News: St. Louis outfielder
Lance Berkman is projected to miss the next eight to 10 weeks after having surgery Friday to repair a torn meniscus and another minor cartilage tear, the team announced. Berkman, who was placed on the disabled list last Sunday after suffering the injury while stretching to make a putout at first base, will begin his rehab work in Houston. The Cardinals anticipate Berkman returning to St. Louis for the latter part of his rehab.
Analysis: If there was a
positive note to take from Berkman's surgery, it's that there was no mention of repairing his ACL, which likely would have ended his season. Instead, the 36-year-old slugger could return at some point following the All-Star break, but St. Louis will certainly be overly cautious during his rehab. Berkman ripped 14 hits in 13 games before the injury (.333), and should be reserved in all Fantasy formats for now.
Jones on verge of big deal
Adam Jones, CF, BAL
11:43 AM
News: The Baltimore Orioles and outfielder
Adam Jones are close to an extension that would give him the most lucrative contract in franchise history, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman confirmed. FoxSports.com was the first to report the deal on Friday that would exceed
Miguel Tejada's six-year, $72 million contract he signed in 2004.
Nick Markakis is currently the highest paid with his six-year, $66.1 million pact from 2009.
Analysis: Jones has blossomed into one of the American League's top hitters and leads the Orioles in nearly every offensive category. The 26-year-old, who is eligible for free agency after the 2013 season, is boasting a .311 batting average with 14 home runs and six stolen bases. His is currently riding a 15-game hitting streak that includes six homers. Fantasy owners should keep him active in all formats as he threatens his first 20-20 campaign.
News: Miami shortstop
Emilio Bonifacio had successful surgery Friday to repair ligament damage in his left thumb, according to MLB.com. Bonifacio, whose arm was in a sling following the procedure, is expected to be sidelined an additional four to six weeks. The Marlins will continue to provide additional starts in center field to
Chris Coghlan and Bryan Peterson during Bonifacio's absence.
Analysis: Miami will sorely miss Bonifacio's speed as he easily paced the majors with 20 stolen bases in 21 chances. The 27-year-old had also displayed improvement at the plate after a minor slump at the end of April and raised his batting average to .268. He also sliced his strikeout rate to also increase his on-base percentage. Fantasy owners should continue to keep him reserved in all formats as he targets a return in late June.
Utley gets into swing of things
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI
11:05 AM
News: In the latest stage of his recovery from a troublesome knee injury, Phillies second baseman
Chase Utley took two sessions of batting practice Thursday, the
Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Utley, who has not played this season, also took limited infield practice. There is still no timetable for his return. "I was encouraged with the way the ball was jumping off his bat and how nice he was swinging," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "And any time he goes out and takes ground balls, I get encouraged by that."
Analysis: While his batting sessions remain encouraging, Utley continues to be held back in the field as that part causes the 33-year-old the most pain in his balky left knee. He will begin a rehab assignment in Florida when he feels comfortable, but that schedule is still uncertain. "I think it's a matter of him feeling like he's ready to go play in a game," Manuel said. "I think it's a matter of him being healthy enough and thinking that he's ready." Utley could return at some point in late June so Fantasy owners should keep him stashed in most formats.
Craig sees work at second base
Allen Craig, 1B, STL
11:57 AM
News: Cardinals outfielder
Allen Craig (hamstring) took batting practice and fielded grounders at second base prior to the Thursday's game, according to the
St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Craig, who has been sidelined since May 18 with a nagging hamstring issue, is first eligible to come off the disabled list next Friday. He is hitting .373 with five homers and 19 RBI through 13 games this season.
Analysis: Craig has been limited by injuries as his current stint on the disabled list is his second trip this season. The 27-year-old was projected to see more time at first base than the outfield upon his return, but that was before Lance Berkman suffered a potential season-ending knee injury. Now, the Cardinals could use him at second base while Matt Adams patrols first. Fantasy owners should monitor his status as he could return soon.
Maine lands with Yankees
John Maine, SP, COL
11:11 AM
News: The New York Yankees signed starting pitcher
John Maine to a minor-league deal on Friday, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Maine made 11 starts for the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate last year, going 1-3 with a 7.43 ERA and 2.07 WHIP. The right-hander signed with the Red Sox in January, but was released earlier this month without having pitched in the minors.
Analysis: Maine becomes the latest journeyman to play for both the Mets and Yankees, but first needs to overcome shoulder issues. The 31-year-old was quality pitcher for the Mets from 2006-08, but injuries derailed his career. He last threw in the majors in 2010, when he was 1-3 with a 6.13 ERA for the Mets. Fantasy owners should not consider Maine a worthwhile option in any formats at this point.
News: The Marlins put outfielder
Austin Kearns on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday, retroactive to May 23. Kearns sustained a strained right hamstring while running the bases in Tuesday's game against the Rockies. He was replaced on the Marlins' active roster by outfielder
Kevin Mattison, who was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans.
Analysis: Kearns had been on fire at the plate, and he was the main playing time beneficiary of Gaby Sanchez's demotion to Triple-A, as Logan Morrison vacated left field to play first base. When Kearns returns, it could be to a reserve role, so owners looking to clear a DL spot should monitor the Marlins' outfield situation over the coming weeks. It may not be worthwhile hanging on to Kearns while he recovers from his injury.
News: The
Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Braves first baseman
Freddie Freeman is still dealing with a dry-eye issue that kept him out of a game last week. Freeman had a procedure to plug his tear ducts, but that, along with eye drops and contact lenses, have not completely eradicated the problem. Freeman was out of the Braves' starting lineup for Thursday's game at Cincinnati, though it has not been reported as to whether his absence was related to his eye problem.
Eric Hinske got the start at first base in Freeman's place.
Analysis: It had appeared as if Freeman had put this medical issue behind him, so this latest report is something that should concern his Fantasy owners. Given that Freeman's absence from the lineup may not be related to his eye problem, there may not be any need for owners to take action, but it is certainly a situation worth following. When he is healthy enough to play, Freeman is worth starting in virtually all formats.
News: Newly-named White Sox Closer
Addison Reed was not pitching in a save situation on Thursday, however the team did turn to him to pitch the 10th inning of a five-run game against the Twins. Reed struck out two in the inning, however he was hit hard, giving up two runs on a home run off the bat of
Justin Morneau. He finished with those two earned runs and strikeouts in one inning, as the White Sox won, 11-8.
Analysis: It was not a save situation, but that was not a good first impression for the Fantasy owners who picked him up today after hearing the news. Reed had four saves in his last six appearances before Thursday, and he has allowed runs in just two of his 18 appearances this season. He should still be added in many mixed Fantasy leagues, however this was certainly not a good outing for him.
Haren masterful in complete game
Dan Haren, SP, LAA
1:11 AM
News: Angels starting pitcher
Dan Haren had yet to find his way in the 2012 season prior to Thursday’s game against the Mariners, however he looked as good as he ever has in the game, picking up his sixth career complete-game shutout to lead the Angels to a 3-0 win. Haren allowed just four hits in the game while establishing a new career-high in strikeouts with 14, as he mowed through the Mariners offense with ease. Haren allowed just three runners to reach second base, two of them on stolen bases, but was never in any real trouble, as he picked up just his second win of the season. Haren needed 126 pitches to finish the game, tossing first pitch strikes to 22 of the 31 batters he faced, as he was in control all night.
Analysis: Haren has typically been a much stronger first-half player than a second-half player, so the fact that his ERA was standing at a fairly robust 4.37 before this game was something of a surprise. After just one start, Haren lowered that number to 3.76, while simultaneously putting to rest any doubts about a possible decline in skills in his age-31 season. With the exception of an ugly 2-5 record, Haren’s starts are largely where we expected them to be this season, as he has struckout more than four batters for every one he has walked through 64 2/3 innings. He is set to face a tough Yankees lineup in his next start, on Tuesday during Week 9 (May 28-June 3), however he has put up a 5-1 record with a 3.43 ERA against them in 10 career starts, so consider him a solid Fantasy option in all formats.
