on quite a tear for the Giants. His batting average fell below .300 on the year after the game, as it now stands at .297. He should be active in most Fantasy formats while he is hot.
News: Brewers starting pitcher Shaun Marcum fell below .500 on the season on Tuesday, as he gave up six runs in six innings to pick up the loss against the Giants. Marcum was hurt by a trio of two-run innings; the first, fourth and sixth. He gave up a pair of two-run home runs in the latter two innings, off the bats of Joaquin Arias and Buster Posey, the second time this season he has allowed two home runs in a start. Ultimately, he allowed five hits and two walks in six innings, while striking out five to lose the game, 6-4. His record now stands at 2-3 on the season.
Analysis: This was the second decision Marcum has dropped in a row, however he did not seem affected by the rib muscle injury he suffered during his previous start. Marcum’s ERA rose more than a half run in the start, to 3.93, however he is still posting solid peripherals that indicate that he is pitching better than that ERA would indicate. His 8.02 strikeouts per-nine innings rate represents a career high, while he is walking just 3.11 per ning as well. He is set to start twice in Week 9 (May 28-June 3), first against a Dodger’s team he has faced three times previously and allowed a 1.37 ERA against. He is scheduled to start Monday and Saturday during the scoring period, and should be considered a viable Fantasy option in most mixed leagues.
News: Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain was not fooling the Brewers on Wednesday, as he allowed 11 hits in seven innings, with seven of them going for extra bases. However he managed to limit the Brewers to only four runs in the game, with some help from Melky Cabrera, who threw out Norichika Aoki at the plate in the bottom of the first inning to keep the Brewers off the board after he tripled to lead off the game. Cain would wind up lasting long enough to pick up the win in a 6-4 game, despite giving up two runs in his final inning. He struck out eight batters in the game while walking none to push his record to 4-2. The 11 hits were the most he has allowed in almost a year, when he allowed 11 to this same Brewers team on May 29, 2011.
Analysis: Cain has gone at least six innings in each of his starts and at least seven in five of nine. He has a 2.94 ERA in 64 1/3 innings, while striking 62 and walking just 10. He is posting the best strikeout and walk rates of his career, with 8.67and 1.40 per nine innings so far on the season, which largely explains his currently success. Cain is set to make his second start during Week 8 (May 21-27) on Sunday against the Marlins, a team he has already thrown eight innings of two-run ball against this season. He remains a must-start pitching option in all formats.
News: After Tuesday’s game, the Rockies called up minor-league second baseman DJ LeMahieu up from Triple-A Colorado Springs, to replace Jonathan Herrera, who was placed on the disabled list with a right hamstring strain, according to the Denver Post. LeMahieu hit just .250 in 60 at bats with the Cubs last season.
Analysis: The Rockies acquired LeMahieu in the offseason from Chicago, and the team considers him the second baseman of the future. He is hitting .322 for the season in Triple-A, with 12 walks and just 20 strikeouts in 177 at bats. He also has 11 stolen bases on the season, with a season-high of 15 back in 2010. It will be interesting to see how the team approaches his playing time while he is up, as they have grown frustrated with Scutaro’s performance. At this point, he is more of an NL-only Fantasy option, if he ends up playing everyday.
News: When Marlins closer Heath Bell allowed a leadoff double in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s one-run game against the Rockies, it looked a lot like the beginning of another poor outing, after putting together a handful of solid outings for the first time all season. However Bell pitched around the double without any damage, closing out the Marlins 7-6 win and earning his seventh save of the season and fourth in a row. He struck out one in the game.
Analysis: Bell has now gone five outings in a row without allowing a run or a walk, as he has exhibited much-improved control since a stint out of the closer’s role. He is starting to look much more like the former All Star the Marlins thought they were getting when they signed him to a $27 million deal this offseason. While his ERA is still an ugly 7.16 for the season, it looks like the worst of it is behind him, meaning Fantasy owners can start getting him active in mixed leagues again.
News: It took him three tries, but on Tuesday against the Rockies, Marlins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco earned the 69th victory of his career, breaking Dontrelle Willis’ franchise mark. In the early going, it did not look like Nolasco was going to even be in line for a win, as he struggled mightily through the first inning of the game, allowing three early runs on four hits and walk. He would settle down from there, allowing just one more run, finishing with four runs allowed total on eight hits and a walk in six innings. The offense bailed him out early enough that he was able to pick up the franchise-record win, 7-6, improving his record on the season to 5-2. He struck out a season-high six batters in the game.
Analysis: It took a bit of help from the offense, however Nolasco finally got the win, after losing in his previous two attempts. More importantly, he was able to strike batters out, a skill that had been sorely missing from his repertoire previously this season. He is still striking out a career-low 5.30 batters per nine innings, however he maintains a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio of better than 2-to-1. His ERA now stands at 4.31 heading into his next start, a matchup with the Giants on Sunday to finish off a two-start Week 8 (May 21-27). He has a 1.56 ERA in 52 career innings against the Giants, and should be a solid Fantasy option for the outing.
News: After taking the loss each of his last two times out, Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright got back on track in a big way on Tuesday against the Padres. He threw a complete game shutout, giving up four hits while striking out nine in the 4-0 win. The right-hander threw 75 of his 111 pitches for strikes and lowered his ERA to 4.78 on the outing. Wainwright also issued one walk while earning his third win of the season.
Analysis: Wainwright threw his first shutout since 2010 on Tuesday and it marked the third time doing so in his career. He has not been very consistent after missing all of last season due to Tommy John surgery but he has four quality starts in his last six outings and appears to be turning a corner. The 30-year-old has proven in the past to be a dominant option in Fantasy so keep Wainwright active in the majority of formats heading into his second start of Week 8 (May 21-27). He is scheduled to pitch again on Sunday against the Phillies at home. Wainwright has gone 2-3 with a 6.67 ERA in five starts at Busch Stadium so far this season.
News: Diamondbacks starter Trevor Cahill pitched a gem on Tuesday night against Los Angeles. Unfortunately, he was at 104 pitches after six innings and the Dodgers' bats awoke once he left. Los Angeles scored five times in the seventh inning off the Arizona bullpen and that cost Cahill the winning decision. Settling for a no-decision, Cahill was sharp in allowing just one earned run on six hits and three walks over his six frames. He struck out six batters and his ERA is at 3.74 on the year.
Analysis: Cahill should have snapped a two-decision losing streak with his stellar performance on Tuesday night against the team with the best record in baseball coming in, but his bullpen failed him. Cahill kept the Dodgers’ Matt Kemp-less offense at bay all night, but his record remains at 2-4 on the season. He’s had some trouble with tenderness in his right shoulder, but apparently was over that issue Tuesday. Moving forward, Cahill should be a solid Fantasy option in most mixed leagues once again. He makes his next scheduled start on Monday at San Francisco. He is set for two starts in the upcoming scoring period and that makes him a solid option in all mixed leagues.
News: Dodgers starter Aaron Harang did not fare well on Tuesday night in a start at Arizona. Harang gave up a two-run home run to Josh Bell in the second inning, allowed another run in the third, and gave up two more in the fifth before departing. Harang allowed five earned runs total on nine base hits and no walks over 4 1/3 innings, but was saved of the losing decision. The Dodgers scored five times in the seventh inning to tie the score at six runs apiece, earning Harang the no-decision and letting him off the hook. The Dodgers’ starter threw 83 pitches and lasted just one out into the fifth inning. His ERA is at 4.36 on the season for Los Angeles.
Analysis: Harang had been pitching well coming into Tuesday’s start and saw his two-start winning streak snapped. That said, he was able to avoid taking the loss Tuesday and had allowed just one run over 15 innings in that two-win stretch. He'd been pitching extremely well prior to Tuesday. In fact, Tuesday was the first time he failed to pitch into at least the sixth inning since April 8 at San Diego when he also went 4 1/3. Harang should bounce back from his start on Tuesday, but is really only an NL-only Fantasy option most of the time. His next scheduled start comes Monday against Milwaukee and he will make two starts in the upcoming scoring period. That elevates his value slightly.
News: Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano entered Tuesday's game against the Astros having hit three home runs in his last seven games. He added to that total as he went 1 for 4 with a homer in the 2-1 win. He launched a solo shot off J.A. Happ in the fourth inning. Soriano has gone 9 for 28 (.321) in his last eight games with six RBI and five runs scored.
Analysis: Soriano has all four of his home runs since mid-May as the move to a lighter bat seems to be paying off. He has also raised his average from .250 to .264 during his current hot stretch and has seen his slugging percentage grow from .302 to .403. The 36-year-old is beginning to look like a viable option in Fantasy once again so consider adding Soriano in deeper mixed leagues as he could be on the verge of breaking out.
News: Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio struggled through one of his toughest starts of the season on Tuesday, as he allowed nine hits and three walks in five innings against the Marlins. He was staked to an early 3-0 lead, however he gave up two runs in the bottom of the first and three more in the bottom of the third, promptly losing that lead and, ultimately, the game, 7-6. Nicasio would ultimately give up six runs -- five earned -- in the game while striking out six batters, to pick up his second loss of the season.
Analysis: Nicasio has been unable to take advantage of good scoring games by his teammates recently, as they have scored 13 runs over his last two starts. His record now stands at 2-2 on the season, with a 4.83 ERA, however he has shown solid peripherals. His strikeout rate stands at 8.58 per nine innings, with a walk rate of 3.58, both of which are above average. What has been his issue this season is a .368 batting average on balls in play, which is 64 points higher than last season’s mark. That is almost certainly going to come down at some point, which should bring his ERA with it. Nicasio’s next start is scheduled to come against the Astros on Monday of Week 9 (May 28-June 3), a team he has faced once this season and limited to just one run in seven innings. He should start twice in the scoring period, so you can consider him a solid NL-only option.
News: Minnesota starter P.J. Walters made just his third start of the season on Tuesday night in Chicago. Making just his seventh career start in the major leagues, Walters recorded his first complete-game victory on Tuesday night against the White Sox. The 27-year-old starter was masterful against the White Sox after allowing a Gordon Beckham home run in the first inning. He didn't give up another run until the ninth as he won 9-2 and was backed by plenty of run support. Walters allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks over his nine innings on the hill. He struck out eight batters and threw 110 pitches to go the distance. Walters lowered his ERA to 2.95 on the year.
Analysis: Walters improved to 2-1 on the season after three starts but has won his last two for the Twins. Walters has allowed just seven earned runs on the season spanning 21 1/3 innings and that comes with 15 strikeouts. He's been impressive and basically constitutes an ace for the Minnesota rotation considering how badly the team has pitched in general. Still, Walters needs to prove more before Fantasy owners rush out and grab him across the board. For now, he remains more of an AL-only Fantasy option. Walters will make a second start in the current scoring period and that comes on Sunday against Detroit.
News: Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera was unusually impatient for the first half of the month of May, failing to pick up a walk in the first 15 games of the month. However after a three-walk day on Tuesday against the Indians, he has walked five times over the last three games. Cabrera went 0 for 2 in the game with a strikeout in addition to the three walks, as the Tigers fell, 5-3. It was the fourth time he reached based at least three times during the month.
Analysis: Cabrera walked 108 times last season and had 10 during April, so it was a surprise to see such an extended drought for him. He has developed into a very patient hitter in his career, which is one of the many reasons why he is one of the most productive batters in baseball. His average now sits at .304 on the season, and he should be considered a must-start Fantasy option in all formats.
News: Pirates pitcher Jeff Karstens, on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder injury, will make his next rehab start for Double-A Altoona on Saturday. He pitched three scoreless innings for Altoona on Monday night in his first outing since being injured in mid-April.
Analysis: Karstens looked pretty sharp in his rehab outing on Monday night, but will likely need a few more outings before he is ready to be activated off the DL. The right-hander should be able to jump right back in the rotation once he is healthy, so Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his status moving forward. Karstens yielding six runs over his first three starts (12 innings), making him of a NL-only option when healthy.
News: Indians first baseman Casey Kotchman had his first three-hit game in over a month on Tuesday against the Tigers, going 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI as the Indians defeated the Tigers, 5-3. Kotchman raised his batting average to .225 on the season, up from an abysmal .149 during the month of April.
Analysis: Kotchman is now hitting .306 in the month of May, with 11 RBI, which is quite a turnaround after how badly he struggled in April. He is still hitting for very little power, however he is back to showing the skills that led him to hit .306 last season. He is still more of a solid AL-only option due to his lack of power.
News: The Tigers announced after Tuesday's loss to the Indians that they are going to purchase the contract of outfielder Quintin Berry, who is currently playing in Triple-A Toledo. The team will designate pitcher Collin Balester for assignment as a result.
Analysis: Berry, who is batting .274 in Triple-A this season, has never appeared at the major-league level. He is capable of playing center field, which may mean that the team has some lingering concerns about Austin Jackson’s health. Either way, he is unlikely to be worth owning in any Fantasy leagues.
News: After Tuesday's loss to the Indians, the Tigers announced that they would designate relief pitcher Collin Balester for assignment on Wednesday, to bring up outfielder Quintin Berry from Triple-A Toledo. Balester appeared in 11 games for the Tigers this season, posting a 6.50 ERA with a 2-0 record.
Analysis: Balester has been used mostly in long relief this season, and he has not done much to earn his place. He has 12 strikeouts to 11 walks in his 18 innings this season, and should not be owned in any formats at this time.
News: Astros closer Brett Myers entered Tuesday's game against the Cubs in the ninth inning with a one-run lead. The right-hander needed just nine pitches to retire the side in order and secure the 2-1 win. Myers also struck out two while collecting his 11th save of the season.
Analysis: Myers has converted 11 of 12 save chances thus far and lowered his ERA to 1.80 on Tuesday. He also has 11 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched and has made a successful return to the bullpen after starting for much of the last four seasons. The 31-year-old can be utilized as a viable source for saves in deeper Fantasy formats at this point.
News: After tossing six scoreless frames his last time out, Astros pitcher J.A. Happ was nearly as impressive on Tuesday against the Cubs. He allowed one run on five hits over six innings of work in the 2-1 win. The left-hander surrendered a solo homer to Alfonso Soriano in the fourth for his lone damage. He was done after throwing 106 pitches, 68 for strikes, and lowered his ERA to 4.56. Happ also struck out six and walked two while earning his fourth win of the season.
Analysis: Happ has lowered his ERA from 5.72 over his last two outings and recorded his sixth quality start of the season Tuesday. After a down campaign a year ago, he appears to be back on track for the Astros and could post double-digit wins for the first time since 2009. With 48 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings, consider adding Happ in NL-only formats, especially since he lines up as a two-start option for Week 9 (May 28-June 3). He is scheduled to face the Rockies on Monday before taking on the Reds over the weekend.
News: Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello fell below .500 on the season on Tuesday, after picking up his fourth loss in a 5-3 game vs. the Indians. He struck out a season high six batters in the game, however he gave up five runs -- four earned -- on eight hits and three walks in just 5 1/3 innings to raise his ERA to 5.29. He now has just four quality starts in nine outings, with a 3-4 record and no wins in his last three starts.
Analysis: Porcello continues to be a disappointment, given his former status as a top prospect. He has raised his strikeout rate to a career-high 5.82 per nine innings on the season, however that has not resulted in better production, as his ERA represents the highest mark of his career through four seasons. His next start is scheduled for Sunday during Week 8 (May 21-27), as he finishes off a two-start week against the Twins, a team he has a 2.95 ERA against in his career. He is worth starting in AL-only formats for his next outing.
News: Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey had one of his better outings of the season on Tuesday night against the Pirates. He allowed one run on five hits over seven innings in the 3-2 win. The knuckleballer made it through his first five frames unscathed before giving up a sac fly to Andrew McCutchen in the sixth. He was done after throwing 88 pitches, 67 for strikes, and left with the game tied at 1-1 but luckily his teammates scored two runs in the top of the eighth. Dickey also struck out a career-high 11 with no walks while earning his sixth win of the season. "That's the best knuckleball I had all season," Dickey said. "After the first two times through the order, I contemplated pitching more traditionally so they wouldn't sit on the knuckler. The pitch was so good, though, that I decided to keep throwing it."
Analysis: Dickey has now gone 4-0 with a 2.47 ERA in his last six outings and has 36 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched over that span. He has allowed more than three earned runs in just one start thus far and is on pace for another productive campaign. Keep the 37-year-old active in deeper mixed leagues heading into his second start of Week 8 (May 21-27). He is scheduled to pitch again on Sunday against the Padres. In two starts against San Diego a year ago, Dickey went 0-1 with a 4.38 ERA.
News: Cubs pitcher Travis Wood made his second start of the season on Tuesday night against the Astros. He allowed two runs on two hits with two walks over 5 2/3 innings in the 2-1 loss. The left-hander surrendered a home run to Jose Altuve to start the game before settling down over his next four frames. Then in the sixth, he was pulled for Shawn Camp after issuing a two-out walk. The bullpen would allow the inherited runner to score, charging Wood with his final damage. Wood also struck out three while taking his first loss of the season.
Analysis: Wood pitched well enough to win on Tuesday but he got his pitch count up early and could not make it through the sixth inning. Still, he has allowed just five earned runs in two outings this season and should continue to see starts with Chris Volstad down in the minors. The 25-year-old has some intriguing upside in Fantasy so consider adding Wood in NL-only formats. His next start is scheduled for Monday against the Padres, which lines him up for two starts during Week 9 (May 28-June 3). He would also face off against the Giants during the upcoming scoring period as well.
News: Philadelphia starter Roy Halladay has not been pitching like the ace we’ve come to know lately and that was the case again on Tuesday night at home against the Nationals. Halladay entered the game with an 11-0 record and a 2.09 ERA versus the Washington franchise, but was lit up on this night. Halladay gave up homers to Ian Desmond and Rick Ankiel and surrendered five earned runs on nine hits and one walk over six innings to take the loss and fall to .500 at 4-4 on the year. Halladay struck out six batters and his ERA is now at 3.58 on the season. "A lot of guys, including myself, are trying to carry the weight of the team. You can't do that," Halladay admitted after the game. "A lot of us need to go out there and have fun playing the game. You start pressing and it makes things worse."
Analysis: Halladay’s 3.58 ERA is the highest it has been since May 1, 2009 when it was at 3.68 six games into the season with Toronto. Halladay has dropped four of his last five decisions for Philadelphia and has won just once in his last seven starts. He’s not even striking batters out at the usual expected rates. The only good news is that Halladay has continued to get relatively deep in games just about every time he takes the mound. He should figure it out shortly, however, and remains a solid Fantasy option in most mixed formats. You don’t want Halladay sitting for the start he puts it all together again. Halladay gets another start this scoring period and that comes on Sunday at St. Louis.
News: Dodgers reliever Josh Lindblom has been elevated into the setup man role by L.A. skipper Don Mattingly, reports MLB.com on Tuesday. With Kenley Jansen moving to the closer role, Lindblom takes over in the eighth inning. "He's getting the ball in the eighth if he's fresh," manager Don Mattingly said of Lindblom. "I don't worry about lefty-righty anymore. Last year, he struggled against lefties. But he's using the changeup more and using the other side of the plate and having success with lefties. That process started last year."
Analysis: Lindblom has recorded a hold in six consecutive appearances for the Dodgers and his ERA is solid at 2.11 on the year over 21 1/3 innings entering Tuesday. He has one win and one blown save on his record. Lindblom has pitched well, but only has low-end Fantasy appeal in leagues that reward for holds in his current role.
News: Padres pitcher Edinson Volquez made his fifth quality start of the season on Tuesday against the Cardinals but it was not enough to overcome his counterpart -- Adam Wainwright. He allowed three runs on five hits over six innings of work in the 4-0 loss. The right-hander gave up an RBI single to Carlos Beltran in the first before cruising over his next four frames. Then in the sixth, St. Louis tacked on two more runs. Volquez also struck out one and walked four while taking his fourth loss of the season.
Analysis: Volquez has gotten off to a decent start in his first season with the Padres but a lack on consistent run support has left him with just two wins thus far. Still, he is sporting an ERA under 4.00 and after the way he struggled in his final three seasons with the Reds, it looks as though he will have his best campaign in years. The 28-year-old can continue to be utilized in deeper mixed leagues heading into his second outing of Week 8 (May 21-28). He is scheduled to pitch again on Sunday against the Mets in New York. Volquez has gone 1-1 with a 4.23 ERA in three starts on the road this season.
News: Indians starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez struggled with his control yet again on Tuesday against the Tigers, however he was able to pitch around it to pick up his fifth win of the season, 5-3. Jimenez matched a season high with six walks in six innings while allowing five hits, however he managed to limit the Tigers to just three runs on a Alex Avila home run in the second inning. He shut them out after that, finishing with two strikeouts and pushing his record to 5-3 on the year.
Analysis: Jimenez has walked 38 batters on the season while striking out just 30 in 52 innings, the worst strikeout to walk ratio of his career. He lowered his ERA to 5.02 on the season with the game, however he had runners in scoring position in every inning but the fifth and sixth, so he certainly wiggled out of tough situations. He is a long way from the Cy Young candidate he once was in Colorado, and now he has to face a White Sox team he gave up four runs in 4 2/3 innings against the last time he faced them. He is slated to take the mound on Sunday to finish off his two-start Week 8 (May 21-27), and should be considered a viable option in most mixed-league Fantasy formats, in hopes that he turns it around.
News: Cardinals third baseman David Freese was out of the lineup for the second straight game on Tuesday against the Padres. Manager Mike Matheny told MLB.com that he is keeping Freese out while he works through some mechanical issues with his swing. Freese is in the middle of a 3-for-34 slump. "For the most part, I would like to keep him on the shelf for a little while," Matheny said. "A lot of times you go in there and you work and you work and then you try and throw something in there mechanically in a situation with the game on the line and you can't help but take your mechanics out there. That's never a good spot. You can't be thinking mechanics when you're trying to hit a guy throwing 100 mph."
Analysis: Freese had a productive first month of the season but is batting just .176 so far in May. He could be held out for more games if Matheny does not think he has made progress with his swing so keep an eye on the situation going forward. Despite his recent struggles, the 29-year-old is proving to be healthy this season so he should bounce back eventually. Freese should be considered a solid option in most Fantasy formats when going well.
News: MLB.com reports Padres closer Huston Street, on the 15-day disabled list, played catch on Tuesday. He reported no discomfort in his strained lat muscle. "He feels good," manager Bud Black said. "He went free and easy, no pain."
Analysis: Street is expected to next partake in long toss before moving onto a bullpen session. After that he is expected to ramp up his rehab so keep an eye on his progress going forward. The right-hander went 4 for 4 in save chances with a 0.93 ERA in 10 appearances before landing on the DL and should be stashed away in deeper mixed leagues until he is able to return.
News: Royals outfielder Jarrod Dyson had his worst game of the season on Tuesday against the Yankees, going 0 for 4 and striking out in each of his plate appearances while batting in the leadoff spot. The Royals would go on to lose the game, 3-2.
Analysis: Dyson is now just 2 for his last 20 at bats, with eight strikeouts over a five-game span. He is batting .270 in the month of May, however he has struckout 21 times in 20 games, and at this point should be considered just a low-end Fantasy option in AL-only formats.
News: Chicago starter Gavin Floyd entered Tuesday’s start against Minnesota coming off his worst start of the season. He outdid himself on this night. Floyd was even worse this time around against the Twins as he gave up four runs in the second inning and five more in the fourth for an early exit and a defeat to fall to 3-5 on the season. Floyd lasted just 3 2/3 innings as he allowed a season-high nine earned runs on eight base hits and three walks. He managed to strike out four batters, but needed 88 pitches to get just two outs into the fourth inning. His ERA elevated to 4.66 with the second consecutive ugly effort.
Analysis: Floyd improved to 3-3 on May 11 against Kansas City when he pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings for the win. In his two starts since, Floyd has allowed 16 earned runs on 18 hits over just 9 2/3 innings for back-to-back losses. He’s taken his struggles to a new level at the moment and should not be trusted outside AL-only leagues until he can right the ship. He does get another start during the current scoring period and that comes on Sunday against Cleveland.
News: After going just 3 for 23 (.130) in his last six games, Braves outfielder Michael Bourn showed some life at the plate on Tuesday against the Reds. He went 3 for 4 with two home runs in the 4-3 loss. He led off the game with his second long ball of the season before doubling in his next at-bat. Then in the eighth inning, Bourn launched another solo shot off reliever Logan Ondrusek. It was Bourn's first career multi-homer game.
Analysis: Bourn is not known for his power but with the way he has been slumping of late, owners will definitely take the production. He had seen his average drop from .340 to .314 during his slump so hopefully this three-hit performance will get him going again. With his ability to hit for average and swipe a ton of bases, continue to view Bourn as a solid option in all Fantasy formats.
News: Royals outfielder Jeff Francoeur is heating up in a big way recently, as he hit a home run for the second game in a row on Tuesday against the Yankees, finishing 2 for 4 with one RBI as the Royals fell, 3-2. Francouer has 7 hits in his last 13 at bats, with three RBI and three extra-base hits in as many games.
Analysis: As recently as Sunday, Francoeur was hitting .235, however after the last three games his batting average is up to .259 on the season. He has hit two of his three home runs on the season in this stretch, and is starting to show signs of bouncing back. He is now hitting .280 in the month of May, and should be considered a decent low-end Fantasy option in deeper mixed and AL-only formats.
News: Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips entered Tuesday's game against the Braves having not hit a home run since April 24. He ended that drought as he went 2 for 4 with a pair of homers in the 4-3 win. He launched a two-run shot off Brandon Beachy in his first at-bat before victimizing the right-hander again in the fourth inning for a solo bomb. Phillips has gone 20 for 60 (.333) in his last 15 games with nine RBI and nine runs scored.
Analysis: Phillips has begun to pick up the pace in May and finally showed owners a little bit of pop on Tuesday night. He now has four homers on the year but his .403 slugging percentage is nearly 30 points below his career mark. The 30-year-old has lost some power and speed over the last two seasons but remains a solid option in the majority of Fantasy formats for his all-around production.
News: Toronto rookie starter Drew Hutchison lasted just four innings on Tuesday night at Tampa Bay. Facing Rays rookie Matt Moore, neither pitcher was very effective for very long. Moore was sharp early, but came undone in the fifth. Hutchison allowed one run in the second and five more in the fourth before leaving the game and taking the losing decision to fall to 3-2 on the year. Hutchison allowed homers to Luke Scott and Carlos Pena – who blasted a three-run shot – as he gave up six runs on seven hits and no walks over four frames. He needed 86 pitches to go that distance and struck out three batters. Hutchison’s ERA is at 5.73 on the year.
Analysis: Hutchison snapped a two-start winning streak with the defeat against the Rays on Tuesday night. He’d allowed just two earned runs over his previous 12 innings entering Tuesday, but was hit hard against the Rays. He’s struggled against better hitting lineups thus far and is just an AL-only Fantasy option at this point in his young career. His next scheduled start comes Monday against Baltimore. He faced the Orioles earlier in the year and allowed two runs over five innings in just his second career start. Hutchison is on track to make two starts in the upcoming scoring period.
News: Yankees relief pitcher Rafael Soriano got the save on Tuesday, his first in over a week, as the Yankees defeated the Royals, 3-2. Soriano allowed one hit in the inning, however he was able to pitch around it, picking up a pair of groundball outs for his third save in as many chances.
Analysis: Soriano had been splitting time in the ninth inning with David Robertson, however with Robertson being moved to the disabled list, he is the exclusive closer now. He has experience closing, collecting 45 saves in 48 opportunities with the Rays in 2010, so consider Soriano a strong Fantasy start in most mixed leagues.
News: Tampa Bay rookie starter Matt Moore would have been in line for a win on Tuesday night against Toronto had he gotten just one more batter out. Instead, Moore left the game with a 6-4 lead after 4 2/3 innings and could not qualify for a winning decision. Instead taking the no-decision, Moore allowed four runs – two earned – on three hits and four walks over his time on the mound. He struck out six batters, but threw 97 pitches just two outs into the fifth. Moore was locked in early in the start, but came undone in the fifth as the Blue Jays scored four times in the frame before he could finish it off. Moore has a 5.07 ERA on the year.
Analysis: Moore’s rookie season hasn’t gone as some prognosticated thus far. The 22-year-old phenom was expected to be dominant at times, but instead has struggled with his command, walked far too many batters and has failed to get deep in games consistently. His ERA and WHIP are high and his lone saving grace has been his ability to register around a strikeout per inning. You just know that Moore will see better days ahead, but for now is probably best left for AL-only Fantasy leagues most weeks. Moore does get two starts in the upcoming scoring period and that gives him some added value. His next outing is scheduled for Monday against the Chicago White Sox.
News: Orioles infielder Steve Tolleson got the start at third base on Tuesday in a win over the Red Sox. Tolleson put the Orioles on the board in the second inning with a two-run homer off starter Felix Doubront. It was his first homer of the season and first in an Orioles uniform. It was his second career homer. Tolleson went 1 for 3 in the game with a walk and is batting .313 on the year.
Analysis: The 28-year-old Tolleson has handled the bat and glove well for the Orioles in a limited capacity since his recall. He's only seen 16 at-bats, but has five hits, including two doubles and the homer. Still, in this capacity, Tolleson has just AL-only Fantasy value.
News: Orioles infielder Wilson Betemit gave the team some insurance runs on Tuesday against Boston. Betemit helped the Orioles hold off the Red Sox with a two-run homer in the eighth inning off Matt Albers. It was his seventh homer of the season. Betemit finished 1 for 3 with a walk in the game and is batting .223 on the year.
Analysis: Betemit has displayed plenty of pop in his bat this season with seven homers and 21 RBI over 121 at-bats. That said, his average has remained low and he has not been able to sustain his offense consistently. Betemit also doesn't play every single day and is just an AL-only Fantasy option.
News: Baltimore closer Jim Johnson converted yet another save opportunity on Tuesday night against the Red Sox. Johnson went 1-2-3 in the ninth and needed only eight pitches to do so for his 16th save of the season. Johnson currently leads the majors in saves with 16. His ERA is at 0.87 on the year.
Analysis: Johnson has converted 24 consecutive saves dating back to last season and that is the longest active streak in the major leagues. He's been nearly unhittable this season for the first-place Orioles and has yet to blow a single opportunity. Johnson should be active in all mixed Fantasy leagues.
News: Reds pitcher Mat Latos won his third straight decision on Tuesday night against the Braves. He allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings of work in the 4-3 win. The right-hander surrendered a homer to Michael Bourn to begin the game before settling down a bit. His final damage would come in the form of a Jason Heyward RBI double in the fourth. He threw 116 pitches, 79 for strikes, and lowered his ERA to 4.35. Latos also struck out eight and walked one.
Analysis: Latos has a 2.72 ERA over his last six starts and is starting to settle down after a rough start to the season. All three of his wins have come over that span and he appears to finally be adjusting to pitching in Cincinnati. The 24-year-old has 48 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings thus far and should remain active in most Fantasy formats heading into his second outing of Week 8 (May 21-27). He is scheduled to pitch again on Sunday against the Rockies. In four starts against the Rockies a year ago, Latos went 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA.
News: When Orioles starter Brian Matusz is on his game, he can be very good for Baltimore. When he’s bad, he can be very bad. Tuesday night against Boston, the former top prospect came out to pitch as Matusz was extremely sharp against the Red Sox. Matusz recorded a season-high nine strikeouts and his only issue was throwing too many pitches and lasting just one out into the seventh inning in the victory over Boston. Matusz needed 101 pitches to go 6 1/3 innings, but was quite good in improving .500 at 4-4 on the year. Matusz allowed just one earned run on two base hits – including one homer – and one walk over his time on the mound. His ERA is now at 4.86 on the year after the solid outing. "Just having confidence with all my pitches," he said. "Attacking the zone, letting guys put it in play. That's been the key."
Analysis: Matusz had perhaps his best start of the season on Tuesday night against Boston. He put an end to a two-game Orioles losing streak and beat one of the hotter teams in the league. Matusz has now won three consecutive outings for the Orioles and he’s even begun adding strikeouts to the mix. The Orioles starter still has a long way to go before he becomes viable and trusted in mixed Fantasy leagues, but he does have that kind of ability and upside. Matusz makes his next start on Sunday against Kansas City for his second start of the current scoring period. His next start was supposed to come Monday at Toronto, but he will go on normal rest despite Thursday's day off. Matusz can be used mostly in AL-only Fantasy leagues at this point, though he's quickly gaining value.
News: Boston starter Felix Doubront recorded a new career high for strikeouts on Tuesday night in Baltimore. That was the good news. The bad news was that Doubront took the loss with Brian Matusz pitching a gem to fall to 4-2 on the season. Still, Doubront was impressive in the outing as he struck out nine batters over six innings. Doubront allowed two earned runs -- both coming on a two-run homer by Steve Tolleson in the second inning -- on four hits and two walks over his six innings of work. Doubront threw 108 pitches in the start as Baltimore elevated his pitch count early. Doubront now has a 3.96 ERA on the season for Boston.
Analysis: Doubront was excellent on Tuesday, outside of throwing too many pitches and struggling a bit with command of the strike zone. That figures, considering Doubront has required the second most pitches per plate appearance of any starter in the majors and the second most pitches per inning as well. Still, Doubront has 16 strikeouts in his last 11 2/3 innings and had won his previous three starts before taking the tough-luck loss against the Orioles Tuesday. Doubront gets two starts in the upcoming scoring period and that makes him a solid option in most mixed Fantasy leagues. His next start is scheduled for Monday against Detroit.
News: Braves pitcher Brandon Beachy took his first lost since his season debut on Tuesday night against the Reds. He allowed four runs on six hits over seven innings of work in the 4-3 defeat. Beachy surrendered a two-run homer to Brandon Phillips in the second before Zack Cozart victimized the right-hander for a solo shot in the third. He would give up another home run to Phillips in the fourth for his final damage. Beachy also struck out five and walked one while taking his second loss of the season. “Probably a combination” of the ballpark and mistake pitches, he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I’m not going to let the ballpark be an excuse for any of those homers. Other than those three pitches, if those stay singles, I have a game to be proud of.”
Analysis: Beachy had gone 5-0 with 1.29 ERA in his seven starts between losses but he had a hard time keeping the ball in the park against the Reds. He has surrendered four gopher balls so far this season but his 1.77 ERA puts him on pace for a productive campaign. The 25-year-old showed last season that he can be a solid option in Fantasy so keep Beachy active in the majority of formats heading into his second start of Week 8 (May 21-27). He is scheduled to pitch again on Sunday against the Nationals. In two starts against Washington a year ago, Beachy went 1-1 with a 6.55 ERA.
News: Yankees starting pitcher Phil Hughes got back in the win column on Tuesday, giving up just two runs in six innings as the Yankees topped the Royals, 3-2. Hughes was hurt by the longball once again, giving up his 11th of the season to Jeff Franceour in the fourth inning, however he managed to silence the Royals otherwise, scattering five hits and two walks in his six innings to push his record to 4-5. Hughes struck out seven in the game, matching his season high.
Analysis: Hughes continues to struggle keeping the ball in the yard, allowing 11 home runs in 47 1/3 innings, becoming the first pitcher since 2006 to allow at least one home run in each of his first nine starts. That is the only bad mark on his season so far, however it has led to a 4.94 ERA. He is posting career-best walk and strikeout rates, but he is going to need to get those home runs under control. He has been better recently, posting a 2.80 ERA over his last four starts. Hughes is set to a be a two-start pitcher during Week 9 (May 28-June 3), facing the Angels and Tigers. He can be used in deeper mixed leagues with two starts, however note that he has an ERA over 4.50 for his career against both teams, so he is still just a low-end Fantasy option.
News: Washington outfielder Rick Ankiel went deep on Tuesday in a win at Philadelphia. Ankiel took Roy Halladay yard in the fourth inning for a solo blast, his third homer of the season. Ankiel went 1 for 4 in the game and is batting .231 on the year.
Analysis: Ankiel entered Tuesday's game with just three hits in his previous 10 contests. He's not swinging a good bat for Washington, despite the homer Tuesday, and should be considered just an NL-only Fantasy option.
News: Washington starter Jordan Zimmermann cruised to victory on Tuesday night against Roy Halladay and the Philadelphia Phillies. With Halladay struggling, Zimmermann kept the Philly bats in check over six innings. Zimmermann’s only real issue in the start was his inability to keep his pitch count down as he needed 107 pitches and couldn’t get deeper into the game. Zimmermann allowed just one earned run on seven hits and two walks over his six innings. He struck out two batters and his ERA is now at 2.47 on the season.
Analysis: Zimmermann entered Tuesday’s start having lost three times in his previous four outings, but won to improve to 3-4 on the season against the Phillies. The interesting thing about Zimmermann’s under-.500 record is that his ERA and WHIP remain pristine at 2.47 and 1.08, respectively. Zimmermann has improved his strikeout numbers steadily with the season and has proven himself as a solid option in mixed Fantasy formats. His next start is scheduled for Monday at Miami and Zimmermann will be a two-start hurler for the upcoming scoring period.
News: Astros third baseman Chris Johnson was from Tuesday's game against the Cubs. He was called out on a close call at first base and was tossed after slamming his helmet on the ground. Johnson went 0 for 2 with a strikeout before being replaced at third base by Matt Downs. ''I shouldn't have thrown my helmet,'' Johnson said. ''I didn't say anything, it was just the helmet and he was (like): 'See ya later.'''
Analysis: Johnson hit a home run in Monday's series opener but has gone just 7 for 34 (.206) in his last nine games. He probably won't receive a suspension for his actions Tuesday but owners should keep an eye on the situation just to be safe. The 27-year-old is on pace to surpass the numbers he posted a year ago and could be in for a career campaign at this pace so continue to view Johnson as a viable option in deeper Fantasy formats.
News: Bay Area News Group reported on Monday that A's pitcher Brandon McCarthy is expected to be activated from the disabled list June 2, barring a setback. McCarthy has not pitched since May 17 due to a strained right shoulder.
Analysis: McCarthy owns a 2.95 ERA through nine starts this season and is in line to return during Week 9 (May 28-June 3). That would set him up for a start against the Royals so keep an eye on his progress going forward. The right-hander gave up two runs over six innings in a no-decision against Kansas City earlier in the year. Owners should keep McCarthy stashed away for now but plan on getting him active in deeper mixed leagues for the upcoming scoring period.
News: Pirates pitcher James McDonald recorded his sixth quality start of the season on Tuesday night against the Mets. He allowed one run on four hits over seven innings of work. The right-hander gave up an RBI single to Mike Nickeas in the second before cruising over his final five frames. He was done after throwing 104 pitches, 71 for strikes, and left with the scored tied at 1-1. McDonald also struck out eight and walked two in the no-decision.
Analysis: McDonald has gotten off to a solid start this season as he has not allowed more than three runs in any of his nine starts. He also has a 58-to-18 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 57 1/3 innings. A lot of his success has to do with his ability to keep the ball in the park and the 27-year-old is on pace for a career campaign. Consider adding McDonald in deeper mixed leagues heading into Week 9 (May 28-June 3). His next outing is scheduled for Monday against the Reds, setting him up for two starts during the upcoming scoring period. When McDonald faced Cincinnati on May 5, he allowed one run over 6 1/3 innings in the win.
News: The San Diego Union-Tribune reports Padres outfielder Mark Kotsay received a cortisone injection in his back on Monday. Kotsay, on the 15-day disabled list, has not played since May 12.
Analysis: Kotsay is batting .294 with one homer and six RBI in limited playing time so far this season. He does not see many starts in San Diego so continue to ignore the 36-year-old in all but the deepest NL-only formats, healthy or not.
News: Philadelphia reliever Justin De Fratus (elbow) was cleared to begin a throwing program on Tuesday, reports MLB.com. De Fratus will begin the throwing program on Friday.
Analysis: De Fratus has appeared in just five games during his MLB career. He is not expected to impact Fantasy much upon his return. He should be left on waivers in all Fantasy formats.
News: Philadelphia reliever Michael Stutes has been shut down for another 10-14 days, reports MLB.com on Tuesday. Stutes will then be re-evaluated and the Phillies will decide if he can begin a throwing program.
Analysis: Stutes, out since April 22 with right shoulder soreness, visited a team doctor on Tuesday to find out when he can begin throwing and got bad news. He will need a few bullpen sessions before he can begin a minor league rehab assignment once he is finally ready to begin throwing. Once he does that, it will be just a matter of time before he returns to the Philadelphia bullpen. Stutes has low-end Fantasy value, when healthy.
News: Philadelphia reliever David Herndon underwent a PRP injection on Tuesday, reports MLB.com. The injection was in his right elbow. Herndon will be re-evaluated again in two weeks.
Analysis: Herndon has a 4.70 ERA in five appearances this season and serves as a middle reliever in Philadelphia. Fantasy owners should continue to ignore Herndon as he doesn't hold much value, healthy or not.
News: Boston general manager Ben Cherington said Tuesday that recently-acquired pitcher Mark Prior is on a schedule down at extended spring training. Prior is working his way back from offseason groin surgery. The Red Sox do not have a timetable or immediate plans to send him to rehab at a minor league affiliate.
Analysis: Prior will continue to be kept down in Florida for a bit to build up arm strength. Prior has had numerous arm problems, which have destroyed a once promising career. Prior has a long ways back to the majors and it will likely be as a reliever, so leave him alone in Fantasy until further notice.
News: Boston outfielder Jason Repko had his injured knee looked at in Boston after he tweaked it while rehabbing his separated shoulder, reports WEEI.com on Tuesday. Repko's knee checked out fine and he will resume rehabbing in Fort Myers, Fla.
Analysis: Repko suffered a slight separation in his shoulder when he crashed into the outfield wall in late April. The Red Sox could use his services right now with all the injuries to outfielders on the team. That said, by the time he's able to return, he probably won't be needed as much. Repko has low-end Fantasy value, when healthy.
News: Red Sox outfielder Ryan Kalish has been making solid strides in his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery, reports WEEI.com on Tuesday. Kalish is playing in extended spring training in Fort Meyers, Fla. Kalish could begin a minor league rehab assignment sometime in the middle of June.
Analysis: Kalish is still a long way away from returning to the Boston outfield, though the Red Sox could sure use him with all the injuries they've been dealing with. He could be on the MLB roster later this summer, but Kalish has to prove healthy and productive before he is recalled. Kalish is only worth stashing in AL-only Fantasy formats.
News: Boston outfielder Darnell McDonald (oblique) is progressing well in his return from an oblique strain, reports WEEI.com on Tuesday. McDonald took soft toss on Tuesday and will take batting practice on Wednesday. McDonald is eligible to come off the disabled list as soon as Sunday.
Analysis: McDonald is nearing a return to the Red Sox, who have been dealing with multiple injuries in the outfield. He could see some playing time if he can return shortly. That said, McDonald wasn't seeing much PT before the injury and has low-end AL-only Fantasy value, when healthy.
News: Cubs first baseman Bryan LaHair was left out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Astros. After going 1 for 19 in his last six contests, manager Dale Sveum told MLB.com that LaHair is receiving a "mental breather." LaHair has started 36 of 43 games so far this season. “He’s never really gone through this mental grind in the big leagues and played this many games in a row,” Sveum said.
Analysis: LaHair was one of the hottest players in Fantasy during his streak of reaching base in 32 straight games but he has been slumping up late. Hopefully the day off will do him some good so keep an eye on his progress going forward. After a solid campaign in the minors a year ago, the 29-year-old is showing that he can produce in the majors and should be viewed as a viable option in most Fantasy formats when in the lineup.
News: Baltimore pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada, who underwent elbow ligament replacement surgery earlier in May and will miss the entire season, arrived at the team's spring training facility in Sarasota, Fla., on Tuesday, reports MLB.com. Wada is expected to begin the next phase of his rehab from Tommy John.
Analysis: While Wada's surgery was deemed a success, the 31-year-old will be looking a long road back to the big leagues. He is likely facing at least a year of rehab -- baring any setbacks -- which he will do at the team's complex in Sarasota. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on how his rehab goes over the next few months. However, Wada should be left all Fantasy rosters until further notice.
News: Orioles injured outfielder Endy Chavez (oblique) continues to rehab his injury down in Sarasota, Fla., at the Orioles' spring training complex, reports MLB.com on Tuesday. Chavez has been limited to hitting soft toss and off a tee. He will likely need a rehab assignment before coming off the DL.
Analysis: Chavez is still a little ways from returning as oblique injuries tend to linger. Chavez is dealing with the same injury that Mark Reynolds is currently, though Reynolds is a little ahead of Chavez's timetable. When healthy, Chavez is expected to go back to being the Orioles' fourth outfielder. He has low-end AL-only Fantasy appeal in that role.
News: Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds (oblique) is nearing a return to the team, reports MLB.com on Tuesday. Reynolds hit off coaches in batting practice on Tuesday and could return shortly for the Orioles. The team wasn't specific as to whether or not he'll need an injury rehab assignment in the minors first, however.
Analysis: Reynolds will continue to rehab in Florida. He's eligible to come off the DL on May 26 and will likely need a rehab assignment. Reynolds isn't off to a fantastic start with a .191 average, two homers and 36 strikeouts over 108 plate appearances. When healthy, Reynolds can be used in deeper mixed Fantasy formats.
News: Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon returned to the starting lineup for Tuesday's game at Arizona after being benched in the hopes of halting his recent offensive slump. Gordon was held out of the lineup the past three games, but served as a pinch-hitter on Sunday. Gordon is hitting just .200 this season and has recorded just three extra-base hits this month. He was removed from the leadoff spot and slotted eighth on Tuesday.
Analysis: Gordon has spent nearly the entire season atop Los Angeles' batting order as 142 of his 145 at-bats have come from the leadoff spot. He struggled with consistency from the position and carried a lowly .244 on-base percentage, hardly a quality mark for the leadoff hitter. Gordon does possess blazing speed and swiped 12 bases in 17 chances this year. For now, though, he is considered a low-end Fantasy option in most formats.
News: The Diamondbacks recalled catcher Konrad Schmidt from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, in response to Miguel Montero’s groin injury, which is expected to cost him a few games. The team sent starting pitcher Patrick Corbin to Reno to make room for him.
Analysis: Unless Montero is moved to the disabled list, which is not expected at this time, Schmidt will likely only be with the team for a few days. He has not been in the majors since 2010, when he made four appearances for the Diamondbacks. He was hitting .274 with three home runs in 31 games at Reno, and is not worth picking up outside of the deepest NL-only leagues.
News: The Diamondbacks announced on Tuesday that they have optioned rookie starter Patrick Corbin to Triple-A, in anticipation of Daniel Hudson's return from the disabled list. The team recalled catcher Konrad Schmidt in response to the move.
Analysis: Corbin put up a 5.27 ERA in five starts this season, with 18 strikeouts to nine walks. He is going to make his first appearance in Triple-A, after looking decent in a short stint at the majors. Corbin should be released in most Fantasy formats at this time.
News: The Red Sox officially placed outfielder Ryan Sweeney on the 7-day concussion disabled list on Tuesday, reports MLB.com. Sweeney underwent more concussion tests on Monday and manager Bobby Valentine said after Monday's win over the Orioles that he did not pass all of them and will need time on the shelf. The team activated Kevin Youkilis in the corresponding roster move.
Analysis: Sweeney had some conflicting reports on Monday with some reporting he apparently passed his concussion tests. That was apparently not the case and the Red Sox are going to take the careful approach by putting him on the DL. Sweeney can be stashed in some AL-only Fantasy leagues while on the shelf.
News: Minnesota pitcher Anthony Swarzak has been tabbed to make a spot start for the Twins on Friday against Detroit, reports the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Tuesday. Swarzak has been pitching in the bullpen and made his last appearance May 20 at Milwaukee. He has a 4.73 ERA on the year.
Analysis: Swarzak failed miserably the first time around as a starter this season for the Twins with an 0-3 record and a 6.75 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in three starts. He's had better results in the past, but the Twins moved him to the bullpen after he struggled. Swarzak may only make the one start, so he only has AL-only Fantasy value.
News: The A’s announced on Tuesday that they have sent pitcher Pedro Fiueroa back to Triple-A, in order to make room for the call up of starting pitcher Graham Godfrey. Figueroa appeared in eight games for the A’s, allowing two runs in nine innings.
Analysis: The ERA for Figueroa was pretty, however the underlying stats were not, as he had just three strikeouts and nine walks in his nine innings. He will probably be back with the team before long, however he has no Fantasy appeal at this time.
News: Mired in a 1-for-32 slump, Mets center fielder Andres Torres was benched Tuesday against the Pirates in favor of Kirk Nieuwenhuis. "To be honest, I haven't done what I'm supposed to do," Torres said. "This game you have to make your job. You have to get it done. And I feel bad that I haven't performed like I wanted. But I'm here. I just have to find a way to get on base and get hits and things like that." Manager Terry Collins weighed in on Torres' struggles as well. "A little bit of over-swinging, which can happen," Collins said. "He's done a good job of getting himself into some good counts. He's just not getting some results that he wants or that we need to have. ... He's all full of energy. Everything is max, max, max effort. So I just thought today we'll go with another route and give him a day off."
Analysis: Torres' average has sagged to .189 and right now the Giants are getting the better half of the trade as former Met Angel Pagan has hit safely in 31 of his last 32 games entering Tuesday. Torres remains the team's starting center fielder, but Collins didn't exactly give a ringing endorsement Tuesday. "Well, everything is going to be reevaluated as we go. But we know how we play when he gets on base," Collins said. "It's quite obvious, when he gets on, we score, and we play very good. He's played very good center field. But right now he's mired in a real tough slump, so I just thought I'd get somebody else in there to see if we can get this thing kick-started a little bit." Torres is primarily an NL-only Fantasy option until he gets on track offensively.
News: For the first time since being removed from a game last week because of a back injury, Detroit relief pitcher Jose Valverde was available out of the bullpen on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. Valverde has missed the Tigers' past five games with a lower back strain, but is healthy enough to serve in a relief role for Tuesday's game at Cleveland. The third-year Tigers closer has registered seven saves in nine chances this season.
Analysis: Detroit manager Jim Leyland said Sunday he was hopeful Valverde would be able to return Tuesday, and that concern has been alleviated. A year after collecting a save in all 49 chances in 2011, the right-hander has struggled with his command this season en route to a lowly 5.51 ERA after 17 appearances. Still, he should continue to receive ample save chances with the Tigers and is a solid Fantasy option in most formats.
News: Braves starting pitcher prospect Julio Teheran improved to 4-2 at Triple-A Gwinnett with his second win in three starts Monday against Rochester. Teheran allowed just one run on four hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out three. Teheran has a 2.98 ERA, .250 opponents' batting average, 32 strikeouts and 19 walks in 42 1/3 innings.
Analysis: Teheran's numbers are pretty much on par with what he has done the last few seasons in the minors. He is just biding his time until the Braves need an arm in the rotation. Teheran is one of the top pitching prospects in the minors and expected to be a front-of-the-rotation arm down the road. He is a viable long-term keeper and a player worth stashing in deep seasonal formats.
News: Yankees injured closer Mariano Rivera still does not have a scheduled date for surgery to repair his torn right ACL, reports the New York Post on Tuesday. The blood clot that was found has yet to clear up yet. "It's not frustrating because there's nothing I can do," said Rivera.
Analysis: Rivera is not expected back this season so there should be little concern that the surgery has continued to be delayed. There is still time for him to undergo the surgery and return to full health for next year. Rivera, the all-time saves leader in MLB history, vowed to pitch again in 2013. For now, though, Fantasy owners should release him in all seasonal formats.
News: Nothing changed for Phillies starting pitcher Vance Worley after seeking a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews. Worley, who is on the 15-day DL, will not need Tommy John surgery, but he will have to pitch with a bone chip in his elbow the rest of the year.
Analysis: Hopefully, this diagnosis will allow Worley to sleep a little easier. However, he's going to have to pitch through discomfort, which remains an issue. And he is still likely looking at offseason surgery to clean up his elbow. Worley said Sunday he will resume throwing this week. If he has no setbacks, then that should start him on the path to recovery. For now, continue to stash Worley in all Fantasy formats since he should return to the hill in 2012.
News: The Cubs placed catcher Welington Castillo on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, reports MLB.com. Castillo is dealing with a sprained knee and should only require the minimum stay on the shelf. The move made room for Travis Wood to be recalled to start on Tuesday at Houston.
Analysis: Castillo has a mild MCL sprain in his right knee and was only originally expected to miss 4-7 days. He'll be out longer now as the Cubs needed the roster space to recall Wood. Castillo should return when eligible, but has just low-end Fantasy value in NL-only leagues.
News: Cardinals pitcher Kyle McClellan headed to Florida on Monday for a second opinion on his injured elbow from Dr. James Andrews, reports FOXSportsMidwest.com. McClellan had his original diagnosis that he does not require Tommy John surgery held up by Dr. Andrews. McClellan will rehab his injury and won't throw for 6-8 weeks. He is confident he could pitch again in August or September.
Analysis: McClellan won't need Tommy John surgery and that is good news considering he has already had two surgeries on his elbow. He's probably not completely out of the woods from a possible surgery, but he'll attempt to rehab at least at first. The right-hander had a 5.30 ERA in 16 appearances this season so owners in the deepest of Fantasy formats should be the only ones keeping an eye on his status going forward.
News: Giants first baseman Aubrey Huff returned to the starting lineup Tuesday against the Brewers for the first time since April 21. It was also his first start since coming off the DL in early May. He was sidelined because of anxiety issues.
Analysis: Huff is just 1 for 7 (.143) in eight pinch-hit appearances since returning from the DL. He could obviously play his way into more PT if he starts to hit, but for now Huff isn't a very good Fantasy option.
News: Baltimore outfielder Nolan Reimold (neck) has been scheduled to receive a second epidural injection on Friday, reports MASNsports.com. Reimold was wavering on whether or not he wanted to undergo the second injection, but ultimately decided it was the best course of action. The 28-year-old received the first injection on May 11 but his neck has not really gotten better.
Analysis: Reimold was considering simply toughing it out and playing through the pain as the second epidural injection will only keep him out even longer. Still, it is probably the correct decision in the long run for the 28-year-old outfielder. Of course, this means Reimold is going to take even longer to return. He got off to a hot start, despite dealing with the back and neck issues, and was hitting .313 with five homers and 10 RBI at the time of his DL placement. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his status moving forward to see when he will be able to return. Reimold can be considered a a solid option in AL-only and some deeper mixed when healthy, so continue to stash him in those formats moving forward.
News:The Kansas City Star reports Royals manager Ned Yost said Tuesday that Irving Falu and Johnny Giavotella will platoon at second base in the absence of Chris Getz, who was placed on the 15-day DL on Tuesday with a rib injury. Falu started Tuesday's game against the Yankees.
Analysis: Giavotella probably would have been considered the full-time second baseman if Falu wasn't hitting so well. Unfortunately, Falu is tearing the cover off the ball and playing his way into the lineup. Giavotella is batting .313 with three RBI in his last five games, but since he isn't playing every day yet, then he is more of an AL-only Fantasy option.
News:The Kansas City Star reports Royals manager Ned Yost said Tuesday that Irving Falu and Johnny Giavotella will platoon at second base in the absence of Chris Getz, who was placed on the 15-day DL on Tuesday with a rib injury. Falu started Tuesday's game against the Yankees.
Analysis: Falu has seen time at second base, third base and shortstop since his promotion from the minors. He is batting .419 (13 for 31) in eight games, so he has certainly played his way into more PT. However, he is still not a full-time player, so leave Falu for AL-only formats.
News: Cubs catcher Steve Clevenger (oblique) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. Clevenger was the team's DH, going 1 for 2 with one run before being lifted in the fourth inning.
Analysis: The Cubs said Clevenger would start out slow before building up to a full game behind the plate. He could be back with Chicago by the end of the week. With Geovany Soto on the DL, then there is at-bats for Clevenger once he is healthy. He just has marginal Fantasy appeal until he proves healthy and productive.
News: Kansas City second baseman Chris Getz was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a troublesome rib injury, the team announced Tuesday. Getz has missed three of his past five games with the issue before aggravating the injury Monday against the Yankees on a slide at second base. "I'm not great with the terms, but it's intercostal cartilage," Getz told MLB.com. "The stuff in between ribs four and five is inflamed -- it's not torn -- along with bone contusions on both of those ribs. That's the part that's painful for the breathing."
Analysis: Getz has split playing time at second base with Yuniesky Betancourt this season, but neither has particularly shined. Getz has posted a .277 batting average, but has tallied just one extra-base hit over the past 10 games. Fantasy owners should reserve him just in AL-only formats. Irving Falu is expected to receive additional starts at second base for the Royals with Getz and Betancourt sidelined.
News: The White Sox announced Tuesday that they signed infielder Orlando Hudson to a one-year deal. Hudson was released by the Padres Thursday.
Analysis: The White Sox brought in Hudson to play second base and third base. With Brent Morel on the disabled list, Hudson could play his way into regular at-bats at third base, but he will have to beat out Eduardo Escobar and Brent Lillibridge. Hudson is merely an AL-only Fantasy flier at this time.
News: Kansas City relief pitcher Blake Wood was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Tuesday in order to clear an additional spot on the active roster. Wood is expected to miss the rest of the season after being scheduled for Tommy John surgery. He did not appear in a game this year.
Analysis: Wood dealt with elbow problems during spring training before landing on the disabled list in early April. The right-hander has appeared in 106 major-league games and posted a 4.30 ERA. He is not a worthwhile Fantasy option at this point while he is sidelined.
News: Most minor-league players draw attention from parent clubs by staying aggressive at the plate in the hopes of rapidly ascending the system with an impact on offense. Pittsburgh outfield prospect Robbie Grossman could be the opposite. The 22-year-old, viewed as the No. 8 prospect in the Pirates system by MLB.com, is seeking to build off his breakout 2011 campaign when he led the minors in walks (104) and runs scored (127) at Class A Bradenton. He has upheld his proficient walk rate (24) after being moved to Double-A Altoona this year, and also recorded eight doubles, two triples and three homers.
Analysis: Grossman was one of the early cuts in camp during spring training, but has been able to overcome a fractured hamate bone in his right hand that kept him in a cast for nearly four weeks at the end of the AFL season. Despite continuing to hit for power, he has managed just a .214 batting average at the next level. "I'm trying to make adjustments and have fun," Grossman said. "I have confidence in what I am doing. If I get a pitch to hit, I don't want to miss it." Grossman has worked as a center fielder for Altoona this year, but can handle the corner positions as well. While he is years away from a possible promotion to the majors, Fantasy owners in long-term keeper leagues should track Grossman's progression.
News: Reds shortstop prospect Billy Hamilton has unfortunately dealt with a market correction in May at Class A Bakersfield. After batting an outstanding .398 in 23 April games, Hamilton is batting just .215 in 18 May games. Hamilton has a .311 average, .386 OBP, .467 slugging percentage and .853 OPS in 41 games. Hamilton also has 40 stolen bases.
Analysis: You had to figure Hamilton's numbers were going to come down after he had one of the best Aprils in all of baseball. Still, Hamilton's numbers are impressive, especially his stolen-base total. Hamilton continues to be one of the best basestealers in the minors and is on track for another season of 100-plus stolen bases if he stays healthy. Despite his prowess on the base paths, the Reds don't seem in a hurry to get Hamilton to the majors with Zack Cozart holding his own at shortstop. Hamilton remains just a long-term keeper.
News: The Houston Chronicle reports Nationals infield prospect Anthony Rendon is in Houston rehabbing from an injury left ankle he sustained in his second game with Class A Potomac in early April. Rendon is currently wearing a protective boot and using crutches after having his cast removed three weeks ago. There is no timetable for Rendon's return, but the 2011 first-round pick isn't so sure he will play again this season. “I’m probably not going to come back this year,” Rendon said. “It wouldn’t make any sense to come back and play the last month and try and do something big.”
Analysis: While Rendon seems resigned to missing the rest of the 2012 season, ESPN.com reports the Nationals expect Rendon to play in minor-league games in either July or August. Perhaps the two sides should get on the same page. However, Rendon does seem to have a major enough of an injury that it will delay his ETA to the majors. Before getting hurt, the Nationals were working Rendon at second base since Ryan Zimmerman is signed long-term to play third base. Rendon appears to be a few years away from a Fantasy impact, so he remains just a long-term keeper.
News: Mariners pitching prospect Taijuan Walker returned to the hill for Double-A Jackson on Monday, a week after spraining his right ankle in a start. Walker didn't seem hobbled at all as he held Mobile to two runs on four hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out six. Walker is 3-1 with a 2.06 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in eight starts. He also has 41 strikeouts to 12 walks in 39 1/3 innings.
Analysis: Whether or not Walker was going to miss time because of his ankle injury wasn't going to alter his 2012 outlook. It's good the 19-year-old hurler is already at Double-A, but Walker has just 26 starts and 143 innings of minor-league baseball under his belt. He still has many more innings to log before a chance at the MLB rotation. Walker's numbers are impressive, which puts him as a viable long-term Fantasy keeper, but he is still a few years away from a Fantasy impact.
News: Twins infield prospect Miguel Sano has finally hit a rough patch at Class A Beloit. The 19-year-old slugger is mired in a 3-for-32 slump in his last 10 games, which has dropped his May average to .232 and his season average to .256. Sano still has five homers and 14 RBI in 19 May games. He also has a .371 OBP, .551 slugging percentage, .922 OPS, 11 homers and 35 RBI in 44 games this season.
Analysis: While Sano continues to put up insane power numbers for a player under 20 years old, he still has some holes in his game. He is striking out more than once per contest, but that can be expected of any power hitter it seems. The Twins have shown patience with Sano and he is being brought along slowly. He has immense potential, but Sano remains just a long-term Fantasy keeper because he is a few years away from a Fantasy impact.
News: Despite allowing nine runs on 12 hits in his last two starts, A's pitching prospect Brad Peacock has managed to extend his winning streak to four games for Triple-A Sacramento. Peacock is 5-1 with a 4.17 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in eight starts. He also has 43 strikeouts to 16 walks in 45 1/3 innings.
Analysis: Don't get too caught up in the high ERA and WHIP. The PCL intends to inflate numbers. The most important things are that Peacock continues to have a good strikeout rate and is keeping his walk rate fairly low. Peacock has won 20 times in his last 33 minor-league outings (31 starts) dating back to last season. He is still considered a top pitching prospect and will likely return to the majors at some point in 2012. Stash him in long-term keeper and deeper seasonal Fantasy formats, particularly AL-only.
News: Angels relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins reported no problems after throwing Monday without a custom splint on his fractured right pinkie finger, according to the Los Angeles Times. It was the first time Hawkins has thrown since suffering the injury in a game on May 6.
Analysis: Hawkins remains on target to return to the Angels bullpen in early June after his stint on the disabled list. The veteran right-hander recorded a save in his only opportunity before the injury as Los Angeles cobbled together options in the ninth inning. Fantasy owners should keep him off rosters in the majority of formats while he's sidelined.
News: Twins minor leaguer Danny Valencia homered and drove in three runs Monday for Triple-A Rochester to extend his hitting streak to eight games. Valencia is 12 for 33 (.363) with two homers and seven RBI during his hitting streak.
Analysis: If Valencia was hitting this well in the majors, then he would still be the Twins' starting third baseman. While this is a positive run for Valencia, the Twins haven't indicated yet they are ready to bring him back to the majors. Minnesota seems content with using Trevor Plouffe and Jamey Carroll at third base. Valencia is primarily worth stashing in AL-only Fantasy formats, but only if you have ample reserve spots.
News: Washington relief pitcher Ryan Mattheus was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a foot injury. Mattheus developed plantar fasciitis in his left foot and will wear a walking boot for a few weeks The Nationals activated Chien-Ming Wang to take his place on the roster and in the bullpen.
Analysis: Mattheus (2-1) seemed to be bothered by the issue in recent games and yielded five hits over his past three outings. The right-hander has collected six holds, but doesn't rack up too many strikeouts. Fantasy owners should continue to ignore him in the majority of formats for now.
News: Pirates starting pitcher prospect Jameson Taillon had his worst start of the season last time out for Class A Bradenton. Taillon, who was the second overall pick in the 2010 MLB draft, was tagged for six runs on seven hits (two homers) and two walks in 5 2/3 innings against St. Lucie on May 16. Prior to that outing, Taillon allowed a total of six runs in his first seven starts and didn't allow a home run in that span. For the season, Taillon is 2-3 with a 2.55 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 40 strikeouts and nine walks in eight starts (42 1/3 innings).
Analysis: Even the best pitchers have bad outings from time to time. The takeaway point here is all the progress Taillon is making in his second pro season. Last year, the Pirates goal was to get Taillon on a five-day routine as he built up arm strength. Now, the Pirates are starting to take some of the restrictions off Taillon and let him develop as a pitching prospect. The 20-year-old hurler is still a few years away from a Fantasy impact, but you can see the potential. Taillon could pair with Gerrit Cole down the road to give the Pirates a dynamite 1-2 combo at the top of the rotation. Taillon remains a solid long-term Fantasy keeper.
News: Washington pitcher Chien-Ming Wang was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday after overcoming a troublesome hamstring injury. Wang, who has yet to pitch in a game with the Nationals this season, will serve out of the bullpen for now, manager Davey Johnson said. Washington placed relief pitcher Ryan Mattheus on the disabled list to clear a spot on the active roster for Wang.
Analysis: Wang appeared to be in line for the Nationals' fifth position in the starting rotation before suffering a strained left hamstring during spring training. The veteran right-hander has been hampered by injuries over the past couple years and made just 20 starts since the beginning of the 2009 season. He could be moved to the rotation if Ross Detwiler struggles but for now, he should be considered a low-end Fantasy option.
News: Orioles shortstop prospect Manny Machado has been a much better contact hitter for Double-A Bowie in May. Machado is batting .361 (13 for 36) in his last 10 games following a 3-for-4 performance Monday. Machado is batting .328 in May after batting just .241 in April. Unfortunately, Macahdo has no homers in 19 May games. He does have a .484 slugging percentage this month because of eight doubles and a triple, but he has just two homers through 42 games this year.
Analysis: The scouts feel Machado will develop moderate home run power over time, but his home run power thus far has been disappointing. The good news is that Machado finally seems to be hitting consistently, which is great for his development. But he is still likely a few years away from making a Fantasy impact. People forget he is only 19 years old and still growing into his 6-3 frame. Machado remains more of a long-term Fantasy keeper.
News: After a few rough starts to begin his pro career at Class A Bradenton, Pirates starting pitcher prospect Gerrit Cole is beginning to show everyone why he was taken first overall in the 2012 draft. Cole has allowed a total of four runs in his last four starts after being tagged for 13 runs (nine earned) in his first four starts (17 innings). Cole is 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA and .190 opponents' batting average in three May starts after going 1-1 with a 3.52 ERA and .202 opponents' batting average in five April starts. For the season, Cole is 2-1 with a 2.92 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 43 strikeouts and 11 walks in eight starts (40 innings).
Analysis: Even though Cole was drafted out of college, the Pirates seem in no hurry to rush him to the majors. But the ceiling is very high for the former UCLA standout. Cole is a hard thrower. He just needs to learn how to become more of a pitcher. He has top-of-the-rotation potential, but he likely won't be a Fantasy impact player until 2013 at the earliest. Cole is just a long-term Fantasy keeper.
News: Diamondbacks pitching prospect Tyler Skaggs won for the second time in three starts for Double-A Mobile after tossing five scoreless innings Monday at Jacksonville. Skaggs is 2-3 with a 3.12 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in eight starts. He also has 48 strikeouts and 11 walks in 40 1/3 innings. Skaggs is striking out 10.6 batters per nine innings in his minor-league career.
Analysis: While Skaggs has been in the Arizona system since 2009, people forget that he started his pro career as a 17-year-old. He is just 20 years old right now and is still very young. As quickly as we would like to see him breeze through the minors, the Diamondbacks are probably doing the right thing by bringing him along slowly. Arizona has hinted at potential 2012 debut for Skaggs, but fellow pitching prospect Trevor Bauer should make it to the majors faster than Skaggs, who has more value as a long-term keeper.
News: After missing a week of action with a sprained right thumb, Seattle infield prospect Nick Franklin returned to make an immediate impact for Double-A Jackson. Franklin, ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the Mariners' organization by MLB.com, collected four hits, including a pair of triples, in his first game back last Friday. The 21-year-old currently ranks among the Southern League leaders in batting average (.336) and on-base percentage (.389). "After I missed the time last year, I was definitely itching to get back in there," Franklin told MLB.com. "It was frustrating, but I had to let my thumb heal."
Analysis: Franklin, who missed time last year after suffering a concussion when he was hit by a teammate's bat, claimed MVP honors in the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Game during the past offseason. The switch-hitter belted two doubles and a homer off Gerrit Cole, the top overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft by Pittsburgh. Franklin has been playing exclusively at short this year after splitting time between shortstop and second base last season. "I definitely prefer shortstop," said Franklin, who has committed seven errors. "That's what I want to play." The Mariners certainly need a shortstop of the future and Franklin could fit that billing in the coming years. Consider him a quality long-term option in Fantasy keeper leagues.
News: Mariners pitching prospect Danny Hultzen continues to cruise along at Double-A Jackson. He has had some hiccups along the road, including a seven-walk outing May 5, but he has had few obstacles thus far. Hultzen has won his last two starts to improve to 4-3 with a 1.81 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in eight starts. He also has 44 strikeouts and 24 walks in 44 2/3 innings.
Analysis: You are starting to see why Hultzen was taken second overall in the 2011 draft. The former Virginia standout has begun his pro career at Double-A, which is a strong indication that the Mariners feel he will move quickly. The fact he has such impressive numbers this early is also helping his case. Hultzen is battling some control problems, but it doesn't seem to be costing him. He's already considered a polished pitcher that has good command of his fastball, changeup and slider. While he's off to a nice start in the minors, the Mariners are likely to give Hultzen some time to develop before bringing him up. That's not to say we won't see him when rosters expand later this year, but Hultzen has way more Fantasy value in long-term keeper formats than seasonal leagues.
News: Blue Jays catcher prospect Travis d'Arnaud got off to a sluggish start at Triple-A Las Vegas, hitting .220 in his first 15 games. But by the end of April he was no longer struggling and he has stayed hot in May. d'Arnaud has produced five homers and 10 RBI in his last 10 games. He is batting .309 with a .603 slugging percentage and .959 OPS in 16 May games after finishing April with a .282 average, two homers and 11 RBI in 21 games.
Analysis: d'Arnaud is showing why he is arguably the best catcher prospect in the minors right now. Not only does d'Arnaud have the ability to hit for average and power, but his defense is superb. The Blue Jays have said they don't expect to bring d'Arnaud to the majors until 2013, but that could all change with an injury at the MLB level. He's a great long-term Fantasy keeper and might be worth stashing in deep seasonal formats.
News: Toronto starting pitcher Jesse Litsch said Tuesday that precautionary tests on his right shoulder confirmed an infection is completely gone, according to SportsNet. Litsch, who has not pitched in the majors since September of last year, said he never felt pain comparable to what he experienced as the infection was reportedly a threat to his career. The infection stemmed from a platelet-rich plasma injection in the offseason.
Analysis: Litsch was shut down from all baseball activities during spring training after developing inflammation in his shoulder. The right-hander required arthroscopic surgery in early March after the PRP treatment, and his shoulder has been slow to recover since then. Litsch, 27, has appeared in just 39 games over the past three seasons for the Blue Jays and there is no timetable for his return. Keep him on waivers in all Fantasy formats.
News: Cubs center field prospect Brett Jackson continues to see his batting average decline at Triple-A Iowa. After batting .236 in April, Jackson is batting .217 in 18 May games. After a 0-for-5 performance Monday, Jackson is batting just .146 (6 for 41) in his last 10 games. He is batting .228 with a .324 OBP, .430 slugging percentage and .755 OPS in 40 games this season.
Analysis: While Jackson will likely make it to the majors at some point in 2012, he's not really forcing the Cubs hand right now. The worst stat for Jackson might be his 58 strikeouts in 40 games. The Cubs have said Jackson needs Triple-A at-bats, and if he doesn't improve quickly, then he might be forced to spend most of the season in the minors. Jackson's star isn't shining as bright with his slow start to the 2012 season, but he is still a solid prospect and has 20-20 ability at the MLB level. He's a viable long-term keeper and worth stashing in deeper seasonal Fantasy formats.
News: Cardinals pitching prospect Shelby Miller had another rough outing Monday for Triple-A Memphis. Miller didn't even make it out of the fourth inning at Tucson, allowing seven runs (four earned) on eight hits (two homers) and two walks. He struck out four. Miller is 4-3 with a 4.30 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and .307 opponents' batting average in nine starts. He also has 52 strikeouts, 20 walks and seven homers allowed in 44 innings.
Analysis: You take a look at Miller's numbers and they don't scream top pitching prospect. Although, you do have to speculate that Miller's numbers are likely inflated because of the hitter-friendly PCL parks. There has been some issues regarding Miller's velocity this season, but he was ranging in the mid-90s, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, during six shutout innings on May 15 against Colorado Springs. Miller's strikeout numbers are still respectable, but his walk and home run rate are way up. This is probably a little setback in Miller's ascension to the majors. Surely, the Cardinals would like to see him dominate before he's promoted to the majors. Miller still remains a solid long-term Fantasy keeper and is worth stashing in deeper seasonal formats. Let's just hope he gets on track so he can make it to the majors faster.
News: Rockies third base prospect Nolan Arenado extended his hitting streak to 10 games at Double-A Tulsa on Monday. He is batting .350 (14 for 40) with one homer, three doubles and seven RBI during his hitting streak. Arenado is batting .296 with two homers and 12 RBI in 20 May games after batting .310 with one homer and 13 RBI in 24 April games.
Analysis: The Rockies have used Chris Nelson, Jordan Pacheco and Jonathan Herrera at the hot corner this season, but it seems they are just keeping the job warm until the Rockies are confident Arenado is ready for the majors. Pacheco has been playing the hot corner primarily as of late, but he's more suited for a utility role with Colorado, so he doesn't appear to be a long-term threat to Arenado's ascension to the majors. The only thing lacking right now for Arenado is his home run abilities. It would seem a promotion to Triple-A is in the cards before a promotion to the majors. Arenado has the ability to be an impact bat upon his arrival to the majors, so he is worth stashing in deep seasonal formats, particularly NL-only. It goes without saying as well that he remains a viable long-term keeper.
News: Oakland outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is not expected to be reinstated from the disabled list when he is first eligible Tuesday. However, MLB.com reports he was able to take batting practice with three different sizes of fungo bats, his first time doing so since landing on the DL with a strained left hand. "Over the last 48 to 72 hours, he's probably made the most progress that we've seen out of him, in regards to how he's feeling, his strength [and] his ability to do certain provocative tests without any discomfort," said head trainer Nick Paparesta.
Analysis: Cespedes has been sidelined since May 6 because of a his injury but could swing a regular bat as early as Wednesday. Keep an eye on his progress going forward to see when he will be able to return. The 26-year-old slugger has drilled five homers in his first 28 games in the majors while producing a .245 batting average. Fantasy owners should continue to keep Cespedes reserved in most formats at this point.
News: Detroit second baseman Danny Worth was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday to take the roster spot of outfielder Ryan Raburn, who was placed on the bereavement list. Worth was recently shipped to the minors after the club promoted reliever Brayan Villarreal.
Analysis: Worth collected just three hits in 12 games with the Tigers are being recalled in late April. He failed to drive in a run during his 20 plate appearances and should not be considered a worthwhile Fantasy option at this point.
News: Minnesota starting pitcher Jason Marquis was designated for assignment on Tuesday, ending a brief rocky tenure with the Twins. Marquis (2-4) was reportedly on the way out after surrendering a season-high eight runs in less than two innings during a loss at Milwaukee on Sunday. It was his fourth consecutive loss after starting the season 2-0 and raised his ERA to 8.47. "We gave him every opportunity. It just wasn’t working out," general manager Terry Ryan said. The Twins promoted starting pitcher Cole DeVries from Triple-A Rochester to take his place in the rotation.
Analysis: After 12 seasons in the National League, Marquis received a rude welcome from the American League's deeper offenses and permitted nearly a run per inning in seven starts. The right-hander struggled to locate his pitches and recorded 14 walks to just 12 strikeouts over 34 innings. When he did find the strike zone, hitters took advantage and belted nine homers and carried a .371 batting average off of him. Marquis yielded 11 homers in 23 starts last year. He should generate some interest from other teams, but is not a reliable Fantasy option for now.
News: Milwaukee infielder Mat Gamel had successful knee surgery Tuesday to repair a torn ACL, the team announced. Gamel, who is currently on the 60-day disabled list, also had surgery to repair a debridement of the lateral meniscus. He is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Analysis: Gamel started 20 games at first base for the Brewers during the team's first season without slugger Prince Fielder. The 26-year-old still struggled with a strikeout rate and fanned 15 times while producing one homer. Fantasy owners in seasonal formats should ditch Gamel to waivers.
News: Astros pitcher Bud Norris continued his month-long run of dominant pitching in Monday's series opener against the Cubs. He worked seven scoreless innings, giving up five hits while striking out eight in the 8-4 win. The right-hander threw 77 of his 109 pitches for strikes and lowered his ERA to 3.14. Norris also walked three while earning his fifth win of the season. ''I'm definitely in a rhythm right now,'' he said. ''I've been working really well with (catcher Jason) Castro. Things have been there for me and I just want to keep it going.''
Analysis: Norris has gone 4-0 with a 0.35 ERA in his four starts in May and has brought his ERA all the way down from 5.46. He also has a 29-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 26 innings pitched over that span. The 27-year-old has been one of the hottest pitchers in Fantasy over the last few weeks and should see more looks in mixed leagues heading into his second outing of Week 8 (May 21-28). He is scheduled to pitch again on Sunday against the Dodgers. In three starts against Los Angeles a year ago, Norris posted a 0.90 ERA.
News: Cleveland starting pitcher Kevin Slowey, currently at Triple-A Columbus, was placed on the seven-day disabled list with a right lat strain, the team announced. Slowey, who also dealt with a minor hand issue last month, has made eight starts this year. There is no timetable for his return.
Analysis: Slowey joined the Indians following an offseason trade from Colorado. The veteran right-hander has compiled a 3-3 record and 5.14 ERA with Columbus and could be used as a spot starter later in the season. For now, he should not be viewed as a worthwhile Fantasy option.
News: Royals pitcher Felipe Paulino was sharp once again in his outing against the Yankees on Monday. He threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up six hits while striking out eight in the 6-0 win. The right-hander threw 64 of his 109 pitches for strikes and lowered his ERA to 1.42. Paulino also walked two while earning his second win of the season.
Analysis: Paulino has thrown three scoreless outings in his first four starts and has shown no signs of the forearm injury that landed him on the DL. He has 29 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings with just seven walks. The 28-year-old has the stuff to compete as a starter and is off to a solid start so consider adding Paulino in deeper Fantasy formats for his second start of Week 8 (May 21-27). He is scheduled to pitch next on Sunday against the Orioles.
News: The Rangers placed starting pitcher Neftali Feliz on the 15-day DL on Monday due to a UCL sprain in his right elbow. Feliz had an MRI on his elbow Monday. Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine said Feliz will not throw for four weeks before beginning a throwing program to rebuild arm strength, reports MLB.com. He is expected to be sidelined until the All-Star break. "We've just got to get him well," said Rangers manager Ron Washington, who found out Feliz was hurting Saturday in Houston. "We certainly were looking forward to him taking the ball throughout the whole year. I think what happened we can't do anything about. Now the key is to get healthy." Scott Feldman will replace Feliz in the rotation Wednesday against the Mariners and Yoshinori Tateyama has been recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to take Feliz's roster spot.
Analysis: Feliz, who transitioned this year from the bullpen to the rotation, was shut down for a few days during spring training because of tightness in his shoulder. However, his latest injury will likely keep him sidelined until the All-Star break or longer, which is a tough blow for Fantasy owners and the Rangers. Texas will start Feldman in Feliz's spot on Wednesday, but have not said who will replace him in the rotation long term. Levine also added that the Rangers will re-evaluate how Feliz is used once he returns from his injury, but anticipates him still being used as a starter. "It's something we've got to talk about," Daniels said of the future. "I don't know the answer. He's as strong and well-conditioned as he's ever been. I don't think there were any warning signs necessarily. Everything's on the table both as far as who comes up and replaces him and long term what's best for Neftali." Fantasy owners should keep an eye on Feliz's recovery over the next few weeks. The 24-year-old can be considered a viable option in most mixed formats when healthy.
News: After taking his first loss of the season his last time out, Dodgers pitcher Chris Capuano got back in the win column on Monday night against the Diamondbacks. He allowed one run on four hits over six innings of work in the 6-1 win. The left-hander gave up an RBI single to Aaron Hill in the fourth for his lone damage on the outing. He was done after throwing 94 pitches, 66 for strikes, and lowered his ERA to 2.25. Capuano also struck out five and walked one while earning his sixth win of the year.
Analysis: Capuano has not allowed more than three earned runs in a start since his season debut and has gone 6-1 with a 1.75 ERA over than span. After a resurgent campaign with the Mets a year ago, he appears in line for an even better one in his first season with the Dodgers. The 33-year-old should continue to see decent run support in Los Angeles so keep Capuano active in most Fantasy formats heading into his second outing of Week 8 (May 21-27). He is scheduled to pitch next on Sunday against the Astros. In two starts against Houston a year ago, Capuano went 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA.
News: Astros shortstop Jed Lowrie continued his recent hot hitting ways in Monday's series opener against the Cubs. He went 3 for 4 with a home run to extend his modest hitting streak to six games. He also scored twice and stole a base in the 8-4 win. Lowrie singled for his first two hits before launching a solo shot off Randy Wells in the seventh inning.
Analysis: Lowrie has gone 8 for 22 (.364) with three homers and six RBI during his hitting streak and has raised his slugging percentage from .427 to .492 over that span. He has been a little streaky in his first season with the Astros but with seven homers and 18 RBI thus far, he is beginning to make some noise in Fantasy. The 28-year-old is on pace for a career campaign, as long as he can stay healthy, so keep an eye on his progress and continue to view Lowrie as a viable option in deeper mixed leagues.
News: Mariners starter Felix Hernandez was able to himself back into the win column during Monday night's contest against the Rangers. Hernandez, who was making 10th start of the year, allowed just one run on six hits over eight innings in the 6-1 win. The lone run he surrendered came in the eighth inning on a Mitch Moreland solo home run. He was pulled after finishing out the frame at 111 pitches and left with seven strikeouts and two walks, while improving to 4-3 on the season.
Analysis: After allowing 10 earned runs over his previous two starts, Hernandez was finally able to get himself back on track on Monday night. The big right-hander kept Texas' big bats off balance for most of the game and showed much better command of the strike zone. Despite his recent rough patch, Hernandez has still put up good numbers this season and will look to keep things rolling when he makes his next start, which is scheduled for Saturday against the Angels. The 26-year-old has posted a 3.67 ERA in 25 career starts against Anaheim. Leave him active in all formats heading into his second outing of Fantasy Week 8 (May 21-27).
News: A's closer Brian Fuentes entered Monday's series opener against the Angels in the ninth inning with a one-run lead. The left-hander needed just 11 pitches to retire the side in order and secure the 2-1 win. Fuentes collected his fourth save of the season while lowering his ERA to 3.18.
Analysis: Fuentes has converted all four of his save chances in May and also has a win. He has a 1.74 ERA in his last 10 appearances and should remain the closer for Oakland as long as he is effective. The 36-year-old should be viewed as a viable source of saves in deeper Fantasy formats at this point.
News: After giving up four earned runs his last time out, A's pitcher Tommy Milone looked much better in his outing against the Angels on Monday. He allowed one run on five hits over seven innings of work in the 2-1 win. The left-hander made it through his first four frames unscathed before giving up an RBI double to Mike Trout. He was done after throwing 108 pitches, 73 for strikes. Milone also struck out three and walked one while earning his sixth win of the season.
Analysis: Milone has won three of his last four starts and lowered his ERA from 4.09 to 3.75 on Monday. While he has just 32 strikeouts in 57 2/3 innings thus far, he has done a solid job of limiting teams in his first full season as a starter. The 25-year-old should remain effective pitching a a spacious home ballpark so keep Milone active in AL-only formats heading into his second start of Week 8 (May 21-27). He is scheduled to pitch again on Sunday against the Yankees at home. Milone has gone 4-0 with a 0.60 ERA in four starts at O.co Coliseum this season.
News: Rangers reliever Mike Adams, who had been dealing with a respiratory infection, was able to get back on the mound during Monday night's contest against the Mariners. Adams came in the eighth inning and retired all three batters he faced, including two by strikeout. He was able to lower his ERA to 2.35 following his appearance.
Analysis: Adams was finally able to get on the mound Monday night and looked sharp in his return. His respiratory infection seems to be a thing of the past, so look for the right-hander to jump right back into his setup role. He has seven holds and 11 strikeouts on the season, but should only be active in AL-only formats that reward true middle men at this point in the year.
News: Rangers starter Yu Darvish's struggles against the Mariners continued during Monday night's series opener against Seattle. Darvish, who was making his ninth start of the season, allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits over four innings in the 6-1 defeat. Most of the damage he surrendered came in the third inning as the Mariners would score three runs in the frame, with two of those coming on a Ichiro Suzuki two-run single. He was pulled after throwing 96 pitches and finished with six walks and five strikeouts, while falling to 6-2 on the season.
Analysis: Darvish now has two losses on the season and both have come at the hands of the Mariners. The right-hander has now surrendered nine earned runs and 10 walks over his 9 2/3 innings against Seattle this season, but barring a change in the rotation, will miss them the next time the Rangers play the Mariners. The 25-year-old has been as good as advertised against everybody else he has faced this season and even with his latest hiccup still has posted a 3.05 ERA while racking up 63 strikeouts over his 56 innings pitched. Darvish will look to get himself back on track when he makes his next start, which is scheduled for Sunday against the Blue Jays. The right-hander is 4-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four home starts this season. Leave him active in all formats heading into his next outing.
News: Angels pitcher Jerome Williams recorded his sixth quality start of the season on Monday night against the A's but it was not enough to overcome his counterpart -- Tommy Milone. He allowed two runs on five hits with five walks over 6 1/3 innings in the 2-1 loss. Kurt Suzuki grounded into a double play to drive a run home in the second before the right-hander gave up an RBI single to Kila Ka'aihue the following frame. Williams also struck out two while taking his second loss of the season.
Analysis: Williams has put together some solid outings for the Angels thus far as he has given up three earned runs or fewer in six of his seven starts. After an impressive call-up a year ago, he appears to be back on track after disappearing from baseball for several seasons. The 30-year-old should be considered a viable option in deeper Fantasy formats heading into his second outing of Week 8 (May 21-27). He is scheduled to pitch again on Saturday against Seattle. In two starts against the Mariners last season, Williams went 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA.
News: Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner looked in line to pick up his sixth win of the season during Monday night's contest against the Brewers. Bumgarner, who was making his ninth start of the year, had surrendered just one run through the first seven innings of the 4-3 win. However, he served up a two-run home run to Ryan Braun in the eighth, which tied the score at 3-3. That would be the left-hander's final batter as he was pulled after throwing 110 pitches. He allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits over 7 2/3 innings. He finished with 10 strikeouts and one walk, while earning the no-decision.
Analysis: Tough break for Bumgarner and Fantasy owners on Monday as the 22-year-old took a gem into the eighth inning. However, some bad defense and one mistake by the left-hander ended all hopes of picking up a win. Still, it was nice to Bumgarner bounce back with a strong performance after turning in a pair of mediocre outings in his last starts. He will look to get himself back in the win column when he makes his next start, which is scheduled for Saturday against the Marlins. Despite being 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against Miami, Fantasy owners should continue to roll with Bumgarner as a viable option in the majority of mixed leagues heading into his next outing.
News: Dodgers outfielder Trent Oeltjen was outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday. He was designated for assignment last week.
Analysis: Oeltjen is a career .220 hitter in the majors and poses minimal Fantasy value at this point. Continue to ignore the 29-year-old in all Fantasy formats.
News: MLB.com reports Dodgers infielder Aaron Miles was promoted to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday. Miles signed a minor-league deal last week.
Analysis: Miles batted .275 with three homers and 45 RBI in 136 games for the Dodgers a year ago and will provide the club with some infield depth. But given where he is at age 35, continue to ignore Miles in all but the deepest of NL-only formats.
News: Brewers starter Randy Wolf did not factor into the decision during Monday night's contest against the Giants. Wolf, who was making his ninth outing of the year, allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings. All three runs he surrendered came in the first inning on a Buster Posey three-run home run. However, the left-hander was able to limit San Francisco to just three hits over his final five innings of work. He was pulled after throwing 113 pitches and finished with four strikeouts and three walks, while earning the no-decision.
Analysis: It looked like it was going to be another long night for Wolf after his rocky first inning but the veteran was able to clamp down and turned in a solid outing for the Brewers. The seven innings he logged on Monday were a season-high as Wolf has struggled to pitch deep into games this season and he is now winless over his last four outings. He will look to get himself back into the win column when he makes his next start, which is scheduled for Sunday at Arizona. Wolf has gone 7-2 with a 3.43 ERA in nine career starts at Chase Field. Continue to view the left-hander as a viable option in NL-only formats heading into his next outing.
News:Michael Kirkman, who is pitching for Triple-A Round Rock, is undergoing treatment for skin cancer, the Rangers announced on Monday. According to a statement released by the team, Kirkman was diagnosed back in January and has been undergoing treatment in Round Rock and being monitored by doctors in Florida and Texas. He is being allowed to participate in full baseball activities while undergoing treatment, and the prognosis is for a full recovery.
Analysis: Kirkman has made six starts and five relief appearances for the Express and is 2-1 with a 6.68 ERA over those outings. He will be able to keep on playing while he undergoes treatment and is scheduled to make his next start on Tuesday. While we certainly wish the 25-year-old a speedy and healthy recovery, Kirkman doesn't hold much Fantasy value right now. Continue to ignore him in all formats at this point in the year.
News: Astros catcher Jason Castro hit his first home run since 2010 in Monday's series opener against the Cubs. He launched a three-run shot off Matt Garza in the first inning and finished 1 for 3 with a walk in the 8-4 win. Castro now has 11 RBI on the year, setting a new career high.
Analysis: Castro has not been hitting for much average so far this season but at least he is healthy after missing all of last season due to knee surgery. Still, he continues to split time behind the plate with Chris Snyder and has limited appeal outside of deeper NL-only formats at this point, even at a thin position in Fantasy.
News: Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan was able to notch his 10th save of the season during Monday night's contest against the Mets. Hanrahan came on in the ninth inning and was able to retire all three batters he faced, including Ike Davis swinging to end the contest. He needed 13 pitches to secure the win and is now 10 for 11 in save chances on the season.
Analysis: Hanrahan has now recorded a save in each of his last three outings and has been lights out since returning from the bereavement list last Sunday. He has also racked up four strikeouts over that stretch and has been able to maintain a six-inning scoreless streak. Fantasy owners should continue to roll with the 30-year-old in the majority of formats moving forward.
News: Cubs pitcher Matt Garza endured his worst outing of the year in Monday's series opener against the Astros. He allowed seven runs on five hits with two walks over three innings of work in the 8-4 loss. The right-hander surrendered a three-run homer to Jason Castro in the second. Then in the third, he gave up an RBI single to Carlos Lee before Brian Bogusevic hit a three-run shot off Garza. He was done after throwing 72 pitches, 42 for strikes. Garza also struck out two while taking his second loss of the season. ''That was not Matt Garza pitching,'' manager Dale Sveum said. ''I don't know; it was strange. It's not the Matt Garza I've seen. It seems like he got out of whack somehow.''
Analysis: Garza had gone 1-0 with a 1.75 ERA over his last four starts but he could not keep many runs off the board Monday. He has taken the loss in both of the outings he has given up more than two earned runs but a lack of run support has left the 28-year-old with just two wins. Garza posted a career high in strikeouts in his first campaign in the National League and should approach those numbers again this season so keep him active in most Fantasy formats heading into his second start of Week 8 (May 21-27). He is scheduled to pitch again on Sunday against the Pirates. In two starts against Pittsburgh a year ago, Garza went 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA.
News: Pirates starter Erik Bedard did not factor into the decision during Monday night's contest against the Mets. Bedard, who was making ninth start of the year, allowed four runs on six hits over five innings in the 5-4 win, including a two-run single off the bat of Lucas Duda in the second inning. He was pulled after throwing 97 pitches and was in line to take the loss, but the Pirates were able to tie up the score in the seventh inning, taking him off the hook for the defeat. Bedard finished with four strikeouts and three walks, while earning the no-decision.
Analysis: Bedard has now allowed four earned runs in each of his last two outings after yielding two runs or less in his first seven starts. He only has two wins on the season but that has been the result of some bad luck and poor run support as the Pirates have been one of the worst offensive teams in baseball thus far. Still, the left-hander has posted a 1.39 WHIP on the year and has racked up 48 strikeouts over his 46 innings pitched. Bedard will look to get himself back in the win column when he makes his second start of Fantasy Week 8 (May 21-27), which is scheduled for Sunday vs. the Cubs. The veteran is still winless over his four starts at home thus far, going 0-2 with a 3.15 ERA at PNC Park this year. Continue to view Bedard as a low-end option in deeper mixed formats heading into his next outing.
News: Cardinals reliever Scott Linebrink says his injured right shoulder is feeling much better and is performing better as well, reports MLB.com on Monday. Linebrink, on the shelf since March 30 with capsulitis in the shoulder, has been playing catch from a distance of 90 feet and is going to increase that soon. "It's definitely progressing, and I'm feeling loads better than what I felt earlier," Linebrink, who had been shut down several weeks ago because of inflammation in the shoulder, said. "I'm letting it go as much as I possibly can. The ball's got good life, and I'm pain-free."
Analysis: Linebrink will next progress to throwing from 120 feet and could pitch off flat ground following that. He hopes to be throwing off a mound by the end of a current seven-game homestand for the Cardinals. "I feel totally different," he said. "I don't feel like I'm protecting it like I was, like it's drawn up toward my body. I feel like I'm really able to get out, get extended." When healthy, Linebrink only has low-end Fantasy value in his role in the St. Louis bullpen.
News: Mets starter Johan Santana did not factor into the decision during Monday night's contest against the Pirates. Santana, who was making his ninth start of the year, allowed four runs on eight hits over 6 1/3 innings in the 5-4 loss. The left-hander had a two-run lead heading into the seventh inning, but served up a game-tying two-run home run to Michael McKenry, which tied the game and forced Santana from the contest. He was pulled after throwing 96 pitches and finished with seven strikeouts and two walks, while earning the no-decision.
Analysis: Santana looked like he was in pretty good position to pick up his second win of the season, but his lone mistake in the seventh inning cost him. The left-hander has now earned six no-decisions on the year, despite showing flashes this season of the form that made him a two-time AL Cy Young Award winner. Santana has posted a quality start in seven of his nine outing thus far and has racked up 53 strikeouts compared to just 16 walks over his 50 innings pitched. He will now look to snap his three-start winless skid when he takes the mound for his second outing of Week 8 (May 21-27) on Saturday against the Padres. Santana is 2-3 with a 2.47 ERA in seven career starts against San Diego. Leave him active in the majority of formats heading into his next outing.
News: Reds pitcher Mike Leake put together a solid all-around performance in his outing against the Braves on Monday. He allowed one run on two hits over eight innings of work to record his first win of the season. He also went 1 for 3 with a home run in the 4-1 victory. The right-hander surrendered a solo homer to Juan Francisco in the second for his lone damage before retiring 14 consecutive batters. He launched the first long ball of his career off his counterpart -- Mike Minor -- in the fourth. Leake also struck out six and walked one while throwing 98 pitches, 68 for strikes. After the contest, Leake told the Dayton Daily News that his back tightened up between the eighth and ninth inning. “I pulled myself because my back was tightening up a little bit,” he said. “When I sat down, it got tight. I didn’t want to take any chances.”
Analysis: Leake finally got in the win column after taking some tough losses and no-decisions over his first seven outings. He lowered his ERA from 6.21 to 5.32 on Monday and has now allowed just two earned runs over his last two starts. The 24-year-old would have more value in Fantasy if he was more consistent but Leake remains a viable option in NL-only formats heading into his second start of Week 8 (May 21-27). He is scheduled to pitch next on Saturday against the Rockies. In one start against Colorado a year ago, Leake allowed two runs over 7 1/3 innings in the win.
News: San Diego outfielder Jesus Guzman had a nice performance on Monday night in a loss at St. Louis. Guzman recorded two hits as he doubled and drove in two runs in the game. He also stole his third base of the season. Guzman finished 2 for 4 and is batting .266 for the year.
Analysis: Guzman has yet to homer this season and has just 16 RBI. Guzman batted just .209 over the first month and has raised his average considerably in May. That said, he doesn't hit for much power and only has low-end Fantasy appeal in NL-only leagues.
News: Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas only had one hit in Monday's series opener against the Yankees but he made the most of it. He launched a two-run homer off Hiroki Kuroda in his first at-bat for his seventh long ball of the year. Moustakas finished 1 for 4 with a walk in the 6-0 win. Moustakas is batting .273 in May with four home runs and seven RBI.
Analysis: Moustakas has raised his average from .229 to its current mark of .295 over the last 24 games as he continues to impress in his first full season in the majors. He is slugging a healthy .525 thus far and is showing owners why he was considered a top prospect. The 23-year-old is shaping up to be a solid option in Fantasy for years to come so keep Moustakas active in most formats going forward.
News: Cardinals second baseman Tyler Greene played the role of the hero on Monday night in a win over the Padres. Greene homered off Andrew Cashner in the bottom of the eighth inning for a two-run blast. His fourth home run of the season put the Cardinals ahead for good for the 4-3 win. Greene added a double in the game and went 3 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Greene is batting .253 on the year for the Cardinals.
Analysis: Greene recorded his second three-hit game in his last five contests for the Cardinals on Monday night as he helped them beat the Padres. Greene has four runs scored, three doubles, a triple, a homer and two RBI over that stretch. He might be hot at the moment, but Greene remains mostly just an NL-only Fantasy option.
News: The Cardinals asked closer Jason Motte to get the final out in the eighth inning on Monday night against the Padres. Motte entered and immediately allowed the Padres to take a 3-2 lead in the eighth after giving up a two-run double for his second blown save in three chances. He then retired the final batter of the top of the inning. The Cardinals then took a lead off a Tyler Greene two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth. Motte pitched the ninth and earned the win to improve to 3-1 on the year. He allowed one hit over 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Motte's ERA is at 2.12 on the year.
Analysis: Motte has blown two saves in his last three appearances, but picked up wins each time. Motte has recorded seven saves in nine chances for the Cardinals as the team closer this year. He has allowed just one earned run in his last nine appearances and has become a very solid option in most mixed Fantasy leagues.
News: Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia finished with a very solid final line on Monday night in a start against the San Diego Padres. Unfortunately, Garcia couldn't walk away a winner despite holding a 2-1 advantage after seven innings. The Padres took a short-lived lead in the eighth and Garcia had to settle for the no-decision. Garcia allowed two earned runs on seven hits and one walk over seven sharp innings in the Cardinals' eventual 4-3 win. Garcia struck out seven batters and lowered his ERA to 3.55 on the year.
Analysis: Garcia (3-2) has gotten himself back to consistency as he's been sharp over his last two starts against the Giants and Padres. Garcia has allowed three earned runs over those starts spanning 14 1/3 innings with 16 strikeouts. Back on track, Garcia remains a solid mixed-league Fantasy starter for use in all formats. He will make a second appearance in the current scoring period and that comes on Saturday against Philadelphia.
News: Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton showed off some of his power during Monday night's contest against the Rockies. Stanton teed off on the veteran Jamie Moyer in the fourth inning, launching a mammoth grand slam over the left-field wall that actually damaged the auxiliary scoreboard. He finished 1 for 4 in the 7-4 win and is now batting .277 on the season. "Maybe the farthest. I don't know about the hardest," Stanton said when asked how his 438-foot shot compared to the other eight homers he's hit this season. "But that was pretty good."
Analysis: Stanton's grand slam on Monday went an estimated 438 feet and was just a small sample size of the raw power the 22-year-old possesses. After getting off to a very slow start this season, Stanton has really picked up the pace in May. He is hitting .307 in the month to go along with eight home runs and 19 RBI. Fantasy owners should continue to roll with Stanton in all formats while he is swinging such a hot bat.
News: San Diego starter Clayton Richard pitched a fabulous ballgame on Monday night in St. Louis and still couldn't walk away a winner. Richard had to settle for the no-decision in the start despite allowing just two earned runs on seven hits and a walk and getting one out into the eighth inning. Unfortunately, Richard was on the hook for the loss after allowing both his runs in the seventh. He couldn't finish the eighth before the Padres took a lead. Richard got a no-decision as he struck out three batters and lowered his ERA to 4.63 on the year. Richard only needed 86 pitches to go 7 1/3 innings in the start.
Analysis: Richard has allowed just four earned runs in his last two starts spanning 14 1/3 innings as he's been much sharper of late for the Padres. He's rebounded nicely from a stretch of five straight defeats from April 18 through May 11, and should keep pitching well going forward. That said, Richard, at 2-5 on the year, is just an NL-only Fantasy option. He will get a second start in the current scoring period and that comes on Saturday at the New York Mets.
News: Rockies starter Jamie Moyer was roughed up a bit during Monday night's contest against the Marlins. Moyer, who was making his ninth start of the season, allowed six runs on nine hits over just 3 2/3 innings in the 7-4 defeat, which was his shortest outing of the year. Most of the damage he surrendered came off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton, who blasted a grand slam off the veteran in the fourth inning. Moyer was pulled after throwing 100 pitches and finished with five strikeouts and four walks, while falling to 2-4 on the season.
Analysis: Moyer was hit hard on Monday and couldn't get out of the fourth inning. While the veteran has turned in some nice outings this season he also has had more than a few bad ones. The left-hander has allowed four runs or more in four of his nine starts and his ERA skyrocketed up to 4.99 after his latest outing. Moyer will now look to salvage the scoring period for Fantasy owners when he makes his second start of Week 8 (May 21-27), which is scheduled for Sunday at Cincinnati.The 49-year-old allowed three runs over six innings in his lone career start at Great American Ballpark, which came back in 2009. Continue to view Moyer as merely a NL-only option heading into his next start.
News: Toronto shortstop Yunel Escobar blasted his second home run of the season to center field in the sixth inning of Monday's win over Tampa Bay. Escobar hit a solo shot as he finished 2 for 4 in the game and is batting .260 for the season. Escobar scored twice in the game for the Jays.
Analysis: Escobar has two base hits in four of his last five games as his bat is heating up for Toronto at the moment. He's only homered twice this season, but Escobar has much more power than that. Escobar has definitely disappointed in the power department, but he could be coming around. He continues to be a worthy Fantasy option in deeper mixed formats.
News: Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda did a decent job of limiting the Royals on Monday night but it was not enough to overcome his counterpart -- Felipe Paulino. He allowed three runs on seven hits over 5 1//3 innings in the 6-0 loss. The right-hander surrendered a two-run homer to Mike Moustakas in the first before giving up an RBI double to Eric Hosmer in the third. He was done after throwing 103 pitches, 63 for strikes. Kuroda also struck out four and walked three while taking his sixth loss of the season. “I didn’t have all of my stuff, obviously,” Kuroda said through his translator, Kenji Nimura. “But tonight, I tried to stay tough and keep the game as close as possible.”
Analysis: Kuroda has earned the decision in each of his nine starts thus far but his 3-6 record is not what owners had expected from him. After posting a 3.45 ERA over his four years with the Dodgers, he has a 4.56 mark in his first campaign with the Yankees with 20 walks in 53 1/3 innings. The 37-year-old should see more run support as the season goes on so keep an eye on his progress going forward. Kuroda remains a viable option in deeper Fantasy formats heading into his second outing of Week 8 (May 21-27). He is scheduled to pitch next on Sunday against the A's in Oakland. Kuroda has gone 0-4 with a 6.23 ERA in four road starts so far this season.
News: Tampa Bay starter Jeremy Hellickson pitched into the eighth inning on Monday night against the Blue Jays. Unfortunately, after seven solid frames, Hellickson came apart in the eighth. Pitching with a 3-2 deficit, Hellickson allowed that deficit to grow to 6-2 as the Jays won and Hellickson took his first loss to fall to 4-1 on the year. Hellickson gave up five runs, but only two were earned, on eight hits and one walk over 7 1/3 innings. He struck out three and his ERA is at 2.73 on the season.
Analysis: Hellickson had another fine performance on Monday night against the Blue Jays over seven innings, no matter what decision he pulled or the fact that he came undone a bit in the eighth. Monday may have been his first loss of the season, but Hellickson easily could have beaten the Jays had he gotten a little more offense earlier in the game. Hellickson doesn’t strike a ton of batters out, but he’s given the Rays a chance to win each time he’s taken the hill. He’s only allowed more than three earned runs in a start once all year and his ERA remains very solid. Hellickson was a two-start hurler for the current scoring period and that means he was a solid option in most mixed Fantasy leagues. His second start of the week comes Sunday at Boston.
News: Toronto starter Kyle Drabek was wildly effective on Monday night at Tampa Bay. Drabek became the third pitcher in Toronto team history to throw three wild pitches in one inning. He walked six batters in the game over six innings, but still managed to earn the win against Jeremy Hellickson and the Rays. Drabek improved to 4-4 on the season as he allowed just two earned runs on three hits with his six walks over six frames. He struck out three and needed 118 pitches to go the distance he did. Drabek’s biggest mistake was allowing a home run to B.J. Upton that hit a catwalk and was originally ruled a double before being overturned. Drabek’s ERA is at 3.27 on the year.
Analysis: Drabek has walked far too many batters this season, though he’s basically been able to limit the damage done by those walks. His ERA remains solid despite walking 34 batters over 52 1/3 innings with 41 strikeouts over that span. Still, Drabek has only given up more than three earned runs in a start once all year and that does give him some mixed-league Fantasy value as he figures things out in the majors. Drabek was a two-start hurler this scoring period and that gave him some added value. His second outing comes Sunday at Texas.
News: Marlins starter Mark Buehrle was able to overcome a rocky first inning to pick up his fourth win of the season during Monday night's contest against the Rockies. Buehrle, who was making his ninth start of the year, allowed four runs on five hits over 7 2/3 innings in the 7-4 win. All four runs he surrendered came in the first inning, including a two-run home run off the bat of Troy Tulowitzki. However, the left-hander was able to limit Colorado to just one hit over his final 6 2/3 innings of work before being pulled after throwing 111 pitches. He finished with two strikeouts and two walks, while improving to 2-2 on the season.
Analysis: Buehrle was knocked in around in the first inning literally. He not only surrendered four runs in the opening frame but also was hit by a pair of comebackers. However, the savvy veteran was able to settle down after that and reward Fantasy owners with a victory in his first start of Week 8 (May 21-27). Buehrle has now won three of his last four starts and has posted a 3.38 ERA over that stretch. He will now look to pick up his second win of the scoring period when he makes his next start, which is scheduled for Saturday against the Giants. Buehrle is 2-1 with a 3.57 ERA in four starts at Marlins Park this season. Continue to roll with the 33-year-old in the majority of mixed formats heading into his next outing.
News: Washington shortstop Ian Desmond had a nice offensive performance in the Nationals' 2-1 victory in Philadelphia on Monday. Desmond drove in both the runs for the Nationals in the win. Desmond went deep for his seventh home run of the season in the second inning off Kyle Kendrick. He added an RBI single in the fourth inning. Desmond went 2 for 4 and is batting .280.
Analysis: Desmond has hit in nine of his last 10 games with three homers, five doubles and eight RBI over that span. He's getting hot at the plate right now and his seven homers and 20 RBI on the season makes him a solid Fantasy option in mixed formats at a thin position.
News: Washington reliever Sean Burnett was called upon to clean up closer Henry Rodriguez's mess once again on Monday night against Philadelphia. Burnett entered the game with one out and two runners on for the Phillies in the ninth inning. After allowing Ty Wigginton to hit a sac fly to score a run, Burnett got Placido Polanco to line out to end the game. Burnett picked up his second save as he walked one over 2/3 of an inning. His ERA is at 0.71.
Analysis: Burnett has now come on to save Rodriguez's hide twice in his last five appearances for the Nationals. While we believe that Rodriguez will remain the closer for the time being, Burnett definitely sees added Fantasy value as a possibility to replace him should manager Davey Johnson make that decision. For now, Burnett will continue to pitch in middle relief, limiting his value to deeper NL-only formats that reward true middle men.
News: Reds outfielder Drew Stubbs posted at least one strikeout for the 13th straight game in Monday's series opener against the Braves. However, he also slugged two home runs and finished 2 for 3 with a walk in the 4-1 win. He launched a solo shot off Mike Minor in the first before adding another one in the fourth, which was the tail-end of back-to-back-to-back long balls for Cincinnati. Stubbs now has five homers on the year.
Analysis: Stubbs continues to strike out at a high rate for the Reds but he showed on Monday that he is always a threat to go deep. He is batting .246 through 17 games in May with four home runs, six RBI and three stolen bases, including 23 strikeouts in 69 at-bats. The 27-year-old showed in 2010 that he can be a solid option in Fantasy but due to his inconsistent ways, leave Stubbs for deeper mixed leagues at this point.
News: Philadelphia starter Kyle Kendrick, continuing to pitch in Vance Worley’s spot in the rotation, was once again solid on Monday night against Washington. Unfortunately for Kendrick, however, Gio Gonzalez was nearly unhittable in the Washington win. Kendrick took the defeat to fall to 0-4 on the season despite a solid line. Kendrick allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks and lasted seven full innings, throwing 104 pitches. Kendrick struck out four and was hurt by an Ian Desmond homer in the second inning. Kendrick’s ERA is at 5.23 on the year.
Analysis: Kendrick has now pitched 13 innings in two starts since taking over for Worley. Despite an 0-1 record in those starts, Kendrick has looked good with just three earned runs allowed on eight hits. He’s limiting the damage and keeping the Phillies in games. Still, we can’t call him anything more than an NL-only Fantasy option at this time. Kendrick has another start scheduled for Saturday at St. Louis.
News: Washington starter Gio Gonzalez couldn’t keep his pitch count down low enough to finish off the masterpiece he painted in Philadelphia on Monday night. Gonzalez lasted just six innings as he threw 108 pitches over that span. Still, he earned the win to improve to 6-1 on the season as he mowed down the Phillies all night with nine strikeouts. Gonzalez pitched six shutout innings with just three base hits allowed to go with three walks. His gem lowered his ERA to 1.98 on the year as he earned the win for the Nationals, though manager Davey Johnson would like to see him go deeper. "I'd prefer he didn't have as many strikeouts or as many pitches so he could go further," Johnson said. "He has such great stuff. I'd prefer he get into the seventh or eighth inning. Six innings puts a crimp in my bullpen."
Analysis: Gonzalez is pretty much breezing at this point in the season with wins in four consecutive starts. Gonzalez hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in any start since his first on the year and he’s mowed down at least six batters in every start he’s made this season. After the nine Ks on Monday, Gonzalez has 69 on the year over 54 2/3 innings. Already with six wins for the Nationals, Gonzalez has turned himself into a must-start Fantasy option in all mixed leagues. He will make another scheduled start this scoring period and that comes on Sunday at Atlanta.
News: Boston injured starter Aaron Cook (leg) encountered a setback and will not make his scheduled rehab start with Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday, reports MLB.com on Monday. Cook, coming back from a left knee laceration, needs more time to heal. "One corner of the cut's not healing as much as the doctors wanted it to heal," Cook said. "They want to make sure it's completely closed. They kind of just said, 'Let's take it easy for a few days, see if it completely closes and we'll reevaluate.' I was supposed to go out tomorrow and pitch."
Analysis: It sounds like the Red Sox see no reason to rush Cook back and just want him to make sure he's 100 percent ready to go before he steps on the mound. "The doctor put it like this: 'Would you rather lose your leg or miss a couple of more weeks?' I don't want to get an infection in there," said Cook. "We've been doing a pretty good job staying on top of it and being able to do my throwing and running." Cook is an AL-only Fantasy option if and when he can return to the Red Sox rotation.
News: Reds reliever Sean Marshall entered Monday's series opener against the Braves in the ninth inning with two on, two out and a three-run lead. After Jose Arredondo was unable to get the job done, the left-hander got Jason Heyward to pop out to secure the 4-1 win and collect his eighth save of the season.
Analysis: Marshall was removed from the closer's role on Sunday but with Aroldis Chapman unavailable Monday, he ended up getting the save. Manager Dusty baker said that he will use the best option on a day to day basis but Chapman is expected to see the majority of the save chances going forward. Marshall showed last season that he can be a viable option in Fanatsy but with his lessened role and poor start to the season, leave the 29-year-old for NL-only formats at this point.
News: Nationals utility player Stephen Lombardozzi could start seeing more playing time, especially atop the batting order for Washington as he hit on Monday against the Phillies. Lombardozzi has impressed and manager Davey Johnson wants to find time for him in the lineup, reports the Washington Post. “I like finding time for him,” Johnson said. “He’s been playing great. He’s a great second baseman, and he’s been playing everywhere. He’s an outstanding utility guy for us. I like the fact that he’s getting on base better than anybody. It’s more me finding a spot for him.”
Analysis: Lombardozzi went 0 for 4 atop the order on Monday, but is still hitting .316 on the season for the Nationals. He has begun taking away playing time from other members of the club, but is still not playing enough to be a consistent Fantasy option. He is young, and that could ultimately happen. Still, Lombardozzi remains an NL-only Fantasy option for now.
News: Braves pitcher Mike Minor was unable to come away with the win for the sixth straight start on Monday against the Reds. He allowed four runs on five hits over six innings of work in the 4-1 loss. All of the damage against the left-hander came off of home runs, as he surrendered a solo shot to Drew Stubbs in the first. Then in the fourth, he gave back-to-back-to-back homers, including one to his counterpart -- Mike Leake. Minor also struck out four and walked four while losing his third straight decision. "I don't think it was the ballpark," Minor said. "The pitches were up, and that's what they did -- home runs. They were sitting on my best pitch tonight, which was my changeup. Three of the four homers came off changeups."
Analysis: Minor has not won since April 19 and has a 9.37 ERA over his last six outings. He has given up 12 long balls over that span while walking 14 in 32 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old is not instilling much confidence in owners right now so consider Minor as more of an NL-only option heading into his second start of Week 8 (May 21-17). He is scheduled to pitch again on Saturday against the Nationals. In one start against Washington a year ago, Minor allowed one run over 4 2/3 innings in the loss.
News: Manager Ron Roenicke decided to stick with George Kottaras behind the plate for Monday's contest against the Giants. Kottaras has caught all ninth of Wolf's starts this season. "I didn't wrestle with it, but we did talk about it today," Roenicke said. "I like both of our catchers. I can't imagine production-wise if there's any better pair in the Major Leagues."
Analysis: Kottaras will continue to see starts whenever Wolf is on the mound, but playing time could be hard to come by any other time. With Johnathan Lucroy swinging such a hot bat, Kottaras will have to make the most of his limited opportunities. He is batting .257 with three home runs and nine RBI on the season and should only be owned in deeper NL-only formats at this point in the season.
News: Despite hitting just .170 with a .191 slugging-percentage in May, manager Jim Tracy has no plans to take Todd Helton out of the starting lineup. Helton entered Monday night's contest batting .219 and has gone 51 at-bats without a home run. "I've said many times, when you're dealing with a player of that magnitude and things aren't quite working out the way he'd like them to be at this time, he's also the same guy that's one good swing away from being the hottest hitter in the league," Tracy told MLB.com.
Analysis: Helton, 39, may finally be starting to show his age as he has struggled mightily over the first two months of the season. However, he will continue to be the Rockies' everyday first basemen, despite his season-long slump at the plate. While the veteran's track record suggests he should be able to turn things around, Fantasy owners may want to leave him reserved until he can get himself back on track.
News: Rockies third basemen Chris Nelson, on the 15-day disabled list with a wrist injury, is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Colorado Springs sometime this week, reports MLB.com. Nelson is eligible to be activated on May 31 and manager Jim Tracy thinks he should be ready to return right around his target date. "I don't have the schedule in front of me, but he is going to play with the Triple-A club within the next day or so and begin his rehab," Tracy said.
Analysis: Nelson has been dealing with inflammation in his left wrist since late April and was finally placed on the DL a few weeks later. However, he is now in the final stages of his rehab and could be back with the team in time for the start of Fantasy Week 9 (May 28-June 3), barring any setbacks. Keep an eye on his status moving forward. Nelson can be considered a NL-only option when healthy.
News: The Braves signed infielder Lance Zawadzki to a minor-league deal on Monday.
Analysis: Zawadzki was released by the Dodgers after going 0 for 13 with their Triple-A affiliate and will provide the Braves with some depth in the infield. Since he does not have a ton of upside offensively, continue to ignore the 27-year-old in all Fantasy formats.
News: Boston starter Clay Buchholz struggled with his command all night on Monday in Baltimore. Buchholz walked in two runs in the four-run third against the Orioles and finished with four walks and 94 pitches thrown over just 5 1/3 innings. He was lucky to get that distance. The Red Sox managed to tie the score on the Orioles before he left the game and Buchholz settled for a no-decision, despite the poor outing. Buchholz allowed five earned runs on six hits and the four walks over his 5 1/3. He struck out just two batters and allowed a home run to Chris Davis in the game. Buchholz's ERA is now at 7.84 on the year.
Analysis: Buchholz was coming off a loss at Tampa Bay, but he at least allowed just two earned runs in that start over five innings. After allowing five earned runs in his last two starts spanning 11 1/3 innings, Buchholz was back to allowing five runs on Monday against the Orioles. He's allowed at least five runs to score in all but two outings this season and that is never good for any starter. We all know Buchholz has the ability to be better, but until he starts showing it, he should mostly be considered in AL-only Fantasy leagues. He does get another start in this scoring period and that comes on Sunday against Tampa Bay, another tough matchup.
News: The Angels placed outfielder Ryan Langerhans on the 15-day disabled list on Monday due to a separated right shoulder. He sustained the injury running into the outfield wall Sunday.
Analysis: Langerhans was recalled last week to give the Angels some outfield depth but will now be out for an extended period of time due to his injury. He had little value in Fantasy when healthy so continue to ignore the 32-year-old in all formats.
News: Pirates third basemen Josh Harrison earned his first career start in right field during Monday night's contest against the Mets. Harrison said he hasn't played right field since college but manager Clint Hurdle said he wanted to keep his hot bat in the lineup. "It would've been the right fit for Gorkys, but Harrison is swinging the hot bat," Hurdle said. "He's had a very good week (8-for-22). I continue to look for opportunities to get him plugged in."
Analysis: Harrison has started games at second base, shortstop and third base this season, but his start in right field on Monday was his first of the year in the outfield. The 24-year-old has put together a modest six-game hitting streak and is hitting .364 with one home run and four RBI over that stretch. However, because he is not an everyday starter, his value will continue to be limited to deeper NL-only formats.
News: The Angels transferred pitcher Michael Kohn to the 60-day disabled list on Monday. Kohn underwent Tommy John surgery in April and will miss the rest of the season.
Analysis: Kohn has a career 4.01 ERA in 38 appearances in the majors and will likely miss time in 2013 as well. The right-hander is someone to avoid in Fantasy going forward.
News: 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.
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.
News: Angels outfielder Vernon Wells was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday after being diagnosed with a with torn ligament in his right thumb. He is expected to miss to 8-10 weeks the team announced. An MRI taken revealed the sprain and Wells will likely undergo surgery on Tuesday.
Analysis: This is a huge blow for the Angels and Fantasy owners as Wells will now be sidelined until at least late July. Fantasy owners in deeper formats should feel free to stash the 33-year-old, but keep in mind he will be out for a while. For those scrambling for a viable replacement, Peter Bourjos will likely see extended playing time in the outfield in Wells' absence. However, some other options on the waiver include, Alex Rios (owned in 62 percent of all CBSSports.com standard formats), Andy Dirks (61 percent) and Dayan Viciedo (59 percent).
News: Philadelphia outfielder Laynce Nix, on the DL with a strained left calf, is expected to travel with the club on its upcoming road trip, reports MLB.com. That said, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said he's unsure when Nix will be able to return. Amaro did say Nix's soreness and inflammation is starting to die down.
Analysis: Nix gave the Phillies some versatility as he played both first base and in the outfield. Granted he was a reserve player, but he had value on the team. He was batting .326 in his 14 games before landing on the shelf. This is the same injury that kept Jimmy Rollins out of the lineup for 56 games in 2010. Nix has NL-only Fantasy value, when healthy.
News: Tampa Bay injured players Desmond Jennings and Evan Longoria continue to take batting practice as the duo is recovering from their respective injuries, reports MLB.com on Monday. Rays manager Joe Maddon said he likes what he's seen from both players. "I thought Desmond was real good, very comfortable, strong, quick bat," Maddon said. "Longo, the same thing, but I know Longo is a bit farther off than Desmond is."
Analysis: Longoria continues to make progress, but is likely not coming back for a few more weeks. He'll probably need a rehab assignment before returning to the Rays as well. Fantasy owners should keep him stashed as Longoria is a must-start option when healthy. Continue to monitor his progress moving forward.
News: Reds first baseman Jay Bruce entered Monday's series opener against the Braves having gone just 1 for 15 (.067) in his last five games with 11 strikeouts. He has already struck out 38 times in 145 at-bats this season but Bruce believes he will be able to turn things around. "I think as far as my routine and approach, it's been the exact same," Bruce told MLB.com. "That's why I'm not too worried about it. It's a little combination of not getting a lot to hit and some tough pitches, and I chased a few pitches where I shouldn't have."
Analysis: Bruce has posted over 100 strikeouts in three of his first four seasons in the majors, including whiffing a career-high 158 times a year ago. Most power hitters usually strike out at a high rate but Bruce has not been helping out many owners of late. He has gone just 6 for 33 (.182) in his last 10 games, dropping his overall average from .306 to .276. The 25-year-old has been streaky in the past so keep an eye on his progress going forward. Still, Bruce's power potential makes him too valuable to sit in the majority of Fantasy formats.
News: Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said Monday that injured outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury could return to the team "sometime in early July." Ellsbury, who has a partially dislocated shoulder, was originally expected to miss 6-8 weeks but has seen that pushed back a bit.
Analysis: Ellsbury has had a couple setbacks and was originally expected to miss two months with the injury but that timetable has been pushed back slightly. The 28-year-old has started some some agility drills in his recovery, but has yet to resume full baseball activities. Ellsbury managed just seven games before the injury and posted a .192 batting average while not attempting a stolen base. Fantasy owners should continue to reserve him in all formats for now.
News: The Yankees placed infielder Eduardo Nunez on the disabled list at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday due to a sore right thumb. Nunez is batting .231 with one RBI at Triple-A after being sent down earlier in the month.
Analysis: Nunez was sent to the minors to work on his defense but this injury will likely sent him back a bit. He has proven that he can hit in the majors and has some decent speed so keep an eye on his progress down on the farm. Nunez will likely be up in the majors again at some point this season so owners in AL-only formats should continue to stash the 24-year-old away.
News: Giants starter Tim Lincecum told reporters on Monday he is "OK" following his collision with Collin Cowgill during the fourth inning of his start on Sunday against the A's. Lincecum did have his thumb wrapped while speaking to the media but will participate in all activities leading up to his next start, which is scheduled for Friday against the Marlins. The right-hander allowed four runs on five hits before being removed after the fourth inning on Sunday. "He throws too well at times to make any move like that," manager Bruce Bochy said. "Every time he goes out there, I think he's going to have a nice game. He's so close to doing that."
Analysis: Bochey said Lincecum could have returned to the mound following the collision, but he decided to err on the side of caution. The 27-year-old should be able to make his next start on Friday at Miami, but owners should keep an eye on his status throughout the week just to make sure. Lincecum has just one quality start to his name through nine outings with a 6.04 ERA. While he should be fine moving forward, owners with a viable replacement on the bench may want to think about sitting Lincecum in Week 8 (May 21-27) as his struggles on the mound and thumb issues make him a risky play.
News: The Astros signed pitcher Armando Galarraga to a minor-league deal on Monday. Galarraga will report to extended spring training before heading to Triple-A Oklahoma City to pitch out of the rotation.
Analysis: Galarraga couldn't catch on with the Orioles during the spring and will now trying and work his way back to the majors with Houston. Aside from his near-perfect game, the right-hander has not been much of a Fantasy option since 2008 and has a long way to go before regaining value. Even though he might be needed to start at some point this season, leave Galarraga on waivers in the majority of formats at this point.
News: Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Monday that outfielder Corey Hart's move to first base for Monday's contest against the Giants is not a permanent move, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Roenicke added that he made the move because San Francisco had left-hander Madison Bumgarner on the mound and he said he might put Hart, who made his second career start at first base on Monday, there again on Wednesday with Barry Zito listed as the scheduled starter. "There's no way to get him comfortable unless we just put him out there," the skipper said. "He'll be in the wrong position at times but we'll just go through. I think because of the two years he spent there (in the minors), it should come back pretty quick."
Analysis: Roenicke said on Sunday that he team isn't interested in moving Hart between first base and the outfield, but it sounds like that is exactly what may end up happening now. It appears Hart will play first base whenever there is a left-hander on the mound -- at least for the short term -- and then move back into the outfield on other days. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on where he is penciled in on the lineup card to see if when and if he will gain first-base eligibility. Obviously, that would boost his Fantasy appeal, which is already pretty, especially now that he is starting to heat up at the plate. Hart is batting .325 with two homers, six doubles and five RBI in his last nine games so leave him active in all formats heading into Week 8 (May 21-27).
News: Blue Jays manager John Farrell said Monday that the team is trying to give Yan Gomes "relatively consistent at-bats" because he can play multiple positions (first base, third base, catcher and DH). Unfortunately, Gomes wasn't in the starting lineup Monday against the Rays as Brett Lawrie returned from a four-game suspension to play third base.
Analysis: Gomes started all four games at third base with Lawrie suspended. He hit .400 (4 for 10) with one homer and three RBI. The benefit for Fantasy owners is that Gomes has catcher eligibility, so if he plays regularly and produces, then he could end up a steal for Fantasy owners. Gomes is worth adding in larger Fantasy formats, but he is still more of a wait-and-see option to see if he can continue to produce.
News: MLB.com reports Yankees reliever David Robertson (ribs) is expected to report to Tampa on Thursday to resume baseball workouts.
Analysis: This is good news that Robertson is ready to resume baseball activities. Perhaps that means he won't need to spend a ton of time sidelined but it looks as though he will need more than the 15 days before returning. Robertson was in line for saves before getting hurt. He could get opportunities to close games out again once he is healthy, but that could depend on how well Rafael Soriano is doing in the closer's role in his absence. Robertson is worth stashing while he is on the DL, but keep tabs on the Yankees' closer situation once he is active.
News: The A's optioned infielder Eric Sogard to Triple-A Sacramento the team announced on Monday. The move was made to clear a roster spot for Coco Crisp, who was activated off the 15-day disabled list earlier in the day.
Analysis: Sogard was used mostly as a reserve infielder for the A's and was hitting .136 with two home runs and six RBI over 66 at-bats thus far. While he likely will be called back big leagues at some point later in the season, Fantasy owners should continue to ignore the 25-year-old in all formats, while he is down in the minors.
News: Oakland outfielder Coco Crisp was activated from the 15-day disabled list Monday after overcoming a troublesome inner ear infection. Crisp has been sidelined since May 4 with the issue and only played in 18 games prior to the injury. He immediately returned to the starting lineup and slotted second in the batting order while patrolling center field. Crisp went 1 for 4 with a run scored in Monday's 2-1 win.
Analysis: Crisp's issue seemed to affect his start of the season as his average never topped .240 through 67 at-bats. The 32-year-old, normally a quality on-base threat, saw his OBP slip to .260 in the early going. Fantasy owners should utilize Crisp in deeper formats for now.
News: Toronto is still seeing what they have in designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero, reports Sportsnet.ca on Monday. Guerrero doubled in four at-bats in an intrasquad game on Monday and Toronto wants to get a better read on him by Wednesday. They will decide then whether or not he can begin playing minor league games or continue playing extended spring training games.
Analysis: Guerrero signed a minor-league contract with Toronto earlier this month and has already impressed officials during workouts at the team's spring training site in Florida. The 37-year-old, who played 145 games with Baltimore last season, is expected to participate in extended spring training games shortly before joining a minor league affiliate. Guerrero might lack sufficient power in his bat as he hit a career-low 13 homers last season (minimum 100 games). Fantasy owners in AL-only formats should consider tracking his progress once he is promoted to the majors.
News: Toronto injured closer Sergio Santos has begun throwing at 115-120 feet, reports Sportsnet.ca on Monday. Santos hopes to begin long tossing by the end of the week. He should progress incrementally from there. Santos needs to lengthen out a bit more before he gets back on a mound.
Analysis: Santos is closer than ever, but still has a few more steps before he's ready for mound work. Santos will likely need a rehab assignment after that as well. He has a ways until he's back on the mound for Toronto. Santos pitched to a 9.00 ERA and went 2 for 4 in save chances before landing on the DL. He will be the team's closer when he can return, so Fantasy owners should stash him in deeper mixed leagues for now. Continue to monitor his progress going forward.
News: The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Monday that Reds third baseman Scott Rolen, on the 15-day disabled list, has yet to resume swinging the bat due to a strained left shoulder. He received a cortisone injection in his shoulder last week and is still in the therapy stage of his rehab. “I still have some knots and spasms,” Rolen said. “The idea was to first and foremost rest and work on it and unravel it. The fatigue and tightness build up when you’re compensating. I’m still in phase. I think Dr. (Tim) Kremchek called it active rest, which is good oxymoron. It’s more therapy stuff."
Analysis: Rolen has dealt with shoulder issues in the past and it has effected his production immensely over the last two seasons. He is batting just .224 with a .372 slugging percentage since the start of the 2011 campaign, including posting a .174 average before landing on the shelf this season. There is still no timetable for when the 37-year-old will return but owners in deeper NL-only formats should be the only ones stashing Rolen away at this point.
News: Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was in the starting lineup Monday against the Royals despite taking a hard groundball after his glove Sunday. He went 1 for 5 in the 6-0 loss.
Analysis: Jeter and manager Joe Girardi had differing opinions on Jeter's injury. Jeter said it was his hand and Girardi said it was the wrist, but neither indicated it was a major injury. The fact Jeter is in Monday's lineup is a good sign he is OK. Jeter saw his hitting streak end at eight games on Sunday. After batting .389 in April, Jeter has slowed down a bit in May, but it's not like he's completely fallen off the map. He entered Monday batting .293 with one homer and eight RBI in 18 May games. It was foolish to think Jeter would keep up his torrid April pace, but he's still productive enough to remain a viable Fantasy start in all formats.
News: Tampa Bay injured catcher Jose Lobaton (right shoulder soreness) is getting near a return to action, reports the Tampa Bay Times Monday. Lobaton is likely around a week away. Lobaton has been rehabbing with Double-A Montgomery.
Analysis: Lobaton might grab a roster spot with the Rays once he is healthy, but he will be at best in a timeshare situation with Jose Molina. He won't have much Fantasy appeal once active.
News: The Astros recalled pitcher Enerio Del Rosario from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday. Del Rosario takes Jordan Lyles' spot on the roster. Del Rosario made one appearance for Houston earlier in the year on May 6 against the Cardinals. He allowed one run over two innings.
Analysis: Del Rosario has made 15 appearances down at Triple-A with a 4.24 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 17 innings. He hasn't been that impressive down there and he's not expected to impact Fantasy while up with Houston. He has low-end value.
News: Angels relief pitcher Bobby Cassevah was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday. Cassevah was activated from the disabled list in late April after overcoming shoulder issues and shipped to the minors. He went 1-0 with three saves and a 6.75 ERA in 13 games for Salt Lake.
Analysis: Cassevah has appeared in 46 games during his brief career with the Angels and registered a 2.87 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings. He's unlikely to see much time in the late innings of games and should be left on waivers in all Fantasy formats for now.
News: Baltimore catcher Taylor Teagarden, who has been out all season with a back problem, will have a second opinion on his back from a doctor in Dallas soon, reports the Baltimore Sun on Monday. Teagarden has no timetable to return for Baltimore.
Analysis: The Orioles are currently using Luis Exposito to back up Matt Wieters and have Ronny Paulino at Triple-A waiting in the wings. They may go back to Teagarden when he's ready, but he's never going to have anything more than AL-only Fantasy appeal with Wieters ahead of him.
News: Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco returned to the starting lineup Monday against the Nationals after missing four straight starts with an ankle injury. Polanco didn't miss a beat as he went 2 for 4 in the game with a walk. Polanco is batting .286 for the year.
Analysis: Polanco entered Monday batting .351 in his last 11 games and .342 since April 25, but he has just one homer and seven RBI in his last 21 games. He's a good contact hitter, but Polanco remains just a low-end Fantasy option because he doesn't have a lot of pop for a corner infielder.
News: The Orioles re-signed infielder Josh Barfield on Monday, reports MASNsports.com. Barfield was assigned to Double-A Bowie.
Analysis: Baltimore already cut ties with Barfield once this season. He doesn't figure to ever get to Baltimore and has extremely low-end Fantasy value.
News: New York infielder Ruben Tejada (quadriceps) has been running down in Florida and is due to begin ramping up his running activity, reports ESPN.com on Monday. Tejada could begin rehab games by the middle of the week and could return to the Mets next weekend.
Analysis: Tejada has been cleared of having a concussion and is in Florida slightly ramping up his rehab work as of Monday. Once the rehab games begin, Tejada will really be on his way back. Keep an eye on his status moving forward. Tejada is hitting 305 this season and can be considered a quality option in NL-only and deeper mixed formats when healthy.
News: New York outfielder Jason Bay (ribs) was headed to Florida on Monday to continue his rehab work, reports ESPN.com. Bay will take batting practice against coaches beginning on Wednesday and will begin his minor league rehab assignment as a designated hitter initially. The Mets have not said when those minor league rehab games will begin, however.
Analysis: Bay is still without much of a timetable for a return, though it is slowly coming into more focus. That said, if all goes well, Bay could return to the Mets in early June. He can be stashed in deeper mixed Fantasy leagues for now.
News: Orioles relief pitcher Matt Lindstrom said Monday he is no longer experiencing pain in his right middle finger and hopes to begin throwing this week, the Baltimore Sun reports. Lindstrom is currently on the disabled list after suffering a partial tear of a ligament in his finger.
Analysis: Lindstrom is expected to require a rehab assignment once his finger heals, but there is no timetable for his return to the Orioles bullpen. The right-hander has permitted only two runs this season -- in his last outing before hitting the shelf -- for a 1.29 ERA. He is still serving as the team's setup man in front of closer Jim Johnson, but is considered a low-end Fantasy option in AL-only formats.
News: Mets catcher Josh Thole (concussion) is not currently experiencing headaches at the moment, reports SNY. Thole is headed to Florida to begin baseball activities as of Monday. Thole was cleared for non-baseball activities last Wednesday, after successfully passing a computerized concussion test.
Analysis: Thole keeps progressing and should be completely over his concussions sooner rather than later. That said, these things tend to linger, so Fantasy owners should realize he's not out of the woods just yet. Thole is expected to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before he is able to return. Fantasy owners should continue to monitor his recovery and make sure he does not suffer a setback. Thole can be considered a NL-only option in the majority of formats when healthy.
News: Rays catcher Jose Molina, who was pulled from Sunday's game against Atlanta after taking a foul ball off his mask in the sixth inning, was right back in the lineup on Monday against the Blue Jays. Molina was removed as a precaution and is apparently alright as he was right back in the lineup. Molina went 0 for 2 with two walks in Monday's game. He's batting .176 on the year.
Analysis: Molina didn't miss any time due to the possibly scary injury that could have occurred on Sunday. He dodged a bullet and he'll go right back to catching them. Molina is a solid catcher, but not considered a strong offensive threat. He has posted just one hit over his past nine games to drop his batting average to .176 on the season after Monday. Consider him a marginal option in AL-only Fantasy formats.
News: Colorado catcher Ramon Hernandez returned to the starting lineup for Monday's game at Miami after battling tendinitis in his left hand. Hernandez, who was not in the lineup the past three days, went 0 for 3 in the 7-4 defeat. He is now batting .222 on the year.
Analysis: Hernandez has shuffled in and out of the batting order every game this month as he's produced just a .200 batting average in May. He has also recorded just one hit over his past six games played and could continue to lose playing time to prospect Wilin Rosario. Consider Hernandez a low-end Fantasy option in NL-only formats at this point.
News: Tampa Bay second baseman Jeff Keppinger (foot) has been placed on the disabled list on Monday night with a broken big right toe. Rays manager Joe Maddon said after Monday's game that Keppinger will miss three to four weeks of action. The infielder has not played since May 18 against Atlanta and is batting .295 on the year to this point.
Analysis: Keppinger got hit on the foot by a foul ball while in the dugout on Saturday and is going to be out three to four weeks. This is bad news for Keppinger, who had become important for Tampa Bay. Keppinger has seen a nice little resurgence with the Rays as he's batting .295 at the moment with two homers and eight RBI. Not viable outside AL-only Fantasy leagues, Keppinger can be dropped in most formats right now.
News: Toronto third baseman Brett Lawrie was in the starting lineup for Monday's game at Tampa Bay after serving a four-game suspension. Lawrie, who was slotted seventh in the batting order, was banned after accidentally hitting an umpire with his helmet while arguing a call last week. He went 0 for 4 in the return.
Analysis: Lawrie has maintained a steady average during the first two months of the season and is currently boasting a .273 clip. His power has yet to come around during the early part of the year and he has been stuck on three homers since May 1. Lawrie has, however, stayed active on the base paths and nabbed a steal in three of his past five games played. Make sure he's active in all Fantasy formats for Week 8 (May 21-27).
News: The Rangers placed starting pitcher Neftali Feliz on the 15-day DL on Monday because of right elbow inflammation. Feliz had an MRI on his elbow Monday. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Scott Feldman will replace Feliz in the rotation Wednesday against the Mariners and Yoshinori Tateyama has been recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to take Feliz's roster spot.
Analysis: Tateyama will be bullpen depth for Texas and likely pitch in the middle innings for the Rangers. He has marginal Fantasy appeal.
News: The Milwaukee Brewers outrighted relief pitcher Vinnie Chulk to Triple-A Nashville on Monday after he successfully cleared waivers. Chulk was designated for assignment last Saturday after making seven appearances with the Brewers this season.
Analysis: Chulk was rocked for four runs in an inning of relief during his last outing to hike his earned-run average up to 10.00. The right-hander posted some decent strikeout totals, but opponents hit .386 off of him. Fantasy owners should continue to ignore him in all formats.
News: Mets first baseman Daniel Murphy recorded a hit in five at-bats during New York's 6-5 win in an interleague matchup at Toronto on Sunday. Murphy has now collected a hit in 14 of his past 16 games to improve his batting average to .348 this month. He has also tallied six doubles and nine RBI in May to give him 12 two-base hits on the season.
Analysis: Murphy has emerged as one of the Mets' most reliable hitters and hasn't missed a beat since being bumped to fifth in the batting order. He has posted a robust .422 batting average with four doubles and eight RBI in the position to anchor the bottom half of the team's lineup. While he doesn't possess too much power -- no homers in 41 games -- he remains a solid Fantasy option in most formats while he's on a hot stretch.
News: Indians outfielder Shelley Duncan began the 2012 season as the team's starting left fielder, but his playing time has been significantly reduced since Johnny Damon's arrival. Duncan has started just seven times (six in left field) since Damon made his season debut on May 2.
Analysis: The Indians gave Duncan a great opportunity to take hold of a starting job in the majors. It started out well for Duncan, who hit .333 with two homers, six RBI and 10 walks in his first nine games. Unfortunately, it went quickly downhill after that and it spiraled out of control because Duncan started chasing pitches out of the strike zone. May has certainly been unkind to Duncan. Besides the reduction in PT, he's managed just four hits in 28 at-bats (.143). It's clear that Fantasy owners no longer need to hold onto Duncan.
News: Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks has cooled off slightly since a four-hit game on May 10 boosted his season average to .383. Dirks is batting just .263 (10 for 38) with one homer, one double, two RBI and five walks in his last 10 games. He has hit safely, however, in eight of those last 10 contests.
Analysis: Dirks is batting .364 in May and his offensive outburst has made him the Tigers' starting left fielder. You had to expect Dirks' average to come down because he wasn't going to hit in the high .300s all season, but that's not to say Dirks still can't be productive. He had some good numbers in the minors, producing a .292 average and .351 OBP in 299 games. He doesn't have great home run power and is more of a line-drive hitter, but Dirks' May outburst has made him a decent low-end Fantasy starter in deep mixed leagues while he's producing.
News: Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar is heating up once again. After watching his batting average slump to .265 on May 8, Escobar has hit safely in nine of his last 11 games. He's produced a .375 average (15 for 40), three doubles, four walks, five RBI and seven runs in that 11-game span.
Analysis: The offense is finally coming around for Escobar, who hasn't quite lived up to his billing as a top prospect yet. However, perhaps this will be his breakout year in the majors. Escobar has a .296 average and .345 BABIP in 39 games. His numbers mirror that of his first extended stay in the majors in 2009, when he hit .304 with a .346 BABIP for the Brewers. Escobar is becoming more of a line-drive and ground-ball hitter, which is best for his game. He's not going to develop much home run power, but if Escobar can continue to get on base, then maybe we will finally see the speed on the base paths he flashed in the minors. Escobar is still a low-end Fantasy starter in mixed leagues, but his progress thus far in 2012 is encouraging.
News:Brian Dozier heads into Fantasy Week 8 (May 21-27) having started 14 straight games at shortstop for Minnesota since his promotion from the minors. He's adjusted well to life in the majors, batting .279 with two homers, three doubles and eight RBI. "He's a good player," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told MLB.com. "He's hit at every level he's been at. We've watched this young hitter, and he knows what he's doing. He knows what pitches to look for. The league is going to get to know him, and he'll have to adjust a little bit. But right now, the league is trying to figure him out, so it's a good thing and he's taking advantage of it." Dozier has also been sharp defensively, creating just one error and turning 10 double plays. "He's obviously got the tools to play the game," teammate Jamey Carroll said. "He's a great defender, and he's got some pop in his bat."
Analysis: Dozier, who is a 2009 eighth-round draft pick, has had an interesting rise to the majors. He began last year in high Class A, but he progressed to Double-A thanks to strong hitting and was eventually the team's minor league player of the year. Dozier hit .320 with a .491 slugging percentage and .890 OPS in 127 games last year. He began 2012 with Triple-A Rochester, but after a torrid start the Twins felt he was major-league ready. Thus far, he's past the test. As Gardenhire has hinted, the Twins are expecting some bumps in the road once major-league pitchers get a scouting report on him. But for now Dozier passes as a viable low-end option in deep Fantasy formats.
News: The New York Mets optioned starting pitcher Chris Schwinden (0-1) to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday. Schwinden, who was only promoted to the parent club on Sunday after Miguel Batista was placed on the disabled list, was replaced on the roster by outfielder Vinny Rottino.
Analysis: Schwinden was not expected to stay with the Mets very long as the team's bench returns to five position players. The right-hander has made two spot starts this season, but Jeremy Hefner will take Batista's spot in the rotation. Schwinden should be left untouched in all Fantasy formats.
News: It's gotten downright ugly for Mariners utility player Chone Figgins. The veteran hasn't produced a hit in 14 May at-bats and is mired in a 0-for-20 slump dating back to April 30. His average has gone from .412 to .180 in a span of 26 games.
Analysis: It's been such a disappointing decline for Figgins since he landed in Seattle in 2010. The Mariners tried everything they could to get him going, but nothing has taken. Now, he's a bench player and there's no signs of that changing any time soon. Stop living in the past and do yourself a favor by cutting Figgins. There's no need to hold onto him in Fantasy at this juncture.
News: The New York Mets recalled outfielder Vinny Rottino from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday. Rottino, who was sent to the minors on May 11, took the roster spot of starting pitcher Chris Schwinden after he was shipped back to Buffalo.
Analysis: Rottino played in three games with the Mets earlier this month, but only drew one start. He went hitless in four at-bats with a pair of strikeouts, and will remain in the same reserve role during his second stint with New York. Leave him on waivers in all Fantasy formats.
News: After missing 20 games with a strained left calf, Indians minor leaguer Lonnie Chisenhall returned to the Triple-A Columbus lineup on Saturday. He went 2 for 3 with one double, one RBI and one walk. Chisenhall received a day off Sunday, but he's expected to rejoin the Columbus lineup on Monday.
Analysis: Perhaps if Chisenhall wasn't hurt, then he would be in the majors right now with starting third baseman Jack Hannahan bothered by injury. Unfortunately, Chisenhall wasn't and Jose Lopez has proven to be a viable stopgap option until Hannahan is healthy. Chisenhall is batting .337 with four homers, 10 doubles and 13 RBI in 23 games for Columbus. It appears he has nothing left to prove at Triple-A, and even his strikeout totals are dwindling. He has struck out just three times in his last seven games. Chisenhall should be back in the majors later this summer, so stash him in deep seasonal formats.
News: Twins infielder Jamey Carroll has hit safely in six of his last nine games. He's batting .265 with three RBI and three walks in that span. He's managed to raise his average from .212 to .224 in his last nine games.
Analysis: While Carroll has earned the distinction of being a utility infielder for Minnesota, he is still playing every day. He's just bouncing between shortstop, third base and second base. Unfortunately, Carroll's offensive numbers aren't impressive. Although, his recent run could be a sign that his season is ready to turn around. Carroll owns just a .258 BABIP on the season, which is well below his career .321 mark. He has a .310 BABIP in his last nine games, so Carroll's luck is finally turning. Unfortunately, he is still more of a contact hitter and won't post respectable power numbers. Leave him for AL-only Fantasy formats.
News: Cubs third baseman Ian Stewart went 0 for 3 with a walk during a 6-0 loss to the White Sox in an interleague meeting on Sunday. Despite the hitless performance, Stewart was able to reach base safely for the seventh time in his past eight games to boost his on-base percentage to .287.
Analysis: Stewart has enjoyed a pleasant rebound from his first month of the season and already surpassed his totals in several offensive categories from April. The 27-year-old has improved his power production and clubbed three homers in 57 at-bats. He has also recorded an on-base percentage of .338 in May after cutting down on his strikeout rate. Still, he remains a low-end option in NL-only Fantasy formats at the moment.
News: Cubs outfielder Tony Campana went hitless in three at-bats with a walk during a 6-0 loss to the White Sox in an interleague matchup on Sunday. Campana, who did not start Saturday's game with left-hander John Danks on the mound, finished just 2 for 12 during the Cubs' five-game homestand to drop his batting average down to .309. Both of his hits went for doubles and he also struck out four times.
Analysis: After providing an immediate spark with a hit in seven of his first nine games following his promotion from Triple-A Iowa in mid-April, Campana has leveled off some during his second month. The speedy 25-year-old has been slowed on the base paths and attempted just one stolen base -- a successful try -- over his past six games. Fantasy owners should be wary of a fall from his fast start and view him as an NL-only option.
News: Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro went 1 for 4 with a pair of strikeouts during a 6-0 loss to the White Sox in an interleague contest on Sunday. Castro has recorded just three hits over his past five games, including just one for extra bases, to drop his batting average to .313 on the season. He has still managed to drive in three runs during that five-game span and leads all National League shortstops with 25 RBI in 41 games.
Analysis: Castro is easily the Cubs' best hitter, but his spot in the batting order could be shifting. Chicago manager Dale Sveum hinted after Sunday's game -- the team's sixth straight loss -- that he could shake up the top of the lineup, which includes Castro at the No. 3 spot. Though Sveum did not indicate where the 22-year-old would be placed, Castro has continued to be exceptional during his third major-league season and has carried a .300-plus batting average since April 13. Keep him rolling as a must-start in all Fantasy formats.
News: Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt went 1 for 4 with a double and a run scored during the Diamondbacks' 2-0 win at Kansas City in an interleague outing on Sunday. It was the second straight game Goldschmidt has recorded a double -- the third time he's accomplished that feat this month -- to increase his total to 10 two-base hits this season. He is now carrying a .242 batting average after finishing April with a .193 mark.
Analysis: Goldschmidt, in his first full season as a starter, lost some playing time last month to veteran Lyle Overbay, but that was not expected to last as the Diamondbacks are committed to the 24-year-old's progression. His strikeout totals remain a little high considering his lack of home runs, but he has already exceeded his at-bats total from April and is producing better marks in May (.288 batting average and .323 on-base percentage). He is worth starting in NL-only Fantasy formats while he's heating up at the plate.
News: After an inconsistent start to the season, David Hernandez (0-1) has righted himself during the month of May. Hernandez registered his seventh scoreless outing Sunday at Kansas City in eight appearances this month to slice his ERA to 1.35 in May. Overall, he has yielded just two earned runs since April 16, but both of those runs came in blown save situations for the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: Hernandez enured an early stumble and has returned to his standing as one of the top setup men in the National League. The 27-year-old collected his seventh hold Sunday after striking out the side to complete his inning of work -- the third time he has accomplished that feat in 20 games this season. Fantasy owners should continue to view Hernandez as a quality relief option for his holds and strikeouts totals.
News: Red Sox prospect Bryce Brentz has put behind him a slow start to the 2012 season. After batting .216 in 23 April games for Double-A Portland, Brentz has been one of the hottest hitters in the minors in May. Brentz is batting .426 with a .453 OBP, .656 slugging percentage and 1.109 OPS in 15 May games. He also has three homers, five doubles and seven RBI in that span.
Analysis: Everything is back to normal for Brentz, who had a breakout season in 2011 in Class A. He's showing once again why he is one of the best hitting prospects in the minors. If he keeps up his current pace, then Brentz should make it to Triple-A this season and might even get a taste of the majors before the 2012 season is over. But the 2010 supplemental first-round pick really has to keep up his torrid hitting pace for the latter to happen. Brentz has primarily settled in as right fielder in the minors, which is his fastest way to the majors since Boston expects to have Jacoby Ellsbury in center and Carl Crawford in left field for years to come. Brentz is a viable long-term Fantasy keeper.
News: Oakland catching prospect Derek Norris certainly knows how to make a good first impression. Norris, who was obtained from Washington in the offseason deal for pitcher Gio Gonzalez, is hitting .312 with five homers and 27 RBI during his first season at the Triple-A level. He is also slugging a career-high .529. "I'm just trying to get into a good position to hit and put the barrel on the baseball," he told MLB.com.
Analysis: Norris, ranked as Oakland's seventh-best prospect by MLB.com, was already considered a strong power hitter after belting 69 homers in his first five pro seasons. But this year, he has improved his overall batting average and is producing 70 points higher than his career mark (.242) entering 2012. "I was taking way too many pitches last year, getting behind in counts and obviously your percentages go way down when you take strikes," he said. Norris is still blocked by Kurt Suzuki at catcher, but Fantasy owners in long-term keeper leagues should track his progression.
News: Rays infielder Sean Rodriguez has been making some impressive defensive stops at third base since replacing the injured Evan Longoria, which included a backhanded stop of a David Ross grounder Sunday against the Braves. However, Rodriguez's shift in offense is what has impressed manager Joe Maddon. Rodriguez has hit safely in 16 of his last 18 games, producing a .322 average, three homers, four doubles, eight RBI and nine runs in that span. "He's just good, very athletic,'' Maddon said, as reported by the Tampa Tribune. "It looked like (Ross' ball) was beyond him, but what Sean does never surprises me. The difference is he's having much better at-bats. He's playing at a very high level.''
Analysis: Rodriguez is finally showing the type of offensive potential many have envisioned from him for years. He usually has strong springs to only disappoint during the regular season. But people might not know but Rodriguez was a pretty good offensive player in the minors. Rodriguez had a career .501 slugging percentage in the minors and had a .620 slugging percentage in 175 games at the Triple-A level. His MLB track record has been suspect, which is why Fantasy owners have been hesitant to jump on the bandwagon. But if you are looking for infield help, then consider taking a flier on Rodriguez. You might as well ride the hot hand.
News: Philadelphia outfielder prospect Domonic Brown returned to the lineup for Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday after a long layoff due to a left hamstring injury. Brown started for the first time since May 7 and finished hitless in three at-bats with two strikeouts while driving in a run.
Analysis: At age 24, Brown has lost some of the luster on his status as a top prospect and owns just a .240 batting average with Lehigh Valley. Projected to be an annual 20/20 threat, he has yet to homer in 27 games this season as his power has seemingly dropped while he's advanced at the minor-league level. He still holds some upside and if he can get back to full strength, he is worth reserving in long-term Fantasy keeper leagues.
News: Dodgers third baseman Juan Uribe was cleared to resume baseball activities after an MRI exam on his sore left wrist revealed no serious damage, the Los Angeles Times reports. Uribe has been on the disabled list since last Monday. "I’m really happy," Uribe said. "I feel like it will go quick now."
Analysis: Uribe is eligible to be activated from the disabled list May 29 -- the same day as Dodgers slugging outfielder Matt Kemp -- and it appears he is on the right track. "We’re ready to move forward," manager Don Mattingly said. "He’s progressed to the point where he’ll start doing some baseball activities." Uribe had increased his batting average to .250 before the injury, but remains an NL-only Fantasy option when healthy.
News: Padres infield prospect Jedd Gyorko has played four games for Triple-A Tucson since his promotion last week. Gyorko is batting .267 (4 for 15) with one RBI and one double since joining the Padres' Triple-A affiliate. He hit .262 with six homers and 17 RBI in 34 games with Double-A San Antonio.
Analysis: Gyorko's promotion to Triple-A puts him one step closer to the majors, and he might not have to wait for something to happen to third baseman Chase Headley before he's promoted to the majors. Gyorko has started playing second base this season, which is a position of need for San Diego since it let go Orlando Hudson. Depending on how quickly Gyorko adjusts to Triple-A pitching could dictate his ascension to the majors. Gyorko has good pop for an infielder, as evidence by his 25 homers and 47 doubles last season. Gyorko is a viable long-term keeper and now might be worth stashing in deeper seasonal formats, particularly NL-only.
News: Tigers starter Max Scherzer had a dominating performance on the mound on Sunday against the Pirates. One day after Justin Verlander almost no-hit the Bucs, Scherzer recorded a career-high 15 strikeouts againts the poor Pittsburgh batters. Scherzer allowed two earned runs in the outing, both coming on solo homers, as he earned the win to improve to 3-3 on the season. He reached .500 on the heels of the 15-strikeout performance as he gave up just four hits and walked one, throwing 115 pitches along the way. Scherzer's ERA dropped to 5.73 with the outstanding performance. "Even when I've struggled, I've always believed the next time I go out there that I'm going to have a great start, no matter what," Scherzer said. "That's always been my belief ever since I've been in the big leagues, and today was no different."
Analysis: Scherzer has been about as frustrating as it gets for Fantasy owners. He dazzles with a performance like the 15 Ks he had on Sunday, but he'll also just as easily have an outing like the one he had previously in Chicago when he allowed five runs over just four innings. Scherzer has already given up five or more runs in a start three times this year and he's consistently been giving up around three runs per start otherwise. He only has a few outstanding outings, though when they come, they highlight his vast potential. Scherzer has 63 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings this season and that keeps him viable in most mixed Fantasy leagues through his Jekyll-and-Hyde performances. His next start comes next Saturday at Minnesota and Scherzer should be able to dominate the Twins' poor lineup.
News: Royals outfielder Alex Gordon's struggles at the plate continued during Sunday's contest against the Diamondbacks. Gordon went hitless in four at-bats in the 2-0 defeat and also struck out once. He has just six hits over his last 44 at-bats (.136).
Analysis: Gordon was red-hot during the early part of May, but has since regressed back into his season-long slump for the Royals. He has seen his batting average tumble 36 points during his recent cold spell and has yet to homer this month. While most believe it will only be a matter of time before he gets himself going, Fantasy owners may want to leave Gordon reserved in some formats heading into Week 8 (May 21-27).
News: Manager Kirk Gibson said on Sunday that shortstop Stephen Drew (ankle) will play in a few more extended sprain training games before starting a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno, reports the Arizona Republic. Drew was slated to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Reno on Sunday night.
Analysis: Gibson said the reason for the delay is Drew is a bit sore after his spring training games last week, and the team wants to make sure he is 100 percent healthy before taking the next step in his recovery. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his status moving forward to see when he will be able to return. Drew has some decent pop for a middle infielder, so continue to stash him deeper mixed leagues until he returns.
News: Dodgers first baseman James Loney recorded his fifth multi-hit performance of May on Sunday night against the Cardinals. He went 2 for 4 with an RBI in the 6-5 win. Loney has gone 16 for 42 (.381) in his last 12 games with six RBI.
Analysis: Loney has been able to raise his average from .198 to .258 during his recent hot stretch and is starting to look like a viable option in Fantasy once again. He continues to see the majority of the starts at first base for the Dodgers but owners should keep in mind that Scott Van Slyke could see time there against left-handers. While he is not the most powerful option, Loney remains a worthwhile option in NL-only formats since he is getting his average back up.
News:Elian Herrera got the start at second base for the Dodgers in Sunday's series finale against the Cardinals and had a productive night at the plate. He went 3 for 4 with two runs scored in the 6-5 win. Herrera has gone 5 for 13 (.385) with one RBI and four runs scored since being called up from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Analysis: Herrera has been seeing time at second base since being called up and that could continue with Mark Ellis on the DL. There are a few other players vying for starts so keep an eye on the situation going forward. The 27-year-old hit well in the minors and might be worth a look in NL-only formats if he sees regular playing time.
News: Mariners first basemen Mike Carp belted his fourth home run of the season during Sunday's series finale against the Rockies. Carp belted the solo home run off starter Jermery Guthrie in sixth inning of the 6-4 win. However, that would turn out to be his only hit as he finished 1 for 3 at the plate. "I've been working real hard with Chambo (hitting coach Chris Chambliss) on timing and getting my hands in the right position," Carp said. "Like I said after I hit my first home run (of the series, on Friday), I'm going to have good days and bad days. Luckily, those good days are starting to pick up a little more. I've got to keep working hard, hopefully get in a rhythm and take off like last year."
Analysis: Carp has really been struggling for the Mariners, but was able to take advantage of the thin air in Colorado by belting a pair of home runs in Seattle's three-game series at Coors Field. Despite his recent power surge, Carp is hitting just .172 over his last 10 contests and has five RBI over that stretch. While he should continue to see regular at-bats, Fantasy owners should consider the 25-year-old merely an AL-only option until he starts producing a bit more consistently.
News: Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier entered Sunday's series finale against the Cardinals batting .344 so far in May. He continued his hot hitting ways as he went 2 for 4 with an RBI in the 6-5 win. He drove in Elian Herrera with a single in his first at-bat, giving him 37 RBI on the year. Ethier didn't get his 37th RBI last season until his 270th at-bat, 121 more than it took him this year to reach that total.
Analysis: After batting .276 over the first month of the season, Ethier has been tearing the cover off the ball in May and has raised his average to .309 in the process. He has also picked up his run production this season and with eight home runs thus far, Ethier could make it back to 30-plus homers. The 30-year-old should remain active in the majority of Fantasy formats heading into Week 8 (May 21-27) with Arizona and Houston on the schedule. Ethier is a career .343 hitter vs. the Diamondbacks and owns a .306 average against the Astros.
News: New York starter Miguel Batista was, indeed, placed on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday with lower back stiffness. The Mets recalled Chris Schwinden to take his place on the roster. Batista was injured before the third inning of Saturday's start against Toronto. He allowed one hit and one walk in two scoreless innings before his departure and lowered his ERA to 3.95 on the year. Jeremy Hefner is expected to take Batista's spot in the rotation for now.
Analysis: This is a shame for Batista, who looked fairly good over his first 39 pitches on Saturday. Batista pitched a gem his last time out with seven shutout four-hit innings against the Brewers for his first win. Batista has made five starts for the Mets and has been mediocre, at best, however. On the shelf now, Fantasy owners can stash him mostly in NL-only leagues. Hefner will be an NL-only Fantasy option as his replacement.
News: Cubs manager Dale Sveum told reporters Sunday that the team has talked about promoting first base prospect Anthony Rizzo in June. However, Sveum added the caveat that Rizzo would have to play every day. "He's done everything he can down there," Sveum said about Rizzo's progression at Triple-A. "But once again, when you bring somebody up like that he has to play everyday. That's the million dollar question: How do we get that playing time? But that's definitely something we're going to talk about, probably in the beginning of June, interleague play when he need the DH and those kind of things too."
Analysis: Rizzo's biggest weakness in the past has been hitting lefties, but he finally has shown some stability in that area at Triple-A Iowa. Rizzo is batting .304 with four homers and 11 RBI in 46 at-bats against left-handed pitchers this year. He's on another power surge in the PCL, belting 14 homers and producing a .706 slugging percentage in 40 games. Promoting Rizzo to the majors hinges on finding at-bats for Bryan LaHair in the outfield. Rizzo should be up this summer and it seems that could happen as early as June. Make sure to stash him in deep Fantasy formats because his left-handed power bat should suit him well at Wrigley Field.
News:Bobby Abreu has picked up the pace at the plate since being acquired by the Dodgers earlier in May and that trend continued on Sunday against the Cardinals. He went 3 for 4 with two runs scored in the 6-5 win. He singled for all three of his hits. Abreu has gone 15 for 44 (.341) with five RBI and 10 runs scored in 15 games with the Dodgers.
Analysis: Abreu showed signs of being done with the Angels but he has been pressed into playing time lately for the Dodgers and is responding well. He has hit safely in six of the last seven games and has knocked in a few runs for Los Angeles. While his power has diminished at age 38, Abreu might be worth a look in NL-only formats while he's seeing steady playing time.
News: Mariners first basemen Justin Smoak continued his hot hitting during Sunday's series finale against the Rockies. Smoak registered his ninth multi-hit game of the year in the 6-4 win, including belting his fifth home run of the season. He ripped the solo shot off starter Jeremy Guthrie in the third inning. He also added a RBI single in the opening frame and finished 2 for 4 with a pair of RBI. "Getting on top of that high fastball the way he did, you've got to do a lot of things right," manager Eric Wedge said of Smoak. "Offensively a lot of these guys are headed in the right direction. We've got some guys that can do some damage once they get it going."
Analysis: After getting off to a dreadful start this season, Smoak is finally starting to heat up for Seattle. He hitting .351 with two home runs and four RBI over his last nine games and has registered five multi-hit games over that stretch. Smoak has seen his average increase over 40 points during his hot streak and appears to be finally starting to figure some things out at the plate. While he is certainly moving in right direction, Fantasy owners should continue to roll with Smoak as an AL-only option heading into Week 8 (May 21-27).
