News: Pittsburgh catcher Rod Barajas smacked his fourth home run of the season on Sunday in a loss at Detroit. Barajas took Max Scherzer deep in the fifth inning for a solo shot as he finished 1 for 3 on the game. Barajas added a sacrifice fly for a second RBI in the ninth inning. The catcher is batting .220 on the season for the Pirates.
Analysis: Barajas is about as hot as he gets right now with hits in seven straight games. Barajas has gone 11 for 24 over that span with four runs scored, two doubles, three homers and five RBI. Barajas has all four of his homers in his last nine games. His track record suggests he's not going to keep this up, however, so keep considering him mostly an NL-only Fantasy option.
News: Pittsburgh catcher Rod Barajas hit his third career walkoff homer on Tuesday as the Pirates beat the Nationals, 5-4. Barajas' two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth inning off reliever Henry Rodriguez was his only hit of the contest. Barajas was 1 for 4 with a strikeout.
Analysis: Barajas is batting just .141 on the year. That was his first home run and RBI of the season, so it's safe to say he doesn't have a ton of Fantasy value. He's not the everyday catcher for the Pirates and should be considered a low-end option in NL-only Fantasy option.
News: Pittsburgh catcher Rod Barajas was ejected from Wednesday's game in St. Louis for arguing balls and strikes from the backstop position, reports the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Barajas went 0 for 1 from the plate in the game. He's batting .148 on the year. Barajas was replaced by Michael McKenry.
Analysis: Barajas snapped a three-game hit streak when he was ejected on Wednesday. He's hit poorly this season and doesn't play every game anyway. Barajas doesn't have a high Fantasy ceiling, but right now he's a risky option.
News: Pirates catcher Rod Barajas totaled his second double of the season Monday against the Diamondbacks. Unfortunately, it was just his second hit of the season and Barajas is batting .087 in eight games. He also has no RBI.
Analysis: We all know Barajas isn't an offensive superstar, but even this is low for him. He's a guy that has hit 10-plus homers in seven of the last eight seasons. It's just that he looks nothing like that hitter at this time. Barajas doesn't have a high Fantasy ceiling, but right now he's a risky option.
News: Pirates catcher Rod Barajas was behind the plate for the third time in four games Tuesday against the Dodgers. He was hitless in three at-bats, lowering his batting average to .100 (1 for 10). Barajas has no RBI in three games.
Analysis: Barajas isn't a great offensive player, but he has pop for a catcher. He has managed 16 or more homers in three straight seasons. It's just that Barajas won't do enough on a regular basis to be anything more than a No. 2 Fantasy catcher.
News: Pirates catcher Rod Barajas opened the spring with a two-hit, two-RBI performance Sunday against the Blue Jays. He also scored a run.
Analysis: Barajas will take over the catching duties for Pittsburgh now that Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder are out of the picture. Barajas has decent pop for a catcher, but he doesn't hit for a decent average. Leave him primarily for larger Fantasy formats.
News: The Pirates signed free agent C Rod Barajas to a one-year deal worth $4 million on Thursday, according to Yahoo! Sports. It also includes a $3.5 million team option for the 2013 season.
Analysis: With both Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder departing as free agents, it appears that Barajas will be the new first-string catcher in Pittsburgh. While his batting average and on-base percentage are too low to give him value in most mixed leagues, Barajas can help any owner looking for help in the home run category. At minimum, he will be a viable option for owners in NL-only leagues next year.
News: While it isn't official, Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti all but said that catcher Rod Barajas' days as a Dodger are over. "Behind the plate, we'll probably let Tim Federowicz and A.J. Ellis handle the duties. They are both good catch-and-throw receivers. If Federowicz can hit .240 with some power, he can be an everyday catcher," Colletti told ESPN.com. He calls a really good game and has a strong arm. The free-agent catching market is very thin, but we'll look there as well just in case." Barajas as expressed interest in resigning with Los Angeles, but it seems the team is willing to part ways with the 36-year-old backstop.
Analysis: Barajas hit .230 with 16 home runs (second on the team) and had 47 RBI in his 305 at-bats this season. Barajas has never been a high-end option in Fantasy, but he has always brought serviceable power to a power-poor position. Owners should monitor where he lands in the offseason, but value him as more of a No. 2 catching option on Draft Day in 2012.
News: Catcher Rod Barajas, who signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers prior to 2011, would like to return in 2012, according to the Los Angeles Times. The problem is the Dodgers might not want him back. They'll be testing prospect Tim Federowicz over the final few weeks of the season and also have A.J. Ellis in the organization. Barajas says he wouldn't necessarily have to be guaranteed everyday at-bats to return, though. "Everybody knows I love it here," he said. "This is where I grew up, this is my team. Playing two out of every three days, there’s nothing wrong with that. For me, that’s kind of my comfort level -- playing four or five times a week."
Analysis: Barajas may want to stay with the Dodgers, but they may not want to pay him to stay. Really, whether he stays or goes doesn't make a big difference to his Fantasy value. The key is whether or not he'll be a starting catcher next year. With a career .238 batting average and .699 OPS, Barajas has never been a high-end option in Fantasy, but he has always brought serviceable power to a power-poor position, connecting for 15 homers this year. As long as he's in line to get the majority of the at-bats somewhere next year, he'll be worth a look as a No. 2 Fantasy option.
News:Rod Barajas hit a two-run homer and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres, 4-2, on Wednesday to complete a three-game series sweep. Barajas broke a tie game when he crushed his 15th homer off Wade LeBlanc in the second inning. Barajas added his 10th double as he went 2 for 4.
Analysis: Barajas has been locked in at the plate the last few weeks. He is batting .420 with five homers and 13 RBI in his last 10 games. One thing we have learned with Barajas is that this hot streak probably won't last, but you might as well start him in deeper Fantasy formats while he is on a roll.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas smacked his 13th and 14th home runs of the season during Tuesday night's contest against the Cardinals. Barajas ripped a solo shot off starter Kyle Lohse in the third inning and then took reliever Mitchell Boggs deep in the fifth. He finished 4 for 5 with four RBI and is now batting .239 on the season.
Analysis: Barajas is swinging the bat very well of late. He is now batting .405 in August to go along with five home runs and 16 RBI. If there is one thing we have learned about Barajas is that he can't sustain these hot streaks, but at least he gives NL-only owners some Fantasy points when he is on a roll.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas returned to the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the Cardinals after dealing with a mild groin strain the past two days.Barajas, who left Friday's contest with the injury, finished 2 for 4 with a RBI in the contest.
Analysis: Barajas is batting .333 with three homers and 11 RBI so far in August so it's good news for owners that he was able to return on Monday. It looks as though he should be good to go for Week 21 (Aug. 22-28) but keep an eye on his status just to be safe. While the 35-year-old is batting just .226 this season, his 12 homers and 33 RBI make him a viable option in NL-only formats.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas (groin) did not return to the starting lineup Sunday against the Rockies. It was the second straight start he missed. Dioner Navarro started in his absence. Barajas did serve as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning Sunday and flied out in his lone at-bat.
Analysis: What a bad time for Barajas to go down with another injury. Navarro is batting .344 with three homers and 11 RBI in 10 August games. If there is one thing we have learned about Barajas is that he can't sustain these hot streaks, but at least he gives NL-only owners some Fantasy points when he is on a roll.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas, who left Friday's game against the Rockies in the sixth inning due to a mild groin strain, was held out of the lineup on Saturday in Colorado. He is considered day to day for the Dodgers. Barajas went 2 for 3 with a homer and four RBI before being replaced behind the plate by Dioner Navarro in Friday's game. Barajas has gone 11 for 32 (.344) with three home runs and 11 RBI so far in August.
Analysis: Barajas is having a productive August thus far so hopefully this groin injury will not sideline him for too long. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his status through the weekend to see how he's looking heading into Week 21 (Aug. 22-28). While the 35-year-old is batting just .227 this season, his 12 homers and 33 RBI make him a viable option in NL-only formats, when healthy.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas left Friday's game against the Rockies in the sixth inning due to a mild groin strain. He went 2 for 3 with a homer and four RBI before being replaced behind the plate by Dioner Navarro. Barajas has gone 11 for 32 (.344) with three home runs and 11 RBI so far in August.
Analysis: Barajas is having a productive August thus far so hopefully this groin injury will not sideline him for too long. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his status over the weekend to see how he's looking heading into Week 21 (Aug. 22-28). While the 35-year-old is batting just .227 this season, his 12 homers and 33 RBI make him a viable option in NL-only formats, when healthy.
News:Rod Barajas homered Thursday, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-1 win over Milwaukee. Barajas homered in the second inning for the 11th time this year and snapped an 0-for-13 skid. He added his eighth double later in the game and scored twice on Thursday.
Analysis: Barajas' skid has meant he continues to share time behind the plate with Dioner Navarro. He has good pop for a catcher, but Barajas doesn't hit consistently and is nothing more than an NL-only Fantasy option.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas recorded his third straight multi-hit performance on Saturday night against the Diamondbacks. He went 3 for 4 with two RBI in the 5-3 win. He drove home Juan Rivera with a single in his first at-bat before adding another base hit in the third inning. He would collect his 28th RBI of the year with his single in the sixth. Barajas has gone 7 for 12 (.583) so far in August with one homer and six RBI.
Analysis: Barajas struggled when he first came off the DL but has really started to pick it up since the beginning of the month. His average has raised from .209 to .230 during his three-game hit streak and he is starting to provide some run production for Fantasy owners. The 35-year-old usually starts to slow down in the second half so keep an eye on his progress going forward. But since he does not play everyday in Los Angeles, continue to view Barajas as more of a low-end Fantasy C.
News: The Dodgers reinstated catcher Rod Barajas from the 15-day disabled list on Thursday night and optioned A.J. Ellis to Triple-A Albuquerque. Barajas had been sidelined since June 19 with an ankle injury.
Analysis: Barajas is batting just .220 on the season with eight home runs and 21 RBI. His return should be a nice boost for the Dodgers offensively, but he doesn't hold much Fantasy value. Owners should consider him an NL-only option now that he's off the shelf.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas caught nine innings in what was likely his rehab game for Class A Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday night, reports MLB.com. Barajas, who has been sidelined since June 19 with an ankle injury, will participate in a team workout Thursday night at Chase Field in Phoenix. If all goes well, he is expected to be activated off the disabled list. Stan [Conte, the Dodgers trainer] told me [Barajas is] ready," manager Don Mattingly said. "He chased a passed ball and slid and scored from first base." The team will likely option A.J. Ellis or designate Dioner Navarro for assignment once Barajas returns.
Analysis: Barajas appears ready to go and will only need to get through one more team workout before being activated. However, Fantasy owners should continue and monitor the situation, just to be on the safe side. Barajas is batting just .220 on the season but still has decent pop for a backstop. Consider the veteran a viable option in NL-only formats at a thin position, when healthy.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas (ankle) began a rehab assignment with Class A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday. Manager Don Mattingly said barring a setback that Barajas is expected to return to the lineup on July 15 at Arizona -- the first game after the All-Star break. Barajas will DH for two games and then catch for two games. "Obviously, at that point he'll be able to tell us if he's ready to go," Mattingly said.
Analysis: Barajas is batting just .220, but the Dodgers haven't gotten much offensive production out of Barajas' replacements. Add to the fact that Barajas has good pop for a catcher, and he should resume his starting job once healthy. Barajas remains just a low-end Fantasy option when healthy. It appears he will return in Week 15 (July 11-17).
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas' sprained ankle is healing slower than the Dodgers had hoped. The Dodgers are still hoping that Barajas will begin a rehab assignment before the All-Star break. "He's running well, he's better blocking balls, but he's not perfect yet," trainer Stan Conte said Tuesday. "We're not totally disappointed with his progress. He's really doing pretty well."
Analysis: Barajas hurt his ankle tracking down a wild pitch on June 18. He is hitting just .220, but he continues to show good pop for a catcher with eight homers. His power is keeping him in the mix as a low-end Fantasy option. Barajas might finally be back in Fantasy Week 15 (July 11-17), but only time will tell.
News: MLB.com reports that Dodgers C Rod Barajas' recovery from his sprained ankle has been going slowly and he will not be able to be activated from the 15-day disabled list for at least a few more days. He was eligible to return Monday. "It seems like he kind of went back a little bit," manager Don Mattingly said. "He tried to block the other day and it caused a little bit of a setback."
Analysis: Barajas has been out since June 18 with this injury and it looks as though he will still need a few more days before being able to return. Keep an eye on his progress going forward to see if his condition improves. He batted just .222 (8 for 36) in June before going down with his injury and is hitting .220 overall. While his average is below his career .237 mark, his eight homers and 21 RBI have helped out Fantasy owners. He is still considered the Dodgers' starting backstop so consider him a viable option in NL-only formats at a thin position, when healthy.
News: The Los Angeles Times reports that Dodgers injured C Rod Barajas (ankle) took part in catching workouts before the team's game Friday. If his bum ankle holds up in the coming days, he may be able to return when eligible on Monday. However, head trainer Stan Conte isn't so sure. "(He) seemed to be a little bit waffling," he said as to whether Barajas would be ready to return Monday. "Maybe we’re a day off or two days off," manager Don Mattingly said, adding that Conte "didn’t know if [Barajas] was quite there yet.”
Analysis: Barajas will play in some rehab games with Class A Rancho Cucamonga if all goes well, and it will be even more telling on how his ankle can handle game situations. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on the result of the simulations on Friday, and see how Barajas' ankle holds up into the weekend. He has been out since June 18 when he chased a wild pitch. The veteran us just a marginal option when healthy, and he admitted that he's not healthy just yet. Barajas said: "there's still some soreness" in the ankle and "it’s still not the most comfortable thing to walk on first thing in the morning. But it’s gotten better, a lot better."
News:The Sports Xchange reports C Rod Barajas (ankle) will play a couple rehab games this weekend, then is expected to get activated from the disabled list Monday or Tuesday. The Dodgers will have to decide whether to send A.J. Ellis back to Triple-A Albuquerque yet again, or whether to cut ties with Dioner Navarro, who has thrown well, but has a .170/.229/.260 slash line.
Analysis: Barajas batted just .222 (8 for 36) in June before going down with his injury and is hitting .220 overall. While his average is below his career .237 mark, his eight homers and 21 RBI have helped out Fantasy owners. He is still considered the Dodgers' starting backstop so keep an eye on his rehab stint over the weekend to see when he will be activated. When healthy, Barajas should be considered a viable option in NL-only formats at a thin position.
News: The Los Angeles Times reports Tuesday that Dodgers catcher Rod Barajas could start his minor league rehab assignment over the weekend. He's working his way back from a right-ankle sprain.
Analysis: Barajas was starting less frequently before going on the DL, but he is still considered the Dodgers' starting backstop. However, his .220 average isn't winning over a lot of Fantasy owners. Barajas has good pop for a catcher, but his production is too erratic to consider Barajas more than a No. 2 Fantasy catcher when active.
News: MLB.com reports Dodgers C Rod Barajas, who is on the 15-day DL, took off the protective boot on his sprained right ankle and played catch Tuesday for the first time since getting injured Saturday. "It feels pretty good," Barajas said. "It's still tight and tender in the area, but we're definitely going in the right direction." Barajas still won't put a date on his return. "Being a catcher, squatting will be tough," he said. "That's where the most discomfort will be, trying to get in a catching position. Getting down, moving from side to side, that will be the biggest test. I'm not at that point yet."
Analysis: Barajas was starting less frequently before going on the DL, but he is still considered the Dodgers' starting backstop. However, his .220 average isn't winning over a lot of Fantasy owners. Barajas has good pop for a catcher, but his production is too erratic to consider Barajas more than a No. 2 Fantasy catcher when active.
News: The Dodgers placed catcher Rod Barajas on the 15-day DL on Sunday before a game against Houston. Barajas sustained a right ankle sprain during Saturday's contest against the Astros while trying to stop a wild pitch. "I was trying to slide and pop up to throw, but while sliding I saw the runner would score and didn't throw," he told MLB.com. "Then my body fell back and the foot was pinned under me. If I had thrown, my momentum might have taken me to the side and kept me from rolling over the ankle." The Dodgers recalled A.J. Ellis to take his place from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Analysis: Barajas is batting .220 on the year with eight homers and 21 RBI over 182 at-bats. Barajas and Dioner Navarro continue to struggle and Ellis might just taking away a lot of both of their playing time. Barajas only has NL-only Fantasy appeal, when healthy.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas sprained his ankle on Saturday and did not start in Sunday's game against Houston. Barajas has also been struggling at the plate and has gone 0 for 10 in his last four games.
Analysis: Barajas is batting .220 on the year with eight homers and 21 RBI over 182 at-bats. Barajas and Dioner Navarro continue to struggle and A.J. Ellis isn't a far call away in the minors. Barajas only has NL-only Fantasy appeal, when healthy.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas left Saturday's game against the Astros in the fifth inning with a sprained right ankle. He suffered the injury while trying to block a wild pitch from Mike MacDougal, which allowed Jason Bourgeois to score from third base. He was able to walk off under his own power and was replaced behind the plate by Dioner Navarro. Barajas went 0 for 2 before being forced from the game.
Analysis: Barajas continued his June woes on Saturday as his 0-fer performance makes him 8 for 36 (.222) with one homer and six RBI on the month. He is being considered day to day but Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his status going forward just to be safe. Both he and Navarro have struggled recently and with A.J. Ellis putting up some solid numbers in the minors, a move could be on the way. Keep an eye on the situation going forward and continue to view Barajas a more of a low-end Fantasy C, when healthy.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas went 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored in Los Angeles' 11-7 victory over Colorado on Saturday. Barajas, whose double in the ninth plated James Loney and gave him an RBI in back-to-back games for the first time since early May, also had a single.
Analysis: With a .167 batting average during June, Barajas has begun to lose more starts to the team's other catcher, Dioner Navarro. His two-hit outing was his first since May 18 as he improved his overall average to .222 this season. Consider him a low-end option in NL-only formats.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas doubled for his only hit on Sunday in a win over the Reds. Barajas went 1 for 5 in the game with two RBI as his double drove in two runs in the third inning. Barajas is batting .213 on the season for the Dodgers.
Analysis: Barajas recorded his first hit in June on Sunday and the two RBI gives him three in his last 10 games. He does have seven homers on the season, but Dioner Navarro has been playing more recently. Until Barajas gets everyday playing time again, he's just an NL-only Fantasy option.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas was in the starting lineup posted for Friday night's contest against the Marlins. Barajas sat out the team's previous three games after spraining his right wrist last Sunday against the White Sox. He finished 1 for 3 with a single in the 3-2 victory and is now batting .223 on the season.
Analysis: Barajas appears to be fully recovered from his injury as he is back behind the plate for the Dodgers. However, Fantasy owners should continue to monitor how he fares over the weekend. As long as he doesn't show any ill effects from his wrist injury, Fantasy owners should get him active heading into Week 9 (May 30-June 5). Barajas has some appeal in deeper mixed leagues because of his power numbers.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas (wrist) was not in the starting lineup posted for Wednesday's afternoon game in Houston. The backstop sprained his right wrist Sunday and has now been out of the lineup for three straight games.
Analysis: With a scheduled off day on Thursday before Friday's series opener against the Marlins, the Dodgers got a chance to give him some more time to recuperate. Manager Don Mattingly has stated that he would be able to catch in an emergency and Barajas should be able to return to the lineup shortly. He does have seven homers this season and is a better-than-average contributor in that category, but he remains a drag in batting average, making him a low-end option in mixed Rotisserie leagues.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas, who sprained his right wrist Sunday, was out of the lineup for a second straight game Tuesday at Houston. Dioner Navarro once again started in his place. Barajas is progressing in his recovery, reports MLB.com. "Rod sounds like he's doing pretty good," skipper Don Mattingly said. "He said throwing shouldn't be an issue. I think in an emergency, he could catch tonight."
Analysis: An MRI on Barajas' wrist came back negative, but a sprained wrist is still serious enough to potentially land a player on the DL. It's such an important part of hitting, after all. Fortunately, Barajas isn't a particularly attractive Fantasy option to begin with. He does have seven homers this season and is a better-than-average contributor in that category, but he's such a liability in batting average that he's just a low-end option in mixed leagues.
News:Rod Barajas was not in the Dodgers' starting lineup for Monday's game at Houston. He remains out with a sprained right wrist, which he sustained in Sunday's game against the White Sox, a contest which he exited early. Barajas was replaced at catcher by Dioner Navarro for Monday's game. He had an an MRI on the injured area, which came back negative.
Analysis: Barajas has enough power as to be useful in deeper mixed leagues, but he may be a little too risky to start in those formats in Fantasy Week 8 (May 23-29). Though he is considered day to day with the injury, he could miss enough time that it is worthwhile to look for healthier options.
News: The Los Angeles Daily News reports that Dodgers C Rod Barajas has officially been diagnosed with a sprained right wrist and is considered day to day. He suffered the injury in the fourth inning of Sunday's game against the White Sox and had to leave the game.
Analysis: As reported on Sunday night, Barajas underwent X-rays that came back negative. "Hopefully I wake up [on Monday] and feel a little better," Barajas said. "If the soreness is still there and it gets worse, we might need to check other things out." Fantasy owners in weekly formats should consider him a significant injury risk for Week 8 (May 23-29). Given his low offensive ceiling, he is not the type of player we recommend taking any sort of risk on.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas left Sunday's game against the White Sox in the fourth inning with a right wrist injury. He suffered the injury when he was spiked by Juan Pierre on a play at the plate. He was replaced by Dioner Navarro after going 0 for 1. MLB.com reports that X-rays on his wrist were negative and he is being considered day to day. "Hopefully I wake up tomorrow and feel a little better," Barajas told the Los Angeles Times. "If the soreness is still there and it gets worse, we might need to check other things out" for treatment, he said.
Analysis: Barajas appears to have avoided a serious injury but Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his status going forward to be safe. He has gone just 3 for 23 (.130) with one RBI over his last seven games, but his seven homers and 15 RBI on the year make him a viable Fantasy option. Navarro will see time behind the plate if Barajas misses time so keep an eye on his status in the coming days. Barajas is looking like an injury risk for Week 8 (May 23-29) but should be considered just a low-end Fantasy C, when healthy.
News: After having his six-game hit streak snapped on Sunday, Dodgers C Rod Barajas started working on a new one in Monday's series opener against the Pirates. He went 2 for 4 in the 4-1 win. He singled to leadoff the fifth inning and added another single in the ninth. Barajas has gone 10 for 29 (.345) with two homers and five RBI over his last eight games.
Analysis: Barajas is batting just .228 on the year but he has been hitting better of late and still provides Fantasy owners with some decent power. His six home runs and 13 RBI put him on pace for another productive campaign. While he continues to split time behind the plate with Dioner Navarro in Los Angeles, owners should continue to view Barajas as a viable Fantasy C in deeper formats.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas produced an RBI groundout Sunday against the Mets, but he finished 0 for 4, ending a six-game hit streak. He also struck out twice. Barajas was 8 for 21 (.381) with two doubles, two homers and four RBI during the streak.
Analysis: Believe it or not, but Barajas has become a more efficient player since Dioner Navarro has come off the DL, providing him with more rest than he got earlier in the season. We usually warn people off from players in a timeshare situation, but it seems Barajas might be a more effective Fantasy option because of it. He is still nothing more than a low-end Fantasy option.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas launched his fifth home run of the season in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Marlins. Barajas' three-run blast came off Anibal Sanchez.
Analysis: Barajas has averaged 12 home runs a season over the last three years, so this is clearly a very fast start for the veteran backstop. This power surge is at least making up a little bit for his paltry .182 average, and keeping his owners in NL-only formats somewhat happy.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas had a nice game on Saturday against the Cubs. Barajas tied it at five runs apiece with a leadoff drive in the sixth inning. It was his fourth home run of the season and was a solo blast. Barajas added a run-scoring grounder in the seventh to give the Dodgers an 8-5 lead. He went 1 for 5 in the game and drove in two runs overall. Barajas is batting .190 on the year.
Analysis: Barajas has just 12 hits on the whole year over 63 at-bats. His four homers are nice, but Barajas really isn't consistent enough to be anything more than a low-end Fantasy option. Barajas' power is best left for NL-only leagues.
News: For the third time already in the 2011 season, Dodgers C Rod Barajas has seen his batting average drop below the .200 mark. It happened Thursday against the Braves, after an 0 for 4 performance, though he was walked via HBP. Barajas didn't strikeout on the afternoon, but he failed to find a hole despite making contact all four times up.
Analysis: Barajas has just 11 hits on the year in 58 at bats, with just two multiple-hit efforts though none have come since April 6. He does have three homers to his name, so at least the power numbers appear to be on the right track. Barajas has never been a hit-for-average player, but he surely needs to pick it up to remain a serviceable Fantasy option even in deeper, NL-only formats.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas went 1 for 4 with a home run in Los Angeles' 4-3 loss to San Francisco on Wednesday. Barajas slammed his third homer of the season -- a two-run shot -- off Giants SP Jonathan Sanchez in the fourth inning to tie the game at 2. It was the slugging catcher's second homer in the last three games and improved his batting average to .211 on the season.
Analysis: Barajas has been receiving plenty of playing time behind the plate for Los Angeles as the team struggles with injuries at catcher. He has now recorded eight hits in 38 at-bats for the Dodgers this season, but is still striking out at an alarming rate and has fanned 13 times. While he's good for the occasional homer, he isn't a consistent Fantasy option and should be viewed as a low-end option in NL-only formats.
News: The Dodgers held a 1-0 lead when catcher Rod Barajas stepped to the plate with no outs in the fifth inning against the Giants Monday. Barajas hit his second home run of the season to left field and that was the beginning of a four-run fifth inning in the 6-1 win. Barajas went 1 for 3 in the game and added a walk. He's batting .233 on the year.
Analysis: Barajas has homered in two of his last four games but still hasn't hit much over those contests. He only has two RBI in 30 at-bats this season and he's not going to give Fantasy owners much production. Leave Barajas for NL-only leagues.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas connected for his first homer of the season Wednesday against the Rockies, leading off the third inning with a solo shot off Jason Hammel. Barajas finished 2 for 4 and is hitting .316 (6 for 19).
Analysis: Fantasy owners probably shouldn't jump the gun with Barajas' nice start. Last year, he hit .269 with 11 homers and 30 RBI in his first 41 games before hitting .214 with six homers and 17 RBI in his final 58 games. He is hitting low in the Dodgers' lineup for a reason. He has good power for a catcher, but he is a career .239 hitter, so you take the good with the bad. Barajas is still a low-end Fantasy option.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas finished 2 for 3 with a walk in Los Angeles' 4-3 victory over San Francisco on Friday night. Barajas reached base in his first three plate appearances, including two singles, to increase his batting average to .429 after the first two games of the season. The slugging catcher also scored his first run of the season in the sixth inning on a Jonathan Sanchez throwing error to pull the Dodgers even at 3.
Analysis: Barajas has made a nice early impression as he begins his first full season with Los Angeles. The 35-year-old veteran, who began the 2010 season with the Mets, has collected a hit in each of his two games this season. He could play every day early in the season for the Dodgers after backup C Dioner Navarro suffered a torn oblique. Fantasy owners should consider Barajas a low-end option in deeper mixed leagues and NL-only formats.
News: With Dodgers C Dioner Navarro starting the season on the 15-day DL with a torn oblique, veteran Rod Barajas is in line to catch quite a bit to start the season. Navarro is expected to miss a month.
Analysis: Barajas was expected to start ahead of Navarro most games anyway, but he should get a few more at-bats with Navarro sidelined. The stocky 35-year-old finished with 17 homers last season between the Mets and Dodgers, including five long balls in just 64 at-bats with Los Angeles. Barajas has hit at least 11 homers in six of his last seven seasons. He looks great as a low-end catcher in NL-only leagues and a No. 2 catcher in mixed leagues.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas connected on his second homer of the spring in Los Angeles' 9-4 Cactus League loss to Seattle on Wednesday. Barajas, who is slated to be the team's starting catcher on opening day, finished 2 for 2 against the Mariners -- his first multi-hit game of the spring -- and is hitting an impressive .400 this spring with a .800 slugging percentage. Barajas now has six hits in 15 Cactus League at-bats and has not drawn a walk.
Analysis: Barajas has seemingly been undervalued throughout his career when it comes to power. The stocky 35-year-old finished with 17 homers last season between the Mets and Dodgers, including five long balls in just 64 at-bats with Los Angeles. Barajas, who signed a one-year contract to stay in Los Angeles, has hit at least 11 homers in six of his last seven seasons. Although he might not contribute much else, he makes for a decent No. 2 Fantasy C in deeper mixed leagues.
News:Rod Barajas understands his role as the Dodgers' top catcher is more about what he does behind the plate than with his bat. Barajas has been in the majors 10 years and it hasn't been because of bat. "My number one priority is working with the guys on the mound," Barajas said Saturday. "Very early in my career, it was pounded in my head that my job was to work with the pitchers. It wasn't what I did offensively." He's a career .239 hitter, though with some power, but has made only 43 errors in 6,950 innings and has earned a reputation is solid handler of pitchers. "With Rod, I don't think the position is up for grabs, but we have a plan," manager Don Mattingly said. "My main concern is defense, catching those pitchers. I feel the offense will come." Dioner Navarro to compete with A.J. Ellis for one of the two catching spots on the roster.
Analysis: Barajas, who went to high school in the Los Angeles suburb of Santa Fe Springs, showed the Dodgers enough at the plate (hitting .297 in 25 games) and behind it to earn him a 1-year, $3.25 million deal this past offseason. The 35-year-old has launched double-digit homers six of the last seven seasons with some decent run production, but his sub-par batting average and on-base percentage keeps him from being an elite Fantasy option. Still, he should see most of the time behind the plate in Los Angeles and can be considered a No. 2 Fantasy C on Draft Day.
News: The Los Angeles Dodgers have re-signed catcher Rod Barajas to a one-year contract. The Dodgers announced the deal Friday, a day after deciding not to offer a contract for next season to catcher Russell Martin.
Analysis: Barajas finished last season strong after Los Angeles claimed him from the New York Mets on Aug. 22, batting .297 with five homers and 13 RBI in 25 games. The 35-year-old catcher has played for six teams in 12 major league seasons during a career that started with Arizona in 1999. He's known as a solid defensive catcher who manages pitching staffs well. However, Barajas hit a surprising .284 in 2010 and has 36 homers in his last two seasons, so he can do more than catch. The Dodgers are still leaving the door open for Martin to possibly return and the team could still always add another catcher as well. It's just hard to trust Barajas as an everyday catcher at this stage in his career. Consider him more of a No. 2 Fantasy catcher in mixed leagues on Draft Day.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas returned to the staring lineup on Saturday against the Giants after leaving Friday's game after getting hit above his left elbow by a pitch in the seventh inning. The 35-year-old went 0 for 4 with three men left on base in the 5-4 loss. Since being acquired from the Mets in late August, Barajas is batting .321 with four homers and eight RBI.
Analysis: Barajas has added a jolt to the Dodgers lineup since coming to L.A. and appears to be over his minor injury. He is batting .235 with 16 home runs and 42 RBI on the year, between his time in Los Angeles and New York. He is the No. 1 catcher in L.A. with Russell Martin out for the year with a hip injury so Fantasy owners should view Barajas as a viable option in deeper mixed leagues.
News: Dodgers catcher Rod Barajas left Friday's game after getting hit above his left elbow by a pitch in the seventh inning. He was back behind home plate on Saturday against the Giants. Barajas said his elbow was sore and stiff after the game. He did hit have one hit, his 16th home run of the year, in the game before leaving.
Analysis: Barajas is batting .238 with 16 home runs and 42 RBI on the year, between his time in Los Angeles and New York. He has four homers and eight RBI in eight games since joining the Dodgers in a trade with the Mets on Aug. 22. He is the No. 1 catcher in L.A. with Russell Martin out for the year with a hip injury. Fantasy owners should view Barajas as a viable option in deeper mixed leagues.
News: Dodgers catcher Rod Barajas had one hit on Friday against the Giants, but he made it count. His two-run homer went into the left-field pavilion and gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Barajas was hit above his left elbow by a pitch in the seventh. He said it was sore and stiff after the game. He's batting .238 with 16 home runs and 42 RBI on the year.
Analysis: Barajas has four homers and eight RBI in eight games since joining the Dodgers in a trade from the New York Mets on Aug. 22. He is the new No. 1 catcher in Los Angeles with Russell Martin out for the year with a hip injury. Barajas should be considered a viable option in deeper mixed Fantasy leagues, when healthy.
News: Dodgers C Rod Barajas was in the starting lineup posted for Monday's game against the Phillies. Barajas is batting .461 (6 for 13) with two homers and five RBI since joining the Dodgers.
Analysis: Barajas is batting .237 on the season, but has swung the bat very well since arriving in Los Angeles. Barajas has 14 homers on the season and has been receiving the majority of playing time behind the plate. As long as this stays true, Barajas can viewed as a viable option in deeper mixed leagues.
News: Los Angeles' newest acquisition, catcher Rod Barajas, started for the first time with his new team on Tuesday in Milwaukee. Barajas, who was claimed by L.A. off waivers, fills a void with Russell Martin out for the year. "Offensively, he gives us a little more," manager Joe Torre said to MLB.com Tuesday. "Obviously, I've been very satisfied with the defensive side of the game with our catchers. But we've sort of been limited, even though we've had some contributions offensively. We've been lacking a little bit. The fact that he is a threat to hit the ball out of the ballpark gives us a little bit different dimension there." He immediately made a big difference for L.A. as he went 3 for 4 in the game with two doubles and a home run. He drove in three runs for the Dodgers.
Analysis: Barajas has a batting average of .233 on the season but does have 13 home runs and a .709 OPS. He is a far better offensive option than both A.J. Ellis and Brad Ausmus, who have been playing since Martin went down. Torre is not yet sure if Ausmus and Barajas will split time or not. "I don't know yet, we'll play him [Tuesday]," Torre said. "My guess is he'll get a good portion of the playing time, and we'll give Ausmus a couple games a week. I could make more decisions after watching him." It sounds like Barajas will get the majority of the time and that makes him a solid option in deeper mixed Fantasy leagues.
News: The Dodgers claimed C Rod Barajas on waivers from the Mets and subsequently acquired him in exchange for cash considerations on Sunday. Barajas made 267 plate appearances with New York, batting .225 with 12 home runs and 34 RBI. "It's tough to leave," Barajas told MLB.com. "But at the same time, I wasn't sure how much playing time was going to come my way, and if I could get in a situation where I can get behind the plate and play a little bit more, I was all for it." The Mets recalled OF Jesus Feliciano from Triple-A Buffalo to take Barajas' roster spot.
Analysis: Barajas started the year as the Mets' regular catcher, but lost his starting job while on the DL with an oblique injury. He is the major leagues' most extreme flyball hitter, which provides him with spurts of home run power, but severely limits his batting average. He should get some starts with the Dodgers, which gives him value in NL-only leagues, particularly in Head-to-Head formats.
News: Catcher Rod Barajas rejoined the Mets on Thursday as they took on the Astros. Barajas had been out since July 24 with an oblique injury, and was expected back on Tuesday. He replaced Josh Thole in the lineup. OF Fernando Martinez was sent back to Triple-A Buffalo to make room on the roster. barajas hit .238 with one home run and five RBI while on a minor-league rehab stint with Class A St. Lucie. "I'm feeling great," Barajas told MLB.com. "I went down there and did what I needed to do to get healthy. I didn't feel any discomfort. No setbacks and I feel like I'm ready to go."
Analysis: Barajas is batting .228 with 12 home runs, 34 RBI and 30 runs in his 73 games for the Mets this year. Manager Jerry Manuel has said he will keep Thole and Henry Blanco on the roster as well, meaning one of them will likely become a pinch-hitter. While Barajas does have a low average, his power at a relatively weak position still gives him Fantasy value. Owners should consider him an option in deeper mixed formats.
News: Mets catcher Rod Barajas will rejoin the team on Thursday. Manager Jerry Manuel said he will keep all three catchers on the roster -- Henry Blanco and Josh Thole being the other two. Barajas has been out since July 24 with an oblique injury and was expected back on Tuesday. "One of them will definitely have to be a good pinch-hitter for us," Manuel told MLB.com.
Analysis: Barajas is batting .228 with 12 home runs, 34 RBI and 30 runs in his 73 games for the Mets this year. While he has good power for a catcher, but his average is less than appealing. He should be considered an option deeper mixed Fantasy leagues and NL-only formats.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas, who has been out since July 24 with an oblique injury, will continue rehabbing at Class A St. Lucie for now, manager Jerry Manuel told MLB.com on Tuesday. Manuel previously said Barajas could return to the team Tuesday.
Analysis: The Mets are in no hurry to bring Barajas back, in part because they're so fond of his replacement, Josh Thole. Barajas offers above-average power for a catcher, but his poor batting average makes him less than a No. 1 Fantasy catcher in mixed leagues. You can leave him on the waiver wire.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas, who was expected to be activated from the 15-day DL on Tuesday, was not in the starting lineup at Houston. He has been out since July 24 with an oblique issue.
Analysis: Barajas will just back up Josh Thole once he's healthy, so his Fantasy value will remain very minimal unless he can somehow earn his starting job back at some point. Continue to stash him away in NL-only and deeper mixed leagues.
News:Newsday reports that C Rod Barajas is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list for the Mets' game at Houston on Tuesday. He has been on the DL with a left oblique strain since July 26.
Analysis: Though Barajas is likely to rejoin the Mets for Fantasy Week 20 (Aug. 16-22), Newsday reports that incumbent starting catcher Josh Thole will get to keep his role. As a backup, Barajas will only have value for owners in NL-only leagues, even though he can provide power when he goes on hot streaks.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas (left oblique strain) started a rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast League Mets on Thursday.
Analysis: Barajas only had 17 base hits over June and July combined and Josh Thole has seven hits over his last five games. Clearly, the Mets are happy with their catcher at the moment and are going to take things slowly with Barajas. Keep him off Fantasy rosters outside of the deepest of NL-only leagues until he returns and proves more valuable than that.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas has been cleared to begin a Class A rehab assignment with St. Lucie on Wednesday, reports MLB.com. No date has been given to when that assignment will begin.
Analysis: Barajas only had 17 base hits over June and July combined and Josh Thole has seven hits over his last five games. Clearly, the Mets are happy with their catcher at the moment and are going to take things slowly with Barajas. Keep him off Fantasy rosters outside of the deepest of NL-only leagues until he returns and proves more valuable than that.
News: MLB.com reports that Mets manager Jerry Manuel said Tuesday that C Rod Barajas (oblique) is not close to a return. Barajas was eligible to be activated from the disabled list on Tuesday.
Analysis: After red-hot start to the season, Barajas has not been able to do much at the plate consistently. Keep him off Fantasy rosters outside of the deepest of NL-only leagues.
News: New York C Rod Barajas (oblique) was placed on the 15-day DL on Monday. The Mets purchased the contract of Mike Hessman from Triple-A Buffalo.
Analysis: Barajas left Saturday's game at the Dodgers with the injury. He's really been struggling of late at the plate for the Mets. Barajas has gone just 6 for 41 (.146) in July with a homer and three RBI. He has value for deeper mixed Fantasy leagues but can be stashed in all formats now.
News: The New York Daily News reports that Mets C Rod Barajas will have his strained right oblique examined on Monday. He left Saturday's game at the Dodgers with the injury and was not in the starting lineup for Sunday afternoon's game. Josh Thole started behind the plate in Barajas' absence.
Analysis: According to the Daily News, there is a good chance that Barajas will go on the disabled list, though we won't know for sure until Monday at the earliest. Owners should prepare for the worst and look for other options at catcher for Fantasy Week 17 (July 26-Aug. 1), since it appears they will have to do without Barajas for the coming scoring period.
News: Mets catcher Rod Barajas left Saturday's afternoon game at the Dodgers with a strained right oblique. He left the game in the top of the sixth inning after hurting himself running to second base. Barajas was 1 for 3 with an RBI and a strikeout prior to getting hurt. The team lists him as day to day
Analysis: The Mets are currently carrying three catchers and could afford to place Barajas on the disabled list if the injury lingers. He has struggled at the plate since his hot early-season start and has been little more than an NL-only reserve option of late. In those formats, you may not be able to rely on him of r Fantasy Week 17 (July 26-Aug. 1).
News: Even Mets 1B Ike Davis ever needs a day off, manager Jerry Manuel might turn to starting catcher Rod Barajas to man first base. "Probably one of the catchers, and that'd probably be Barajas," Manuel told MLB.com. "I think he's played a few games in the big leagues at first base." Barajas has played 14 games in his career at first base, the last time in 2008 with Toronto. Backup catcher Henry Blanco also has played 10 times at first base, with his last appearance in '08 with the Cubs.
Analysis: Barajas playing first could save some wear and tear on his knees, while keeping his bat in the lineup. However, it's not going to matter much in Fantasy if Barajas earns extra eligibility at first base. He has good power for a catcher, but he would get buried at first base in Fantasy. His numbers just don't stack up at such a deep position. Barajas homered on Wednesday against Arizona, but he hasn't hit as well since going deep 11 times in the first two months of the season. He remains at best a No. 2 Fantasy catcher in mixed leagues.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas went 1 for 5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's game at the Diamondbacks. The home run was Barajas' first hit since July 10 and just his second hit in his last eight games.
Analysis: Ironically, manager Jerry Manuel said after the game that he expects to give Barajas a day off on Thursday. Fantasy owners should monitor Barajas in the coming days to see if he can finally start to get on some kind of a run, but his extended slump has made him somebody to avoid activating outside of deeper NL-only leagues recently. If he is still on your roster, it is in the hopes that he can catch fire like he did earlier in the year.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas was not in the starting lineup posted for Tuesday's game at the Giants. He was replaced by backup Josh Thole. Barajas was 0 for 11 in the first three games following the All-Star break.
Analysis: Barajas, who began the season red-hot, has been a big disappointment since the end of May. If he is still on your roster, it is in the hopes that he can catch fire like he did earlier in the year. Right now, however, he should be treated as a reserve.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas was back in the lineup Friday night against the Giants as Josh Thole was sent back to the bench. Barajas didn't start due to knuckleballer R.A. Dickey being on the mound on Thursday.
Analysis: Barajas has been cold as of late, as he is hitting .166 (5 for 30) with three runs and one RBI over his last 10 games. He also hasn't hit a homer since May 31 as he is sitting at 11 for the year. Barajas started the year on a roll, but as it stands now he is just an option in deeper mixed Fantasy leagues. If he gets hot again, he could be worth more attention.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas was not in the starting lineup posted for Thursday's series opener against the Giants in San Francisco. He was replaced by backup Josh Thole.
Analysis: Barajas was out of the lineup with knuckleballer R.A. Dickey on the mound for the Mets. Given the shortened scoring period, Fantasy owners with alternatives may want to think about reserving him. However, with the Mets playing a four-game series, he should get a chance for three starts over the weekend.
News: Fantasy owners everywhere want to know what happened to Mets catcher Rod Barajas, who was one of the hottest pickups in Fantasy early in the season. Barajas' Fantasy value grew as high as 85 percent in Week 10 (June 7-13) thanks in largely to the fact he belted 11 homers in his first 41 games and hit .304 in May. Sadly, it has been all downhill for Barajas ever since. He is batting just .183 in his last 27 games and has no homers in that span. Is a second-half resurgence on the way? It is unclear seeing how Barajas has hit just .227 in his career in the second half of the season.
Analysis: Barajas had some back problems in June, so perhaps the long season is finally catching up to the 34-year-old catcher. His recent production shouldn't come as a surprise and perhaps a market correction has finally caught up to Barajas. He does have a lot of protection and run-scoring chances in a loaded Mets' lineup, but Barajas is not a safe bet to rely on in the second half. Perhaps Fantasy owners should start looking toward some emerging options at catcher, such as Chris Iannetta (owned 23 percent of leagues), Carlos Ruiz (26 percent), Jonathan LuCroy (11 percent) or John Jaso (26 percent).
News: C Rod Barajas went hitless in three at-bats, as the Mets topped the Braves, 3-0, on Sunday. He is just 4 for 22 (.182) for the month of July. As recently as June 6, Barajas' batting average stood at .267, but since then it has fallen to .238. He also has not homered since May 31.
Analysis: Since a scorching-hot May, Barajas has produced little aside from a creeping strikeout rate and bushels of flyball outs. He will probably have another power tear at some point this season, but he is already losing playing time, and his batting average isn't bound to improve much. He should be reserved in all but the deepest of mixed Fantasy leagues until he shows signs of righting the ship.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas was hitless during Tuesday's win over the Reds. He went 0 for 3 with a strikeout. Barajas has fanned four times in his last three games, and seven times in his last 27 at-bats.
Analysis: Barajas is batting .200 (3 for 15) in July after hitting .183 during June. He hasn't hit a home run since May 31, so he's really killing Fantasy owners right now. He should be reserved in all but the deepest of mixed Fantasy leagues until he shows signs of righting the ship.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas went 0 for 4 in Wednesday's win over the Marlins and is now batting .159 (7-for-44) since June 8. He hit .183 for the month.
Analysis: Barajas has been bothered by a back issue lately, and maybe he just really needs to rest this injury up in order to get himself on track once more. His 11 homers in April and May show he can still put the ball out the park when healthy, but he's not getting any younger at 34. Barajas is certainly a candidate to be benched in most mixed Fantasy leagues until he turns things around.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas wasn't in the starting lineup Monday against the Marlins. He has been dealing with a sore back lately.
Analysis: Barajas is clearly having trouble with this back issue at the moment, but the Mets have been on fire in June and can afford to rest their No. 1 guy more than most teams. Barajas remains worth using in deeper Fantasy leagues, but owners have to be running out of patience.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas returned to the lineup on Saturday against the Twins for the first time since Tuesday as he'd been out with a sore back. Barajas entered Saturday's game batting .246 on the season with 11 homers and 30 RBI and went 1 for 2 with a single.
Analysis: Barajas picked up his first base hit since June 16 in Cleveland on Saturday and was 0 for 9 in his previous three starts. Barajas could still be bothered by that sore back. He has shown pop this season but doesn't have an extra-base hit since doubling against Florida on June 6. He's struggling and coming off injury to so you can keep him benched until he proves healthy and effective again. He's still worth having on rosters in the majority of mixed Fantasy leagues.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas did not play in Friday's win over the Twins due to a sore back. Despite sitting out his third consecutive game, he insisted his back is improving. "I woke up in the morning; it felt a lot better," Barajas told MLB.com. "I could definitely play if I were in the lineup."
Analysis: Barajas appears likely to play this weekend, but check his status before placing him in your lineup for Fantasy Week 13 (June 28-July 4). He has been ice-cold in June, but remains among Fantasy leaders at the catcher position for his excellent power contributions in the first half of the season. He is a solid play in all formats when healthy.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas (back) was once again not in the starting lineup posted for Friday's series opener against the Twins. He remains day to day.
Analysis: Barajas said after Thursday's loss to the Tigers that his back still feels stiff, but he feels that he might be able to go Friday against the Twins. That was not the case, however, as the Mets look to take a cautious approach with their backstop. Barajas has been ice-cold in June, but remains among Fantasy leaders at the catcher position for his excellent power contributions in the first half of the season. He remains a solid play in all formats when healthy.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas, who sat out the last two games with a sore back, said after Thursday's loss to the Tigers that his back still feels stiff, but he feels that he might be able to go Friday against the Twins, according to the Newark Star-Ledger. If he cannot catch, recent callup Josh Thole will get the start behind the plate, manager Jerry Manuel said. Barajas is hitting .174 in June with seven strikeouts.
Analysis: After hitting 11 homers and 30 RBI in the first two months, Barajas has been ice cold in June and could use some rest. The back problem doesn't sound like it will keep him out for too long but Fantasy owners should keep on eye on him over the weekend before making any decision for Fantasy Week 13 (June 28- July 4). Barajas is a viable option in mixed leagues for his power, when healthy.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas was out of the lineup for a second straight game Thursday against the Tigers due to a sore back, according to the New York Daily News. Henry Blanco started in his place again but Barajas was available in an emergency.
Analysis: Barajas has missed the past two days with a sore back and is questionable for the weekend series against the Twins. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on the situation to see when he might be back in the lineup. Barajas, who is hitting just .174 in June, is a viable option in mixed leagues for his power, when healthy.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas took a breather Wednesday against the Tigers. Henry Blanco started in his place.
Analysis: Barajas has been woeful in June with just eight hits in 46 at-bats (.174) and no RBI after knocking in 19 in May. We're not sure what his issue is, but mixed league owners should be benching him at this point until he turns things around.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas was not in the starting lineup posted for Saturday's afternoon game against the Yankees. He was replaced by backup Henry Blanco.
Analysis: This is just a typical afternoon off for a catcher in a day game after a night game. Adjust lineups accordingly in daily formats. Barajas has cooled significantly since his red hot month of May, but remains a strong option at catcher at the weak position.
News: Mets catcher Rod Barajas returned to the starting lineup posted for Friday's series opener at the Yankees. Henry Blanco, who went 1 for 4 on Thursday in Cleveland, returned to the bench.
Analysis: Barajas has cooled significantly since his red hot month of May, but remains a strong option at catcher at the weak position. Unless you have an alternative who is currently on a better run, odds are you will have to stick out this cold funk with Barajas for his power potential alone. He is a safe play once again in all daily formats.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas was back in the lineup Tuesday after taking a seat in New York's last game. He replaced Henry Blanco.
Analysis: Barajas has really hit the skids in June, hitting just .200 with no RBI. As a result, his Fantasy ownership has dropped six points lately, which is a product of Barajas basically only being useful for his homers and run-producing ability. He remains worth using in deeper mixed leagues, but you could certainly legitimately bench him in one-catcher formats if you have a hotter option on your bench right now.
News: New York made wholesale changes to its lineup for Sunday's game in Baltimore. The Mets started Chris C. Carter, Jesus Feliciano, Alex Cora and Henry Blanco behind the plate. By contrast, New York sent Fernando Tatis, Jeff Francoeur, Ruben Tejada and Rod Barajas to the bench for the series finale. Barajas had started the previous three games and went 2 for 10 over that span. He's hitting .257.
Analysis: Barajas has 11 home runs and 30 RBI on the season for the Mets and, as a catcher, that type of production is enough to use him in the majority of mixed Fantasy leagues.
News: Mets C Henry Blanco (neck) was in the starting lineup posted for Thursday's afternoon game against the Padres -- the first game of a doubleheader. Blanco missed the team's entire three-game, weekend series against the Marlins with a neck injury. Rod Barajas was benched for the first game against San Diego.
Analysis: Blanco was considered day to day, but was needed to play on Thursday as Barajas was not going to be asked to catch 18 innings all by himself. Barajas remains the primary catcher in New York for the Mets and has been one of the best surprises in Fantasy in the first half of the season and has become a must-start in Fantasy. He should be in the lineup for Game 2 on Thursday night and remains a good play in daily Fantasy leagues.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas produced two hits, including his 10th double, in four at-bats on Sunday against the Marlins. He also scored twice. Barajas had his first multi-hit game since May 28. He was just 3 for 24 (.125) in his previous five games.
Analysis: Barajas might not be having a great start to June, but the Mets have no one on the roster or in the organization pushing him right now. He is going to see the majority of starts behind the dish. Barajas has shown solid power in the first two months, so he has become a viable Fantasy start in most formats since catcher is a thin position.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas hit his 11th home run of the year in an 18-6 loss to the Padres on Monday. The slugging catcher connected off starter Kevin Correia in the sixth inning with a two-run shot. That would be his only hit in four at-bats and Barajas has 30 RBI on the year.
Analysis: After averaging just over 11 homers over the past four season, Barajas has already matched that number is 145 at-bats in 2010. He has seven hits and six RBI over hits last six games and remains a solid start in all formats for his power at a weak position.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas was back in the lineup for Monday's game against the Padres. He sat out on Sunday and was replaced by Henry Blanco in the lineup.
Analysis: Barajas is batting .270 on the year with 10 home runs and 28 RBI. He continues to hit well and his numbers through the early part of the season rank him among the most productive catchers in Fantasy. Keep him active in all formats.
News: The Mets started Henry Blanco over Rod Barajas on Sunday against the Brewers in Milwaukee. Barajas is the normal starter and had started the previous two straight games. He's batting .270 on the year with 10 home runs and 28 RBI over 141 at-bats.
Analysis: Barajas is batting .333 over his last five games with four RBI. He continues to hit well and deserves to be active in most mixed Fantasy leagues at the thinnest position in Fantasy.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas had a pair of hits in his return to the lineup during Friday's loss to the Brewers. He sat out Thursday's game due to a a bruised wrist. Barajas went 2 for 3 with a pair of singles, and has now hit in four-straight games (6 for 14).
Analysis: Barajas leads the Mets in homers with 10 and his numbers in the early part of this season rank him among the most productive catchers in Fantasy. Keep him active in all formats.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas (wrist) returned to the starting lineup posted for Friday's game at Milwaukee. He was not in the starting lineup Thursday against the Phillies after injuring his wrist on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Barajas was considered day to day with what amounted to a bruised wrist. He leads the Mets in homers with 10 and his numbers in the early part of this season rank him among the most productive catchers in Fantasy. Keep him active in all formats.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas was not in the starting lineup Thursday against the Phillies after injuring his wrist on Wednesday night. Henry Blanco started in his place. "It's pretty much what we thought it was going to be," Barajas told MLB.com. "It's basically a day-to-day thing, so I'll wake up tomorrow and see how I feel."
Analysis: Barajas, who drove in three runs Wednesday before getting hurt, shouldn't miss much time with this injury as X-rays were negative. Barajas has been a nice waiver wire pickup in mixed leagues this season, but his numbers have been on the slide a little over the last few weeks. Keep an eye on his status over the weekend.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas was hit on his right wrist by a wild pitch that bounced in the dirt during the seventh inning of Wednesday's game against the Phillies. X-rays were negative but he was very sore after the game, and not sure whether he would be able to start on Thursday. He went 1 for 3 with a double and three RBI.
Analysis: Barajas was playing very well of late, going 4 for 11 with two doubles and three runs scored over his last three contests. He's a viable Fantasy option in mixed leagues, and Fantasy owners in daily formats should check his status before setting their lineups.
News: According to MLB.com, Mets C Rod Barajas is one of the possible catchers the Rangers are scouting as the July 31 trade deadline creeps closer. The Rangers showed interest in Barajas during the offseason and industry sources said they would have interest again if the Mets, who are currently in last place in the NL East, decide to move him. Barajas signed a one-year contract with the Mets in the offseason. The Rangers would be able take on his contract, despite their strict financial limits.
Analysis: Barajas has been a nice surprise so far this Fantasy season. He is batting .276 with 10 home runs and 24 RBI and has been one of the top scoring catchers in the league. A move to Texas and its hitter-friendly ballpark could mean even bigger numbers for Barajas. Fantasy owners should continue to keep an eye for further developments in the coming weeks. He has become a nice play in Fantasy.
News: After being relegated to a pinch-hitter's role on Wednesday due to a stomach virus, Mets C Rod Barajas was back behind the plate for Thursday's game against the Nationals. Barajas showed no signs of the illness, going 2 for 5, including a two-run homer in the sixth inning. It was Barajas' 10th of the year and gave his team a 10-3 lead. He also singled and scored another run while raising his average to .276 in the win.
Analysis: Barajas has been a pleasant surprise for the Mets and Fantasy owners alike this season. His 10 homers and 24 RBI makes him one of the top scoring Fantasy catchers in the league. It appears his bout with the stomach virus is over and Fantasy should have the slugging catcher back in their lineups for his power production.
News: As expected, Mets C Rod Barajas did not start Wednesday's game in Washington after being a late scratch with a stomach virus on Tuesday. He did, however, manage to enter the game as a pinch hitter. He grounded out in the ninth inning in his only at-bat.
Analysis: Barajas remains day to day, but he should be able to return for the weekend series against the Yankees even if he is given one more day off on Thursday against the Nationals. Barajas has been one of the biggest surprises of the Fantasy season to this point and has been a top-scoring catcher in CBSSports.com Head-to-Head formats. Monitor his status in daily lineup formats to see if he is in the lineup Thursday night.
News: From The Sports Xchange notes: C Rod Barajas was a late scratch with a stomach virus Tuesday. He was expected to get a day off Wednesday anyway with Henry Blanco scheduled to catch knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Blanco indeed was listed as the starter when the team posted the lineup hours before game time. Barajas should be available to pinch hit and will likely be back in the lineup Thursday.
Analysis: Barajas is off to a great start and a nice find in deeper leagues. He remains a solid start at the thin catcher position and is actually currently the No. 2 scoring catcher in CBSSports.com's standard points system. That makes him a must-have and must-start.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas did not play in Tuesday's loss the Braves due to a stomach virus. He was replaced by Henry Blanco.
Analysis: Barajas is currently on a four-game hitting streak, going 6 for 13 over that span with two doubles and three RBI. He's a viable Fantasy option in mixed formats at the thin catcher position when in the lineup.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas, originally in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Braves, was scratched with a stomach virus. He is day to day and was replaced by Henry Blanco. Barajas is hitting .273 this year with nine homers and 22 RBI.
Analysis: Barajas is currently on a four-game hitting streak and is 6 for 13 over that span with two doubles and three RBI. Barajas has been better than anticipated this season and is most definitely worth using in most mixed Fantasy leagues at the thin catcher position. Barajas should return to the lineup shortly from this stomach ailment.
News: C Rod Barajas delivered a two-run double Monday and is hitting .323 with seven homers and 16 RBI over his past 19 games.
Analysis: Barajas has been a nice find in deeper leagues and remains a solid start at the thin catcher position. He is currently the No. 2 scoring catcher in CBSSports.com's standard points system. That makes him a must-have and must-start.
News: According to the New York Post, Mets manager Jerry Manuel could shake up his batting order in response to the team's continued offensive struggles -- especially those of the middle of the order. These moves include: removing Jason Bay from the cleanup spot, moving Jeff Francoeur from seventh to eighth and giving Rod Barajas "a more prominent spot" in the order. Jose Reyes could be moved third back to the leadoff spot in the order.
Analysis: Barajas leads the team with nine home runs and has been one of the more pleasant surprises at the catcher position this season in Fantasy. A move into the middle of the order may be short lived if it does happen, but it further adds to his rising value as a No. 1 Fantasy catcher.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas drove in two with an RBI double during a six-run eighth inning on Tuesday against the Nationals. Barajas finished 2 for 4 with one run. He is 4 for 12 (.333) in three games since returning from a finger injury.
Analysis: Barajas might only be hitting .255, but he has shown great power early in the season and has made the Mets looked good for adding him in the offseason. Fantasy owners might consider adding Barajas as well since his early-season power surge has him high up in the Fantasy rankings at catcher.
News:Rod Barajas (finger) returned to the Mets' starting lineup Sunday vs. San Francisco.
Analysis: Barajas leads catchers with homers and is a nice sleeper in deeper leagues at this point. Consider him a viable option for Fantasy Week 6 (May 10-16), if you want to stopgap a streaky slugging backstop in mixed formats right now.
News: Mets catcher Rod Barajas (finger) was held out of the lineup Saturday afternoon against San Francisco in order to rest his sore finger, according to New York Newsday. He was replaced in the lineup by Henry Blanco.
Analysis: Barajas hit two homers on Friday night, including a walk-off homer to win the game. He was hit by a pitch in the seventh inning and remained in the game, but the Mets decided to give him a day to prevent any setbacks. Barajas has been one of the hottest catchers in baseball over the past couple of weeks and remains a great play heading into Fantasy Week 6 (May 10-16).
News: Hot-hitting rookie Ike Davis and Rod Barajas both homered twice, with Barajas hitting his second of the night in the ninth inning Friday to give New York Mets a 6-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants and their eighth straight home win. Davis started the winning rally, walking with one out in the bottom of the ninth against Sergio Romo (0-3). Barajas then hit a high drive down the left-field line for his ninth homer this season and 101st of his career, giving the power-starved Mets a rare four-homer night. He combined with Davis in the second to give New York back-to-back homers for the first time at Citi Field, which opened last year.
Analysis: While the two homers were great, it wasn't all good news for Barajas on Friday. Barajas was hit on the glove hand during a pitch out. He had X-rays after the game, according to Newsday. The results, however, were only a bruised finger. It seems Barajas dodged a bullet. The veteran backstop has already gone deep nine times in his first season with the Mets. He has six homers, including a pair of multi-homer games, in his last six outings. Barajas might not post a solid batting average, but while he is ripping the baseball, Fantasy owners might consider starting him. It appears safe to keep him active for Week 6 (May 10-16).
News:Rod Barajas hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the ninth inning Tuesday night, rallying the New York Mets to a 5-4 victory after the Cincinnati Reds had caught up with a homer of their own upheld after a review. Barajas hit the first pitch from closer Francisco Cordero (1-2) deep into the seats in left-center field, his seventh homer overall. The catcher has homered five times in his last nine games. It was his only hit in four at-bats on Tuesday. "He's been impressive in that manner," manager Jerry Manuel said. "He's had some big hits at some big moments."
Analysis: Barajas might not be hitting for a pretty average, but you can't argue with the guys home run production. He has been a solid addition for the Mets in 2010 and has become a decent No. 2 Fantasy catcher in mixed leagues. If he ever starts hitting consistently, Barajas might move into the upper echelon of Fantasy catchers, but we just aren't sure he has that kind of potential.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas went 2 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored on Sunday night against the Phillies. His two-run homer in the fourth inning was his third in his last two games, and his sixth of the year. However, it was not enough as the Mets fell to the Phillies 11-5.
Analysis: Sudden power surge from Barajas after hitting 19 homers in Toronto last year. He has the inside track at the Mets catching position as his only competition is Henry Blanco. Blanco is excellent defensively but is a career .228 hitter. Consider Barajas as a No. 2 Fantasy C while he is hitting like this.
News:Rod Barajas homered twice, and the surging New York Mets routed the Philadelphia Phillies 9-1 on Friday night for their eighth straight victory. Barajas, who drove in three runs, homered leading off the fifth and continued to torment his former team. Since his one unpopular season in Philadelphia in 2007, Barajas is 12 for 21 with six homers, three doubles and 13 RBI against the Phillies. Barajas' second homer in the ninth came off Brad Lidge, who was making his 2010 debut after missing the first month of the season following operations on his right knee and right elbow. Barajas finished 3 for 4 with three runs.
Analysis: It was Barajas' ninth career multi-homer game and second this season. He also homered twice on April 9 against Washington. It would be great if Barajas could play against Philadelphia every game because he puts up monster numbers against his former employer. Barajas has shown good power through the first month, but his batting average is leaving a lot to be desired. Because of his power swing, Barajas passes as a No. 2 Fantasy catcher in mixed leagues.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas returned to the lineup Wednesday afternoon against the Dodgers after sitting out the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader.
Analysis: Barajas' average sits at just .200 so far this season, which is low -- even for his standards (.238 career average). His power continues to give him value in deeper mixed leagues, however.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas did not start in the second game of Tuesday's double header against the Dodgers. He was replaced by Henry Blanco. Barajas went 1 for 4 with a run and a strikeout in the opener.
Analysis: Barajas is getting the majority of the starts at catcher for the Mets. A career .238 hitter with two steals in 2,566 at-bats, power (three homers in 60 at-bats) is the only thing Barajas brings to the Fantasy table. But that pop makes him a borderline No. 1 Fantasy catcher in mixed formats.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas hit a solo home run off Cubs SP Carlos Silva during Wednesday's 9-3 loss to Chicago. Barajas went 1 for 4 with a pair of strikeouts. It was his third homer of the season. He's struck out six times in his last four games.
Analysis: Barajas has started 12 of the Mets 15 games. A career .238 hitter with two steals in 2,566 at-bats, power is the only thing Barajas brings to the Fantasy table. But that pop makes him a borderline No. 1 Fantasy catcher in mixed formats.
News: Mets C Henry Blanco got the start over Rod Barajas in the lineup posted for Tuesday's game against the Cubs. It was just Blanco's third start of the season with Rod Barajas getting the day off.
Analysis: Barajas remains the regular catcher for the Mets and this should just be chalked up as a regular night off. Blanco won't see enough regular at-bats to be considered useful in any Fantasy format. Expect Barajas to be back in the lineup on Wednesday. He is a viable NL-only catcher and a No. 2 or 3 catcher in mixed leagues.
News: Mets C Rod Barajas, who had gone 0 for 8 over his last three games, went 2 for 5 with an RBI at Colorado on Wednesday. He's now batting .241 (7 for 29) on the season.
Analysis: Barajas hit 19 homers for the Blue Jays last season, but he has never offered much in the way of batting average. His pop makes him worth starting in Rotisserie leagues, but he's certainly not a high-end Fantasy option.
News:Rod Barajas and Jeff Francoeur became the first Mets hitters to homer twice out of Citi Field in the same game, powering New York past the Washington Nationals 8-2 Friday night. Barajas and Francoeur lined their shots to left field. Until they connected, the only Mets player to homer twice in a game at Citi Field was Angel Pagan -- he did it Aug. 23, and one of them was an inside-the-park job. St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols is among a handful of visiting players to do it. Despite gusts well over 20 mph that knocked down fly balls and littered the field with hot dog wrappers, the Mets posted their first four-homer performance at the ballpark that opened in 2009. They totaled just 49 home runs last season in their new, spacious home. "From what I've heard, this is something that you didn't see at all last year," said Barajas, who came over from Toronto in the offseason. "It's playing like a true ballpark."
Analysis: Barajas hit a tying shot in the fourth off Garrett Mock. Barajas hit a go-ahead homer off Miguel Batista (0-1) in the sixth. He has produced four RBI in four starts to begin the season. Barajas is settling into his role as the Mets' starting backstop. Don't forget he hit 19 homers with Toronto last season, so Barajas has good power for a catcher. He might not play a full schedule, but he is a decent Fantasy option in leagues that require two starting catchers.
News: Mets newcomers Jason Bay, Rod Barajas and Gary Matthews Jr. each got two hits on opening day.
Analysis: Barajas won't be consistent, but he has pop and could be an RBI man in this Mets lineup. Consider him a sleeper for deeper mixed leagues at the thin catcher position.
News:Rod Barajas joined the Mets on Wednesday after finalizing a $500,000, one-year deal that could be worth up to $2 million. It put his disappointing winter behind him and muddied the team's situation behind the plate. The addition of the 34-year-old Barajas gives the Mets six catchers in camp who played in the majors last year, with no clear starter. Only two -- Josh Thole and Omir Santos -- were with New York in 2009. Career backups Henry Blanco and Chris Coste signed one-year deals, and Shawn Riggans agreed to a minor league contract Feb. 11. "It will be interesting," manager Jerry Manuel said. "No, I don't think in my years can recollect having that type of experience in camp. Usually that position has already been separated for the most part." Barajas, who has played in at least 104 games in four of the last six years, is considered the favorite to earn the starting job, but Manuel insisted it was open heading into New York's first full-squad workout.
Analysis: Barajas played for the Blue Jays last season, hitting .226 and driving in a career-high 71 runs with 19 home runs and 19 doubles. He also threw out 34 percent of potential base stealers. His power figures to make him the Mets' leading candidate to start behind the plate. Consider him a late-round stopgap at the thin catcher position on Draft Day.
News: The New York Post reports that Mets C Rod Barajas passed his physical.
Analysis: Barajas should have the starting catcher's job to lose this spring, so is worth a look in NL-only leagues. You'll have to live with his low average, though.
News: FoxSports.com is reporting Saturday that the Mets have signed catcher Rod Barajas to a one-year, $1 millions contract. Barajas would likely become the Mets starting catcher.
Analysis: Barajas, who was the Blue Jays' starting catcher last season, hit 19 home runs with 71 RBI in 2009. The 34-year-old, who only had a .226 average, threw out 33 percent of base runners attempting to steal last season. Consider him a viable option in the late rounds of all NL-only leagues at this point.
News:Sports Illustrated reports that free agent C Rod Barajas is likely to accept a minor-league offer from the Mets.
Analysis: Barajas batted .226 with 19 homers and 71 RBIs last season in Toronto, and could certainly get the nod behind the plate for the Mets over Omir Santos and Chris Coste. Consider him a viable option in the late rounds of all NL-only leagues at this point.
News: The New York Post states that though the Mets have not made an offer, they remain one of three teams engaged in discussions with free-agent catcher Rod Barajas, according to a person familiar with the situation. The 34-year-old Barajas, who is still a longshot to come aboard, batted .226 with 19 homers and 71 RBIs last season in Toronto.
Analysis: Barajas will probably end up with a starting job just because good catchers are hard to find, but with a career batting average of .238, he might do more harm than good in Fantasy if he finishes short of 15 homers. He's not getting any better at age 34. Leave him for the late rounds, assuming you draft him at all.
News: The following Blue Jays have filed for free agency: Rod Barajas, C; John McDonald, SS; Kevin Millar, 1B; and Marco Scutaro, SS.
Analysis: Scutaro is a nice late-rounder in mixed leagues, especially if he returns to Toronto. The other players are likely reserves at this point in their careers.
News: From The Sports Xchange notes: C Rod Barajas hit a three-run shot in the third inning to put the Jays ahead 7-2, one of three homers the Jays managed in the rain-shortened game Monday at Boston.
Analysis: Barajas' surprising season likely puts him in line to start again in 2010. Consider him a late-round mixed league option for his power potential.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas went 1 for 4 with a double on Friday night in a win over the Mariners. Barajas is batting .231 for the season.
Analysis: Barajas, with his one hit on Friday, now is 2 for 26 (.077) over his last seven games. He's hitting .153 in September after a hot -- for him, anyway -- August. He only hit .225 in August, his best month hitting since May, but did homer seven times and drive in 15 runs. He's well off that pace in September and is just an AL-only Fantasy catcher heading into the season's final week.
News: Toronto C Rod Barajas homered for the second straight night on Saturday in an 8-6 loss to the Blue Jays. He went 2 for 4 in the game with two RBI and a run scored, improving his batting average to .241 on the season with the performance.
Analysis: Barajas continues to show decent pop for a catcher but does not produce enough to be considered one of the better options in the league. Barajas should only be active in deeper mixed formats with his low batting average and RBI totals.
News: Toronto C Rod Barajas hit his 17th home run of the season on Friday in a 6-4 win over the Tigers. He went 1 for 4 in the game with a walk and a strikeout on top of the solo home run. His batting average improved to .239 with the performance.
Analysis: Barajas has some good pop for a catcher but does not hit for too high of an average with the Blue Jays. Barajas was on fire to close out the month of August but has cooled off considerably over the last week or so. Keep Barajas active in AL-only and deeper mixed formats but nothing more.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas hit homers 15 and 16 at Texas on Monday and homers four and five over his last six games, finishing 2 for 4 with five RBI. He's batting .400 (8 for 20) during that six-game stretch.
Analysis: Prior to this six-game stretch, Barajas hadn't hit five homers in any one month. He's clearly hot right now, and for that reason alone, he deserves a flier at a weak position. Keep in mind he's only a .244 hitter, though.
News: Toronto C Rod Barajas went 1 for 4 on Friday in a loss to Boston. Barajas hit his 14th home run in the 5th inning off Josh Beckett for a two-run shot. Barajas added a walk in the game and is batting .243 on the year.
Analysis: Barajas has homered in consecutive games and has four in his last eight contests with nine RBI over that span. He's definitely having a power boost in August but his batting average for the month is still low at .219. Barajas is getting regular at bats lately and that makes him a very low-end mixed-league Fantasy option.
News: Toronto C Rod Barajas hit a tying pinch-hit homer off Rays closer J.P. Howell (6-4) with one out in the ninth, tying the game at 2.
Analysis: Barajas now has three homers in his last seven appearances, increasing his total on the season to 13. He is not much of a Fantasy threat despite this recent power surge, so reserve him for AL-only formats.
News: Toronto C Rod Barajas had an excellent game in losing fashion on Monday night against Tampa Bay. Barajas went 2 for 4 with his 12th home run. The homer was a grand slam and came in the 2nd inning off Jeff Niemann. Barajas is batting .238 on the year.
Analysis: Barajas has homered twice in his last five games and has six RBI over that span but that is clearly inflated with the grand slam Monday. Barajas is only a last-resort Fantasy option behind the plate.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas, normally a seventh or eighth hitter, got a chance to bat cleanup Thursday against the Red Sox. He went 0 for 4 and still has only five hits over his last 11 games. He's batting .122 (5 for 41) during that stretch.
Analysis: Barajas hasn't hit as high as .225 in a month since May. He's batting .237 overall and is looking like just a last resort in Fantasy, no matter where the Blue Jays decide to bat him.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas hit his 10th homer of the season Sunday.
Analysis: Barajas was brutal in July, hitting just .182 with 10 Ks and one walk. His average is now down to .249 on the season and his AL-only value in Fantasy play is slipping, too.
News:Lyle Overbay and Rod Barajas hit home runs Monday for the Blue Jays, who finished with 15 hits.
Analysis: Overbay and Barajas have reached their career ceilings and revealed themselves as AL-only options at this point. They are stopgaps in deeper mixed leagues when they are hot, though.
News: Toronto C Rod Barajas had a great afternoon at the plate on Sunday against Boston. Barajas went 2 for 2 with a double and a sacrifice fly for a total of three RBI on the day. He raised his average to .254 with the performance.
Analysis: Barajas had a nice little break out on Sunday as he was 0 for 18 over his previous five games. Barajas is never going to be a very good hitting catcher but at a thin position in Fantasy, he is still worth using as a No. 2 Fantasy option.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas went 0 for 5 Saturday at Baltimore and is in a slump that goes back to June 24. He's batting .139 (5 for 36) since then.
Analysis: You could argue Barajas' slump goes back even further. He's batting .200 (18 for 90) since the beginning of June. He started the season on a tear, so you can chalk this slump up as a regression to the mean. He's still worth using as a No. 2 Fantasy C.
News: Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas went 1-for 3 with a solo home run and a strikeout Wednesday against Tampa Bay. It was his third home run in 10 games.
Analysis: Barajas very nearly went on the disabled list earlier this week, but he's back in the lineup and hitting home runs. How's that for a turnaround? He remains a decent low-end mixed-league Fantasy catcher for deeper formats, when healthy.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas (hamstring) was named in the lineup for Monday's game vs. Tampa Bay.
Analysis: Barajas left Friday night's game with the hamstring injury and was supposed to land on the 15-day DL. But the issue healed itself very nicely, and now Barajas looks like a safe start for Fantasy Week 13 (June 29-July 5) in deeper AL-only formats.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas, who left Friday's game with a sore hamstring, took batting practice and said he will try to run Monday before deciding whether to go on the DL. "If I'm not able to run by tomorrow it might be smart to do something different," Barajas said.
Analysis: Barajas doesn't sound like he should be used at all in Week 13 (June 29-July 5). It sounds as if the best-case scenario has him missing a few games but not going on the disabled list. The worst case is that he does, indeed, land on the DL. Barajas is batting .266 with seven homers and 37 RBI on the season and is a decent low-end mixed-league Fantasy catcher for deeper formats, when healthy.
News: Toronto catcher Rod Barajas isn't on the disabled list just yet after all. Barajas left Friday's game against Philadelphia in the second inning after straining his right hamstring while running to first base on a single. After the game, the Blue Jays said they were putting Barajas on the 15-day disabled list and promoting catcher Kyle Phillips from Triple-A Las Vegas. But Barajas woke up feeling better Saturday and the Blue Jays held off.
Analysis: Manager Cito Gaston says Barajas, who is batting .266 with seven homers and 37 RBI, is day-to-day. Raul Chavez started at catcher on Saturday against the Phillies and is likely to do so until Barajas can recover. Phillips is still expected to join the Blue Jays in case Barajas' condition deteriorates and he does wind up on the DL. He remains in the minors for the moment, however. Barajas is a decent No. 2 Fantasy catcher when healthy, but Fantasy owners should take a wait-and-see approach with him over the weekend.
News: The Toronto Blue Jays placed catcher Rod Barajas on the 15-day disabled list Friday night after he strained right hamstring running out a single in the second inning of a 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. The Blue Jays promoted Kyle Phillips from Triple-A Las Vegas to take his place. Right-hander Shaun Marcum was transferred from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL to make room for Phillips on the 40-man roster.
Analysis: Barajas, who came in batting .263 with seven homers and 37 RBI, ran slowly down the line after his two-out single to center off Cole Hamels. He bent over when he got to the bag and manager Cito Gaston and trainer George Poulis came out of the dugout. Following a brief conversation, Barajas tried jogging near the base before walking off the field. He was replaced by Raul Chavez. Barajas is a decent No. 2 Fantasy catcher when healthy, but should be out until at least mid-July.
News: Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas left Friday's game against Philadelphia after straining his right hamstring while running to first base on a single to center in the second inning. Barajas, who came in batting .263 with seven homers and 37 RBIs, ran slowly down the line after his two-out single off Cole Hamels, then bent over at the bag as manager Cito Gaston and trainer George Poulis came out of the dugout. Following a brief conversation, Barajas tried jogging near the base before walking off the field. He was replaced by Raul Chavez.
Analysis: Barajas had hit three home runs in his last seven games but did not have a hit in his two prior starts. He has posted decent numbers as the Jays' No. 1 catcher this season but is only worth activating in deeper mixed leagues when healthy. Wait to see how his injury situation progresses over the weekend before making a decision on him for Fantasy Week 13 (June 29-July 5).
News: Toronto C Rod Barajas hit his 7th home run of the season on Tuesday night in a win over the Cincinnati Reds. Barajas finished the game 2 for 4 with two RBI as he added an RBI on a fielder's choice in the 2nd inning. Barajas is hitting .273 on the season.
Analysis: With three homers in his last five games and seven RBI in his last six, Barajas is one of the hotter catchers in baseball right now. You can probably use him in more Fantasy leagues in which he's currently active as he's a start in deeper mixed leagues.
News:Rod Barajas turned the boos directed toward him into jeers for the slumping World Series champions. Barajas led off the ninth inning with a pinch-hit, tiebreaking homer and the Blue Jays beat the Phillies 8-7 on Thursday to complete a three-game sweep. "You try to give your best effort every time," said Barajas, an unpopular player in Philadelphia since playing here in 2007. "I have a job to do. If it's against the Phillies or the Royals, you have to produce."
Analysis: Barajas homered in back to back games with the homer on Thursday, with both of the bombs being of the solo variety. He is hitting .276 on the season with six homers and 34 RBI. He remains a serviceable low-end Fantasy C option.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas went 1 for 3 with a walk on Wednesday in a win over the Phillies. Barajas' lone hit was his fifth home run and it was a solo shot. He's hitting .272 on the year.
Analysis: Barajas has three RBI in his last two games and has 33 on the year. He has a low ceiling and is more of a low-end Fantasy catcher in mixed leagues.
News: Toronto C Rod Barajas hit his fourth homer of the season on Friday in a 9-3 win over the Royals. It was a two-run homer and his only hit in the contest as his batting average dropped slightly to .288 on the season.
Analysis: Barajas has a hit in three of his last four contests and has been pretty much been par for the course this season. He has a low ceiling and is more of a low-end Fantasy catcher in mixed leagues.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas went 1-for-4 Thursday at Boston and has now hit safely in seven of his last eight games. He's batting .308 (8-for-26) during that stretch.
Analysis: Well, Barajas isn't exactly doing you harm, but he has only two-extra base hits and zero home runs during that stretch. He has some mixed-league appeal, but his relatively low ceiling keeps him from being a No. 1 Fantasy option.
News: Toronto C Rod Barajas went 1-for-3 Friday night against the A's with his third home run of the season. Barajas hit a two-run shot. He's hitting .319 on the season.
Analysis: Barajas has 17 RBI this season as the Blue Jays' everyday catcher. That, plus his high average, is pretty nice production for a Fantasy catcher in any format right now. He's streaky, however, so beware of the bad times.
News:The Sports Xchange notes that Rod Barajas was just 1-for-3 Wednesday at the Angels, but that extended his hitting streak to seven games. In his past 12 games, Barajas is batting .434 (20-for-46) with two home runs and 12 RBI.
Analysis: Barajas has always been a streaky hitter and 2009 is showing no signs of being different. This is why he remains no more than a No. 2 catcher option, but it makes him a solid reserve to be used on weeks when he is on a hot streak and to be reserved when he is cold.
News: Toronto C Rod Barajas had three hits and drove in two base runners in an 8-4 win over the Orioles on Friday. It was Barajas' third multi-hit game in a row, increasing his batting average on the season to .319 with the 3-for-5 performance.
Analysis: Barajas is a streaky hitter and the getting is good right now as Barajas has at least two hits in five of his last six games. Ride out this hot streak while Barajas is on one. He is however typically an AL-only option.
News:The Sports Xchange notes that in his first four games of the season, Rod Barajas went 1-for-14, the next four 7-for-15, the next three 0-for-9 and now in his past four games, he's gone 8-for-18.
Analysis: Barajas has always been a streaky hitter and 2009 is showing no signs of being different. This is why he remains no more than a No. 2 catcher option, but it makes him a solid reserve to be used on weeks when he is on a hot streak and to be reserved when he is cold.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Sunday's win over the White Sox.
Analysis: Barajas had a nice Fantasy Week 3 (April 20-26) with a couple of homers six RBI, but you aren't going to get too many scoring periods like that from him. His value remains just in AL-only formats.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas, who entered the game batting .211 with zero hits in his last nine at-bats, went 2-for-5 with his first two home runs of the season Wednesday against the Rangers. He drove in a total of four runs.
Analysis: Barajas has some power potential, but not much more than the typical starting catcher. He could give you a dozen homers but doesn't have the upside to matter in mixed leagues. Leave him for AL-only formats.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Monday's game in Minnesota. It was was his second straight game with a hit after going three games without one.
Analysis: Barajas is currently slated as the Blue Jays' starting catcher with Michael Barrett listed second on the depth chart. He has gotten most of the at-bats so far this season, but is an AL-only catcher at this point who should only be viewed as a stopgap.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas was back in Toronto's lineup on Friday against the Rays after playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. He went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in the game.
Analysis: Barajas hasn't made too much of an impact this spring is currently slated as the Blue Jays' starting catcher with Michael Barrett listed second on the depth chart. Barajas is an AL-only catcher at this point.
News: Toronto C Rod Barajas made his spring debut against the Tigers in an exhibition game on Friday. Barajas was 1-for-3 on the day with an RBI.
Analysis: Barajas is currently slated as the Blue Jays' starting catcher with Michael Barrett listed second on the depth chart. Barajas is an AL-only catcher at this point.
News: The Blue Jays exercised a $2.5 million option on catcher Rod Barajas Friday, rewarding the 33-year-old after he batted .249 with 11 homers and 49 RBI. Barajas agreed to a one-year deal with Toronto last January after one season with Philadelphia, and the Blue Jays guaranteed him $1.2 million: a $300,000 signing bonus, a $400,000 salary and a $500,000 buyout of the option. Barajas played in 104 games last season, 26 shy of the threshold for guaranteeing the 2009 salary. He signed with the Phillies in November 2006, after pulling out of a $5.25 million, two-year deal with Toronto, then switched agents. A 10-year veteran who has also played for Arizona and Texas, Barajas has a career average of .241 with 73 homers and 284 RBI.
Analysis: If the season started tomorrow, Barajas would likely be a starting catcher for the Blue Jays. The season is still months away, though. Consider him more of an AL-only catcher at this point.
News:Rod Barajas (hamstring) has been out with a slight tear. He did not play Sunday and his return is uncertain.
Analysis: Barajas is too risky to use in the final Fantasy Week 26 (Sept. 22-28) at this point. He has had a solid year and could enter spring 2009 as a sleeper for deeper mixed leagues.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas, who hasn't played since last Saturday because of a slight tear in his left hamstring, didn't return to the lineup Saturday against the Red Sox.
Analysis: Barajas is batting .249 with 11 homers and 49 RBI in 104 games. He could essentially be out for the rest of the year but does have a slight chance of returning. Track his progress through Sunday, and if he can't come back, go ahead and cut him.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas, who hasn't played since Saturday because of a slight tear in his left hamstring, didn't return to the lineup Friday against the Red Sox.
Analysis: Barajas is batting .249 with 11 homers and 49 RBI in 104 games. He could essentially be out for the rest of the year but does have a slight chance of returning. Track his progress through the weekend, and if he can't come back, go ahead and cut him.
News: An MRI on Toronto catcher Rod Barajas Thursday revealed a slight tear in his left hamstring. Gregg Zaun and Curtis Thigpen will split time behind the plate until Barajas returns.
Analysis: Barajas, who has been out of the lineup since Saturday, is batting .249 with 11 homers and 49 RBI in 104 games. He could essentially be out for the rest of the year but does have a slight chance at returning. Track his progress through the weekend and if he can't come back, it will be safe to cut ties with Barajas.
News: Toronto C Rod Barajas did not return to the lineup against the Orioles on Wednesday. He's still bothered by hamstring issues.
Analysis: Barajas is nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy option for the most part. Track his progress through the weekend before considering him for the final Fantasy Week 26 (Sept. 22-28).
News: Toronto C Rod Barajas was not in the starting lineup against the Orioles on Tuesday and continues to be bothered by a hamstring issue.
Analysis: Barajas is nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy option for the most part. Track his progress through the weekend before considering him for the final Fantasy Week 26 (Sept. 22-28).
News: According to The Sports Xchange notes: C Rod Barajas, who had been having some slight issues with his hamstring muscle, aggravated it while running from first base to third in the sixth inning of Saturday's opener. Gregg Zaun came on to replace Barajas over the final two innings and caught the next two games. "We'll have to wait and see what happens with it," manager Cito Gaston said of Barajas' injury. "It just got aggravated a little more. Hopefully he'll be OK after we give him a couple of days off."
Analysis: Barajas is nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy option for the most part. Track his progress through the weekend before considering him for the final Fantasy Week 26 (Sept. 22-28).
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas had a RBI double in a six-run eighth inning Thursday against the White Sox. It was his 23rd double and 49th RBI in 2008. Barjas is hitting just .156 (5-for-32) with two RBI in September.
Analysis: Barajas is not having a very good start to September, but he is not in jeopardy of losing his everyday at-bats behind the plate. He has enough power to serve as a No. 2 Fantasy catcher.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas went 0-for-2 with an RBI on a sacrifice fly Sunday against the Rays. He's batting .200 (5-for-25) over his last eight games.
Analysis: Barjas has become the clear starting catcher for the Blue Jays, but he hasn't exactly thrived in the role. Still, he has enough power to serve as a No. 2 Fantasy catcher.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Tuesday at Tampa Bay. He entered the game batting .225 (23-for-102) in the second half.
Analysis: Barajas has enough power to suffice as a No. 2 Fantasy catcher, but he'll need to hit with more consistency before you trust him as anything more. He should get the majority of at-bats behind the plate down the stretch.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI on Monday at Detroit. He has now hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games, batting .316 (12-for-38) with two home runs during that stretch.
Analysis: Barajas has become the Jays' full-time catcher ever since Cito Gaston took over as manager. He has good enough power to suffice as a No. 2 Fantasy catcher, especially when hitting this well.
News:Rod Barajas hit a three-run homer, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Oakland 5-1 Wednesday night to extend the Athletics' season-long losing streak to nine games. The Blue Jays got all the runs they needed in the first against Oakland left-hander Gio Gonzalez, who made his major league debut. Alex Rios hit a two-out double and Lyle Overbay walked before Barajas drove a 2-0 pitch into the second deck in left for his ninth homer.
Analysis: Barajas extended his hitting streak to seven games. He is 9-for-26 (.346) with one homer and six RBI in that span. Barajas has become the Jays' full-time catcher ever since Cito Gaston took over as manager. He has good enough power to suffice as a No. 2 Fantasy catcher.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored Tuesday against the Athletics. He now has a six-game hitting streak during which he's batting .364 (8-for-22).
Analysis: Barajas has taken over as the Jays' full-time catcher ever since Cito Gaston took over as the Jays manager. He has good enough power to suffice as a No. 2 Fantasy catcher.
News: Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston would not name Rod Barajas as the starting catcher over Gregg Zaun, but said Barajas would "do a little bit more of the catching."
Analysis: Barajas is hitless in his last 12 plate appearances, but has more power potential over Zaun. Barajas remains primarily an AL-only Fantasy option and at best a No. 2 Fantasy catcher in mixed leagues.
News: Toronto catcher Rod Barajas went 1-for-4 Friday against the Yankees with his eighth home run of the year. He's batting .273.
Analysis: Barajas is now on a mini five-game hit streak. He's only averaging about a hit per game over that span, but does have two homers. He's not much of a Fantasy option, more like an AL-only guy.
News:Rod Barajas homered for Toronto with two out in the fifth inning Sunday against the Angels to end an 0-for-17 drought. Barajas' seventh homer was his lone hit in three at-bats.
Analysis: Barajas has three hits in his last six games and two of them have been solo homers. He has decent pop for a catcher eligible Fantasy player, but since he doesn't play everyday and is a streaky hitter, he is best left for AL-only leagues.
News: Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas hit his sixth home run of the season Saturday afternoon against the Braves. He went 2-for-4 with three runs scored.
Analysis: Barajas has a hit in five of his last six games, but still does not play on a regular basis and that limits his Fantasy appeal. He's useful in deeper AL-only leagues as a No. 2 catcher.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas, back in a reserve role with Gregg Zaun off the DL, got a start Saturday at Pittsburgh. He went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI, raising his batting average to .295.
Analysis: Barajas has continued to start with the Blue Jays playing games in NL parks, but he'll lose a significant number of at-bats once interleague play ends. Leave him for AL-only leagues.
News: Blue Jays catcher Gregg Zaun came off the 15-day DL on Sunday and was the DH in Toronto's series finale against the Cubs. The Blue Jays optioned catcher Curtis Thigpen to Triple-A Syracuse to make room on the roster. Thigpen hit .167 (1-for-7) in four games this season. Catcher Rod Barajas hit .321 (17-for-53) with two home runs and 10 RBI in 16 games during Zaun's absence and is likely to continue receiving the bulk of the work behind the plate.
Analysis: Barajas is a solid option in AL-only formats, but Zaun's return might make you less likely to trust him in mixed leagues. He has pop in his bat, obviously, but he will have to stay consistently productive to remain a full-timer.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas went 2-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and an RBI on Sunday against the Orioles. Playing every day with Gregg Zaun on the disabled list, Barajas had gone 2-for-10 over his previous four games.
Analysis: Barajas is batting over .300 overall, but the wear of playing every day has likely started to take its toll. Zaun won't return any sooner than next weekend, so continue to use Barajas as a stopgap in Fantasy Week 11 (June 9-15).
News: Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas left Wednesday's game against the New York Yankees in the sixth inning with tightness in his lower back and was replaced by Curtis Thigpen.
Analysis: Barajas was enjoying a productive stint at the dish since he took over last week for Gregg Zaun, who is on the disabled list with a sore elbow. No details were available on the extent of Barajas's injury.
News: According to The Sports Xchange notes: C Gregg Zaun played catch and took part in early batting practice Tuesday. Zaun is on the DL with inflammation of his right elbow. "It felt pretty good," Zaun said of his elbow. "It felt like I hadn't thrown in a week. I'll throw (Wednesday) then take a day off. Hopefully I can turn up the volume (Thursday)." In Zaun's absence, Rod Barajas is playing every day and has been lights out. Barajas is on a six-game hit streak (9-for-23) and over his past 17 games, he is batting .400 (22-for-55) with 15 RBI.
Analysis: Barajas has been an outstanding fill-in and might even retain regular at-bats after Zaun's return, but you likely won't want to use Barajas in mixed leagues in Fantasy Week 11 (June 9-15). He could sit a couple times in the weekend set with the return of Zaun.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas, playing virtually every day with Gregg Zaun on the disabled list, homered for the second straight game Sunday at the Angels. He finished 1-for-3 with a walk.
Analysis: Barajas is batting just under .300 and has by and large better statistics than Zaun. He also hit .370 in May. With him back getting the majority of at-bats, he once again has mixed-league appeal in Fantasy.
News:Rod Barajas had three doubles and drove in three runs, and the Toronto Blue Jays took the rubber game from the Athletics with a 12-0 win Thursday. Barajas hit his second double in the fifth and Brad B. Wilkerson followed with an RBI single that chased A's starter Dana Eveland (4-4) after 4 1/3 innings and his shortest outing of the year. "It's nice to go out there and score some runs," Barajas said. "It doesn't matter who's pitching, there aren't very many times we go out there and put a team away early."
Analysis: Barajas had four doubles all season coming into the game. He has 15 career doubles against the A's, his most against any opponent. He also scored twice and walked once against the A's Thursday. Barajas made his third straight start behind the plate since Gregg Zaun went on the DL with an elbow injury. This is exactly why Toronto added Barajas in the offseason. He adds depth in the event that Zaun can't play. AL-only Fantasy owners will want to add him if you are in need of a catcher. He is nothing more than a No. 2 Fantasy catcher in mixed leagues.
News:Gregg Zaun felt something in his right elbow after making a throw Monday and it was still bothering him two days later. To let him fully heal, the Toronto Blue Jays placed their veteran catcher on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a mild strain and inflammation in the elbow. The 37-year-old Zaun sat out Tuesday's series opener at Oakland hoping his elbow would calm down, but he still felt discomfort Wednesday. "It flared up a little bit Monday on a throw during the game but I thought it would get better," Zaun said. "I took yesterday off and it wasn't better. It was barking pretty good. Unfortunately you can't carry just one catcher." Rod Barajas will handle most of the catching responsibility and Toronto called up Curtis Thigpen from Triple-A Syracuse.
Analysis: This is exactly why Toronto added Barajas in the offseason. He adds depth in the event that Zaun can't play. Barajas is hitting .276 with three homers and 11 RBI. AL-only Fantasy owners will want to add him if you are in need of a catcher. He is nothing more than a No. 2 Fantasy catcher in mixed leagues.
News:The Sports Xchange notes that Rod Barajas went 0-for-4 Tuesday at Oakland to snap his 10-game hitting streak.
Analysis: Barajas is hitting .359 (14-for-39) in May and has finally come alive at the plate for the Blue Jays. He is still a reserve catcher and DH for Toronto, so despite his recent hot stretch, treat him more as an AL-only Fantasy option.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas had two singles and one run in three at-bats Sunday against the Royals. Barajas has hit safely in 11 of 12 May games. He has three multihit games in his last five outings.
Analysis: Barajas is hitting .438 (14-for-32) in May and has finally come alive at the plate for the Blue Jays. He is still a reserve catcher and DH for Toronto, so despite his hot run, treat him more as an AL-only Fantasy option.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas heard the familiar sound of boos from unforgiving Phillies fans Saturday. Then he gave them another reason to dislike him. Barajas hit two homers, one of them a grand slam, to back a strong performance by A.J. Burnett and help the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-3.
Analysis: Barajas is a backup catcher with Toronto and sees occasional starts at DH and first base, but his five RBI performance Saturday and his current seven-game hit streak might mean he sees some more action during the next couple of weeks. Still, he should only be owned in the deepest of AL-only formats at this time until he actually finds a permanent starting spot.
News: In Cleveland on Friday, Rod Barajas continued to torment Indians SP C.C. Sabathia. The .239 career hitter went 1-for-3 and is 7-for-17 (.412) with three homers against the left-hander overall. Barajas doubled to lead off the fifth and was bunted to third.
Analysis: Barajas is hitting .226 and he still can't be trusted as anything more than an AL-only Fantasy reserve, although he has hit safely in four straight games.
News: Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas snapped an 0-for-18 slump Sunday against the Royals with a seventh inning single. Barajas last collected a hit on April 18 against the Tigers, when he went 1-for-3 with a solo home run.
Analysis: Barajas saw more at-bats when Frank Thomas was released, but when he couldn't deliver, the team recalled Adam Lind from the minors. Barajas is hitting under .200 and can't be trusted as anything more than an AL-only Fantasy reserve.
News: The Blue Jays sent No. 3 catcher Robinzon Diaz to Triple-A, which makes it less likely you will see Rod Barajas getting at-bats as the DH now. Gregg Zaun is the starting catcher and Barajas will be all that backs him up.
Analysis: Diaz is nothing more than organizational depth for the Blue Jays and can be ignored in all Fantasy leagues. Barajas is nothing more than a low-end backup catcher for the Blue Jays and the deepest of AL-only leagues, especially since he can't get at-bats as a DH now.
News: Slumping designated hitter Frank Thomas was released Sunday by the Blue Jays, who cut the 19-year veteran one day after he became angry for being taken out of the lineup. General manager J.P. Ricciardi said he and Thomas came to "a mutual agreement" after meeting in the clubhouse early Sunday. With Thomas gone, OF Matt Stairs and catcher Rod Barajas will split time at DH for Toronto, with catcher Robinson Diaz expected to be called up from Triple-A Syracuse to give the Blue Jays an extra option behind the plate on days when Barajas starts at DH.
Analysis: Barajas' Fantasy value increases some with his extra at-bats, however, he is still not expected to rake in heavy numbers. He is still just a low-end Fantasy catcher. He came into Sunday's game with a .273 average, one homer and three RBI in 22 at-bats.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas returned to the lineup Wednesday against the Rangers after missing two games with a groin injury. He was hitless in three at-bats before being pinch hit for in t he eighth inning. He left five runners on base.
Analysis: Barajas is the backup to Gregg Zaun and not useful in Fantasy outside of AL-only leagues. He has some power, but he can't show it off in his current role.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas, who left Sunday's game with a groin injury, didn't play for the second straight game Tuesday at Baltimore. He remains day to day.
Analysis: Barajas is the backup to Gregg Zaun and not useful in Fantasy outside of AL-only leagues. He has some power, but he can't show it off in his current role.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas, who left Sunday's game with a groin injury, didn't play Monday at Baltimore. He remains day to day.
Analysis: Barajas is the backup to Gregg Zaun and not useful in Fantasy outside of AL-only leagues. He has some power, but he can't show it off in his current role.
News: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas had a RBI single and RBI double in three at-bats during Sunday's game against the Rangers. Barajas is hitting .385 (5-for-13) with two RBI in four games. However, it wasn't all pleasantries for the veteran backstop. Barajas left the game in the sixth inning with a groin injury and is day to day.
Analysis: Barajas got the start Sunday in place of the rested Gregg Zaun. Barajas continues to see limited start as long as Zaun is healthy. Barajas is nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy reserve when healthy.
News:Rod Barajas is not getting a whole lot of starts behind Gregg Zaun to start the season.
Analysis: Barajas is nothing more than a reserve for the Blue Jays and the deepest of AL-only leagues at this point. Zaun is a veteran who could break down, but his starting status makes him an option in AL-only formats.
News: The Blue Jays got four innings and five strikeouts from Roy Halladay during Monday's spring game against the Astros. He allowed three runs and six hits, including a homer to Lance Berkman, while he battled Astros ace Roy Oswalt. Halladay thought his performance was OK, but he was happy to get acquainted with new catcher Rod Barajas. Monday was the first time Barajas had caught for Halladay. "We just did some different things and some of them didn't work," Halladay said. "It's kind of a learning experience. The last two innings were a lot better than the first two."
Analysis: Barajas said he was so excited he was "like a little kid" when he learned a couple of days ago that he'd be catching Halladay. "Every time you change teams you've got to learn," he said. "This was the first step in getting familiar with Roy." It's still expected that Gregg Zaun will open the season as Toronto's No. 1 catcher, but the more experienced catchers, the better for Halladay. Barajas is hitting .385 this spring with three RBI in seven games. Consider him a low-end option in AL-only leagues on Draft Day.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Blue Jays C Rod Barajas is a top candidate to surprise in 2008. He had a lost season in 2007 with the Phillies, as he forfeited the starting job to Carlos Ruiz and received little playing time. A year ago the Jays believed they had him signed to a two-year contract, but Barajas backed out of the deal. He has shown power in the past with the Rangers and might have something to prove.
Analysis: After Barajas slumped through an injury-plagued 2007 season, the Phillies declined their $5 million option on his contract, choosing instead to pay him a $500,000 buyout. The 32-year-old Barajas is a .239 career hitter with 62 homers and 235 RBI in nine big league seasons with Arizona, Texas and Philadelphia. He helped the Diamondbacks win the 2001 World Series, batting .333 (3-for-9) with two homers in the postseason. Consider him a low-end option in AL-only leagues on Draft Day. He still has to beat out Gregg Zaun for at-bats.
News:Rod Barajas joined the Toronto Blue Jays a season later than expected. After backing out of a deal with the Blue Jays last offseason, the catcher agreed to a $1.2 million, one-year contract Thursday with an option for 2009. Barajas spent last season with Philadelphia, batting .230 with four homers and 10 RBI in 48 games. He signed a $2.5 million, one-year contract with the Phillies in December 2006 -- a month after walking away from a deal with Toronto and switching agents. Barajas' representatives signed a letter of agreement for a $5.25 million, two-year contract with the Blue Jays that also included $500,000 in available performance bonuses, a deal negotiated by agents Gregg Clifton and Terry Bross. Barajas probably would have gotten a starting job under that deal, which was contingent on him taking a physical.
Analysis: Barajas refused to take the physical with Toronto and switched back to Dan Lozano, who had represented him previously. Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said Lozano wanted to reopen negotiations, but the team wanted no part of it and decided to keep catcher Gregg Zaun, giving him a $7.25 million, two-year contract. After Barajas slumped through an injury-plagued 2007 season, the Phillies declined their $5 million option on his contract, choosing instead to pay him a $500,000 buyout. The 32-year-old Barajas is a .239 career hitter with 62 homers and 235 RBI in nine big league seasons with Arizona, Texas and Philadelphia. He helped the Diamondbacks win the 2001 World Series, batting .333 (3-for-9) with two homers in the postseason. Consider him a low-end option in AL-only leagues on Draft Day.
News: The Phillies declined a $5 million option on catcher Rod Barajas on Thursday and $2.5 million option on third baseman Abraham Nunez. Barajas, who gets a $500,000 buyout, was signed last December with the hope he would become the starting catcher, but he was relegated to bench duty down the stretch.
Analysis: Barajas slumped at the plate, battled injuries and hit only .230 with four home runs and 10 RBI in 48 games. Consider him nothing more than a reserve catcher for the deepest of AL- or NL-only leagues in 2008, depending on where he winds up.
News: Philadelphia took three catchers on their playoff roster as insurance because starter Carlos Ruiz hurt his elbow when he got hit with a pitch in the season finale.
Analysis: Ruiz is day-to-day. Keeping Rod Barajas also allows Manuel to use Chris Coste as a pinch-hitter. From a Fantasy perspective, Ruiz is the only hitter worth looking at as a No. 2 catcher in mixed leagues in 2008.
News: Rod Barajas singled home the tiebreaking run in the 14th inning Wednesday of Philadelphia's 7-4 win over St. Louis.
Analysis: Barajas has been nothing more than a pinch hitter of late. Consider him a reserve only in the deepest of NL Fantasy leagues.
News: Phillies C Rod Barajas, activated from the disabled list before Saturday's game against the Marlins, had a pinch hit single leading off the fourth inning. Reliever Francisco Rosario, also activated Saturday, pitched two scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and struck out four.
Analysis: Barajas lost his starting job in spring training and has been nothing more than a reserve off the bench for the Phillies. He has the same Fantasy value in NL-only leagues.
News: Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino went 1-for-4 and teammate Rod Barajas was 0-for-3 Monday night with Class A Lakewood. It was Victorino's first rehab game and Barajas' third with the BlueClaws. Victorino, who is rehabbing a strained right calf, is expected to play at least one more game with Lakewood.
Analysis: It was not clear if Barajas, who is working his way back from a strained groin, would re-join Philadelphia or continue to rehab with another minor league team. When healthy, his Fantasy value is limited to the deepest of NL-only leagues.
News: Rod Barajas (groin, hamstring) began a Class A rehab assignment this weekend.
Analysis: Barajas is a reserve for the Phillies and the deepest of NL-only leagues when he returns. He does have some pop in his bat if he gets at-bats at some point in the season's final month.
News: Catcher Rod Barajas was placed on the 15-day DL Friday with a right groin strain. Manuel also confirmed that he has a slight hamstring injury that has been bothering him for "about the last five or six days."
Analysis: Barajas has hit .214 in 43 games this season. He is the 13th Philly to spend time on the disabled list this season. His Fantasy value remains limited to the deepest of NL-only leagues when he's healthy.
News: The Philadelphia Phillies placed backup catcher Rod Barajas on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a groin strain. Barajas, 31, signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Phillies in the offseason, but has served primarily as the backup to the younger Carlos Ruiz. Chris Coste, who was recalled from the minors in June, has seen increased playing time at catcher.
Analysis: Barajas has hit .214 in 43 games this season. He is the 13th Philly to spend time on the disabled list this season. His Fantasy value remains limited to the deepest of NL-only leagues when he's healthy.
News: Rod Barajas was 2-for-4 with a home run (4), two runs scored and two RBI (9) in Wednesday's game at Cleveland.
Analysis: Barajas is 6-for-14 lifetime with three home runs against Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia. Unfortunately, Barajas will not get a chance to see the Indians ace again unless he is traded or they meet in the postseason. His Fantasy value remains limited to the deepest of NL-only leagues.
News: Rod Barajas went 1-for-2 with a sacrifice hit at the Mets on Wednesday.
Analysis: Despite playing in hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Ballpark, Barajas doesn't see enough at-bats to be considered in anything but the deepest of NL-only Fantasy leagues.
News: Rod Barajas was 1-for-5 with an RBI (5) in Wednesday's game at Florida which had a crazy finish in the ninth inning. "It was a mess," Barajas said.
Analysis: Despite playing in hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Ballpark, Barajas doesn't see enough at-bats to be considered in anything but the deepest of NL-only Fantasy leagues.
News: Phillies C Rod Barajas made a second straight start for the first time this season on Wednesday. Manager Charlie Manuel said he was impressed at how Barajas caught and managed Tuesday night's games -- and it didn't hurt that he also homered. It was the first time that Barajas caught for starter Freddy Garcia instead of Carlos Ruiz. He went 0-for-4 in the game.
Analysis: Ruiz is still likely to get the majority of starts behind the plate unless he starts to go into a prolonged slump. Consider Barajas a No. 2 Fantasy catcher in NL-only leagues until further notice.
News: C Carlos Ruiz has gotten the bulk of the starts thus far for the Phillies over opening-day starter Rod Barajas. Ruiz maintains his rookie status after getting 69 at-bats last season. He showed some power in the minors, slugging 17 home runs for Double-A Reading in 2004 and 16 homers for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season. Manager Charlie Manuel doesn't mind Ruiz's aggressiveness. "He's a fastball hitter," Manuel said. "That's how he got here. I like that he's ready to hit."
Analysis: Ruiz is now worth considering in all NL-only leagues and some larger mixed leagues, too. He has pop and the potential to play regularly. Barajas shouldn't be used in any mixed leagues in Fantasy Week 2 (April 9-15) -- until he proves productive again and worthy of more at-bats.
News: Phillies C Rod Barajas went 0-for-4 in Monday's opening-day loss to Atlanta.
Analysis: Barajas is entrenched as the No. 1 catcher in Philadelphia and he should be a nice low-end No. 1 backstop in NL-only leagues and a decent No. 2 in mixed formats. Playing his games in the smallish bandbox in Philadelphia should give him nice offensive numbers.
News: Pat Burrell and Rod Barajas hit solo homers for the Phillies in Tuesday's spring game against the Reds.
Analysis: Barajas is entrenched as the No. 1 catcher in Philadelphia and he should be a nice low-end No. 1 backstop in NL-only leagues and a decent No. 2 in mixed formats. Playing his games in the smallish bandbox in Philadelphia should give him nice offensive numbers.
News: The Courier-Post of Southern New Jersey reports that because of injuries to Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste, the Phillies will go with Rod Barajas at catcher. Of course, Barajas has hit .321 this spring and was signed by the club from Texas this offseason, so it was expected that he will be the Phillies' starting catcher.
Analysis: From 2004 to 2005, Barajas hit a total of 36 homers, but last year he hit only 11 with 48 RBI. He is not going to give you a great average, but he has exhibited enough power to warrant picking up in deeper leagues. Philly's bandbox will help. Consider him a low-end No. 1 catcher in NL-only play and a No. 2 catcher in mixed leagues, worth a middle- to late-round pick in all drafts.
News: Rod Barajas and the Phillies agreed to a one-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The deal is contingent on the catcher passing a physical, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the move had not yet been announced. Last month, he backed out of a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays after he switched agents. The 31-year-old Barajas could share playing time with rookie Carlos Ruiz, who hit .261 in 27 games last season. Chris Coste, who broke into the majors at age 33 last season, likely will serve as a pinch-hitter and No. 3 catcher, and he can play the corner infield spots.
Analysis: From 2004 to 2005, Barajas hit a total of 36 homers, but last year he hit only 11 with 48 RBI. The Phils' probable starter is not going to give you a great average, but he has exhibited enough power to warrant picking up in deeper leagues. Philly's bandbox will help.
News: The Phillies are reportedly talking to free-agent catcher Rod Barajas.
Analysis: Barajas would likely become their everyday catcher and be a sleeper for deeper leagues. He has pop and that Phillies park would suit him. Carlos Ruiz, the current projected starter, and backup Chris Coste would lose value, if Barajas signs.
News: The Rangers offered salary arbitration to RHP Vicente Padilla but not OF Eric Young and C Rod Barajas. If Padilla signs elsewhere, the Rangers will get a pick between rounds one and two in next year's draft.
Analysis: Track these free agent's offseason destinations before finalizing a judgment on their Fantasy value for 2007.
News: Gregg Zaun remained with the Blue Jays, agreeing Tuesday to a $7.25 million, two-year contract after the team's apparent agreement with Rod Barajas fell through. "We came to terms with Gregg Zaun at about midnight," GM J.P. Ricciardi said at a news conference to introduce Frank Thomas, the team's new DH. "Gregg Zaun is our catcher." Ricciardi said late Monday the deal with Barajas was not going ahead. Ricciardi declined to comment about why the contract with Barajas wasn't completed. Several reports had said Barajas needed only to pass a physical for his deal with the Blue Jays to be finalized, and it was likely to be announced Tuesday. Zaun hit .272 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI last season as the backup to Bengie Molina, whom Ricciardi is not interested in re-signing.
Analysis: The 13-year veteran Zaun worked as Bengie Molina's backup last season, but he ended up hitting so well, the Blue Jays started giving him starts at DH. Zaun is more of a player you'll end up with than one you seek out on Draft Day. In AL-only play, he won't hurt you in batting average and he provides decent pop as a No. 2 catcher. Barajas, meanwhile, has pop but he will have to look for a starting job elsewhere.
News: The following hitters have file for free agency through Sunday: Sandy Alomar, Moises Alou, Rod Barajas, Henry Blanco, Geoff Blum, Barry Bonds, Miguel Cairo, Frank Catalanotto, Jeff Cirillo, Royce Clayton, Jose Cruz, Mark DeRosa, Darin Erstad, Sal Fasano, Cliff Floyd, Nomar Garciaparra, Chris Gomez, Luis E. Gonzalez, Tony Graffanino, Nick Green, Todd Greene, Jerry Hairston, Wes Helms, Shea Hillenbrand, Todd Hollandsworth, Aubrey Huff, D'Angelo Jimenez, Gabe Kapler, Adam Kennedy, Ricky Ledee, Mike Lieberthal, Julio Lugo, Gary Matthews, Doug Mientkiewicz, Doug Mirabelli, Phil Nevin, Trot Nixon, Jay Payton, Juan Pierre, Todd Pratt, Joe Randa, Dave Roberts, Alfonso Soriano, Shannon Stewart, Luis Terrero, Frank Thomas, Jose Valentin, Todd Walker, Daryle Ward, Rondell White, Craig Wilson and Chris Woodward.
Analysis: Through Sunday, a total of 89 players have filed since the World Series from a potential free-agent class of about 200. Players can file through Nov. 11, and free agents can talk money with all teams beginning the following day. Track their offseason destinations before finalizing a judgment on their Fantasy value for 2007.
News: The Rangers have some significant free agents: outfielders Gary Matthews Jr. and Carlos Lee, catcher Rod Barajas, infielder Mark DeRosa and starting pitchers Vicente Padilla and Adam Eaton.
Analysis: Track their offseason destinations before finalizing a judgment on their Fantasy value. All of them will be viable additions in mixed leagues, with the slugger Lee certainly being an early rounder.
News: Manager Buck Showalter started Miguel Ojeda at catcher Sunday.
Analysis: Ojeda could be the backup behind Gerald Laird next season if free agent Rod Barajas is not re-signed, according to the Fort Worth Star Telegram. Laird would be a sleeper if he didn't have to share time with Barajas in 2007. Ojeda is nothing more than a career reserve, but Barajas could get a full-time spot elsewhere this winter.
News: Manager Buck Showalter said he'll start all three of his catchers -- Gerald Laird, Rod Barajas and Miguel Ojeda -- over the final nine games of the season.
Analysis: This news limits all of their value to AL-only leagues in Fantasy Week 26 (Sept. 25-Oct. 1). Laird might be the only one we can advise in mixed leagues.
News: Texas C Rod Barajas, out since Sept. 9 due to back problems, returned to the lineup. He went 1-for-4 with an RBI.
Analysis: Even if completely healthy, Barajas figures to share at-bats with the emerging Gerald Laird. Consider him a stopgap option for Fantasy Week 26 (Sept. 25-Oct. 1) at this point.
News: Manager Buck Showalter said he expects C Rod Barajas (back) to make his first start since Sept. 9 on Tuesday.
Analysis: Barajas remains a risky start because of his injury and the health and productivity of backup Gerald Laird. Even if completely healthy, Barajas figures to share at-bats with the emerging Laird. There are two very good reasons to sit Barajas down the stretch.
News: Manager Buck Showalter said C Rod Barajas might start Monday against Seattle. Barajas has played just once in the past 14 games with a back injury.
Analysis: Barajas remains a risky start because of his injury and the health and productivity of backup Gerald Laird. Even if completely healthy, Barajas figures to share at-bats with the emerging Laird. There are two very good reasons to sit Barajas down the stretch.
News: Rangers C Rod Barajas (back) was not in the starting lineup Saturday vs. L.A. Angels.
Analysis: Continue to keep Barajas on the bench until the Rangers get him back in the lineup.
News: C Rod Barajas was scratched from the lineup because of a sore back. Barajas hasn't played since Saturday. Gerald Laird has been starting in his place.
Analysis: Manager Buck Showalter planned to use Barajas on Thursday night, but the catcher's back was still bothering him after taking batting practice.
News: Rod Barajas (stiff back) returned to action on Saturday at Seattle.
Analysis: Barajas is a quality hitter when given opportunity. It appears safe to activate him in Fantasy leagues.
News: The Fort Worth star Telegram reports that Rod Barajas (stiff back) is expected to play at Seattle Friday.
Analysis: Barajas is a quality hitter when given opportunity. Barajas should remain reserved in Fantasy play until he proves he is healthy. Gerald Laird has been starting in his place.
News: Texas C Rod Barajas missed his fourth straight game with a strained back. Gerald Laird started in his place again at Oakland Monday. Laird went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
Analysis: Laird is worth starting again in AL-only leagues as long as he continues to see at-bats. He is a quality hitter when given opportunity. Barajas should remain reserved in Fantasy play.
News: Texas C Rod Barajas missed his third straight game with a bad back on Sunday.
Analysis: Barajas is a risky start for Fantasy Week 23 (Sept. 4-10) at this point, especially since Laird is a more-than-capable hitter. Consider using Laird in deeper AL-only leagues for the upcoming period, especially if Barajas' status doesn't improve before your upcoming lineup deadline.
News: Catcher Gerald Laird probably will continue to play more, according to the Fort Worth Star Telegram and it's not just because Rod Barajas injured his back slightly during batting practice Friday. GM Jon Daniels told the paper: "(Laird has) made a lot of strides with his game-calling and his work behind the plate. He's got a chance to be an above-average catcher (defensively)."
Analysis: Barajas is a risky start for Fantasy Week 23 (Sept. 4-10) at this point, especially since Laird is a more-than-capable hitter. Consider using Laird in deeper AL-only leagues for the upcoming period, especially if Barajas' status doesn't improve before your upcoming lineup deadline.
News: C Rod Barajas injured his back slightly during batting practice Friday and sat out his second consecutive game Saturday night. Gerald Laird starts in Barajas' place.
Analysis: Barajas is a risky start for Fantasy Week 23 (Sept. 4-10) at this point, especially since Laird is a more-than-capable hitter. Consider using Laird in deeper AL-only leagues for the upcoming period if Barajas' status doesn't improve before your upcoming lineup deadline.
News: Going into Friday night's game, catchers Rod Barajas and Gerald Laird had combined to throw out 31-of-76 attempted base stealers (41 percent). That was the second-highest percentage in the AL behind the 44 percent of Detroit, where former Ranger All-Star Ivan Rodriguez is the starting catcher.
Analysis: Barajas is still worth using in AL-only play, although Gerald Laird has stolen some at-bats. Both can be considered viable players in AL leagues.
News: Rod Barajas went 2-for-4 with a run scored Sunday at Detroit.
Analysis: Barajas is hitting .293 when hitting ninth in the lineup this year. He's still worth using in AL-only play, although Gerald Laird has stolen some at-bats.
News: The Dallas Morning News reports that Gerald Laird is expected to start against Oakland's RHP Shane Komine Tuesday, with Rod Barajas getting the nod behind the plate against LHP Barry Zito Wednesday.
Analysis: Laird has started to steal a lot of at-bats from Barajas. Laird is a much more consistent hitter, whereas Barajas has a little more power. Start both in AL-only play as No. 2 catchers until one emerges with the majority of playing time, thus becoming a decent No. 2 C in mixed leagues.
News: Rod Barajas started Monday night and is expected to play against Oakland LHP Barry Zito on Wednesday. Barajas hits Zito well, Showalter said.
Analysis: Owners in daily leagues should have him active for Wednesday’s game.
News: Gerald Laird had a two-run double and went 2-for-5 with three RBI, raising his average to .351 on the season. He has stolen regular at-bats from Rod Barajas. The two will continue to share the job, but Laird is clearly the hot hand. Rangers GM Jon Daniels told the the Dallas Morning News the acquisition of journeyman C Miguel Ojeda was nothing more than an option for a No. 3 catcher.
Analysis: Laird's definitely the better option at the plate over Barajas. Consider dropped Barajas for Laird in all leagues at this point. Barajas will come back for him at-bats and hits still, but it's Laird time right now.
News: Manager Buck Showalter lauded C Gerald Laird's performance at the plate in recent weeks, but said he would continue to platoon him with Rod Barajas.
Analysis: Laird is hitting .481 with three doubles, a homer and three RBIs in seven starts since the All-Star break. "Gerald's got a hot hand right now, but Rod's been good for us, too," Showalter said. "It's a two-headed position for us." Laird's definitely the better option at the plate over Barajas. Start Laird as a No. 2 catcher in AL-only play and Barajas is barely holding on as a No. 2 mixed league catcher.
News: C Gerald Laird batted fifth against Kansas City Sunday, the highest he's ever been in the order.
Analysis: Laird went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored, so the experiment paid off. He's batting .357 on the year and he's starting to see more frequent starts. He's definitely the better option at the plate over Rod Barajas, but it's yet to be determined how much time he'll get from here on. Even at his current status, start Laird as a No. 2 catcher in AL-only play and Barajas is barely holding on as a No. 2 mixed league catcher.
News: Rod Barajas was 2-for-4 with a solo home run (9) and two runs scored in Tuesday's game against the Yankees.
Analysis: Barajas' three home runs during the month of July ties a season-high for a month. He remains a useful No. 2 Fantasy catcher in all AL-only formats.
News: Rod Barajas, who had been 0-for-10 in his previous three games, had two hits and three RBI for Texas on Thursday in Boston.
Analysis: He has power potential, but you have to be wary of the younger and promising Laird stealing more and more at-bats as the season wears on.
News: Rod Barajas made his first start against a left-handed pitcher since May 29 when he started Sunday against Minnesota. The Rangers had been using Gerald Laird against lefties, but Laird played Saturday night.
Analysis: Barajas is 4-for-36 (.111) against lefties this season after going 0-for-2. He is hitting .265 overall for the season.
News: Regular starting C Rod Barajas might be getting an extended break. Barajas wasn't in the starting lineup Saturday night, and manager Buck Showalter indicated Gerald Laird might also start Sunday's game, the last one before the All-Star break. That would mean five consecutive days off for Barajas.
Analysis: Barajas is still the catcher to have among Rangers in deeper leagues. He has power potential, but you have to be wary of the younger and promising Laird stealing more and more at-bats as the season wears on.
News: What had been presumed to be a ninth-inning strikeout by Rod Barajas in Tuesday night's game against the Blue Jays was really a walk. Barajas appeared to swing at strike three on a B.J. Ryan wild pitch that allowed Barajas to reach first and a run to score. The official scorer marked it as a strikeout. But home plate umpire Bill Miller ruled on the field that Barajas actually had checked his swing and reached on a walk.
Analysis: Barajas had a fantastic June, but he has only one hit in 10 at-bats in July. He's still a decent No. 2 catcher in mixed leagues. Elias Sports Bureau has already updated the stats in your leagues with the walk instead of the strikeout.
News: Though hot-hitting Gerald Laird is pushing for playing time, starting Rod Barajas is not giving up his spot without a fight. Barajas is hitting .375 for June.
Analysis: Barajas is leading the team in hitting for the month, one point ahead of Gary Matthews Jr. He should be active across the board while hot.
News: Rod Barajas was 3-for-4 with a double in Saturday's game at Colorado, as he continues to raise his batting average. He is up to .275 after starting the month of June stumbling along at just .234.
Analysis: Barajas is 23-for-56 (.411) with six doubles, a home run and eight RBI in the month of June, including eight multi-hit games.
News: Rod Barajas has hit in 30 of his past 36 games to raise his average from .167 to .263. He his also 5-for-11 in his past three games. This streak comes on the heels of equally hot Gerald Laird getting more at-bats.
Analysis: Barajas will still split time with Laird, which limits his Fantasy value to deeper mixed leagues. Barajas has good power potential in that lineup and home hitter's park, though, so consider him anywhere while he's hot.
News: A platoon situation might arise among the Texas Rangers' catchers, Rod Barajas and Gerald Laird. Rod Barajas is hitting only .107 against lefties in 28 at-bats this season, while Laird is 9-for-17 (.529) against lefties.
Analysis: The Rangers face Chicago's Mark Buehrle, a left-handed pitcher, at U.S. Cellular Field this weekend. If Laird receives the start, it could be an indication that manager Buck Showalter will begin utilize both catchers.
News: Gerald Laird went 1-for-3 with one walk and a stolen base in Tuesday's 6-4 win over Seattle. He started in place of Rod Barajas, who was rested in the contest.
Analysis: Barajas (.241 BA) will return to action Wednesday when the Rangers finish the three-game series against the Mariners.
News: Catcher Rod Barajas singled Sunday to extend his hitting streak to seven games, and is hitting .320 (8-for-25) with a homer and four RBI over that span.
Analysis: While Barajas started the season slowly, he has re-emerged as a decent No. 2 catcher in AL-only leagues.
News: MLB.com reports Rod Barajas' grand slam in Thursday's win over Oakland was worth $25,000 to a Texas woman. Frankie Hugghins of Athens received that amount, as the grand slam came in the television promotion Sonic Slam Inning.
Analysis: Barajas (.246 BA) hit his fourth home run of the season off Oakland starter Brad Halsey. Though he has been a disappointment a the dish, Barajas remains a viable starter in all AL and some mixed formats.
News: Rod Barajas is finally starting to see some results at the plate. He went 2-for-3 Thursday at the N.Y. Yankees with a key sacrifice bunt and a home run to raise his average to .238 for the season. Barajas is batting .341 (14-for-41) since April 29.
Analysis: Barajas is a fair option as a starting catcher in AL-only leagues or in leagues that start two or more catchers. Starting him while he's hot is a good idea.
News: Rangers C Rod Barajas has hits in each of his last four games (and six of his last seven), raising his average to .224.
Analysis: Barajas is a fair option as a starting catcher in AL-only leagues or in leagues that start two or more catchers.
News: Rod Barajas (foot) was 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's game at Tampa Bay after missing Sunday's game.
Analysis: It appears safe to get Barajas back into the active Fantasy lineup in all AL-only leagues which allow daily moves.
News: Rod Barajas, who fouled a ball of his left foot Saturday, didn't start Sunday. Gerald Laird was behind the plate.
Analysis: He remains day-to-day and is a risky start for the upcoming scoring period.
News: Though Gerald Laird is on fire at the plate and was scheduled to start Wednesday's afternoon game, Texas manager Buck Showalter said he has no plans to switch Laird's role with starter Rod Barajas.
Analysis: Barajas had a single in four at-bats Tuesday but has a mere six hits in his last 48 at-bats. Baird has been much better at the plate, but Showalter will stick with Barajas for now.
News: The Texas Rangers might want to consider a platoon between catchers Rod Barajas and Gerald Laird. Laird is hitting .350 in 20 at-bats, while Barajas went 0-for-4 Monday to drop his season average to .161.
Analysis: Barajas has only one extra-base hit this season, a home run in the second game of the season. He has just five singles in his last 43 at-bats. His value would fall if Baird sees an increase in starts.
News: Rod Barajas (back) was back in the lineup for Thursday's game at Seattle. He was 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
Analysis: Despite the poor game, it appears safe to get him back into the active Fantasy lineup in all leagues which allow daily transactions.
News: MLB.com reports Rod Barajas was out of the lineup Wednesday night with some stiffness in his lower back. Gerald Laird started for the third time in six games. He went into the game hitting .417 (5-for-12) with one home run and two RBIs. "Rod's an everyday catcher and has had two good years," Laird said. "I just want to get in there and take advantage of every opportunity I can."
Analysis: Texas manager Buck Showalter said Barajas will probably catch on Thursday. Barajas has three hits in his last 26 at-bats. "I'm sure he's going to come around," Laird said about Barajas. "He's had two good years, it's early and it's a long season. It doesn't matter if he's 0-for-4 or I'm 0-4 as long as we get the W."
News: Rod Barajas, who is in a 1-for-20 stretch, is 6-for-12 in his career against Oakland's Barry Zito. The left-hander faces Barajas on Friday night.
Analysis: Among players with at least 10 career at bats against Zito, only Cubs SS Neifi Perez (8-for-16) has as high an average. Barajas should remain active in all AL and some mixed formats.
News: Rod Barajas was hitless in three at-bats on Monday at L.A. Angels with one strikeout, as he dropped his early season average to .167.
Analysis: After opening the season 4-for-12, Barajas has gone hitless in his past 13 at-bats. Despite the difficult stretch, he remains a solid No. 2 Fantasy catcher in all formats. He'll work through his troubles at the plate to end up just fine.
News: Gerald Laird got his first start on Sunday, giving Rod Barajas his first break of the season. Laird went 2-for-4.
Analysis: It's pretty clear the Rangers prefer Barajas over the talented but raw Laird. Consider Barajas a solid starter in mixed leagues, while Laird is nothing more than a flier for AL-only leagues at this point.
News: Buck Showalter said C Gerald Laird will start Sunday. Rod Barajas has started all six games behind the plate. "Rod's one of the best catchers in our league, and we're going to try to keep him right and also take advantage of his skills," manager Buck Showalter told MLB.com. "But we also want to keep Gerald in the flow. We're not going to let him sit around a long time. I want him to play at least once a week."
Analysis: It's pretty clear the Rangers prefer Barajas over the talented but raw Laird. Consider Barajas a solid starter in mixed leagues, while Laird is nothing more than a flier for AL-only leagues at this point. If Laird ever got regular at-bats, he could be a good hitting catcher for Fantasy.
News: Manager Buck Showalter said he plans to keep Rod Barajas in the starting lineup on Thursday despite the fact knuckleballer R.A. Dickey is set to pitch.
Analysis: Showalter said he does not play to have a designated catcher for Dickey, so that is good news for Barajas and his Fantasy owners. He will likely see five to six starts per week as long as he is hitting. Look for him to sit on Saturday in favor of Gerald Laird, so set your daily Fantasy lineups accordingly.
News: Rod Barajas (back) was in the lineup Sunday, going 2-for-2 with a homer. He is now hitting .294 this spring.
Analysis: Barajas, who is slated to be Texas' No. 1 catcher to open the season, has good pop in a great ballpark and lineup for a hitter. Consider him a sleeper at the position for his power potential on Draft Day.
News: MLB.com reports Rod Barajas had to leave the "A" game against the L.A. Angels Tuesday after two at-bats with soreness in his knee. It's not considered serious.
Analysis: Barajas, who is slated to be Texas' No. 1 catcher to open the season, was the 190th overall selection (Round 19) in the recent B.I.G.S. AL Head-to-Head Experts League.
News: The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Rod Barajas is entrenched as the Rangers' No. 1 catcher even with Gerald Laird in the mix. "It feels great to come in here and be the guy and not have spring training as the deciding factor," Barajas said. "That gives me a chance to work on other things and not worry about the results.
Analysis: Barajas was the 130th overall selection (eleventh round) in the 2006 CBS SportsLine.com AL Experts League. He recorded a .254 BA with 21 home runs and 60 RBI in 410 AB in 2005.
News: Rod Barajas was the 130th overall selection (eleventh round) in the 2006 CBS SportsLine.com AL Experts League. He recorded a .254 BA with 21 home runs and 60 RBI in 410 AB in 2005.
Analysis: Prospect Gerald Laird hasn't been able to avoid injuries, so Barajas has taken advantage of his chance to shine. He is well worth an eleventh- to twelfth-round selection in AL leagues.
News: The Rangers and catcher Rod Barajas agreed to a one-year contract Monday, avoiding salary arbitration. Barajas set career highs in batting average (.254), home runs (21) and RBI (60) in 2005, his first full season as a starter. He threw out 21 of 65 runners trying to steal. The 30-year-old Barajas played parts of five seasons in Arizona before coming to Texas. He has a .236 career average, and he has hit 36 of his 47 lifetime home runs during the last two seasons.
Analysis: Barajas, who played for Rangers manager Buck Showalter in Arizona, came to Texas in 2004 expecting to back up rookie Gerald Laird. When Laird went down with torn thumb ligaments early in the season, Barajas became the starter and stayed in that role when Laird returned. Barajas has good pop and is a solid fallback option at the catcher position in mixed leagues. His lineup and hitter's park certainly help his cause, although Laird won't be going away anytime soon and could be rising to take some playing time.
News: Rod Barajas was back in the lineup Friday after missing the previous two games with a swollen right index finger.
Analysis: Barajas is a pretty good hitting catcher and should be starting in mixed leagues as a No. 2 catcher. Next season, he will once again be pressed by prospect Gerald Laird, who can't seem to stay healthy.
News: Rod Barajas (finger) returned to action for the Rangers on Tuesday night. He went 1-for-4 and might have to start sharing time with top prospect Gerald Laird here on out. Laird got the start Wednesday.
Analysis: Barajas has solid value in AL-only leagues still, but mixed leagues won't like to see Laird stealing his at-bats here on out.
News: The Rangers' Rod Barajas, who had five home runs in the previous three games, left in the fifth inning at Kansas City Saturday after breaking a blood vessel on his right index finger while lining out to first base. "He couldn't close his hand, couldn't grip the ball, so we had to get him out of there," Showalter said. "Rod told me he thought he'd be able to play Monday."
Analysis: Barajas was replaced by Sandy Alomar Jr. behind the plate, but it could be Gerald Laird that gets starts this week if Barajas can't go.
News: Rod Barajas left Wednesday's game in the seventh inning due to an apparent right hand injury.
Analysis: Barajas was nicked by a foul ball in the top of the seventh inning, but he remained in the game until his at-bat in the bottom of the inning. Sandy Alomar replaced him and finished the game. Consider him day to day.
News: After sitting out one game, Rod Barajas (back) is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Angels.
Analysis: Keep an eye on Barajas and his back. If he is able to play consecutive games without any lingering effects of the injury, get him back into the active Fantasy lineup in all daily leagues.
News: The Dallas Morning News Rod Barajas said he expected to have soreness when he woke up Monday. Instead, he said he felt great after taking batting practice. He doesn't expect to land on the disabled list. "It's a huge difference from (Sunday) to (Monday)," Barajas said.
Analysis: Barajas' improvement means Gerald Laird could be back in Triple-A Oklahoma by the end of the week. Manager Buck Showalter was noncommittal about how long he will carry three catchers.
News: Rod Barajas (back) missed Monday's game against the Angels.
Analysis: With Barajas on the mend, Sandy Alomar got the start with Gerald Laird serving as his backup. Barajas is considered day to day.
News: The Dallas Morning News reports that Rod Barajas left Sunday's game at Houston with a strained back muscle. He will be examined Monday by the team doctor. He could not pinpoint when exactly he started feeling discomfort. "Every time I used my right arm, it kind of took my breath away," Barajas said.
Analysis: Sandy Alomar will likely start behind the plate until Barajas returns. Pick him up in AL-only leagues if he is available.
News: Rod Barajas (wrist) went 1-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored against Houston Saturday.
Analysis: Barajas is worth starting in AL-only leagues because of the offense he hits in. His poor batting average is a little troubling though.
News: Rod Barajas (wrist) was not in the starting lineup Friday against the Astros.
Analysis: Barajas is day to day. Sandy Alomar got a rare start behind the dish in Barajas' absence.
News: Rod Barajas (thigh) was able to play in Wednesday's game at Chicago White Sox.
Analysis: Barajas was 1-for-4 in his return. It appears safe to get Barajas back into the active Fantasy lineup in all daily leagues.
News: The Dallas Morning News reports Rod Barajas sat out Tuesday's game against the White Sox because of a bruised right thigh.
Analysis: Barajas is questionable for Wednesday's game. He was injured during Monday's game from a foul ball.
News: Rod Barajas had a cortisone injection in his left wrist. Barajas was available, but as usual didn't play the day game after a night game. Manager Buck Showalter said Barajas has two or three injections a year in the wrist due to tendinitis.
Analysis: Barajas is hitting only .162 (6-for-37) in his past 12 games. He should only be considered as a No. 2 catcher in AL-only leagues at this point.
News: Rod Barajas went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Wednesday against the Angels. He raised his average to .367.
Analysis: Barajas is 11-for-30 on the season. He's worth using as your No. 1 Fantasy catcher in all leagues at this time.
News: Barajas was 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles in Wednesday's game at L.A. Angels.
Analysis: The catcher was hitting the ball hard, spraying it around the field all evening. He is a decent No. 2 Fantasy catcher in most formats.
News: Rod Barajas (back) went 1-for-3 against Arizona Friday in a spring training game.
Analysis: Barajas will likely share duties all season with Gerald Laird and Sandy Alomar.
News: The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Rod Barajas was forced to leave Tuesday's game early due to back spasms.
Analysis: Barajas is considered day to day. He also missed time late during the season because of back issues.
News: Rod Barajas (back) returned to the starting lineup Saturday against Seattle. He went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Analysis: Barajas had his best offensive season this year. He emerged into a quality No. 1 Fantasy catcher option.
News: Rod Barajas (back) was held out of the starting lineup Monday against Anaheim.
Analysis: Barajas is day to day. Ken Huckaby got the start behind the dish in his absence.
News: Rod Barajas (back) returned to the starting lineup Saturday after missing the prior two games. He went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.
Analysis: Barajas is a fine No. 2 Fantasy catcher.
News: Rod Barajas went 3-for-3 with a double and a sacrifice bunt on Thursday against Minnesota. He scored a run and picked up an RBI in the win.
Analysis: Barajas entered the game hitting .164 (18-for-110) since June. He is an adequate No. 2 Fantasy catcher at best.
News: The Dallas Morning News reports that Rod Barajas and Gerald Laird will continue to split starts behind the plate. "I think it's more important to keep them both in the mix," said manager Buck Showalter. "But we've said that if one of them starts to separate himself, we'd adjust."
Analysis: Barajas and Laird are hitting a combined .096 since starting to share time on July 23. Laird is the better prospect, so Barajas better hit soon or he will be overtaken.
News: Despite starting two of the three games since Gerald Laird was activated, Rod Barajas will now likely begin to alternate starts with the rookie catcher, according to the team's official website.
Analysis: Barajas has cooled off a bit since his hot stretch. He should only be considered as a second catcher in larger leagues at best.
News: Rod Barajas (thumb) is back in the starting lineup on Wednesday at Cleveland.
Analysis: Barajas is batting eighth and starting behind the plate. It appears safe to get him back into the active lineup in AL-only daily leagues.
News: Rod Barajas left Tuesday's game in the top of the fifth inning after being hit by a pitch.
Analysis: He is considered day to day. Barajas was replaced by Danny Ardoin.
News: Rod Barajas was 1-for-3 in Monday's game at Seattle to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 12 games.
Analysis: Barajas is 16-for-48 (.333) during the stretch.
News: Rod Barajas went 1-for-4 with a fourth-inning single against Houston Saturday to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 10 games.
Analysis: Barajas is worth starting in all leagues as a No. 2 catcher.
News: Rod Barajas went 3-for-6 with his 11th and 12th home runs on Thursday against Seattle. He now has 21 extra-base hits in only 133 at-bats this year.
Analysis: Barajas has five home runs and nine RBI in his last five games. He is worth starting at catcher in all Fantasy formats at this point.
News: Rod Barajas was back in the Rangers' lineup after missing two games. He has suffered groin and thumb injuries in the past week.
Analysis: It appears safe to activate Barajas again. He is worth starting in AL-only leagues and is a decent second Fantasy catcher in mixed formats.
News: The Dallas Morning News notes that Rod Barajas (thumb) said he expects to be available to play at Florida Friday.
Analysis: Barajas is worth starting in AL-only leagues when healthy.
News: The Dallas Morning News reports that Rod Barajas suffered no broken bones after a collision Tuesday, but he does have a sprained ligament that will keep him sidelined.
Analysis: Barajas is considered day to day and Ken Huckaby will start in his place.
News: Rod Barajas was unable to start Wednesday's game at Cincinnati due to a swollen right thumb.
Analysis: Tests did not reveal any serious injury. Barajas is considered day to day. Ken Huckaby started in his absence.
News: Rod Barajas (groin) is back in the starting lineup on Tuesday at Cincinnati.
Analysis: Barajas is batting seventh and starting behind the plate. It appears safe to get him back in the active lineup in daily AL-only leagues.
News: Rod Barajas went 2-for-5 with two solo home runs on Tuesday. He has now hit safely in six of his last seven games, batting .307 (8-for-26) with four homers and nine RBI. Barajas is hitting .353 (12-for-34) with five homers and 12 RBI since taking over the catching duties from Gerald Laird on May 20.
Analysis: Barajas never really hit for average before the season, so expect his number in that category to drop with time. However, he does play his home games in a hitting-friendly environment, so Barajas should remain a solid No. 2 Fantasy catcher as long as Laird remains sidelined.
News: Rod Barajas will be the starting catcher for the Rangers now that Gerald Laird (thumb) is out of action for at least one month.
Analysis: Barajas is a serviceable catcher who will be a decent No. 2 catcher in AL-only leagues. Danny Ardoin or Ken Huckaby will be recalled to serve as his backup.
News: The Rangers added Rod Barajas to their 40-man roster on Monday, according to the Dallas Morning News. He can still be optioned to Triple-A if the Rangers decide to go with Gerald Laird as the backup to Einar Diaz, however.
Analysis: Barajas is going to be a backup to either Laird or Diaz this year, so don't count on him playing enough to make a Fantasy impact.
News: The Texas Rangers and Barajas agreed to terms on a one-year minor league contract.
Analysis: Barajas has a legitimate chance to earn quality playing time for the Rangers. But he is more noted for his defense, and he won't be very desirable in Fantasy leagues.
News: Rod Barajas, who had surgery on his left wrist in October, told the Arizona Republic that he has been working out without any discomfort.
Analysis: Barajas is expected to share the catching duties with Robbie Hammock next season.
News: Rod Barajas (wrist) will have off-season surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left wrist, according to the Arizona Republic.
Analysis: Barajas does not have much Fantasy value.
News: Rod Barajas (wrist) was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday.
Analysis: He is expected to split time with Chad Moeller over the next few weeks. Neither has any Fantasy appeal in NL-only leagues until a clear-cut starter emerges.
News: Barajas (wrist) will begin a rehab assignment at Class A Lancaster on Sunday, according to the Arizona Republic.
Analysis: Barajas is on schedule to return before the end of July. Chad Moeller and Robby Hammock will continue to split the catching job in his absence.
News: Rod Barajas (wrist) will likely need a minor-league rehab assignment once he is pain-free, manager Bob Brenly told the Arizona Republic.
Analysis: Barajas will continue to work in Phoenix during the All-Star break. Chad Moeller will continue to start in his absence with Robby Hammock serving as the backup.
News: The Arizona Republic reports that Rod Barajas has been bothered by soreness in his left wrist for three or four weeks. He has been diagnosed with a small cartilage tear. "I have two options -- either inject (with anti-inflammatory medication, which he had Monday) and take it easy for a week to 10 days, hoping that takes care of it, or have surgery that could put me out from four to six weeks," he said. "I'd like to hold off on that if I can."
Analysis: While Barajas is out, Chad Moeller will be the starting catcher for the Diamondbacks, with Robby Hammock backing him up. Consider Moeller in NL-only leagues if you need a short-term replacement.
News: The Diamondbacks placed Rod Barajas on the 15-day disabled list on Monday due to left wrist tendinitis. The move is retroactive to July 5.
Analysis: Chad Moeller will start behind the plate with Robby Hammock serving as his backup. Both have minimal Fantasy appeal in NL-only leagues.
News: Barajas missed both weekend games at Los Angeles due to left wrist tendinitis, according to the Arizona Republic.
Analysis: Barajas is considered day to day. Chad Moeller started in his absence. Neither is a useful Fantasy player.
News: Despite hitting well since he came off the DL, Rod Barajas will continue to share playing time with Chad Moeller. "I don't think there's anything carved in stone at this point," Bob Brenly told the Arizona Republic. "We're going to put whoever behind the plate that gives us the best chance of winning that day."
Analysis: Barajas is only worth using in NL-only leagues if your team is thin at catcher.
News: Rod Barajas (hamstring) was activated from the DL and started on Monday.
Analysis: Barajas is only worth a look if you are thin at catcher in an NL-only league.
News: Rod Barajas (hamstring) was 2-for-4 in his first game while on a rehab assignment for Triple-A Tucson.
Analysis: When healthy, Barajas has minimal Fantasy appeal. He might return Monday.
News: The Arizona Republic says Rod Barajas, who was scheduled to report to Tucson on Monday for treatment on his left hamstring, won't be activated until the team returns home on April 28.
Analysis: Barajas won't have much appeal in Fantasy leaguse when he returns.
News: The Arizona Republic reports that Rod Barajas (hamstring) will not accompany the Diamondbacks on their weekend trip to St. Louis, instead remaining home with physical therapist Derek Steveson. Barajas has made progress, however, and a return by April 22 isn't out of the question. He has not yet run at full speed, and might need a minor-league rehabilitation assignment before being activated.
Analysis: Barajas might wind up the backup to Chad Moeller once healthy if the latter continues to play well. Barajas has minimal Fantasy value even in NL-only leagues.
News: Rod Barajas left Sunday's game in the seventh inning with a strained left hamstring. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list and will undergo a precautionary MRI exam.
Analysis: Chad Moeller will be the starting catcher in his absence and Robby Hammock will be recalled from Triple-A Tucson to serve as the backup.
News: The Arizona Republic says Rod Barajas will share playing time with Chad Moeller this season.
Analysis: Neither catcher should be used in Fantasy leagues.
News: Barajas, who has been recovering from a thumb injury, is able to swing the bat but isn't ready to resume defensive drills. He had no real chance at unseating Damian Miller this spring anyway.
Analysis:
News: Barajas, who is sidelined with a thumb injury, may be able to resume catching duties on Friday. He is still not a useful Fantasy player, as he'll be a backup to Damian Miller.
Analysis:
News: Barajas (thumb) may not be ready in time for spring training. Barajas figured the off-season would allow his injured thumb to heal, but X-rays revealed a "little ball" in the afflicted area. Barajas is wearing a heavy wrap around the thumb that could limit his work for the first week of spring training.
Analysis:
News: The Diamondbacks will option Barajas to Triple-A Tucson following the acquisition of Mike DiFelice from Tampa Bay, according to The Arizona Republic. Don't bother holding onto Barajas if by some chance you had him.
Analysis:
News: The Diamondbacks recalled Barajas from Triple-A Tucson and he will rejoin the team on Monday, according to The Arizona Republic. He hit .281 with four homers and 17 RBI in 89 at-bats for Tucson, and will serve as Damian Miller's backup. Barajas isn't worth picking up as a result.
Analysis:
News: Barajas was optioned to Triple-A Tucson following Thursday's game against the Cubs. He was only a backup to begin with and shouldn't be held onto in a Fantasy league.
Analysis:
News: The Diamondbacks appear close to naming Barajas their backup catcher to open the season, so says The Arizona Republic. Although Arizona was considering acquiring a veteran backup backstop, the price was deemed too high and Barajas has handled the pitching staff well while batting .360 (7-for-17) this spring. Despite this news, Damian Miller is still projected to get as many as 135 starts in 2001, so don't expect much production from Barajas.
Analysis:
News: Although he hasn't named a favorite to win the backup catcher job to Damian Miller, Diamondbacks Manager Bob Brenly says that Barajas might be better served playing every day in the minors this season. Melvin Rosario and Ken Huckaby are two of the other candidates, although we don't expect any of the three to help your Fantasy team this season.
Analysis:
News: The Diamondbacks will enter spring training with Barajas battling Melvin Rosario and Ken Huckaby for the backup catcher job to Damian Miller. Unlike in previous seasons, Arizona's backup catcher will probably not see much playing time, so the winner won't help your Fantasy team this year.
Analysis:
News: Manager Buck Showalter lauded C Gerald Laird's performance at the plate in recent weeks, but said he would continue to platoon him with Rod Barajas.
Analysis: Laird is hitting .481 with three doubles, a homer and three RBIs in seven starts since the All-Star break. "Gerald's got a hot hand right now, but Rod's been good for us, too," Showalter said. "It's a two-headed position for us." Laird's definitely the better option at the plate over Barajas. Start Laird as a No. 2 catcher in AL-only play and Barajas is barely holding on as a No. 2 mixed league catcher.
